Marika McCoola

Knight

2011-08-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while. The full-time work, full-time grad school has me writing and reading more than illustrating, but there may be some sketches this semester. The lighting in this piece is done with a small LED flashlight and a light box.

2011

2011-01-01T06:42:00.000-08:00

Fables

2010-12-23T08:41:00.000-08:00

In Mordicai Gerstein's Creating the Picturebook, we began the semester considering framing and spreads. Using nursery rhymes and then fables, we created short dummy books. Here are a few examples of the exercises.

The Tortoise and the Hare

The Frog and the Ox

The Fox and the Grapes

Nursery Rhymes

2010-12-22T16:38:00.000-08:00

In Mordicai Gerstein's Creating the Picturebook, we began the semester considering framing and spreads. Using nursery rhymes and then fables, we created short dummy books. Here are a few examples of the exercises.

Little Boy Blue

Little Jack Horner

BaBa Black Sheep

Molly Bang & Picture This

2010-12-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

The first book we looked at in Megan's Picturebook class was Molly Bang's Picture This, a book my mom has had around the house since it was published and a book she bought me in the eight grade. In Picture This, Bang explores how the color, shape, and size of various compositional elements directly affects the emotional response of the viewer. Her beginning example focus on the story of Little Red Riding Hood, while later images explore the differences between diagonals versus horizontals, and round versus geometric forms. For someone who has studied art and sat through critiques, the information in Bang's book is already second nature. What I found most interesting was how non-visual people related and processed the concepts in the book. Watching an adult move pieces of paper around, trying to understand the dynamics of a composition is incredible- even more so in that compositional elements may be something they've never before considered. As an illustrator and intrinsically visual person I find this rather astonishing.

Below is Hansel and Gretel told in 5 pages (and one title page) using the concepts and exercises outlined in Molly Bang's book (one of which is two colors plus black and white, hence the controlled palette).

Hansel and Gretel’s stepmother, tired of the sound of children playing, sent them into the woods with naught but a hunk of bread. Hansel and Gretel’s father had never let them play in the woods. Afraid they would become lost; they left a trail of bread crumbs behind them.

But the birds of the forest flocked to food and Hansel and Gretel were soon lost. Spying a house through the trees, they headed toward it and were soon welcomed inside. Though the cottage was sweet, there was something strange about the Old Woman who lived there.

That night the Old Woman grabbed Hansel, cackling, “I do love a good roast child!” Though terrified, Gretel would not see her brother condemned to the oven. As the Old Woman muttered to herself, Gretel reached out, pushing with all her strength, and shoved the Old Woman into the oven, pulling Hansel to safety as she did.

Hansel and Gretel fled the cottage, weaving and twisting through the trees. As dawn approached, they found the edge of the woods.

“Children! Were have you been?” Their father greeted them with hugs and admonishments; “You must never go into the forest alone again. Oh, I missed you so!” Their stepmother, however, was nowhere to be seen.

What's been going on this fall...

2010-12-14T18:34:00.001-08:00

It's been quite a while since I've posted here, the result of a full-time job and full-time graduate school (and I actually attempt to sleep sometimes). I've just finished my first semester at Simmons at the Eric Carle Museum where I'm getting a MFA in writing and illustration for children. This semester I took two picturebook classes. The first, an introduction to the picturebook, is taught by Megan Lambert. This class is not designed specifically for illustrators and explores form, history, and criticism of the picturebook. Michael Patrick Hearn gives a series of guest lectures during the class and these focus on the history of picturebook illustration.

The second class, Creating the Picturebook, is taught by Mordicai Gerstein (the Caldecott Award winning illustrator of The Man Who Walked Between the Towers). Creating the Picturebook is a studio-based class that culminates in the creation of a picturebook dummy, finished cover illustration, and two finished interiors. Building up to this we also did exercises story-boarding nursery rhymes with and without frames. It's amazing to watch someone like Mordicai look at a drawing, and then sketch the same drawing but with the character in a slightly different place. This simple change suddenly creates a much more dynamic composition. In my undergraduate thesis class, I found that Whitney Sherman could do the same thing with text and layout. A simple move and bang, the piece worked (in a seemingly miraculous way).

Over the course of the next week I hope to post some assignments from the semester, as well as give some information on the program at the Eric Carle museum (and my experience of it). While the MFA in illustration and writing was added this fall and is only available at the Eric Carle, there are also programs in creative writing and children's literature which are available at both the Carle and at Simmons College in Boston.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-23T20:14:00.001-08:00

Picture Book Report

2010-08-24T15:22:00.001-07:00

This past winter I worked on an illustration for Dahl's Matilda and I created a second illustration for the novel earlier this summer. Both illustrations are on Picture Book Report today! If you're not familiar with Picture Book Report, scroll back through the posts- people have been doing some amazing work (I've particularly enjoyed seeing Kali Ciesemier's Sabriel illustrations).

I don't think I'm finished illustrating passages of Matilda, but this particular project will go on hold for a while with the start of MFA classes in the fall.

I love the dark quirkiness of Dahl’s stories. His characters are at once ridiculous and so detailed that they must actually exist. Last year I worked on a series of illustrations for Edward Lear’s limericks, which share a strange sensibility with Dahl’s work. I enjoyed working with Lear’s texts and found myself thinking about Dahl as I worked. Wanting to work with a longer piece than one of Dahl’s poems, and fondly remembering Matilda, I decided to pick it up again. The dark, very British humor and ridiculous events tend to make me grin with glee and I can’t help but love characters who are enamored of books….

Chapter 1: The Reader of Books
‘Did you know,’ Mrs Phelps said, ‘that public libraries like this allow you to borrow books and take them home?’

‘I didn’t know that,’ Matilda said. ‘Could I do it?’

‘Of course,’ Mrs Phelps said. ‘When you have chosen the book you want, bring it to me so I can make a note of it and it’s yours for two weeks. You can take more than one if you wish.’

