Best friends | Os melhores amigos

Happy New Year, everyone! Let there be peace on Earth!

Feliz Ano Novo a todos! Paz na Terra para todos nós!

A gift for me? | Um presente para mim?

I guess Bunny is done knitting... :-)

Acho que o Coelhinho acabou de tricotar... :-)

The story continues...| A estória continua...

It all started here.

Tudo começou aqui.

Freddie is here!

Freddie the Escape Artist has arrived and, as you can see, Lolly there on the right is already smitten. :-)

Both are Original Sock Dogs created by plush artist and illustrator Stacey Hsu from Three Red Trees. I was the very lucky winner of a surprise raffle on her blog and, thanks to her generosity, was able to add Freddie to our family.

Thank you, Stacey!

In color! | Colorido!

So here is the color version of this sketch, created for Watercolor Wednesdays. I've been trying to loosen up my ink strokes and washes, trying for a more natural look. I think it's working, but I still have a long way to go. :-)

Aqui então está a versão colorida deste desenho, feito para o blog Watercolor Wednesdays.  Tenho tentado soltar mais o meu traço e aquareladas, em busca de um estilo mais natural.  Acho que estou conseguindo, mas ainda tenho muito o que aprender. :-)

I'm a Surprise Winner!!

Stacey Hsu, an immensely talented and very generous plush artist and illustrator, has given me a fantastic gift. I am the winner of one of her beautiful creations, which you can find both on her blog and on her etsy store, Three Red Trees. She's the creator of the Original Sock Dog, and 10% of every Original Sock Dog purchase is donated to the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. How cool is that?? Above you can see a few of her creations (there are many, many more!) The last one, that cute black dog with the red collar is Lolly, based on one of Stacey's own dogs and who now lives with me. Lolly is a total sweetheart! :-)

I've been a fan of her work (and blog) for a while, and I'm sure you will too. I'll post a picture of my gift (Freddie, the Escape Artist!) when he arrives, but meanwhile make sure you check all of her work. You won't be disappointed!

Watercolor Wednesdays

The prompt this month for Watercolor Wednesday has to do with gift giving between friends. Here's my sketch -- I have a feeling you can guess where this is going! :-)

A atividade deste mês para o blog Watercolor Wednesday é criar uma ilustração de um amigo dando um presente a um outro.  Aqui está o meu desenho -- acho que vocês devem imaginar por onde vai essa estória! :-)

Illustration Friday | Similar

Similar, but not exactly the same...
I did this some time ago, playing around with the same illustration but using different media (and different flowers). I haven't done that in a while, but it was fun and a good way of practicing.

Parecido, mas não exatamente igual...
Fiz este trabalho há algum tempo atrás, usando a mesma ilustração, mas com materials diferentes (e flores diferentes também). Faz tempo que não faço isso, mas foi divertido e uma boa maneira de praticar.

Award!

Many, many thanks to Bee at Bee's Blog for this lovely and encouraging award!

Here are the rules.  The winner may:

1. Put the logo on their blog;

2. Put a link to the person that sent them the award;

3. Nominate 5 blogs for the award.

I'd like to nominate these very talented and creative people and their blogs:

• Carli from Carli's Corner
  
• Monica from The art of puro
  
• Loni Edwards
  
• Crystal Driedger
  
• Ale Balanzario from With blueberry heart
  

Check out their wonderful and diverse work!

Illustration Friday | Balloon

The magic of a red balloon. Oh, the places you'll go! :-)

A magia de um balão vermelho. Oh, que lugares você vai visitar! :-)


And here's a sketch for a birthday card I did a while back. I kind of like red balloons...

E aqui um desenho antigo para um cartão de aniversário que fiz há algum tempo atrás. Eu gosto de balões vermelhos...

Tagged!

I've been tagged by Stacey at Three Red Trees and Monica from The art of puro to list six random things about myself.   This should be fun!

So here they are:

1. I haven't eaten any meat since I was about 9 years old.  I'm also a very picky eater, so going out to dinner takes some serious planning.

2. When I was little I wanted to be a wolf biologist.  I read every book I could lay my hands on about wolves, both fiction and non-fiction.

3. My favorite comics growing up were Asterix, Mafalda, Peanuts and A Turma da Mônica (a very popular Brazilian comic strip).

4. I love movie soundtracks, especially classical/instrumental ones.  There are so many, but some of my favorite composers are Thomas Newman, Rachel Portman, Alexandre Desplat, Howard Shore, Dario Marianelli, and Gabriel Yared.

