Monday, April 19, 2010

Granville Island Farmers Market- Illustration in progress


We had an excellent illustration class this semester that gave us a chance to experience what it's like working in the "real world". Each student was paired up with a local design studio, company, or professional illustrator. The student was then given a project to work on and throughout the semester received direction and feedback from the studio/company/illustrator.

I was really lucky to get the chance to work with a great Vancouver design studio (St. Bernadine Mission Communications). I've been working on an illustration to promote the Granville Island Farmers Market. When the project first started, I didn't know whether or not it was actually going to be used by the client (Granville Island) as some of the students were just given fictional projects that were being treated professionally. However, I'm very happy to say that I think my illustration is going to be used! The studio has shown my sketches to the client who apparently "loved them"... so it won't be long till I start on the final illustration. We may soon see my illustration all over the streets of Vancouver. :)

I've started a page on my website that outlines the illustration's process. Check it out at http://www.cassika.com/farmersmarketprocess.html

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

A very special graduation present



Today I went to the post office and was happy to discover a large parcel waiting for me.

As soon as I was given the box I could tell from the handwriting that it was from my Grama Thelma. What a nice surprise seeing as I wasn't expecting anything, and it's not close to my birthday or Christmas. What could it be? I considered the possibility that maybe it was something she'd found for a good bargain at a garage sale. The last time she came to visit she had two full sets of watercolour paints for me, unopened, that she'd gotten for a steal on one of her garage sale-ing days.

I got home, put the box on the table, and sliced the tape open with a steak knife. (Thank goodness I didn't cut what was waiting for me inside the box!). Inside a plastic bag was an absoloutely stunning, beautifully coloured, intricately stitched quilt. I was sooooo happy and so surprised! There was also a very cute card inside giving me congratulations for graduating. Almost brought a tear to my eye!

She is an amazing quilter and I thought a picture of her "artwork" was worthy of being posted.

Thanks Grama!!


Sunday, April 11, 2010

Beautiful vintage illustration is so inspiring!







I came across these gorgeous illustrations while searching for reference material. I've always loved the illustration in old storybooks, and now I have another favourite illustrator to add to my list: Jennie Harbour.

Looking at all these fairytale illustrations may be the inspiration for my upcoming solo exhibition. I'm thinking about doing a series of illustrations based on passages from old fairytales. I've purchased a couple books off of amazon.com that I am looking at for inspiration.

The most intriguing book so far is "The Complete Fairy Tales and Stories of Hans Christian Anderson." This is a very thick paperback book (1101 pages to be exact), it contains no illustration, and it looks like there's over 100 stories inside. I'm looking forward to reading the stories and hopefully finding some inspiring passages.

I think it would be the most interesting to do illustrations from lesser-known fairytales, as we all have the Cinderella and Snow White stories memorized by now. And when you really get down to it.....who wants to compete with all the beautifully illustrated classics that are already out there anyways?