Very Cheri

Editorial: Destinations Australia

2012-01-31T11:31:00.003+11:00

This is a editorial I did for Destinations Australia. The article was introducing the various shopping areas in Western Australia. If you're ever there don't miss out on these places.

Editorial: The Period Home Renovator Magazine

2012-01-30T14:27:00.002+11:00

Hi all! This is some recent work I've been doing. This project was for The Period Home Renovator magazine. The article was about the realities of home renovating and how different families dealt with it and share tips.

Blast from the past '02

2011-12-30T14:49:00.003+11:00

Look what I dug up from my past!! I've been a big No Doubt fan since high school and I finally got to go to my first No Doubt concert in '02, Summer Sonic in Japan. I made this with the intension to give to Gwen when she was in front of me (I made sure to get to the front and stay there, it was absolutely awesome!) but unfortunately I didn't take into account that I would be drowning under the sudden wave of human bodies. So, yeah, never stood a chance... haha! Anyways this was me at 21.

Life Drawing: Burlesque

2011-10-30T23:13:00.002+11:00

This weekend was jammed packed with drawing around the Melbourne city. First we started off from Melbourne Central slowly made our way to The Block. Then we were waiting in anticipation to see the Zombie march but unfortunately we were in a totally different street and before we knew it it was over. Though I was lucky enough to bump into a few zombies on the street. Then our last stop was the Burlesque life drawing. Shown here is one of the models, Jess Daly.

Armadale

2011-10-09T21:32:00.003+11:00

I like looking around and taking in my surrounding and this is what I encountered in Armadale the other day...

Cherry Canary: Coffee Experience #1

2011-09-25T23:03:00.009+10:00

A new addition to my Cherry Canary series ♥

Naughty Girls Series: Cookie

2011-08-31T15:00:00.004+10:00

Take a look at the newest edition to my Naughty Girls Series previously know as Nurse Licorice. I had to change the name as I was accumulating too many girls and they all wanted to be in the spotlight!
Her name is Cookie and I hope you enjoy.
You can view the rest of the girls here.

A little animation: Creepy Dancing Bear

2011-08-08T22:29:00.005+10:00

My first attempt with animation.
I call him my Little Creepy Dancing Bear!!

Check this out!!

2011-07-28T23:39:00.011+10:00

Hubby's exhibition!

DRAWN Again: Group Drawing Art Exhibition
I'm taking part in my second group drawing exhibition at Brunswick Street Gallery. There are a lot of great artists taking part and should be a lot of fun!

For this exhibition, I created a series of 7 graphite drawings based on natural spirits, inspired by a local park I walk through almost everyday. I'll leak a few details and pictures after opening night so stay tuned!

Exhibition Details
29 July to 11 August
Brunswick Street Gallery
322 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (corner Argyle St.)
Melbourne, Australia

Opening Night
Friday 29th July
6pm onwards

Look forward to seeing you there!

Having Coffee

2011-07-27T18:05:00.002+10:00

Having a coffee with friends is very delightful but decided to make it a bit more eventful using the materials we had at hand; empty sugar saches. A whole world opened up to us...

New Look ♥

2011-07-26T18:06:00.002+10:00

Ok, I feel like I am constantly changing my website's look and yes, I guess I am. BUT i have to say this is the best yet! All straight forward and no fiddling around looking for the most important thing to show, the work. Stop by and take a look. It is simple, clean and to the point. Very Cheri

Harry Potter Tribute Exhibition

2011-07-13T21:48:00.006+10:00

It's been a while but it's good to be back!!
Actually while I was gone a all the preparations for the Harry Potter Tribute Exhibition was taking place! I was invited to do a piece for the exhibition. Being a Harry Potter fan it was very hard to pick out a specific part I wanted to illustrate. But no time to dwell so out came this piece. Hope you can make it down to Nucleus Gallery and take a look at all the artworks by various artists.

This piece is also in the online auction!!

Made Some Ink!! Shortlisted for Create Awards 2011

2011-05-05T21:20:00.005+10:00

Made some ink this month!! Also been shortlisted for the Desktop Create Awards 2011.
This is the magazine I'm in: Desktop May Issue

And these are the illustrations that got shortlisted.

