The Art of Laurie B!

Valentine's Dailies

2012-02-15T14:27:00.000-08:00

Here is another week of dailies, spanning the week leading up to and including Valentine's Day, hence the couple of bios inspired by the special occassion. Enjoy!

Constance

Copic markers on Bristol 3.5 X 5.5"

Auren is a supreme being. This cosmic species is most closely likened to the fictional character Leeloo from The Fifth Element, except that these entities are incapable of crying, due to lack of necessity. That, and there are a whole lot more than just one of them!

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

Carmen and Miranda

"Happy Birthday, Randa!"

Copic markers and colored pencil on bristol, 3.5 X 5.5" each.

Dalton

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

Abbey didn't have a really great childhood. She and her little sister were raised by their mother in a single-parent household. They never seemed to have enough money and year after year the girls would enter another school year in second-hand clothes and recycled binders. No new white sneakers or back-to-school haircuts for them (unless done by their mother). But Abbey loved to draw and design dresses and pretty clothes, not so much as a wishful thing, but because it brought her such happiness when she did, and she was good at it!

Abbey and her sis were always full of laughter, and it wasn't until high school that their appearances really began to play a role in how their classmates treated them. Rail-thin, there's no way Abbey ever dated in high school -- no boy ever gave her a second glance. So Abbey was able to focus on her studies, and her fashion designs...and she eventually graduated with honors. After high school, smart, smart Abbey managed a women's clothing store, then a lingerie boutique, then opened her own boutique featuring her own creations. Less then 10 years after graduating, she's doing very well for herself indeed!

OH! And did I mention she AND her sister are lingerie models as well now?! Yes, these days smart, smart, rail-thin Abbey has no problem finding a date for Valentine's Day, or any day for that matter!

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

Hi, my name is Noah. I'm almost 23 months old, I weigh 26 lbs, and stand 2'10" tall. I have brown hair and dark brown eyes. I enjoy running, climbing, and cars. My favorite foods are 'green' and juiceboxes. My short-term goals are potty training; my long-term goals include full sentances, permanent teeth, and voice acting. Seeking same.

If interested in a Valentine's date, please text my mom.

Copic markers and colored pencils on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

Richard

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

xoxo

~LB!

Another Week of Dailies!

2012-02-08T22:31:00.000-08:00

Just as the title suggests, here is the next batch of character designs. I've omitted a few bios this time around, though. I definitely have ideas of who these folks are, but I A) partly want to fine-tune their bios before posting publicly, and B) kinda want to purposely withhold their short stories! You all know it's my plan to publish and release these as a compliation series, so, you know, this is just me being evil...or business-savvy...whatever you want to call it, be my guest! ;)

This is Valerie, a 17 year old self-proclaimed 'Queen of the Fun Bun'! Her hipster glasses are fake, but you can bet that everything else about this fab gal is the real deal. She's heartful, soulful, honest, intelligent, and wise beyond her years. She can sing, she can dance, play guitar, play your heart, and play along. The only thing she can't do is play dead. She's about to graduate high school and she's already been offered full scholarship to 4 different schools. She'd make an excellent dorm roomie...if she decided to keep her feet planted in traditional education. Instead, she's going to take a year or two off to travel.

The world is her fun bun!

Copic markers on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5

9 out of 10 'Brian's I know resemble this guy.

This is former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulrooney, pictured back in his University days. Seriously, google image that.

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

Carl

Copic markers on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

Cassandra

Copic markers on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

So, I struck up conversation with this guy the other day. He was very quiet and soft-spoken, he came off as a little bit meek, and he had a very petite, albeit lean, frame. At first I thought he was just shy or socially awkward, that I couldn't hear him well enough. Then I realized he had a very thick accent. Turns out he's a many-times-over gold- and silver-medal winning Olympic athlete from Romania, named Roman, who'll be in Calgary for the next 3 months training at the world-famous Canada Olympic Park.

Awww...And I thought he was just some tiny nerd. Who knew!?!

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

Carol

Copic markers on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

Cliff

Copic markers on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

That's another week and another wrap! Thanks for following along, and as always, "Like" my fanpage for access to the daily uploads: www.facebook.com/ArtofLaurieB

xoxo

~LB!

1 Month Down, 11 More To Go!

2012-02-01T22:57:00.000-08:00

Here we are into February already! I'm so happy with where these dailies have headed! I am having a lot of fun with these! Some days I feel that writing the bios is the hardest part, but I just take some time to reflect on it before uploading to my facebook page (www.facebook.com/ArtofLaurieB), and I always manage to work them out! Sometimes I look back on them -- sometimes immediately -- and I think "How did I come up with that?!" All I can say is I get lost in trance while I'm drawing, and I let the sketches speak for themselves.

Here is the past week's worth!

Ever meet someone and they look EXACTLY like their name, and EXACTLY the way you'd expect them to look?!...

Yah. This is Edwin. Edwin O'Phiester. AKA Ed O'Phiester Island, as he has aptly been nick-named since elementary school. He's cool with it, though! In fact, he thinks it's pretty clever, and he's proud of it. He's 'solid' like that.

