Freelance and Isolation - by Deborah Cuneo

Isolation is simply a given for a freelance creative. I really do spend the majority of my waking hours in my studio, by myself. And while my dog and cat are always happy to keep me company, neither one is much of a conversationalist!

My Studio Buddies...guess who's the Alpha!

Whether I'm cleaning up a piece of art, gathering materials or even just need to stand up and walk away from what I'm working on for 15 minutes, I can always make a phone call and get some human interaction. The rest of the time, I'm concentrating and interaction with anything other than what I'm working on, is just not possible. That's when I turn to the internet!

Working on Character Sheets

Since I've been freelancing for quite a few years, I've had the pleasure of listening to tons of  music, pod casts, talks and interviews on many different topics, as I work. As with anything, I've discovered some are good, some not so good and some are standouts to me.  I've also discovered that I've become a bit of a Ted Talk junkie! Below are a few interesting talks (somewhat relevant to our field) that I've listened to over the years and thought I'd share. 

Disclaimer...I just want to point out that my intention by sharing these, is not to force anyone to subscribe to a certain way of thinking. I listen to these talks simply for an interesting human voice in all those hours of creative solitude. For me, whether I agree with everything they've said or not, I find these make me think and in the end, there is always something positive to take away from it. If you choose to listen to them as well, I hope you'll do so in that same vein!

Creativity and Play: https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_brown_on_creativity_and_play

Inside the mind of a master procrastinator: http://www.ted.com/talks/tim_urban_inside_the_mind_of_a_master_procrastinator?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button__2016-03-15

How frustration makes us creative: https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_harford_how_messy_problems_can_inspire_creativity

Your elusive creative genius: https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius

Grit: the power of passion and perseverance: https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance

 I'd love to hear your thoughts on these and please feel free to share any talks or podcasts that you've enjoyed. I'm always up for some new things to listen to while I create! (You can put your suggestions in the comment section of this post.)

Enjoy!

Website: www.deborahcuneoillustration.com

Blog: Creating Out Loud  deborahcuneo.blogspot.com

Facebook: Deborah Cuneo Illustration

Twitter: @debcuneoart 

 Instagram: @ataleof2studios

Sketch-play/Character development- By Deborah Cuneo

Dog Characters-Development Sketches

 
While I love all aspects of being an illustrator, my most favorite part is creating visual characters. And for me, because I tend to be my most creative while I'm multitasking, character development always starts with a lot of  random "note taking" and short bursts of sketch-play. 

As soon as I get a project, I immediately commit the list of potential characters to my brain, so I'll remain subliminally mindful of that list at all times. Inspiration for the characters often strikes in fits and spurts and always at the most random, inopportune time, so I've gotten used to recording my reference information quickly. Sometimes, in the form of an artistic shorthand, usually on assorted pieces of loose papers, a couple of random notes in a notepad I keep in my purse or I'll snap a quick photo or two for reference. 
 

Met a New Friend at the Pet Store!

Later on, as I have little blocks of time, I gather up everything and do a little sketch-play based on my notes, which is simply allowing myself total freedom to draw "whatever", be silly and not worry if it's pretty or not.  It's the artistic equivalent of taking really sloppy, fast notes. This way, I build on all the bits and bobs of inspiration while the sparks are still fresh in my mind.

Sketch-Play

After a while of this sporadic, freestyle, sketchy-note taking, the character starts to reveal him or herself to me and I have my starting point.

Small dog character coming to life - Early stages

St Bernard dog character coming to life - Early stages

Doing it this way is not for everybody, but it fits my sometimes chaotic, creative state and gets the job done in spite of it! I'm really looking forward to getting to know these new "friends"!!

Website: www.deborahcuneoillustration.com
Blog: Creating Out Loud  deborahcuneo.blogspot.com
Facebook: Deborah Cuneo Illustration

Twitter: @debcuneoart 

 Instagram: @ataleof2studios

Art for a Cause - By Deborah Cuneo

You know how when you go to a gathering at someone's home, and there's that person sitting on the floor in the corner, playing with the dog? ...That would be me!  I've always  loved dogs, actually all kinds of animals and despite my parents protests, I've been rescuing all sorts of animals, bugs, fish, amphibians, reptiles and rodents, since I was a little kid.

 

Take Me Home - Pencil sketch

Fast forward a few years... Aside from being adopted by multiple rescue dogs and cats over the years, I have always collected for and donated to our local shelters . "Admission" to any of my home parties, is usually spare cans or bags of food for the shelters.  There are still so many animals that were either surrendered because the owners were too sick or too old to continue their care, or were rescued from horrible neglect and abuse, then put into shelters.  Some are lucky to get adopted right away, but some are there much longer and not all shelters have the funding to care for and rehabilitate them for any length of time...and, well...you know how that ends.  I wanted to do more.

 

Dog Sketches - Pencil and Liquid Pencil

So...While organizing all my artwork in my flat files, I discovered that I had a lot of dog illustrations and sketches that I've done over the years, either  as samples for submissions or for different SCBWI events. Looking at that pile of orphaned illustrations, I immediately came up with a plan! A couple of the more involved ideas are already in the works and I will be able to share them with you on my personal blog at a later date, but because I'm in the throes of finishing my book, it's hard for me to do everything right now, so I decided to start small, until the book job is done. 

 

More Dog Art - acrylic/colored pencil/ digital

Character Study - pencil sketch

A couple of months ago, I started  posting one piece of dog art from that pile of illustrations and sketches, on Instagram every Friday.  Once my book is done, I will begin sharing a newly created piece of dog art, hopefully each week. While I work on my drawing skills,  I am also hoping to encourage  people, through my art, to consider the shelters and rescue organizations  when looking for a pet. 

 

Mini Sketch Series - Pencil

 Some of the art is kidlit, some of the posts are more fine arts pet portraits, but all are posted with the same intention...to hopefully lead to placing as many shelter animals as possible,  in a loving,  "fur-ever" home. 

 

Dog Character - Pencil sketch

More to come, so feel free to follow along at:

Website: www.deborahcuneoillustration.com
Blog: Creating Out Loud  deborahcuneo.blogspot.com
Facebook: Deborah Cuneo Illustration

Twitter: @debcuneoart 

 Instagram: @ataleof2studios