The Mysteries of Udolpho- Illustrated

Just in time for the holidays, you can order and download the ebook for The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe, illustrated by yours truly. I am now featured on GirlEBooks.com as an illustrator. Check it out at the link below:

My Author Page at Girlebooks

This book features 10 black and white illustrations by myself, and is available for download in many formats including Kindle/Mobi, ePub, MS Reader, and PDF, for just $2.99.

"Set in 1584, The Mysteries of Udolpho tells the story of Emily St. Aubert, a young French woman who is orphaned after the death of her father. The novel is one of the first Gothic romances, replete with incidents of terror, castles, seemingly supernatural events, a brooding, scheming villain, and a persecuted heroine. Jane Austen featured The Mysteries of Udolpho in her own work, Northanger Abbey."

Holiday Rush

Whew, holidays are a busy time. Not only are the family obligations mounting, I'm also moving into a new apartment on short notice, and I've suddenly got a dearth of freelance work. Not complaining about that, of course. But can a girl get a rest?

My Etsy shop is starting to really take off. I am getting a lot of interest and queries. I have tried to advertise on different blogs and websites, and I think that has helped. Gotten a few rush orders finished, with a few more in the works.

Also recently signed on to the Syracuse Say Yes Young Authors project. Elementary school children collaborate on writing stories, SU students illustrate them, and I'll be doing the covers this year. I love working on local projects, there's always so much excitement over them.
More on that to come later, with some ideas and sketches, when I catch my breath!

Breaking News: Art is Atrocity

Welcome to Art is Atrocity

"There is an education war in this city, and our children are caught in the crossfire. But we, as pro-educators, are committed to developing solutions to bring back the strong, traditional subjects in our schools. That solution must consist of a solid foundation in math and science without art. We cannot let our nation fall behind the Eastern schools. We cannot allow our children's minds to go to waste. We are responsible for their future, and must set a steady path that will allow them to flourish in adulthood. The Syracuse City School District suffers from a major budget crisis, and we cannot afford to spend our money on frivolous subjects that will not benefit our children."
Director of Art Is Atrocity, Samuel Ruta


A friend posted this on facebook. I refuse to include the link to this website, because I don't want to increase the site's search engine stats. Let me just tell you, the misuse of grammar in the site is atrocious (I guess Samuel was an art student?). If I could say one thing to Mr. Ruta, I would say it with my fist. I can't believe there are still people out there with such narrow mindsets. Sure, this activist is hardly the most dangerous one out there, but cyberspace is cluttered with enough trash as it is, without adding this to the mix. Do us a favor, Samuel, and just mind your own business.

This Is Your Life

A New Look For The Coming New Year

The website is undergoing some heavy reconstruction in the coming weeks (or however long it takes me). I really don't have the time to be working on this right now, with personal projects and freelancing getting in the way, but it has been itching at me for a while, to trim down what was growing unruly. I just kept adding more pages, more pictures, it was really getting out of hand.

I hope the coming revisions will make my website more seamless to navigate, while making my intentions more understandable. Be warned that construction might get a little messy in the meantime. I hope to be fully operational again soon.

I welcome any constructive criticism on the design, layout, and anything else! This is the time to do it, while walls are being torn down and all the furniture re-upholstered.

Happy holiday season to you all!

60 Brilliant Logos

These are some really excellent creative and minimalist logo designs by brilliant designers. If you find yourself in a creative slump, some inspiration might be in order.

Logos

Interview by Kris Wampler, Author of Love Train

I was recently interviewed by Kris Wampler, author of Love Train, about my book, "Urban Legends Across America". Just some thoughts about how the project came about, and where it's going from here. If you are interested, hit up the link below:

Interview

My Computer Is Artsier Than Yours

Super funny. If I didn't already have a decal on my computer, I would totally buy this one!

Urban Legends (Standard Size) Is Back Online!

Urban Legends Across America by Catherine LaPointe | Make Your Own Book

Urban Legends Hiatus

My books will be undergoing some work for a day or so, just a warning, hold off on any ordering until I give you the green light. Sadly, there's no way to make them inaccessible, so just sit tight for now!

Preiodic Table of Typefaces

I can't remember if I've posted this before, but it's just awesome. I could have this as a poster for my room!

Final Sketch for Udolpho

I am working on the last of 10 illustrations for The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe. Some of them, I have recently put up on my website, and I am very pleased with the project as a whole. I am now working on the final image, which will probably be the cover.

I have here a rough greyscale workup of my plan, and I would like some constructive criticism. Does the castle look imposing enough? Does the figure stand out? Is the ground believable

? How well does the contrast work? Does anything stand out as glaringly wrong? What would you change or add?

