Cat Scott

The Very Edge of New Harare

2011-11-30T08:28:00.001-08:00

Another illustration for Alfred Hitchcock Mystery magazine is in the books! I'll take you through some process and behind the scenes stuff.

First of all, this story was great. That's my favorite part about writing for AHMM is reading these great, interesting, mysterious little stories. I doodle in the margins of the pages while I read. This story, The Very Edge of New Harare, was about a city in Africa that was transitioning from rural to urban, forcing the native animals away. Meanwhile there are some murders on the edge of town. I don't want to give too much away... Read the excerpt (this link may only work until the next issue is live), or you should just get the magazine!

I put all of the thumbnails into a PDF document with a description of what's going on; sometimes the thumbs are so loose it's hard to convey what the final image would actually look like (click to see larger):

The art director chose #1, which is a giraffe overlaid with African wilderness, juxtaposed against an urban scene. This was in reference to a scene that's described when a giraffe is suddenly in the middle of a highway. The giraffe looked lost and confused about losing his home.

My in-laws just returned from an Africa trip with hundreds of amazing photos, including some great close-ups of giraffes. I gathered all my references:

And started working on the final. That's the other great thing about AHMM; we go straight to final instead of needing a final sketch in between. It makes the process feel more like "mine" rather than "drawing for the man." I do a final drawing for my own purposes though; make sure the artwork size is correct, get placement and composition stuff figured out, etc:

Then I trace the illustration onto Bristol paper using my most favoritest Hi-Tec C pen:

I almost always get scared before I put the paint over the drawing, so I scan a copy of the final ink part before I paint on it:

Here it is after paint:

....Which felt too flat; not contrasty enough. At the illustration Academy, I learned that Photoshop is our enemy, but I think that's a crock. It's a wonderful tool. Just look at Yuko Shimizu's style. So I started messing around with lightening and darkening the background:

I kind of liked the last one, but AHMM prints on newsprint so I can't go too dark with the overall layout. The others just felt too boring. So I tried reversing out the background just to give it some "oomph," again playing with light and dark options:

Now we're talking. But the left version was too dark, right option too bland. I ultimately decided on a version in between with a few tweaks to the reversed background (I didn't like the cars or signs reversed out) and we had our final! Thanks, Photoshop!!!

I've done another illustration for AHMM since this one, and another is in the works. They plan REALLY far in advance so it will be a few months before I can post either of those. Thanks for the assignment AHMM, and for reading my dear followers (if you made it this far you deserve some sort of award!)

-cat

Cat Scott Larimore
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
@gato108
www.CatScottArt.com

West African Stew - Recipe

2011-10-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

First time posting a recipe on the 'ol blog! But it seems I cook more than I draw lately (gotta eat!) so why the hell not. It's creative, isn't it?I made this tasty dish from Kristen Swensson Sturt's recipe over at Serious Eats. Kris keeps (kept?) an awesome food blog called Cheap Healthy Good that has tons of amazing recipes that are cheap, healthy, and... uh... good. (Not just a clever name). Her recipe is below with my comments/suggestions to the side. It's damn tasty and perfect for crappy rainy fall weather.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups onions, sliced into 1/4-inch crescents [I just used two small-medium onions]
2 large cloves garlic, minced [garlic from a jar is your friend if you're lazy, just put a big heaping spoonful of garlic in there]
1 pound sweet potato, peeled and chopped into 1/4-inch half slices (about the size of a checker) [typically 3 average sized potatoes]
1 large tomato, seeded and chopped [I used a variety of tomatoes from my garden and my friends, and have also made this with a drained can of diced tomatoes]
1/2 cup raisins [I would use a bit more raisins... I love how juicy and sweet they get]
1 teaspoon cinnamon [A little extra might be tasty]
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper [I love heat but this doesn't seem to need a lot - I only use about 1/8 tsp]
3 cups low-sodium, reduced fat chicken or vegetable broth
1 14.5-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
3 cups frozen chopped spinach [one block package]
1 teaspoon kosher salt [I added more... once you add the spinach it really needs it]
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
A yummy grain (rice, couscous, etc) [I like a whole wheat couscous]

Preparation:

If making rice, go ahead and get that started.
In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium high. Add onion and cook 8 or 9 minutes, until very tender, stirring occasionally.
Add garlic. Saute 30 to 60 seconds, until fragrant.
Add sweet potato and tomato. Saute 5 minutes.
Add raisins, cinnamon, cayenne, and broth. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cover, drop heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Add chickpeas about halfway through simmering if you like them a little mushy, which I do. Otherwise add them with the spinach after simmering.
Uncover. Jack heat up to medium. Add spinach, stirring to combine.
Cook until spinach is totally thawed and chickpeas are warmed through, for me this was about 10 more minutes.
Season with salt, black pepper, and maybe a little garam masala (that makes everything better) Serve with rice, couscous, or any fun grain you can think of.

Sketchbook self portrait

2011-10-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

Tiny sketch in the tiny moleskin with the tiny nibbed Hi-Tec C. Yet somehow I ended up with a gigantic nose.

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
@gato108
www.CatScottArt.com

Listen, Learn, Love, Opera by Thomson Smillie - Book Design and Cover Illustration

2011-09-14T07:53:00.000-07:00

For the past 10 months or so, I have had the pleasure of working with Louisville performing arts writer, Thomson Smillie, on a book about learning to love Opera. He wrote this book based on talks he gives on high-end cruises around the world. The speech attendees begged him to produce a book they could take home to learn more, so here we are.

We decided to publish with CreateSpace because I had just had an excellent experience with them while designing and publishing my dad's book.

To my delight, Thomson also asked me to illustrate the cover of the book based on the facade of La Scala milan. Future editions might even incorporate more illustration work throughout.

The proof arrived yesterday, to which Thomson said, "It's not what I expected... it's far more beautiful!"

We quickly ordered the first batch to arrive just in time for Kentucky Center's Carmen performances, where Thomson will be selling copies.

I highly recommend you pick up a copy while you are there, or purchase one directly from him ahead of time so you can appreciate Carmen to its fullest! The book is also available through the CreateSpace store and Amazon.com (will link once the product page is ready).

This was a fun project and I had a great time getting to know Thomson and his wife. He's full of ideas so I'm certain this won't be our last encounter!

Thanks for reading,

Cat

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
@gato108
www.CatScott.com

Yogis in Class

2011-09-13T08:57:00.000-07:00

I started yoga teacher training last week and realized very quickly that it is an excellent place to draw. Yogis sit VERY still. However, we have assigned spots so the subject matter won't vary often. Also, I'm usually too busy frantically writing to be able to sketch.

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
@gato108
www.CatScott.com

Landscape Drawing

2011-08-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

My company is across the street from Papa John's international headquarters. Surprisingly, they have an incredibly well landscaped campus complete with rolling hills, walking trails, ponds, picnic tables, bridges, and a fountain! When it isn't ungodly hot (or cold) it's a wonderful place to take a walk, or drawing break.

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
@gato108
www.CatScott.com

Dorney and Friends at Corner Door

2011-08-12T17:57:00.000-07:00

Another sketch from our favorite bar & restaurant, Corner Door. This is Dorney & Friends, a talented bunch who played a great range of oldies, bluegrass, and classic rock.

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
www.CatScott.com

Yoga Crazy

2011-08-02T12:23:00.001-07:00

I might legitimately be crazy. My obsession with yoga has spawned a blog of its own, YogaCrazy.me, in which I write and illustrate about my experiences with yoga and document useful information on yoga studios around Louisville. I've decided to do an illustration with as many posts as possible, so that site will hopefully populate quickly with some fun yoga inspired drawings.

If you don't care about yoga, I don't blame you for not following the site. I'll post some of the drawings up here from time to time so you don't feel left out ;)

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
www.CatScott.com

Sketchbook: Corner Door

2011-07-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to carry my sketchbook around again, and after 2 or 3 beers I got gutsy enough to sketch in public. Probably the first time in a year that I've done that. The waitress took the beer bottle away before I could finish it, whoever guesses what type of beer it was wins a prize!

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
www.CatScott.com

Updated Illustration Portfolio

2011-06-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

With the wedding and our new house purchase behind us, I am finally finding time to nurture my illustration practice (while I simultaneously nurture my relationship, my new home and garden, my full time job, and my other new favorite practice, yoga).

To that end, I have updated the illustration portfolio of my website. This reflects my shift to working in my "sketchbook style" only. Not only do I prefer working in this style, it seems to be a big hit with the art directors.

I have also added a Newsletter Sign-up form to the site so you can choose to receive a concise monthly digest of some recent work and/or news. There is also a mini-sign-up form over there in the sidebar --->

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more new work!

-cat

The Real Celebrities - Illustration for Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine

2011-06-13T06:22:00.000-07:00

When Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine contacted me to do an illustration for one of their stories, I jumped at the opportunity. Fellow Illustration Academy graduates Edward Kinsella, Andrew Wright, and Jorge Mascarenhas had all done really cool work for the magazine so it made me feel like I was joining the ranks of these uber-talented illustrators.

The story was an entertaining suspense called “The Real Celebrities” about a murder amongst some costumed would-be actors in Hollywood (excerpted here). It’s always fun to draw some famous people...especially Hugh Jackman.

I’m happy to have another example of my “Sketchbook Style” illustration. This style is taking over my illustration portfolio because it is my favorite way to work. The tediousness of the cross-hatching step appeals to the nerdy analytical side of me, and the looseness and impressionism of the paint application step helps keep it fun and spontaneous.

Stay tuned for another illustration I did for them in the August/September issue, and a website update!

Thanks for reading!

