From my library to yours:Children Books

Here is my small collections of children books I have. I love it because as an illustrator, I love to see a story illustrated and I love to see the different styles, techniques and mediums, here enjoy it:

1: The Aesop for Children(Special Edition by Barnes and Noble)- The Aesop stories are classic and they always have a wise message at the end, but the ink illustrations of this book are done in the same style of one of my favorite illustrator Arthur Rackham.

2:Where the Wild Things Are-Of course I have this book, I'm such a fan of Maurice Sendak's illustrations, especially on this book. It is no surprise to me that is a classic. I love how the illustrations are the strongest part of the book, because without it the written story would not have the same impact.

3:The Book of Cities by Piero Ventura- No no it's not done by the illustrator of "Where's Waldo?", but it is the same style. I Love this one because of the simple way the cities are illustrated, makes you want to travel and illustrate the city's surrounding.

4:So Good for Litlte Bunnies by Brandi Milne- Brandi Milne has the cutes style of illustration that reminds you of a happy childhood, candy, and play time. Check out her website at http://www.brandimilne.com/. 

5:El Ultimo Refugio (The last Resort) by J.Patrick Lewis Illustrated by Roberto Innocenti- A story about an artist who has lost it's imagination and is goes to search for it( it happens to the best of us. I Loooove Roberto's Illustrations done in ink and it kills me that he does not have a website :(.

6:La Muerte Pie Ligeros: Guendaguti nee sisi( Death LightFeet)by Natalia Toledo illustrated by Francisco Toledo- A book done by two artists from my hometown Oaxaca. Written both in spanish and zapotec(a Oaxacan Dialect) The story is about how death challenges man and animals to see who last longer jumping the rope with him.

Boy oh Boy!

Well after a couple of little experiments and my pencil case was not successful. I came to realize one thing,I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO SEW and HOW TO USE A SEWING MACHINE, it will simplify my life :). Those two have been added to my list of things to learn and do along with sign language and bungee jumping.
I did a little clutch, so I will share that, as for the ecollustration, there will be none this week, but I will make it up by making a really amazing one next week.
So here are the steps.
1: materials is two carton milk of the size you want the clutch to be, the fabric to cover it(with a 1 inch border) and the thick thread of your choice).So first step glue the carton milk.(I recommend to put a heavy book on top until dry)

2:Now you will join these two by the side, by passing the thread back and fort under the fabric 

3:Now you can glut the fabric again(use packaging tape to help it keep it together)

4:Now you'll stitch it together, from one to side to another:

5: Then Embellish it:

Tada!

The FONTANA

Let's start by first congratulating the winner of the giveaway!:Julian Callos

Congratulations, please email me your address. As for everyone thank you so much for your comments, they were and always will be very motivating. Don't worry there will be many more giveaways opportunities, just stay tuned and ready.

And now today's book from my library is another art book, this one is called "Blaine Fontana: Sedimental promises" A book where it talks about artist Blaine Fontana's life and how it has influenced his art. His technique, which is very bold and full of earthy tones, which relates great with his love for nature. Here is a peek:

The End Pages

The Beginning

See more at his WEBSITE .

Gift Bags

Someone's birthday is coming closer and you didn't had time to buy wrapping paper or a gift bag, don't worry this is a time when you can recycle your plastic bags.
All you need is a couple of plastic bags cut into circles (you decide how big you want it, Big needle and thread.
1: Put all your circle plastic bags in top of one another (don't worry about making them perfect):

2: Trace the area where you will pass the needle and thread:

3: Then of course pass the needle and thread :)

4:Cut your thread and trim your circles:

5: Put the item you want to wrap and gently pull the strings:

6: Ta-da!!!:

I love the top view

"There's a Lizard on my Leaf"

Today's ecollustrator is the creator of this piece:

It came in a clear envelope with a sheet of paper signed Jesus Leal Estrada "El Gambusino". I obtained this ecollustration when I was walking the streets of the Venice boardwalk, in Los angeles,CA. He's a regular so I highly encourage you go to his booth and please tell him to set up a website. His work is truly beautiful, I do remember he told me he uses the leaves from a tree called "Tampinzerano" the leaves are strong and fibrous which allows him to create great things like the lizard on my leave. Here are some more detail shots.