Things and Stuff: A Studio Update

A new shot of me in my studio, taken by Matt (my husband.)

Hi there. How are you?

I've so much to tell you since we last chatted! First off, I've got a new job! I'm now the Teen and Youth Program Coordinator at the Carbondale Public Library. I program and implement weekly programs for middle school and high school students at the library. I'm just a week in, but so far so good! The students and my co-workers are great.  My schedule is fantastic.....I work Monday through Thursday afternoons and early evenings, which means I have time every morning to work in my studio!

I've still been plugging away at my Every Other Day Sketch project. Do follow me on Instagram to see them as soon as I post them.

My sketchbook drawings have very much been influencing my work in the studio.

"Infinity and Beyond", 8"x8", ballpoint pen illustration.

"Looped", 8"x8", ballpoint pen illustration.

Yep. I've got a thing for yellow at the moment.

"Fruit Loops" 4"x4", ballpoint pen illustration.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these finished illustrations, do get in touch.

Well friends, that's all for now. Stay tuned for some new bird illustrations! Ta-Ta!

The Every Other Day Sketch 2015 - Days 17-26

Hi there. How are you?

As I mentioned on Instagram this week, I like to spend a few minutes during my lunch break to work in my sketchbook.  It feels good to get in a little creative time, even if it's just 10 minutes. After I've delved into a drawing, it can be tough to pull myself away go back to work. Switching off that creative "right brain" is difficult!

Here's what I've been sketching over the last few weeks.

My latest sketchbook drawings have very much inspired some of my newest finished works. Stay tuned for more about that or follow me on Instagram to see what I'm working on in real time.

Ta-Ta for now friends. 

The Every Other Day Sketch - Day 9-16

Hi there. How are you? 

I'm happy to be back here and giving you a glimpse of my sketches for the last few weeks. As my loyal readers know, I have challenged myself to complete a drawing in my sketchbook every other day of 2015. See the whole lot of them here or follow me on Instagram to see them as soon as they are completed.

There are some good drawings in this group, some not so good. I'm just glad I'm keeping up the practice even though things have been busy and my focus has been drawn elsewhere. Yahoo for sticking with my 2105 goals/resolutions!

 

Have you stuck with your 2015 goals/resolutions? What motivates you to keep going? Do share!

Until next time. Ta-ta!

The Every Other Day Sketch 2015 - Days 5-8

Hi there. How are you?  
I'm happy to share another week's worth of sketchbook drawings with you. 

This is a collaborative piece between four year old Mazzy and me. Mazzy drew the unicorn and I embellished around it. Definitely my fave of the week! It was fun to have someone else get the sketch started as that is usually the most tedious part for me. 

If you'd like to see all the drawings I've made this year all in one place, do visit my Flickr page. 

Ta-Ta for now! 

Oh wait...One more thing! I'm about to send out a Valentine's Day gift to all of my mailing list members. Click here if you want in on the action.  

The Every Other Day Sketch 2015 - Days 3 & 4

Hi there. How are you?

I'm proud to report that I have been keeping up with my Every Other Day Sketch practice.  (I'm actually a little ahead of the game and already have my next 2 sketches in the bag!) I think I can sustain this project throughout the year. Yes!

I actually drew this sketch in the vertical format. But now as I look at it, I'm liking it better as a horizontal.

I'm totally loving Day 4. It's elegant and has a nice flow and shape.  I was so jazzed about this one that I even tried to start a larger version of this drawing on a piece of cradled hardboard, but it's just not the same. I found myself freezing freezing up when I left my sketchbook. "This one has to be good so that someone buys it," says my brain. My work suffers when that happens. I'll have to get over that anxiety and fast as my first art fair of the year is in early May!

Until I can loosen up a little more, I will continue to sketch away in my sketchbook. Thank you for stopping by and seeing what I'm up to.

Until next time. Ta-Ta!

The Almost Daily Sketch 2015

Hi there. How are you?

Happy 2015!! (How can it possibly be 2015 already?? I swear Y2K was just 5 years ago!)

I'm happy to be back here on the blog...I'm hoping to have much to share with you here in 2015. First up, my new sketchbook. 

For the better part of 10 years I have been keeping a sketchbook. It's always in my purse and when I've got a spare moment I can pull out and doodle away. I am terribly brand loyal and have not used anything but a Moleskine to sketch in for years now. This year I decided to switch it up a bit.

I came across "The Daily Sketch Journal" at the local TJ Maxx. (Love that place! Do you ever dig in the papergoods/craft supply section? It can be a gold mine!) I've been wanting to challenge myself to do a daily drawing project for some time now.  This book gave me the impetus to do it...Sort of. By end of New Year's day 2015, I knew I wasn't going to be able to stick with making a drawing every day. My doodles tend to get complicated, and I can easily spend a few hours on each one.  I reckoned that could commit to drawing one every other day. So that's the plan! One drawing, every 2 days.

Here are my first 2 entries. What do you think?

What I like about the "Daily Sketch Journal" is that there are no dates on the pages, just a Day number and a space to write the date. No pressure to draw every day that way. The book actually only has room for 356 drawings anyway, so it's looking like it will take me about 2 years to knock this one out.

On the downside, this sketchbook itself is a little larger than I'm used to, but I can still get it into my purse, so I'll make it work.  The other minus to this sketchbook is the weight of the paper. As it's a little thin, drawings can sometimes bleed through the pages. (Please excuse my dirty fingernails! I was cleaning most of the day. Ugh.)

