Upcoming Hallmarket: A Hallmark Artist Art Fair

 Our once-a-year Hallmarket is approaching quickly! Hallmarket is an annual art fair which showcases the creative talents of Hallmark employees; this is the 3rd year of Hallmarket and it just gets better as more artists are participating. I am trying to create as much as I can and will have assortment of items for sale, such as prints, necklaces, brooches, magnets, rings and doodle rocks. If you are in the Kansas City area on 9/29, please make sure to drop by and check out the art fair; it will be a blast! (PS: This year's poster is designed by our one-and-only Maura Cluthe. Isn't it just pure AWESOMENESS?!)

Here are the woodburning rings I will be selling during the art fair. As I have more new items completed I will post more photos. Gotta get busy now! : )

Happy Faces

I haven't done a lot of colorful pieces on my own spare time outside of my work. Part of the reason is because when I get off work, I am already tired from drawing all day long and just want to relax or do something else. But I did manage to work on this piece in the past couple of days, purely for fun. Actually, comparing to my other works on this blog, stuff like this is much closer to what I do at work although my work-related stuff is more commercial in style. I had a blast doing this piece and I do need to do more colorful doodles from now on. We will see.  : )

Also, here are some little ones.
 

A few experiments

I did some fun experiments last night on the rocks. Instead of drawing on them, I tried engraving two rocks with my rotary tool and an engraving bit. The lines have a different quality; they are rougher and muted, a more primitive look which I like. I colored one with color stamp pads and left the other one untouched. Over all, it's not technically difficult to engrave on rocks (though obviously I need more practice); the key is to hold the power tool firmly, but at the same time be light on your hand and don't press into the rock and let the bit do all the hard works.

Below are a few more doodled rocks and two paper mache boxes I did over the past week. Just thought I'd like to share. : )

Kitty Rocks and More

Doodled on more rocks during the week. I learned that while some rocks, usually the Mexican pebbles, take the ink beautifully, some of them just don't like me and my dip pen as much (especially those rocks with the reddish hue). Nevertheless, it's fun to draw on them. : )

Lace Owl + Doodle Rocks

I stained this wooden panel and then drew on it with acrylic ink. Also did 3 more doodle rocks with a sugar skull, a bird, and two owls.

Elephant Artist

Somehow I stumbled across this amazing video and it just made my day! You HAVE TO watch this elephant paints, and he is painting an elephant, holding a flower!!! I want to bring my sketchbook over and sit right next to him and draw with him. Unbelievable!

Doodle Pebbles

It has been so hot over here (108+ degrees yesterday); I just want to hide inside and draw and not go anywhere! Well, wishful thinking, since I did have to go outside to run a few errands in this crazy heat yesterday, but I did manage to treat myself with a little creative activity and doodled on a few pebbles last night. It is so fun and relaxing to doodle on pebbles, have you ever try it? I've always wanted to try it ever since I saw Geninne's amazing painted stones. But I am not as handy with a brush like she is, so I drew on mine with a nib pen instead. Now I am totally hooked and I only wish I live near a river or the ocean (boy, how I miss the ocean!) so I can have unlimited supply of pebbles to draw on. : )

Sketchbook Pages

Just thought it would be fun to show you a few pages from my little 3.5" x 5.5" sketchbook. I usually use a much bigger sketchbook, but I got a few of the small blank Moleskine notebooks recently (can you believe I've never used them before?), they are so easy to be tucked inside my purse so I can doodle whenever I have some spare time. More doodles to come as I continue. : )

Hallmark Books - There For You Crew

I have a few little books to share with you. The first three of Hallmark's "There For You Crew" book series I illustrated are now published. From character development to book illustration, I've been part of this project for quite a long time, and I am so happy to see them produced! The first three characters from this series are Zebra, Pig, and Fox; each one has his own mantra and a sweet, simple story with encouraging messages for young kids. Books are packaged with plushies; I love the fabrics used on the plushies, very textural and soft! Tom Shay-Zapien is the writer for all three books (Tom also wrote the very sweet Hallmark's "Jingle The Husky Pup" story.) These books should be available in the Hallmark Gold Crown stores near you very soon. Don't forget to check them out in person!

Here are a few extra photos. I don't have the official images of these books, so I just took the photos with my camera in my office, not the best lighting situation. If later on there are better version of official photos, I will share them with you.

There For You Crew - Zebra | Hallmark Gift Books

There For You Crew - Fox | Hallmark Gift Books

There For You Crew - Pig | Hallmark Gift Books

Quick Doodle

I have been crazy busy at work but still need to find some time here and there to doodle a bit; did this quick one yesterday and thought I'd like to share. (Done with a fine point Sharpie pen, my favorite doodle tool.)