Hang Up The Hat

I am semi-retiring my blog here, because I just don't use it as much as I used to. I'm still keeping it up, because there are several good blogs that I follow. Plus I might pop back in from time to time! I might also be trying to figure out this Tumblr thing the kids are talking about.

In the meantime, you can catch me on Facebook and Twitter!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Catherine-LaPointe/169604019823063
https://twitter.com/LaPointeArt

Valentine's 2014 Giveaway

WHO WANTS FREE STUFF? Give your cupcake something cute this Valentine's Day (or win it for yourself). Entries are free and easy, just Like this Facebook page or post about it on Twitter-

ENTER HERE

Winner will be chosen at random on Valentines Day. Best of luck!

New Year, New Job, New...Shoes?

I started a new job a few months ago, leaving my safe job in tech support with a great company to finally try to do some designing 9-5. This was hopefully the payoff of three years spent searching in vain for a full time design gig in the sparsely populated rural Northeast.

I gotta say, it was a rough start. Left a good-paying job for an artist's wages, a small company for a large one, and moved away from my boyfriend to a dingy town in the snow belt. It was a stressful move to begin with, and the job didn't exactly make it feel worth it in those first few months either. I started right in the middle of the busy season at my new company, and started playing catch-up immediately. The real interesting work didn't start until about 2 months in, and I was worried it never would.

However, things have really started to improve now that the holidays are over. I have gotten to know my new coworkers and my new boss, and it's a friendly group. The snow storms have been unrelenting, but so far I've been able to shovel myself out without incident (fingers crossed). And I'm finally experiencing a job where I can actually do creative work full-time. Well, it's not always that creative, but even when it's mundane I still have the opportunity to learn new design techniques I've never had to know before. My Adobe Illustrator skills alone have soared from their meager beginnings, simply out of necessity and deadlines.

Sure, things are still rough from time to time, and I miss my family and former coworkers. I miss having a nice paycheck and benefits (hopefully that situation will improve). I miss coming home and eating dinner with my boyfriend. Things can't stay like this forever. But I'm learning so much and I think I'll come out better for it.

If only the snow would just leave me alone already.

CNYWS Herkimer Show 2013

I just wanted to post some feedback I got about my painting "All About Us" shown in Herkimer this past month.

 

I really appreciated this particular feedback, as it was from a group of children on a school visit to the exhibit. Exactly the type of audience this painting was created for. Clearly these kids have been given some good instruction as to what to look for in a gallery visit, as their comments were quite thorough. And also adorable!

CNYWS Annual Meeting 2013

I met some really great people at the recent Central New York Watercolor Society annual meeting. This is such a friendly group, I really wish I was closer so I could participate more often. But I made the trek down, and had a good time.

Here is guest artist Mark De Mos giving us a painting presentation:

And here is my painting, during the critique:

Anyway, I hope to meet up again at another CNYWS event!

NCAC Fall Juried Show 2013

Got some pictures from the 2013 North Country Arts Council Fall Juried Show last Friday night. Once again, it was an awesome showing, with some great music and food and, of course, art. And surprise surprise, my oil painting "Prayer" won first prize in the painting category! I was quite shocked as there was a very good spread of work by many talented artists.

 

A view of "Prayer" in the middle:

 

I was also drawn to an artist whose work I've seen around lately, and I really admire it. It's more modern than much of what is seen around the "North Country", many of the nights pieces featuring a comic book type of style. Really nice stuff, I'll have to take a closer look at Tim Clary. 

 

Another of mine, "Iron Works"

 

The cover band was quite nice. 

 

"The Masque"

This guy was doing a painting demo, really liked the sky

 

"The Performance"

Community Art Walk, October 2013

Friday saw the opening of the Community Gallery Project in Potsdam for the second time this year. Local businesses all around Potsdam NY hosted local artists, courtesy of the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.

My only wish is for other organizations to get involved as well, and make this really a town-wide event. There could be musical features, restaurant tastings, historical tours, you name it. Potsdam can have a talent for coming together and celebrating the seasons. 

 Stop by Plumley Real Estate on Rt. 56 near Big Lots if you'd like to see some of my children's book art. Sadly, you've missed the cheese and cookies, but the art is still quite nice ;) It will be up for about a month, and paintings can be purchased by contacting the SLC Arts Council.

 

Those Who Are About To Rock...

To those who have recently joined up, either following me on Twitter or Facebook, or my RSS feed: Ciao! And I wish you all luck on my Garden Marker giveaway. Stick around, I'll be offering more giveaways and coupon codes to my Etsy shop very shortly.

