JEN KELLER ART

So after 72 drawings, 72 inks, and 72 digital enchantments - plus 3 full color paintings and digital enhancements - my coloring book project is complete and on its way to being published! This process and style isn't like anything I've done in the past, and I'm really excited that I had the opportunity to explore this venue. With most of my monochromatic work done in graphite with tone, I'm happy to report that through many trials, errors, numerous conversations and advice from my peers, I was able to establish a strong line-work style. Here's a little sample of "What are the Seasons?" section on Fall showing the three step process I used to create the line work. The books should be out in the fall, and you can check the publisher's website, BooksbyKathe , for updates on its status. They are great activity books and I have to say that I even learned things (especially about volcanos!) that I might not have known before. To see more samples of this ...

This past week I was lucky enough to get to go home to my old stomping grounds - Chicago!! The weather was perfect the entire week (which if you know anything about Chicago - you know how rare that is!) and I had a great visit with family and friends. This trip couldn't be complete without a drawing session at one my favorite places - The Lincoln Park Zoo . My first stop was at the Gray Seal exhibit. I love watching these guys during the feeding session! They flop themselves up onto the rocks, fetch rings, and open their mouths in the cutest way so the handlers can check their teeth! Being seals, these guys weren't as agile on land as the Sea Lions I saw in New York, but they were just as great. Next stop was at the Beaver tank - what a guy! He just swam & swam all over the place. Bobbing his head up above the water then diving down deep to the bottom of the tank. I had no idea Beavers were such great swimmers! After the beaver tank, it was time to visit the big cat...

I ended another great session with my Young Rembrandt art students a few weeks ago. During the spring we switched gears and did a class in cartooning! This proved to be really fun and challenging for the students. In addition to the traditional Young Rembrandt lessons in shape construction and composition, the kids learned about stylizing figures/objects and seqeuntial art. There was a lot of talk about Snoopy, Calvin & Hobbs, and many other classic cartoon characters. Especially with this sequential piece of a boy trying to fly a kite (and the kite ends up flying him!) We drew everything from figures to animals to personified food! I think the kids had a really good time with it all. Below are samples from our "crazy ice cream" characters! I even have a group of 3 sisters who had taken or were currently taking my classes who put together a "gallery" around their white board at home!! So fabulous! I also was so lucky to receive special gifts from a few st...

As I come to the end of working on my coloring book series (finishing all 72 tight pencils and starting the inking process), and my elementary art classes drawing to a close, I feel the fever of summer brewing. I remember that itchy feeling of wanting to be outside, running in the grass with my barefeet, and how this season seemed to happen way too fast. To celebrate this time of year (and finishing all of drawings) here are a few tight pencils from "the weather" book. Enjoy!

At last she reached her fifteenth year. “Well, now, you are grown up,” said the old dowager, her grandmother; “so you must let me adorn you like your other sisters;” and she placed a wreath of white lilies in her hair, and every flower leaf was half a pearl. Then the old lady ordered eight great oysters to attach themselves to the tail of the princess to show her high rank. “But they hurt me so,” said the little mermaid. “Pride must suffer pain,” replied the old lady. Oh, how gladly she would have shaken off all this grandeur, and laid aside the heavy wreath! The red flowers in her own garden would have suited her much better, but she could not help herself: so she said, “Farewell,” and rose as lightly as a bubble to the surface of the water. I love re-inventing these old stories. Originally I had designed this composition digitally and have always wanted to attack it in a traditional format. With my trip to New York coming up shortly it was the perfect excuse to create something new ...

Here is a sample of the coloring book pages for the book, "What's the Weather Today?" Here we learn about the different types of clouds and what kinds of weather they can produce. Poor Buster the Beagle, I don't think he knew he was part of the demonstration!

I'm so happy to report that Dog Star Resort, LLC had its soft opening in mid-march and is now going full force! And look at my Logo Design - Lucy the Border Collie and Titan the Pom Mix are everywhere!! Road Sign (There it is!) Business Cards & Calendars (What day is my dog going to The Resort?) Car Magnets (Dog Star on the GO!) Tote Bag (for your favorite canine's overnight needs) The facility is outstanding and every dog looks like they are having a blast. I wish it was close enough for Mattie to board at. If you want more information about Dog Star Resort, LLC they now have a live Webpage and a very active Facebook Page. They also received a great write-up recently in The Voice of Wisconsin Rapids . I'm so happy and proud of the owner, Carol, who was my own dog's original foster mom while she was in rescue. She has dedicated her life to the betterment of our canine companions. Every dog in her care will be treated like her own.