Thanks for the comments.

The Children's Book Proclamation

Wacom's "A Thousand Forests" Competition

Every artist out there should go and enter Wacom's "A Thousand Forests" competition.

A Thousand Forests

"The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Not only are free competitions a no-brainer, for every entrant Wacom has agreed to donate $5 to the International Child Art Foundation. The Foundation aims to integrate art with sports, science, and technology, to provide more access to the arts for children around the globe. With all the educational cuts being made lately, you can support art in our schools with just a tiny bit of effort, and maybe win a prize while doing it.

"Urban Legends" Now On Sale For $17.99!

I'd even say I like this size/format better than the larger version!

Urban Legends Across America by Catherine LaPointe | Make Your Own Book

First Book Sale!

My book is also listed for reference on Self-Published Book Roundup, linked below.

Author Roundup

I came across this website via LinkedIn. I think it is such a nice idea to have a compilation of self-published books, to give just that extra bit of help to authors trying to go it on their own. On another note, thanks to the one, possibly two, people who actually bought the book! Whoever you are, you rock! I'll sign it with extra <3

Local News Article

The Massena Artists Association has announced that Catherine LaPointe of Massena has been selected to be their Artist of the Year for 2011-12.

This award is based on the work that she submitted to MAA’s Annual Membership Art Exhibit, and was announced Oct. 18 at the opening reception.

The judge was especially impressed with her oil painting, “Still Life on Tin.”

Catherine is a 2010 graduate of Syracuse University, with a BFA in Illustration. She does free lance graphic design. She enjoys doing book and magazine illustrations, comic art, advertisements, logos, and posters.

She recently finished writing and illustrating a book called “Urban Legends Across America – an A to Z Anthology.”

2011 Winners

Urban Legends Across America: The A-Z Anthology Premium Edition

The editing is done, the proof copy came out great, and my book on Urban Legends is finally available! Premium Edition is an 8x10 softcover, on 100lb glossy white paper. Standard Edition, a 6x9 softcover on 60lb white paper, is coming soon.

Urban Legends Across America by Catherine LaPointe | Make Your Own Book

I Should Check This More Often

Oh hey, I got another piece up on NCPR's Art of the Day page. It was a couple of days ago, but I haven't been checking, so better late than never, right?

North Country Public Radio

Casey, yet again you are famous in my art!

Urban Legends Across America: The A-Z Anthology

Finally finished! Nothing like a deadline to get you motivated.

I ordered one copy from Blurb via Groupon, so I am waiting for it to come in so I can see it in all it's majestic glory. And make sure nothing goes horribly wrong in the printing process. Once I approve that, I'll start listing the full book for sale on every print-on-demand site I can find. And then I'll start shopping it around to publishers. Though even if I can't get it picked up, it was definitely not a waste of my time. What a great project it's been! Alright, what's my next project?

Photos From the Frederic Remington Opening

Here are some (really awful) pictures of my at the opening of the 2011 Frederic Remington International Juried Art Exhibit. We only had cell phone cameras, so excuse the horrible quality.

North Country Public Radio

Check out NCPR's website, my oil painting of local Ives Park is the artwork of the day.

http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/todaysart.html?feedsrc=id&id=6197364761

This was a wet-on-wet painting I made as a gift, and probably my first attempt at wet-on-wet painting. I'm usually much more methodical, and I plan large flat layers first, with gradual building up, which usually requires some drying time. But it was a great excersize, and a fun way to paint landscapes!

Caricatures According to John Kascht

This is definitely the best video on creating a caricature I have ever found. John Kascht takes an in-depth look at Conan O'Brien's face, personality, and all the things that make him who he is. He clearly believes, as I'm sure many artists do, that in order to draw something, you must first understand how it works. Watch as he expertly breaks down Coco (I really need to watch his show more often).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpUE-oMpjNE

Wanderings- Sept 2011

I'm alive! Yup, couchsurfing in Charlotte went swimmingly. There was even swimming involved. I met a great group of surfers, tried out kneeboarding (was too wimpy for wakeboarding), saw an orange moon rise, failed at drunk trivia, ate some delicious pastry, walked my feet off, looked at other people's artwork, and just tried to get a feel for the city of Charlotte in macro view.

After exhausting myself in NC, I made my way to NYC and got to relax a bit while seeing pretty much everyone that I miss the most! I went with them to a dumpling festival, to the Staten Island ferry (where beer was disappointingly average-priced), to a cafe in Williamsburg, to a great dinner with a giant spoon, and to cupcakes in disguise. I have now officially set foot on all 5 boroughs of NYC, so I suppose I can cross that off my hypothetical list.