Overseas Grandma for Sydney's Child

Goodbye Flopsy for Sydney's Child

Illustration Friday: Bicycle

2011-04-28T00:51:00.003+10:00

This is my bicycle.

Tough Times

2011-03-29T18:39:00.003+11:00

This is for all the people out there who are having a tough time and to the people who can help.
With recent events, a lot of things are out of balance and this is a time where it's important to stick together.

When I was growing up in Japan I had a wonderful Japanese teacher who taught me all I know and helped me to advance.
One of the Kanji I remember is person or people. It is one of the first group of Kanji you learn in school in Japan.
Its a very interesting character because it is extremely simple but says a lot.

Japan

2011-03-23T21:33:00.003+11:00

I lived half my life in Japan and got to experience the culture first hand. It is a tragedy what has happened with recent events and my heart goes out to them. Being half Japanese and learning so much from my life in Japan it never came as a surprise when the people of Sendai and people taking charge in the nuclear plants pulled together to help each other. But it is still amazing. Absolutely amazing. It just goes to show how a little gesture of kindness and union can go very far.

Publication: The Leader

2011-02-20T22:22:00.004+11:00

Just wanted to share with everyone, we had a very eventful and night at our opening night for 'Collective Response' Exhibition. If you were in the area and came by, thank you joining us on a very special night :) We were also in the papers, The Leader. We'd like to thank everyone for their support and care. Hope to deliver more in the near future ♥

Cherry Canary: My Nose

2011-02-08T19:25:00.002+11:00

Do you ever wonder how you came to be?? I do and some parts still remain a mystery...

2011 Studio 106 Exhibition

2011-02-01T07:38:00.005+11:00

Hi everyone!

Tomorrow will be the opening night for Studio 106 Exhibition; Collective Response.
This is where I work on my illustrations. I will be taking part in this exhibition and if you are in the area I would be delighted to see you all there :)
This is a link to their website:
www.106art.com

Cherry Canary: Summer Tan

2011-01-21T23:08:00.003+11:00

This is something that was a frequent event during my childhood. Once Summer vacation was in I was outside everyday. You can just imagine what would happen. There was no stopping me! Hope you enjoy the new Cherry Canary :)

Cherry Canary: Bird Droppings

2011-01-03T18:44:00.002+11:00

Cherry Canary continues with her daily adventures:

Contemplating and Harry Potter

2010-12-27T20:14:00.003+11:00

Because the holiday seasons I've been able to get some time to myself and think. Been thinking a lot and while in this thought process I've also been going around taking reference pictures with my trusty camera.

I am a big Harry Potter fan. I've been rereading all the books and watching all the movies, or at least to the latest one that's available on DVD. The books had been a big journey and now with the movies I am repeating history!! (well, my history). So I was thinking to myself what scene stuck with me the most?? I had to think very long for this one. It's the whole experience and the world you get caught up in that makes me love it so much. But if I HAD to pick one scene it would be when Harry first goes to Diagon Alley. That place is just amazing it has everything in that alleyway. The next I love is the stairwell of Hogwarts. Ok, so I didn't pick a particular scene or event but those places grabbed my attention but that just explains what I said before that I loved the world and atmosphere.

Now I ask what was your favorite part of the movie??

Photo Experimentation

2010-12-12T19:15:00.004+11:00

Time to do something fun. with my little phone camera this is what I came across today...

In the park:

In the kitchen:

At the kitchen table:

Book of the Day: The Giving Tree

2010-12-06T13:21:00.004+11:00

Now I know it says The Book of the Day in the title but this is one of my all time favorites. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. It's a bout a boy and a tree and how much the tree loved the boy. I remember very clearly when I first had someone read this book to me. It was in kindergarten and the teacher was reading it to us. It hit me very hard. I recommend this to anyone whether you're into books, children's books or not. It's a very touching story and you're bound to remember it for a very long time.

