So, here is a little sneak peek at some illustrations I did recently. This book is being published by Benchmark an educational book publisher. It is called In Search of a Bean Stalk. My understanding is it will be available in September 2018. I'll keep you posted. Hope you enjoy these illustrations. They were so much fun to make.
A sunflower just says Summer to me. So, in honor of the first day of Summer, I've made a cut paper sunflower. Of coarse a friend showed up. The leaf of a sunflower is always a nice place to sit.
"Sunny Day with a Friend" Cut Paper 10x17 Melissa Babcock Saylor
Well, at long last it is here! The book I illustrated called Also an Animal by Lynn Parish Sutton is out and available for purchase. It is a lovely book written in verse and I think it's just a delight.
Here is a link to the site where you can purchase.
https://new.myubam.com/p/7076/also-an-animal
This is the cover of the book.
Here is a look inside the book. I love the puffin.
Believe it or not, I'm busy using up some of my paper scraps. And I have a lot! Last week sometime, I said to myself....self, what should I do with all these scraps of paper. I really hate to throw them away. Well low and behold, I started making little houses. Now, truth be told, I've always drawn little houses in my sketch book or just doodled them on paper laying around and I also adore and love house quilts. Any kind. Well, it didn't take long and I was sniping away and pasting to my hearts content. I hope you enjoy seeing them. I had fun making them.
"A Colorful Neighborhood" 7x7 Cut Paper Melissa Babcock Saylor
"Standing Out in a Crowd" 7x7 Cut Paper Melissa Babcock Saylor
So, I always have my sketchbook with me. And not long ago, while on a family vacation in South Carolina (Edisto Beach) I was playing cards and I thought it might be fun to design my own deck of cards. Here is the sketch and what I ended up with. This was done fairly quickly. There is a sketch of the Queen as well. In fact a couple sketches. The Queen at the bottom of the page looks a bit cranky. Also, a turtle at the top of the page. Because I'm always on the lookout for turtles while at the beach. I've never seen one, only tracks. They're very sly.
The finished King card is at the bottom of this post. As you can see I changed him to the King of Hearts from a spade. Because well, why not? This illustration was done in cut paper. Using mostly paper that I hand painted and stamped myself. I did use a bit of sheet music and then employed Photoshop to finish things up.
Hope you enjoyed this visit.
I have no idea how I decided to create a hedgehog in this artwork. It just needed to be there. I think he looks quite friendly. It might be nice to meet up with this little fellow in the garden. But, then again it would probably give me quite a start.
At any rate, this piece of art was done in cut paper. It measures 11 x 16 and is made with mostly papers I have hand painted. In the foreground are lines to indicate grass. That sort of design is made form lino printing with ink and then painting over in greens and yellow. There is also a bit of scrapbook paper and some old stamps used in this piece as well.
I may have posted this Spring rabbit on my other blog, last year. But, I still like it a lot. So, Happy Easter everyone! I hope your day is filled with many blessings. If you have some sunshine, go out and enjoy it!
It continues to rain in beautiful Albany Oregon. But, it is Spring after all.
I have finished illustrations for Also An Animal by Lynn Parish Sutton, published by Kane Miller Books. It should be out soon. I also just finished illustrations for In Search of a Beanstalk put out by Benchmark Educational Publishing. Not sure when that will be out in the world.
So, now I'm back to just having fun with my art. Here are a few new pieces.
Mouse Reading in the Garden cut paper 12x12
Red Dog collage 16x16
Girl with her cat Friend collage 8x8
It’s raining in Albany. Not unusual for us. I kind of enjoy curling up inside with a book and a nice cup of tea. But, I have a hundred things to accomplish today. So, I better get busy. I’m getting ready to celebrate birthdays for both my son and daughter today. I hope you enjoy your day as much as I will. Cheers!
I hope everyone finds peace and happiness this holiday season. Be kind to each other.
Cheers!
Melissa
Santa cutpaper 5x7 Melissa Babcock Saylor