Second of all, he's a personal trainer and his career path led him to become a stunt man and, eventually, a body double for Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The irony is palpable.

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

This is Rita. She's a soap opera star whose on-screen character is going through a sordid and tumultuous divorce. Off-screen, she has 4 step-children who hate her guts, and whose real husband just gave her the long overdue gift of divorce papers. All Rita cares about is how serendipitous this all is, and if it will finally help her deliver a performance worthy of a Daytime Emmy.

The answer is 'no'. She's a horrible human being, and an even worse actress.

Copic markers on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

This young man is Jason. He's a big ol' bear at 6'3", 235 lbs, but a teddybear at that. Jason is kind and funny, intelligent, and surprisingly philosophical. Surprising because he came from a terribly abusive home. He got mixed up in drugs for a while, just to help himself cope through the worst times, and this sweet young man spent more than his fair share of time in jail cells and emergency shelters.

I wish I could say that he's living clean and sober now, is getting professional help, has found a stable home and a purpose in life -- as I have no doubt he's capable of all these things and more -- but the truth is I have no idea where Jason is these days. He just fell off the radar...in true Jason style.
He knows he's loved, though. Despite all hardships, misfortunes, and just plain old shit-ends of the stick, he knows his worth and that he is cherished in this world. He's gifted like that! ♥ Besides, who couldn't love a teddybear?! xoxo

Copic markers on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

This is Shirley, but everyone calls her Squirrelly because, c'mon...let's face it.

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

This spry guy is Kevin! His personality is totally animated, so it makes sense that he's a professional animator (3D), and a really good one at that! He can do it all, from broad action to tear-jerking subtlety. Not only is Kevin a skilled 3D artist, he's an incredibly talented 2D artist as well. His only downfall is that he downplays his abilites -- not *toooo* much, but *juuust enough* -- and it has caused him to miss opportunity after opportunity for real success: raises, promotions, travel, title roles, credit, recognition, personal satisfaction, a sense of real accomplishment, peace. Etc.

The good news is that soon...really soon...like, in a couple of days from RIGHT NOW, my friend Kevin is going to have a breakthrough. And it is going to be a game-changer. ;) His career, his personal life, his mental health...his whole entire perspective will never be the same!

And he deserves it! He will have earned it! And he will finally *finally* KNOW it!

Yup! In a few days from NOW, the flood gates will open...and there'll be no stopping him!

"Congrats, my friend! ALWAYS remember this feeling!" ♥

Copic markers on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

This is Cynthia, lead singer of "Original Cyn".

I really wish she wasn't a walking stereotype, but *yawn* she is. She knew about all the cool things before you did, but now she hates them because they're popular. Anxt, daily drug use, political dissatisfaction with countries she's never even fucking been to. All of her 'songs' are hate-filled screaming rants, she uses loud, graffic language in public places like she's the first person in history bold enough to do it, and she's always on hand at public protests, especially ones to "legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes". "Think about it, 'Cyn'. Your mere presence is only hurting the cause."

...One more thing to get mad about. As she storms off to 'expose' me in her next 'song'...

Yah, no, don't look too deep into Cynthia to find the good in her. Sometimes yes you CAN judge a book by its cover.

Copic markers on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

This is an old picture of Annabelle, taken in the '40's post-WWII. Annabelle was a dancer before being conscripted into the war as a post-op nurse. She was with many a soldier the moment they crossed over. In fact, many of them requested "Nurse Anna" come to their bedside when they felt their time was near. With her loving smile and graceful demeanor, she was exquisitely gifted at putting them at ease and helping them find peace before they passed on, and many if not all of them, with dying breath, called her their angel.

Annabelle herself passed away today at the age of 92. And you had best believe that every single one of those soldiers were there on the other side, waiting to share a dance with her.

Copic markers on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

Some people have been asking if these are true stories or made up, based on real people or not. The truth is, it's both. At least it can be both. The idea is that I don't censor myself. I usually get a feel for each one as I'm drawing them...something about a nose- or eye-shape or expression or hairstyle that triggers something I already know or imagine about someone I already know, and I just let it roll!

Soon I'll be trying my hand at caricaturing in public, at comic-cons and art markets, to see how good I actually am at capturing someone's essence...when they came first, not the drawing! Should be interesting! (Maybe I'll be posting some of those by next week!...)

Before I part for today, I just wanted to note how this February, of a leap year, I'll be making FIVE (5!) weekly posts because there will be 5 Wednesdays this month! That so rarely happens! And I'm excited for the extra 366th drawing that means I'll be doing this year!

xoxo
~LB!

Daily Progress

2012-01-25T22:19:00.000-08:00

Here's another super condensed recap of the past week's worth of dailies! ENJOY!

This is "Ken".

Ken is a really, really good man. Loyal, generous, the most honest guy you'll ever meet. Wouldn't say shit if he had a mouthful!

If he had one vice, it would be that he works too damn hard. No other addiction gets as many mixed reviews as 'workaholism' which makes it hard for those who love him to attempt an intervention. Generous as he is, it's clear that his friends would love nothing more than for him to come out and play a little more often.