Editorial: The Structure of Support

2010-11-17T20:41:00.006+11:00

This is an article I had the opportunity to illustrate for Sydney's Child. The story is quite complex so at first it was a bit challenging to get the right image but once I started dropping and cutting off paragraphs and words to get to the core and find those keywords it all became very obvious.

This is the article with my illustrations:

Tearsheet courtesy of Sydney’s Child

These are the finished images:

And these are some concepts:

Editorial: Farewelling Flopsy

2010-11-14T21:15:00.003+11:00

This is a n editorial I did for Sydney's Child in September. The story is about a parent when she has to tell her children their pet passed away.

Tearsheet courtesy of Sydney’s Child

The final image:

The concepts:

Concept 1

Concept 2

New Look!!

2010-10-02T17:40:00.003+10:00

You can use your own background images now!! Yay!! So this is my new look until I get the sudden urge to change it again...
Nice weather in Melbourne so the studio is nice again. Working on finishing a book. I'm half way now just another half to go. phew!
Enjoy the weekend!

Illustration Friday: Acrobat

2010-09-24T01:19:00.003+10:00

This is my illustration for Illustration Friday: Acrobat.
Just remembering the times I was a "professional" acrobat.

Illustration Friday: Proverb

2010-09-16T19:42:00.003+10:00

This is my illustration for Illustration Friday: Proverb.

猫に鰹節 neko ni katsuobushi
Literally: fish to a cat.
Meaning: A situation where one can not let their guard down (because the cat can't resist stealing your fish). - from Wikiquote

Editorial: Long Distance Grandma

2010-09-06T11:57:00.001+10:00

Hi everyone! Hope all is well. Spring weather is starting to come in for Australia and so it's easier to move about and get out of bed without the dread. Though it's not cold compared to other countries it still take s a while to get the blood flowing...
Anyways, This is a recent editorial I had the opportunity to do for Sydney's Child. The story is about the relationship between Grand parent and grandchild wen distance come in between. I was able to relate very much to this story as I have always lived very far away from my grandparents.

The main image

Tearsheet courtesy of Sydney's Child

Editorial: Enviable Challenge

2010-08-07T23:50:00.003+10:00

This is a new editorial I had the opportunity to do for Sydney's Child.

Editorial: Behind the Birthing Bravado

2010-07-08T18:14:00.003+10:00

A new post!! Haven't been able to get around to doing one comfortably but I thought can't always have it your way so here I am at the library doing a new post.

This is one I had the opportunity to do with Sydney's Child for the June issue. We went through a few concepts before we were able to get to these two but it was worth it and the end result was great.

These are the final results the first one is the main image:

Illustration Friday: Early

2010-05-28T23:08:00.005+10:00

This is what I did for Illustration Friday. The theme: Early.

New site is up and running!!

2010-05-23T13:20:00.006+10:00

My website, verycheri.com is healthy and new. After an incident that happened a few weeks ago I thought it was time to update my website to something more functional and easier to use and maintain.

So without farther avail welcome to my new website!

Illustration Friday: Equipment

2010-05-21T23:33:00.002+10:00

This is an illustration I did for Illustration Friday. The theme, 'Equipment'.

Sketch Book: Arcade (Japan)

2010-05-20T13:18:00.003+10:00

This was done when I was last in Japan. I was sitting with Rob having a coffee in an arcade in Namba, Osaka. A place we went to quite often while our stay there. It is loud crowded and lots of people shouting to grab attention from potential customers, flyer and tissue distributors and pachinko parlors. I was taking all this in and thought to myself someone could possibly have an information overload just walking through these arcades. So I made a sketch while there sipping on my 3rd refill of coffee at Mister Doughnuts.

Sarah Vain and Tall

2010-05-10T10:39:00.005+10:00

I had the opportunity to be apart of this project, an up and coming brand dedicated to tall women and girls. I designed the logo and identity for Sarah Vain and Tall with designer and director of Sarah Vain and Tall, Anne Shea.

This is the logo,identity/brand for Sarah Vain and Tall.