Chapter 2: The Ghost
‘I’m fed up with your reading anyway. Go and find yourself something useful to do.’ With frightening suddenness he [Mr Wormwood] now began ripping the pages out of the book in handfuls and throwing them in the waste-paper basket.

Matilda froze in horror. The father kept going. There seemed little doubt that the man felt some kind of jealousy. How dare she, he seemed to be saying with each rip of a page, how dare she enjoy reading books when he couldn’t? How dare she?

‘That’s a library book! Matilda cried. ‘It doesn’t belong to me! I have to return it to Mrs. Phelps!’

There are many books in this world I do not agree with and hope no one ever reads, but the idea of directing violence toward a book is unthinkable, as it rends not just thoughts, but, in the case of fiction, entire worlds. Though we as readers already dislike Mr. Wormwood, this scene establishes Matilda’s father as a truly horrid man and enables us to laugh at him later when Matilda exacts her devious revenge.

New Matilda Image in the Works

2010-07-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

more spaceship design sketches

2010-06-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

It's integral to the story that the spaceship have a nose. Not just a spaceship nose, but one that looks a bit more like a real nose. The silhouettes have definitely been helpful thus far. Additionally, the ramp out will then look a little like a mouth but I'm trying to make it not too scary, simply interesting if you happen to notice it. I considered having a red carpet tongue, but it seems like a bit too much. We'll see, maybe it'll work when I eventually get to color studies.

great galactic ghoul

2010-06-09T20:02:00.001-07:00

I made these accordion-fold booklets of the untitled & unwritten work as promo mailings (left backs, right fronts). I've mailed out a stack but there are still some waiting to go out. I love the mini-book feel they have; I just want to carry one around in my pocket. I still have a collection of small books from when I was a kid, as well as a nutshell library (Sendak) that I bought in high school because I loved the little hardback books.

I'm working on sketches for a children's manuscript I wrote. I'm still trying to figure out how my work will fit in with my full-time job, but be assured that it will. Here are a few from the land of little time.As I was dividing up the text for the 32-page picture book format, I was thinking how much I wished a professor had given me a text a week and had me divide it up into a 32 page format and then compared and shared ideas with the other students in my class. It would be agonizing the first few weeks, but I think it would be a great way to develop pacing along a story arc. If I ever end up teaching (who knows what could happen in the next 30 years) I may play this card... Anyway, the idea's up for grabs if anyone wants to implement it. Maybe I'll even get my act together and make myself do it.

Join me for an opening in Northampton, MA!

2010-05-20T20:26:00.001-07:00

As I mentioned in the last post, I've recently moved to Amherst and am working at the Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley. But don't worry, though I spend my days with books, my early mornings and nights are spent working on my art and writing.

Tomfoolery, recently shown at Rockhill Bakehouse, will be hanging in the cafe of the River Valley Market in Northampton during the month of June. The work will be up as of June 1st and the opening is Friday, June 11th from 6-8pm. If you are in the area, stop by to see the prints and say hello.

The prints will be available for sale with a percentage of the price going to the charity of the month at River Valley Market. You can see the prints here. I've carved 3 new blocks, but have yet to print them, so expect more to come soon!

P.S. Check out photos from my last opening (for Untitled & Unwritten) at the exhibit's blog!

Untitled & Unwritten and an Update

2010-05-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

To see all 18 images in this exhibit, head on over to the Untitled & Unwritten . To see my nine images, you can also check out the posts below. The exhibit will also feature a selection of three-dimensional pieces I photographed.

The opening is May 18th, from 6-8pm at the Visual Arts Gallery (directions here). We are encouraging visitors to add a written story in the comments or at the exhibit, for while we've written chapter titles and made illustrations, the stories and book titles remain unwritten.

Update:
In the next weeks I will be moving to Massachusetts so there will be fewer posts during the month of May.

Chapter 8

2010-04-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

Chapter 8: Songs from the Cacophony

I'd really love to use this bird again (each feather is hand cut, which takes less time than you might think). In-progress shots of this piece.

Chapter 7

2010-04-28T10:00:00.000-07:00

Chapter 7: All Lights but the Moon

Chapter 6

2010-04-27T04:43:00.000-07:00

Many Seeing Eyes.

Or, what became of all those sketches for the many masks, which were rather fun to make.

Two New Finished Images

2010-04-26T10:46:00.000-07:00

Over the next few days I'll be posting what I've been working on since December. I've been playing around with adding frames and texture in Photoshop. If anyone has any suggestions for things I should try in Photoshop in the future, I'd like to hear them.

Chapter 3: And Then Again
Chapter 4: Shadows & Small Trees

Two New Finished Images

2010-04-25T10:38:00.000-07:00

Chapter 1: Death of the Spring Snails

Chapter 2: Footsteps, Feather & Bone

Sneek Peek & studio

2010-04-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

On Monday I posted Chapter 9 for the Untitled & Unwritten exhibit that goes up in May. Well, there are eight other finished illustrations that you haven't seen in their finished form! May 1st, I'll link to all nine on the exhibit's official blog, but until then, here's Chapter 5: Two Feet to Dance.
And here's the painted filing cabinet... Yes, it's ridiculously bright. I love it. I used blank magnets for the drawer labels. It's allowed me to clear a lot of boxes out of my room (which is also a studio) and made everything more accessible. I also took the time to go through all my fabric and take at least a 6"x 6" swatch from each. These are collected in one accessible place and the rest has been put away; it makes a staggering difference in such a small place.
And here's a photo of a drawer of parts- mostly because I love the bag of hands.

A week's worth of jumbled images

2010-04-19T18:16:00.000-07:00

We were driving down a street right outside of town when we spotted this beautiful filing cabinet for free! Precisely what I needed for my studio, with plenty of drawers for hands, heads, misc body parts, paint, found objects, etc. Today I cleaned and sanded it and tomorrow I'll spray paint it.

