Illustration Friday: Worn

© Alicia Padrón

A quick pencil sketch for this week.

To hug a bear

© Alicia Padrón

Here is another baby. 

I remember how wonderful babies smell right after a bath. 

One of my favorite smells for sure. :o)

Watch and listen..

My dad sent me the link to this video. It's really worth watching!! Who needs instruments any way!
The Perpetuum Jazzile choir from Slovenia. 

Close your eyes and listen to the rain...

Be careful baby

© Alicia Padrón

I've been sketching babies recently. 

Boy, they grow so fast..

Ralphie goes to summer school

Thanks to all the people that voted and to everyone that sent me emails and private messages regarding Ralphie's way of speaking. I really appreciate your feedback. 

After giving it some thought, I decided to send Ralphie to summer school and he will be talking properly very soon. :o)

I realize, that even though I liked Ralphie the way he was, sometimes we have to be able to step aside and take criticism in an objective manner. The website is a place for people to visit and both Ralphie and I want to welcome everyone in and not scare them away, lol. 

Thanks and hope you visit Ralphie every now and then.

He'll try and not eat all the cookies but he can't make any promises..

A poll

Lately I've been thinking about Ralphie, the little tour guide on my website. :o)

Someone recently suggested that it would be better if Ralphie spoke properly instead of that "little kid" talk of his. When I was working on the website, I pictured him talking like that and found it funny. But I also think that some people could find it a little "too much".

So, I though I would play my ask the audience card and ask you all what you think. There is a poll on my sidebar. Is completely anonymous so feel free to speak your mind. I promise I won't tell a thing to Ralphie. ;o)

Please visit my website and then quickly answer the poll.  Thank you! 

Illustration Friday: Drifting

© Alicia Padrón

New website!

Hi all, I invite you to come visit my new and improved and.. new.. he, he.. website! ;o)

Let me know what you think. If you see any mistakes or something is not working properly, please let me know.

If you have visited before you may have to refresh each page in order to see the new ones.

Hope you like it!

Illustration Friday: Unfold/Character development

© Alicia Padrón

Roberta knew if she wanted to be a singer she had to be brave.

So she closed her eyes.

And the story unfolds..

Happy Birthday Rorry

© Alicia Padrón

It's my sister's birthday today, she loves kitties.
Here is a kitty specially for you Rorry!

I love you always ..
Ali

Illustration Friday: Craving 2

© Alicia Padrón

Ralphy has a huge craving for chocolate chip cooki....
Hmmm, did I say has?

... never mind. ;o)

Another one: Shy Roberta/IF: craving

© Alicia Padrón

  Roberta loves to sing specially on sunny days.

Now she craves getting all wet and having fun with the ducks as well.

I honestly don't think I'll have time this week to create a new illo for IF, so I guess this one could work. :o)

More character development: Shy Roberta

© Alicia Padrón

Character development: Shy Roberta

© Alicia Padrón

I'd kill for a pajama like hers ;o)

Character development: Shy Roberta

© Alicia Padrón

Roberta loves to sing.

There is only one little problem,

she can only sing when nobody is looking.

Oh.. how she wishes she could sing to the world!

Jon Gnagy

I just love watching this. I find it funny that if you close your eyes, you can tell the person speaking is from years back. There is something about the way he talks, his pauses and tone of voice, that are so of that time, don't you think? Like listening to Walt Disney speak.

I wonder what color chalks he was using or do you think he worked in grey tones specially for b&w TV?

I could watch shows like this one or Bob Ross' all day long, they put me in such a relaxing mood.
Painting a happy little tree.... :o)

Color!

© Alicia Padrón

Didn't want to loose momentum.. so I decided to add color to a previous sketch in color pencil and see. I am really enjoying the bold colors that's for sure! :o)

Illustration Friday: Cracked 2

© Alicia Padrón


Here is a second submission for this week's IF topic, this time I used colored pencil.

