Saturday, January 17, 2009

Under the Tree

After graduating from college, "Under the Tree" was the first large scale personal project I took on. It originated from a series of miniature ink doodles (seen below), which I never intended on combining. They were just fun ways to pass the time.

One night I was looking through all of them and wondered if I could incorporate them into a larger piece. I played around until I came up with the rough layout seen in the picture below. Also around this time, I was informed of a juried alumni show for my high school (which specialized in the arts). Even though most of my college studies centered around computer animation and 3d works of art, I was really excited about this drawing and wanted to submit it before the deadline.

Because I started with tiny drawings, I had to scan and print them at a larger scale and work in sections. Maintaining the same level of detail that I started with in the smaller doodles proved difficult and time consuming. Once each of the nine sections were complete, they were re-scanned and composited together. Due to all the cleanup work, I am still amazed that I completed it all before the show.

It was interesting to hear people discuss what they imagined to be symbolism and the meaning behind the animal placement, particularly the bird balancing on the outside of an egg (whose crack was too small for him to have fit out of in the first place). My favorite creatures are the tiny snails. I find them simple yet appealing. Also, I tend to draw a lot of animals in top hats.

After the gallery showing was over, I started selling prints of "Under the Tree" both small and large. I gave the final display piece to one of my best friends for her bday... and it hangs in her room today:)

14 comments:

L S said...

and she loves it very very much! It's great to finally see the way the piece came together too. You had explained to me that it was originally many separate smaller drawings, but this is the first time I saw them. so cool! also, I should send you an updated pic of that shelf because now Rub a Dub Dub is sitting next to Under the Tree (behind the bamboo). I call it my Kacey shrine. :)

Kelly Perez said...

i like the 3 legged turtle, and his little sad flower :)

Prairiemouse said...

This is absolutly awesome. I love all the lil critters in there especially the one's with top hats. How cute, fun, and very very interesting.

Anonymous said...

Love the illo and story behind it:)

Buskitten said...

I ove it, I emjoyed searching all the disparate images - really lovely work Kacey!

ReneeBuchananArt said...

Oh my gosh! I LOVE the combined piece. Great work :)

Renee

adrienne trafford said...

very beautiful and very appropriate for intricate

countrygarden said...

i love the intricacy of this, makes me want to keep looking and looking...

Unknown said...

I love your line quality! It keeps me moving over the illustration and really takes me into the drawing. good job!

elizabeth said...

This is amazing! And I love seeing your process. I never would have guessed it started its life as separate doodles, but it actually makes a lot of sense. NICE line work.

Valerie Lorimer said...

Really awesome drawing! So wonderful how it all works together.

Rui Sousa said...

Nice one, really well done!

illustrations by doni said...

such wonderful creatures and fantastic detail. makes me wish i had a huge set of colored pencils to fill it in

Kacey said...

Thank you so much for all the comments!