The Frozen Arctic Tundra on Northwest Georgia

I have been distracted by all the weather and illness going through the house. I have three boys and they attend an independent school in Northwest Georgia that my husband works at. It is a small school and illness continue to be passed around at high and frequent rate. Then came the storm that i have titles, "the Georgian Snowpocolypse 2014. It wasn't supposed to hit us or predicted to gently graze our area. Well, the storm blew northward of Atlanta and slaughtered us in snow and ice.  I was fortunate to get home as the snow began to stick and the wind began to howl. We watched the weather from indoors. The streets were full of cars sliding off into ditches, parked cars without people inside, and police escorting people out of their vehicles and into stores. The school here kept kids from the Atlanta area and rural areas in the dorms for a night or two. Staff workers slept on couches in faculty offices and the health center. We played in the snow but kept ourselves humbled by the news events occurring.
Last night, we decided to venture out and grab dinner at a restaurant. We tried 4 places that all closed before sundown due to possible ice. We finally found a quaint Mexican place that was open. The downside; no heat! So, we ate at this place in our best snow gear. We found ourselves eating quickly in fear that our food would fall to the same fate as our finger tips. After our meal, we skated home on sheets of ice at a whopping 10 miles an hour. After we made our way through the frozen tundra of Arctic Georgia, I sat down to some paints and worked a bit more. This piece is ready for the details that will make it shine. HOORAY!

the completed illustration!

recreating an illustration from several months ago...

There is a scholarship offered through SCBWI southern region for an illustrator to receive paid admission for the conference this spring. I am not going to lie, finances are tight. Attending a conference is an investment. This is a great opportunity that would allow me to go to this conference.
I had recently posted on Facebook asking friends which illustrations they enjoyed most. I  received a lot of responses about my buggy book illustration. I was once told that if I like, create it again. Your work is usually better the second time. So, that is what I am doing.

This is the new illustration that is a recreation of the first. I have changed the orientation of it and kept the same message. I have reworked the background to add more dimension to it. The book has also been re-sketched to mimic a true way that a book would open. I will post more updates as the color takes shape and the illustration comes together. It is amazing what I have learned over the last 6 months. And, it is even more amazing what I have learned in a year. I really need this scholarship. I will need to select my 3 best works to submit. I am only as good as my worst piece submitted. Please help me decide when the time comes!

I have decided to stop for the night. I am actually really happy with how this is tuning out. there is more character in this illustration that in the first. All characters are focused on the page of the book. I think the background looks nice and is offering dimensions to the pic. I really like the leaves and the mushroom so far. Wow, I may be actually sleeping while writing this...nope, I am still awake. Okay, I must go to bed as I can't stop yawning. I hope I will be able to complete this tomorrow.

It has been a crazy weekend with the kids home, but this is really starting to take shape and embrace the bright colors. I really love watercolor!!!