Piper Illustration

Creative Inspiration

Piper — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 03:57:33 +0000

In the last two weeks or so I have been the very lucky recipient of some wonderful inspiration. I mentioned children’s book author Dallas Clayton on my Facebook Page. Then just yesterday, I decided to have a looksee at the Kickstarter website to see what might be going on for projects there in the world of publishing. I came across an artist by the name of Ashmae who wrote and illustrated her own children’s book called The Lost Party. It looks so incredibly delish. I fell instantly in love with her animal illustrations, and what a sweet and intelligible little story to boot. Ashmae reached her funding goal after only ten days. I am so excited for her! I am also in awe of her because she has a 2 year old and a baby on the way. I am a stay at home Mom of a 3 year old and a 4 month old and so very rarely do I have time to even trim my toenails. Or eat. But Ashmae did it. She made time in all the nooks and cranies of the day that she could find and, I don’t know how long it took her, but I’m giving myself the rest of my life. Hey, at least I will be happily creating the whole time (isn’t the journey the goal!) even if it’s only 5 minutes a day, and then who knows, maybe my book will be ready much sooner than a lifetime. I’m betting it will! My daughter said to me yesterday while she was painting that I should come and work on my own paintings beside her. I think I’m going to take her up on that idea.

I’ve written many stories but I’ve finally written (and completed) one that I wish to fly with. It is a delightful little children’s story about accepting yourself (and other’s) as you are and embracing and even celebrating your eccentricities and non-conformities. I wrote this story as I seem to write all of my stories, on a whim. It flew out of me rather feverishly, the words spreading across the paper like wildfire as though I was merely a vehicle to bringing it into existence, all in the matter of a good hour. I put the story aside for a good many months, thinking that a story written in one short hour simply cannot be good enough, and focused my attention on my family when one day I was reminded of it again. It was interesting to read it after so long and to discover that I still really like it. I keep thinking about how I will illustrate it, because the illustrations will complete the book. They will make the book come together. They will provide visual clues necessary to the reader that are not totally apparent by the written words alone. This book will make your child think. It will also give your child (and hopefully you) a good laugh. My biggest hope is that it will make you both unafraid to be the best and truest versions of yourselves, ever. No matter what anyone else thinks.

I am reminded of the wonderful story of Le Petit Prince, how it reminds adults of the importance of keeping and nurturing the wonder and imagination of childhood. And what parent doesn’t hope and wish and strive for their children to spread their wings and fly? I love books that encourage this in our children, so it makes sense that I would be drawn to writing and illustrating for children with these ideas in the forefront.

So here I go! Wish me luck. No, wish that my children sleep at regular intervals. That would be cool.

Superheroes!

Piper — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 04:20:07 +0000

Superheroes!

Piper — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 04:11:02 +0000

I didn’t actually get final photos of the finished piece before sending it off to its lovely family, but this is close enough. I had a lot of fun working on this commission. And the Mom was beyond kind and patient with me and my difficult pregnancy. I can’t thank her enough for that. And aren’t her boys just so incredibly sweet? They make awesome superheroes! Thank you to their Mom for sharing a little bit of their worlds with me. That is the most special part of the process, for sure. Kids are zee best.

Pink Moon

Piper — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 04:50:56 +0000

Acrylics on gallery canvas

Illustration Friday – Carry

Piper — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 04:43:27 +0000

Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink. Pink Moon.

My daughter, from around 14 – 18 months, was obsessed with the Moon. She is now 2 and a half years old. I kept meaning to create a little painting to remember those special Moon days and nights when we’d search for it, outside before bed in our jammies. So, here it is Lulu, you and your Moon. Love, Mommy.

Butterfly Wings

Piper — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 03:01:37 +0000

Acrylics on Canvas

Illustration Friday – Suspend

Piper — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 01:04:38 +0000

Lulu was uncertain whether it was the balloon or her butterfly wings or perhaps magic that held her suspended in the sky. She decided it didn’t really matter.

