Back from the Dead!

Sorry for dropping of the planet, but after that first night at IMC, my laptop blew up. Irretrievably. (I am in deep mourning...)

I have lots of pictures and reports from IMC and environs
(as well as garden updates and new kitten shots)-

-which I will get to as quickly as I can, now that I am nearly finished downloading all the software on this new, screaming desktop (courtesy of my kind husband). So, stay tuned!

IMC '11 - Day 1

Today was such a busy, loaded day I hardly had a chance to pull my camera out!

(this year's faculty at the welcome-lecture)
The day started off with the traditionally wonderful slideshow and opening remarks -

There was also a lecture by Iain McCaig - that was incredible. That man is a Super Hero. And he knows *everything*.  And a really informative  lecture on photo referencing by a bunch of the faculty in the evening.

Then there were critiques of our sketches for a great deal of the day. I was in the studio with Rebecca Guay, Julie Bell, Iain McCaig and Greg Manchess critiquing. It comes as no surprise, but these guys are *brilliant!*. So many good suggestions. So much can be learned listening to all the various critiques.

Iain McCaig (who is nearly frenetically energetic) gave very animated demonstrations of poses and design - complete with roll playing and sound effects. :-)

My critique was pretty short. Some nudging of characters and the text.....

(Some possible 'doggoyle' designs...)

This was my submitted sketch... Have now scanned it and will move stuff around in Photoshop, print out large and draws-for-real!  Most go work.

IMC '11 - Part 1, Downtown Amherst

After a Very Long travel day yesterday (hours and  hours in the Chicago airport due to thunderstorms, etc..) I have made it up to Amherst College.  Today is an informal day - mostly getting checked in, unpacked and organized in preparation for lectures and studio  time starting tomorrow morning.

That didn't take all that long, so a friend and I walked around the main street in Amherst, which is full of cute architecture. Here is some -

Lots of neat brick buildings to see. Sunshine and breezes to help ameliorate the humidity (have I mentioned I am never moving from Seattle? I do love the architecture here however).

Dinner with a bunch of fellow students - and looking forward to seeing many more on the morrow...

WIP Wednesday - rough mock-up

Rough sketch for IMC - which I leave for TOMORROW MORNING.

(The text will read: The Trouble with Taking Trolls to Tea). It's only taken me ALL month to even get this far... (how can one draw when the gardens are growing so enthusiastically?) There will be much drawing in the airport.

If I have time, I will post updates throughout the week. If not - see you in about 10 days...?

Music Monday - Because, plus Garden Update

I love love love the harmonies in this

 (warning - partial nudity. Avert your eyes if this is problematic for you - it is worth hearing):

This is sort of garden/earthy - so I thought that I would post some early June garden shots - (click on the photo for a larger view).

 This is the back yard roughly stitched together (all the holes are where the deck is). Things are filling in nicely. The raspberry patch is in full bloom and is completely abuzz with honey and bumblebees. The bottom center picture shows my row of columnar apple and cherry trees along the side of the deck stairs...

Stitching together the deck was in no way possible, but you can see the herb boxes, the monster kiwi vines that grow just beyond and my new mini-greenhouse sort of thing (since it is refusing to get seriously warm out. My starts are still itty-bitty little things...)

One benefit of the cool weather is that the lettuces and various greens are at their peak. Backyard salads are full of awesome right now!

Sunday Sketching -

Quickie heads (around 3-5 minutes) in the teensy purse Moleskine....

Figure Friday - more critter design...

First pass at a potential troll for this IMC sketch....

more coming.....

WIP Wednesday - playing at critter design...

Designing a 'lap dog' for an upscale troll...

Something between a warthog and a gargoyle...

Still very much in process....