Do you recognize those two characters? If you visit frequently, you'll know those are Nino and Benny.
I kind of missed them so I decided to make them run, a little excitement is always fun. :o)

Illustration Friday: Cracked

Tommy has to remember to look down when walking,

but it's so hard when he is at the very best chapter of his book.

I'm playing around with digital and experimenting a bit just for fun. It's not me but I still think is interesting. What do you think?

Illustration Friday: Contagious

© Alicia Padrón

One of the best things in life happens to be contagious too.
Nothing like a good laugh is there?
You know the one, the kind that makes you cry!

(think the one on the right might need to go wee wee)

Look what the mail brought in!

I wanted to share with you all the goodies I just received! It took a long time to get here but it finally did.

First of all my lovely friend and talented artist Kim Fleming AKA lil' Kim sent me her beautiful book Surprise. And let me say it was an actual surprise when I got to my PO Box and it was finally there, lol!

This is such a beautiful book, you have to go get a copy. She did a wonderful job, with such colorful spreads in watercolor and collage. The characters are adorable and the story is really very cute. My kids loved it.

And she also sent me the cutest monkey illustration! I mean just look at his socks!! hee, hee.. too cute for words.

Thank you Kim!!! xoxoxo

I also found this beautiful Christmas cards! Haha, I know.. Christmas was a long time ago, but there is another one coming so no problem there. This cards were made by the talented graphic artist Kelly Medina. The cards came beautifully wrapped and with a bunch of little name cards attached. I also got two great bookmarkers, I needed those! Such beautiful detail and the illustration is wonderful. I can't wait to used them, thanks Kelly!

And last but not least, I received this beautiful card by lovely Edrian Thomidis. I love this illustration of hers. The animal characters are so adorable and the color of this postcard is just gorgeous. Thank you Edrian!  

How lucky am I? I am enjoying each and every goodie. It is so special to receive gifts like these from talented artists from around the world. My Suprise book is going to my collection of books. Adorable Monkey, Reindeer and animal birthday party are all going on my studio wall. :o)

Illustration Friday: Parade

© Alicia Padrón

The little fellow at then end is Pepito. 

Pepito gets overly exited sometimes planning for trips. 

Specially when going to the beach. I mean.. you never know what a bunny might need!

I confess this in an oldie. I have a new idea cooking but don't know if I'll have time to work on it, so I thought I'd post this one just in case. :o)

Piece to be auctioned

I, along side a list of known artists, cartoonists and illustrators, have been asked to participate in an auction event that will take place here in Caracas.  Artists will paint and donate a piece to be auctioned and all funds will go to a non-profit organization that helps kids in need.

I was assigned this small tray. I really wasn't sure what to do with it at first, but then this image appeared in my head.  

I think this small mice family, along with their secret magical woods, deserves to live forever inside this wooden tray. Don't you think? 

Hope we get to raise lots,  those kids need it. 

Illustration Friday: hierarchy

© Alicia Padrón

Hmm... so who do you think is the Alpha dog?

And the winners are...

Here I have the two randomly picked winners of a brand new copy of I Love You All Year Round!

Congratulations Michelle Henninger and Phyllis Harris!! Yay! :o)

(Please girls email me your address so I can send you the books)

Thank you all for participating. I have to say that I was very touched with all the comments about everyone's mom. This goes to show us that moms are truly something special!

Mother's Day giveaway

Today is the last day for the chance to win a brand new copy of my pop-up book.

If you want to participate, click here. 

I will announce the two winners tomorrow. Good luck! :o)

Illustration Friday: Theater

© Alicia Padrón

C'mon Roberta, sing.. sing.. you can do it!





(detail)

Want to win a copy of one of my books? Read here

Mother's Day giveaway!

One of the books I illustrated, I Love You All Year Round published by Piggy Toes Press and written by Shella Shubuck- is all about celebrating the love between mother and child. Since Mother's Day is right around the corner, I decided to celebrate with a book giveaway! 