-Cat

Cat Scott
Louisville Illustrator and Graphic Designer
www.CatScott.com

Derby Etiquette Illustration for Louisville Magazine

2011-03-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

Louisville Magazine, contacted me to do an illustration for their Derby issue this year, and of COURSE I jumped at the opportunity! It's always such an exciting issue to be a part of. The article is about Derby Etiquette and discusses how NOT to be "that guy" when you are out at Churchill Downs.

Below are the thumbnails I sent the art director:

She chose the bottom right option. Here's the final drawing before I took it to final:

And since I know you love seeing some behind-the-scenes action, here's a few of the reference photos we took. Pardon the poor white balancing, these aren't usually for the public's eye, they are just for getting a hand shape correct or a shoulder in place.

Till next time! p.s. Go Knights!

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
www.CatScott.com

Wedding Website

2011-03-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

Before the wedding invitations could go out, I had to make sure the wedding website was up and running!

With so many out-of-town guests, and with me being a giant web-nerd, it was important to me to have a website full of information on visiting Louisville. At first I was lulled by the simplicity of building a site on TheKnot.com, but the lack of customization made my skin crawl. So I built us a nice site from scratch using good old fashioned XHTML and CSS:

www.JasonAndCat.com

It's not that fancy, but neither is the wedding, plus it ties in with the invitation design and provides visitors the information they need. And it's not a cheesy template from the Knot. I love that I can keep updating it - like maybe I should add in those flowers from the invitation in the header? Sure, why not. It's a work in progress.

Next on the wedding posts, I'll write about our Save the Date cards which don't totally match anything but were the springboard for some of the elements you see on the website and in the invitation.

Thanks for stopping by!

cat

p.s. I'm learning more and more about web development at my day job, so please don't judge some of my inefficient coding!

p.p.s. Feel free to purchase us gifts from our Honeyfund registry!

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
www.CatScott.com

Wedding Invitations

2011-03-16T18:32:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned in this space that I'm engaged to My Biggest Fan, Jason? Wedding day is less than two months away. Yet another reason I've been quiet on the blog.

As a creative person, I have set out to tackle a boatload of Do It Yourself Projects to give my wedding that "personal charm," and a perk is that we save a lot of money!

One of my main projects was the invitation. In the wedding blog world, there are scores of elaborate, beautiful invitation suites with wonderful calligraphy, screen-printing, special sourced papers, and of course intricately designed type treatments. However, our wedding is a 50-person daytime garden wedding, so none of that felt right to us. Our ceremony and reception will be personal, simple and sweet, so that's what our invitations needed to convey.

Some details on the creation:

Our "logo" is a little sketch I did of the two of us kissing in a canoe (we got engaged in a canoe in Asheville, NC). The flowers were hand drawn in illustrator and filled with an abstract pink & purple watercolor I painted. The white parts of the invitation and RSVP were printed on my inkjet and trimmed by hand with an x-acto knife (not so bad when you only have 40 invitations). Katy and I then spray-mounted them onto trimmed pieces of a beautiful navy Classic Columns paper. Finishing touch is a pretty pink ribbon. Envelopes are standard cheapo envelopes from Staples with "calligraphy" done by me with a pretty pink/purple marker pen and a standard blue rollerball pen.

Below are some photos of the invitations. The really nice looking ones of the RSVP card and the envelopes are by my uber-talented bridesmaid Katy A who helped me assemble invites while she was in Louisville. The others are by me with my crappy point-and-shoot.

Must stop blogging and start DIYing! Thanks for reading.

cat

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
www.CatScott.com

La Scala Milan Illustration

2011-02-13T16:41:00.000-08:00

Just when one book design was wrapping up, another project began. This time it's for a book about learning to love opera, penned by Louisville author, speaker, and expert on the arts, Thomson Smillie. What is especially exciting about this project is that he wants to sprinkle it with lots of fun illustrations by moi!

For the cover, we went with the striking facade of Teatro alla Scala in Milan.

I love how my new "sketchbook" illustration style (which is the only style I use now) allows me to be more impressionistic. There is no need to get caught up in the details which keeps the illustrations loose and fresh. Thomson said it best; "You don't need to draw every architectural detail of the facade for someone to recognize it as La Scala. Either you recognize it, or you don't!"

This project should be wrapping up by summer time, so hopefully I will have lots of opera-related illustrations to share with you.

Till next time,

cat

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
www.CatScott.com

illustrations for enGrossed.me

2011-02-02T10:25:00.000-08:00

Another thing that has kept me busy for the past several months is a full time gig I started in October at a competitive intelligence firm called Sedulo Group. I'm their Creative Director and oversee everything design and marketing related, like the website(s), tradeshow materials, newsletter, and even powerpoint presentations. They keep me pretty busy.

Our managing partner, Heath, started a blog called enGrossed.me to write about competitive intelligence for people who don't really understand what it is, like for example, ME four months ago.

When I first started building the articles, I looked at some stock images but quickly realized a few things:

Stock images are super cheesy.
The illustrations are way too expensive.
It was impossible to find an image that conveyed the exact concept I wanted to illustrate.

I thought of one of my favorite sites about web design, A List Apart, and how they use a simple illustration for their articles. I thought, hey, I can do that! Heath loved the idea. Then I just needed a "style."

The goal was to do two posts a week, and these illustrations were in addition to my already ginormous pile of work, so I needed to be able to do these quickly and easily.

Here's the process:

First I do a very rough drawing. I never do a bunch of thumbnails, I just go with my gut on these. For this particular article about using competitive intelligence to see the future, PhotoBooth helped me pose for my own reference shot for the hand.

I scan the sketch and tweak it in photoshop.

I print out the tweaked sketch, throw it on my light box (My favorite two guesses as to what my old crappy lightbox is: a time machine, and an 8-track player.) I then trace the drawing onto Bristol paper using my brush pen.

I scan the brush drawing into Photoshop and then proceed to layer it up with multiplied layers of black tones, and then top it off with one darkened layer of color.

All in all, the entire process from concept and sketching to posting to the blog takes about 2 hours. And in the end, we think it's well worth it to have a fun, consistent image for each of the articles posted to the blog.

cat

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
www.CatScott.com

When Time Ends: Book Design

2011-01-26T15:43:00.001-08:00

One of the things that has kept me crazy busy over the past few months has been designing a book for my dad.

"When Time Ends places the biblical passages behind popular end-times books in their historical and literary contexts and concludes that the Bible's messages are quite different. Instead of postponing the kingdom of God to the future, voices of prophecy and apocalypse in the Bible encourage Christians to realize the kingdom on earth now through forgiveness, compassion, and reconciliation, persevering in their faith despite the overwhelming injustice and violence that surrounds them."

His book is available at Createspace and Amazon. He is also now blogging over at WhenTimeEnds.net (he's such an author!).

With all of the quotes, footnotes, multiple parts, chapters, section breaks, and bible passages, it became quite the style sheet smorgasbord. But my dad made it very easy for everything to fall into place and I'm really excited that his project is finished!

I'll update this post with mo' better images once I take some.

cat

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
www.CatScott.com

Jane Radstrom

2011-01-21T08:42:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a really long time, but I just had to share this. Jane Radstrom has been posting tons of her drawings lately, and this one blew my socks off. Loving the texture, the color, and of course the amazing technical rendering behind the whole thing.

Hope to post some stuff about ME soon, I know that's what you all want!

cheers,

cat

Cat Scott
Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator
www.CatScott.com

Beer in Progress...

2010-09-29T19:59:00.000-07:00

It's Craft Beer Week here in Louisville, so when I popped into my neighborhood Valu Market for a few dinner items yesterday, I happened upon a BBC tasting event. It just so happened I was in need of a new beer for my beer series, so I snagged a tasty double IPA called Homewrecker. I started the painting tonight and hope to have it finished by next week.

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Louisville Painting

2010-09-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

Louisville - 20" x 10" - Acrylic on Canvas
For Sale: $275, price includes shipping cost

Another half finished painting that I dusted off and finalized. After painting in oils for the Stella painting, it was strange to transition to the quick drying acrylics. But it was nice to not feel like like I was going to pass out while painting in my studio!

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Stella

2010-09-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

Stella Artois - 18" x 18" - Oil on Canvas
For Sale: $350, price includes shipping cost

Finally finished a beer painting I started back in 2007, Stella Artois. I went through a Stella phase, but got over it when I realized IPA's are far tastier.

New Cat Scott Logo

2010-09-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

I created a new logo for my website and blog. Created in my "sketchbook" style on Bristol paper with my trusty Hi-Tec C pen and some acrylic + gac 100 drybrushing.

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Tuesday Coolsday - Wadia Newman

2010-09-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

~~Every~~ Most Tuesdays, I will feature a Louisville artist whose work I admire.

Wadia Newman - Architectural Artist

This weekend was the September Art Fair at theMellwood Art Center. It was my first time to this major creative mecca over in the Clifton area, which is surprising since (a) it's ridiculously close to me, and (b) they have a funky maze of studios, galleries, cafes, and boutiques that are open regardless of a special event. But it took an art fair to get me there for the first time.

Enough about me. This is about Miss Wadia Newman, a very talented draftswoman I happened upon at the fair. Wadia grew up in Louisville, studied architecture at Arizona State, and then worked as an architect in SoCal. Upon her return to Louisville (those who leave always come back!), she was thrilled to draw the ornate architectural details of historic landmarks all over the city. Her drawings are meticulous (in a good way) and truly highlight the beautiful intricacies of these fabulous structures. I have so many favorites of hers already, but only two fit in my little preview image, so I encourage you to get lost in her artwork.

