August 13, 2012

A Freeze Frame

When I read that the Illustration Friday topic this week is "freeze,"  I immediately thought, "chicken." So for a few days I cogitated on a frozen chix illo.  Nothing came to the fore (no doubt Henny was silently objecting ;)).
Then I stopped off at the library to pick up a couple of books.  There she was.  She was so little, and I wanted to capture the moment--frozen in time, if you will.
This little doll was completely enraptured -- a testament to the power of the book.

pencil  on paper

83 comments:

  1. Looks like Daughter, a long time ago, but the book was upside down :-)

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  2. This says so much about who we are. What a precious drawing Lizzie!

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    1. That it does, I think. What a wonderful observation. Thanks so much, L. :)

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  3. If you look at it clinically ... there are very few lines in the eyes and mouth, yet they work perfectly to capture the moment. Lovely job, Lizzie!

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    1. It's amazing how one little line can change a whole picture. It is especially true in portraiture and character expression. Your observations are spot-on, John. Thanks!

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  4. Ohh... that's that excellent pamphlet on Executive Management. It's a page turner.

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  5. She's concentrating, there are big words on that page!

    She's adorable, thanks to you.

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    1. Yes...either big words or captivating pictures! She was so beguiling, and concentrating so hard! Thanks, F. !

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  6. That little girl is adorable.

    I like your work so much, Elizabeth. Have I told you that? I would very much like to write something that you could illustrate some day... Wonder what you could do with my Liza Bean Bitey (of the Minneapolis Biteys)?? Am I over-reaching? Perhaps.

    Would love to hear from you...

    Pearl
    whyioughta2@gmail.com

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    1. Hey Pearl! I am immensely flattered. I will try and send you some thoughts on the matter. Thanks so much for your kind comments :)

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  7. I think you are a genius, Lizzie.

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    1. I think you overestimate me, Suzzze dear. But I am blushing, nonetheless.

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  8. What a beautifully intense but peaceful face! Wonderful pencil style. She is just too cute.

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    1. Thanks, Cindy! She had the most amazing big cheeks. Captivating!

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  9. What a doll, and you've captured such a special moment in a child's life...the act of being captivated by a book, it's delightful!!
    Glad Henny was having none of it (being frozen that is)!
    xo J~

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    1. Yes. I couldn't believe how long she sat there, engrossed in her little book. Her big sister was nearby, doing the same thing. Both unbelievably cute!

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  10. This is really lovely, Elizabeth. Beautiful!

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  11. Awesome! Totally agree about the power of a book. I get through 35+ books every year, and am counting down the days until Tyler is old enough that I can read him The Hobbit before he goes to bed :-)

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  12. I think this needs to be a poster promoting reading, to hang in schools and libraries. She is just adorable!

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  13. I love this! As a book lover, I totally understand the moment you're capturing here, when you're so into a book you're just frozen. The whole world feels like it's moving in a separate dimension and you're just in a different world. Lovely!

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    1. Great description! That's just how this little girl looked. You are obviously a book lover!

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  14. Hello Elizabeth:
    Absolutely charming in every possible way. And Henny is let off the hook, so to speak!

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    1. Thanks so much J & L! As per Henny--you always know just how to turn a phrase to make me laugh :)

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  15. I love how you balanced the energy of the pencil mark making and the perfect quiet moment. Simple and beautiful.

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    1. Hey Alicia! Thanks so much...and thanks for stopping by!

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  16. Lovely picture!

    And also an excellent card ('All Dogs Go To Heaven') which I saw over at Friko's World.

    It was a very thoughtful gift! My own dog, Sym, has lymphoma so I know just how she must have felt at the loss of her faithful friend.

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    1. I'm so sorry about your dog. It's truly one of the harder things to face, I think. I wish you the best.
      Meanwhile, thanks for stopping by!

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  17. That is so sweet such an adorable old fashioned sweety-girl.
    Well done, Elizabeth.

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  18. OMG I thought of chicken too (nice confident pencil work Chica!)

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    1. Great minds think alike, my dear Mr. MacGregor ;) :)
      Thanks!

