Saturday, July 11, 2009

Illustrating Makes Me Happy



Fabric takes me to my happy place, but have I shared how much I'm "in the zone" when I get to draw? It's like releasing all the frustrations of the week from my shoulders down to the pencil and on to the paper. Ahhh.

I've started a commissioned project for Heather of A La Mode Fabric. She started the Designer Fabric Swappy-Poo group on Flickr here. I've enjoyed getting to know her a little better through our quilting bee and swap group. There is such a great community of modern quilters out there that I'm getting to know and loving it!


One of Heather's favorite movies is The Life Aquatic. She and her husband must have a crazy-dry sense of humor, because I rented the movie last night and it was nuts! I enjoyed it, but realized it takes a special area of your brain to follow all the dryness ;)


She has requested a set of three illustrations with an aquatic theme for their master bedroom. I got started today and here's the beginning piece... I hope she enjoys them as much as I'm enjoying the artistic process!

14 comments:

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

if only i could draw like you!!

SewCalGal said...

You are very talented. I'm eager to hear more on the steps of how you create designs to how that becomes fabric. Not that I have any talent of doing what you do, but I am interested in learning how this works.

Do you ever get to tour the factory? Sounds like so much fun to see your creative designs turned into fabric.

Do you have any of your designs turned into machine embroidery designs? Seeing your seahorse it looks like it would make for a great machine embroidery design too!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

OMGosh Ariel! This was looks AMAZING!!! I'm in love with him all ready... The movie is very dry and I can't tell you how funny we think it is... but, I’ve never denied being a nutcake! ;) I'm sooooo.... excited and can't wait to see them all ;)

PS... the octopus picture on your desks... looks really cool! Maybe... we should rethink the jellyfish???

Kevin Ashe said...

Gorgeous Ariel! SO beautiful!

Mandy said...

Thats awesome!!

SewAmy said...

this is just awsome.

I have never heard of that movie.

Anonymous said...

wow!!! you can seriously do ANYTHING!! let us see them all when you get them done :) thanks!
-Candice

Jackie said...

Looks great! As you know, I think you do awesome work!

STEPHANIE. said...

congrats! These are great!...you certainly have a gift. Good job using it abundantly!

Kelly O. said...

that is stunning!

Kerri said...

these are amazing!! you are sooo talented, my friend!!

One Flew Over said...

Oh Ariel - just fantastic! He is gorgeous!!! I'm sure Heather will love it!

Leslie said...

this is such a pretty drawing. i wish i could draw like that. unfortunately all that comes out is stick figures. What a beautiful talent

jmb_craftypickle said...

The sea horse is FANTASTIC!!! You really do need to illustrate a kids book. Keep up the great work!!