My Creative Space:

My creative space has been packed with paintings and commissions, but I have not forgotten about the Fiction Project.

Here are some of my newer pages:

Pgs. 5-6, unfinished

Pgs. 7 (finished) and 8 (unfinished)

I think my favourite in the book so far is page 7. It was the first page that I thought of to incorporate collage, and I'm so happy that I did. The paper I used has gold accents that you can't see well from the scan. I will most definitely be putting more bits of patterned paper throughout this project.

To make the pages better for paint, collage and heavy marker I've either i) stuck two pages together, or ii) apply a thin sheet of watercolor paper - depending on what I'm doing on the pages. For both, I use double sided tape - that way I don't get a 'bubbling' of paper while it dries.

This part of my submission will only take 4-6 more pages. And then I can start on the 'dabblings'. Although I'm enjoying creating this little children's story, I am looking forward to less-planned applications in the book.

You can see more creative spaces over at kootoyoo.

Fiction Project Friday: Pgs. 1-3

I have been working on my fiction project quite steadily in between custom paintings and daily life. I'm almost done the first two pages of the main story, and the third page is all done.

Pages 1-2: Watercolor on affixed watercolor paper.

Page 3: Ink on paper.

It's actually quite relaxing, and a lot of fun working on this project. I dabble in it while James watches his sports hehe.

Fiction Project Friday

I have received my fiction project package!! I was so anxious to get it, and now I'm ridiculously excited to begin :)


We get an 80-page moleskin journal to create a written masterpiece in! I also recieved a bit of instructions, and a library card - although I'm sad to say I don't think I'll be able to travel to the US to see my work...I wish they did an exhibit in Toronto!


As you can see, I've already begun. I started very briefly, beginning my dedication (every story needs this!) and table of contents page. I've already decided that my story will also be a mixed media collaboration. Some pages will be completely finished, painted pages; while other pages will only be ink or pencil.

I will try to update every Friday on its progress. :)

Watercolour Wednesday: Fiction Project Inspiration

Stargazing - 4x6" watercolour

I have been working with ideas for my contribution to The Fiction Project. I guess that I am just too anxious to wait for my book to arrive for me to start. After thinking about ideas, I realized that I had to use a cow for my main character - having grown up on a dairy farm and working with them for most of my childhood. My character will be a calf (baby cow), so it will have to loose the udder from this rendition, but that's okay.

I have already sketched out main ideas, and very simplified page layouts. According to my 'research' on the sketchbook type that I will be receiving, it will be 80 pages long. I'm taking the 'children's book' approach - so that is way to long for that. But that's okay! I will have the main story, and then after will be mini snippets, poems and such.

I'm still not telling what topic I choose...but I'm sure most are able to narrow it down. ;)

The Fiction Project

If you had read my previous post from the other day, you would have known that I was rambling on about the opportunity to illustrate a book, but how impossible that would be and so on and so forth.


Well, as I was still checking out the Sketchbook Project (which my friend Amanda - Ulixis - participated in, and is sending in her submission), I discovered that there is a sister project, called The Fiction Project. It is similar to the sketchbook project, in that you're given a Moleskin book to create a piece of work based on a predetermined theme.

The greatest of this project: I can tell a story, and illustrate it in the comfort of a sketch book! Now, I regard the comfort of a sketch book in that - sketchbooks are full of surprises, and nothing is ever certain. And so, the story does not have to follow a traditional flow at all.

I have ordered my Moleskin cahier sketchbook, and will be eagerly awaiting it's arrival in my mailbox. Until then, I will be brainstorming ideas of sorts around my topic - which I will disclose once I've actually begun work on my little project. :o)

It is still open, and tons of topics are available! So, if you think you're up to the challenge: go and sign up right now!