Update on Me!

I thought I should let you all know what's going on with me.  I recently hurt my back and have a pinched sciatic nerve.  I've been down with this for about a month... very painful!!!

I've been going to a Chiropractor but decided it was a good idea to go to my doctor as well.  My doctor requested some blood tests to make sure all is good there and she has given me some Motrin and mussel relaxers.

I am starting to feel better and I'm hoping to be back to normal soon.  I haven't been able to draw because it hurts to sit or stand for to long so..... as I get better I hope to be able to get back to the lion.

Thanks so much for following me and don't forget to keep scribbling!!
Gemma

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation, WIP04

Hi All,

Here's another update on Simba!  As you can see I am moving right along.  I'm starting to get the background in on the right side as I go along.

So far I have used 100% colored pencils and it's done on Suede Mat board.  When I work in colored pencils I use several different brands.  Most of this is done in Prismacolor however; it does also have Derwent Studios, Derwent Colorsoft, Faber Castell Polychromos, Derwent Artist and I think that's about it.  If you're wondering why I use so many different brands.... it's because of color choice and also because the different pencils behave a bit differently and are better for some things.  As an example I really like Derwent Studios for fine fur, they are a harder pencil which makes it great for fine hair.  I have found I don't have any problem at all with mixing different brands of pencils.  They all seem to work fine with one another.

If you should have any questions don't hesitate to speak up and comments are also welcomed.  
Keep Scribbling!!
Gemma

Another Lion Rescue by ADI

Hello All,

For those of you who have been following my "Work In Progress" on Simba the lion, I thought I would share a wonderful video with you!!

I just got an email from Lisa, at Animal Defenders International (ADI) and they have recently rescued several other Lions from the Bolivian Circus!  This video shows Pancho, Temuco, Chitara, Delila and Kenya all being released in their new 20 acre habitat.  It is unbelievable, that up till now, these lions lived in a cage no larger than a bed for all of their lives.  It is so incredible to watch them in this video romp and play after being released to their new habitat in Colorado.

ADI is an incredible organization who are doing incredible things for these captive animals.  Enjoy the video of Pancho, Temuco, Chitara, Delila and Kenya in their new habitats.

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation, WIP03 - Closeup

Hi All,

Nancy asked that I post a closeup of the muzzle, in one of her comments.  So...... here it is!

If you have any questions just speak up and keep scribbling!!

Gemma

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation, WIP03

Hi Everyone!!

I hope all is doing OK with those of you on the East Coast after Hurricane Irene!!!

Here's an update of the Lion I'm doing for Animal Defenders International.  As you can see I haven't gotten a lot done, life just seems to be getting in the way, LOL.  I'm hoping to be able to spend more time on it in the next couple of weeks.

I'm using the same procedure as I usually do, nothing really new so, I can't think of anything else to say about this guy.  I'm still working in the mouth area so there will be some changes, I'm sure, in that area, with the next update.

If you should have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to speak up.  Have a great day and most of all don't forget to Keep Scribbling!!

Cheers,
Gemma

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation WIP02

Hi Everyone!!

First and foremost..... I hope all of you are staying safe on the East coast.  Please, please take care of yourselves... that is the number one thing you need to think about.  My thoughts are with each and every one of you.

Here is the next update on my sweet lion named Simba.  He is such a gorgeous boy and I love watching him and telling everyone about him when I am volunteering my time at PAWS. 

I'm still doing some work on the nose so please don't judge that yet.  He's done in mostly Prismacolor and Derwent Studio Colored Pencils on Suede mat board.  You are only seeing part of the upper half of what will be the finished piece.

This piece will be donated to Animal Defenders International (ADI).  ADI was the organization that were instumental in getting the the lions to PAWS.  They are also paying for the care and habitat for the lions at PAWS.  They are a wonderful group of people who are very passionate about freeing animals from the deplorable conditions in the circus' and any other deplorable conditions all around the world.  Simba was one of the lions who was released from the Bolivian circus.  He and three others from Bolivia, are now living a wonderful life in there very very large habitat at PAWS.

If you should have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to speak up.  And.... don't forget to keep scribbling!!!!

Cheers, Gemma

Performing Animal Welfare Society - PAWS

Hi All,

As many of you may know, I volunteer my time as a Docent for the lions at Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).  Every year PAWS has an event called the Grape Stomp.  This event helps raise funds to feed and house all of the animals at the Sanctuary.  The San Andreas PAWS site (Ark2000) has Elephants, Lions, Tigers and Bears living there and can really use all of our help.  This is not only a wonderful cause it is also great fun and chance to see the Sanctuary and Animals.  If any of you live near San Andreas, CA or plan to visit the area October 15, 2011 and would like to attend the Grape Stomp you can find information about the event at the links below:

Grape Stomp Flyer
Performing Animal Welfare Society Website

I will be there by the Lion's habitat so I hope to see many of you there.
Cheers!!
Gemma