Here is a one half of the branding/identity image of Sarah vain and tall which is taking a simple approach. When having to make avatars and identities for online communities and portfolios it was important to get the Sarah Vain and tall image out and easy to recognize and scalable, and so the simple approach came about.

This is with the logo. Currently used for the Sarah Vain and Tall Facebook Avatar.

Outcome of Lilo's Promise Animal Rescue Art Auction

2010-05-06T15:48:00.004+10:00

I'm happy to announce Lilo's Promise Animal Rescue had a very successful night with the art Auction. The Dog and Cat Ball sold and all profits will be going to the furry friends at Lilo's Promise Animal Rescue.

Editorial: Stepping Over Stereotypes

2010-04-30T17:13:00.002+10:00

Sydney's Child gave me this opportunity to do the illustrations for the story 'Stepping Over Stereotypes'. It is about a woman who is a stepmother who reads a fairy-tale to her stepdaughter but then is confronted by a question, who killed the stepmother. It explains the joys but also the difficulties in joining a new family and what is expected.

These are the finished art.

Editorial: Pushy Piano Parent

2010-03-26T16:44:00.009+11:00

This is a piece I had the opportunity to do for Sydney's Child, April Issue 2010. Would you be a pushy piano parent or not? i don't know. I definitely think that supporting your children's ambition is important and if encouraging is needed then encourage them.

This is the finished product. The First one is the centre piece and the second is the sub:

Centre image for 'Pushy Piano Parent'.

Sub image for 'Pushy Piano Parent'.

These are a couple of concepts for the main image. We eventually went for concept 1:

Main image concept 1.

Main image concept 2.

And these are the sub images. Here we went for concept 2:

Sub image concept 1.

Sub image concept 2.

Lilo's Promise Animal Rescue

2010-03-25T21:23:00.004+11:00

This is a charity piece for Lilo's Promise Animal Rescue. There will be an art auction on the 10th April 2010 to help the our furry friends. Hope you can make it.

Details:

Artistic Expressions” Art Auction Benefit
April 10, 2010
Collingswood Community Center
Collingswood, NJ
6:30 pm
856-207-7818

Dog & Cat Ball

Look what I found!!

2010-03-17T17:49:00.003+11:00

I came across a blog with something interesting. Click here to see specs. I tried it for the whole day and this is what I was able to do with out looking at it the whole time. This program records your mouse path. Pretty cool.

This was at 2:25 pm today.

This was at 4:28 pm today.

And this was at 5:33 pm today.

Editorial: 2020 Vision

2010-03-06T21:16:00.007+11:00

This is another piece I had the opportunity to for Sydney Child Feb issue. The story is about now with our families and how would it be in 20 year time. Are we spending enough time with them or not.

This was quite difficult because there a lot of important passages. I had a lot to choose from.

So this is how I started out like this:

Two versions for the center image.

Two versions for the sub image.

Now this didn't work out so a few more concepts with the guidance of the Art Director. And this is what came up:

One each passed but the main images was trying to say too much so it was simplified by taking the lens image out. The following are the finished pieces for 2020 Vision.

Wisdom Teeth

2010-03-05T18:38:00.004+11:00

My new experiment. Meet Cherry Canary.
This is from my experience in recent life and I am using the form of a comic strip and the character Cherry to convey what I felt and thought at the time.

Project: Wedding Invitation

2010-01-25T23:21:00.005+11:00

This was done for Anne&Dan who will be getting married very very soon. The over all theme is two birds. These are two birds I illustrated. I don't know about other countries but in Japan they say that a person is tied to their destined one with red thread. We wanted incorporate that metaphor with the two birds tying the knot.
I am a big fan of paper, texture and interaction with all materials. This invitation was designed with three sections where the last section, the RSVP card and present card, is perforated so that it can be easily detached and sent back to the bride and groom to-be. The stock used in for this project was a soft white with a blush of beautiful sparkle. Only with a tilt in the light do you actually notice the sparkle. As for the wrap a translucent white with thready texture was used.
I really enjoyed this!!