Here's the Chapter 9 illustration for the ACC exhibition. Title: Old Beginnings. None of the completely finished images for chapters 1-8 are posted on this blog, though I will be adding some in the next two weeks. Also, on May 1st our blog for the exhibition will be up- I'll link to it then. For those of you living near Glens Falls, NY, May 18th, from 6-8pm at Deerlove Hall on the SUNY Adirondack campus (formerly Adirondack Community College), is our opening. Both Rachel and I will be there (as will free food and wine).
Chapter 9 in-progress. I tried a number of different papers before finally choosing one.

I like to knit to relax or while I watch movies or television shows (no time will be wasted!) Last week I began experimenting with knit necklaces. The green strand is of Egyptian cotton yarn and the lavender of bamboo yarn.

As the exhibit is fast approaching, the tedious process of framing has begun. Here are some shadow box frames holding Sculpy masks used for chapter 6. Both prints of the finished works and actual objects from the photos will be displayed.

A day spent looking at art

2010-04-15T13:35:00.000-07:00

K-12 art, that is. Today I volunteered as a judge for NY States' Olympics of the Visual Arts, which is put together by art teachers from the NYS Art Teacher's Association. I participated in the program as a student, and it was wonderful to go back and judge work; in my case, illustration.

The competition begins in January, when questions are released in categories of Drawing, Painting, Fashion, Architecture, Sculpture, Illustration, and Photography. Students answer the problem of their category with a work of art, which is brought to the competition. But students are judged on their research, sketches, and development as much as the finished piece. As judges go through the these long term problem solutions, the students are at work on a short term problem, which they get that day. Students come with standard packs of art supplies with which to solve the problem, and may not bring any additional supplies, effectively leveling the discrepancy in funding between school districts.

With a combined 20 entries in elementary, middle, and high school illustration, it was an intense day. Unlike Odyssey of the Mind, in which I've found parents often intervene, OVA is very much hands-off for adults (teachers and parents) and the spontaneous problem is watched carefully to ensure that the product is entirely the result of student work (it can act as a way of revealing if adults were involved in the long-term).

After the day spent judging, I've drawn a few conclusions. Firstly, those whose sketchbooks contain the most sketches, ideas, and research fair better in the end, both in the execution of their final product and in placing. Secondly, some of these kids are brilliant. One particular entry blew me away, the high school 1st place. Not only did the student include an essay in which he analyzed the poem before beginning sketches, but his hand, skill, and experimentation were admirable. The work, done entirely in Photoshop, was mind-blowing and I can only hope plans to continue illustrating are in his future. Honestly, his handing of composition, lighting, and perspective in Photoshop are as good if not better than some of the work I've seen at the college level. The middle school work awarded Most Creative was a three-dimensional piece with two sides. The students used mixed media to solve the problem and took into consideration light and reflection in their solution. If photographed, I could easily see one side of the piece as the front cover and the other as the back. But what really set this piece apart was the research and numerous sketches which allowed myself and the other judges to follow the students' thought process.

So, though an exhausting day, it was wonderful to be involved in an art education program that meant so much to me as a student. And, if you happen to be a teacher in NYS, please check out the program.

What's happening this week

2010-04-06T14:04:00.000-07:00

Chapter 8. I had to share my lamp/ducktape/tripodbox/thread setup. I've actually designed a stage-influenced apparatus for lights and hanging objects, but lack the room to make this a reality. I'm pretty amazed at what I can get to stay up, though.
A photo of what I'm currently working on (not one of the lighting possibilities I'm currently working with).

Bosch

2010-04-01T12:50:00.001-07:00

I picked up a book on Bosch from the local library and finding myself sick and unable to work over the past few days, finally had the chance to go through it. I was lucky enough to see some of Bosch's paintings when I was in Belgium in the fall. These are paintings you lose yourself in, zooming in on one detail, following it to another strange creature, until you've been staring at it for an hour and your head is telling you to get some air and some Belgian chocolates before looking at any more art. Okay, so this time I was minus the originals and the Belgian chocolates, but the insane detail is still there. What I found myself most surprised by was that the same artist who paints miniature perversions, can also paint scenes of surprising beauty. Take the robe above right, it seems more in keeping with Van Eyck or even Dinotopia than Bosch. If anything, the book has only strengthened my resolve to see more work of the Northern Renaissance....and return to Belgium.

Untitled & Unwritten postcard

2010-03-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

Rachel Schneider did the wonderful ink work. The exhibit opens May 17th, 2010, at the Visual Arts Gallery in Deerlove Hall, on the SUNY Adirondack (formerly Adirondack Community College) Campus. The opening is Tuesday, May 18th from 6-8pm. Additional information, artist statement, and images next month.

Many seeing eyes

2010-03-27T07:08:00.001-07:00

A piece of Chapter 6.
Masks made from Sculpy, embroidery thread, and acrylic paint. The illustration, now complete, will be put online in May, when the exhibit* opens.

The exhibit, Untitled & Unwritten, opens at the Visual Arts Gallery, Deerlove hall, SUNY Adirondack on May 17th, with an opening on the 18th. More info to come closer to the date or upon request.

Mask sketches

2010-03-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

For Chapter 6: Many Seeing Eyes
Some of these I like, others I really don't. In the end, I will be creating a wall (approx 2.5 feet or more tall) of miniature masks, so there will certainly be more pages of masks in the future.

With a roll of duck tape

2010-03-15T14:25:00.001-07:00

I may use Photoshop, but I am a low-tech, little-money sort of person. See below.
That's right. Duck tape, an Ikea lamp, and some thread (the light brown lines) duck-taped to the wall and voila! It stays up (for 2 days!) miraculous. This was taken on the 3rd day and by then the right leg had slipped a little.

Preview of Chapter 5

2010-03-09T17:09:00.000-08:00

Chapter 5: Two Feet to Dance

And a preview (the girl in the mask is there for a scale reference; she will be appearing in the final).

And more...

