IF: Vote

Yes, I should have posted this yesterday, but I was busy actually leaving my studio -- in the rain -- to go vote. I was at first concerned that there was no line. I even took a book with me in case. I was concerned the rain had scared people away, but when I asked, the woman assured me that they had been busy all morning and they were just having an afternoon lull. So it was perfect timing for me.

Thanks to Illustration Friday for the kick in the seat of the pants to actually create this piece of art. I painted this using Procreate with my iPad Pro and mostly my finger to paint with details added using the Apple Pencil.

Did you vote? Do you think it's important to raise our children to be involved in politics and the decisions being made in our country?

©2018 Traci Van Wagoner

IF: Witch

Illustration Friday: Witch

I know, I know, I should have posted this yesterday for Halloween, but as you may or may not know by now, I firmly believe in procrastination. This is NYC Witch I created a while ago. I had another witch painting I was working on, but I haven't had a chance to finish it since other work stuff got in the way. Pesky work stuff. This was created in Photoshop using my signature texture colors which were originally created in Painter.

Wouldn't you just love to be able to fly over New York City on a broomstick? I know I would. I hope you all had a spooktacular Halloween. Since I don't have kids, I don't do the trick or treat thing, and so, I have no candy. Boo. I'd love to hear about your Halloween escapades in the comments below.

©2014 Traci Van Wagoner,  NYC Witch

IF: Ghost

BOO!

'Tis that time of year again with ghosts roaming about. So I'm sharing (again) my Balloon Lift Off Spooky for this week's Illustration Friday prompt Ghost. The house on the hill is haunted.

This painting is part of my Red Balloon series. If you're interested getting this as a print, let me know.

Happy Halloween!

©2017 Traci Van Wagoner

Magical

Have a MAGICAL Monday!

It's been a while since I've shared here. I thought I'd dive back in with the Illustration Friday challenge word, Magical. Oh yeah, that's my kind of word. Doesn't everyone want a fairy godmother to turn them into a princess or prince? Or a mouse into a carriage horse? A pumpkin into the carriage? Bippity-boppity-boo! The transformation has begun.

I created this using Procreate on my iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil. Part of my #paintplay exploration and fun painting adventure. Please let me know if you would like to purchase this as a print.

If you could have one wish granted, what would it be?

Fairy Godmother, @2018 Traci Van Wagoner

Illustration Friday: Green

Sunny Green 

I haven't had a chance to participate in Illustration Friday for a while. I couldn't pass up on the prompt word, Green. So, as I took a few moments to relax between deadlines and paint play in my iPad Pro with Procreate and my finger and this pretty scene of rolling green hills is what came out. And a castle is always fun, and a warm, bright sun, yeah. So, there you have it, Sunny Green.

What do you think of when you hear the word Green?

©2018 Traci Van Wagoner

Headless Horseman Spooky Art

Have a Spooky Halloween!

Illustration Friday's Spooky prompt was perfect for this week. I'm sure that was the idea. 

I've always been fascinated by the Headless Horseman and since that's pretty spooky and since it's Halloween, I painted this for some spooky fun. Have a spooktacular day!

©2017 Traci Van Wagoner, all rights reserved

Illustration Friday: Shoes

I painted these shoes for Illustration Friday's prompt, which is "Shoes", in honor of my favorite pair of shoes and, well, they're orange and sunny and fun, so there's that too. Oh, and a dog, because you know dogs are awesome!

What are your favorite pair of shoes? And/or are you a cat lover or a dog lover?

©2017 Traci Van Wagoner, all rights reserved

Love

This week's Illustration Friday prompt is LOVE. We could all use more love right now. The power of love can save the world. So, go out and love everyone.

©2017 Traci Van Wagoner, LOVE

Sprout

The prompt for Illustration Friday this week is Sprout which fits perfectly with one of my picture book projects I'm writing and illustrating. This is one of the scenes I'm playing with using Procreate. I approached this project very different from other projects. Instead of starting with a fully written story and then pencil sketches, this picture book started while paint playing with my old iPad, my finger, Procreate, and an idea. I created a variety of color scenes of a girl planting a seed while it's still snowing, then waiting, waiting, until...

©2017 Traci Van Wagoner, all rights reserved

Ugga Mugga Love

The world needs love, lots of Ugga Mugga love. I painted this on Mother's Day thinking of my Mom who is so far away. This also works for Illustration Friday's theme this week, Mother. Go give your mother a kiss today! Aren't ugga mugga kisses the best?

Ugga Mugga by Traci Van Wagoner ©2017

Spring Dreams

One night while vegging out to some TV,  I was paint playing on my old iPad with Procreate and my fancy-pants paint brush finger, and with one magical swipe, I discovered a whole bunch more fun and different brushes. Yay! So I set about playing with them, experimenting, doodling, dreaming, and this is what came about, Spring Dreams. My flowery painting also has a snail among other fun bugs, so it fits with Illustration Friday's prompt this week, Snail.

Happy Spring!

©2017 Traci Van Wagoner, Spring Dreams

Heroic

I think people who stand up to bullies, to those who hate, to the greedy, to the power-hungry are heroic. This is my paint play for Illustration Friday's topic this week (yeah, a bit late) Heroic. Stand up for the little guys, stand up for yourself and what you believe in. Be bold and brave people. I dare you.

© 2017 Traci Van Wagoner

Stomp

I had some fun playing with Procreate on my old iPad painting with my finger and created this for Illustration Friday Stomp. I'm enjoying working on a looser style of art, plus I have to admit that last week I found a bunch of new brushes I hadn't played with before in the program. Have some fun today!

© 2017 Traci Van Wagoner

Illustration Friday: Patterns

I have been neglectful and not posted for a while. Life and the challenge to get new illustration and design work got in the way. However, I could not pass up on this week's Illustration Friday topic, Patterns. I have created many fun patterns with my humorous heads and tails Animal Parade animals and this is one of my favorites. My cute Husky is all decked out for the holidays in a fun Santa hat and a holly wreath. Woof! Happy holidays!

Festive Heads and Tails Animal Parade Husky Pattern

Illustration Friday: Hidden

This is a fun topic, and I just so happen to have several hidden pictures that work well for this one. In honor of the end of summer and summertime reading while sitting in a tree, here is my Reading Tree. Can you find all the hidden pictures? Have fun!

Illustration Friday: RESCUE

I've been MIA for a while due to a big illustration project with a short deadline. The good news is, I'm illustrating a fairy tale for an ebook. Yay! More information to come. In the meantime, this week's Illustration Friday topic is perfect. I recently completed an illustration that fits this theme perfectly. This was a sample for a for a Search and Rescue picture book project which got put on hold.

SAR Avalanche Rescue

Illustration Friday: Urban

NY Boogie Nights

My submission this week for Illustration Friday, NY Boogie Nights, is a fun mixture of techniques and experiments using Painter and Photoshop. How many dancers and musicians can you find?

Dance the night away!

Illustration Friday: SWIM

Just keep swimming!
How many silly things can you find on the left?

Under the Sea by Traci Van Wagoner

To see others talented artist's interpretation of this week's topic visit Illustration Friday.

IF Topic: TALENT

It takes talent to play the piano on stage.
Check out Illustration Friday's website to see how other artists interpreted this topic.

Piano Concert

Illustration Friday: WOOL