I've been busy working on a lot of different projects.
Excuse me while I go into creative hermit mode at times!

The Wes Anderson art event party was really fun.
It was held on the second floor of an amazing old church.*
I painted this fox family portrait with watercolors and also
used Derwent water soluble pencil and colored pencils.
(I found the frame in a local antique store and it inspired
me to design it for a round format.)
If you are interested in this portrait or bookmarks please
message me on facebook (link below).

*If you want to see more pictures of the event check them
out here.  https://www.facebook.com/rachelcbdesign/

Moonrise Madness

Hello friends!
I'm working on some fan art, Wes Anderson (films:
Moonrise Kingdom, Fantastic Mr. Fox, plus other
greats!) themed.  I'm in a show coming up in November.

I decided to do this for fun and practice, along with Inktober.
At times I feel it might be distracting me from working
on my kid's books but really, I can see my work growing
as I do each piece.  Actually it is feeling like a bit of an
adventure in exploring different methods, trying to figure
out which I like best, honing my skills.  You know,  drawing
skills, inking skills, painting skills.  (Napoleon Dynamite ref.!)
If you would like to see my Inktober work check out my
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rachelchristinadesign/
Here is a sample of a print pattern I am working on...inspired
by Moonrise Kingdom's Suzy and kitten.

I'm printing it on fabric and will cover moleskin
sketchbook journals with it.
I am also working on some other pieces including
some fun Fantastic Fox art!  I'll give you a peek
next time!   * Rachel

Hello Friends,
I'm sorry it has been a while but I am planning
to do a show and I'm a little crazy trying to figure
out what I need to work on, print, frame, etc.
This is a fine arts show and I have only done
craft shows so I am having a bit of anxiety over
here.  Therefore, I will be posting sporadically
for a while, possibly for a few months as I hope to
have a summer job.  More about that later...
Soooo, I will let you know about posts via  twitter,
Facebook, and Instagram when I write a blogpost,
or you can just check in now and then.
I was disappointed to find out I couldn't self
publish Balloon Therapy in the small format (like
4x6) that I wanted.  The smallest format I could find
is 6x8.  I made the mistake of illustrating it too small,
but it was a spontaneous sort of work from a sketchbook
that became the story so I guess it couldn't be helped.
Goofed up so you don't have to!  Learn from my mistakes.
Check out standard format sizes if you want to self publish
before you start your book!

As you might already know I love vintage dolls.
These are a couple of my favorites.  I found them at
flea markets but you can find one here if you wish...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Mattel-1967-Liddle
-Kiddles-Skediddle-Suki-Girl-Doll-Walker-Blue-
/122477295601?hash=item1c843737f1:g:
paAAAOSwnHZYWdiI
I've been working on these drawings, adding a bit of pastel,
colored pencil and watercolor.
It's a challenge to work realistically, it's been too long.
Getting the fine details in realistic drawing really helps
when I get to my other style of work.  I think it forces
me to look at every element, so when I get to the
stuff from my imagination the discipline is implemented
naturally.  When I haven't drawn realistically in a while
I just forget and maybe get a little bit lazy. Making artwork
is work after all.

I'm thinking of adding quotes or surface prints in the
backgrounds of these but I am a bit afraid I will mess them
up.  It seems like the best things come out of being fearless
in artwork though, so perhaps I will give it a shot.
May is Mental Health Awareness month.  If you have a friend
out there who seems down in the dumps or lonely reach out to
them.  Send a card or Facebook message, invite them to lunch,
watch Dumb and Dumber or another stupidly funny movie with
them.  It's the little things ya know.
Be the first to guess the doll in pink's secret and win a free print!
Peace,  Rachel

Very Merry UnHalloween

Last week as I was driving by the local laundromat 

I saw a boy in a Spiderman costume and I had to smile.

He looked about four or five. Could it be lack of clean clothes?  

I doubt it.  When my kids were that age, they too were 

compelled to act out their days incognito.  My very own prince, 

princess and dragon raced around the house and yard.  

It didn't need to be Halloween...

Isn't that kind of freedom fabulous?

I feel the urge to make a giant paper mache head.

    Who wants to be a monster?

Enjoy your Tuesday:)  Rachel B.

Balloon Therapy Final Chapter!

Hello Friends!

Last week as I was pondering how to end 

Balloon Therapy, I realized it seemed maybe a 

little scary for little ones to see the pig character 

(Kissandra, Kissy for short)  just pick up the mischievous 

kitten (Poppy) and walk off the bus with him.   

I needed to make a revision.

 So, the conclusion...

What do you think?  I hope Balloon Therapy has brought 

a little cheer to your day!  I am working on a bunch of other 

projects right now so I am going to take a two week break from 

posting here.  I really like this format and I may just continue 

posting stories this way.  Any feedback would really be 

appreciated if you have a moment!

I am going to look into self publishing this as a small soft cover. 

If and when it's available I will let you know.  

It will be a lot easier to "read" as a full booklet!

Have a great couple of weeks.  

May love and peace prevail!  Rachel

Balloon Therapy Part 6

Hello!
What a great weekend.   I had family visiting thus
it was very busy!  I was up late working on these but
couldn't get them posted until today.
It's really amazing how I have learned more each time
I work on this story.  Sometimes I can see where I am
missing an element, like this week I had four finished
then looked back and decided it would be better to fill
in the story with the newspaper illustration.  It's a good
way to inform the viewer and keep the story "wordless".
Only four more illustrations to go and I am still not
positive of where and how the story will end.  It's is
strange how I have had ideas but then the story takes a
totally different turn like it has a mind of it's own within
my mind.  It's really fun working this way.
Enjoy!  Tune in next week for the grand finale of
Balloon Therapy!  <3 Rachel

Balloon Therapy Part 5

Hi there,

So what's happening in Balloon Therapy?

It's taken a turn...any ideas where to go from here?

I think I have it figured out, but I'm not positive 

about the ending.  Only 8 more pages to go...

Thinking about self publishing this story as a little

paperback.  I know it has been a little confusing to 

follow, since you have to read it sort of backwards.  

If you have an excellent idea for the ending I will 

send you a free copy.  Email me, raradesign@yahoo.com

Sweet dreams.  Rachel