trick-or-treating

This is the first trick-or-treat night that I didn't go out with the kids... well, I should say "kid" because it was just Nathaniel this year with his friends, and I think it is the last year. He made a scarecrow costume and decided to go it alone with the boys. It is a very cold evening and he called a little bit ago, saying they only went to 15 houses and decided they were done! I'm wondering if I'll even get a Reese's cup this year? I guess we're entering a new stage with the kids... reminiscing about them being small and making cute costumes. Why don't they stay little?!! ;)

halloween visitor...

IF: racing

Aaaaghhh!!! I just can't do what I want with this Illustration Friday drawing! I really wanted to show all the colors and patterns in the jockey silks, but it just isn't working. I started another drawing from behind, but there's just nothing special about it. I picked the Kentucky Derby since I grew up across the river from it, but I just don't have enough time this week to do it justice. I might revisit it for my friend Bryan who used to be a professional jockey... he was looking forward to this picture. Well, the good news is I spent more time this week cleaning up my studio, so the white tables are completely clean! I'll take photos later... it's nighttime now and too dark. I'm not going to link to Illustration Friday with this (obviously). There were a lot of entries this week so if you want to see better illustrations for "racing" go to the site and check them out (until tonight).

blink

I just finished the book blink by Malcolm Gladwell, who I think is just brilliant. It was definitely an eye-opening book about the way we use our intuition to make snap judgements-- when it works and when it doesn't. How do experts know when something is real or a forgery in the first second that they see art? How does a tennis coach know when a server is going to fault before he finishes his serve? Why did four policemen shoot an innocent man in a matter of seconds? Can you really hide emotions or does your face tell all, and can we be better at reading that? Can your decisions be primed by someone else without your knowledge? Is too much information causing bad decisions?

I wish I could tell you every one of the stories in this book, but then I'd be writing the book, wouldn't I? ;) One thing that I can definitely apply to my own life is whether or not I should put my picture on my blog... do people make assumptions just on the way I look, my age, my gender? Obviously I'm female... I think my art reflects that very clearly. Do I feel my chronological age? No. At least I don't think so based on what I assume someone my age usually feels like, but really I don't know. Or maybe when I was in my early twenties, I assumed wrong about this age. In a "blink" when people see me or even my art, they make a split decision about me... that makes the decision about what to include when I'm forming a portfolio very, very important. Would the illustrations be marketable, likeable, accessable to the general viewership? Is it unique enough or too strange? Will someone stop and really look or just glance and move on? An Art Director knows this in a blink of an eye. I have to think like an art director, a publisher, a reader, and still please myself too... or what's the fun in doing it in the first place?

My favorite story was about how auditions for the orchestra have changed over the years, mainly due to one little change... the screen. They have musicians audition behind a screen so that every other possible distraction is minimized from hearing the actual music being played. We make so many assumptions based on gender or ethnicity or size or age, that we miss brilliance in some of the most obvious instances. Hopefully there's a little brilliance in my art now and then... and I don't want it to be missed! If you need an intriguing book to curl up with as the weather chills, this is a good one!

how to make an artist crazy...

Dilate her eyes so she can't see for the rest of the afternoon!!! I had an eye doctor appointment this morning and I am typing this with very blurry vision... I realized everything I do involves sight and it's driving me bonkers!!!!! But I'm very stubborn so I tried to read my emails and some posts anyways.

Here's another thing that's making me crazy: The Exquisite Book! I love the idea and wish badly that I had thought of it when I was a teacher... I would have used it with my students. They got 100 indie artists/illustrators to do one page each-- one artist would do their illustration and then send it off to the next where that one would continue the picture/story while only seeing the art right before it, ... then send it on to the next artist until the book was full! LOVE it.

***This idea comes from the old "Exquisite Corpse" game and you can read what that is here!

Oh, and I forgot to add... my eyesight is great, hasn't changed, no cataracts or glaucoma or even problems with close-up reading... yay... because I don't know what I'd do if my eyes were like this for real... or I mean regardless of my contacts. I can see.

real men eat quiche...

I was so excited to share this recipe with you because I found a way to make quiche even quicker and easier! I was scrambling to find dinner and had all the ingredients for quiche (having remembered Caroline requesting it because of French class) but I didn't have a pie crust and it would have taken too long to make it from scratch (Soccer practice). I DID have some large tortillas and it seemed to me that it might work as the base... it fit perfectly into a 9" pie plate. Well, amazingly enough, it worked and it even tasted delicious! Nathaniel proclaimed it to be so good he wanted me to save the extra pieces for him! So here it is... you really can't mess this up!:

Spinach & Bacon Quiche with Tortilla Crust

Serves 6

6 large eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

salt and pepper (about a 1/2 tsp of each)

2 cups chopped fresh baby spinach, packed (I didn't even chop it)

1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled (I just used 4 big slices)

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 large tortilla

spray cooking oil (Canola or Olive... or rub it on)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Spray the pie plate with a little oil so the tortilla won't stick. Lay the tortilla in the plate.

