The "joy" of April showers

I love Spring, it brings greenery, growth and life to everything! It also means Summer is just around the corner.

You're finally going to see more of me on The Sketchables. I can't wait to get back to posting here and doing sketches again!

What do you like best about Spring?

Thanks for stopping by to visit us all!
-Joy

Tho April Showers... Kelly

Guest Alicia Padron-April Showers

(Joy is ready to return, but I'm out of town! This the last of our fabulous guest posters!.)

(Thanks, Alicia! You can see more of Alicia's super sweet work here!)

Priscilla ~ April Showers Fun!

...just cuz it's gloomy outside does not mean you need to feel gloomy on the inside!

Earth Day- Joy

Hi Everyone!

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things after having my baby. This week's topic is one I couldn't pass up and is really close to my heart.

This is Olive Greenly, your typical 6 year old girl. She and her miniature Dachshund, Eco are learning each day that what people do affects the world around them. It doesn't matter how old you are, anyone can do their part and help conserve and preserve our planet! 

I've been working on developing her for a while and want to introduce her here. I'm thinking of changing the drawing style to my current illustration look to see how it works out. I hope you like her!

Thanks for coming by!
-Joy

Walk in the Woods - Kelly

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything. "- William Shakespeare

 

Earth Day Super Hero

Help save the world!

Reduce

Reuse

Recycle

It's still our best plan for keeping the world green.

Guest Jessica Blank-Speak For The Trees

 (Joy is ready to return, but I will be going out of town! We'll continue with our guest posts through next week.)

When I heard the Lorax's words in the prompt I thought, "We don't need a few people to stand around and speak for the trees, we need everyone to go into the forest and listen." The trees speak for themselves, which is where my idea for this illustration came.

I am still doing a lot of experimenting with ways to make images. Usually I've been sketching, and then doing a tighter inking pass on paper before scanning it in and painting in photoshop. This was a departure for me because I went straight in from my rough sketch to digital painting. I think my happy place is going to be somewhere in the middle. This is also the first time that I have specifically tried to focus on a kidlit audience. 

Thanks to the Sketchables for letting me come by and play!

(Thanks, Jessica! You can see more of Jessica's wonderful work here!)

Priscilla ~ Earth Day Theme Fun

As we look to this week of celebrations and blessings,  (Earth Day and Good Friday ~ April 22nd, and Easter on Sunday, April 24th) - sending breezy cheers to each of you whether you look out your window and see limey green grass or sparkly soft snow!  Be refreshed this week with the many blessings in your life!

Guest Jannie Ho Flies a Kite!

(There is a new little bundle in The Sketchables' family! While Joy is on break for the next few months, we will be enjoying the contributions of guest artists every Friday.)

 (Thanks, Jannie! You can see more of Jannie's chick-tacular work here!!)

I flew in my Sketchbook -Kelly

What's so wonderful about flying a kite? You've run- you've actually taxied down a runway of your own making that is the park, the beach, the empty parking lot. The kite caught the air... and you then spin, spin, spin that spool.. not too fast! Not too slow! Little to the left.. run... little to the right...

And then Up! Up! Up! - It's like the kite is transmitting down through the string what it feel like to fly!

(there are typos in that there sketchbook)

Kite Flying at Sunset

Best place and best time for flying a kite - hands down.

Growing up near a beach, many a spring and summer day ended with kites in hand, feet kicking up sand as we tried to catch a good breeze.  The sound of the ruffling kite when it finally took off and the play of string and ribbons dancing in the sky were set against the pink, orange and purple streaks blazing across the sky as the day said it's goodbyes.

Diandra-Kites

You make do with what you have!

Priscilla ~ April means kite fun!

 

we're all ready now kite friend, thought Toby.

http://www.nationalkitemonth.org/main/index.php

Guest Nina Crittenden- E+Stir!

(There is a new little bundle in The Sketchables' family! While Joy is on break for the next few months, we will be enjoying the contributions of guest artists every Friday.)

E+Stir=_____

(Thanks, Nina! You can see more of the ever so punny Nina Crittenden's work here!)

Spring Celebrations

Happy Spring!

Easter egg hunts, sugar-coated marshmallow peeps, new dresses and fancy shoes, tiny daffodils poking through the dirt, robin's singing, baskets displayed in candy-colored hues and of course, chocolate bunnies - all great things to celebrate this month!

Priscilla ~ Spring Celebrations

Today, April 4th ~ What a great day to celebrate these gems and jewels who encourage and ignite the love of reading!

Guest Andi Butler- Fool

(There is a new little bundle in The Sketchables' family! While Joy is on break for the next few months, we will be enjoying the contributions of guest artists every Friday.)


 From sketch:

To finish:

It's April Fool's Day! I'm quite sure the reason I was invited as a guest on The Sketchables was because of a new book I contributed work to that comes out today! Not because I would run with scissors...I've actually never run with scissors, but I have with an X-acto, that is equally foolish. I have some print&pattern work in a new book from the folks at Klutz® (Scholastic®) called 'Fabulous Flowers.' I haven't seen it yet, but I'm super excited, let me know if you see it in your local book haunts! Have a fantastic April Fool's Day!

(Thank You, Andi! You can see more of Andi's fantastic work here !)