He is also a ninja.

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5".

"Happy Birthday, Kandrix!" ~ ♥

This is Jacques. He's a real man's man. He's a natural mechanic, a skilled hunter, a gifted carpenter, and can somehow manage to 'make better' things that didn't even need fixing in the first place! He's always happy to help --Service with a Smile -- he's even great with kids. If it weren't for the fact that his favorite food is "sammiches", as he calls them, that he refers to himself in the third person, and that he ends every other sentance with the words "right 'dere", he'd easily be married by now.

"Jacques could really go for a sammich, right 'dere."

Copic markers on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

This is Becca. She has 5 siblings -- all brothers. She doesn't know it yet, but when she grows up she's going to be a defence attorney.

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

This is Susan. She's super sweet and a real cutie-pie. But, like many women who seem perfectly healthy and beautiful on the outside, Susan struggles with body image issues. She's saving up for braces...and otoplasty...Botox...and maybe a chin implant. Laser hair removal would be nice... OH! And a tummy tuck!...once she's done having kids, of course! (although she's yet to be pregnant) ;P ...in which case a breast lift might be in order then... Hmmm...Lipo...fillers...brow lift...

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

This is Candace. She's a Vegas showgirl, and although she doesn't look it, she's 46 years old and just became a grandmother for the second time. She's raising both of her grandchildren because their mother is too into partying right now. Those babies are the light of Candace's life and she just wishes she could retire already, A) so she can spend every single moment with them, and B) she's getting pretty tired of this 'showgirl' act. People think her life is so glamorous, but if they only knew...!

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

"Rock-A-Billy & Rock-A-Betty"

They are in love :) ...with themselves! :(

Copic markers on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5" each

This is Trent. He was a total bookworm in high school -- still is! He was bullied almost daily by boys and girls alike -- verbally, and sometimes physically, like having books thrown at him -- but he never said a word.

I'm happy to report that Trent eventually found his voice. Soon after high school, he began recording audio books. And following that, he helped develop the software behind Amazon's Kindle. He was a multi-millionaire by age 27. "Take THAT, 10 year high school reunion!"

Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

xoxo

~LB!

2012...A "Daily" Evolution!

2012-01-18T15:30:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe I only just began using Copic markers 5 or so months ago! Feels like it's been YEARS! As an artist, I have been so liberated by this medium! And as said artist, I feel 100% liberated as a person as well! I owe this, too, to open-mindedness, as I recently shifted in artistic style and objective, and it has opened the creative flood-gates! This new exploration is so freeing!

"Vivienne"
Copic markers on bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

"Peter"
Copic markers on bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

"Kim"
Copic markers on bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

I have easily kept up with my commitment of doing these 'dailies' -- it is sooo much fun! -- and over the past week that has evolved into something even more!...

I have been giving these characters names since the get-go last month (these all began in Dec 2011). It's a sort of game I used to play with my older brother when we were growing up. He'd draw a face and ask me, "Who does this look like? Who is this person?" and I'd promptly give each one a name! Or he would ask me to give him a name to start, and he'd draw what he thought that person would look like. We'd be entertained for hours, which was a challenge growing up in the middle of no where! ;) Anyhow, I've now evolved these characters into having personalities and back stories! Here are the handful from this week -- the lucky few who got a 'sketchy' past *wink* attached to them!

This one looks like my dad, therefore I named him "Paul"!

This guy is kinda one part Bobby De Niro (minus the cool), one part Carl Fredricksen, one part Ebenezer Scrooge. That's a chequebook in his chest pocket -- the nearest and dearest thing to his heart -- and he thinks people only ever want him for his money! Can't say he'd be wrong about that...it's not exactly like he's sought after for his winning personality! ;)

Copic markers on bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

"Kendra"
Copic markers on bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

Kendra's a real hard-ass. She came from money. Her daddy was something of an authority and it paved her way a lot in life. Her family is always about appearances -- a picture of perfection at all times. But she's had her hardships, too, although she doesn't open up about them. Too bad. Maybe if she did, people wouldn't think she was such a cold, callous bitch.

This is "Sergei".

He is a veteran member of the Imperial Russian Ballet Company. He encountered major delays during his commute to rehearsal due to a sudden torrential down pour. He arrived late to the theatre, only to see the Director looking on with great approval at the replacement who is standing in for him as lead dancer...much to Sergei's shock and disapproval, of course!...

Copic markers on bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

This is "Vicki".

She's made some mistakes in life, like running away from home as a teen, keeping over $300 cash from a wallet she found, and lying to the police about a then-boyfriend's whereabouts. She even slept with a married man once. BUT, she turned her life around, made ammends, and is now living an honest and authentic life following her passion for interior design!

Copic markers and colored pencil on bristol, 3.5 X 5.5"

I'm a little OCD in ways (Not really. But I am particular, and a perfectionist.) so I may have to go back over all the previous characters and give each one a sordid little history!

..."SKETCHY PAST"...That'll be the title of the 366 pg book I publish at this time next year! Mark my words! ;)

xoxo

Laurie B!

New Dailies!