Theme

Process For 'End of Friendship' Illustration

2010-01-08T22:07:00.005+11:00

This is a project I did recently and it was a story about the end of a friendship. Two women who where friends while their children were babies started growing apart as their children got older because they couldn't get along.
When I read this story the yellow brick road kept popping into my head. Paths in other words, as we all make choices that alter our lives in some small way or big.
So here I am with my own yellow brick road to go down and came up with a few concepts to pitch.

Concept 1

Concept 2

Concept 3

These are fairly finished roughs with a colour map. The colour maps are there for both the art director and myself. Surprises can be disastrous... so I try to keep far away from those situations. But then you never know what can happen. Sometimes it all has to change if I'm not conveying what the story is saying.

It was decided that Concept 1 fit the story. I usually work at a B5 size, maybe a bit longer. The finished size was to be 14 x 10 in the magazine.
I stretch the paper and start once it is dried. I have two methods I use to transfer which is the light box or tracing paper. Depending where I am and what is available.
Then the painting comes in. After that I take it into computer for any digital work to done. In this particular one I used digital colouring around the children as I was still indecisive as to what colour should go around them and instead of making it impossibly difficult for me I decided to rely on digital coloring. Handy thing.

Finished Product

This year's end of year panto!

2009-12-28T17:02:00.005+11:00

This year's panto was absolutely fun to be apart of. I was able to meet new actors to the Adelphi Players and enjoyed performing aside them. This year, as I announced in a previous post, was 'Dick Whittington and His Amazing Cat'. I was able to wear a beautiful aqua blue gown and discovered I could dance in it :) Nothing got caught anywhere and nobody got injured. All came to end with our last performance on the 20th Dec 2009. I hope everyone was able to enjoy the performance as much as I did. Hope to see everyone next year.

Photo of the cast.

Pieces at the Exhibition: Power In Numbers

2009-12-14T01:27:00.004+11:00

'Power In Numbers' exhibition has opened and these are the pieces I had the chance to contribute. Here I have used my journey to Japan to be the main theme of this project and I wanted to show how food is very important in Japanese culture.

Kaiten Sushi (Sushi Train)

Udon (Thick Noodles)

Kotatsu Mikan (Tangerine)

Yakiniku (BBQ)

Ideas for New Year's Day: Origami Dolls

2009-12-01T16:13:00.007+11:00

Here I go again on my journey of paper folding (origami). It is always a treat to create something and enjoy looking at it. This is a little doll that will be making her debut on a card very soon. She is sitting here right in front of me and feels like she's got a life of her own!! Many years ago when I was only a little girl I was in front of the TV. This was in the middle of the day but they were showing some sort of a Japanese horror film. If I understood it well enough then I think it was about a Japanese Doll being abandoned because the owner felt there was something wrong with it. Something wrong with it all right! It started floating in the air and chasing the owner around the back streets. Eventual the doll got it's revenge and then was found and picked up by a little girl. And I am assuming it starts all over again. This sort of story is very common in Japan so much so that they have a shrine where you can bring your dolls to rest.

I used paper from the Cristina Re collection. It's very lovely paper and they have paper with double sides, each design complimenting each other.

Panto '09: Dick Whittington

2009-11-30T08:41:00.005+11:00

I always participate in the end of the year Panto with Adelphi Players and this year we will be doing 'Dick Whittington'. The show will be starting this week Saturday 5th December 2009!! Here, I am showing the costume I will be wearing in the show. As a little girl I always wanted a dress like Aurora from Sleeping Beauty and remember wishing for one. I think I got my wish. I also get to wear it several times in December!!!!!

Sneak Peek: My Exhibiting Pieces

2009-11-27T19:50:00.003+11:00

This is a peek of what I will be exhibiting in 'Power In Numbers' exhibition at Nucleus Gallery.

This was inspired by my last trip to Japan. Food is great there and I wanted to do some pieces using the atmosphere and the characters who come into these eating environments. In Japan around the table and in spas are THE places to really communicate with others especially families. (When I say spas these are public baths which are still quite common in Japan though over recent year there has been a major decrease in the industry.)

Please enjoy the sneak peek. The series is call 'Monsters and Food in Japan'.

