Do you like books?

I am illustrating two stories!  This is all happening thanks to Jeremiah Christie, a writer who approached me several years ago to do some brainstorming. Here we are now with the results. Jeremiah has come up with a dozen stories and poems and in collaboration with myself and seven other artists, we are trying to make an actual book come of it.  
Please check out this video:

We are getting down to the wire. One generous donor has just pledged enough to earn themselves a guided tour of Shijiazhuang, which brings us to 19% of our funding goal! But we only have until May 2nd (2015) to fund the rest of it.  ALL OR NOTHING. If enough of you out there are interested, this book could become a reality. If you've been saying I should illustrate a children's book, well, this is my chance. Please make a pledge!
Read more about some of the other people behind this project here at Jeremiah's website.  He wrote a really flattering post about me and my art, too!  You can find that right here.

A Show of Hands! Fundraiser project

Here's a step-by-step of a project I recently completed for "A Show of Hands" fundraiser to help feed Vermont seniors. If the rabbits you see here look at all familiar, perhaps you saw them in this earlier post!

I've been using that same Acryla Gouache paint again recently for a small series on wood panels, so when this wooden hand project came up, it made sense to keep on going with the same medium.  My completed hand has been delivered to Penny Cluse Cafe in Burlington, VT where it will be on display through the month of March.  They're having a silent auction on Thursday April 2nd (2015) from 5:30 to 7:30.  The funds support their amazing program which helps feed Vermont seniors throughout the state. There are wonderful images from previous auctions on the website, I hope you get to attend and see this all in person!

Here is how my piece progressed:

It all started with these faces...

Testing a wash of blue on the surface.  Didn't raise the woodgrain, so I can proceed.

Roughing in the background.

Trying not to lose sight of my lines!

Rabbits taking form.

I like how the warm color of the wood comes through here.

Getting the details figured out.

Maybe it's a little too blue...needs some warmth. 

Just about there...tweaking colors

There is an actual rabbit constellation! I was happy to find that out.

I like making sure each part is looking good.

A few light layers of Golden's Satin MSA varnish later and its done!

Well, I hope everyone reading this considers checking out the auction and making a bid.  The starting bid on mine is $50.  Contact info for the organizers can be found on their site:  http://handsvt.org/a-show-of-hands

Thanks for looking!

Inktober and a SALE!

From left to right:  October 5th, 4th, and 6th.  I liked this arrangement, so it's available as a print.

I can hardly believe it:  I finished Inktober 2014 and only had to do two catchup days.  I did my best to work on other projects at the same time, but ultimately the small scale of these drawings (4"x6") made them very entrancing.  And portable, too!

So now that I have 31 drawings, all the same size, all the same theme: HAUNTED CLOTHING, I'm hoping to do something with them.  A book is one possibility, and since they're the perfect size, I'm also looking into printing sets of high-quality-artsy-deluxe postcards.  These should arrive in time for holiday shows, which are coming up very quickly!

For the moment, I'm uploading a small selection onto my print site and having fun making them available as T-shirts and mugs in addition to the usual print on paper.  And here's a good reason to check them out right now:  Society6 is having an Artist promotion sale through November 9th, so to get $5 off any of my printed art there AND free shipping, just follow this link:
http://society6.com/kristinrichland?promo=VG3GX4X7MQYG

Sale ends November 9th, 2014 at midnight Pacific time!

And the same group is printed on a mug!
(I like these mugs)

I let the images flow one into the other here

This mug needs some tea...

Hello Maryland

The professionally done photos of these pieces are still too enormous to whittle down to web-friendly sizes, so I took these photos on my desk.  They are two attempts at illustrating a Blue Crab, the official state crab of Maryland, for the parents of my friend Rayanne.  These have been sitting dormant in my studio for an embarrassingly long time, but here at last, I am posting them!  Open to comments, feedback, etc.    

Blue Crab #1, Pen & ink with watercolor, 12"x16", ©2014 Kristin Richland

Blue Crab #2, Pen & ink with watercolor, 14" x 10", ©2014 Kristin Richland

Sketches

More projects!

Wallace Tripp Gallery Show at Lyndon State College in Vermont!

When I saw this show announcement last night, I experienced true fangirl glee.  

One of my prized possessions is a slightly worn copy of "A Great Big Ugly Man Came Up and Tied His Horse to Me," which certainly laid the foundation for my sense of humor and my love of line.

Unfortunately I won't be able to get up to the opening (it's 2 hours East of us, and I work that evening) but I plan on going up next week.  If Lyndon State College is at all accessible to you, GO.

Especially if you can get there Friday night!

"Wally will attend the opening on Friday, March 18 at 6pm. "

Runs March 21 through April 11, 2011 at the Quimby Gallery in the Harvey Academic Center. Gallery Hours: 8-4, Monday-Friday.

Intrigued?  If you'd like to read a beautifully illustrated mini-bio
of Mr. Tripp, be sure to check this link out.

Art Trek--I'm Massachusetts bound!

So, you know how lots of artists dream of showing in a NYC gallery? 

Karen and I are on our way to the R. Michelson Gallery, a venue I would love to show in someday (NYC is still on the list though.)  Northampton is a fun place to nose around in, so if I had an extra reason to go there, well, I wouldn't complain.

The opportunity to rub elbows with some of my favorite illustrators and authors is such a treat.  Last year I came home with two books autographed by that master of many mediums, Barry Moser.  Check out his work if the name is new to you.  

Speaking of treats, we'll be making our usual stop to L.A. Burdick's  chocolate shop along the way.  Oh yes, it's as good as it sounds.

Here’s a shot of the reception for last year’s show.  We had a prime spot just behind Rich Michelson himself, because we couldn't tear ourselves away from the book table...

Well that’s it for now.  If you’re up in the Jeffersonville VT area, make sure you check out the Small Picture Exhibition at the Bryan Memorial Gallery, which opens today.  The show runs through December 23rd. 

Likewise, if you’re down Northampton way, I highly recommend the  R.Michelson gallery.  The Children's Illustration Show looks to be up through March 2011.  Both venues have more than one show going at a time, well worth the visit. 

Plus, and this is important, both towns have some fabulous food.
You knew I was going to end on a food note, didn't you.