2012-01-11T22:52:00.000-08:00

Here's my down and dirty blog posting for this week...an update of my daily color sketches! I am creating these sketch cards, one per day, as a way to shake me out of my comfort zone and change my approach to designing characters! I'm having A LOT of fun with these and I hope you are enjoying them, too!

"Hope"

Copic markers on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"Daniel"

~Inspired by Dan Levy, son of Eugene

Copic markers on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"Kelly"

Copic markers on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"Max"

Copic markers on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"Sam"

Copic markers on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"Wesley"

Copic markers on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"January"

Copic markers and colored pencil on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"Grace"

Copic markers and colored pencil on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

I have other topics of discussion that I will save for another time...when I have more time! ;)

xoxo

~LB!

New Inspirations

2012-01-04T20:04:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year! 2012 is going to be a BIG year for me, and I hope it will be for many of you, too!

I have committed to blogging every Wednesday. I have also created a facebook fanpage which I upload a new sketch to every single day! www.facebook.com/ArtofLaurieB "LIKE" it to be privy to these daily uploads AND MORE...if nothing else than just to brighten your day! I will eventually start selling these 'dailies' online as some people have already been asking how they can go about owning them. That will be sorted out in the coming weeks and I'll announce that here, there, and everywhere once I figure out a system for doing that, too!

Here are a few of these recent dailies!

"Dawn"

Copic markers and colored pencil on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"Faith"

Copic markers on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"Joy"

Copic markers and colored pencil on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

This style is a break from my usual routine, and the reason is simple. I constantly seek to evolve and improve as an artist. I feel that the more versatile I am, the more 'employable' I am as well. Ironically I've not yet worked in the mainstream industry, but I will be sending out my portfolio this month!

Today I want to bring attention to the someone whose art has inspired my recent change/exploration in style. I stumbled upon her at the CTN Animation Expo this past November. Her name is Zaruhi Galstian. I was instantly attracted to her style and when I struck up conversation with her she told me she had just newly been hired at PIXAR! (Is there any wonder why I fell in love with her art from across the room!?! Haha!) "Congrats, Zar! I hope we cross paths again...very soon! xoxo"

Here is a link to her interview with "Character Design Blogspot" which showcases a lot of her work once you scroll down to the bottom: http://zaruhi-galstian-interview.blogspot.com/

I bought her sketchbook and immediately began "reading" it back in my hotel room at night. Her style has had an instant impression on my work as of late and I can't say how exhilarating it has been to break loose of old drawing habits!

And here are the first handful of sketches I did as I was learning, unlearning, and interpreting her style.

Coloring aside (which is all done with Copic markers, btw), I see that I've had to 'stand back' a lot more from my usual approach, to be looser and more vague by just playing with basic shapes. Sometimes scribbles. Anatomy be damned!! This is also what makes a great caricature artist, and in turn, a great character designer, which I hope to be...WORKING IN FEATURE ANIMATION sometime in 2012!

Again, my sincerest wishes for a ridiculously amazing new year to all!

xoxo
~LB!

New Horizons

2011-12-28T11:59:00.000-08:00

To start, here is the continuation of some Christmassy images from last week, new since my last entry. As a general rule I will always lead off with some visuals to capture your attention!

"Holly"

Copic markers on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"Candy and Jack"

Copic markers on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"Treesa"

Copic markers on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"Nutcrackered"

Copic markers on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

"The Gingers"

Copic markers and colored pencil on bristol

3.5 X 5.5"

This will be my last blog of 2011, and I'm so excited that my act has seemingly come together before the new year, when resolutions sometimes stick...and sometimes don't! My hope is that I have given myself a good running-start here heading into 2012! I'm excited by the opportunity of choosing a topic each week that I can speak about freely from the heart. Most likely these posts will be about the things that inspire me, or the break-throughs I've just experienced, as I do sincerely try to keep a positive attitude (especially when I'm aware that others are watching, impressionable to my thoughts, words, and deeds)! But I'm sure that sometimes they will be about the challenges and frustrations I face, such as in today's...

I'm not just speaking about ART here, but also how art translates into our lives. My art practice is definitely a therapy for me and I find it very meditative. It's important to me to keep evolving not just as an artist but as a human being as well. And it's also important to live and create art solely for the self sometimes. These two things are not always in balance for me. I'm a black sheep in that I have always worked for myself, and not studios. But my desire has always been to be a part of a collaborative. I believe that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Always. And thus far I've not had the pleasure of fulfilling that calling in the greater sense, such as having a position in a feature animation studio, seeing my name scroll by in the credits along with the countless other faceless names who dedicated their talent and energy to a given project. I understand that when artists work for others on projects that aren't necessarily fulfilling to them, they inevitably burn out. Same goes for when you live your life for others and lose yourself -- putting dreams on hold and so on -- that zest for life can sometimes seem to all but disappear.

I generally feel peaceful and nostaligic at Christmas time, but within a week, that turns to a sadness and mourning at the prospect of turning over another calendar year. For me it means another year gone that I didn't reach my goals, be living the life I thought I'd have by now, and with the dream job I thought I'd have by now. The holidays can be overwhelming sometimes, and if I'm feeling this way, chances are someone else is, too.

