Cats and Jammers Studio

Boo!

Going undercover....

I'm back on the wagon. No more junkin' for a spell.

Not because I feel guilt, or have too much stuff, or can't see the top of my dining room table. Not because there is nothing I need or can't live without left on the face of the planet. Not even because I have so much junk stored away I could be selling on ebay for the next 6 years.

Nope. None of those reasons.

It's because I have to go into complete non-distraction mode while I paint.

I may just post about things I dream about, or wish I could find, or even stuff I can't stand (that's always fun--like gossip). But no real junkin' for a spell.

But maybe just some art from time to time....

Off to the city...

Well, on Thursday I am off to NYC for the SCBWI midyear conference. I go every year and enjoy every minute. Last year I was thrilled to have been one of ten finalists in the art showcase, then one of the three prize winners. I am not thinking about that this year, so I am bringing a strange funky piece, that is based on a book idea I have. I think it's good to take chances and try to go out on a limb in new illustration work. As soon as I come home and have time to take a picture I'll post it. In the mean time...

I don't think I will be doing any junkin' in NY. There is a little toy shop in the village that has some stuff I covet, but the prices are high and I doubt that I will have time to cab down to that part of town.

Besides, I am on a bit of a research mission: looking at all the wonderful detailing that is on the older buildings in Manhattan. Since the book I am working on takes place mostly in NYC, I want to recreate that wonderful feeling of ornamentation on dusty old bricks and concrete--little florets and gargoyles and curves and dentil molding that exist on the facades for no other reason than someone a hundred years ago or more took some creative license. Does anyone build modest buildings today with the pride of simple decoration for decoration 's sake?

Somehow, I think not...