It’s been June since I last updated. You’ve been warned.

Empty WOF

Last year I posted similar pictures, but significantly earlier in the year. This year’s been a rough one. The recession’s hit our park hard – heck, it’s really been our whole city. There was proof of that last year when Aaron was laid off from two different jobs. Keep in mind that, as a supervisor, I typically work on the busy days of the week… or at least, what’s supposed to be busy.

More empty WOF

Nonetheless, we’re chugging along and things are going about as well as they can given the circumstances. I still love my job and will be with it next season.

Yes sir, that is an EIGHT colored body sketch. Eight. Four left for the Patriot after being drawn.

One thing I’ve been stressing to my artists this year is to loosen up and do quicker sketches at the park. For the past few years, we’ve had a rash of super-exaggerated time consuming drawings. Those are all fine and dandy, and I have nothing against them! I do them myself every now and then. But the job that we have requires quick works – I almost enjoy the fluidity of my quicker drawings, like the one right above or below, than some of my more drawn out ones.

Demo turned sale because (1) the kid was cute and (2) his stuffed turtle was cute. I knew if I could draw the turtle, I could sell it.

She was so cute. I love her tattoo – everything seemed to match.

Another big factor is that Midwestern Folk often just don’t get exaggeration. I can’t count the number of times I’ve even made some girl super cute, but she’ll envision something in the drawing (“My chin is big, so I will look at this super cute drawing and SEE that my chin is big, even though it isn’t drawn like that”) and end up getting a redraw. It’s been especially rough this year with the lack of people – the people that are here even seem miserable!

I love this comedian. Drawn from a magazine clipping.

Not a fan, but her face is fun to draw. ‘Nother magazine clipping.

But the artists and I try to have fun. From dancing in the midway with the signs to singing in harmony (even though many of us can’t sing), I can’t say we haven’t had fun this year. Still four weeks left of full time, and another two months of part!

Coworker Jamae

Coworker Erica.

Usually not a proponent of drawing coworkers, this year has seriously called for it. With days like the one pictures way above, sometimes it’s the only way to grab some customers. Sometimes the guests are just so miserable that even free doesn’t entice them!

Snoopy’s Hot Summer Lights Take one.

“With over 2 million L. E. D. lights” as noted by the announcement that plays every thirty minutes.

At least the park is doing some awesome things this year. Snoopy’s Hot Summer Lights is brand new this year and covers half the park – unfortunately the half that Kaman’s never sees (besides Photo and Wood). I’ve taken two groups of closing artists now back there to see them after the park closes. It’s pretty magical!

If you know me, this makes total sense.

I even had a hand in the lights display as WOF hired me for about five hours to do some stencil airbrushing on the side of Wood and Leather and the Moroccan Merchant. Here’s some of my work (mixed with a couple ladies from costumes):

They were done in black light paint, so you can’t see them during the day. Made them very difficult to stencil.

I love this bridge.

And, as usual, they’ve been doing Fireworks every Friday and Saturday night in July.

I took better pictures of the fireworks last year, but these aren’t too bad.

I’ve also been super busy with commissions, as well as my webcomic, Marker Slave. I got that up at the end of June and have been amazingly on time, every time on getting the comics up. You should go check it out.

Oriella, Asher, Serafina, Casmaron and Damien

Commission process for a Blue Sky character design.

I’ve also updated this website, MDArtist.com a bit too. New front page, new images in the gallery, more accessible commission info. All important stuff!

Finally, I’ve tried to take just a little time for myself. I did get pretty sick this past week, probably from overdoing it, but I have spent some time with my husband and family this summer. Very much needed. I’ll leave you with a couple pictures of my husband and I on one of our evenings out.

Best wishes!