I have grappled with the fear of failure for a long time, and it is true that ignoring it can never make it go away. Here is an excerpt that came my way recently which I found profoundly inspiring and reassuring and I'd like to share it here:

‎

I am readying my portfolio to send out, seriously, for the first time, as "the knocking in my heart" has simply grown too loud to ignore any longer! My hope is that we can all exercise forgiveness -- of ourselves and others -- for being human and not always being perfect people/artists all the time, and that we can look fearlessly into our futures with no regrets.

Happiest of New Years to each and every one! May 2012 see you live your life to the fullest! If you are fortunate enough in life to know what your calling is, may you be brave enough to risk failure in your relentless desire to touch the stars!

xoxo
~LB!

Starting New Traditions!

2011-12-21T21:34:00.000-08:00

When I woke up this morning, something felt a little "off", like I was missing something. "Hmmm, it's Weeednesdaaaay...I was supposed to doooo somethiiiinggg..." Then I remembered...THIS IS MY NEW BLOGGING DAY! ;D

Funny enough, last week after I wrote my big long blurb about CTNX, for as much time as it took to recap that wonderFULL experience and find appropriate pics to support it, I was actually bummed that my next entry was going to have to wait a whole week! But now that it's time once again, I'm feeling like this is a perfectly managable pace, and the start of a great new tradition. (I promise I'll keep it short 'n' sweet this time!)

I've been starting each work day with little warm up sketches. Here are a few Christmassy themed pieces from this week so far to brighten your holidays!

"Santaman"

Copic marker on bristol

3.5" square

I recently converted to using Copic markers and my life has been forever changed! I've 99.9% moved away from using colored pencils exclusively and I'm not looking back! (I still create many mixed-media pieces.)

"Sugarplum"

Copic marker on bristol
Approx 3 X 5.5"

This past summer I took a Copics 101 class at a scrapbooking supply shop, of all places! I had no idea why these markers were raved about so much in the art community...until I was taught how to properly use them and physically shown what they are capable of doing!

"Nutcracker Prince" duo

Copic marker on matte paper

Approx 3 X 5.25"

Copics allow me to work soooo much faster and achieve waaaay more vibrancy than I ever could with colored pencil alone. They're fast, they're FUN, they can be layered and reworked, they can even be erased. Ridiculous. I feel so liberated by this medium, I feel unstoppable! It's irrational how excited I am for Copic markers.

More next week!

Please "like" my facebook fanpage at: www.facebook.com/ArtofLaurieB for daily uploads of these warm up sketches and more!

Merry Christmas! Be happy and warm and full of gratitude! Please don't drink & drive.
xoxo
Laurie B!

It's Bloggering Time!

2011-12-14T18:41:00.000-08:00

Hey World!

So it's settled. Wednesday's be my bloggin' day from here on out! I don't want to wait until January to make this resolution stick. I would have called it my December Resolution, but alas I've already missed last Wednesday, Dec 7th! ...My kid gotsed the pink eye last week and he couldn't go to daycare until he finished his round of meds, so he and mama -- that would be me ;) -- got an exTENDed-extended weekend! YAY!...kind of. It was unexpected and I greatly missed my kid-free studio, art supplies, and copious amounts of table space and uninterrupted time. But I still managed to stay creative. I always do!

At any rate, I'm back! And ready to recap my CTN eXperience!

It's been a few weeks since coming home from the CTN eXpo, AND I HAD A BLAST, btw! (Buckle up, this is going to be a long post!)

I took a lot of notes. A LOT of notes. 16 pages, double-sided. Photos, too. Over 600 images in 3 days. I think my shutter was a bit noisy during some panels, but I was "in it to win it" and just wanted to retain everything! (If any of you readers out there were in any of those same panels, I apologize if my incessant picture taking was annoying. Though, a few people have since been in touch with me saying it was "genius" that I recorded everything, and asking me to share some of those images with them, which of course I've been happy to do!) I'd say, that in itself makes it all worth it in the end!

I always like to let an event like this resonate with me for a while and let the highlights float to the surface in their own time. Some of these highlights are instantaneous, seeming to speak directly to me and wasting no time about it! But then some of these may be the messages and conversations that were repeated a few times in a few different places, as opposed to being just an isolated event. Or they may emerge as the little moments, the instances, that I relive the most.

I'm so happy I had the opportunity to attend. I believe it's the Law of Attraction that's in force in these memories -- those greetings, those handshakes, those conversations -- that the universe is giving me because I put myself in a postion to receive them. The right place at the right time! Case in point:

Right off the bat on Friday afternoon, the first panel I went to, entitled "Dream Jobs You Didn't Know Existed" by the amazing speaker/talent/businessman/author William C. Vaughan, pretty much sealed the deal for me. He answered the big question that had been weighing on me and my career. #1 on his list of "Seven Deadly Job Search Sins" was "Homesickness: the unwillingness to move/relocate". I instantly realized that this is where I'd been teetering forever. My eyes were immediately opened and the bar was set for the rest of the weekend.