The only snag in my trip was flying home (not a long jump) during which I had two layovers, got delayed halfway through, had to crash overnight on my sister's friend's couch with a crazy stray traveler I took pity on, and picked up the dreaded rhinovirus. I got home 24 hours later, worn out and ready for a full day of just sleeping and sitting on the couch. Which is what I did.

I have some pictures but somehow my phone's memory card got corrupted so I might not be able to pull anything off there. Photos or not, I had a good long trip that should hold off my wanderlust for a least a little while longer!

I Think It's Time For Another Adventure

I'll be leaving for North Carolina early next Tuesday morning! Off on my way to explore a state I've only driven through (though I hear it's lovely). Though it's getting dark early now, and cold in the nights, I refuse to recognize summer as being over yet, until I have returned from the sunny south. I have some small plans to check out art galleries and go shopping, but primarily I just want to wander and get a feel for the city.

While I am there, I will not be staying in a hotel. I will be couchsurfing. And that's right, couchsurfing with a complete stranger. But hey, it's a just a friend I haven't met (and inconvenienced) yet, right? I have couchsurfed once before, and I plan to again, as it's really the best way to really feel at home in an unfamiliar city. There's no better way to get to know some place than by talking to someone who's gotten past the tourist glamour and discovered what really makes the city valuable. And by making a personal connection while you are there, you're ensuring that you will have lasting memories from your trip, not just a memory card full of photos.

If you are interested in checking out the site, here's the link below:

http://www.couchsurfing.org

Meet Me At The Remington, Dahling

Remington International Juried Exhibit

I was recently informed I got two pieces in the 2011 International Juried Art Exhibit at the Frederic Remington museum. I submitted three, and nabbed 2 out of 26 spots. Here are the two pieces (but you should come see them in person):

More details on the reception to come later.

Frederic Remington Museum

And I Love It When People Do My Research For Me

I do so love picspam!

55 Captivating Examples of Illustration

Creatures / Characters on the Behance Network

Creatures / Characters on the Behance Network

How amazing is this?? Why can I not create creatures with this much awesomeness?? Thank you, Behance, for leading me to this epic portfolio.

The Fall and Rise of Illustration

Trendsetters in advertising and design are on the young side; my theory is that a 20-something art director will appreciate the work of a 20-something illustrator. After attending ICON in Philadelphia, I was more than convinced that this younger crop of illustrators could lead the revolution in illustration.

If we shouted at the top of our lungs “THINK ILLUSTRATION,” “USE ILLUSTRATION,” no one would pay any attention to us. Plus, we would sound desperate. But if we quietly present art in a beautiful format, show art directors that art does have a place, engage them with not only the art but by showing the studios of the artists, they will notice the stark contrast to the sterile photo studio.

Full Article At AIGA

I Could Never Forget How Much I Like Kent Williams

I just bought and read "The Fountain" and I am so happy with it. Glad to add it to my shelf. See? Comics are real art! Sometimes they are more artsy than fine art.

I post a lot of pictures, rather than talking a lot about my favorite artists, because the pictures are what I find most interesting. With a few rare exceptions, I don't care how they got started, what journeys they went through, what they were thinking when they did this piece or that. The work speaks for itself.

Jerome Witkin

"I think the artist is never really sure, because art is long and life is short."

Jerome is having a retrospective show at SU. Maybe I should stop by.

How Could I Have Forgotten How Much I Love Barron Storey?

He reminds me a lot of Dave McKean in that first image, and a lot of Bernie Fuchs in the second image. But I must never forget this awesome pioneer! Always an original.

Other Than My Personal Gain, It's Very Sad

Only good thing about Borders going out of business:

Graphic novel clearance sale! Woo! Reading time!

Uniquely Northern New York

I just found a cute listing of Northern NY crafters and artisans. There is not much dedicated to the arts in NNY, I always get excited when I find another place. And this site is very well organized, too. Check out my new profile, below:

Uniquely Northern New York

Hamlet Sketch Alternate Version

I have this all (much nicer) drawn out, but before I can go any further with it, I need some ideas on the basic value plan. Which do you think better portrays the madness of Hamlet? And which would look better on the cover of a book?

Another Try

I remembered I had some awesome hats in a box somewhere

Anyone else never satisfied with self portraits?

I Like Art

I like art.

Here is some art I like.

http://www.juxtapoz.com/Gallery/jon-klassen/jon-klassen6-5012

Why do I most like the art that is the least like my own?