Cook the bacon and set on paper towel to cool.

Whisk together the eggs, cream, salt and pepper. Layer the spinach, bacon, and cheese in the bottom of the tortilla, then pour the egg mixture on top. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the egg mixture is set (it took at least 45 minutes for mine). Cut into 6 wedges. Devour!

I served this with a bowl of tomato & red pepper soup and applesauce (yes... Caroline is still sick and this was perfect.)

Kids: ♡♡♡♡

Husband: ♡♡♡

Cook: ♡♡♡♡... so quick and easy!

IF: spooky

This illustration is dedicated to Scott & Caroline, because they've been two of my biggest supporters for a very long time!

(That's you guys in this pic!)

The Illustration Friday word of the week was "spooky" and of course the first thing most people think of is ghosts and Halloween. Instead of trying to think up something totally unexpected, I wanted to do a drawing that an Art Director might want for a story during this time of year. I had a totally different picture in mind and had sketched it out, but this house that I'd seen in a magazine kept coming back in my mind, so when I sat down to draw the final picture, this is what I did! I drew it in pencil and then used Pigma pens to ink it all in. I had in mind that the windows would glow an orange-yellow and so would the eyes on the pumpkins, cat, owl and moon... when I tried to add color with colored pencils, it just seemed to make the picture more scattered, without defined focal points. I need to work on something in color, but this one isn't going to be it. Can you believe that Trick-or-Treating is only in another week? Where did October go? I don't know about where you live but I'm loving the color of the leaves changing this year... it just seems to be slower than usual. Enjoy your day!

breakfast

I almost forgot to take a photo of my scones... until I was eating one of the last ones! The recipe only makes six and of course when they came out of the oven last evening, four of them disappeared! I also did my regular baking of granola, this time adding some walnuts (they have the highest levels of omega 3's of all the nuts). Am I making you dizzy with this photo? Yeah, me too.

This is why I haven't been as productive in my art and crafting as I would like! I took this picture a few weeks ago as a "before" so that I could show the "after" ... that doesn't seem to be happening yet. Not only were the lightbulbs out in the ceiling but the lights themselves decided to stop working. I lightened this photo so you could see into the room. I actually ran out of bookshelf space and half of my cookbooks are laying all over the work tables. Plus I was trying to combine my old office with all my studio stuff so there's boxes of things with no place to go. I have a feeling that a trip to Salvation Army is in order. I have boxes of brand new books from Hatch that I think I may offer up here for just minimal cost + shipping. Those are on the other long white table which I need to clear so I can start silk-screening t-shirts again! Guess I have a lot to do today!

Have a terrific Wednesday (only a week and a half until daylight savings time...woo hoo!)

just made...

Roasted Chicken with Moroccan-spiced Spaghetti Squash (see her photo... mine wasn't good) and a big tossed salad. I don't like squash. I hate to admit that but now I don't have to because this squash recipe was so good! I'm eating leftovers tomorrow (the kids didn't quite agree with me). It's sooo easy to do a roasted chicken. Cut up one white onion and slice a lemon into four sections. Stuff the chicken with those and then place it breast up, rub the top with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place in preheated oven at 325 degrees for two hours. You can also tuck a couple cloves of garlic between the leg and the body if you want to. (And if you're really fancy, you can put some truffle oil under the skin!). I always use an organic chicken because they taste so much better. We usually have some leftover chicken for sandwiches the next day. In this case, I did one because Caroline is home sick with a sore throat and cold, so chicken is a good healer. I'm getting that tickle in my throat too. Hopefully I can beat it. Next up... those scones!

to bake...

Smitten Kitchen's Apple and Chedder Scones

White Lion

I posted about the White Lion movie which came out only in a few select cities last Friday but I removed that post after feeling the pressure from hunting advocates about it. That was wrong. I believe trophy hunting is wrong... killing is not a sport. Kevin Richardson, the lion whisperer, has devoted his life to understanding these animals and produced the movie. I left a comment on the website asking how we can do more to raise awareness about trophy hunting. His wife wrote me an email back, saying that posting on my blog was a great help in raising awareness. So, I am reposting. I hope this movie comes out on DVD so that I can see it. I love cats to begin with and from all the photos on Kevin's website, they are just big cats! I love that my own children love animals and my hope is that their generation will continue to care for the world so that animals like the White Lion still exist for their own children to see someday.