2010-03-06T17:35:00.000-08:00

Dragon
Serpents

Really?
Tomfoolery

So I made a couple of prints on Sunday and Monday, and found it enjoyable. On Tuesday I talked to Rockhill Bakehouse about having a print show in the next couple of months. The same day I learned that the artist who was going to put work up on Sunday (tomorrow) couldn't do it, so would I be willing to put work up then? And, being me, I said yes.

I've spent the past few days making prints, framing, etc. and will be putting up the show tomorrow (good thing there's coffee there). So, stop by between the 8th and April 2nd to see the work, have a really good sandwich, or pick up the best bread on the East Coast.

All the prints are for sale, and as they're prints, I do have multiple copies of a number of them (on varying paper). If you are interested in purchasing work, please shoot me an email or give me a call.

More prints

2010-03-06T17:28:00.001-08:00

Oh Really?
Why must you smile like that?
Bird
It happened on the day of the party

Prints!

2010-03-06T17:17:00.001-08:00

The Thief
Sea
Why must you smile like that?
From the Sky

Top: rubber block. Following three linoleum. Color added by hand.

Prints!

2010-03-02T06:49:00.000-08:00

The Traveler
From the Sky

Also known as procrastination. The middle image is from the linoleum block, the other two are rubber blocks. I found some cotton rag paper that I made a few years ago and the two singular creatures are printed on it.

Yesterday

2010-03-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

I didn't work on anything I should have worked on yesterday, but would have felt guilty not doing anything, so......Found this rubber block from last year and decided to finally print it.
Then grabbed some linoleum from the attic to make this (cold linoleum is difficult to cut).
1 inch depth shadow box.
My mom likes there to be snow creatures in the front yard when I'm home. This one is over 6 feet tall.

Deer

2010-02-24T18:54:00.001-08:00

Chapter 4 Pieces

2010-02-15T16:10:00.001-08:00

Great Red Nose Trailer

2010-02-15T06:41:00.000-08:00

Random House has made a trailer for Here Comes the Garbage Barge, written by Jonah Winter and Illustrated by Chris Sickels of Red Nose Studio. Sickels' blog also contains in-process photos and sketches. The amount of detail in his work always amazes me.

A Northerner’s Guide to Snow for Southerners

2010-02-10T16:46:00.000-08:00

The first thing you’ll probably think about when you see snow is: “How will I go outside and enjoy this new and wonderful experience?” If you do not ask yourself this question, your priorities are in the wrong places and you should hastily rearrange them.

The first step to going outside is getting dressed. There is a very simple rule you should follow in doing this: Don’t wear cotton. This is very simple. Wear articles of clothing made from materials other than cotton, like synthetic fibers and wool. As this probably eliminates the majority of your wardrobe, you may wish to know why. When cotton gets wet, it stays wet. It even absorbs the wet, which will make you very wet and exceedingly miserable. Other fabrics and fibers wick moisture, pulling it away from your body, or repel moisture, keeping it away from your skin.

I will assume you’ve now found clothing of appropriate materials. The first concept you must be introduced to is that of layering. This means, don’t just wear a shirt and a coat, but wear two or three or more shirts and a vest and a jacket if that is what you need to stay warm. Just because it looks like outdoor clothing doesn’t mean it performs as such. Note: if you have a problem with this trickery, feel free to take it up with clothing manufacturers.

No Cotton! Surprised you with that, didn’t I? That’s because I know you are currently attempting to put on heavy cotton socks. Don’t do it. While wool and synthetic socks are outrageously expensive, they will save your cute little tosie-wosies. Once you have appropriated a proper pair of socks, or even two pairs, you will need shoes.

When looking for shoes, rubber is good. Boots can be good. Things that have a grip are good. Waterproof is good. And if you’ve just pulled out a pair of heeled boots, you should just go ahead and lock yourself in the house until summer. Style only matters if you want to be a good-looking corpse. And while we’re on the topic of style, don’t wear those leather gloves. Mittens are warmest, and wind and water blocking fabrics best. Got it? And don’t go skipping out the door without your hat on! Hasn’t anyone ever told you most of your body heat is lost from your head?! True. I suppose they haven’t. Well, now you know.

You may attempt to venture outside now.

Now that you’re outside, you’re probably wondering what you should do. Sure the snow looks pretty, but can you do anything with it? The answer to this query is a resounding yes. I will now outline a few very popular snow activities.

Sledding. To sled, you will need two things: a sled-like device and a hill. We will start with the sled device. Inflatable water toys work well. Old fashioned wood and metal sleds work, but will give you a sore bum and increase your likelihood of injury (and as I bet your emergency crews are having enough trouble as it is, let’s refrain from giving them any more). Students will find their best bet is to steal a cafeteria tray from the dining hall. While your bum may hurt tomorrow, the fun today will be well worth it. Furthermore, this method is cost-effective, as it costs nothing. As for ‘stealing,’ you’re already giving the school more than enough money to cover a dinner tray or two.

The second thing you will need to find is a hill. The most important aspect of the hill is that it should never, under any circumstances, lead into a street or traffic or a body of water. If you pick a hill that does this, natural selection will jump into action and you will most likely find yourself in a long, dark box. Also, the hill should not have trees, rocks, jumps, or tons of people. When you go to sled down the hill, sled down the middle of the hill and walk up the sides. This way your friends will not hit you nor will you have to write an embarrassing eulogy later.

Now for the most important skill: bailing out. Bailing out involves throwing yourself off the sled before you hit something, get hurt, or do something stupid. You should practice this skill. If you become bruised while doing this, you should show off the bruises later and brag of your bailing prowess.

Snowball fights. This is in fact an advanced topic because you must have the proper snow consistency to engage in a snowball fight. The temperature must be warm enough to cause the snow to be packable, but it must not form a hard and hurtful ball. You may have to experiment with this. Basic rules: 1) Never hit the face. If you want to know the why of this rule, have someone throw a snowball at your face. Then you’ll understand. 2) Don’t throw snowballs at cars because they can kill you very easily. 3) Don’t play in the road. (This shouldn’t even be a rule, but people are incredibly stupid- don’t be one of them!) 4) Snowballs can be more effective than you think. If you have a crotchety old neighbor, you would be well advised to keep snowballs away from their property; they’ll like a snowball through their window even less than a baseball. 5) If you throw a snowball at someone who doesn’t want you to, there is a special circle of Washington DC reserved just for you. (Wait, you’re probably in DC; I shall have to come up with a new circle of hell just for you. Hehe.)

