Crooked Tree House, 9″ x 6″ Copics, fine liners, white gel pen
For “Crooked” at Illustration Friday. I realized that I’ve done a few tree houses so I had to make sure to add new things. Including: a vegetable garden box, a refuse area, a romantic dining room, a beehive, and a tiny tree house growing in a tiny pot. Plus many more things! I also spent more time with the animals.
In ATC news, I’ve been wanting to try some word art, and especially feel-good word art since the news is so ugly, particularly lately. That led to the “Be Kind” ATC below. The second, which is simultaneously awesome and appalling, was made on a lark when someone jokingly said, “What about a unicorn llama with a psychedelic rainbow nightscene background?” I was in a weird mood so I did it. The blacklight idea came at the end.
Be Kind & Blacklight Unicorn Llama
2.5″ x 3.5″ Artist Trading Cards, Copic markers, ink, white gel pen
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That is a great crooked tree. I would love to live in it.
just wonderful! :)
Your work is always fun; you don’t disappoint!
Glad to know you’re in the world, doing fun stuff and having fun doing it :D
Oh wow, it’s like Swiss Family Robinson. And look, it’s so peaceful that the cat can sleep amongst the birds no problem.It’s even got honey producing bees for my peanut butter and honey sandwiches. Yeah, I could live there. I’d put my studio on the top floor.
Brilliant – love the house and all those fancy little rooms :) Your unicorn llama came out really well too – you may jusy start a trend with that one!
Wow! Now that is a cool tree house!
Adorable work. Love all the details in it.
A llamicorn? or a unicama? Either way he appears to be a most suave and debonair character, perhaps a protege of the infamous James Bond?
“Be Kind” is supercool! I wish they would put up random signs like that at traffic intersections. Like a “STOP” sign then “Remember to…” then “Be Kind” all on one signpost. I suppose nowadays they could be wireless computer-generated interchangeable images, with community contributed artwork.
Your treehouses are my most favorite. If you ever do a Ginkgohouse, may I move in? :)
My favorite of your designs once again are these little worlds with lots of tiny details. So cool.
An EXPRESSIVE unicorn llama…
I think he’s wonderful, and the border here works very well. Crooked and Kind are lovely too.
Flabberghasted!!! I can’t even imagine how much time this took. It’s so wonderful and like the others… I want to live there! I love all the amazing little details, right down to that wonderful mailbox. The “Be Kind” card and the night scene unicorn llama are also amazing! Love, love, love these, Cindy!!!!!
Well, the sketch was about 1/4 complete the first day, and the rest took most of a second day. Though in the end I overworked and/or darkened the main tree bark a bit too much. But I am happy with the silly birds and beehive and things! It is pretty fun trying to think of cute, recognizable things to add.
It’s also only 9″ x 6″. Imagine a whole city of these! In fact, I was thinking of doing a large print with several of the tree houses. But I will have to put that in the idea stack for now until I have the resources to do it. :)
Thanks so much to everyone for all the nice comments! (Also yes! All the critters are pals and look out for each other and all are fed quite nicely – which is why they hang around!)
Look at all the fun characters in that tree! I bet if you look closely at most trees you’d see more than meets the eye.
The tree is simply eye candy! So much to look at! But even with all of those details, I somehow find myself attracted to the door! It looks so bright & inviting! Loving the ATC art, too!!!
delightful!
Great illustration and love how you share every step with us!
Had to take time today to go through all your posts that I’ve missed since being away, such good stuff! Especially love the dogs!
Mindboggling…….unbelievable that this sort of detail and texture can be created w copic markers! The wood grain on the crooked tree is amazing…..don’t even think I can recreate w acrylics. Cindy you HAVE been busy!
wow!!! that is an intense amount of work! you are a very patient and talented artEEst! :D
I love this quirky drawing! Wish I could move into a place that happening…
There’s just so much going on here, you obviously put a lot of work into it.
I want this for my backyard ;)
I seriously need a tree house! You might’ve inspired me to draw something tree-related. I really like the “Be Kind” message too. Keep creating!
I could see an entire children’s book illustrated with this much attention to detail.
Some grist for the mill anyway.
It’s nice to get lost in all the detail.
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An artwork that keeps one busy…a tree that probably keeps the Beast Tender busy…cleaning up things…you know…little round things…!!!
Thanks for visiting my blog. :)
Love your artwork! And it’s always fun to see how other people do their creations.
Another great tree, complete with an exotic collection of animals! I love the sign pointing to the ‘woods’…what other strange and wonderful trees grow there?
As always, I’m floored by your awesome creativity! Love the tree with all of those wonderful details..beautifully done, as well as your ATCs…Be Kind rocks!! thank you so much for your sweet visit recently!!
What a fun tree-house! I love the overall shape, and then all the cool stuff you fit into it.
A romantic dining room in a tree house…that is a very cool idea! Great illustration Cindy!!
I’d live in your crooked tree, Cindy! Your creativity is boundless! I admire that.
Wonderful treehouse!!
So Fun! And I love that you are taking requests. How about a dog in an ugly sweater eating potato chips!
I love trees! I wouldn’t mind seeing more of your unique takes on them.
How did I miss this!!! So great bringing your creatures in on this one. I like the flat feeling of the tree contrasted by the volume on the various animals. lots to keep my eye moving around the space!
“Crooked” was the perfect venue for one of your special houses! What I want to know is…how do you get so much work done? And everything is fantastic! You do have me interested in ACTs (or ACEOs) because yours are so inspiring. But I can never find time to do any!! Thanks for sharing all your work. I love to come visit to take a look! :)
Thanks so much! In some ways I think I’m making up for lost time (about 20 years of no art). But I think the secret is that I have no kids and we’re homebodies. And I’ve been really inspired by Illustration Friday, illustratedatcs.com and atcsforall.com. :)
I love your houses!!
A unicorn llama is a good idea, you should do a unicorn vicuña too :) do you know vicuñas? They are relatives of llamas and they are really beautiful animals.
Have a nice weekend!!
Hi Cindy, I am so happy you stopped by my blog the other day…I too find people that way, by clicking on comments on blogs I already follow. I am happy to see yours here too! It seems you have a real gift for small details, something I always admire in other artists! So happy to meet you Cindy!
I love how you showed the progress of the art work. It is amazing.
This is so delightful. I found your blog by the comment you left on mine, thank you. I see we were somewhate on the same wavelenght with “crooked” for IF. I also work in construction during the day. As an estimator, I lean heavily on my left brain, so whenever I can, I balance out with art. Love your work. The spiral is also a favortie symbol of mine too.
Great detail on your tree illustration. Nice work.
My brother and I spent our weekends making tree houses when we were young and this would have been our true fantasy – amazing, so much to look at.