floating downstream.
January 24, 2009
Time has been passing by so quickly lately. Thus, the lack of blogging. Feels like I’m on a boat ride in a swift current on the Ganges, feasting on every color and shape and sound, but I can’t freeze a single moment. Everything just mooshes together into a certain vibrancy; a feeling.
I worked around the clock last week on a freelance project. It was a ton of work, but I’m excited about how it all turned out. I’ll share it soon. I created it in collage that I digitally pieced together, which although it was appropriate for the complexity of the project, I realize I just don’t enjoy creating illos digitally. I prefer paint and the spontaneous process of ‘figuring things out’ with my hands — tossing in anything to make it just right. Feels more like playing a game. Plus, I tend to ‘turn off’ my travelin’ eye when it comes to more 2-D, left brain activities (such as staring at a computer monitor), which makes me lead with my right eye and I get all cock-eyed. No fun fer the neck muscles!
I’m excited to have that project off so I can focus more on my kid’s book (yay!!). My process with this book has been a lot different than my first. The first one I sorta just dove into and drew upon my childhood memories. And it worked perfect. But for this book, I taped each double page sketch into a sketchbook and have been carrying it with me everwhere, doodling and writing down ideas for each page whenever they come to me. It’s been such a huge help and really fun to see it develop this way. I’ve also been pouring through my travel sketchbooks and photographs for references. I initially started this process-book so I could show kids at schools how I think and work out my words/pictures, but it’s turned into a beautiful thing for me (and this story).
It’s also been pretty amazing painting this book for kids while a ‘kid’ is growing inside of me. It’s magical to say the least. And with less than 10 weeks to go, the reality (AND EXCITEMENT!) is kicking in. My belly is growing a lot now, and life is expanding with every thought that surfaces of this mysterious soul. My midwives are becoming close sisters, and along with the snow melting down the mountain, the baby will soon be heading downstream.
13 Responses to “floating downstream.”
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Chai Pilgrimage!
January 24th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Jenny, i can’t wait for the next book to be “born”. Lola (my little Granddaughter) LOVES her “Jenny SUE” book, and I will be sure to get her a copy of the next one too! :)
January 24th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
ah, thanks Mare! that is so sweet and makes me super happy… hope you are well!
January 24th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Hi Jen, I love looking at sketchbooks where ideas take shape, like the one that you’ve shown here. I hope you will share more. I know the feeling of relief when you get a big project out of the way and begin to illustrate what you really want to do.
Can you believe here in Bangalore, ‘working by hand’ means working with a computer mouse???!! I was shocked.
When I say I am an ‘Illustrator’,people presume I am someone who works with this computer package called ‘Adobe Illustrator’ with which you can draw on the comp. That shocks me still more. People are mystified why on earth I would want to get my hands all messy with charcoal and paint when I can use a computer instead! Aiyoh!
Yes, it is presumed that I indulge in my ‘hobby’ more than I should, but at least I ‘teach’ painting also, and for some strange reason, that seems to comfort concerned inquirers.
;-)
January 25th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Hi Jen, I love the concept of the process-book. We should all carry one with us in life. I know I need at least one with me at all times. I start a new journal tomorrow with the first day of Year of the female earth Ox.
Thanks for sharing your sketches with us.
January 26th, 2009 at 8:27 am
I am right there with you in regard to creating on a computer versus painting “the old fashioned way”. There is no comparison. I like messes!
Love the process book idea. I can’t wait to watch the evolution!
January 26th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Love your sketchbook and love hearing about your baby :)
January 26th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Looking forward to seeing all your new work, Jen. I’m sure it’s going to be knock-out stuff. I love the peacocks.
January 28th, 2009 at 6:57 am
This is so interesting to read about your creative process… I totally agree about the pleasure of painting/illustrating traditionally.
Just 10 more weeks! Just savor them, it goes so fast at the end ^^
January 30th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Love to see your process!
January 30th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
How beautiful, this is a wonderful time in your lives.
xoxo
Renee
January 31st, 2009 at 9:59 pm
You process book is so much fun. Like little visual whispers and clips from your life-I loove it! I bet is is such a neat experience to be able to go through the process of a human growing in your belly too, it’s seems so life altering!
February 1st, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Under 10 weeks, whoa, that is so soon! Very interesting to see how your new book is taking shape, while you are taking shape too:). What a creative time for you!
February 8th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
it’s so nice to read all your comments. under 8 weeks to go now! and on a painting marathon…um, napping marathon, too! hee. i’ll blog soon! Baby-growing is taking priority.