I Don't Think I'll Ever Be This Cool

When I shrink this down enough, they look really similar, but I know better. Sean Murphy's far superior inks are on the left, and my lightbox-copied inks are on the right. You can't copy something that's so awesome because of it's spontaneity.

Latest Project

I've been working on a logo/office sign for a local real estate agency. I've offered my client a few choices, and she is having trouble deciding, and is looking to just use all my ideas. I would like to push just one, but which one should that be? Which of these do y'all prefer?

I Haven't Gushed In A While

I've been so busy over the summer that I haven't gushed about my favorite artists in a while! So now I bring to you:

Tom Mandrake!

There are some awesome textures going on there. Sometimes the textures get in the way of the composition, but they are interesting enough that I can forgive him sometimes. Interesting textures are something that I really want to work on in my own inking, but I'm having trouble figuring out ways of doing them. I wonder if these are traditional or digital?

Digital Wow

Sometimes the line between art and design fades. Digital art makes things even more fuzzy. And that's not a bad thing.

Visuakontakt

I love checking out sites that are just chock-full of great art. Need some inspiration? I got your inspiration right here.

Harry Potter Tribute Show!

Two of my favorite things, together at last; art and Harry Potter!

Harry Potter Tribute Art Blog

About the project:
"Although the movies have done a tremendous job in the manner of visual depiction, many artists and readers alike, have had their own vision of the Harry Potter world. This Blog hopes to be a platform for those visions as well as new concepts that further builds upon that world while paying homage through illustration to the epic tale that has touched the imaginations of so many readers."

Hey, Look! I'm Finally On Etsy!

I have started up my Etsy shop with some fabulous shoe designs! There will likely be more to come, but I am very tired and this is good for now. Take a look at the fabulous pictures!

Check it out!

Taking orders ;)

The Resume is Dead, The Bio is King

I found an interesting article that made me think back on my own bio on my website. I keep wondering how I should balance the personal vs the professional persona. This article had some good tips on how to craft my bio, and I think I translate some of it to my cover letters, too.

The Resume is Dead, The Bio is King

I don't know that I would completely replace a resume with a bio, however. Most traditional job postings still ask for your resume, and I think they would look at you askance if you handed them something else. This is a useful guide for more of a website bio, personal letter, or elevator pitch. Typically these things would come into play in less traditional job-seeking settings (which I am sure many creative professionals are familiar with). Still, hold on to that resume, I'm sure it will come in useful at some point.

Happy Birthday To Me

My fabulous camera, arriving at my door, with impeccable timing, on my birthday! I'll have to take some better test pictures than a picture of my sister's birds, though it's already loads better than the crap camera I have now. I can finally start to compensate for my awful photography skills ;)

I feel like a pro. Now to start acting like one.

Doodle #2!

I honor of the wonderful weather (at least the few minutes of it in between all the rain) I have come out with this second Doodle!

I know I said I would make a Doodle every day. That was a bit of an exaggeration. I have other projects, too, you know. Still, I will do more and more and more and I will never stop until my efforts finally work!

Nikon Coolpix L120

I ordered a new camera today! I know, it's not quite a DSLR, but it's a damn sight better than the camera I am working with right now. And in my budget :) Isn't she sexy? I'll have to wait until I actually get her before I decide what to name her.

The problem with taking reference photos when you have shaky hands lies in having a camera that waits a few eons and then decides to move the shutter. Hopefully this baby will be quick enough to compensate for my awesome jitters. I had pretty much stopped taking my own reference photos because my photos always sucked so much. Hopefully I can get back into the habit. And maybe I'll get some lovely bar mitzvah memories too.

All In A Row

My sister wanted me to paint some wooden spoons that she could use as garden markers. Though it hasn't become my next career direction, I think they came out really cute!

I was going to try for an old naturalist encyclopedia kind of look. Sort of. In the interest of them showing up bright and clear I mostly just painted them. They shall be varnished and then put to delicious use.

In other news, I eventually plan to open an Etsy site for my shoes. It's on my list, along with five hundred other things, to do!

Masque of the Red Death

I think I am done here. It's late and my eyes are tired, so I might come back to this with fresh eyes later, but what do you think?

Basically trying to convey a lavish extravagance combined with pestilence and time running out. And obviously a mask.
I had each of the "eyes" as mirror images of each other, using the fancy scroll thing, and then I changed it. Should I change it back to being symmetrical?

Why Can't I Have Five Million Logos?

So you can see the header, that I have worked in everywhere, and I've pretty much phased out my initial name-as-logo idea because the two fonts don't mesh. But I miss seeing my name in pretty colors on my website! So I ask you for feedback, as I need to be consistent. Should I stick with my header, or go back to my plain old name? Or what would you change about either?

