Artsyteapot

Welcome to this wandering tour of blogs by artists, writers, musicians, painters, photographers, and more.

I'd like to introduce Nata Romeo a.k.a ArtistaDonna, who is the author and illustrator of her first children's book titled Alphabet Wildlife A to Z. Originally from Toronto, Canada, she now brews and sprinkles her art and stories from the Philadelphia skies. She dreams that her work gets swept up and tangled into a massive storm front so that her world can travel across the universe and beyond. Check out her blog at http://artistadonna.blogspot.com

Now for my part of the tour....

1. What am I working on currently?
Currently I'm preparing work for a gallery show in October. Fourteen of us from our local SCBWI illustrator group are having a show entitled “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” at Times Ten Gallery on October 9, 2014. I'm working on some new paintings and re-working a few old ones. I have a picture book dummy that I’m completing and several more ideas for picturebook dummies.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I guess the strongest component in my art is my color. I love color and I am drawn to use it expressively. I feel there is so much emotion in color and an artist can say so much by the colors they use.

3. Why do I write or create what I do?
Hmmm.. that’s a good question. Growing up drawing all the time, I just knew I wanted to do something creative. I felt I HAD to do something creative.. there wasn’t a choice. Before illustration and picture books, I transitioned from fine art and i especially enjoyed drawing and painting portraits. Working in children’s picture books just felt like coming home. I felt as if I had found my tribe.

4. How does my creating/writing process work?
If it’s single illustrations.. First I doodle, or it might be something my grandkids do that triggers an idea. I make a sketch and refine that with composition and different angles. Then I scan my sketch, enlarge it and print it. At that point, I decide if I’ll paint on paper or canvas.. usually paper these days. I use a light box and trace my sketch onto my paper. If I’m painting in oil alkyds I gesso the paper before I transfer the sketch. As I near completion of my painting, I will often scan the painting and finish digitally.

Now I’m going to pass the blog hop torch to the following artists – who will participate next Monday, August 18. Please make note of (or possibly visit).

Robyn Jorde has been drawing ever since she was able to wield a crayon. She now works in oil, watercolor, pastel, and ink, often combining multiple media in one piece. Digital techniques also often come into play. And sometimes she still uses crayons. Robyn is currently working on paintings in the landscape and floral genres and illustrations for children’s literature. In both the paintings and the illustrations, Robyn uses layering, texture, and color to create a mood. The paintings are often done from life and are meditative studies of color, shape and composition. The illustrations, rooted in the classic golden age tradition, add the element of storytelling. Visit Robyn at http://robynjorde.com/blog

Nancy Heard is a freelance illustrator/
artist. She has illustrated children’s books, activity books, and coloring books. She has designed/illustrated wallpaper, scrapbook paper, party invitations, and has also produced illustrations for corporations. Some of Nancy’s clients include: NRN Design, Glad Tidings, Sonburn, Thomas Nelson Publishers, C. R. Gibson - Creative Papers,Taylor Wallcoverings, Ideal Publishers, Dominee Press, Rainbow Press and more. Nancy illustrated “The Tiny Ant”, for Edupress, which won the Teacher’s Choice Award. Nancy currently resides in Dallas, Texas.
Visit Nancy at
http://nancyheard.blogspot.com