Abominable Yeti

Yeti Finger Puppets by cherylasmith at etsy

I stumbled upon what seems to be a well-shared adoration of the Abominable Snowman or the Yeti. Who knew? I had only warm feelings for the Bumble in Rudolph. If you share this love, check out all the things listed on etsy here or a whole website yeti fan club here!

It's easy to do good in the world...

Willow at Willow's Cottage is helping an outreach called GENERATE HOPE by collecting knit wear or donations from fellow bloggers for their auction in San Diego. All donated items have to reach the auction table by October 21st! Here's what her daughter, who volunteers for them, shared with us about GENERATE HOPE :

"Generate Hope is such a great organization-- they just took in 2 more girls that have been rescued from sex trafficking and are working on a long-term rehabilitation plan to help them heal and re-integrate into society.

I know not everyone can send $$ or items to donate, but one way that EVERYONE can help support them is by raising awareness. Not many people actually know how prevalent human trafficking for the purpose of work or sex is. It is the 3rd most lucrative crime syndicate in the world, after weapons and drugs. It DOES happen in the US and other 'developed' countries. San Diego, where Generate Hope is based, is #7 on the FBI's list of child prostitution and trafficking in the US.

To educate yourself and others , you can read books like 'Not For Sale' by David Batstone (this will be the most generally informative) or Gary Haugen's books 'Just Courage' and 'Terrify No More'. "

Please go to Willow's Cottage to get more information on where to send your donations! Thank you so much!!!

IF: transportation

The funny thing about this one is that after I did the little sketches of this girl with pigtails, I saw a little girl just like her riding in the ice cream truck with her parents on Saturday! I felt like reworking this one over and over but then I just decided to post it and move on. Hope you found it somewhat amusing! ;)

Halloween is coming...

Jennifer at JHill Design just sent out a link today to her really cute printable masks with downloadable pdfs. I thought they were free but they are $3/one or $6/3. So if you have kids or grandkids, this would be cute to make for them. While you're at her site, check out her prints... they make wonderful gifts or reminders of favorite places. I bought one of Pittsburgh for Craig a couple years ago. Very, very cool graphics!

my new favorite music

Jazz Pianist Bud Powell is now my favorite. I wanted to say favorite jazz musician but I like him as much as all the other stuff I listen to. It reminds me of Snoopy, Mister Rogers, and all the things that make me feel all happy and loved and really good. Great to draw to or cook to. Okay... just my favorite!

calendar love

I've been shopping for calendars for 2011, to replace my favorite Jen Corace one and Charlie Harper one in my studio. I saw this one by Jenny at Toysdreams... I adore her art dolls, so having a calendar full of pictures of them is the next best thing!

Then I saw this calendar which I believe is by the same Jenny at behappynow, and had to have it too! Lots of great illustration inspiration!

I have to blame this buying spree on Amy at Pikaland because I saw them there as I was pouring over her fabulous blog! I think you'll find me there a lot in the future! She has excellent information for illustrators and I hope to do the next round of artist bootcamps!

OOoooh... just as I finished writing this, a little package came from Malaysia. I know what it is!...

Have a terrific Tuesday!

a little bit of this, a little bit of that

MT Revolution U-13 Boys

My son's travel soccer team played in their first tournament which lasted all weekend long! Being a new team and playing much better teams than themselves, they came to the tournament not having won a game yet but greatly improving each time. Well, this weekend they ended up ranking 7th out of 16 teams and won their last game 3-0!!! We couldn't have been more ecstatic and more proud! I know it's just a game, but to see boys this age really try with everything they have and not give up, even when it just seemed like it was impossible, was so moving to watch for me. The weekend's weather was absolutely beautiful too... perfect October sunny, clear days! (Nathaniel is in the orange goalie shirt and Craig is the coach on the left!) I met a new friend, Lidia who came over to Lancaster from France four years ago and her son is on the team. I had a fascinating conversation with her-- she is from Paris and still goes back frequently for work. She was just there last week. She would be great to travel with because her parents live in Spain now. I'm still hoping to get to France in 2012!

Speaking of traveling, if you'd like to see gorgeous photos of Venice and read some fascinating history and facts about it, then you have to check out Di's blog lately... she is posting about her trip and I'm dying to see it someday!

I also found a few new cooking websites to share so I put them in a list down there on the right side bar. I can't wait to try recipes from Smitten Kitchen. I think I could just cook my way through her recipe file! Check it out if you get a chance. I want to try that mushroom lasagne!

