Friday, September 7, 2012

Imagination

click to enlarge

I finished Great Expectations a few weeks ago.  It is my most ambitious illustration to date.  And a lot of imagination went into it. I was inspired by the art work for the May/June SCBWI bulletin by John Rocco.  He illustrated carp-shaped kite balloons to represent the Kodomo no Hi national holiday in Japan.  It was his kite perspective that I tried to incorporate into my piece with the hovering butterflies. His cover was the best darn SCBWI bulletin art to date.

I worked on this piece all Summer. I had many beautiful drawing sessions outside at lake Harriet. And there is so much going on that it is best viewed at original size.  Sorry, you can't do that over the internet.  My favorite part is the big dandelion puffs in the foreground.  I painstakingly tried to get some realism there.  And look at all my labels.  I guess there were a lot of wedding guests!  I hope there is a happy ending. 

P.S.  Be sure to plant your toes firmly in the ground and read my last post.  You might have won an award!   

16 comments:

Nina Crittenden said...

This is STUNNING, Sharon! Bravo! LOVE IT!

Christina Rodriguez said...

Those dandelion puffs are quite lovely, indeed! Your hard work paid off!

Who gave away the lovely bride?

Sprite said...

This is absolutely gorgeous, Sharon!!! I can really see all the work that went into it, even over the internet! WOW!! What beautiful colours!!! YAY!

Ana M.F. said...

I love the wedding guests, the chipmunk with the camera, the rat with the little gift and those two crying in the back, great creatures with a lot of personality :)

DJan said...

It's so beautiful, my heart was smiling as I gazed at it for a long, long time. Then I went back and admired the dandelion puffs again. Ahhhh....

Joreina Blanco said...

so beautiful and so creative, Ms. Sharon

Linda Hensley said...

Beautiful! I love all the animals. I was going to pick a favorite, but I can't. Love the colors too. Wonderful!

adinparadise said...

I love love love your illustration. :)

Nancy said...

Quite beautiful and so much detail, Sharon. :)

Hilary said...

Oh that's so beautiful. It can't be viewed full size but clicking on it does show more detail. I love your art, Sharon.. its enchanting.

Cindy D. said...

Wow! You really did do a great job with those dandelions. So much to look at. Of course I am always drawn first to adorable critters like the birds and mice and squirrels! So great!

Rosemary Aubut said...

Magnificent artwork! So colorful and cheerful! Made me smile!

The Chair Speaks said...

Lovely, lovely illustration!

Don Urness said...

Very nice. Wish you could see "Boy" right now. He is looking over the top of my iPad to see what I am doing.

Ellen Whyte said...

This is such a happy picture!

Pat Tillett said...

Very colorful and creative. It looks like a lot of work! Very nice...