To introduce myself, I am a freelance illustrator and designer, working out of upstate New York (the REAL upstate!) along with my day job in tech support. I do a variety of work, ranging from book covers, to garden markers, to children's illustrations, to logos and advertisements, to painted sneakers and shoes for weddings. And I love it all! I'd he hard-pressed to choose a favorite.

In keeping with this theme of variety, I like to keep my followers updated with all things art-related, whether that be interesting articles I find, funny cartoons, inspiration, local events, international news, and my own personal projects. I like to switch it up. If this is the kind of thing you're interested, then stick around, and we'll make it an interesting journey!

And of course, there are a variety of ways you can keep in touch:

Twitter
Facebook
Etsy shop
LinkedIn
My Website
RSS Feed

See you around!

2nd Etsy Giveaway- Hand-Painted Garden Markers

Stop by my Facebook page and enter a giveaway to win these 5 hand-painted garden markers on wooden spoons. I know it's getting a little late in the year, but if you don't keep any indoor pots, they'll get you ready for next year!

Click THIS LINK to enter. No catch, just a simple Facebook like or twitter retweet will do.

Giveaway ends October 4th!

Interview with Ben Norland

Ben Norland is the Executive Art Director at Walker Books, "Britain's leading independent publisher".

Interview with Ben Norland

Here are a couple of snippets I found particularly interesting.

How he came to work with Walker Books: 

"Whilst I was studying I had been freelancing on and off at Walker Books, doing a little basic design work and getting what amounted to an apprenticeship in book design under the tutelage of Walker's Art Director, Amelia Edwards." 

How lucky! I wish I could have found some kind of opportunity like this while I was in school, or even in the years after. Maybe some people are just in the right place at the right time near the right people.

How should a great dummy book be presented?

If the potential of the book is great, then frankly the dummy doesn’t need to be especially amazing. I would be impressed by a black and white sketch dummy (that wasn't too fancy or finished), one sample piece of finished art, and a sheet or two or really well developed character studies for the folks in the story. That last item is something you don’t see so often, but it really does make an enormous difference in getting an understanding of what an illustrator’s potential might be.

I think the character studies are a great idea. I would never think to put anything less than finished artwork in my portfolio- but then again, dummy books aren't finished artwork. I should get to work!

Jung Test- Updated

Take the test yourself! 

(I find that knowing who you are helps explain your working process)

Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging 
by Marina Margaret Heiss

Profile: INTJ
Revision: 3.1
Date of Revision: 17 Oct 2009

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To outsiders, INTJs may appear to project an aura of "definiteness", of self-confidence. This self-confidence, sometimes mistaken for simple arrogance by the less decisive, is actually of a very specific rather than a general nature; its source lies in the specialized knowledge systems that most INTJs start building at an early age. When it comes to their own areas of expertise -- and INTJs can have several -- they will be able to tell you almost immediately whether or not they can help you, and if so, how. INTJs know what they know, and perhaps still more importantly, they know what they don't know.

INTJs are perfectionists, with a seemingly endless capacity for improving upon anything that takes their interest. What prevents them from becoming chronically bogged down in this pursuit of perfection is the pragmatism so characteristic of the type: INTJs apply (often ruthlessly) the criterion "Does it work?" to everything from their own research efforts to the prevailing social norms. This in turn produces an unusual independence of mind, freeing the INTJ from the constraints of authority, convention, or sentiment for its own sake.

INTJs are known as the "Systems Builders" of the types, perhaps in part because they possess the unusual trait combination of imagination and reliability. Whatever system an INTJ happens to be working on is for them the equivalent of a moral cause to an INFJ; both perfectionism and disregard for authority may come into play, as INTJs can be unsparing of both themselves and the others on the project. Anyone considered to be "slacking," including superiors, will lose their respect -- and will generally be made aware of this; INTJs have also been known to take it upon themselves to implement critical decisions without consulting their supervisors or co-workers. On the other hand, they do tend to be scrupulous and even-handed about recognizing the individual contributions that have gone into a project, and have a gift for seizing opportunities which others might not even notice.

In the broadest terms, what INTJs "do" tends to be what they "know". Typical INTJ career choices are in the sciences and engineering, but they can be found wherever a combination of intellect and incisiveness are required (e.g., law, some areas of academia). INTJs can rise to management positions when they are willing to invest time in marketing their abilities as well as enhancing them, and (whether for the sake of ambition or the desire for privacy) many also find it useful to learn to simulate some degree of surface conformism in order to mask their inherent unconventionality.