Interesting Thoughts on Habits and Creativity

I read some interesting articles that got me thinking of the effects of routine vs creativity. You would naturally expect creativity to stem from madness, from unusual sources and unusual people. While, ok, that may be true, it looks as though, at least to those eccentric people, their strange routines are just... routine. And not every creative person is a spontaneous nutball. Some parts of my creative routine just include putting on some music and making sure all of my supplies are within arms reach. And then there's the 20 one-handed pushups I make myself do if I accidentally use a 2B pencil instead of an HB, or every time I use my pink eraser instead of my white. Completely normal, right?

Anyway, take a look at the articles, there are some interesting thoughts on normality, eccentricness, routine, and creativity.

Do Mundane Routines Produce Creativity?

This Is Why I'm Eccentric

Anyone have any weird routines you'd like to share?

My RSS Feed

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http://feeds.feedburner.com/ LionheartDesign\

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Happy Mother's Day!

*Insert text there^*

Outstanding Illustration

I found some really inspiring collections of illustration!

Al Parker: 3 decades of TV Guide covers:

http://todaysinspiration.blogspot.com/2011/05/al-parker-3-decades-of-tv-guide-covers.html

Some newer, interesting, and sometimes bizarre illustrations:

http://inspirationfeed.com/2011/05/50-outstanding-illustration-designs-for-your-inspiration/

Mother's Day Inspiration

I thought about actually making my mom a card for Mother's Day. I haven't done that since I was little, but hey- I am an illustrator. This is what I do.

So I started looking around for some cut-paper inspiration. And boy did I find it! I thought I would share with you the most interesting bits.

Patrick Gannon:

David Wisniewski:

Alice Feagan:

Jayme McGowan:

Helen Musselwhite:

I Will Conquer You, Google

I am determined to get an illustration up as a Google Doodle. I will do one every day of the year if I have to. Here is my very first, preparing for Memorial Day:

I don't know if they would be comfortable using an image related to wars, but this isn't really about any one country's victory, it's about the soldiers themselves. I thought it was fitting.

Send your ideas to proposals@google.com

ArtBlogs

I have been trying to find more art blogs to follow, and hopefully, to follow me. An easy feed of art and art news is worth much. And I found this site:

http://artblogs4u.blogspot.com/

So check that out, too.

I Could Use A Little Fuel Myself

I entered a website which asked for my birthday. When I gave it, a brief message popped up:

"You are an emu, Gemini. Use your fast, effective trot to get you where you want to be."

I am damn good at accomplishing things. I am an accomplishment junkie. I just live for getting things done in an awesome way. On that note, why haven't I gotten myself a job in art yet? I am awesome at getting jobs. I own interviews. I am the person you want to hire, and the person you want to bring home to your mother.

I have decided that I really want to focus on getting a job designing book covers, and I have realized that there are only four book covers on my website. Maybe my random and varied design portfolio needs some work. While I would be eager to do any full-time design job, I am most excited about book covers, so I am going to design the hell out of them! I have started a comp for "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allen Poe. The pictures, fonts, and graphics are mere placeholders, but this is the essence of what it will look like:

I know, I will also do some non-dark-and-creepy book covers to round me out. This just happened to be the first story I liked on Project Gutenberg. So, I am going to re-focus my design portfolio on print design, specifically book covers.

My fortune cookies from last week:
"A well-aimed spear is worth three."
"Be brave enough to live creatively."

And A Swarthy Sea Captain He Shall Be

I had been saving a huge square of masonite since I-don't-know-when to use for I-don't-know-what. I noticed it tucked away in my old bedroom, and decided the time has come. Started working on this painting weeks ago! It was almost like I was a fine artist, taking more than a few days to rush something to completion!

And it's still not dry. Now I remember why I don't do big epic oil paintings anymore. I can't scan it yet, and it's so stiff and heavy I don't know if I will be able to, but here's the crappy dim photo version while I wait for my Seaman to dry (hehe).

I Love Windmills!

I love windmills. Wish I had a field of them. Slowly turning giants as far as the eye can see. Alas, I live in an apartment complex, and it was just never meant to be.

But Malone, NY has plenty!

Though Malone is not a place I would stop for any reason, I love driving by it, because I see these tall haunting beauties appearing through the fog (the first time I ever saw them it was a very foggy day- excellent for atmosphere). The quick snapshots I grabbed with my phone as I was speeding by the last time do not do them justice, but I thought I would share them with you anyway.