Snowmen. This is sexist, so we will instead call them Snowcreatures. Why not snowpeople you ask? Because snowcreatures include snowdinosaurs, snowvikings, snowbabies, snowbears, snowbigfoots, and millions of others. As with snowballs, snowcreatures require a certain consistency of snow. Here the range is a bit broader; it must be packable. Packing up a mound of snow or rolling various balls is a good way to begin. You don’t know how to roll a snow ball?! Where the hell have you bee- Right. The South. To roll a large ball, start with a small, hand- or arm- formed sphere. Roll this in the snow, changing direction as you roll to avoid ending up with a snow-jelly-roll. Unless, of course, you want a snow-jelly-roll shape, which has many purposes. These rolls and balls may be stacked, but you must pack snow at their connections to ensure that they stay together. Snow can be further packed on to make details like noses and ears.

You may have seen pictures of snowmen in books and on greeting cards. These snowmen often have scarves and hats and mittens and carrot noses and are incredibly boring. And you wouldn’t want to build a boring snowman, now would you? Various vegetables, sticks, leaves, and evergreen boughs are great for decorating your snowcreature. Note: Make sure to take photos of the creature if you wish to see it again. It will melt or fall down or get kicked by an idiot, guaranteed. Note the Second: Never ever knock down someone’s snowcreature; angry people with snow shovels and iceballs will come after you.

After frolicking about in the snow for a while, you may begin to worry about the mailman and the newspaper delivery person and your neighbors walking on your sidewalks. Now Northerners, having lots of experience, know how to keep driveways and sidewalks clear. If you know a transplanted Northerner, you might ask them to explain it to you, or pay their children to do it for you. But if you don’t know a transplanted Northerner or wish to clear the snow away yourself, here is how you go about it. Get a shovel. Plastic works best but if the store’s sold out and no one will let you borrow one, a flat metal one also works, though the lifting is more difficult.

First of all, it is best to shovel snow before people walk through it. When people walk through it, they pack it down leaving lumps that may not go away until summer and will become ice globs in the coming weeks. Walking over these ice globs will cause similar ones to erupt on your noggin when you fall. If ice lumps already exist, try to scrape them up; you’ll praise yourself in a few weeks.

Now you may shovel. But make sure to shovel the entire sidewalk and driveway, because if you don’t go to the edges, when the next snowfall comes you won’t have anyplace to push the snow and it will take over your driveway by degrees. Also make sure to shovel the nasty piles the plows make at the end of the driveway. If you don’t, you will have icy speed bumps or quicksand traps, which are to be avoided at all costs.

You may have noticed salt and sand being sold in local stores under the pretense that they melt the snow. They can do this (though you should know that the salt isn’t good for pets and may leech into your ground water). I think spreading salt and sand is for wusses, but if you live with the elderly or infirm and wish to sand your sidewalk, there is a method to it. Don’t just drop handfuls on the sidewalk. I know you were going to do this- don’t. Also, use a lot less than you think you should. Here’s the key that allows you to do this: spread the salt or sand around, so that it finely dusts dangerous areas. Remember, sand is not a replacement for shoveling! Shovel and then sand, otherwise you will shovel away the sand you’ve just spread.

Driving. You may find that you need to nip over to the store to pick up some hot cocoa mix. Don’t. Just don’t do it. Stay away from the car (except to clean it off so that it doesn’t freeze closed. Also, you should clean off the car before you shovel so that you don’t have to re-shovel the area around the car). This is for your own safety; even if you learned to drive in a New England winter, your idiotic neighbors are out driving and cannot be trusted. While I can and have driven about during snowstorms, and could give you some tips, I won’t because I don’t want to tempt you into trying something that will end up with someone getting hurt (and trust me, people and vehicles will get hurt).

As I’m sure you have now had enough fun in the snow, go inside and dry your clothing so that it will be ready for your next excursion. Drink some water. Even if you don’t feel sweaty, you will be dehydrated. Then you may wish for a warm drink. Get a blanket to curl up with. And now, if you have power, you should pull out that computer of yours and send an email to your elected representatives telling them that a) global warming exists and b) they should do something about it. Please note that doing something about it does not include 1) ignoring it and 2) yelling that it doesn’t exist. Besides, this second tactic is sooo Kindergarten. Also, in thanks for this advice I’ve just dolled out for you, you should tell the storms that I, in the North, with five pairs of skis ready to go, need the snow much more than you.

Back from Boston

2010-02-08T14:55:00.000-08:00

Just some pages from my sketchbook; including mindless doodles and sketches from the Isabella Gardener Museum and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

This John Singer Sargent piece (above) is placed high in the corner of a room containing Christian artwork (mostly medieval). Positioned in this way, she is like an angel or goddess observing her domain.

The Ravenous Reader strikes again

2010-02-05T20:13:00.000-08:00

Well, not exactly strikes, more writes.

Today I stopped by the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, one of my favorite museums. Tomorrow I'm headed into Boston for an info session on Simmons' Children's Literature graduate program and a stroll around the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

Waterhouse Exhibit in Montreal

2010-02-04T15:35:00.001-08:00

Sarah Bentley and I went up to Montreal Tuesday to see the Waterhouse exhibit. On Wednesday we wandered the exhibit and drew- for four and a half hours. We returned the next morning to see the permanent collection, as we'd been unable to take in any more visual stimuli after the Waterhouse.

I had hoped to sketch this piece in November, while at the the Tate Britain. Of course it was 3 hours from my house by car when I'd taken a trans-atlantic flight.

