IF-Phenomenon (aka The Birth of Christ)

Here is another illustration from my Easter book.
And for the IF word I would say, "The birth of Jesus Christ was definitely a phenomenon!"

IF- Prehistoric

Penelope soared through the air spreading Christmas cheer with the help of her prehistoric friend Peppermint. The wind tickled her nose with the sweet scent of children's dreams. Tomorrow would be Christmas and although this tale is just imaginary, the story of a little baby coming to earth to save His people from their sins is true.
May the true meaning of Christmas penetrate your heart and fill the year to come with the joyful promise of an eternity with Jesus Christ.
This is an excerpt from a Christmas story I am writing telling the true meaning of Christmas with the help of some fantastical creatures and friends.

IF- Savour

Wow! It has been a long time since I posted. I've been hard at work illustrating an Easter book that will come out Spring 2011. Here is an illustration from the book that nicely fits with this weeks word.

Acrobat Bunnies without all the hoopla!

So I thought I'd let you see what the illustration looked like before I added the photoshop elements. I like them both. I think each gives such a different feel. What do you think?

IF- Acrobat

"COME ONE COME ALL! SEE THE MOST AMAZING FEATS PREFORMED FOR YOU THIS SATURDAY ONLY! FLUFF AND FLUTTER RABBIT ARE HERE TO ENTERTAIN YOU! GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY... "HARE TODAY GONE TOMORROW!""

Had a lot of fun with this weeks word! I did a collage of sorts to really liven it up. Started with a watercolor then scanned it in and added elements in photoshop.

Allie's Cat

This is an ATC size illustration I did for a little friend of mine Allie. She gave me a necklace from right around her neck. She is a super sweet little bit that always has a smile for me. Love to know what you think.

IF- Proverb

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!

Not sure if that is a proverb "proper" but I had fun with it. This illustration was done with pen and ink then watercolor crayons.

Just in case you are wondering... no, I'm not ready for snow. Truthfully I just LOVE drawing clothes and you get to wear more when its cold! ha ha

Fall Mini Series- Red Leaf

Here is the second piece in my Fall Mini Series. This one is called Red Leaf. As with the first piece, Acorn,  this is 2.5 by 3.5 inches on watercolor stock. This original illustration is priced at $10. This would look great mounted on a piece of burlap then placed in a knotty wood frame. If you are interested in purchasing Red Leaf please email me at juliehammond@earthlink.net . Purchase with paypal only. Thank you. 

Fall Mini Series- Acorn

This is an ATC size painting of one of my very favorite things... the acorn. Every fall I become slightly obsessed with them. Last year was the worst! Just ask my friends and family.
 Anyways, you can purchase this original piece that is the first in a fall mini series. This 2.5 by 3.5 illustration was done with watercolor, colored pencil, and ball point pen. This piece, including shipping, is $10.  If interested you may contact me at juliehammond@earthlink.net . Paypal only please.
Love to know what you think. Thank you!

IF- Atmosphere

The atmosphere in the classroom was thick with anticipation as Harley volunteered to read... 

Find out why in the September Issue of Guardian Angel Kids.

 I didn't write the story that goes with this illo. but a very talented Ms. Ann McDuffie did! 

A story I wrote

Here is an illustration for a story I wrote based on an event that happened in Haiti. You see, my friend Jim recently went there and came back with some great stories and pictures.

Love to know what you think of this piece. It's a little different than the others I've done. Thoughts?

My donation to Ripple

So this is my donation to Ripple. I'll post a link to the listing once I know it. I believe it will be $10 that will go to the clean up of the BP oil spill. This is an Artist Trading Card so it's small but says a lot. I'm very excited to be a part of this effort. If you have donated or will be donating please post a link to your listing. I'd love to see it.

E- Pals illustration for Guardian Angel Kids

Here is another piece I did for Guardian Angel Kids magazine. Haven't heard of them? Check them out! They have games, activities, stories and videos! It's a free e-magazine for kids. This illustration will be featured with a story in the August issue.

My illustration was made by scanning in a pen and ink drawing then colored in with Photoshop.

IF- Giant

Sing- Happy Birthday to you. Your cake is bigger than you! You're wearing a party hat. But you still feel so blue.

Poor little Prince Pete, sure he has a giant birthday cake and he lives in a castle but he is all alone. Couldn't his parents have at least hired some friends to come and join in this celebration? Poor little birthday boy.

IF- Satellite (a.k.a. The New Kid)

So the new kid was a bit mmm... odd but Mom said everyone that's not a local Satellite 64ian looks different. Well, at least we both like War of the Worlds. That's something we have in common. Earthlings are so weird!

Ready Set Bake!

Well, howdy folks! Here's another illustration featuring CC, the cupcake cowgirl. It looks like she is baking up some fun with her feathered friend Sprinkles! I modified her headband to have a small cowboy hat on it. Love to know what you think!

And now for a little MAGIC!

I've always just colored in my illustrations but recently found that publishers like to see your pen and ink abilities as well. It makes sense. There are those illustrations inside beginner readers and chapter books that don't have color! So here is one I did and it's really hard NOT to fill it in. Must resist...

Week 4 of the 12 Week Challenge on zero2illo

This is not the total finished product. I then took this into illustrator, finished the edges and added my poem that goes with this. So now you know how I work!
Here you see my watercolor crayons I use. I love them!
Getting ready to add in more detail over the top of everything. Her hair and the tree in the top left are saved for last. More details to come as well as textures and patterns done with acrylics .