5. I read a lot (I am a librarian, after all!) and enjoy reading just about anything, from picture books to YA to adult fiction and non-fiction.

6. I'm constantly cold, throughout the year!  In winter and fall for obvious reasons -- I was born and grew up in Brazil -- and in summer because of the air conditioning.

We're supposed to tag six other people, but I hope you'll forgive me for skipping this step. Most people seem to have been tagged already and it's getting to be that crazy time of the year when everyone seems to get a bit frazzled by the holidays.  However, if you want to take part in this fun game, please do and let us know ;-)

Illustration Friday | Opinion

Opinions...almost everybody has one.
Another quick illo for IF :-)

Opiniões... quase todo mundo tem uma.
Outra ilustração rápida para IF :-)

Illustration Friday | Pretend

Pretend you're frightened :-)

Finge que está com medo :-)

The Sound of Music

Back from Rio, where I spent two wonderful weeks with my family (and got a bit of a tan as well!) While there, I saw a production of The Sound of Music on stage, one of my favorite musicals. It was a great show, really well done and well acted. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen the movie, and it never fails to cheer me up! :-)

De volta do Rio, aonde eu passei duas semanas maravilhosas com a minha família (e peguei um bronzeado também!) Enquanto lá assisti uma produção de A Noviça Rebelde no teatro, uma dos meus musicais favoritos. Foi um ótimo show, super bem feito e representado. Já perdi a conta de quantas vezes eu assisti o filme, que nunca deixa de me alegrar! :-)

Trip to Rio de Janeiro!

It's that time of the year again! Time to fly down to Rio and visit my family. :-)
I'll try to post some drawings and sketches while I'm there, and I'll be sure to stop by other blogs to say "hello!"
See you soon!

É aquela época do ano novamente. É hora de viajar para o Rio e visitar a minha família. :-)
Tentarei postar desenhos e rabiscos enquanto estiver lá, e certamente visitarei outros blogues para dizer "Oi!"
Até breve!

Illustration Friday | Repair

This is not a new illustration, but rather one that I did for an earlier IF post. Because this is going to be a busy week, I thought I'd share it again with you.

They say that of all the things that can be broken, one of the hardest to repair is a broken heart. However I think there's still hope for this little guy :-)

And last but not least, a big thank you for all your nice comments on my post below for "Late." I had been disappointed with the way the sky had turned out, but you made me see it with new eyes!

Esta não é uma ilustração nova, mas uma que eu fiz para IF ano passado. Esta vai ser uma semana cheia para mim, então lembrei desta aquarela.

Dizem que de todas as coisas que podem ser quebradas, o coração é o mais difícil de ser consertado. Mas eu acho que ainda há esperança para este rapazinho :-)

E finalmente, um grande obrigado a todos pelo seus comentários sobre a minha ilustração anterior para "Late." Eu estava disapontada com o modo como o céu tinha saído, mas vocês me ajudaram a vê-lo com novos olhos.

Illustration Friday | Late

What do bunnies do when it gets really late? They snuggled up and go to bed! Like me, they're more of the morning sort...
I had a bit of problem painting the sky. I was trying to make it quite starry and decided to improvise, but it got a bit muddy and the lines didn't help much. Well, I still like the bunnies! :-)

O que fazem os coelhinhos quando fica muito tarde? Eles se aconchegam e vão dormir! Como eu, eles preferem manhãs...
Tive um certo problema pintando o céu. Estava tentando fazê-lo bem estrelado e resolvi improvisar, mas acabou saindo meio sujo e os traços de naquim não ajudaram muito. Bem, mas eu ainda gosto dos coelhinhos! :-)

Illustration Friday | Strings

Things to do with strings: play Cat's cradle! I remember doing that when I was little...

Coisas para fazer com barbante: brincar de Cama de gato! Lembro-me de brincar assim quando eu era pequena...

Illustration Friday | Sugary

Sugar cookies, anyone? I think they may come out rather sugary, but at least she's having fun making them. :-)
Some line work this time, but I may add some watercolor later when I have more time.

Alguém quer biscoitos de açucar? Acho que vão sair bem açucarados, mas pelo menos ela está se divertindo com o preparo. :-)
Só linha dessa vez, mas espero poder acrescentar cor mais tarde quando tiver mais tempo.

It's here!!!