I really neglected this blog in 2014. Going to try and rectify that in 2015. This sketchbook will give me some weekly material to share. Wish me luck.

Until next time. Ta-ta!

P.S. If you'd like to see more of my sketchbook, do follow me on Instagram. I post there much more frequently than I do here.

New Moleskine Creations

Hi There. How are you today?

My moleskine has been calling to me lately. If I'm sitting in front of the TV, my moleskine is out and I'm drawing away. I've missed drawing. Though I've never stop creating in the forms of designing, home remodeling, making gifts, snaping pictures, etc.,  it's been ages since I've actually put pen to paper. 

It's felt good to exercise the drawing hand again. Now that the holidays and art show season are over, I'm looking forward to regularly getting back into the studio and working. I'm planning an ambitious 2013 summer art fair season.....Gotta build up that inventory! 

I really enjoy drawing in this abstract manner. I know I've said this before, but I need to turn these sketchbook doodles into a sale-able product. It's on my to-do list! 

That's all for now. Gotta get Jack to band practice! (He jams with "The Burning Hotels" when he's down visiting us.)  Ta-ta!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 23

Here ya go! Gotta run. Busy! Busy!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 22

Happy Labor Day! I'm spending the day in the car. Fun!

To see the Month of the Moleskine series in its entirety,  click here.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 20

I'm 2/3's done! Woo!

To see drawings 1-20 of the Month of the Moleskine series in one place, make your way here.

Ta-ta and happy Saturday!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 19

Happy Friday friends! Last day of August.....What the heck happened to summer?

September is also going to fly by.  I've got 2 shows this month! Do check out my events page on jenniferjohansson.com to see a list of all my upcoming shows.

I've archived the entire Month of the Moleskine drawing series here.

Ta-Ta!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 17

Hi. How are you? What are you doing today?

I got a late start today. But better late than never, right?

I have to admit that I'm getting a little tired of illustrating numbers. But, not to worry. I will persevere and complete my 30 days!

To see the first 16 drawings, make your way to my Flickr page.

Ta-Ta.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 16

Good morning friends! How are you?

I did this drawing while attending a reception for Illinois senator Gary Forby.  He is a huge supporter of teachers and Matt often works with him in his position at the IEA.  We marched with him in the Duqoin State Fair parade on Friday as well. It was great to meet him - he's very personable and fun.  We also heard John Cullerton, president of the Illinois senate speak last night in support of Gary.  I've been enjoying learning more about southern Illinois politics and like how close we can get to the action here.  I'm also proud to report that we live in a district represented by a Democratic senator and 2 Democratic representatives!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 15 - Halfway!

I'm halfway there! Wahoo!

You can gaze upon the whole of the Month of the Moleskine collection here.

And have you seen my new prototype illustration?  Please take a look and let me know what you think. 

Ta-ta!

 

Month of the Moleskine - Day 14

Have a spectacular Sunday!

Take a gander at the entire  Month of the Moleskine collection here.

Smooch. 

Month of the Moleskine - Day 13

Happy Saturday! Happy Weekend!

Day 13 is pretty funky, but I like it.

I've archived the whole Month of the Moleskine drawing set here.

Stay tuned for some Etsy shoppe update news!  Ta-ta.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 12

Hey! Happy Friday!

It's a big weekend in Southern Illinois......The DuQuoin State Fair starts today! I'm a little confused about the whole thing.....Last time I checked DuQuoin was not a state and the Illinois State Fair takes place in Springfield. Hmmm.

I like the calm and simplicity of #12.  You can tell I was in a good mood when I drew it.

To see the entire Month of the Moleskine drawing set - make your way here.

Have an exceptional weekend friends! Ta-ta.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 11

Hi. I have a secret to tell you....

I didn't actually make this drawing on the 22nd. (Gasp!) Tuesday was a really slow day at work, so I did it then. I added a kind of wood-grain pattern to these goofy looking "1's".

Take a peek at all of the Month of the Moleskine drawings here.

And if you haven't yet seen my new prototype illustration, please take a look and let me know what you think.  Gracias.

Month of the Moleskine - Day 9

Hi. How was your Monday? What's on tap for today? 

I admit, I didn't have as much to give today as I did yesterday.  I don't know exactly why, but my motivation was waning.

To see the whole "Moleskine of the Month" drawing collection, mosey over yonder.  

On another note: If I was still teaching, today would have been my first day back to work. Though I do miss the regular paycheck and the students, I still feel happy with my decision to stay "retired" from teaching for a time. I'm grateful that I have this time and opportunity to pursue some other options. 

 

And lastly: I have a new idea to share/ask you about later on today or tomorrow.  Stay tuned and ta-ta for now!

Month of the Moleskine - Day 8

Hi! How are you friends?

I spent a good chunk of my Sunday working on this drawing. You see number "8" had to be special....It's my favorite number!

I don't know exactly why I like 8's so much, but it's been my go-to number for years.  My college roommates and I had an "8" shaped handshake and also developed a variation of Uno that revolved around 8's.  I used to love to get my cousin to say "huge, orange, 88" (which were his favorite words) when he was a toddler. My long time email handle was "jenmullin88."

I often find myself drawing these ocotillo-like shapes. Guess this is one of the aspects of my time in Arizona that sticks with me.

To see all of my Month of the Moleskine sketches, take a gander here.

Have a super-cool week my friends! (Sorry, feeling my inner dork right now.) Ta-Ta