Montreal

2010-02-04T15:32:00.001-08:00

Two decorated bus shelters in Montreal. They're not actually knit, but are made from a textured fabric (from the car it looked like it was cinched with black elastic to form the knit pattern).

Cafe and piece from the amazing Waterhouse exhibit.

Pieces from the permanent collection of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Creature

2010-02-01T12:59:00.000-08:00

This work is a fusion of the ceramics work I did last year, and my current methods of illustration. It's part of a new body of work.

I'm working with ideas of hybrid animal/humans found in mythology around the world. We relate to the human aspects of such creatures, yet are distrusting of their bizarre combination; they are reviled or worshiped, sometimes both at the same time. The size of these new pieces is that of dolls and playthings, which raises questions over whether the piece is a doll or an idol. Though the stitches show and the methods of creation visible, the materials are rich (silk, gold thread, and gold beads).

God of all Sock Monkeys

2010-01-29T16:14:00.000-08:00

God of all Sock Monkeys. With sculpy feet, hands, and teeth and covered entirely in Smartwool sock fur.

nyc

2010-01-21T18:46:00.000-08:00

I spent a long weekend in NYC, seeing exhibits, walking around, and generally enjoying myself. While on the lower west side I saw some Richard Serra pieces sitting on trucks (they made my day).

And some sketchbook pages from the MET. I spent a lot of time looking at masks for the work I'm doing for the ACC show.

On another note, the Burton exhibit and the Bauhaus exhibit (MoMA) were a lot of fun as well.

Chapter 3

2010-01-21T18:37:00.000-08:00

A figure for chapter 3.

Photos from a graveyard in Paris

2010-01-17T19:11:00.000-08:00

When I went on my European Adventure this fall, I took a small version of myself with me. Here I am in a graveyard in Paris. (The bag holds a mini camera, pencil, and the sketchbook).

Images just for you!

2010-01-09T19:47:00.000-08:00

I've been such a mean-spirited person, posting stairs and dino heads and masks and saying they're for "something I'm working on" and then not posting what it is I was working on. Well, I apologise and I hope the following will make up for the splintered pieces.

The Ravenous Reader. And no ravenous reading dino is complete without wing-tip shoes, argyle sweater vests, and bow-ties! Happy breakfasting!

The finished illustration for Chapter 1: Death of the Spring Snails. Part of the project I'm working on with Rachel Schneider.

Chapter 2: Footsteps, Feather, and Bone

Chapter 2

2010-01-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

A snap of the set for the illustration of Chapter 2 for the ACC show. The colors will be much more vibrant in the final piece (a flash was used in obtaining this image). The stairs were constructed using cereal boxes, various types of glue, and stiff paper.

Dinosaurs

2010-01-04T20:01:00.001-08:00

I'm working on a new piece just for fun (the idea came to me while skiing). Here is some hand-stenciled wallpaper for the piece:

And a dino head. He will eventually wear an argyle sweater vest.

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T22:33:00.001-08:00

Another wintery scene

2009-12-30T17:13:00.001-08:00

Why use a carrot for a snowman's nose when you can use it to attract strange creatures?

Winter & Snow & a cow or two

2009-12-30T15:05:00.000-08:00

I set up a new postcard image this week and when I went to take it down, I couldn't resist having a bit of fun. And there just happened to be some plastic cows laying about...

Also, snow is my favorite thing ever. So when I saw a bag of fake snow at the craft store I ended up coming home with it.

Bird Skulls

2009-12-13T17:21:00.001-08:00

Sketches in preparation for Chapter 2 (featuring a character with a bird skull mask).

Current projects & a taste of winter

2009-12-08T15:09:00.000-08:00

Rachel Schneider and I are currently working on a project together. It's a game of sorts in which we trade titles to chapters and then illustrate the chapter title we've been given. The person who gave the title art directs the other person's piece. The next title is drawn from the illustration of the preceding title. For example, the title I was given is "Death of the Spring Snails." I illustrate this title (with Rachel art directing) and she creates the title to chapter two after looking at my illustration. Meanwhile, she's illustrating the chapter title I gave her. Here are two glimpses of chapter 1:

This is what I woke up to on Sunday:

Interesting Things

2009-12-03T07:05:00.000-08:00

Just a few things I'm currently marveling over and thought I'd share:

Fantastic Mr. Fox

I saw this stop-motion animated film in London and went a bit crazy over it. The fall palette is lovely, the lighting quite amazing (in the sewer scene, you can see the light changing as it is reflected off of moving water). And the character design is fabulous. Boggis, Bunce, and Bean have wonderful faces you're certain you were frightened of sometime in your childhood. The first fifteen minutes of the film I felt the animation was too jerky, as if there weren't enough frames per second. But I quickly got used to it and even found that I preferred it, as the animators weren't trying to hide the fact that it is stop motion animation. (Just the way the short Wallace and Gromit films have a hands-on quality (you can see finger prints) that Curse of the Were Rabbit lacks.) Go see it, and keep your eyes peeled for the little badger dressed up in a skeleton costume.

Red Nose Studio children's book posts

Chris Sickels has been working on a children's book called Here Comes the Garbage Barge. He's posted sketches, character studies, reference photos, and photographs of props and sets on his blog. It is worth checking out.

Working in the 3rd Dimension Blog

Liz Lomax has a blog devoted to illustrators working three-dimensionally. Interviews with individual artists are added each week, along with images of their work.

Julie Taymor

I finally saw the musical version of The Lion King while I was in London. I've never liked the story, and most of the music I could do without, but the costumes, puppets, masks, scenery, and lighting create an incredible world. I was gasping at the appearance of the giraffes, gazelles, elephants, and jaguars onstage (more so than the six year old sitting in front of me). Two books to check out: Julie Taymor: Playing with Fire by Eileen Blumenthal, Julie Taymor, and Antonio Monda & The Lion King by Julie Taymor. Penn and Teller also have a video containing a segment on her work- check the VHS section at your library.