Alicia Padrón's wonderful book "I love you all year around" arrived yesterday, and what a treat!  Her soft and sweet illustrations enhance the story and add an extra layer of tenderness to a tale about the love of a child and a mother through the seasons of the year.  It's both a picture book and a pop-up book, and Alicia's illustrations of a loving mouse family are just delightful. My favorite pop-up page shows both mother and child, all bundled up, making snow angels (and I don't even like winter!)

Thank you, Alicia, for the giveaway and for the chance of having my very own signed copy of your first picture book (I know there'll be many, many more!) 

Illustration Friday | Packed

Are you sure there isn't room for just one more?

Tem certeza que não tem lugar para mais umzinho?

"I love you all year round" Book Celebration

The very talented Alicia Padrón sponsored this wonderful celebration for her recent published book, "I love you all year round."  In order to participate you had to send her a note,  a photograph, or an illustration answering the question: Who or what do you love all year round? A winner would be randomly selected to win a signed copy of her beautiful pop-up book.

I couldn't resist and entered with this illustration, showing something I love to do all year around: hugging my dog!  And guess what? I was selected as the winner (you just have to see how it was done!)

Anyway, I can't wait to get my signed copy! And by they way, have you hugged your pet lately? :-)

Illustration Friday | Clique

I don't know what to say, except that I've never liked cliques...

Não sei o que dizer, a não ser que eu nunca gostei de "panelinhas"...

Spotlight on Books and Illustrators

 
   

I just got back from Salt Lake City where I attended ALA's Association for Library Service to Children 2008 National Institute.  One of the highlights for me was the opportunity to meet and hear author/illustrator Laura Vaccaro Seeger speak about her books and her creative process.  She is a delightful speaker and a truly talented picture book writer and illustrator. Her newest book, "One boy" just got published this month.  

I am particularly fond of her "Dog and Bear" books and we got a treat during her talk: a preview of the third title in the series to be published sometime next year. She brought slides of her dummy book and it was wonderful to be there for the sneak peek.  Be sure to check out her books!

Cat sketch with ink and watercolor | Illustration Friday | Island

So, here it is, in color with just ink and watercolor. Not quite as loose as I had hoped for, but I think this is good for a quick, simple illustration. And I guess this is kind of my style, a little loose but not so much...

(I haven't been able to participate in Illustration Friday lately -- work and travel. But I did this small painting as an exercise, and Stacey gave me the idea of using it for this week's theme of IF. I was thinking quite literally in terms of "island", but she's right! What a great idea! This does work, doesn't it? This little one has found a little comfy island to take a nice nap.)

Então aqui está o desenho colorido, com naquim e aquarela. Não saiu tão solto como eu esperava, mas para uma ilustração rápida e simples acho que ficou bom. E acho também que este é o meu estilo, um pouco solto, mas não tanto...

(Não tem sido possivel participar do Illustration Friday ultimamente -- trabalho e viagem. Mas eu fiz essa pinturinha como exercicio e a Stacey me deu a ideia de usá-la para o tema desta semana. Eu estava pensando em "ilha" literalmente, mas ela tem razão! Que grande idéia! Funciona, não? Este gatinho encontrou uma ilhazinha confortável para tirar uma soneca.)

Cat sketch | Desenho de um gato

I've been trying to get a bit looser with my drawing... It works when I'm just sketching, without worrying about the end result. This relaxed cat, lying on a blanket, was on the window of the adoption center closer to where I live. I sketched him/her really fast and now I plan to get it done in ink mostly and just a bit color, very loosely... We'll see if I can get it right! :-)

Tenho tentado me soltar mais no meu desenho. Eu consigo quando estou só rabiscando, sem me preocupar com o resultado final. Este gato/a relaxando num cobertor estava na janela do centro de adoção de animais perto de onde moro. Desenhei ele/ela bem rápido e agora meu plano é refaze-lo com nanquim e só um pouco de cor, bem solto... Vamos ver se acerto! :-)

Illustration Friday | Memories

Looking at old family albums can bring back wonderful memories. My aunt Margarida has put together an album of our family, and I love looking at the pictures, even the ones taken before I was born, where I see my grandparents and great grandparents so young. It makes one wish one could time travel...

Folhear álbuns de fotografias de família trazem lembranças maravilhosas. Minha tia Margarida fez um álbum da nossa família, e eu adoro olhar as fotos, mesmo aquelas que foram tiradas antes de eu nascer, quando vejo meu avós e bisavós tão jovens. Dá vontade de poder viajar no tempo...