Exhibition: Power In Numbers

2009-11-25T10:49:00.004+11:00

I Have been invited to participate in a group exhibition at Nucleus Gallery in L.A. I am very excited and would like to invite everyone! If you are in the area please stop by. Details are below.

4th Annual “Power in Numbers" Benefit Show (PIN4)
December 12, 2009 – December 28, 2009
Opening Reception: Saturday, December 12, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Location: Nucleus Gallery
210 East Main Street
Alhambra, CA 91801

[Link]

Lady Dragon from Nurse Licorice

2009-09-06T21:06:00.003+10:00

A new addition to my Nurse Licorice: Lady Dragon (竜の女)
She is quite a feisty one. She even says so in her message! But don't get offended, she is extremely super sensitive and she can't help but lash out at the first sign of discomfort.

Here also I inked , scanned and coloured in photoshop.

The Lady Dragon.

Introducing Lolly from Nurse Licorice

2009-09-02T17:04:00.004+10:00

She is an addition to my ongoing project of 'Nurse Licorice'.
In all the illustrations for this project I ink the initial drawing, next scan and then colour in photoshop. Recently I have been very attracted to flat colours and minimal colour usage. Then I thought it would go perfect with this project as I my trying to express my girls personality with the impact you can get with flat colours.

Introducing Lolly:

Recent Projects - Nurse Licorice Book

2009-08-30T21:44:00.005+10:00

This is a recent project I have been working on and is still in the works. This book is about the working women and how they spend their time thinking, wondering, and what they do on the job and off. That spare and precious time we use to for ourselves.

The cover design (Nurse Licorice)

And this is Lamb

James Jean Signing

2009-08-26T12:59:00.005+10:00

This was a pretty awesome opportunity to meet someone I really admire. Went to a signing of James Jean with Rob and Sixto. Though, I never really know what to say to someone you only know through their work, I did managed to say thank you. It was great!! James Jean seemed a very humble person and patient. From all I gather I would say he's a very cool person. Thanks for coming to Melbourne, James!!
We were very lucky to get a copy of the kindling Book. It is very beautiful and bigger than I expected.

Some photos of us!!

James Jean and me.

James Jean and Rob.

James Jean and Sixto.

Outside Outre, moments before meeting James Jean.

Inside Outre, after our signing.

Bear Attack!!

2009-08-11T23:35:00.003+10:00

This is a campaign I was apart of to promote Lurzer's Archive 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide. The theme was bear attack!! I went traditional and used acrylic on paper. Mostly using a watercolor effect.

Check out new updates on my website: Very Cheri

Gluttony

2009-08-08T11:38:00.007+10:00

Our beloved cat, Chess, who loved food more than anything in this world. He is a perfect example of 'Gluttony'. Though it is a one of the seven sins, he makes it look so good.

He inspired us to do this piece on him. A video produced by Cheri and Robert Scholten.
Our YouTube

Ummm... No.

2009-08-03T15:38:00.007+10:00

These are a few works I did a couple of months ago but didn't get through. This is before I added elements with the computer. Oh well, better luck next time...

My Etsy Shop

2009-06-12T12:11:00.002+10:00

My Etsy shop is finaly up with products. I am very excited and hope everyone can stop by and have a look. Here is a fast link to a few of my products.

-In the Gardens- Exhibition

2009-06-10T15:56:00.004+10:00

This was submitted to the St Kilda Botanical Gardens' 'In the Gardends' exhibition to support and help the beautiful gardens.
All the painting that were exhibited were produced within the park over the period of three days which was during the long weekend in Melbourne, Australia. I approached the theme using the imagination and came up with my 'Forest Spirit'.

Daydream Network DD06 Magazine is out!

2009-05-07T21:37:00.005+10:00

I am featured in this magazine! It is all very exciting and I hope to get some copies!

This sleek and sexy 6th edition of Daydream is jam packed with 80 pages of uninterrupted creative offerings, featuring photographers, writers, illustrators and designers. This is also the debut of Inua Ellams as literature editor for word-art submissions, so you are sure to find some surprise and solace in the wise, weird and wonderful words within the pages of one of the finest editions yet!