I should also mention that she's as friendly as can be. But then again, who in Louisville isn't?

in progress

2010-09-08T09:04:00.001-07:00

Working on a Stella painting that I started like 3 years ago. I hate not finishing things, so even though I've outgrown my Stella phase, the painting will be finished. An additional challenge is that it's in oil which I'm out of practice with. Hope to finish it this week!

My Dream is to be...

2010-09-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

My dad unearthed this gem while sorting through some old family stuff.

I've been feeling a little uninspired lately, so this was a nice reminder that I have followed my dreams and am lucky to have done so. It's hanging in my workspace as a daily reminder that I am doing exactly what I dreamed to do.

I even got the purple skirt!

Factor V

2010-07-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor.

"Factor V Leiden is a common inherited genetic disorder that can increase your chance of developing abnormal blood clots (thrombophilia), usually in your veins." - The Mayo Clinic

I have a girlfriend who had two miscarriages and some serious trouble getting pregnant because she had this hereditary gene called Factor V. My youngest cousin ended up in the hospital and almost died only to discover she had the same thing. Neither girl knew they had the factor V Leiden protein before these experiences.

Unfortunately, the test to discover this rare protein is incredibly expensive and not common enough (so it seems) to be mentioned by any doctor until after you have had multiple failed pregnancies or are in the hospital recovering from thrombophilia. "Oh, you've had 2 miscarriages and have been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant for 3 years? Oh we didn't mention that you have this "factor 5" thing which could have killed you those 10 years you were on the pill? Whoopsie!"

I know this is a bit more morbid than my usual blog entry, but it seems like Factor V should get more attention than it does. I started thinking that there should be a foundation that raises money to help women pay for the test either when they start taking hormones or before they start trying to have a baby. This resulted in a "dream creation" (like this year's Dream Holiday Christmas card): I dreamed that my girlfriends and I started a fundraising foundation for Factor V, and within the dream I came up with the logo like what you see above.

I don't think a foundation is in the cards for us right now, but creating the artwork and writing about it can at least raise awareness on a small level. A little bit of awareness is better than zero awareness.

And now a bit about the artwork: The lettering is all done with black Hi-Tec C on a watercolor paper which was wiped quickly with a water-loaded brush, and then the red "mark" (symbol of a blood clot, my subconscious is very in-your-face) was made by dropping an undiluted drop of red watercolor onto the still wet page.

Again, I'm not a doctor, please read more about factor V Leiden at the Mayo Clinic.

Tuesday Coolsday - Mackenzie Haley

2010-07-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

~~Every~~ Most Tuesdays, I will feature a Louisville artist whose work I admire.

Mackenzie Haley - Illustrator

It's possible you haven't seen much of Mackenzie Haley's work - yet - because she is a moonlighting illustrator. She spends the weekdays working for The Man and has to then summon the energy to create some of her adorable pictures. It's truly a shame there isn't more of her stuff out there because Mackenzie does some really creative things with her unique drawing and collage style.

Her "critters" are drawn with a lively and playful line, and the colors are funky and fresh without being overwhelming or busy.

Right now, it looks like the best place to see her work is through her Carbon Made portfolio, but she also has a blog that is updated every few months. She is working on a children's book that is sure to be delightful and funky, just like Mackenzie!

I should mention that Mackenzie is a fellow University of Dayton Flyer with whom I had the pleasure of sharing Illustration classes every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 am :)

Yoga in Louisville

2010-07-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry, no art in this post. Instead just some nerdiness. I sought out yoga classes all over Louisville and made a calendar so I would have no excuse for missing a class. The master calendar for yoga in Louisville is below (click link for a GIANT version), and I'm sharing it with anyone seeking the same info.

Disclaimers:This calendar was created for personal use. The class times might change and this does not include ALL yoga classes, especially ones too far east for me to attend. If this gains popularity, I'll add more classes and I might even color code based on style. I encourage you to contact me if you notice a schedule change or want me to add bikram*.

Enjoy!

*I am afraid of passing out in the heat of Bikram, so it does not interest me at this time.

Tuesday Coolsday - Nancy Wentzel

2010-06-29T06:12:00.000-07:00

Every Tuesday, I will feature a Louisville artist whose work I admire.

Nancy Wentzel - Painter

Over the weekend, I popped into a local Highlands gallery, Swanson Reed, and discovered a new favorite local artist. As a sucker for impressionism and vibrant colors, I was immediately attracted to her lush, lively landscapes scattered about the gallery space.

Her "streetscapes" feature rows of small homes with porches perfect for late evening chats with neighbors and sipping lemonade. "Mellwood Ave" struck the nostalgia chord with me having grown up on a similar street just a few blocks away. There were a few in the gallery that looked like my favorite grand brick homes here in the Highlands, unfortunately they do not seem to be up on her site.

Please go to Nancy's website to see more of her work, and head to Swanson Reed on Bardstown to get up close and personal with her beautiful paintings.

New Albanian Vase Growler

2010-06-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

Over Memorial Day weekend, I spent a lovely afternoon sipping on New Albanian Brewing Co's Hoptimus at the Bank Street Brewhouse in New Albany, IN. The clever girls there were using New Albanian growlers as vases for some pretty wildflowers. Ah, summer and beer, they always go together. And in so many delightful ways.

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Tuesday Coolsday - Kalla Studios

2010-06-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

Every Tuesday, I will feature a Louisville artist whose work I admire.

Kristen Reinhart Davis - Kalla Studios - Silversmith and Jewelry Maker

This week, I have the pleasure of introducing you to another talented craftswoman I met at the Buy Local First Fair a few weekends ago. I was attracted to the beauty and craft of her pieces, particularly the skill involved in her tree pieces. Having been a silversmith and silver instructor back in the day, I fully appreciated the skill and patience one needs with a jeweler's saw.

Upon visiting her Kalla Studios Etsy Shop, I learned that she only uses silver that is recycled or was mined ethically. She also uses a lot of recycled material in her work like the recycled glass in her Drop Pendant necklace (bottom, right).

Learn more about Kristen and her traditional artisan techniques over at her website, www.KallaStudios.com.

Folder circa 1994

2010-06-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

Another busy week; totally forgot about Tuesday Coolsday. I'll be back in the groove next week. In the meantime, here's a gem I found at my mom's house last weekend. This was a folder of mine from grade school, probably around 1994 or 1995 (7th grade). I was getting into music so I doodled lots lyrics that would be stuck in my head during class. Recognize some oldies in there?

I was inspired to post this after seeing Gail Anderson's "My Best Work" article in How Magazine. While my folder is not nearly impressive (I like to think it is because she was a few years older when she made hers), it's still fun to see that great designers doodled about music during class just like me.

Don't worry teachers, we already learned that when you doodle, you remember more.

Cheers,

Cat Scott

P.S. Please be gentle about the stickers. There was a big smiley face thing going on in my generation...remember this poster?

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Waterfront + SaltNPepa

2010-05-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

Just a few sketches before we launch into a 3 Day Weekend. I don't know about you, but I was SLAMMED with real work so I didn't have as much play time. Wednesday night I managed to get out for Waterfront Wednesday down at the Riverfront park. Relaxing in the sun, drinking beer, listening to music, watching the sun set over the Ohio... it was quite nice. I found some time to sketch a couple people who were lounging around us.

Last weekend, I took a moment to sketch my Coronita Salt & Pepper Shakers. The salt was stolen for me from a house party by a boyfriend circa 1999, and the pepper was swapped from some seafood restaurant in Indianapolis circa 2003. The napkin holder was acquired legally at Bed Bath & Beyond circa 2010.

Cheers,

Cat Scott

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Tuesday Coolsday - Casey Emrich

2010-05-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

Every Tuesday, I will feature a Louisville artist whose work I admire.

Casey Emrich - Jewelry Artist

I met Casey at the Buy Local First Fair at the Louisville Visual Art Association this weekend. She recognized me as a fellow Sacred Heart Academy graduate (not sure how when she wasn't in my class. She must have the best memory EVER). We shared memories of our old art teachers and I learned about her: Her beautiful little jewelry pieces are made from reclaimed findings that she paints and reassembled. She and her partner are opening a new boutique called "Consider Boutique" opening around the Holiday season right in my 'hood, the Highlands.

Visit her LeeluQ Etsy Shop to snatch up some of her goodies. I have my eye on the Autumn Branch (above, top right)!

Spices + Herbs Collage

2010-05-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

I started this spices lettering project a long time ago so I'm happy to have finally done something with it! Stay tuned for prints for sale.

I'm also excited to have spent the afternoon at the Buy Local First Fair here in Louisville where I met some very talented local artists. I feel inspired to reinstate Tuesday Coolsday but will focus on local artists (there are so so many!)

Now it's time to go watch 5.5 hours of LOST. How will it all end??

Cheers,

Cat Scott

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Some sketchbook stuff

2010-05-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

A few random and unfinished doodle sketches from this year. Kate Hudson, headphones, and Jason lounging on the couch.

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Sneak Peak

2010-05-13T20:40:00.000-07:00

A little piece for Better RVing Magazine in the works...

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Jason Studying for the GRE

2010-05-11T17:27:00.000-07:00

After a long day of work and staring at my computer, I plopped down next to Jason where he was studying for the GRE and did a little drawin.' Nothing like some hatching to work out the tension from the day.

- Cat

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Alec Baldwin

2010-05-10T08:58:00.000-07:00

Sometimes these sketches aren't good likenesses. This started as Alec Baldwin but now I think it kind of looks like Martin Sheen. But practice makes perfect... just gotta keep doing them and hopefully the likenesses will start to come more naturally.

Most of these have been done from Hulu or DVD screen shots, by the way.

