Hello Oliver

A new adventure begins. I always love following works in progress and seeing them develop over time.  So I figured I would share the progress of my latest large illustration project. I plan to keep you updated with it as it progresses. Mind you this is done while working full time as a social worker, having a new little baby boy, and now are selling our house!  So on top of getting the house photo ready for sell, yesterday was spent creating the first page of illustrations for a children's book written by Tina Chadwick. I can't help it, but I seem to have fallen in love with this little character.  I giggle when I write this but he reminds me a bit of my girls. He's a collector of all things.  When I was doing a mass clean out of my girl's room I discovered that I too, and I'm sure you know many other moms in this situation, have been blessed with hoarders in disguise!  My little one's are so crafty at hiding their treasures all throughout their room.  Inevitably every little scrap of paper or nick nack paddy wack we came across during our clean out had some sentimental value to them.  This seems to be a something that Oliver, the character in the illustration struggles with too!  In this first page (still in progress) he is just like any other kid, playing with his dog, collecting rocks, and going to school. You can view more of my children's themed and nursery artwork here: http://www.gumballgrenade.com

"Dinosaur Sleepover"

Dinosaurs are so cute!  I've just never tried my hand at them before.  Well here is the first!  This is one one of three illustrations.  The other two are still to come.  This one is titled "Dinosaur Sleepover"  I have to say that my most productive times are when I'm surrounded by little ones. I don't think that I have shared, at least not here on this blog, that we (my Joe and I) are expecting a beautiful baby boy in less than one month! I can't believe how quickly the pregnancy has flown by!  Anyhow, with the anticipation of a baby boy coming I can help but find myself wanting to design boy themed everything! Recently, we celebrated the Birthdays of our nephews (ages 6 and 1).  Dinosaurs seemed fitting and the theme of a sleepover even more so!  I cannot wait to have all of our family's boys together romping around and terrorizing my daughters with ferocious roars and rowdy ruckuses!  I'm sure the girls can more than keep up! Look out little boys, you can easily become prime targets for practicing fashionistas! You can find the above print here:  Dinosaur Sleepover by Gumball Grenade Illustrations

Dinosaurs are coming!

Dinosaurs are coming!  I'm really excited about this new illustration.  It's funny how some things are meant to be.  More often then not, I find myself setting up my creative space on my kitchen table.  Unfortunately, this can lead to slight mishaps such as me inadvertently tossing a sketch out with the the scrap paper!  So there was an initial sketch, which I guess wasn't mean to be! However, this one is! I'm much more fond of it than the initial dino sketch.  So very excited to get it colored in and  listed in the shop (http://www.gumballgrenade.com)!  

The Bears Have Come to Hibernate!

Well, sadly I have neglected this blog for far too long.  But life has reached a point where creativity has been allowed to come back in, along with many other changes!  The first is that I became a home owner of a quaint little place for my two girls and I.  Secondly, life had larger plans, and when I least expected it I met the love of my life. Now he and I are expecting a little baby boy in April!  There ya have the major updates in my little corner of this tremendous universe of possibilities.  On the creative side of things, all of the transition caused a bit of temporary slowing.  It is amazing to me how when peace and love come back into the soul, then the creativity can come out in full spirit.  So here are a couple of creations that are now available at Gumball Grenade Illustrations. 

Whew! Things to be done today!

I still love my Sundays! Coffee, lovely blogs, shop updates and making stuff! Little S and I have a bow holder to finish up. I have some boxes and journals/sketchbooks to finish as well. I've saved some aside for the wee ones to decorate along with me. YAY!

Gumball Grenade goes public! and a Shop Update too!

Ha ha! Not that public, but you can now find Gumball Grenade designs in Little Cherry Blossoms boutique down on Historic 25th street, Ogden, UT.

However this morning was a SHOP UPDATE morning! Additional Post cards and Keepsake Boxes now available in the shop! However, be sure to swing by the Gumball Grenade Facebook Page, give it a like and get a free gift with your purchase!

Valentine Postcards! And other wee goodies!