Personal relationships, particularly romantic ones, can be the INTJ's Achilles heel. While they are capable of caring deeply for others (usually a select few), and are willing to spend a great deal of time and effort on a relationship, the knowledge and self-confidence that make them so successful in other areas can suddenly abandon or mislead them in interpersonal situations.

This happens in part because many INTJs do not readily grasp the social rituals; for instance, they tend to have little patience and less understanding of such things as small talk and flirtation (which most types consider half the fun of a relationship). To complicate matters, INTJs are usually extremely private people, and can often be naturally impassive as well, which makes them easy to misread and misunderstand. Perhaps the most fundamental problem, however, is that INTJs really want people to make sense. :-) This sometimes results in a peculiar naivete', paralleling that of many Fs -- only instead of expecting inexhaustible affection and empathy from a romantic relationship, the INTJ will expect inexhaustible reasonability and directness.

Probably the strongest INTJ assets in the interpersonal area are their intuitive abilities and their willingness to "work at" a relationship. Although as Ts they do not always have the kind of natural empathy that many Fs do, the Intuitive function can often act as a good substitute by synthesizing the probable meanings behind such things as tone of voice, turn of phrase, and facial expression. This ability can then be honed and directed by consistent, repeated efforts to understand and support those they care about, and those relationships which ultimately do become established with an INTJ tend to be characterized by their robustness, stability, and good communications.

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Functional Analysis
by Joe Butt

Introverted iNtuition

INTJs are idea people. Anything is possible; everything is negotiable. Whatever the outer circumstances, INTJs are ever perceiving inner pattern-forms and using real-world materials to operationalize them. Others may see what is and wonder why; INTJs see what might be and say "Why not?!" Paradoxes, antinomies, and other contradictory phenomena aptly express these intuitors' amusement at those whom they feel may be taking a particular view of reality too seriously. INTJs enjoy developing unique solutions to complex problems.

Extraverted Thinking

Thinking in this auxiliary role is a workhorse. Closure is the payoff for efforts expended. Evaluation begs diagnosis; product drives process. As they come to light, Thinking tends, protects, affirms and directs iNtuition's offspring, fully equipping them for fulfilling and useful lives. A faithful pedagogue, Thinking argues not so much on its own behalf, but in defense of its charges. And through this process these impressionable ideas take on the likeness of their master.

Introverted Feeling

Feeling has a modest inner room, two doors down from the Most Imminent iNtuition. It doesn't get out much, but lends its influence on behalf of causes which are Good and Worthy and Humane. We may catch a glimpse of it in the unspoken attitude of good will, or the gracious smile or nod. Some question the existence of Feeling in this type, yet its unseen balance to Thinking is a cardinal dimension in the full measure of the INTJ's soul.

Extraverted Sensing

Sensing serves with a good will, or not at all. As other inferior functions, it has only a rudimentary awareness of context, amount or degree. Thus INTJs sweat the details or, at times, omit them. "I've made up my mind, don't confuse me with the facts" could well have been said by an INTJ on a mission. Sensing's extraverted attitude is evident in this type's bent to savor sensations rather than to merely categorize them. Indiscretions of indulgence are likely an expression of the unconscious vengeance of the inferior.

Sergio Toppi, Where Have You Been All My Life?

Sergio Toppi, where have you been all my life?

This is what popped into my head when I saw one of my Facebook friends post an image of his. I immediately had to scrounge around for more.

In Italy, the answer happens to be. Unfortunately Mr. Toppi passed away last year, but there is still a smattering of delicious comic book art that I can go discover.

I shall be ordering "Sharaz-de: Tales from the Arabian Nights" as soon as it's back in stock!

CNYWS Signature Exhibit, August 2013

I attended my first ever Central New York Watercolor Society's Signature art exhibit opening this past Friday. The show was put on in Old Forge, NY, quite the drive for me in an evening. I think it was worth it, however. The show was in a beautiful venue, and the show itself was wonderful. There are many extremely talented artists in central New York.  I wish I lived closer and could connect with them more. The artists and attendees were all extremely friendly as well, which I appreciated as I didn't drag anyone out of work early to come with me. From there I went to another art opening that same night with some of the artists I met at the first show. I love how artists support each other. That show was beautiful as well.

Of course, I forgot to bring my camera again, because I always forget one thing whenever I take a trip of any length. So unfortunately you'll get to see some blurry or low-res pictures from my phone camera. But I wanted to share some of these great images, for those of you who won't be able to make it down to Old Forge before September.