- Cat

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

"Food for Thought" for Louisville Magazine

2010-05-05T13:59:00.000-07:00

Tonight, Louisville Magazine is having a launch party for their May issue. I'm especially excited because not only do I have an illustration in this issue, but I have my very first contributor's blurb!

The story is about a woman in her 40's who decides to go to culinary school and finds her age, experience, and lack of distractions to be beneficial to learning. It was a very sweet and inspiring story.

I was excited to be able to use my "sketchbook style" here again. Thanks to art director Kelly Waterman for the fun assignment!

- Cat

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Kristen Stewart

2010-05-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

Kristen Stewart was third in my list of "Celebrities to Draw." I saw her in Adventureland where she played a lost soul of sorts, but from what I hear she's also in some vampire movies. I think she sort of looks like a stoned raccoon, so in that sense, I think I succeeded with this one.

Cat

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

Jemaine Clement

2010-04-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

I completed the second celebrity portrait in my sketchbook style portrait series. Since the first sketch was of Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords, it was only appropriate to draw Jemaine Clement, the 2nd in the duo.

I'm really excited about this style. I think it suits my personality - I get to do some tedious detail work, but then get spontaneous and messy with the painting. Plus I dig how it looks. I recently completed an illustration for Louisville Magazine in this style, and I have another coming down the pipes. Hooray for a new style!

Happy Oaks Day!

Cat

Cat Scott - Louisville Graphic Designer and Illustrator

The Big Move

2010-04-26T12:27:00.000-07:00

I recently uprooted my life in Los Angeles and moved across the country to my hometown of Louisville, KY. My Biggest Fan, Jason, uprooted his life too, and joined me on this adventure.

I'm lucky enough to be doing freelance graphic design with my previous employer, Eastdil Secured, as my #1 client. Jason is going back to school to become a physical therapist. It's a huge transition for both of us, but we're both excited to see where the future takes us!

Below is a little collage snapshot of our adventure. Now that I'm working from home in an actual studio space, I hope to be creating more work, which means I'll be posting more often.

Cheers,

Cat

Paint Lab

2010-02-18T22:25:00.000-08:00

Where have I been?

I blame taxes. At the beginning of this year, I realized how much I'm going to get reamed and I thought, "Why do I waste my free time on this?"

So in rebellion I took a break from drawing - I stopped sketching, I stopped working on side projects, I never mailed out the pile of promotional mailers I printed. I even stopped reading art related blogs. I finished building my new illustration website just because it was a web development project - not necessarily because of the art. I was frustrated with art and wanted to give up.

Well last Thursday I was reminded why I do this. For Valentine's Day, my boyfriend and his two friends surprised their special lady friends with a night at Paint Lab in Santa Monica. For a flat fee you get an evening at darling paint studio on Main Street in Santa Monica. You pay for the canvas you choose from their stock (there's an $8 "corkage" if you bring your own), and they provide paints, supplies, clean-up, and if you're there on the right night like we were, FREE wine and cheese all night.

Since it was a surprise, I wasn't prepared to paint anything specific. So I opened my mini sketchbook that I keep in my purse and flipped through for inspiration. I landed on my Mucha Girl sketch and decided to go with it. We were provided with some acrylic paints and cheap old scraggly paint brushes, but it was enough to get me excited. For about an hour, my five buddies and I sipped Chardonnay, munched on delicious bread and brie, listened to music, chatted, and PAINTED.

Here's what I miss about art: The social interaction. I miss taking a break, stepping back, asking for thoughts, looking at friends' progress and offering suggestions. I have been struggling with making art in my free time because it usually means skipping dinners or workouts, missing spontaneous happy hours, sitting at home by myself and working while friends are all out having fun. It usually means reserving at least one day of the weekend for time at my dining room table/"studio" while friends hike, explore, relax, or travel.

I've been putting too much stress on myself. Therefore, this blog is going to be less active than before.

I'm going to do my job as a graphic designer, and I'm going to be good at it, because I've always loved typography and organizing information for optimal user experience.

I'm going to continue to learn web design because I'm a giant nerd and sort of love coding.

I'm going to draw when I want to draw, or when there's an assignment, or if it's right for a piece I'm designing, and I'm going to enjoy it more that way.

Thanks for reading my thoughts. I'll be here off and on, and I encourage you to stick around.

By the way, my illustration portfolio has been redesigned - hand coded in XHTML and CSS. Look ma, no Dreamweaver! Let me know what you think. More photos from Paint Lab are below. Definitely check it out if you are in the area.

Cheers,

Cat

Here's me enjoying the free spread of wine, cheese, crackers, bread, garlic/oil spread... mmmmmm

Natalie channeled her inner Pollock.

Dave's started as Marilyn Monroe, but slowly became Marilyn Manson.

Jon painted his one true love... his puppy Shelby. From memory!

Jon's fiance Melissa painted a heart in honor of Valentine's day. I dig the grey background.

Here I am, working on Ms. Mucha

And Jason is oh-so-proud of his "Interpretive piece." If you ask him, "who is Jacob?" His response is, "Who do you think he is?" He truly belongs in the MOMA.

Thanks again for the surprise!

Racino Downs

2010-01-06T22:14:00.000-08:00

The January issue of Louisville Magazine is out on a newsstand near you!* The gang at LouMag needed an illustration for an important feature article about how legalizing slot machines could save Kentucky's horse industry.

I'll do my best to sum up the multi-faceted and interesting story: Other states have legalized gambling to fund their horse racing industries and are thus able to fund giant purses for winning horses. Therefore, if someone wants to make a lot of money racing horses, they are going to move to Indiana or Pennsylvania where the money is. Kentucky's rich horse history and culture are suffering because Churchill Downs simply cannot afford to keep up with such lavish prizes without legalizing casinos.

During the thumbnail process, I kept thinking that the story really boiled down to the horses that were going to win or lose - they were truly the ones betting on a win. So I sketched a horse at a slot machine. The team loved it, and I got to do my first "Animal Acting Like a Human" illustration!

Thanks to reference photos and the artistic license to make joints bend in opposite ways, I drew up this lovely Gambling Horse.

One of my other thumbnails ended up working well as a spot illustration (below). You LOST fans will notice that I used some of The Numbers as the prize amount... I'm such a nerd.

Another fun project for LouMag under my belt. Looking forward to the next assignment!

Thanks for reading,

Cat

*Unless you are one of the millions of people not in Kentuckiana

Tuesday Coolsday: Philip Burke

2010-01-05T08:39:00.000-08:00

I don't remember if I first discovered Philip Burke in my copy of "The Illustrated Portraits," or gracing the pages of my own Rolling Stone, but I do know that the first time I saw his paintings I was hooked.

As a student of illustration, I was doing a lot of caricatures. Some caricature artists take the time to push and pull different features in many versions, but Burke's work seems more spontaneous and lively, like it was all done in one impression. His exaggerations are fierce and his use of color just jumps off the page at you.

These paintings are as big as I am and sell for more than I hope to make in my entire career. But what's cooler is that his paintings hang in the homes of his subjects - that is a true honor. He is a lucky man whom I admire quite a bit.

His gallery's site is located here: LB Madison

For more info, better writing, and links, visit Charley Parker's write-up on Burke at Lines and Colors

Bret McKenzie

2010-01-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

Happy TwentyTen, friends!

As you probably remember from my "Best of 2009" blog entry, one of my goals for 2010 is to incorporate my "sketchbook" style into my marketable illustration portfolio. Step one: Create a series of celebrity portraits in this style.

Flight of the Conchords came to mind when I decided to pursue this endeavor, maybe because I recently read that the show is not going into a 3rd season (RIP, FotC). First up: awkward, shy, and adorable Bret McKenzie.

This series is going to be spontaneous like my sketchbook drawings, meaning no preliminary drawing, no tracing paper, no fine tuning. The final drawing, done with my favorite Hi-Tec C pen, is the same rough and raw "get it down" sketch that I started with. Acrylic and GAC100 give the "sketch" tone and color.

Stay tuned for my latest RV Living and Louisville Magazine illustrations. Thanks for stopping by!

Best of 2009

2009-12-30T21:28:00.000-08:00

The last year of the “Oughts” has been a significant one, so for the first time, I’m going to treat my faithful readers to some highlights!

My close friends know that I love music. My busy schedule combined with my tightened purse strings has resulted in a reduction of live music in my life, but fortunately I made it to one of my “Must See” shows – WILCO. I saw them at the Wiltern back in June and it was everything I hoped it to be. A very close second was the intimate performance by Vampire Weekend at a small theater in Long Beach. If I hadn't already seen them a couple times, it could have been #1! Both were incredible shows.

I got to do quite a bit of traveling this year. I rang in the new year on a cruise ship somewhere between Jamaica and the Grand Caymans, I got to see family and friends on a long trip to Nashville, Louisville and DC, and we took many small trips around California to Santa Barbara, San Diego and Monterey. But the highlight of the year came after a flight to Silver Bay was cancelled: Jason and I decided to cancel the whole trip and we took a spontaneous trip to Yosemite. It’s quite possibly the most beautiful place I have ever been.

I moved in with My Biggest Fan, Jason, in March. He’s an excellent roommate and the reason I finally got my ass in gear to start marketing myself. He also doesn’t seem to mind too much that I commandeered the dining room table as my studio.

Speaking of reigniting my marketing, this was a big year for that. I redesigned my website, sent out mailers, and started blogging regularly again (you’re welcome). I still have a lot of work to do, and I have been doing some soul searching in terms of style and markets I'm interested in, so 2010 could be a big transitional year too.