I found a free calendar to print too for 2011 at My Owl Barn... you can decide which month you'd like to use and it's all owls!! You know our affinity for owls around here! ;)

Not a whole lot else has been happening besides soccer these past couple days. I'm hoping to get back to my drawing and finish up my Illustration Friday picture!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!!!

new artist

I just found Nicola Killen through the Illustration Friday website and I am in love with her drawings and the textures and colors she uses in them! She has a new book coming out and right now you can register for her give-away (signed book, stickers, postcards, Christmas cards, and a personalized character just for you!... very, very generous!). Go here to enter! I also found out that she got her Masters in Children's Book Illustration!!! Why did I not know that there was such a thing?? Suddenly I'm contemplating actually going back to school....

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I was just doodling away last evening and this was the last thing I did. I'm thinking about a little story I have in my head that I used to tell Caroline every December.

I'm sorry about that last post... I had to post it to make a button about me. I'm under this delusion that I could actually do my illustration for real. I know I have a long way to go.

*** Okay... my husband just twinked me... I apologize for being so negative about myself. I'm just so grateful for having the time to try to do this and I want it badly!!!

About Me

Hello! When I started this blog, I was basically focused on crafts I made at home and my family, as well as my design and illustration work that I do professionally.  A little over a year ago I found out I was gluten intolerant, which led me into learning a whole lot more about nutrition, becoming a member of The Weston A. Price Foundation who's website is full of great information that you probably didn't know but will have wished you did (please check it out!), and now I am a student at The School of Homeopathy of Devon, England, studying to be a classical homeopath. This is a different, but absolutely fascinating path of learning how to heal. In about four years I will be able to open my own practice and help patients. Until then, please join me as I post about topics that I think you will find fascinating too and share some stories about what goes on around here while I now raise two teenagers! (Which by the way, I totally love!) If you're interested in my past experience, see my resume below. Because of my intense load of coursework, I am not taking new freelance jobs right now. Thanks for dropping by!  ~ Beth :)

Bethany J. Hissong

Artist * Illustrator * Designer * Art Educator

RESUME:

BAAE from The College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning, The University of Cincinnati, Ohio with a concentration in Drawing and Printmaking/ Study in Graphic Design

Professional Illustration for Clients including Wendy's, The State of Ohio, The James Cancer Hospital, Reporter Typographics, Ohio Wesleyan College, BSB Advertising & Public Relations, Destiny Image Publishers

Design including logos, identity pieces, advertisements, book covers, corporate newsletters and newspapers

Art Teaching Positions at Public Middle School, Montessori Academy, Hatch Studio & Gallery and Agora Charter School

Owner of Hatch Studio & Gallery, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 2009

*** For a more detailed resume, go to my LinkedIn page!

If: beneath

The pea was placed beneath the pile of mattresses and the girl was discovered to be a princess.

I did this illustration in black ink, scanned it, and added the grays and green in Adobe Illustrator. ** click on the picture to enlarge it a bit... and then you can see the pea! ;)

addictive

by Keiko

I found this online drawing program and it makes the coolest lines-- Harmony. But watch out, it's addictive!

Trina Schart Hyman

I've been doing a lot of studying of some of my favorite illustrators and the one who I associate most of my childhood with is Trina Schart Hyman. Her drawings of people capture personality and individuality, all the while making a connection with each child who views the illustrations. That in itself is incredible to me. I had lots of different books with her illustrations in them but my favorite was The Shy Little Girl which I still own to this day and which still moves me when I read it. I thought it was about me! And then I read others' postings about this book and they thought it was about them! It was written by Phyllis Krasilovsky in 1970, but it could just as well have been written today.

Trina drew with a distinguishable line- mainly in black and white, with the color added after the fact. I read somewhere that she did her illustrations from start to finish on the final board... no preliminary sketching. She just drew, and mostly from imagination and from family around her. The scenes are always very real and pull you into them, as if you are right there watching. It's just amazing.

She is no longer with us because of cancer, though her list of books is an incredible library unto itself. I just got ahold of her Trina Schart Hyman: A Self-Portrait in which she explains her own journey into becoming an illustrator and shows how early the desire to do this work was there. More often than not, I read that illustrators know from a very early age that this is what they want to do. That was my first wish... I made a little book with pictures when I was probably three and it had little made up letters at the bottom because I was too young to know my letters but I knew that they should be there on the page! I couldn't wait to read so that I'd know how the pictures related to the story. I don't think I've stopped drawing or ever lost the desire since to illustrate or my fondness of children's book illustration.

I will probably post more about my favorite illustrators since that's what's on my mind right now! I just wish I could've written to Trina Schart Hyman before she passed away, to tell her how much of an influence she had on me and my own art. You might remember that I posted from this book a couple of times... I try to read it each month. I'm also going to start working on putting more of my illustration into my flickr account. Now off to do some sketching!!!...

inspiration

I saw this on Christine Grove's cute blog and thought everyone should see it! Perseverance, especially in the face of failure, is one of the most crucial virtues for success. I should watch this every day!