Here is the first stage of an illustration I'm doing for Cricket Magazine. I've written a poem about fall that has inspired this piece. I wanted there to be more to the illustration than just "fall is great and I love leaves.. bla bla bla" so Gail Augusta, this girls name, is a sort of a fantasy character that lives in balance with the animals and seasons.

I'll be posting my progress as a go. I'm kind of excited about this! I've never taken pictures as I go along. Most of the time I just post the final.

Love to know any tips you have. Hopefully you can see it okay.

Thanks -Julie

Try this on for size...

So... me and a friend have decided to start an online Picture Book writers critique group. Here is the blurb(Please read in a cheerful voice without a snobbish thought in sight!):

Looking for some non- beginner picture book writers to join an online critique group. If interested please send a sample of your work to be reviewed by the group. Must have had work(s) published by a paying children's publication (magazine, books, etc.) and have the intention of sending more work out at least semiannually. This group is limited to 5 authors who are serious about a career in the children's writing arena. This group only critiques picture books, short stories (for highlights magazine or cricket etc.), and children's poetry (for same publications).

Members whose work is to be critiqued must submit poem, story, etc. to the group at least one week prior to monthly online meeting so that the critiques will be well thought out. Monthly meetings will be held on the 1st Friday of every month at 7pm on a yahoo group forum in real time. If you have any questions please contact Julie Hammond atjuliehammondart@gmail.com Thank you! -Julie

So I'd love to hear if anyone is interested!

The group is called 32 Reasons because once you submit your 32 page PB the publisher has 32 reasons to take you out of the slush pile.

Free activity page just for my readers! (and their kids!)

I was looking through other people's blogs and I noticed that some gave things away. I thought to myself, "You could give something away and be a nice blogger!" So... Here is an activity page for you to print. It is a writing and thinking prompt.

I'd love to know how it goes. I'm especially interested in the names your kids come up with for the characters. So please write in and tell me!

From time to time I think I'll have more give away prints. I'd love it if I could eventually have a set date I do it. But I'm going to take it slow and not commit at this point.

Anyways, have fun!!!

He is good all the time...

I might possibly have the opportunity to illustrate a children's book about Easter. I'm very eager to hear more about the details. Christ is the Lord of my life and I've often prayed for an opportunity to use my gift for Him. But in my prayer, and growing knowledge of His truth, I have found that that doesn't mean that it has to be a Bible themed illustration for it it to be for God. As a Christian I am to do everything as if doing it for the Lord. ...To the best of my ability. So really no matter if I do end up illustrating this book or not, it's ALL been for Him! God is good everyday. Everyday God is good.

IF- Linked (aka Mad Boy)

So... this boy is going nuts. He has lost control of reality. His little brother thinks perhaps a bottle would help considering he is acting like a baby. Not sure what his mad rant is linked to. What do you think?

Guardian Angel Kids and me!

If you are a parent or a children's illustrator/writer and haven't stopped over at Guardian Angel Kids e-zine you should. It's a free magazine for kids!

I recently found them and submitted my work for consideration. I was then asked to do an illustration for a story about a "green" bus. You can check out the story and see my illustration with it by clicking here! Pretty neat stuff!

Bunnies Fall in- in color!

So... I finally got a Wacom Tablet!!!Yahooooooo! I'm SO jazzed! Here is my first illustration with it. It was a pen and ink drawing- scanned in- then colored with Corell Sketch Pad.

Well... what do you think? Any tips are welcome!!

Cupcake Cowgirl!!

Howdy! This spunky gal has a lot of sass... sassafras that is! She's the Cupcake Cowgirl and she loves to bake cupcakes for the cowhands that work on the ranch! I drew this character and knew there was a story to go with her. Who knows... you may see her tale cause quite a ruckus on the shelves of a bookstore near you!

It's a Party!!!

This illustration was created for an invitation for a new bookshop opening around my neck of the woods. They will host birthday parties in the shop. The theme is Cardboard Castle! Sounds like it is going to be a lot of fun!

Yoon and the Moon

I'm going to an agent conference this coming weekend. I'm going to read them my story about Yoon and the moon. Here is an illustration from the book. The mood is quiet, thoughtful, and imaginative. Wouldn't it be awesome if one of the agents decide to pick me up? Well, whatever happens it will be a good learning experience and I might be able to make some good contacts.

Happy Birthday Jodi! (IF-Perspective [view of life])

This past weekend was my very good friend Jodi's birthday. She has been wanting me to illustrate her and her daughter since I first posted one of my other friend Jessica and her daughter. So here it is!

She is a foodie so there had to be a reference somewhere, thus the picnic basket. Her daughter's favorite color is rainbow, so the tights and the butterfly had to have some flair. Jodi is lighthearted and enjoys life, shown by her chuckle at Grace. She savors the fleeting moments with her children since they grow up so fast, displayed by the fact that she has paused for a time while her daughter shows her the butterfly.

Well, I trust you had a wonderful weekend Jodi. I love that God saw fit to put us together as friends and sister's in Christ. I love you.

IF-Clumsy (Snaid and Birl and Red)

So here is my art for the Illustration word "Clumsy". (notice Snaid and Birl at the bottom)

I thought it would be fun if you wrote the caption! I'd love to see what you come up with!

After a few days I'll repost with my caption.

Now think Snaid and Birl thoughts.....
Edit added - 1-30-2010 for caption

IF-Confined (Snaid and Birl @ the Zoo)