New Illustrations

I'm focusing time this year on moving into the children's book market.  One step I've taken is to create collage pieces that clearly move through a known story: Aesop's "The Crow and the Pitcher."  I've added a snipe to the story in a reenvisioning of the classic fable, and for an element of competition.  In keeping with my M.O., each piece contains the four natural elements in some form, and the birds are totem animals.  I'd be interested to hear your thoughts and comments, if you'd like to post them.

Overcoming Obstacles I - © 2013 Nicolette Callaway
5"x5" cut paper on canvas

 

 

 

Overcoming Obstacles II - © 2013 Nicolette Callaway
5"x5" cut paper on canvas

Overcoming Obstacles III - © 2013 Nicolette Callaway
5"x5" cut paper on canvas

Stickers! Now on Etsy!

Stickers have arrived!  Whoohoo!

Fox, Wolf, Owl and Turtle are all available in sticker form on Esty and at markets and craft fairs.  Each measures 2"x2" and are printed on vinyl for longer use!

Each animal is from an original collage, and has a special Totem meaning, too!

Fox represents magic, shapeshifting, invisibility, and family relationships. (From original artwork, When The Time Is Right, 2009)
Wolf represents intuition, learning and spirit, and reminds us not to waste our natural resources. (From original artwork, The Spirit Awakens Us, 2009)
Owl represents wisdom, prophecy, and listening to oneself. (From original artwork, Transformation of Knowledge, 2011)
Turtle represents the earth, grounding, nurturing, protection, boundaries, self-reliance and balance. (From original artwork, The Depth of Joyful Timelessness, 2010)

(I'm not sure why some photos are upside down.)

All designs and artwork © Nicolette Callaway. Artist retains all reproduction rights.

Martin the Raccoon - Study

I finished my first raccoon study for the children's story I am illustrating this year with my friend Tom.  Martin may not end up being named Martin, but considering that raccoon is the protagonist of the story, I figured I may as well give him a working name. 

Did You Disguise Yourself To Hide From Yourself?, 2012

This piece developed from raccoon's totem significance, being the master of dexterity and disguise, and what that may mean for a young one struggling to develop its own identity in the midst of developing into a transformation master.  How can you know who you are if you are constantly changing yourself to look and act like something else?  It's a common question with human adolescents, too, and one thing that makes the story timely.

In this illustration, raccoon has just discovered that he has disguised himself as fox, though because he doesn't yet quite understand his transformative powers, he is shocked when he sees fox staring back at him from the water.  He then sees us staring at him, and he looks back, either to ask us what we know, or to tell us to go away out of embarrassment.  Maybe both. 

(Unfortunately, my scanner is on the small side, and has cut off the right and left edges of the piece.)