And this last image is actually a pastel by the lovely Loretta Lepkowski, at the Old Forge library. She was also a talented watercolorist, but I just fell in love with her pastels. I am blown away by anyone who can master a stick of chalk!

So thanks again to everyone I met, and I hope to see you again soon!

Interview With Kristen Nobles

Kristen Nobles is the Art Director at Candlewick Press, based in Somerville, MA. One of my favorite publishers, just based on the beautiful children's and middle grade books I see them putting out.

Interview With Kristen Nobles

Describe a project you have worked on recently, taking us through the key stages.

Recently I designed and art directed The Flint Heart by Katherine and John Patterson, and illustrated by John Rocco... After several discussions with the editor, we came across some promotional pieces for John Rocco’s Fu Finds the way and, with further research, his Percy Jackson series jackets. When Katherine and John agreed he was the man for the job I designed pages and estimated an art count. John was enthusiastic from the start, thrilled by the challenge of so many characters and the historical relevance of the book. He provided a list of possible illustrations that he would be excited about creating. We discussed these editorially for content and logistically for pacing. Meanwhile John was researching steampunk and art nouveau aesthetics to inform the three worlds he was creating – the human world, the animal world, and the fairy world. We discussed palettes for each world and looked at early character sketches. We worked closely to develop a framing device for chapter openers and debated how to render them differently from the main scenes. John created over 60 exquisitely luminous illustrations, working digitally to colorize after scanning in approved pencil sketches. 

After reading a manuscript, do you instantly have a sense of the illustration style which would bring it to life?

I do, though it’s not necessarily a style but rather a quality. Generally I write down three or so adjectives when reading a manuscript and I’m looking for those same qualities in the artist’s work.

Who has been your greatest mentor in the world of children's publishing  to date and what pearls of wisdom have they imparted?

Kristine Brogno... taught me the importance of page turns, the consideration of composition as well as perspective, and the craft of a writing a persuasive art directional letter. She also taught me a lot about having a vision and being able to back up that vision with reason. 


At Candlewick, Creative Director Chris Paul... has instilled in me her nuanced affection for typography and the ability to work on a project with gravitas.

What general advice would you give an illustrator looking to improve  their children's portfolio - what should they include/not include?

First and foremost unique characters with a variety of emotions – children, adults, animals. Some example of environment, either indoor or outdoor. Unusual perspectives. A range of color samples and palettes and black and white work. Give yourself an assignment each day and share it with others. These days blogs (such as those featured on Childrensillustrators.com) are a wonderful way for art directors to get a sense of an illustrators range, working style, and personality. Most importantly, imbue your work with what drives you – illuminate your passions. Don’t draw a preconceived notion of what you think children’s book art looks like.

Love this last reply! Of course, most art directors and professionals will tell you some of the same things: draw a variety of characters. Show multiple environments and perspectives. Use color well. Draw good. Etc.   But I really like the comment of making work that inspires you, of doing things in just your own way. Sure, not everyone will love your work if you have a very different style than what they expect, but it's pretty likely that no one will love your work if you don't. Deep thoughts.

Giveaway- Herb Spoon Markers

I finally found the widget I was looking for, and am now sponsoring my first ever giveaway for my Etsy products! Submissions go live tomorrow, Jul 22, and end Jul 28, so get your entries in! You may enter more than once, in different ways.

Enter the Giveaway

Here is a picture of the prize:



All you have to do is click to enter! The winner will be randomly chosen from all the entries.

My Weekend at Potsdam Summerfest 2013

I set up a vendor booth for the first time this year at Potsdam's SummerFest. I always love going to what is probably the biggest event in Potsdam all year. This time I only got a little bit of time to walk around and see everything, because I decided to have a go at selling my wares. I think my final setup actually looked pretty decent.

There was a great crowd all day long, as this event is very popular. Much better turnout than the last show I attended the misnamed "Really Big Show" at Clarkson University this past spring. Still, mostly browsers, not a lot of people buying. The vendors to each side of me seemed to be having the same kind of day.

Still, I sold a drawing to one couple who happily said they tried to support the local arts as much as possible, which I thought was very nice of them. I had a lot of interest in my shoe display as well, messy as it is. I always underestimate how much space I'll need for all this stuff!

I gave away a ton of cards though, so hopefully I'll get some orders coming in through my shop some time later. And now I have a ton more garden markers to either send back to the Arts Council gallery, or sell on Etsy! Getting a little late in the year, I might start listing some clearance lots.

It was a hot but beautiful day, and I went swimming later that day, and had fresh raspberry pie, so all was well!