Congratulations...Hip!Hip!Hooray! Celebrating Graduation Day and a W.I.P. Gift!

Anna, The Graduate...they grow up fast!

It's that time of year when graduations roll around and this year my Niece Anna is and at this posting has graduated from Jr. High!  She will now make that adventurous journey to High School...wonder if I should put out a warning! LOL  Ok, I'm sure things have changed ALOT since I graduated back in, on second thought, no need to share dates...I'll just share a quick sneak peek of my Pop Art Mini gift to the grad!  

 The Sketch

Her fave dog is the dachshund, perfect choice!

 And yes, I'm behind in getting this done, but I promise it will be on it's way before the weekend...ends! I've even started adding the "pops" of color.

And I couldn'ts resist sharing some of the sweet treat talents of my amazing sisters...Ami (graphic artist, extraordinaire...mom of the graduate) and Shari (all around creative guru!) No party is complete without the sweet treats. (I'm still waiting for my doggie bag to arrive in the mail!)
Oreo Cookie BonBons! YUMMY!

 Cream Cheese Mints...rich and delicious. 

And last but not least a little shout out to the GRAD!

Congratulations! Whoohooo! Hip! Hip! HOORAY!

You did it...you've done it...today is your day!

Celebrate! Jump Up! Scream! Give a Cheer!

For Your Graduation Day if finally Here!

You've done amazing and you're definitely great

Now upward and onward...more adventures await!

Ok, I have a mini to complete...and Anna, if you happen to read this...your gift is in the mail! 

The Girl With The Birdcage Hat...Oh, How Tweet Is That!

Fly! Soar! Sing!   by Joni Nickrent   copyright 2011

A birdcage hat...sits atop her head

Two tiny little birds..."tweet" "tweet" they said!

Come Fly, Soar and Sing along with us

It's fun and fantastic just because!

Dance through flowers...sit in the grass

A world of whimsy, pops of color that last!

Have a TWEET Day!

A Tumble Bumble Bee Treat...Oh, So Sweet!

"Tumble Bumble Sweet Treat"   by Joni Nickrent   copyright 2011

Well it looks like the tumble bumble bee from last nights "Scribble, Doodle, Sketch Blog" ended up becoming a "full-blown" Pop Art Mini.  Playfully buzzing about a sweet treat bumble hive cupcake thanks to suggestions from the #twitterbees on the Twitter!  I'm pretty happy with the way he turned out...bright, bold, silly and sweet!

"Tumble Bumble Sweet Treat"   by Joni Nickrent   copyright 2011

From doodle sketch to full Pop Art Mini

Sketch to Color  

The finishing touches!

hmmm....wonder who might buzz by next?

W.I.P. Spring Has Started to Sprung...A Creative Challenge Sneak Peek!

A Sneak Peek!

"Spring Has Sprung"   Sketch by Joni Nickrent   copyright 2011

I've been having a hard time wrapping my head around what I wanted to do for The Hive's Creative Challenge for Spring, but today I think I have finally arrived at a decision and started the preliminary sketch.  I'm sure a few more funny little characters will "spring" up before I'm finished with all the "pops" of color!

Fairies, Frogs and birds and flowers oh my...come on spring don't be shy!

Anticipating Spring "Sprunging" Soon...how about YOU!

Celebrate, Sing...Eat A Sweet Treat! A Creative Cure For A Cold!

I've been fighting this cold thingy, but started to feel a little better tonight and needed to get my creative flowing and finish up a WIP that I started like 100 days ago...ok, maybe not that long ago, but long enough!  If felt good to draw again and you know I really seem to be feelling better...maybe creative is the new cure for the common cold!

So from this sketch above created with love...for that little guy called The Cat In The Hat in celebration of the good Dr. Seuss's Birthday (a day late...sorry!)  The Finished Pop Art Mini...

"Celebrate, Sing...Eat A Sweet Treat!"

Celebrate, Sing...Eat A Sweet Treat  by Joni Nickrent  copyright 2011

Who can resist a sprinkles cupcake! SMILES!

A close up...the eyes have it! hehehe

Collage letters...CELEBRATE!

Finished...now please pass me a tissue...achoo...who knew!

They're DONE! Meet Billy, Buffy, Bruiser and Bucky...a Bunch of Colorful Characters!

"The Adventures of the Besties"

A colorful bunch of characters

whose names all start with B

Billy, Buffy, Bruiser, Bucky. . .

best pals for you and me.

Balloons held high up in the sky,

let the adventures begin

Cause when these four get together

the fun will never end!

From pencil sketch of 3

Oh, wait...where's Bucky...now that makes 4!

Now a perfect group of friends let the color adventure begin

Big eyes and stunning smiles! hehehe

A close up of Bruiser and Bucky hanging on to their balloons.

And not to be outdone here's a close up of  Billy and Buffy Smiling ear to ear!

I'm thinking these four characters just might show up again soon. 

Have an idea for their next adventure?  A story they could star in? hehehe

I'd love to hear your ideas!

A Sweet Tweet Inspired by A Vintage Valentine...An Illustration of Love!

I'm still finding inspiration from Vintage Valentine finds from the other day . . . remember the little birdie valentine from my post a couple days ago?  Well, she's back (that's her peaking out at the edge of the sketch) and she's the starting inspiration for my latest Pop Art Mini design, "Sweet Tweet". 

 I changed up the colors a bit and added a little wire birdcage (another inspiration that keeps floating in the back of my mind), a few more hearts, a rose headpiece and a message that "chirps" of a reference to that thing called "Twitter".  And without further ado I'd like to introduce to you "Sweet Tweet"

And since I hadn't shared a progressive picture show lately thought I'd throw in few quick flashes . . .  Sometimes it's fun to see how it's done

After the pencil sketch is complete I apply a layer of white to the entire paper.

Next up background...which is usually several shades of blue and sometimes a touch of green.

More blue...

Next up a little brown and the details start to come together

Adding black outline accents that will be blended into the color for a nice shaded look.

A little more color...pink to be precise.

And next a bit of red...here comes the bold, bright colors

Catch a fella with a little bit of yella...hehehe

And the blending begins first using the white oil pastel . . .

and than the blending stick.

After the blending the details and finishing touches

Tweet! Tweet! It's just about complete . . . signing off!

Wishing you a day filled with "Sweet Tweets"!