Monday, May 3, 2010

IF_Cocoon

This weeks prompt for Illustration Friday is Cocoon.  I've got another crazy week so just a quick one this time.  This is the first illustration that I have done on my new computer. I also used CS5 for the first time and painter 11. The illustration isn't my favorite but I'm in love with the computer and new programs. The learning curve isn't going to be bad at all. The Mac is so easy I haven't had any problems with it yet and the new version of photoshop is wonderful. Of course I am going from CS2 to CS5 so there was a pretty good gap.
Before I forget again I need to list the lie from my Award post a while back. Several of the answers were partial truths. #3 was mostly true but I did try to paint and draw a few times during that 10 years I just didn't have the time or the patience with 2 small children to make enough of an effort and felt like I had lost my ability to draw. #4 was half true, no championships yet ; ). #7 I wish...
...the part about an author/illustrator was true though.  I can't remember his name, but he left a lasting impression on me.  That leaves # 5, which is so crazy it has to be true. I not only heard this from my grandparents, but also from the daughter of the man who was left tied up over night. The rest of the story is that my grandmother gave me that ring and I wore it every single day. When she gave it to me I thought it was too large, not my color  and so not me, but it was from her and because of that I adored it. Well, when I was sick and having radiation my fingers kept shrinking and swelling, but I stubbornly kept wearing my jewelry even though there were days when it would fall off.  So, of course, one day when I was feeling productive, I was cleaning and tossing things out and my ring fell off into the garbage bag(or so we think) and needless to say that is the day my hubby was especially helpful and efficient and took the bag to the dump immediately. We searched for days and never found it. I still get upset just thinking about it. I think that is the most I have ever cried over a possession. Now all I have is the story : (

28 comments:

  1. Well where is my book of antonyms? This is just superb!

    It's really very interesting because the contrast between softness and hard edge adds some surrealism to the image. The face is so angelic and crisp and clear and real.

    Yet so is the cocoon so real in a soft way. So the different approaches to realism contrasting with each other give surrealism - and that sense of aethereal otherworldiness.

    Amazing :)

    By the way, I like your lies. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, thank you Andrew, and I thought it wasn't very good. You made my day, or my night rather!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like the rendering of the baby! I'm also glad to hear you're enjoying CS5 and Painter. I lost my wedding ring within 3 months of getting married. I am still sad about it but happy to report that it hasn't affected our marriage. Best wishes Karen. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. The realism in your work is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  5. i LOVE the texture of the cocoon...

    ReplyDelete
  6. ..lovely babe..beautiful illustration..

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, Karen! Where to start. First of all, this little baby. So sweet and cozy. It makes my heart swell with all those motherly instincts. Love all the warm colors surrounding the wee little one.

    Second of all, awwwww! I'm so sorry you never found that ring. A crushing heartbreaker, I agree. I lost a precious sentimental ring once, too. Even though I know it's just a material possession, I still think about it from time to time. :(

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hey Karen!! Your baby is so beautiful! ... and the texture of the knitted cocoon is fabulous! You never cease to amaze me. I can see that the new toys are in the right hands. Can't wait to see your future stuff. Oh and your ingredients for "They Draw and Cook" are so incredible! .... so detailed and eye-popping.... my stomach is growling :o)

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a gorgeous illo? The baby looks so peaceful, it makes the mother in me want to shush all the noise around me. I absolutely love, love, love this piece.
    PS: I'm a huge Mac fan too. Its the one machine that lets me work and not answer a thousand questions. LOL. Sorry about your ring... its heartbreaking when you lose something so precious.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow Karen, simply a gorgeous babe - so peaceful in that hand-knitted cocoon, which so realistic by the way - really stunning!

    Congrats on your new toys, sounds like you will have a blast! I would love a mac someday, David (thing #1) and I are huge mac fans - my new iphone is quite the tease!

    I had a feeling your Grampa's story was the whole truth, what a tale, I'd LOVE to see you illustrate that someday!

    It is so heartbreaking to loose a treasured piece of jewelry. It's not just a posession, it's all the emotions & essence of that person that are poured into it. I was sick when I lost my engagement ring - just disappeared one day while I was out shopping - I'm glad you have some good stories to go with your memories though.

    Oh, ps - I have an old friend on facebook whose wife is interested in going digital from oil painting, she'd like some info. on programs and wacom, would you mind emailing with her about it? I'll get her address if it's OK - thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great job Karen! I'm sad to hear this story about your ring, it's so heartbreaking and frustrating! :(

    ReplyDelete
  12. thanks everyone! Susan, sure no problem, just send me an email

    ReplyDelete
  13. What??? How could you say this isn't your favorite??! Why, I think it's fantastic!! There's something peaceful yet eerie to the piece. The darkness seems so overwhelming, but the innocence balances everything out.

    I'm imagining the baby as a chosen 'key' to some splendid adventure somewhere faraway in a book of tales! (sorry, I get carried away sometimes...hee heehe..)

    Well, it's AMAZING..so there! Hahaha... :))

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks Amalia, maybe I wasn't sure about it because my son stood over my shoulder and told me it was kinda weird and creepy.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh my goodness this just steals my heart away! It's just breath taking. I You are the queen of details. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just KNEW that one sounded so amazing, it had to be true! Ha ha, well played!

    I can't believe you're jumping into learning Painter and Photoshop CS5 at the same time. That's a lot to play with. I don't have the new photoshop yet, but I did just get a new version of Maya and a wacom is coming, so there's lots of stuff to drool over and explore ...

    I love the texture on the bag for your "Cocoon" piece, that knit multicolored yarn that I know so well. Beautifully done!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wonderful illo!Great textures and concept!

    ReplyDelete
  18. thank you, I'm kind of a yarn fanatic, I even have a spinning wheel, don't use it much anymore though :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Karen! I wish they made that cozy cocoon for adults. It looks so warm and peaceful and even though the baby is hanging up in there, so safe. That little hand peeking out is so sweet and adds just the right touch and detail.

    ReplyDelete
  20. OH Karen..what a story...I'm so sorry for the loss of that precious heirloom..but it's so good that you have the memories! Cocoon turned out preciously! I think it's lovely - and how awesome your new computer and CS5 sound! I'm glad it seems seamless so far. I hope you've been well..things have been busy over here..trying to stay focused and keep productive. Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day coming up!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very lovely piece. And kudos for tackling some new techniques.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm not sure how I missed this. This baby is just the sweetest. Thank you for all of your kind comments in my direction :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. this is beyond the sweetest thing ever! thank you so much for your comments.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Amazing! I just love the little hand! So perfect for Mother's Day!! I hope you had a wonderful day with all your loved ones-- I can tell you are a spectacular mother and grandmother!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sweet little "cocoon"! Lovely concept, Karen. Thank you for your visit! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. dunno why but i want to kiss the little baby... so precious.

    xo

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment! You are the best!!!