~ Inspirational Mondays ~
Illustrating in my Paris Journal
I love having a journal where I can write and sketch whatever I please. I am sure you know what I mean! I have such a book where I share my dreams, observations of life, ramblings of misspelled words and sentences that do not have to connect; it’s a place of freedom from criticisms. Sometimes it’s a page and other times it could be one line that’s the best part of a diary there are no rules.
Happy writing and sketching!
Warmly Cheri
Participating in Show and Tell Friday
Sketching and Painting
Designing Coco was so much fun! The sketching, inking, painting … just all of it! Sometimes, (and not often enough) a project can just flow like magic from my imagination. Maybe because it was just a small painting? I don’t know … but who am I to tempt fate?
Depending on the size of a painting, it can take one day or one month to sketch, draw, ink and paint. Then there’s the overall design! What do their outfits look like? What is the texture of their fur? What’s their personality? Are they shy or full of courage? Which colors should I use? And once I get started on color, I can talk about it all day long!
All painters (whether we use oil, acrylic or watercolor) have a favorite brand of paint. One of mine is Daniel Smith. I love his blues! Their transparency is amazing and when I mix them with other colors I find that they don’t turn cloudy like they would with other brands.
Can you guess which blue matches Coco’s Dress?
Warmly, Cheri
Spell bound
~ Inspirational Mondays ~
Warmly Cheri
BookExpo America
Last weekend I attended the BookExpo America conference in New York City where I met so many wonderful people, speakers, authors and publishers – it was truly a wonderful experience.
Since I began setting my sketches of Kettle Cove to paper, I knew that I wanted to publish a book eventually. Five years later, that time has finally come!
Well, almost.
While one day I hope to attend as a speaker, this year I attended as a guest.
Instead, I had the pleasure of learning from the masters like guest speaker Maria Murnane, author of the Waverly Bryson books and Perfect on Paper. It is hard to believe that a best-selling author like Maria once had difficulty getting published, but it’s true! Instead, she took matters into her own hands and published herself! Since then, Maria’s work has been compared to Bridget Jones and her new book will be released in 2014.
I also enjoyed lunch with Guy Kawasaki, who co-wrote APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur. Like Maria, Guy had trouble getting published, so much trouble that he wrote a book on how to do it to make it easier for everyone.
For anyone that is looking to get published or self-publish, I would definitely attend next year’s BookExpo America. I know I will!
Warmly Cheri
Spring Babies
I thought I might show you some of the goings-on here at Kettle Cove this past week. We have had quite a few new neighbors. They are rather cute, soft and furry all over. And if you haven’t guessed it by now, they are Easter Egger Bantam chicks. I could cuddle up with them all day! My neighbor Amanda is the proud mommy of these beautiful babies.
While it would be wonderful to have a few of my own, I think for now I will leave that to Amanda. In the meantime I will be the visiting doting neighbor.
Warmly Cheri
Inspriation Illustration
Everyone’s receives inspiration differently. For me, one flower can inspire an entire picture, such as the painting “In the Garden,” which is my current banner for my home and blog pages.
The first thing I do when I am inspired is sketch out the idea on tracing paper. Why do I use tracing paper? Because if I’m not sure about the composition or where to place a flower, I can place the sketch behind another piece of tracing paper to find just the right spot. I adore this part of the process. It’s so much fun to let my imagination run a muck!
I would like to say that once I start the painting I don’t change my mind, but I do and I do it a lot! I tend to add things here and there or take them out. With this particular painting, I finished it and HATED a tree I painted. I thought it was just awful. I painfully and painstakingly removed the ink and watercolor carefully so as not to damage the paper. Did you ever start something and wish you left it alone? OH BOY! There is a certain panic that comes of oneself when they near the end of a huge undertaking and they they almost ruin it. I was distressed, but with a bag of cookies, I was able to remove it without causing any damage. Now I am happy to say that I am thrilled with how the painting turned out!
Well after seven days of rain (YUCK) we finally have a beautiful day here at Kettle Cove. I can smell the sea breeze and feel the warmth of the sun on my face. Did I say sun? Sun! Sun! Sun! I love you sun!
