Restricting the imagination can be freeing

After my last post I realized that I missed the necessary skills to continue illustrating my children's book and  enrolled in the Illustrating Children's Books Diploma course at the London Art College.

The most valuable lesson I learned from this course is that restriction can be freeing...

Having to follow the instructions of the assignments or sample briefs to the letter sounds very restrictive but it is also very freeing.

The course unleashed my imagination in a contained area, in the same way a wild mustang is put into a round pen to get used to becoming comfortable, responsive and in tune with its rider.
Thanks to these restrictions I was able to create pictures on paper that otherwise would just have been ideas floating aimlessly in my head.

The school didn't teach me how to become imaginative just like the Mustang can't be taught how to be a horse. As a young girl I had a vivid imagination and I could just never draw a normal horse. I had to turn it into a ballerina, add wings or clothes because I always was a dreamer. This course brought out my strengths and helped me improve my weaknesses, enabling to use my imagination in an effective way.

In a couple of months I will be graduating and feel that I have finally have found my artistic path.

This feeling of finding my way has been one of the most joyful experiences in my life.

Holiday Joy Watercolors on paper by Ursula "Ariannah" Brozovich

Therefore, I wish that 2013 will be the year for you to do what you love or find out what you want to do.

Merry Christmas!

You can follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalKingdomArt

Difference between Fine Art and Illustration

Fine Art is the expression of the inner world of the artist and an interpretation of the outer world.

The ego of the artist sits in the driving seat. The art work shows something about the artist, how the artist feels, thinks and perceives the world. Since the ego plays an important role in creating Fine Art, this could explain the famous artistic temperaments and flamboyant behaviors of modern artists and artists from the past.  Fine artists (and I am not an exception) usually take critique very personally. This is because their sense of self is attached to their artwork. Every suggestion is seen as an invitation to defend or argue their art background, skills, mediums, style etc.

Himalayan Cat, Pastel on paper 2012

This portrait of our cat is an example of my Fine Art.
My intention was to paint her the way I see and know her, emphasizing her mysterious nature.
This work also says something
about my passion for revealing
what is unseen or taken for granted.
For example, the blue color of her
eyes is only visible in sunlight and
is very difficult to capture with a camera.

   

Illustration is the expression and translation of an idea or story.
 
The artist’s ego takes a back seat and the story is more important. The illustrator doesn’t express their own perception but converts the words of the writer, or an idea, into pictures. It requires humbleness and selflessness from the artist. An illustrator can be seen as a translator for the writer and he or she must produce accurate representations of the story.

Watercolor study of the characters

 

Here is our cat again, now playing a
role in my children’s book.
The main character cannot be
revealed yet until the book is published. 

This picture shows the visual
power of perspective. Yet, it is neither
helping the story moving forward
nor urging the viewer to turn the page,
to see what happens next.
Therefore it is not a good
illustration for this particular book.

As both the writer and illustrator, the biggest challenge for me is to solely focus on the story, letting it unfold by itself and leaving my ego out. It is tempting to use this book for showcasing my (fine) art or skills instead of telling a visual story with my illustrations.  But I am reminding myself that the story is my employer; children and their parents or care takers are my customers. The story is daily telling me what illustrations I need to create in order for the kids to understand and enjoy the picture book.
In the past I lacked the patience to paint the same character over and over again. That is because I approached illustrating as a fine artist. My mindset had to change first. It is no longer about me, my preferences, ideas or expectations. But, it is about allowing lovable creatures having their own feelings, thoughts, habits, struggles and dreams.

In a future post, I will reveal a couple of the real illustrations of my book. 

If you are a Fine Artist or Illustrator, feel free to leave a comment and share your art experiences. Tweet

Bird paintings and nature: Red Tailed Hawk

Remember this sketch I made of a raptor last year in September?

The gorgeous majestic bird of prey that was the reason for selling our beloved chickens?

My suspicion that this was a Cooper's hawk on January 14 2012?