My favorite job of 2009 was the piece I created for Louisville Magazine’s article on Spaghetti Junction. It had never occurred to me to do a finished illustration in my “sketchbook style,” so I was thrilled to create one for them, and I love the way it turned out. It has a raw energy that my “polished” pieces lack. I want to have more of that raw energy in my newly evolving style. Here's my original blog post about it.

My favorite sketchbook piece of 2009 was the sketch I did of Jason while we sipped a couple of brewskies at LAX before our trip to Nashville. I enjoy drawing people in life, but have too much anxiety and self-awareness to draw any stranger that might see me (how do I overcome that?). Therefore, Jason makes an excellent model. He has been using it as his Facebook photo since May, and I’m flattered because of that J

It isn’t all about me, though, as I have tried to relay with my introduction of Tuesday Coolsday. I’m always looking at blogs and other illustrators' sites, and sometimes I get sick when I see some of the brilliant work that is being done out there. My favorite Tuesday Coolsday feature of the year has been Zina Saunders. Her work and dedication has been very inspiring for me.

Back to me J Since “Print is dying,” I decided that I should teach myself XHTML and CSS from a couple books recommended by my brilliant web developer brother, Phil. With my newfound knowledge, I built my first “From Scratch” website, IllustratedBabies.com. I think it's a good sign that people are amazed I built it all on my own. The Illustrated Babies project in and of itself has been received well and is a lot of fun. I like having it as a part of my greater “Cat Scott Art” concept.

Some goals for 2010:

Finish my new “From Scratch” portfolio site. It’s a beaut. It even has a contact form!
Separate my graphic design work as a separate entity with it’s own site, and help the illustration work stand out on its own.
Create a new portfolio of work in a new sketchier style – probably celebrity portraits (back to my college roots!)
Create some illustrations for the children’s market and send samples out to publishers and magazines in that genre
Double my income from freelance work*
Get at least 3 new clients*

*A girl can dream, right?

And with that I bid you adieu. A very happy new year to you all, faithful readers (especially those of you who made it this far!)

Cheers,

Cat

Chama - Illustrated Babies

2009-12-21T08:00:00.001-08:00

Chama, originally uploaded by Gato81.

Puppies are babies, too! This cute little guy was commissioned by a friend as a Christmas present for her sister. I really enjoyed drawing the puppy and all of the little curls and would be happy to do more dog drawings in the future!

See more at www.illustratedbabies.com.

Unicorn for Sarah

2009-12-18T10:25:00.001-08:00

Unicorn for Sarah, originally uploaded by Gato81.

Sarah wanted a Unicorn, preferably with wings, for Christmas. So this is what she's getting. You can't tell in the scan but all the pen marks are done with glittery gel pens - this thing sparkles like crazy! Just like a Unicorn drawing should.

Speaking of crazy, it's been a hectic couple of weeks. I am back in Louisville next week for some much needed relaxation!

Thanks for stopping by,

Cat

Experimenting

2009-12-09T21:41:00.000-08:00

Here's a sheet of Bristol paper that has survived a few experiments and tests, and turned out pretty interesting in the end.

Dream Holiday

2009-12-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

I had an illustration in mind for my holiday card this year. I had even collected reference materials and started on the preliminary sketches.

Then, I woke up last Sunday morning from a weird dream: I found myself in a storage room for an apparel company with someone who was showing me all of their old marketing materials. This one piece I stumbled upon, which I think was a jeans hang tag, really struck me. I turned it over and studied it and thought to my Dream Self, "I could totally do this!" I woke up shortly thereafter, grabbed a post-it and jotted down what I could remember.

In the dream, it was double sided, so I sketched what I could remember about both sides. But since I don't really need a jeans hang tag, and I was in need of a Christmas card design, I changed some things around. I gotta say I'm pretty proud of my Dream Self. I wish I could always work out a solution to an image while sleeping - that would be Ultimate Multi Tasking!

Old Painting: Jeff

2009-12-03T22:03:00.000-08:00

12" x 24" - Jeff's Tattoo

Sometimes I forget about the old canvases I have back in my closet; some of them are kind of interesting. Here's one from a few years ago of my best friend's husband, Jeff. The subject was triggered by the Illustration Friday subject of "tattoo" - he has a lot of them. The painting isn't half bad. I feel inspired to try more large format pieces instead of the works on paper. Get loose. Get messy.

In the meantime, I'll be practicing drawing horses - another illustration from Louisville Magazine is in the works. Hooray for busy-ness!

Have a great weekend.

Tuesday Coolsday: Bruce Scott

2009-12-01T08:17:00.000-08:00

Will Rogers Park - 11.25.09 - by Bruce Scott

This is a little cheesy, but this Tuesday I would like to give props to my dad, Bruce.

My dad wasn't an artist, but he was always doing something creative with his time. When I was little, he taught himself how to watercolor in our basement. He worked on plans for the never-ending landscaping project that was our tiny backyard while I worked on long division. The blueprint to the left shows some of his sketches for the white picket fence he built in our backyard (click for larger view).

He's been retired for several years, and since then, he has been a cello player for the Lexington Community Orchestra, written a book, hiked hundreds - thousands? - of miles, and still has time to garden and work on little projects here and there.

Additionally, without all the boxes and boxes of Crayola and Mr. Sketch markers that he bought me as a kid, I may not be doing this art thing.

So dad, thanks for all the markers, thanks for inspiring productivity, thanks for letting me major in art, and thanks for coming to visit me over Thanksgiving!

Vintage Chics + Leaf

2009-11-25T13:13:00.000-08:00

Before I head out on my Thanksgiving adventures, I will leave you with a few sketches I did this week, and a few things I am thankful for:

Living an easy bus ride or short drive away from my office - I got a taste of some gnarly traffic earlier in the week.
Having a boss who is always sharing his chocolate.
The freelance work I have been getting lately - it's challenging but fun and rewarding.
Having my dad in California for a week; he spoils me rotten.
Curb Your Enthusiasm for its hilarity.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

Cheers,

Cat

Grain Edit showed some vintage photos by Tom Palumbo, and I was struck by this girl.

I love Hot Dogs puts up screen shots from old movies. This chic from the 1975 film Maitresse needed some marker love.

I did a brush pen drawing of a leaf, scanned it in, and went nuts in Photoshop experimenting with textures.

Tuesday Coolsday - Orba Squara

2009-11-24T14:37:00.000-08:00

Do you like great music? Does photography tickle your pickle? Do you get goosebumps at the thought of a road trip? Is a hand-lettered and illustrated journal your idea of a good time? Are you into funky graphic design? Are you bored at work?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions, then this website is for you! Turn up your speakers, lean back (with your hand on the mouse/wacom pen), and spend a good hour or two cruising through this beautiful Flashumentary* of a band, Orba Squara, promoting their album, The Trouble with Flying.

This is quite possibly one of the most beautiful, creative, and inspiring websites I have ever....~~visited~~ experienced.

* Did I just invent a word?

Found via Doodler's Anonymous.

Preview

2009-11-19T08:30:00.000-08:00

I'm in the middle of a crazy complicated illustration assignment with a whole bunch of spots (sketch for one above). I think I understand why they call it moonlighting - you see a lot of moonlight when you do this stuff. But I'm not complaining! Bring it on!

Tuesday Coolsday - Mary GrandPrè

2009-11-17T14:14:00.000-08:00

images courtesy of www.scholastic.com

Apologies for the absense, I was back in my hometown of Louisville last week celebrating my mother's birthday. Now I'm back to it.

I've mentioned in the past that I'm reading the Harry Potter series, and I have to admit I'm enjoying the nightly escape into the magical world of Hogwarts, Muggles, and Quidditch. I'm five books into the series and am looking forward to seeing how everything wraps up in the end.

One thing I love about these books are the illustrations by Mary GrandPrè. Most people will recognize her vibrant cover illustrations, and I urge you to look at them closely. There's a lot going on, and the attention to detail is impeccable.

As cool as the cover illos are, I have to give props to the beautiful chapter illustrations. These tiny drawings (that most people don't give a second thought) are like mini masterpieces. The compositions are balanced yet dynamic, the values are spot on, and careful attention is paid to every millimeter of the small artwork. Brilliant.

Thirty (30) of these mini masterpieces are completed in a timespan of only 3 weeks, according to this great interview about her work on the Harry Potter series.

All of her illustrations (which can be seen on her website) have vibrant color, interesting shapes, and strong value, all of which I strive for in my own work. She is a new addition to my list of inspirational female illustrators.

I have another assignment for Better RVing Magazine in the works; hopefully I can summon her creativity for my own piece!

Cheers!

Ocean Ave

2009-11-06T10:05:00.001-08:00

Ocean Ave, originally uploaded by Gato81.

A lunch break sketch, view of Ocean Ave. Done in my mini Moleskin with a brush pen and Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens, which I'm completely addicted to lately.

Have a great weekend!

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-11-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

If you like artists like Norman Rockwell and Bernie Fuchs, or any other illustrator working in the middle of the 20th century, Today's Inspiration is the blog for you. Authored and maintained by cartoonist Leif Peng, the site pays tribute to American illustrators of the era, ranging from the Greats to the lesser known. He goes into great detail about the artists' careers and usually scans original ads and magazines from his own collection or the collections of an artists' family members.

Having never had proper Illustration History lessons, this site has been a great resource for me. Every day, I'm exposed to new paintings and artists, and am often treated with analysis of their work. It's like having a daily art history class delivered right in my Google Reader. Occasionally Mr. Peng brings in guest bloggers to discuss their areas of expertise. For example, I really enjoyed the week dedicated to Norman Rockwell (who wouldn't?), during which we get this close-up detail of one of his illustrations for Huck Finn. I recommend you check out the archives and check it regularly!