I think it’s time for a walk on the beach to find more inspiration for my paintings.
Warmly, Cheri
Hello Again
I hope you enjoy the new site as much as I have enjoyed designing it. This was a labor of love for me and I am so proud to finally share it. There are plenty of new goodies to enjoy so take your time and explore. Visit the Kettle Cove map and click on the rocking boat for a new fun, activities such as festive cards, coloring and holiday decorations to make and share with friends and family.
Or pop over to Story Time to meet the cute little Hammies of Kettle cove and discover their adorable humor, funny little quirks and the latest happenings at Kettle Cove.
No need for an appointment! Life At Kettle Cove is just a simpler way of living on the East Coast. Please stop by to share your thoughts and ideas as I share with you the sweeter things in life!
Warmly,
Cheri
Art Reception!
Meet Miss Elderberry!
Come and see many of the characters at the open house Art Reception tonight!
Thomas Memorial Library
6 Dyer Road
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
5:30 to 7:30
Sometimes she can be a little shy, and always a kind word for everyone! During winter she keeps the General Store well stocked with her knitted warm and beautiful sweaters. Once the warm sea air starts blowing in off the coast of Kettle Cove, one can find her tending to her potager and with seasonal ripeness she pickles and cans all her delectable goodies! Miss Elderberry is known for her pleasant tasty elderberry juice, the Hammies come far and wide to store up this savory juice for the coming New England winter’s and always to be enjoyed on holiday’s!
~Cheri~
Finishing Up Loose Ends…A Press Release Thank You!
A wonderful Press Release…Thank You
Watercolor Exhibition Will Benefit Thomas Memorial Library
“Hammy and Pammy” artist, Cheri Cottrell, will preview original paintings and make
giclée prints available for purchase throughout July.
CAPE ELIZABETH, ME — JUNE XX, 2012 — Watercolor illustrator Cheri Cottrell
is putting her original paintings on view at the Thomas Memorial Library in Cape
Elizabeth, July 2 to July 31. The exhibition will include a preview of her 2013
paintings, which won’t be available in print form until the following January. The
public is invited to view Cheri Cottrell’s work and purchase giclée prints and
notecards to benefit the library. The artist also will be present during a special
reception that is open to the public at the library on July 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Thomas Memorial Library’s preview of 2013 paintings will be the public’s only
opportunity to view the watercolor works that Cheri Cottrell will make available
in January. The paintings explore illustrate the world of characters Hammy and
Pammy, where life is cozy and simple, and the happenings at Kettle Cove lively. The
giclée prints are created in limited editions, making the series collectable for fans of
Hammy and Pammy.
“I’m pleased that to share my imaginative world of Hammy and Pammy, and offer a
sneak preview of my 2013 prints while simultaneously supporting my local library,”
says Cheri Cottrell. “I look forward to meeting Hammy and Pammy’s admirers
during the reception on July 13.”
Cheri Cottrell is available for interviews by contacting her directly. High-resolution
photos of her work are available upon request for press purposes.
About Cheri Cottrell
Cheri Cottrell is a watercolor illustrator and designer from Cape Elizabeth, Maine.
She created and actively illustrates the popular children’s characters, Hammy and
Pammy, a pair of hamsters who live in the fictional New England village of Kettle
Cove. Cheri’s work is a unique blend of delicate sophistication and a whimsical
quaintness, which is influenced by Beatrix Potter and Tasha Tudor. The Hammy
and Pammy series is available as giclée prints, greeting cards, notecards, pins and
magnets. More information about Cheri Cottrell and her work is available online at
www.chericottrell.com.
About the Thomas Memorial Library
The Town Of Cape Elizabeth established the Thomas Memorial Library to provide
a place where patrons, with the assistance of an experienced and helpful staff, can
explore the wealth of human knowledge through a dynamic collection of printed
material and related resources selected for the community.
Please stop by to see the Hammies starting July 2nd through July 31!
Many of the characters will be on display, along with giclée’s and original paintings…
Please don’t forget there will be an open Art Reception on
July 13th between 5:30 and 7:30!
Looking forward to seeing you!
Love From Kettle Cove,
~ Cheri ~