SHOP UPDATE TODAY! Finally got a minute to catch my breath and add some new little items to the shop today. The postcards are available for reserve and will ship out on February 1st! They are so lovely with wee fancy rounded corners! All arrrrrgh available in the shop www.gumballgrenade.etsy.com

"For Us to Share"

The Universe has a lot to offer up. What a shame it would be to not have someone to share it with. When I look at my wee ones play together, they offer up tiny glimpses into how strong their little bond has become. When my two little ones gaze up to the sky I hope they realize that not only is the Universe for them to take on, with full force and gusto, but more importantly it's for them to share. This little 5 x 7 canvas should be available for sale in my little Gumball Grenade shop in just a few days! I hope to make an illustration out of it as well! Can't part with it until then!

Dear Creativity, where have you been? It's Been Too Long!

In the last year I had to go from being a stay at home mom of two beautiful wee ones, to moving out of my house, to moving back into my house, to working full time, to adjusting to having my kids in day care, and having many long awaited adventures with one's I love more than I can explain. My art space is now semi-functional, with things in bags and boxes, some here some over there, but my creative side just couldn't take it anymore! A favorite spot for spurring on my creative bug has long been illustrationfriday.com.

So I took a peek over there for the topic which was fittingly enough "Star Gazing" Couldn't resist. Here's the initial shaded sketch! Halloween is coming and I couldn't resist! The best step of adding color is next. I'm hoping to get that done before heading out to Craft Lake City! Beyond excited for that! I hear they'll be showing Handmade Nation there as well! Sunday, I believe. A GIANT dose of creativity. I'll share pics of that event too! And the ever so sweet and talented Isabell's Umbrella will be there too!

Flight of Fancy Treasury

A very cute and whimsical treasury which includes my illustration "My Paper Airplane". It was put together by fifthquadrant over on etsy! Thanks! Who doesn't want to hop on a plane and take off to somewhere new and exotic. It's an urge I fight hourly, but I'm appeased with the knowledge that there is time...plenty of time for more great adventures!

Full of Thanks!

The last six months have turned my world completely around. Full of struggles, but in the end so very full of LOVE and LIFE. LOVE and LIFE in all it's complexities and imperfections is what it's all about! I'm truly thankful!

3 is such a good number!

I've just made it possible for my collectors to pick out any three prints of their liking! Even better is that it comes with a bit of a price break! woot! Gotta love that.

Gumball Grenade 2009 Holiday Packaging!

Yesterday was a whirlwind of flying paper, rubber scraps, ribbon and ink. I'm getting ramped up for the holiday season. Whew! I love how some things can be energizing! Those are the things in life to focus on. If it revs you up then keep doing it. I revamped my stamp for my mailers, made up some new hang tags, and have more business cards, cello sleeves, and backing board on it's way. Gotta make sure those prints arrive safe and sound, and in perfect condition.

Hope Everyone Had a Fantastic Halloween!

I've been neglecting my blog, but for good reason...LIFE! It sneaks up and takes you by surprise. Surprises are good and change is even better! As of this morning I'm officially all ramped up for the upcomming Holiday Season. I even have some cute holiday themed illustrations in the works. So until then here's a little picture from Halloween!

We Are...STRONG project!

I've been away for so long, but I'm thrilled to let you all know that for the month of September I'll be participaing in Yaelfran's We Are....Project.

SEPTEMBER'S ISSUE: 16 PAGES!!!!!!!!"WE ARE..." is a monthly publication, that showcases Etsy's artists illustrations in black for you to paint or just to keep as they are. Every month we will featuring a group of 10 illustrators who will showcase their interpretation of a different theme. For August, we have... "HAPPY" , for September we have... "STRONG".This publication is printed on 250 gr paper, with professional printer. Its size is 4 x 6 inches closed. A very sweet size that gives you the possibility to take it with you in your bag, wallet, pocket, etc.You can also separate their pages (by trimming them carefully) and have different and gorgeous postcards!!!!

Here are the participants for this month:

Corid

Gumballgrenade

Christinaromeo

Lertsis

Thisisalliknow

ZukzukBadbird

Seasprayblue

Marmeecraft

Restlessthings

Essimar

Jessgonacha

Laurageorge

Yumiyumi

Kwilson544

Yaelfran

(By Holly Becker) "... I was telling a friend back a few years ago that what the indie craft world really needs is a coloring book for kids designed by artists, each page from a different talent, all pages inspiring and fun... I think kids can use a little diversity and exposing them to the art community at an early age is a good idea. Plus, they can color it so it's fun and interactive, developing their creativity. Though my coloring book idea didn't go beyond my desk, I'm suddenly spotting a trend - artists coloring books are slowly popping up in the independent craft communities online and I'm loving it!"