Dangers of Cycling: Louisville Magazine

2009-10-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

The November issue of Louisville Magazine is out, and inside you'll find one of my illustrations (so go out and buy one now, people of Kentuckiana!).

The article, written by avid Louisville cyclist Joe Ward, draws attention to the dangers facing cyclists and the unfortunate deaths that have occurred because of drivers' negligence.

"Bicyclists on the roads are not the problem. The problem is motorists who don’t recognize their responsibility for the lives and limbs of their fellow citizens. It’s time for serious attention to the motor vehicle as a deadly missile."

Sadly, unless alcohol or excessive speed were cause for the deadly accident, the driver walks free and clear (well, except the excessive guilt they will probably live with, hopefully a la Crime and Punishment).

Mr. Ward questions this lack of penalty and offers this solution:

"When a person kills somebody with his car and there are no mitigating circumstances, he or she should at very least lose his driver’s license for life.

Put them on bicycles. "

postscript: These murderous drivers are the reason I have not touched my road bike since I moved to Los Angeles, where drivers are the most self involved, distracted, and ruthless of all!!

Tuesday Coolsday: Milton Glaser

2009-10-27T20:34:00.000-07:00

"Curiously, people think that the difficulty of drawing is making things look accurate, but accuracy is the least significant part of the drawing..." - Milton Glaser

Please watch this video. Twice.

via Drawn!

Mucha & Angry Girl

2009-10-23T10:59:00.001-07:00

A few more little drawings inspired by my Facial Expressions Book. The top one turned out to look Mucha-esque, which i totally dig. Mucha is my hero.

Illustrated Babies

2009-10-19T13:56:00.001-07:00

Isabella, originally uploaded by Gato81.

Hello my faithful blog readers,

Today I am announcing the launch of a brand spanking new website, www.IllustratedBabies.com!

I created this site for a few reasons:

I like drawing babies.*

People have really enjoyed giving these as gifts.

I like making a little extra money.

I wanted to build a website from XHTML and CSS (Look ma, no Dreamweaver!), because I am a giant computer nerd.

Through November 6, I am offering an introductory discounted rate of 20% off regular prices. Get your orders in before the holiday rush!

And most importantly, tell your friends! Especially if they are a new mommy or aunt or grandma!!

Cheers,

Cat

*This particular baby was a joy to draw because it's my cousin's newborn! Congratulations, Elizabeth & Mark!

Characters - now with COLOR!

2009-10-14T22:14:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I've been busier than usual, so lighter on the blogging. Tonight, after a lovely evening watching the finale of Hell's Kitchen with a cup of hot chocolate, I sat down with my long forgotten sketchbook. I put some color on some old sketches and did a few new sketches based on characters in the book Facial Expressions by Mark Simon. There are some odd angles and interesting expressions in that book... I'll be doing more of these for sure.

Without further ado, a plethora of sketches. Stay tuned this weekend for something very special, just in time for the holidays!

cheers!

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-10-13T12:01:00.001-07:00

calvin & hobbes!, originally uploaded by Elliot_M.

Easing my way back into blogging with an homage to the artist behind Calvin & Hobbes.

Cool Comic Book Artist: Bill Watterson

I dug out an old collection of Calvin & Hobbes from storage recently, and have really enjoyed re-reading some of the gems in there. It's easily the best comic strip that I have ever encountered (I also enjoy Dilbert from time to time). Not only are the writing and stories delightful and engaging, but his paintings are wonderful! There's no point in writing much more when you can read Charley Parker's wonderful review at Lines & Colors.

Before I sign off, I want to share one of my favorite strips. Enjoy!

Mail Service while RVing

2009-10-02T12:02:00.001-07:00

Mail Service while RVing, originally uploaded by Gato81.

The senior designer for LazyDays RV's contacted me to do an illustration for their lifestyle magazine, Better RVing. She wanted something very straightforward: a mailman delivering mail to a couple at their RV. I played with color and patterns and tried to make it very pleasant and refreshing, like a glass of iced tea while you are in Key West enjoying your retirement.

Busy weekend ahead of me; I have 2 assignments due next week. I'll probably skip Tuesday Coolsday this week; but I think you'll manage.

Have a great weekend!

Welcome Back Steve Jobs

2009-09-30T08:15:00.001-07:00

Welcome Back Steve Jobs, originally uploaded by Gato81.

A self-initiated assignment to welcome Steve back to the Apple world. It had been a while since I had done a celebrity portrait, and this was a really fun one to do. Thanks to Katy, Rachel, Alli, and Jason for posing as audience members, and to the Keynote speech on Apple.com for providing reference footage!

The only thing that bugs me is my scan. Not matter how long I fiddle with the controls, I can't get the vibrancy and subtlety of values from the actual illustration board. I have an Epson Workforce 600 - does anyone else have issues scanning with that?

It makes me want to attempt some photoshop illustrations. James O'Brien and Yuko Shimizu (to name a few) do a wonderful job of incorporating hand drawn art with beautiful textures to create pieces that appear hand-made.

I'll give it a shot in my next self-initiated piece, but in the meantime I have a few projects that need my attention.

cheers,

cat

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-09-29T10:36:00.000-07:00

Cool Watercolorist: Manoli Lopez

This young illustrator does beautiful loose pen & ink sketches and then pains in loose, vibrant layers of watercolor and gouache (I think). As one who can't get enough of bright colors, I am absolutely in love with it. I can learn something from the looseness in her drawings; it's something I struggle with as a naturally meticulous person.

Also check out her blog - not in English, but lots of great sketchbook stuff that does not need translation.

via Design Work Life

Characters

2009-09-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

I got a tiny moleskine sketchbook, and I've found it's a perfect spot for my new collection of character sketches. Above are some people I saw on the bus.

Here are a few people I drew from memory. There are so many characters out there, especially roaming around Santa Monica.

The bottom sketches were done with my trusy hi-tec C... better for the minutia. But the thicker marker is nice for just "getting it down."

These are great fun. I need to do some anatomy drawing from my books to brush up on proportions; it will improve my ability to draw from memory. Oh, how I love learning about drawing. I'll be a student as long as I live.

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-09-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

Cool finds from working the google reader on the internet machine.

Cool Sewing Illustrator: Miki Sato

This young illustrator demonstrates how successful an image can be with a limited color pallete, interesting textures, and simple design. I can't believe she sews her illustrations! It's such a unique and interesting technique.

Most of the time, I love how there are no answers in illustration. There are thousands of solutions to one problem. I am constantly learning from how others tackle problems and it encourages me to push myself in my image making.

Sometimes, however, I hate that there are no right answers. When my brain is spinning out of control searching for an absolute, I like to do some algebraic equations. I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP. It helps rope in my brain, and reminds me why I want to do art for a living.

Honey & Vinegar

2009-09-18T11:45:00.001-07:00

Honey & Vinegar, originally uploaded by Gato81.

After last night's episode of "Always Sunny in Philadelphia," I couldn't resist creating a mock company shirt for Hugh Honey and Victor Vinegar's new real estate team. Buy it on a shirt through Zazzle! You'll get a honey of a deal.

Have a great weekend!

Jason Lounging

2009-09-16T22:21:00.000-07:00

I did a quick sketch of Jason (My Biggest Fan) while he relaxed on the couch. I believe he was watching Southpark. Acrylic was applied later.

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-09-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

Cool finds from working the google reader on the internet machine.

I like the abbreviated Tuesday Coolsday from the previous post, so I'm going to keep it to just one Cool topic per week. Also, maybe by next week, I'll manage to get the post written before the end of the day :)

Cool NY Times Feature Contributor: Christoph Niemann & his Abstract City column

About once a month, Mr. Niemann creates an illustrated reflection on life around him. The articles are executed using everything from Legos to coffee, and are always charming, quirky, and interesting. From my past "cool" entries, you may have noticed that I don't usually dig such a naive style, but when paired with such thoughtful and clever content, I find it simply brilliant.

I recommend subscribing to the column; it's such a treat when a new one shows up in your reader! You can see more of Christoph's work at his website, www.christophniemann.com.

via NY Times

Chair on the Patio

2009-09-14T23:49:00.001-07:00

Chair on the Patio, originally uploaded by Gato81.

Playing with a new brush pen, getting used to having a fat, flexible drawing tip instead of the hard microscopic tip I'm used to. Insert "That's what she said" joke here.

More characters

2009-09-11T17:14:00.001-07:00

More characters, originally uploaded by Gato81.

I did a few more "character" sketches last week based on people I see around the city. I'm the ultimate people-watcher (a favorite pastime my freshman year in college involved sitting in the lobby of my dorm with my roommate just watching people come and go), so it's fun for me to try to recreate the interesting things I see when I'm with my sketchbook later.

It's challenging, too. I can picture it in my brain a certain way, but can't quite make it come out right when I try to draw it. Give me a photograph or a model and I'll render the crap out of it, but this is hard. Which is why I'm doing it - to get practice.

I have a few projects in the pipeline this week, plus some more marketing efforts. My day-job has picked up steam this week too - summer is officially over! Have a great weekend, my friends!

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-09-08T22:23:00.000-07:00

I have been away from the studio, roaming the coastal town of Monterey, CA for a very long weekend. I have some sketches to scan and some blogs to catch up on and will return to my normal blogging soon. In the meantime, here's an abbreviated Tuesday Coolsday post:

Cool illustrator: Zina Saunders

I'm currently obsessed with Drawger. it's like the cool kids club for illustrators. I was floored when I saw the beautifully composed, vibrantly colored illustrations of Zina's. Her blog on Drawger is interesting and inspiring; I particularly enjoyed her Woodstock narrative and the illustrations that accompanied them.

Thanks, and until next time!