I don't want my dream job to go unrealized my whole life. I've been tangled in the ideal of being a full-time mother, but I see now that I want to be a mama that my kid (and future kids) will be proud of, that they will have the priviledge of coming onto the studio lot everyday if they want to, to have lunch breaks with me, watch early screenings of new movies, and even land a few voice acting roles! "Even more than this, you've given me HUGE insight into expanding my already existing career, and so for this I thank you, Mr. Vaughan!" Find out more at about him, his books, and his career at www.appleheadfactory.com.

Next was a Spotlight on Sergio Pablos, an amazing character designer who's worked on Tarzan, Treasure Planet, Despicable Me, and Rio, to name a few. A seasoned vet with a thick Spanish accent, this guy had some grit to him!

I picked up some good cues from him, such as that it's still fine to work traditionally. This was reassuring to hear, as one of the other vibes I picked up over the course of the weekend was how important it is to keep current and to stay ahead of the technological curve. He says, "It's good to learn how others do things, but you've got to find your own way. Small studios have a hard time employing you if you can't jump to other departments, but big studios want you to specialize." (Also from what I'm hearing, there's kind of a shortage of raw talent our there, so coming from him, this was extremely validating!) When questioned by an audience member about the pressure to go digital, he replied, "If I'm going to go into a medium that's going to limit me, then I don't want to go there!"

What lovely sentiment! ;D

To find more about him and his current work, go to www.thespastudios.com

Later that night was Creator Conversation with Florian Satzinger, a character designer from Austria. I stumbled onto his work almost accidently, but couldn't miss the chance to hear him talk in person!

His designs are fantastic and whimsical; very 'weight-y' and super fun to just let your eyes wander upon! (See more at his website at www.satzingerhardenberg.com or read his blog: http://paperwalker.blogspot.com.)

He shared this really great trick on how to draw a character turnaround by building a box around your design, then finding anchor points so you can rotate it in perspective with more accuracy. Effing brilliant! This was really impressive when it was being drawn live right in front of us!

I ended the night by heading to a mixer hosted by Animation Mentor where I mingled with several friends and met even more talented folk!

Saturday was a long day, with 5 back-to-back panels. I woke up super early hoping to be first in line for a Character Design Portfolio Review, WHICH I WAS!! Unfortunately the candidates to be reviewed were already chosen in advance [insert descending slide whistle sound here]. Soooo, a little deceiving, but at least I got first dibs on seating! Lol! And to be entirely truthful, I learned A LOT by listening in on others' critiques.

Then came Creator Conversation with Carlos Grangel (www.grangelstudio.com), another Spanish character designer. I have to admit, I didn't know anything about him going into it, save that I liked his jpegs on the CTNX website. I'm so glad I signed up! This guy was a treat!

He drew for us.

A LOT!

I don't know why, but there's something so inspiring and revealing about watching other artists draw live in front of you. You get a glimpse into their thought process that you otherwise wouldn't get with just a still image. It's like the difference between watching 'the big game' vs reading the final scores in the newspaper the next day!

There was one bunk panel I went to midday, that kinda bummed me out. It was called A to Zbrush. I've been debating getting (back) into sculpture (I majored in sculpture back in fine art college) and thought it'd be a great crash course. But I didn't have a great seat, and could barely hear the guy. Not that it mattered. He didn't cover any basics of the software, he just noodled over this one sample file he had open, griping about "how he hates it when" artists leave out minute details, like the tragus and the anti-tragus of the ear. I think he was hungover. "Whatever, douche. I was going to pay $1000 to take your online course, but now you can suck it!" The end.

...Then there was THIS guy!...

He was set up in the atrium practically all weekend long, puddying away! I should have taken a seat front and center with HIM for an hour and a half instead!! Gorgeous work! A veteran of the biz as well! Kent Melton is his name.

He's also responsible for this little beauty, which I came *this close* to buying, but couldn't decide on which version hair color I wanted! So I was a good girl and decided to sleep on it and buy online later! This is Kent's sculpt of a Fred Moore design. I've been told my work is like Fred Moore reborn. This delights me beyond words! Now just imagine if I could sculpt one of my own designs! I believe I have some modelling clay around here somewhere!... I think a Laurie B! vinyl is in order, don't you??!

I had the pleasure of hearing Louie del Carmen speak about "Cultivating Your Artistic Personality". Louie is a personal friend of mine who's been up here to the Calgary Expo before, and who arranged for my first tour of DreamWorks, back in the day. He currently still works there as a story artist. I loved the title cards in his presentation!

Once again, I had the pleasure of watching over his shoulder in his office as he boarded some panels for Kung Fu Panda 2...which is just out on BluRay/DVD yesterday, and I can't believe I haven't even picked it up yet! For shame! ...I watched it 4 times on various flights this past summer and fall, and despite some meh reviews, I thought it was a spectacular movie that held its own, same as the first one! Good job, Louie! www.louiedelcarmen.com

I had an evening panel with legend James Gurney of Dinotopia fame. He was a really sweet man -- reminded me of a fun uncle -- and a very, very prolific artist. (gurneyjourney.blogspot.com)

He spoke about his family and his sons a fair amount, which reinforced to me that permission to have a family and a fulfilling career. Lately he has been having a great time letting his son join him at work. And this put a smile in my heart, for obvious reasons!