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  19. OMG. YOU are so good my dear, SO GOOD! It takes time to ruminate about an idea; I usually get a SUDDEN flash of an idea then is morphs into something better. GOOD JOB MY DEAR! Anita

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    1. Anita! YOU are so GOOD to say so! I always love your sweet, thoughtful comments.
      Btw, your flashes, as far as I can tell, morph into the most beautiful of things :)

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  20. Such a beautiful, quiet moment in time, skillfully & perfectly rendered. In a day of technology, I LOVE to see that things like this still exist. Reminds me of my own childhood & passion for reading.... this one really resonates with me, Elizabeth!!

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    1. Mit! For me, this is one of the best kind of comments to get--the ones about resonating :) You're quite right about good old-fashioned pencil drawings. I haven't done one like this in a while--it was quite satisfying.

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  21. oh this is just so right on and perfect...you've captured the moment!

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    1. Thanks, Heather. When I saw her, I knew it was definitely a moment to be captured!
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  22. What a wonderful and innovative take on "frozen"!!! I love your sketch.

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    1. Thanks so much, Kathryn! I thought maybe I might be stretching it a bit...but a picture is always open to interpretation--and worth a thousand words ;) :)

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  23. Well, the thought of frozen chicken puts me in stitches, although I can appreciate Henny's cold shoulder treatment.
    Lovely and sweet drawing, Elizabeth.

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  24. Hi, Liz! This artwork is really inspiring. I think I'll try to capture a life-object, too - while it's freezing. :D

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    1. I hope you do, Dewi-- and be sure and post it so we can see it! I'm so glad you are inspired :)

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  25. Elizabeth, you are so versatile!

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  26. This is a great IF illustration!
    It's the trully power of a good book, isnt't? :)

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    1. Thanks so much and, absolutely! -- there's nothing quite like it!

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  27. I like how your value structure lends itself to the far away she's experiencing.
    well done!
    A low contrast chicken wouldn't have had the same effect.
    .

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    1. Richard, your comments are great--so insightful, and then you make me laugh :-D

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  28. Lovely work, Elizabeth! seems she is enjoying the book :)

    Have a beautiful day!

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  29. awwwww you captured her so well. Beautiful...

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  30. A precious moment captured beautifully!

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  31. There is something so magical about the way a child can ENTER a book... I guess we do it too as adults, but probably less often in public. Lovely drawing; it really captures that intensity, & with a great sensitive line.

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    1. I agree--it is the magic of books :) Thanks for stopping by !!

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  32. Rose, I apologize for not having come sooner!
    I want to tell you something:
    This is the most most most (3 veces, and is not a typographical error) beautiful sketch of a child, that I've seen lately
    congratulations!

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    1. Hello Roberto! I am MOST grateful for your kind comment! Thank you :)

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  33. Beautiful portrait! I hope more children are as enthralled by a good book!

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  34. Really Gorgeous Elizabeth... your talent covers many genres.

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  35. This is a special little drawing. Isn't it great that kids still get engrossed by books? I worry that someday books will be gone but hopefully there will always be children like this little one and libraries they can go to to get lost in books. Really touching illustration.

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    1. Thanks, Laurie! I think books will always be around...and I think you are quite right about this little girl and her library. Kudos to her mom, who I observed as a newcomer, for introducing her to it!

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  36. Perfect! If I was her mother, I'd so want this picture! Axxx

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  37. OMG!!! I'm going to go post up an image on my photo blog that I've been thinking of for the past two weeks - an old image.... of me... I think that I'd seen this one of yours - glanced at it - when you first posted but didn't have a chance to comment, here. I wonder if that's partly why my image has been in my mind so much.... I, also, know that there were other reasons I was thinking about it but, woah! The power of the subconscious! =/ =] Anyway, I just realized the connection! =]

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  38. How perfect for the theme and beautifully drawn!

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  39. This poetic and beautiful drawing reminds me the time when I discovered the existence of books. When a drawing is so evocative, then it’s Art!

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  40. Wow, this is such a lovely illustration--your delicate pencil goes so well with her gentle expression!

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