Harry Potter

2009-09-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

For sale in my Etsy shop - $30

The first time I ever heard about Harry Potter, the 3rd book of the series (Prisoner of Azkaban) was about to be released. I was working my summer job at Silver Bay, and dozens of my fellow employees were talking about driving to the Walmart 20 miles away to get it when it was released at midnight.

I was skeptical. A kid's book? About magic?

Ten years later, the series has come to an end, so I decided to give it a go. I finished the 2nd book, Chamber of Secrets, two nights ago, and I can honestly say I'm hooked. So hooked, in fact, that I decided to draw our hero, Mr. Potter.

I did this caricature using a brush pen (hair, eyebrows, etc) and a brown Hi-Tec C for the details in the face:

After letting it set for 24 hours, I painted washes of acrylic with gouache to give it some color and visual interest, like I do with a lot of my sketchbook drawings.

I'll definitely be doing more portraits like this! I would love to hear your thoughts on this style, too.

Now off to read Prisoner of Azkaban...

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-09-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

Cool finds from working the google reader on the internet machine.
	Cool Wedding Invitation: Lauren+Ryan I am enjoying all the untraditional wedding invitations I have seen floating around the interweb, and this invitation designed by Lauren Panepinto is the cream of the crop. From what I could tell, this couple had a storybook like meeting on a cruise ship, and thus created a literal storybook to share the story with their friends and family and tied in the wedding details seamlessly. It is absolutely charming. I wish I knew her so I could have a copy of the invitation! You really need to see the full spread here on the head vs. heart blog. If you're nosy like me, you can read the intro to their story - I recommend it!
	Cool Illustrator: John Manders I am so glad Drawn! sent me to John Mander's blog. Not only is his work inspiring, exciting, and professional, but he's so kind as to share his process with the internet world. It's educational and inspirational and I find myself delighted when there's a new post from him. Please go see the blog or his online portfolio, and if you're into the RSS feed thing, his blog is well worth a subscription. The image on the left is from his series of "circus poster" stickers promoting his books about Pete the Poodle and the rest of his circus.
Thanks for reading, 'till next Tuesday!

Teaser

2009-08-31T00:25:00.001-07:00

I spent all weekend working on the final for my latest illustration assignment (small preview above):

Friday night while watching movies.

Saturday afternoon next to the pool.

Saturday night while Jason and Dana played "Call to Duty."

Sunday afternoon while trying not to melt in our apartment.

Finishing it up (and blogging about it) while Jason sleeps soundly next to me.

I really need a new technique that isn't so damn time consuming.

Characters

2009-08-28T13:55:00.001-07:00

Characters, originally uploaded by Gato81.

I have been trying something new: drawing people from memory after spotting them while out and about. Things have started roughly, but I think it will be good exercise.

I've also been using pencil a bit more. It's such a great, versatile medium, why should I limit myself to pen drawings? Oh yeah - so I don't fuss with the drawing, and learn to be accurate with the line I put down. But I think it's okay to mix it up.

Currently working on an assignment for an RV lifestyle magazine. It's a fun assignment - I'll post it as soon as the mag is published!

Have a great weekend!

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-08-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

Cool finds from working the google reader on the internet machine.

Animation has never blown my skirt up until now.

Cool Low-Frills Stopmotion Animation: Firekite's Autumn Story video
Mesmerizing. Beautiful. And it's just chalkboards! By Lucinda Schreiber and Yanni Kronenberg.

Cool Higher Frills Stopmotion Animation: Coldplay's Strawberry Swing Video
I have no words. Please just watch. By Shynola.

Both amazing animations found via Drawn! Thanks for reading, 'till next Tuesday!

My desk at ES

2009-08-24T16:55:00.001-07:00

My desk at ES, originally uploaded by Gato81.

The summer months tend to be slow at my company, a commercial real estate investment banking firm, where I work as a graphic designer. I don't usually draw anything around my desk because it's all so dull and I stare at it every day, but doing this whole "landscape" was kind of fun. It's kind of a mess, but it's very me.

Highlights from this landscape:

my giant monitor (the scale here is all screwed up, trust me, it's huge)

the fact that my giant monitor sits on a ream of paper. Fancy monitor stands are just a little too high.

stack of business cards: I have given out 1, and it was to the shoe-cobbler who comes around our office.

white castle mug that sits on a donut coffee-warmer

the fancy phone on which I receive about 2 phone calls a week

the fancy halogen light that doesn't even work, but I leave it there anyway

the decorative stone container (in front of my phone); handmade in Africa and purchased for me by a Silver Bay buddy. I keep vitamins in it.

the mouse hiding behind the phone. I use a wacom tablet so the mouse only gets used by the IT guy when he comes by

I drew this with a uni•ball vision elite in my Strathmore sketch pad, which is considerably less intimidating than my Moleskin. This is probably a good thing, because I couldn't find my favorite thick paper Moleskin at Hennessey & Ingalls today. Sad.

Promos!

2009-08-21T09:56:00.000-07:00

As all of my faithful readers know, I have done quite a bit of work for Louisville Magazine. The time has come for me to branch out and market myself to a few other publications to (hopefully) get some work from them, too. I created a mini brochure that I mailed along with a handwritten letter, and of course, each envelope was hand lettered too!

If you would like to view the brochure (and print it out and give it to your art director buddy), please download the PDF here: Cat Scott Promo

Thanks to Katy A for her wonderful photography skills!

Have a great weekend.

Wednesday Coolsday?

2009-08-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

A little late on the weekly post. There are excuses but I won't bore you with them.

Cool finds from working the google reader on the internet machine.
	Cool Gallery Opening: Sterling Hundley Sterling was one of my instructors at the Illustration Academy and is a huge inspiration to me (and just about every other illustrator I know). He has been working diligently towards some personal work for a gallery. If you are going to be in the Richmond Area between September 4 and 26, you absolutely must stop by the Ghostpring Gallery. See Sterling's Illustration Portfolio here. But please don't compare it to mine.
	Cool Photographer: Megan Resch I've known Megan since we were about 12 or 13 (I think?), so obviously I'm biased when I say she's incredibly talented. But the Wedding Photojournalist Association gave her a big shiny award, and I think their opinion is pretty valid. Plus, her work speaks for herself. Great composition, contrast, and beautiful saturated colors. She does mostly weddings, but jumps at the opportunity to do family portraits. The link above is to her real site, but check out her blog to get a glimpse into her current activity. Lots of great work on there. Megan just had a little baby - congratulations, Megan!
Thanks for reading, 'till next Tuesday!

Total Body Source

2009-08-17T08:04:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I created a logo for an online health products website called Total Body Source. I just saw that it has gone live! I worked with the site designer. He had a really clear vision for the site and gave really great art direction. Isn't his final product top notch? I was happy to incorporate some of my handwritten text in the logo... lends itself nicely to the organic/natural theme.

I just dropped my mom off at LAX after many days of tromping around the city. Back to the grindstone today.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-08-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

Cool finds from working the google reader on the internet machine.
	Cool Hand Lettering: Rudi de Wet I'm so attracted to hand written text these days, and Rudi de Wet's stuff really jumped out at me from my Google Reader because of his bold use of color. Definitely take some time to see all of his samples. via Design Work Life
	Cool Louisville Painter: Ashley Cecil Ashley is a fellow Kentuckian and UD grad. She is a social activist that has found a way to use her great talent of painting to raise awareness for many non-profits in Kentuckiana. Her oil paintings and watercolors are vibrant and impressionistic - my kind of style! Be sure to snatch up some of her originals - part of the proceeds go towards a great cause!
Thanks for reading, 'till next Tuesday!

Whale sketch

2009-08-10T12:00:00.001-07:00

whale sketch, originally uploaded by Gato81.

A friend of a friend is writing a children's book involving a whale and a little girl. I liked the idea and started doodling.

We might work together on her submission to publishers, and even if we don't, I want to use this in another way. It will be a nice beginning to a children-friendly portfolio! She's a cute SheWhale, isn't she?

Will Rogers

2009-08-06T12:04:00.001-07:00

Will Rogers, originally uploaded by Gato81.

I brought my watercolor pad to the beach on Saturday afternoon to attempt some late afternoon "plein air" sketching and painting. I started with a pen sketch (the usual Hi-Tec C, in Blue) and then added washes of watercolor. I had some issues with the paper repelling the paint over on the left hand side. I guess it's from sunscreen rubbing off of my arm while I did the sketch (I'm left-handed).

When I returned home, I wanted to drop back the value of the mountains. The color I originally used was pretty dark, and if you have ever been to the beach in LA, you know the mountains are hazy and washed out! So I got out the trusty GAC 100 and some Titanium White and painted over the sky & mountains. I felt pretty good about it.

A little while later, I found mysterious water/GAC splotches on the painting. Not detrimental, but still frustrating. Ugh. I guess that's why this is "sketchbook" work :)

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-08-04T18:44:00.000-07:00

Cool finds from working the google reader on the internet machine.

Cool Daily Painter/Blogger: Karin Jurick
I have been following the blog of a "Daily Painter" named Karin Jurick for quite some time. Her paintings are fairly impressionistic with vibrant color and spontaneous, loose, brushwork. Occasionally she spends more than an hour or two on a painting and produces something really striking like this San Francisco scene. It's incredibly reminiscent of Wayne Thiebaud's San Francisco landscapes....

Cool Famous Painter: Wayne Thiebaud
Nice transition, huh? I've been a huge fan of Wayne Thiebaud ever since I saw his famous colorful paintings of gumballs and cakes, but fell head over heels when I saw his San Francisco landscapes. They are incredibly stylized and some are almost cubist, so I guess Karin's landscape isn't exactly the same, but you can see the similarities, right? The blue/violet shadows in his paintings really blow my skirt up. Mmmm. He doesn't have a web page, so I recommend perusing google images to see his stuff.

