Sketch Resolution

I waited until later in the day, the day was in fact over by the time I got around to the sketch. I am so glad I didn't procrastinate. I have a few drawings that are sparked by emotion. In my experience, illustrations that can convey an emotion are the most difficult to do and are the most interesting to look at. I hope you agree.

I hope you never encounter this hate filled creature.

Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental (but probably exactly who you think it is). Isn't that the disclaimer at the end of most movies?

Alannah's superhero and sidekick!

Sketch Resolution

More of my little boy playing in the backyard. He loves to run up the half pipe, grab the coping and pull himself up. I built a ladder for him around the back, but he'd rather do it the hard way! The dog's just chillin on the top.

Jim's sketch

Alannah's classic peanuts!

Sketch Resolution

Continuing on my daily sketch goal, I took an hour or so with my son in our backyard. During that time, I was able to capture gestures of his activity, the dogs are the same way. They don't hold still for very long, which makes sketching and drawing them a bit challenging!

Jonathan with Dogs

Just in the nick of time, Alannah's PencilJammer's assignment: MC Escher

Tessalation

Sketch resolution

I've been fascinated with a story from National Geographic about Hawaiian Monk seals that are native to the north western HI islands, including Kauai. So, today's drawing is inspired from those endangered seals.

Jim's Seal Study

Alannah's study of seals

New Year's Resolution

With the start of the new year often come unrealistic and unreasonable goals. As long as I can remember I've set some goals to draw more in my everyday life. This goal is difficult to measure and quantify and hold myself accountable for. So, this year I've decided to include my daughter Alannah, who is also a very talented artist.
The goal = complete 1 new drawing every day for a year.
365 new drawings
The drawing does not have to be an amazing piece of finished artwork, just a sketch will do.
At the end of the year, this blog will have a record of each drawing completed and a complete accounting how successful we were in living up to our goal.
I'd love to hear from anyone who decides to follow this blog, and eagerly anticipate any feedback and input. Wish us luck!

Alannah's Chimera

Jim's Chimera

January 1st, 2012
Goal met!

Talk Story Bookstore

It's been a week since our return from Kauai. While there, I was able to talk with a local bookstore in Hanapepe about carrying 2 of my books. Talk Story bookstore, the western most bookstore in the U.S.! Wailoa & Kukui and Giovanni of course. They agreed to carry the books on consignment, which is absolutely perfect. It was a wonderful experience, Ed and Cynthia are 2 of the nicest people, and they seemed genuinely excited to have my books. I dropped off 4 of each with them, and by the next week 2 'Wailoa'  books had sold. I haven't checked in with them since returning home, but I plan on doing that today in fact. I'm just glad to have an outlet where these books can be introduced to their target market, Hawaii tourism. Thanks Ed and Cynthia!!!
A few photos:

Front and center on the counter!

Classic bookstore!

InTouch Credit Union

I have a meeting today with a regional representative for InTouch Credit Union to discuss the possibility of doing a children's book for them. The topic would be about money specifically for children. One of their representatives from our little local branch came and did a presentation to Alisa's class as well as all the other 2nd graders in the elementary school. I happened to be there as well that day and heard the whole presentation. It was quite clear to me that something like a children's book about money would be a wonderful way to promote their company while providing a service to new members or even existing members with children.
I haven't spoken with anyone regional yet, but my hope is to communicate my 'vision' for the book. It has the potential to be used company wide, the credit union has branches in 6 states: CA, NV, TX, MI, PA, VA. In creating a book about their mascot, Chip, it would be an educational book and would also have coloring pages, even lesson plans to be made available to elementary schools in future presentations. It's a really good idea, now to make sure I can communicate it effectively and still make some money from it!!!
My thought is to still have publishing control over the product, by assigning an ISBN I can list it on amazon and barnes and noble. Just doing simple math, their website shows 21 branches in those 6 states. If each branch needed 500 copies that's over 10,000 books, and 500 isn't very many! I'm thinking paperback too, which is even better because shipping is manageable. You can see that there is a huge potential for a residual income on this book. Other branding and products, such as the coloring pages, bookmarks, the lesson plans for teachers etc. This could be the start of something amazing, something life changing and HUGE!
I'll keep you posted as to how it all goes!
Hawaii in 2 weeks, I hope to make some connections there as well for selling my inventory of Hawaii books! A lot going on, including the convention in Orlando with Vaddio the week before Hawaii. Are we having fun yet?