I will be giving out two of my books. The winner will receive a brand new copy of my pop-up book and a signed dedication book card that can be printed out to give along with book. (you can see the card on the side bar to the right)

I thought dads might like to give this book to their kids and they can give it to mommy on her special day :o)

If you want to participate on the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post saying what makes your Mom special. I'll randomly choose two winners and announce them on Monday, May 4th.

Hope you participate, it's only for this weekend. Good luck! :o)

Cat is out of the bag or into the box?

I thought I'd post this to start off the week on a happy note.

Remeber how fun a big empty box was when we were kids? Well this kitty has a new definition of fun!

I just love this shot of him, the box and the clock at the distance.

Take a look :o)

Studio buddies

I took this picture this morning. 

There is nothing better than a dog sleeping by your side while you work. 

Well.... maybe two dogs! :o)

My first ever painting video

I've seen videos of artists painting and enjoy them so much. My talented friend and pbjunkie Kathy Weller recently did one of some adorable dogs. You should go check it out! She inspired me and I decided to give it a try.

It is not very good, you can tell it's my first video, haha! But I thought it would be fun sharing with you guys anyways. I promise to make them better in the future. 

I didn't get to finish painting so hopefully there will be a second part soon.

Hope you enjoy it.

BTW Happy Earth Day!

Thanks a bunch Becky!

(Copyrighted illustration courtesy of Becky Schultea)

If there is something that we can't deny and that is really wonderful about the internet is the opportunity it brings us to meet people from around the world. We get to know wonderful people with same interests, backgrounds, tastes and professions. And is so easy too. 

I want to thank Becky Schultea. She is a wonderful artist and such a kind person. I met her through Illustration Friday and she contacted me recently asking if she could post a bit about me and my art along with another artist, Karla Dornacher, in a special segment she has every Tuesday called " Tea for Two-sday". Very appropriate, don't you think?  Karla does some awesome work in scrapbooking art. :o)

Click here to visit her blog and read her post. And make sure to stop by and check out Becky's work as well.

Thanks again Becky, you definitely made my day.. no, really my week!  :o)

A view of my garden

I though I'd share a view of a corner of my garden. Please pretend not to see my patio chairs.. They are awful, I know! I really need new to buy new ones, they are so hard to find here.

Instead pay close attention to the trees on the left and right.

Here is a closer look. 

Do you know what those little round yellow things are?

Tiny little mangos. :o)

I LOVE this, I LOVE this, I LOVE this!

Sorry I can't post the video here, the embedded code is not available. But please just take a look at this video, you won't regret it!

Click here!

A cover, or not?

© Alicia Padrón

This little guy has been in my sketchbook for ever! I don't know why but tonight I decided I would honor him. I mean, just look at him, he deserves to be in the spotlight don't you think?

So I thought I would color him and make him the star of his own book. Even if it's only a pretend one. ;o)

Who knows, maybe I'll write a story about him someday.
But for tonight, lets put our hands together for..

Flavio, one very happy mouse!
Hee, hee...!

Hmm.. I wonder at what time is lunch?

Quick sketch

© Alicia Padrón


Here is my sweet little angel, Lucy... I've been sketching lots of her funny sleeping poses. I'll be posting some from time to time. My favorite is when she sleeps tummy up with all four paws in the air, she kind of looks like a bunny :o)

Inspiration

I have been away from my blog lately but I wanted to tell my blogging friends that I have not forgotten you. I'm still here :o)

Check this video out. The one and only, Maurice Sendak.

Meet Lucy!

The newest addition to our family!
Lucy is a miniature long hair doxie.
We are soooo in love with her.

Just look at those sweet eyes, floppy ears,
adorable short paws and you can't smell her from there but oh yes... there it is.. that amazing puppy smell!

Have you ever seen anything more adorable?? :o)

Illustration Friday: Subtract

© Alicia Padrón

"Whoa... ! it was here just a second ago?"
whispered bunny to himself.

A quick one just playing around a bit with color pencil.