The finished Matilda

2009-11-30T18:48:00.001-08:00

Matilda: Lighting Options

2009-11-30T09:02:00.001-08:00

The lighting for this piece has been driving me crazy. At first I tried lighting it with the television (from the front) but the result, though cool looking, was not something that would ever work in print. Here are some of the better options I came up with (over 100 pictures right now). I love the shadow of Matilda's father on the wall, but it limits the direction from which the light can come (and adding another light results in multiple shadows). Any suggestions or personal preferences would be appreciated.

Current Project: Matilda

2009-11-17T17:31:00.000-08:00

I need a new promotional piece, and after being wowed by Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox, I got to thinking about Roald Dahl. And, as I was London while I was thinking about this, I ended up coming across Matilda. Here's a sneak peek of an illustration for the children's novel:

Hand-painted check fabric.

Matilda's dad. I think the suit works rather well for a used car salesman, don't you?

European Sketchbook

2009-11-13T11:49:00.000-08:00

I am back from my two month backpacking trip in Europe and have spent the past day scanning the two sketchbooks I filled there. Due to the sheer volume of sketches, you can view them on my European Sketchbook Blog. Below is a small sampling of pages....

Leaving, on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again

2009-09-03T15:20:00.000-07:00

I am leaving the United States on Wednesday for Rome. This is the beginning of a 1 1/2 to 2 month long journey around and about Europe. After 10 days spent marveling at ancient through Baroque works in Italy, the trip will meander about a bit with certain stops in Paris, London, and Ghent (to see Jan van Eyck's Altarpiece).

During this time I will be reachable via email and will attempt to upload pictures and sketches here. Upon my return I will be certain to share my sketchbooks if doing so in transit proves impossible. If anyone has any tips of places not to miss, I'd love to hear about them!

CMYK Magazine

2009-08-18T14:43:00.000-07:00

Be sure to check out the October 2009 issue of CMYK! This issue is for "aspiring creatives" and features student work. One of my pieces from Spring semester was selected for the issue so check it out. Also, congratulations to those accepted, I look forward to seeing your work!

Lighting Test: take two

2009-08-03T13:59:00.000-07:00

There really is a big difference between halogen light bulbs (interior lighting in this picture) which are yellow, and my huge LED flashlight (outdoor light) which is intense and bluish. I'd like to try more colored lights and gels in the future.

Lighting Tests

2009-08-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

When I have something set up, I'll sometimes plug in different characters and play around with lighting. After playing around with this set up, I did a night scene on the stoop which I am very happy with. However, attempts to upload it are resulting in something that appears to be a photographic negative. Hopefully I'll work out that kink and it will be up soon.

Also, the door knocker is functional.

Kitchen Remodeling

2009-07-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

Well, a little while ago I remodeled a kitchen in a day. That's right, a whole kitchen in just ONE DAY.

Remember that kitchen from fall of 2008? Well, here it is! New wallpaper, darker cabinets, an added fridge and broom closet, and a new tile floor.

I had a surprisingly great time remodeling.

70s Family Portrait

2009-07-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a family sporting a 70s look. The little boy is a favorite, though I am falling in love with the house, too.

Card

2009-06-28T17:10:00.001-07:00

Needed to write some thank yous today, and wanted a personalized card. Here is the result.

All the pieces are from past work or work-in-progress.

Studio

2009-06-18T10:48:00.001-07:00

The computer screen has itunes open. The Really Rosie poster is obviously Sendak- see if you can guess the others. The pencil is a regular 4B pencil- used until a scant inch remains. And yes, I really sculpt heads in the manner shown. As for the creatures living under the desk, I have no idea how they got there.

I had a question about how I curled the hair. Generally, I'll untwist strands of acrylic yarn, but not finding the right color, I wrapped embroidery thread around a paint brush, sprayed it with water, and let it sit overnight before unwrapping. So far, none of the curls have fallen out.

Sketchbook

2009-06-05T14:32:00.001-07:00

Had to get out of the house today, so I went downtown (because there's no where else to go in Glens Falls). Here's a sketch of my view from Ridge Street Coffee Co.

Commencement

2009-05-28T22:11:00.000-07:00

Graduation is over and I'm back in the wonderful (though rather wet) weather of New York. The commencement exhibition went well, and prints are still available. Above is a photo of the three-dimensional illustration elements which were a part of my display.

Commencement Exhibition

2009-05-15T09:28:00.001-07:00

The Commencement Exhibition is up at MICA! Every graduating senior has work on the walls, and it is rather incredible, both in size and in scope. The work is sprinkled throughout the campus and is up until Monday at 5pm. Check it out from 11am-5pm until then. You'll find MICA illustration in the Fox building on the first and third floors.

Though some piece have already been sold, it is still possible to purchase prints of these pieces (for you to mat and frame as you see fit). If you are interested, please email me.

Oh. What's going on?

2009-05-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

Lit from above using an LED flashlight- like the circus piece.

Sketch

2009-05-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

Kids clothing final image

2009-05-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

Here is the final image. I think the kids were the most fun to make, though cutting and gluing leaves on bushes is surprisingly relaxing- as long as you don't let the hot glue gun get too hot.

As this didn't need to be a rectangular format, I changed it as I liked the square composition better.

Sketches

2009-05-01T07:52:00.000-07:00

All from medieval artwork.

More Sketches

2009-05-01T07:51:00.000-07:00

And more medieval drawings.

Fun with a Wacom

2009-05-01T07:49:00.000-07:00

Tracing "Treasure Island Endpapers", on the wacom, without looking at the screen.

This is now an art history guessing game, like pictionary, but not.

A hint of things to come...

2009-04-18T11:00:00.001-07:00

This strange pig-like creature was recently spotted. I have no idea what it is nor where it came from. Any information regarding its species would be much appreciated.

Color study/sketch

2009-04-10T21:23:00.000-07:00

Color study for a kids clothing advertising image. All clothing is from Hanna Andersson.

Spring Cleaning

2009-04-09T18:13:00.000-07:00

Okay. For the sake of organization, things have been moved around a bit.