Watercolor Wednesday | Beatrix Potter

This week's theme for Watercolor Wednesdays is a homage to Beatrix Potter. As I became familiar with her life and work, I was always fascinated by her illustrated letters, her beautiful line drawings, and the start of her career as a storyteller.
So I did my own interpretation of her now very famous letter to Noel, about a little rabbit named Peter. :-)

Illustration Friday | Constance's Morning Routine

In case you cannot read the captions, this is Constance's morning routine:
1) Wake up, Beagle Girl!
2) Come on, Constance, time to get up.
3) Cooonnnstaannce!
4) Eat breakfast.
5) Beg for more breakfast.
6) Run in the park!

Ah, the good life :-)

Caso não consigam ler os subtítulos, esta é a rotina matinal da Constance:
1) Acorde, Beagle Girl!
2) Vamos, Constance, hora de levantar.
3) Cooonnnstaannce!
4) Comer café da manhã.
5) Pedir mais café da manhã.
6) Correr pelo parque!

Ah, que vida boa :-)

Dog Lover Blog Award 2008!!!

Look what I got!  The super talented Eunice Rosado from This nice dog has created, designed and given me this wonderful award, and I'm very happy and honored to display it here on my blog!  We are allowed to pass the award on to others.  I know many other artists/bloggers out there who genuinely love and care about dogs (and all animals, really!) so I'd like to nominate:

Ginger Pixels

Kathleen Rietz

Stacey Hsu

Sheree Boyd

Alicia Padrón

Erin Hensley Howe

Connie Martin

Thank you all!

Illustration Friday | Detach

Ooops... that wasn't supposed to happen! Luckily, there's a doll hospital just around the corner.

Ooopa... isso não era para ter acontecido! Ainda bem, tem um Hospital de Bonecas logo lá na esquina.

Award!

Krisztina Maros of Sketchpause has given me an award!  She is an amazing artist (check out her beautiful, color rich watercolors!) and I couldn't be happier. 

I now get to spread the joy and give this award to other bloggers who bring art and inspiration to our world.  Pretty cool...

Here are the rules: 

1-Display the logo on your blog

2-Link back to the person you received the award from.

3-Nominate 7 other blogs

4-Put links of those blogs on  yours

5-Leave a message on their blogs so they know they've been nominated.

That's always the hardest part. But here we go:

Lil Kim from lil kim's illo blog

Paola from La Señorita Pil

Kristin from Illustration blog

Alicia from My place over the hill

Eunice from This nice dog

Erin from Rapture Pet Sitting Service

Stacey from Three Red Trees

Of course, there many, many, many more...  :-)

Spotlight on Books and Illustrators

   

Time to talk about another favorite author/illustrator of mine: Stephen Michael King from Australia.  He has a wonderful, playful and loose style done in pen and ink and watercolor.  The book "Leaf" was recently published in Australia, and I learned that the U.S. rights were bought by Roaring Book Press.  I can't wait to see his latest work!  Meanwhile, look for books written and/or illustrated at your local library and check out his website.  It's a lot of fun!

One more for Watercolor Wednesdays

The theme this week is "Triplets." If you can, visit us there to see the work of the other artists.

O tema desta semana é "trigêmeos."  Se puder, visite-nos lá e veja o trabalho dos outros artistas.

Illustration Friday | Sail

Sure, they're great swimmers. But sometimes even penguins feel like trying something different!

Claro, eles são excelentes nadadores. Mas mesmo penguins às vezes sentem vontade de tentar algo diferente!

Spotlight on Books and Illustrators

A new day to talk about picture books and illustrators I admire: Sundays!

And here's the pick of this week: Peter McCarty and his books about two adorable characters. The first book, Hondo and Fabian, came out in 2002 and was a Caldecott Honor Book.  The illustrations are beautiful and original, color pencil on watercolor paper, and the story simple, fun and charming.  In 2007, Peter published a sequel, Fabian escapes, and it's just as wonderful. 

Have you read them?  If not, check them out!

Sketch for Watercolor Wednesdays

Here's the sketch for my entry this week for "Watercolor Wednesdays." You can see the finished illustration there (as well as the work of all the other artists!)

Aqui está o rascunho do meu desenho para a "Watercolor Wednesdays." Você pode ver a ilustração final lá (assim como o trabalho dos outros artistas!)

Illustration Friday | Poof

This is the first time for this little guy, and he's still learning! :-)

Essa é a primeira vez dele, ainda está aprendendo! :-)