The Night Shift

Spring is starting to overtake winter here. In fact just the other night I heard a screech owl calling for an eligible suitor in the yard outside of my studio window. I just thought the the little guy and the occasion deserved a little tribute.

Experimentation

So I have been searching for a slightly softer look for some of my stuff and have been fooling with colored pencils in an effort to explore their possibilities. I am posting the results...Still note sure though whether I feel as though I have succeeded in my efforts.

As they say, any time spent doodling and exploring is time well spent.

As Promised

So, I have completed the illustration of the unfortunate fellow ( mentioned in my last post) who appears to have spent too long in his non-breathable neoprene waders.....or something like that.

While the subject matter seems more than a little suspect, as an illustrator you simply take them as they come, and pray for inspitration ( or is it perspiration ?). That said, occasionally an assignment comes along that can even make me wince. I do wonder though, if A.B.Frost or Rockwell ever found themselves up against such a task?...I think not.

Behind the Scenes

I thought I would allow a little peak behind the scenes here and show what I spent at least a portion of my day doing. My task was to illustrate a story by my good friend Steve Galea. The story, called "Wet Spots" is essentially about the unfortunate sweating that takes place when a fisherman spends too long in neoprene waders. ( Ah the varied life of an illustrator).

I liked the action of the onlookers in my first attempt. However, when I sent it to Steve for his thoughts, he mentioned ( as only Steve can ) that it looked like the guy was exposing himself. So a change was necessary, after all the final art is to be be published in a G rated magazine.

Back at the drawing board and rough B started to take shape. I sent it to my art director and he gave it a relieved thumbs up. I'll post the finished piece when I am able to do so.

Ta Da!

We'll here it is...My newly designed web site.

http://www.tomgoldsmithillustration.com/

Finally, I have a site that fully exposes my double life as an illustrator. You see for years I have served two seemingly unrelated markets with my work, one serious,
the other, well let's say more anthropomorphic...Or playful if you will.The common ground is of course my obsession with nature and animals.The decision to blend these two genres into one site came only after a fair bit of thought. My concern is that it may appear that I am struggling to find my voice. In fact, it's quite the contrary. Call it maturity (although those who know me would argue the use of that word with regards to yours truly)but over the years I have grown comfortable, indeed proud of my role as an illustrator. If through my work I can entertain, and/or inspire a deeper appreciation of the many faces of nature and the creatures within it, then my efforts will be moving towards worthwhile.

For those then who might enjoy this somewhat schizophrenic voyage, I welcome you. It's in this new spirit of full disclosure I feel strangely re-energized and more free to more fully and honestly explore my relationship with nature and art. I look forward to sharing the results

A Little Slice

I was fortunate enough to spend some of the holidays in Manhattan with my daughter. It was my first trip to the city at Christmas time. The buzz and crowds of busy tourist and shoppers was intoxicating. A far cry from the little snow covered village I call home.

Like all tourists to NYC at that time of year, we hit all the traditional spots including the various window displays at the iconic Macy's, Times Square (with ball dropping preparations seemingly complete), The tree and rink at 30 Rock, with of course a few moments to admire the wonderful murals by Josep Maria Sert in the grand lobby.

We also managed to drop by the Society Of Illustrators building on E 63rd street. The permanent work on the walls and the current show of society members was very inspiring. The respect for illustration of all kinds does my heart good. My time there was sadly too brief.

So it's with that taste of the Big Apple still lingering, that I look forward to tackling the known and unknown of 2011. Lets hope my little slice of apple can sustain me until I return again.

Yet another Christmas Card

One more card design before we can put the holiday season in the rear view mirror.

On a personal note, I look forward to a little time away from my drafting table over the holidays. That said, I know myself well enough to know it won't be for too long. I can't help myself...I love what I do.

I guess now seems like a good time to wish those of you who check in from time to time all the best of the season. I look forward to the new year, a new website, and all the ambivalence it inspires.