Another day done, but not before heading to another mixer in the lobby/lounge! I met numerous fellow Canadians who've been working state-side for years, supporting their families, et al. Among my new aquaintances is storyboard artist Kris Pearn, who is a sweetheart! Not only is he Canadian, but he's also from a small farming community, like me! Reminds me of that line from Ratatouille, "Not just anyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere." He shared a lot of work visa info with me which cleared the air and eased my mind about that aspect of relocating for work, if need be. Good guy! "Thanks for the book, Kris!" xoxo

Sunday morning was the home stretch. I had been all panelled-out and hesitated to go to either of the 2 panels I had left as I'd barely spend any time in the exhibition hall. But alas I kept an open mind. And then along came Bill Perkins, decades-long art director and visual development artist with Disney.

This guy blew my mind...sideways.

The workshop was called "Creating Mood" and I thought it was just going to be a painterly how-to. Wrong. He covered art theories with such thorough analysis, I felt like I was watching the creation of the cosmos! There were words in there I never even heard before. I'm even at a loss for words to describe what this panel was like. Suffice to say I'm stupidly-glad I went! God willing, one day I'll partake in his many workshops: www.billperkinsstudio.com.

The last panel was on the age-old debate over "2D: Dead or Alive" with Mike Nguyen. I thought nothing could top what I had just bared witness to, but I was wrong again. What Mr. Perkins had in intellect, Mr. Nguyen had in pure heart and soul. The real deal.

Mike in fact DID talk about the creation of the cosmos, the meaning of life, the higher power that lives within us, beckoning us to this beautiful medium called animation and what, really, is at the heart of why we do what we do. "The best things in life can't be told, because they transcend explanation."

What an inspiring way to cap off the CTNX!! ...And in answer to that age-old question, he in fact answered it within the first 5 minutes: "2D is not dead. Trends are moving away from traditional not because of the medium but because of the content."

Amen, bruthah!

Check out his sweet indy project at http://julyfilms.com.

"Mr. (Monk!) Nguyen, it was a divine pleasure spending an afternoon with you. I'm certain we will meet again someday."

xoxo
~LB!

Diving into the Talent Pool

2011-11-17T14:17:00.001-08:00

Nov. 17th - Calgary Airport, 6am local

At the airport waiting to board, on my way to the Creative Talent Network Animation Expo (CTNX) in Burbank. I've had a few anxious moments looking forward to attending again, getting excited for the panels and workshops, hanging out with my friends, and meeting new people. I'm very tired because I only slept for about 30 minutes so I'm hoping I'll zonk out during the flight. Everyone else at the gate seems so alert...even babies! Don't know what's up with that! We all had to wake up at ass-o'clock in order to all be here at this moment in time, didn't we??! At any rate, I have my trusty earplugs and eyemask and I already feel myself zoning. Sleep en route to Phoenix (2.5hrs) to my connecting flight and then another nap after I check into the hotel. That's my plan!

...I remember going to Phoenix Comic Con with Noah when he was 9 weeks old...It was the first time we flew with him. The family next to me right now have a wee one and they were just talking about Hawaii/Oahu/Honolulu. We went there, too, with Noah. (Along with a zillion other places in his first year of life!) Just being in the airport solo make me realize how much traveling we did with him. It's been really hard, but it's also a huge accomplishment and I don't resent it. I also don't wish to carry on with this lifestyle...

...Part of ditching convention life is having an alternate plan for income. I'm hopeful the CTNX will be an answer to that. I am going to enjoy myself, and listen to workshops, and network my face off! I'm not going to stress about finding work. Work will come. I feel a great push within me. I knew my art was strong before...but now there's a drive and a desire and even an increased ability propelling me, compelling me, forward.

Phoenix Airport, 10am local   (I totally slept on the Phoenix flight! Hazah!)

I need to remind myself that many, many well-knowns of the animation industry have taken notice of me so far. Nickelodeon, Mattel, my one-on-one with Eric Goldberg in Ottawa, Blue Sky Studios in NY (NYCC), repeatedly! Bobby Beck, founder and CEO of Animation Mentor, who's become such a huge friend and force in my life. But if I simply remind myself of how we met..."there it is" again! Michel Gagne, Rob Corley and the Bancroft Brothers, Paul Dini, Joe Moshier, Scott Morse! ...I do think it's time I have an honest conversation with myself, so that I take myself a little more seriously heading into this spectacular weekend.

     "Laurie! Where to begin?! You are plenty talented! Your abilites are truly a gift! And in following your strengths, you're already living such a blessed and extraordinary life! This is your dream. GO AFTER IT! LIVE IT! Remember Blue Sky, Scott Morse, Eric freakin' Goldberg! You already have what it takes. In order to take it to the next level, you need a studio atmosphere. You need to submerse yourself in a richly creative surrounding and be challenged by equally (*wink wink*) talented people. I know you're afraid of not being able to keep pace, but you simply won't know until you get there how much the right environment will SPARK you! It will happen, I promise you! Just look at that "Monster Fashion" piece you just completed. That is on par with Imaginism Studios and you know it! AND you did it all traditionally! DAMN! TAKE CREDIT!"