Thanks for reading, 'till next Tuesday!

Oh, the nerves...

2009-07-30T14:11:00.000-07:00

My sources tell me that the August issue of Louisville Magazine is on newsstands, and another one of my pieces graces the pages of this finely designed periodical.

This time around, we reverted to my "traditional" illustration style (the last assignment was my "sketchbook" style). The story is rather confusing, but I'll do my best to sum it up. Basically, a neurosurgeon's clinic who did surgeries for one hospital (UofL) signed up to do surgeries for another hospital (Norton) without telling UofL. UofL was forced to fire the clinic, and chaos ensued. It boiled down to money and contracts, trying to work for two separate hospitals, etc. The thumnail process for this was longer than usual as the editor, and the art director, and I struggled to find a strong solution that made sense. Some of my thumbnails are below.

We settled on the final thumbnail because it was a straight solution for a multi-layered story. I then proceeded with a final sketch and a quick color study so Kelly could begin choosing colors for the story layout.

For this piece my technique was a combination of a gouache wash, prismacolors, turpentine (used to melt the prismacolor and paint with the waxy pigment), and the bright light coming from the surgical lamps was created using washes of white acrylic with my favorite medium, GAC 100. Here's a closeup of the piece so you can see the texture.

Overall, I'm pleased with the piece, and so is the magazine (which is most important!). I would love to hear what you think, too!

Cheers,

Cat

View from Lindsay's

2009-07-29T17:57:00.001-07:00

View from Lindsay's, originally uploaded by Gato81.

I spent a recent Saturday afternoon soaking up the sun on my friend's rooftop patio in Westwood. I probably should have used my new set of pens which vary in weight, but instead did this whole thing with a .3mm Hi-Tec C instead. My meticulous nature strikes again!

It also would have been cool to do some washes over it, but I never bring my paints around with me. It seems cumbersome to lug that stuff around all the time, and busting out a travel paint set, brushes, and a water jar while my friends flip through magazines and nap seems strange to me. I guess it just takes getting used to. Any suggestions out there as to how I could ease into sketching with color/paint?

Till next time...

-cat

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-07-28T05:06:00.000-07:00

Apparently, I typed up my Tuesday Coolsday from last week but forgot to post it before I headed for vacation. I'm sure you have all been suffering terribly from Gato Blog deprivation. Here's a snapshot from me in front of El Capitan and the rest of Yosemite Valley on Saturday morning. And now on back to our regularly scheduled blogging:

Cool finds from working the google reader on the internet machine.

Cool article: Designs on Policy
An article by Allison Arieff on how graphic design plays an important role in everything and should be considered at the national level. Graphic Design isn't just about crazy angles and text and doing something groundbreaking; it affects everything from voting ballots to displaying financials in a pitch. Information needs to be organized in a clear and logical fashion for the end user to understand what is being presented to them. Stop reading this and go read the article. via NY Times

Cool watercolorist: Nina Johansson
This chic does lovely little plein air paintings that knock my socks off. Just look at the texture in this piece, and she's even so kind as to show us her process. My watercolors are at a zygote level so I appreciate seeing how other artists work. via... don't remember!

Cool mock beer cans: All in the Familjen

The cute, naive, monotone illustrations make these beer cans really pop off the shelf... Well, if they ever made it to a shelf. I know I would buy them simply based on their packaging. Hear that, all you VP's of Marketing??? via Twig & Thistle

Till next time, thanks for reading!

Anchor Summer Beer

2009-07-18T17:34:00.001-07:00

Anchor Summer - 5" x 7" - Watercolor on Canson Cold Press Watercolor Paper

For Sale: $75, price includes shipping cost

Another new beer on the beer blog... And testing this "blogging through flickr" thing.

Hold me closer, tiny palm trees

2009-07-16T22:24:00.000-07:00

Feeling unmotivated this week. Last night I tackled something small... 3"x3" to be exact.

Tools: gessoed canvas glued to illustration board. Prismacolors. Turpentine. Photo taken at LACMA.

I cut this board back in 2006 while at the Illustration Academy. It was originally intended for tiny oil painting portraits, like the one below of Jennifer Coolidge.

The texture doesn't work well here; my usual gessoed illustration board would be better for this experimental style. I'll leave the canvas for thicker applications of paint.

And here's Ms. Coolidge. It's been a while since I have done a caricature/portrait. Who should I do next?

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-07-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

Cool finds from working the google reader on the internet machine. This is a special entry dedicated to children's books, an industry in which I'm interested in getting involved.

Cool children's book from my childhood:
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

"If food dropped like rain from the sky, wouldn't it be marvelous! Or would it? It could, after all, be messy. And you'd have no choice. What if you didn't like what fell? Or what if too much came? Have you ever thought of what it might be like to be squashed flat by a pancake?"

This book by illustrator Ron Barrett and his wife, Judi, is a favorite and inspired me to become an artist as a child. What I think makes this book successful are the details and "easter eggs" found in the illustrations. You can read the story again and again and find new puns. For example, when I reread it recently, I noticed a moving truck on the street with the company name "Bowel Movers." A 4 year old won't get that, but their parents will! I'm especially excited that Sony is making a 3D movie based on the story coming out in September.

Cool children's book by a hero:
The Remarkable Farkle McBride
Written by actor John Lithgow and illustrated by one of my favorites, C.F. Payne, this book has a great sing-song rhythm to it. I think it would really appeal to children interested in music, or maybe inspire them to learn an instrument. Once again, this book has lots of interesting stuff scattered about the page to keep a child engaged.

Cool buddy who illustrates children's books:
Britt Spencer
Fellow Kentuckian turned Angelino does really great illustrations based on solid drawing, which is a relief to me after seeing all the "naive" artwork that my left-brained, untrained, can't-draw-a-stick-figure boyfriend is probably capable of. I digress. Britt recently had a book signing at Every Picture Tells a Story, a cool children's book store/gallery in Santa Monica. I had the pleasure of seeing his originals from his latest book, Zarafa. You should definitely take the time to peruse his site and check out his News page where he shares some amusing insights to his work and experiences.

Till next time, cheers!

Map for Maribeth's Wedding

2009-07-13T14:29:00.000-07:00

Ah, the end of a very long, busy, and exhausting week, and the beginning of another! I finished another assignment for Louisville Magazine last night. It will be out in the August issue so I'll be sure to share it when it's published.

In the meantime, here's a project I did for a friend at work. She needed a map to go with her wedding stationery. I drew the map with pencil and laid out the text for a predetermined size & template (the star & the dots are a theme on her stuff, and I used the same fonts she had chosen for her invitation).

I think it turned out really cute. It's such a cool, personalized way to include a map with the wedding invitation. If anyone out there needs one done, contact me for a quote!

Delicious Apple

2009-07-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

This is a doodle - I think. Does it count as a doodle if I set out to doodle it intentionally? It started as a drawing of an apple while on a mind numbing conference call at work, then words and shapes were added, and then I cross hatched while sitting in front of the boob tube. It's a departure from my usual drawn-from-life stuff, probably inspired by all the great psychadelic illustrations that I'm seeing around the web. I'll probably paint this eventually, but right now I have 7,489,698 projects going on. It will have to wait.

Speaking of projects, back to work!

...Does it count as work if I enjoy it?

Tuesday Coolsday

2009-07-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

Cool finds from working the google reader on the internet machine.

Cool package design: Deschutes Beer Bond Street Series I like to drink beer, I like to paint beer, and I like beer packaging. Naturally I was attracted to this beer packaging that uses illustrations by Adam Haynes for the labels. Maybe I should add a beer label design/illustration to my never-ending list of projects? via Lovely Package

Cool environmental design: Dupont Circle Street Banners
The monotone, bright, graphic illustrations work well alone, but also look outstanding in the banner design and as a unit. The architecture one is my favorite. via the website of the designer behind Death by Kerning

Cool skateboard design: Zoo York
If I were into skating, I would want one of these decks. I love the colors, shapes, patterns, handwritten text.... ahhh. It's official; I have another artist crush. via Oh Joy!

Cool designer buddy: Five Dot Design (links to Etsy shop)
Kristen who heads up the shop Five Dot Design was a fellow art major at University of Dayton. In addition to her full time design job, she's been developing lines of stationery and other goodies. Her stuff is really delicate and carefully designed with close attention to typographic details. According to her blog, she's gearing up to go full force into wedding stationery, and I bet it will be outstanding!

Dysfunction Junction

2009-07-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

I created this illustration recently for Louisville Magazine, and it's finally out on newsstands! The art director requested I use my "sketchbook style" which she discovered via my newly redesigned website, www.catscott.com. I'm really glad she suggested it - I thought the grittiness and messiness of the line work really worked well with the story, which was about Louisville's Spaghetti Junction and what a mess it has become. They're currently thinking about upping the concrete to 24 lanes - how completely ludicrous is that? By 2080 Louisville will become a tangled mess of freeways. I tend to side with the grassroots movement 8664 which seeks to replace the highways with tree lined boulevards and parks. We'll see what happens!

Here's the spread in the magazine with the art director's typesetting over my illo. It was kind of hard to leave space when you don't really know what's going to happen there. Now that I see the final, I think I should have done a wash over the "reserved space" but I didn't know how that would interfere with her typography.

Detail of the drawing. I used a Hi-Tec C blue pen and then did washes over the drawing with Acrylic mixed with Gac 100.

I just got another assignment from the folks at LouMag, for which I am always thankful.

Thanks for reading, and have a happy and safe 4th of July!