This blog, http://mmccoola.blogspot.com, contains illustrations and sketches.
My website, containing illustration work, can be found at www.marikamccoola.com.
My ceramic work can be found at http://marikamccoolaceramics.blogspot.com.
The books blog, Reading for Young Ladies and Gentlemen of Quality, can be found at http://readingofquality.blogspot.com.

Words on Wheels

2009-04-06T11:57:00.001-07:00

I'm currently working on a Words on Wheels poster illustrating a Baltimore school child's poem for the Maryland Transportation Authority (I needed a brief break from thesis work).

Here's a clown on a unicycle made from wire, straws, yarn, and paint. And a dog in a ruff. I really enjoyed making the ruff and am now considering a period piece...but that won't happen until the distant future (also known as after graduation).

And a look at how everything is held up; primarily through the use of duct tape and wire. I lit the piece using flashlight beams for spotlights and the aid of mirrors (picture to come soon). LED flashlights are brilliant (I did not intend the bad pun).

Website

2009-03-29T13:49:00.001-07:00

The website now exists (which is rather exciting). Thank you to Sarah Bentley for helping me with it.

Red Zinger

2009-03-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

Illustration for senior thesis for Celestial Seasonings' Red Zinger Tea. The piece is sculpy, fabric, wire and paint shot against a black velvet background with tinfoil stars. In Photoshop I played around with scale and got rid of the wires holding everything in place.

Society of Illustrators Student Competition

2009-02-18T12:38:00.000-08:00

Good News! The illustration of Edward Lear's poem "There was a Young Lady whose Nose..." has been accepted into the Society of Illustrators Student Show!

Endpapers

2008-12-18T05:53:00.000-08:00

Endpapers for A Book of Nonsense.

Thesis Images

2008-12-17T10:45:00.001-08:00

Illustrations for Edward Lear's Limericks from A Book of Nonsense.

Below:

"There was a Young Lady whose bonnet,

Came untied when the birds sate upon it;

But she said, "I don't care!

All the birds in the air

Are welcome to sit on my bonnet!"

Below:

"There was a Young Lady whose nose,

Was so long that it reached to her toes;

So she hired an Old Lady,

Whose conduct was steady,

To carry that wonderful nose."

There is also a beautiful sky-blue book-cloth bound dummy book...images coming soon.

Postcard & Artmarket

2008-11-19T11:03:00.000-08:00

Artmarket is an arts sale at MICA on December 10-13th, 10am to 6pm in the Brown Center (the one that looks like an iceberg). Students and faculty sell fine art, crafts, jewelry, knitwear, books, clothing, prints, etc. I will have items at both the Knitting Club booth (fun hats) and the Illustration booth. (Hence the illustration of someone clad in various knitwear).

Just a little something

2008-11-17T11:50:00.000-08:00

The bike will be lying, abandoned in a field, in the next illustration, but I had to give it it's own picture as well. [Bike: Hot glue, straws, wire, duck tape.]

Illustration Thesis

2008-11-10T08:58:00.001-08:00

For the first semester of thesis I am illustrating four of Edward Lear's Limericks from The Book of Nonsense. Here are the first two.

There was an Old Man with a beard

Who said, "It is just as I feared!-

Two Owls and a Hen,

Four Larks and a Wren,

Have all built their nests in my beard!"

There was an Old Person whose habits,

Induced him to feed upon Rabbits;

When he'd eaten eighteen,

He turned perfectly green,

Upon which he relinquished those habits.

2008-05-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

The six images that follow were done for my Illustrated Book class. The pop-ups were engineered and illustrated by myself and accompany Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky poem. I started with sketches and then made a dummy book with mock-up pop-ups to size. I then disassembled the pop-ups and traced their components, which I painted in gouache. The paintings were scanned and printed out (double-sided prints), cut out, and reassembled . The product is what you see below.

Jabberwocky pop-up for: "One two! One two! and through and through his vorpal blade went snicker-snack."

Scroll down to see different views.

2008-05-09T09:42:00.000-07:00

Title page for Jabberwocky. Bone on right is a pull tab that makes the tail wave.

2008-05-09T09:41:00.000-07:00

Jabberwocky pop-up. Boy's sword moves to slice Jabberwocky when tab is pulled.

2008-05-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

Jabberwocky pop-up. Side view of "with eyes of flame."

2008-05-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Jabberwocky pop-up for: 'The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame"

2008-05-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

Jabberwocky pop-up for: "One two! One two! and through and through his vorpal blade went snicker-snack."

2008-05-02T16:57:00.000-07:00

Baba Yaga Illustration

Text on image: As Masha stepped up to the door, who should open it but the witch, Baba Yaga. “Hello little girl, did you get lost in the woods? Come in, let Grandmother take care of you.” Before Masha could run away Baba Yaga had grabbed her arm in a claw-like grip and pulled her inside. Baba Yaga locked her in a small room, cackling through the keyhole, “You stay there, my duck, while I go and ready the oven.”

2008-05-02T16:35:00.000-07:00

Baga Yaga Illustration

The character is made from wire, painted sculpy, fabric, and ribbon. The hands and head can be removed from the wire armature and replaced with different ones so that the emotions can be changed. The background is velvet, fabric, canvas, paper, and cardboard. The rocks are felt and polyfil.

Text on image: "But one summer day a teasing breeze snatched Masha's hair ribbon and bore it into the woods. Masha ran after it and the breeze drew her further and further into the forest until she was lost."

2008-04-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

Illustration for "My World" poem through the Words on Wheels program, gouache on paper, 9.5"x 6.5", Spring 2008

2008-04-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Colorful Creatures, sculpy, acrylic paint, canvas and polyfil, lengths from 8" to 28", Fall 2007

2008-04-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

Whereisland Map, gouache on paper, 12.5"x 28", Fall 2007

2008-04-22T07:52:00.000-07:00

Whereisland Map with Creatures, map: gouache on paper, creatures: ceramic painted with acrylics, map 12.5"x 28", Fall 2007