     "Now. Let that sink in."

     "Too fast. Take another moment. Let it reeeeaaally sink in. (pause) You are sought after. You are complimented at every turn. People -- INDUSTRY people -- are impressed by your work. Share it. Make more of it. By any means possible."

     "Have a great time at CTNX this weekend! Squeeze every bit out of it that you can, or want! Enjoy yourself, and BE yourself! Because you're pretty KICK-ASS, and not just in your art, btw! Your mind has the power to blow other minds. If that ain't talent, I don't know what is! It's time that you admit that you owe it to yourself and the world of animation (not to mention the vast population who will forever seek to be entertained!) to just take that plunge and jump into the freakin' talent pool already!"

...Jump into the talent pool?!...YES, ABSOLUTELY! I intend to CANNONBALL that be-otch!

     "And that, my friend, is what people want to see outta you!"

Thanks! I think so, too! ..."Why just the other day I was having a conversation with myself about you..."*

     "YES! This is exactly what I'm talking about! You just go ahead and be YOU! 'Cause ain't nobody else in this world can do it for you!"

Loud and clear, coach! ...I am pretty kick-ass, aren't I?!

     "That's what I said! An' I don't says sumthin' unless I means it!"

Dually noted! ;D Seems all that's left now (I mean after this weekend and taking in all that I'm meant to take in) is to come up with a solid plan.

     "Well, where do you want to go with this? Into the industry, and relocate your family? Or stay freelancing and have that flexibility to raise Noah in these early years and watch him grow?"

I'm not sure yet. Ideally? A bit of both. Can't I do short-term, freelance stints working in the industry for feature studios, a la my good friend Michel Gagne? Must it be all-or-none? Can't I have my cake and eat it, too?!

     "Well, I for one don't see the point of having cake if you can't eat it!"

My sentiments exactly!

     "Besides, who ever said you can't have it all?!"

??!? ...Uhmm, PEOPLE DO!! They say it all the time! "You can't have your cake and eat it, too," that's what they say! It's ingrained in us so much it's become a staple expression of the english language!!!

     "LAURIE! Focus! Don't dismiss what you've accomplished here and regress back to square one. And don't you dare let others tell you what you can and can't do. Evah."

     "So, let others have their cake and not eat it. If that's what they want to live by, that's their call! "...Only WHO can prevent forest fires?...You have selected 'you', referring to 'me'...That is incorrect...The correct answer is: only YOU can prevent forest fires!"** ...Get my point?!

"Ayecarumba!" Yah! Got it! ...Touche, smart-ass!

Touchdown Burbank, 11:45am local

*"Lady and the Tramp" reference

**"The Simpson's" reference

Office Space

2011-11-07T15:09:00.000-08:00

I have been M.I.A. for far toolong.

I had a baby a year and a halfago. He is the most amazing thing I've ever created, but with that has come thebiggest life-adjustment I will ever experience. In addition to becoming afull-fledged family, my husband, our child, and I have continued totravel the convention circuit for the last 18 months.

It has been grueling and nearimpossible to sketch at shows, especially as my kid became increasingly mobile. Sofor our last handful of con appearances this summer & fall, we opted toleave the little guy at home with family, which has been just as challenging.It has definitely come with mixed emotions, as to be expected. It has beendifficult getting my head in the game when my heart is at home (awww!), but Iinevitably hit my stride at each convention -- and then some! -- as now, morethan ever, do I have the deep understanding of the value of my time and howmuch I can actually accomplish when my efforts are concentrated.

For 2012, my husband and I arediscussing a restructure to our convention travel schedule and with that comesa restructure to everything else. I am extremely happy to report that we haveacquired office space outside of our home, and though it has only been 1week, it has been the welcome change that we have been seeking! Having workedfrom a home-based studio for the last near-decade, and having lived -- and worked! -- amidstmajor home-renos (not just the baby proofing kind, but YES, ceiling-to-floor baby proofing as well!), finally having that separation between work and family is reflecting itself already! We're into a new and refreshingroutine!

Many of you have commissioned meat shows and some of those pieces are still outstanding. For that, I offer youmy deepest apologies, and thank you for your continued patience. I hope that Ihave your understanding. I have never "not delivered" on a commissioneven if the wait has been long, and in those instances I have always pouredmuch more additional time and effort into a piece due to the long wait so as tonever leave a fan unsatisfied. ...My would-be consolation prize!

In the meantime, many have inquiredabout commissions via my website, and eventually -- once all of the back-ordershave been fulfilled -- I will open up the request line there, too!

As for now, in an effort to getback into the forefront, I am happily settling into my new nest, new routine, newbusiness model! I have one more trip to take this month, so I will post freelyfor the next few weeks before settling into a more regular blog routine.

"Thank You!" to themany, many great people and fans I've met out there over the months and years!More "Laurie B!" is on the way! ;D