Today, January 17 2012, I am updating and correcting this information (in Italics).

I wasn't absolutely sure so I also sent the pictures to:

Amber Edwards 

Volunteer Coordinator-Raptor Rehabilitation Project

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri

Education Coordinator-Prairie Fork 

http://www.raptorrehab.missouri.edu/index.html

http://www.prairiefork.missouri.edu/

She solved the mystery and identified the hawk as a Red Tailed Hawk. Thanks so much Amber! 


Apologies to my readers.

Yesterday, my husband spotted this Hawk in the tree in our backyard. I felt very special in the presence of this beautiful skilled hunter, who didn't seem to mind us taking his picture. However, he soon spotted something far more interesting and off he went...gracefully gliding through the air. The first time I saw him scooping up a squirrel, surprising both the squirrel and me, I had a mixed feeling of awe and horror. But this time I was allowed to just take in its beauty and appreciate nature at is best...

The Dying Swan

I can still see this mourning male swan, sitting on the bank of the pond, motionless, waiting for the time to be reunited with his loved one...

For years, I was able to enjoy watching a beautiful swan couple in the park. The male protected his family fiercely against nosy humans like me. After the female swan died, his behavior changed dramatically. He didn't want to eat my bread crumbs, or chase me but just sat there.

According to the park ranger, the swan was dying from a broken heart. He tried to feed the swan and even put him in a pond with other swans but he was unable to save him. A couple of weeks later the male swan passed away... 

The love of this swan for his mate inspired me to make my version of "The Dying Swan" and I called it "Unseen". The hidden animals in the painting represent his pain and sadness which went unseen by the humans who were walking their dogs or reading a book on a bench.


This painting was displayed in a New York gallery in 2009 and only prints and greeting cards are available.



Thanks so much!

Transformation

This is a very personal painting that expresses my transformation from
recreational artist into full time professional artist

 - Ariannah- and it stands for every change 

and development in my art career. 

 Emerge 

12x12 Acrylics on canvas 2009

Not for sale

     

With this post I also want to thank not only all the loyal followers and subscribers but everyone that took their time to read my posts. While I had a lot of fun writing my blog, it hasn't been very reader friendly. Thanks to blogger, soon, this is finally going to change!

After nine months of carrying my babies...eh...blog posts, I joyfully announce the birth of my easy blog view! If you have a fast browser that runs scripts (I use Iron Chrome), it will be easier for you, in the near future, to explore, read and discover my posts, -without having to scroll or search for older posts.

Please click on http://www.ariannahfineartandillustration.blogspot.com/view/snapshot 

for a sneak peek. You are only able to view "the future new look" if you are using Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer 8+, or Firefox 3.5+ and if scripts are not disabled by your browser. Please let me know if you are unable to view it or are experiencing other problems.

Thanks again for reading my blog!

Great Pyrenees Dog water color painting

Mostly self taught, I consider the different mediums my teachers...Watercolor has always been the most demanding one. Only watercolor requires me to have a sense of control and at the same time the willingness to let go...

Some people go to health spas or retreats for some quiet time and self-reflection...I turn to watercolors...

This is a watercolor painting of Guardia, a 9 month old Great Pyrenees that we rescued from a puppy mill in 2008. It took more than a year before she started trusting people. Only with the help of watercolors was I able to capture her mysterious reserved, yet always attentive nature...

                                                                     

                                                                       Great Pyrenees

                                                                   Watercolor on paper

What kind of bird of prey or raptor is this?

A couple of months ago around 8:30 in the morning, I witnessed a raptor carrying away a small mammal out of our backyard, - which looked like a tree squirrel.

I was in awe, mesmerized by the confidence, calmness and grace of this magnificent bird and at the same time horrified by the sight of the limp small, rag-doll -like, mammal hanging in his claws…

After this unforgettable experience I ran into my studio and made this pastel composite sketch. Until now, nobody could help me identify this bird of prey. 

I'd appreciate the web community's help in identifying this raptor.

Thanks so much!