Animal Defenders International Lion Donation WIP01

Hi All,

As many of you probably already know I volunteer some of my time at Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and Animal Defenders International (ADI).  If you are interested in reading more about these organizations here is a link to their websites:  http://pawsweb.org/ and http://www.ad-international.org/adi_usa/.  ADI was instrumental in getting a ban against animals in circus' in Bolivia.  After the ban went into effect ADI brought 4 lions from Bolivia and placed them at PAWS (as well as rescuing several others from there and placing them in other sanctuaries).  I am a docent for the four lions at PAWS.  I met the founder and Director of ADI at PAWS and promised them I would create a drawing of one of the lions from Bolivia to donate to them to do what they want with it.  I think they are going to try to do an auction on the artwork.  They recently sent me a photo of Simba to work from and that reference photo is to the left here in this post.

I started working on Simba...... this is all I have done so far.  Of course... I'm only showing a portion of the drawing at this point.  The drawing is 18" x 14" on a light beige Suede Mat board and it will be 100% colored pencil.

As you can see, I draw the grid right on the drawing and the reference photo.  This helps me keep track of where I'm at as I create the drawing.  I am still working on this area so it isn't finished yet.  You can see I need to push the values a bit more than I have at this time.  I'm also seeing I need to do a bit more with the eyes.  It's amazing how posting it the computer can make you see some of that stuff you don't see prior to posting it. 

As always.... if you should have any questions or comments let me know and above all..... keep scribbling!!!
Gemma

Mexican Riviera Cruise, Colored Pencil Workshop

Hi All,

Just thought I would let you know that there are only two spots left on the Colored Pencil Cruise to the Mexican Riviera.  

Here is a link with the details regarding the Cruise:  http://www.annkullberg.com/cruise_home_mexico9.php 

It should be lots of fun, there will be 9 days of fun and three of the days will be Colored Pencil workshops, taught by, Ann Kullberg, Linda Hardy and myself.

Come join us and keep scribbling!!
Gemma

Ostrich - WIP05 - Here's Lookin' at Ya

Hi Everyone!

Well... I finally finished this guy.  I'm going to title it "Here's Lookin' at Ya".  It's 100% Colored Pencil on UArt, 600 grit sanded surface and the piece is 16" X 16".

I'm fairly happy with it, I have to say I struggled a bit with the UArt but I am getting used to it and I'm sure I will be using it again.  I also used the heated Icarus Board which help saturate the paper very quickly.  

Next I have to do a commission piece.  It will be an male African Lion.  That piece is being done for Animal Defenders International, they are a group I do some volunteering for.  I'll be posting a work in progress so don't forget to check back.

If you should have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask.  Comments are welcomed as well.  Don't forget to keep scribbling!!

Gemma

Stroke of Genius 4, Best of Drawing Contest

 Hi All,


Well... I guess you might be wondering what happened to me.  As I am sure you can imagine, as the Conventions Director of CPSA, I was extremely busy with the convention planning.  I have to say, CPSA pulled off another great convention but I am glad to get back to my art.


I just got some extremely good news.  I got an email notifying me that one of my pieces of artwork was accepted in the "Strokes of Genius 4, Best of Drawing" contest.  The really great thing about this news is that the winning contestants will have their artwork published in one of the Northlight books called "Stokes of Genius, Best of Drawing".  They had 1650 entries and only accepted 112 artists.  I have no idea which drawing they accepted but I'm supposed hear the details by August 6th.


The two artworks I entered are posted here to the left.  They are "Rest Stop" and "Gulliver".


As of right now, there are 2 Stokes of Genius books publish and one on pre-order.  Stokes of Genius 3 will be published and available in November so I'm thinking the Stokes of Genius 4 (which is the one my artwork will be in) won't be available for at least a year or so.  None the less... this is a very exciting milestone for me as a colored pencil artist.  I am definitely doing the happy dance!


Here is the link for the accepted artists:  http://www.artistsnetwork.com/medium/drawing/strokes-of-genius-4-winners-announced.  I want to congratulate the rest of the Colored Pencil artists who made the cut.  I see several names I recognize and am very proud to be included with those colored pencil artists I admire.


I am back to work on the Ostrich and should have an update very soon.  I am also starting the planning of a Lion I am doing for a commission.  As soon as I finish the Ostrich I will start the Lion and will post that work in progress.


Don't forget..... Keep Scribbling!!!
Cheers,
Gemma

Sleeping Lion Cub WIP - 03 Silent Auction Piece - Finished

Hi All,

I'm calling this one done.  It's done on Ampersand's Pastelbord and it's 100% Colored Pencil.  The nice thing about the pastelbord is you can vanish it when you are finished and does not have to be framed under glass.

This piece is all vanished and ready to go and is 6" X 12".  I've decided to title it "A Lion Sleeps Tonight".  Laurene Puls came up with the title.... Thanks Laurene!

If you should have any questions or comments let me know.
Keep Scribbling!
Gemma