party!

This little scene speaks for itself, I believe! Bunny's friends know him well and have given him books for his birthday, mostly non-fiction and how-to manuals. He's going to have learn how to build himself another bookshelf!

super bunny

Here are a few more of the most recent Bunny and Bear pictures. I'm working on illustrating the characters in diverse settings and using interesting perspectives. I really love the painting of Super Bunny (above) because he seems weightless, like the clouds behind him.

This one shows the interior of Bunny's home, in the trunk of a tree. His place is cosy and he has made pot of hot chocolate to cheer himself up a bit because his plans for the day must wait until the rain lets up. 

Bunny has recruited Bear into helping him build a boat, so they pack a lunch of sandwiches and a thermos of cocoa and begin felling the first tree to make into lumber. I don't think they realize how much work building a boat will be, but at least they are doing it together and have brought snacks to carry them through it.

More to come!

bunny and bear

Summertime, watercolor, 2012

Sometimes you happen to create a character or two who really interest you. These little friends are Bunny and Bear and they are the main characters in a series I've been working on. For some reason I have grown fond of them, like friends, and am having a great time thinking up a world for them to live in. 

Bunny is curious and is always scheming and trying new things, like building a boat or organizing a pancake feast for the neighborhood. He doesn't mind taking a day off though, to just laze about and nap in a hammock! Bear is Bunny's best friend and the friend we all hope to have, dedicated and thoughtful, although he's got some quirks which make him unique and even more lovable. 

Stay tuned as I will be posting more of the adventures of Bunny and Bear!

Over Land, watercolor, 2012

Over Water, watercolor, 2012

Dance, watercolor, 2012

I also want to mention that I attended the Summer conference of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators last weekend and it was amazing. I learned so much and was incredibly inspired by the wonderful speakers. On top of that my portfolio received and 'Honorable Mention" at the portfolio showcase! If you are looking to become an illustrator or author of children's books, I highly suggest joining this society because it's a great resource and community. 

sneek peek

I'm printing new tote bags! After a lot of research I found a company who sells organic and fairtrade certified cotton bags and tea towels. The, after a long journey they arrived at my door and I went to the art store to buy screen printing supplies, found a studio nearby with the equipment I needed to put the design onto the screens (Urban Craft Center in Santa Monica) and arranged my living room to accommodate the screenprinting itself (basically just used the coffee table and made a mess!)

 My 'label'

I've printed owls and bears so far, and next will be an alphabet which I'm really excited about. 

I'll be selling these babies in my etsy shop and at RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR, LOS ANGELES!!!!! My friend Jenny Smith and I will be sharing a booth and we couldn't be happier. It's one of the biggest craft fair in the US and it will be in LA on July 28th and 29th, so mark your calendar!

I'll be posting again when the bags and towels are done and in my shop, so check back soon :)

all good things

 This week was my friend Jenny's birthday so for a present I made a little portrait of her, screenprinted onto a cute tote bag. It's sort of comic-bookesque because she loves comics. In fact, I included a bunch of things she likes! Just look at all things floating around her and you will see: turn tables and music notes, cooking things (including a piece of kale), a bike, a heart, mountains with hiking trails, comic books, regular books, snow board, plants, spool of thread, sewing machine, a softie (she makes awesome teddy bears and plush animals she calls softies!), and the sun. All good things.

The tote is 100% organic cotton and fairtrade certified. This is a limited edition design, but I'm going to be making more bags as well as tea towels with other interesting and cool designs on them, so stay tuned!

Jenny Smith!

...cooking...kale....mountain biking...

...snowboarding, books, comic books..

...plants...making softies...sewing...

The making of. This is the screen I used to print the design onto the bag. 

Bear with coffee card meets bear with coffee wool felt doll.

Besides making traditional teddy bears and softies, Jenny is getting into needle felting and here is what she made me for my birthday (which is a few days after hers). I LOVE IT! She took my 'bear with coffee' drawing and sculpted a version of it with wool felt. It came out awesome and I will cherish this little guy. Above is a photo of her creation next to my drawing. I am selling these 'bear with coffee' cards as well as others in my etsy shop. 

Jenny's Teddy Bear Republic and Etsy Shop