It has been a long while since I submitted work to Illustration Friday. Last night, pregnant me couldn’t sleep so I made this. Thanks, Illustration Friday for filling my slumber time with fun! I haven’t actually painted this way in a long time either, so it was really gratifying!

Garden Castles and City Scapes

Piper — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 03:43:03 +0000

Owly Owls + WIP

Piper — Sat, 12 May 2012 13:54:37 +0000

Here is an old work in progress that I am getting back to finally. I had this plan to create film stills on wood and this one is of Alice in Wonderland when she’s so big she fills up the room. This one is fun because I am creating the room with real wallpaper, hardwood floors and finishes so that you can “feel” the image. Here is a close up so you can see what I mean.

I am really enjoying “installing” the hardwood flooring.
Yesterday after a long leisurely morning at the beach with Lulu and her friend Sage, and after a glorious afternoon siesta, we made these Owls together out of recycled toilet paper rolls, buttons and papers. Here is Lulu painting them.

And here they are all completed and perched up on a shelf contemplating their next adventure!

My plan for now while we wait for our new little baby to arrive is to complete all of my works in progress and work on one art commission per month from my Rockstars and Superheroes line of personalized art for children. This is what I can manage whist being pregnant and chasing around my toddler. We are also working very hard and diligently on our beach rock collection, which takes time and lots of careful consideration, I tell you! And there are numerous sand castles to be completed. Hello Summer!

Good Food, Great Art

Piper — Sun, 06 May 2012 02:02:57 +0000

I want to start off by saying that Pinterest has jumped in and saved my butt when it comes to being organized about cooking and having fun with it all at the same time. Where have you been all my life? I never realized how much I needed a VISUAL pin board. I NEED the pictures. I guess I am a visual person, and that is that. So, I made these personalized baked oatmeal cups this morning, some with walnuts, some with walnuts and chocolate chips, and some with apples. I think the apple ones were my fave. This delicious, healthy recipe (found here) was made with ground flax, applesauce and banana– no sugar or flour whatsoever. Can’t beat that! And as I was taking the picture, I realized that this painting was right behind it, so why not include it. It was made by my lovely, inspiring niece. And yes, those ARE jelly beans, and yes, this is my family and our new home. She made it for us as a housewarming gift and I was so touched by it, I welled up with tears when she gave it to me!

Then I made this Curry Lentil Soup (topped with roasted pumpkin seeds and fresh coriander) for lunch (recipe from Green Kitchen Stories) which was also really great poured over steamed rice. Another thing I have discovered about myself is that if I do all the prep work the night before, cooking from scratch and getting meals on the table on time is totally no problem! Plus, it’s waaaay less stressful, and it makes me feel like I’m actually a good cook and maybe even have my shit together! Hah! The ways we try to fool ourselves…

Then…. I went to GirlCanCreate’s Movies & Makers art and craft fair at the Fox Theater. What a lovely venue! The booths were all set up in the aisles of the theater, each lit up in the darkness (rather than overhead lights) making it really enchanting. I got this wonderful, natural scented foot scrub (desperately needed!) by MadStone Soapery….

This gorgeous brooch and earrings from Ladeebee (in truth I would have bought her whole table had I had the money)….. who also has a children’s clothing etsy shop called Vintage Baby Revival which I can’t wait to check out.

And this adorable, lovely original vintage collage made by the organizer of the event, artist Lisa Pijuan Nomura, who is so lovely and kind herself. I can’t say enough about this show, and all the vendors there. I wish it was on again tomorrow so that I could tell you just how badly you need to get yourselves there. The work was impeccable– the craftsmanship, the quality, the inspiring imagination put into all of the work there just astounded me. Thank you for making my day! And thank you to Oma and Opa for making it possible for me to get out of the house with my good friend so that we could enjoy this show together!

Then… I came home and made this Honey Sesame Chicken recipe in my crock pot. It turned out great. You know how I know? Because my daughter actually ate it all up, had seconds and thirds I tell you!