Daydream is produced independently in London and is a guaranteed fix of inspiration featuring established names and hidden gems from across the globe. http://www.daydreamnetwork.com to get your copy, for more info and how to get involved.

A project coming to an end...

2009-04-27T16:08:00.003+10:00

I will be finalizing my 'Knobby Knee Monster' book for good now. The story is done and all the roughs for the second part is down. Now it is time to bring some color into their lives. From there, there will be another stage of formatting. The final product shall be coming soon :)

Something new

2009-04-09T20:40:00.005+10:00

Been in the studio creating some new stuff.
This is to go into one of my books that is in the making.

Creepy Bear - Acrylic on paper

200 Best Illustrators worldwide 09/10

2009-03-27T13:26:00.004+11:00

This is so very exciting! Three of my illustrations are going to be published in the next '200 Best Illustrators worldwide'.

My postcards have finally arrived!

2009-03-26T09:07:00.004+11:00

My postcards have finally arrived. It was really exciting to open the box and find the shiny postcards there. Now they are off to fulfill their duty. I hope it can be enjoyed as much as I enjoyed creating it.

Illustration: Hide and Seek

Print making I've been doing for the last 6 weeks

2009-03-15T17:36:00.004+11:00

I signed up for a etching workshop with Rob. Cherie Winters, a fabulous Printmaker based in Melbourne ran the class. I had a lot of fun learning a new medium and plan to continue with it. These are prints I made over the past six weeks. I used copper plates for etching, dry point and aquatint. I also used X-ray sheets to do dry point.

Koinobori

Fox's Wedding

Balloon Fish

Ally Cat

New section on my website

2009-03-14T15:34:00.003+11:00

I have finally added the sketch book section to my website. I've been wanting to do that for a while and now I can say I did it. There is one sketch book up but the others will be updated as soon as have scanned the pages in.

A page from my moleskin

2009-03-11T18:53:00.006+11:00

This is another page from my trusty moleskin!
I call this Glance (glancing in a mirror to check out how intimidating you are, hahaha)
It is line work with Pen and then I painted it with acrylic paint.

Featured in UK magazine Daydream Edition 6 (DD06)

2009-03-05T18:58:00.004+11:00

My Knobby Knee Monster will be featured in a UK magazine Daydream Edition 6 (DD06)! I am very happy that Knobby Knee Monster will be able to see the UK which I am yet to accomplish.

From my moleskin

2009-03-01T22:10:00.004+11:00

These are from my moleskin I am carrying around at the moment.

A fish swimming in the air using balloons.

This one is 'Ladies of the Night'

Go down one block
Look left then right
What is it with this atmosphere
It's the ladies of the night
They bring you mystery, love and lust
The softness of their bodies, oh what a delight.

On Twitter now!

2009-03-01T11:10:00.005+11:00

I have now joined the crowd of twitter, leaving little tweets through out the day☆ You can find me here.

Lovely twitter bird is from Luc Latulippe.com. Its is part of a set of 24 twitter birds that he is offering free from his website. Get them here.

My new postcard

2009-02-26T13:29:00.005+11:00

This illustration is from my trusty moleskin I carry around everywhere. I never leave home without it. I am using the thicker paged one at the moment. It makes scanning and cleaning easier when you don't have an image popping from behind.
My new postcard.
The theme here is 'The Fox's Wedding'. It's a well known saying when it rains and shines at the same time. I also wrote a poem to go with it. There is also a little glimpse of my next book (the little square at the bottom).

Foxes Wedding

Rain or shine
Embrace them both
I am yours and you are mine

Smell the air
All is one
Today we entwine

Take my hand
We’ll trot all day
We’ll cross the wide green land

I am here
Always and forever
Without you life is bland

Illustration and Poem
by Cheri Scholten

I take great pleasure in Origami

2009-02-21T11:05:00.006+11:00

Being half Japanese and living in Japan for half my lifetime I had the great pleasure of having origami in my life.

It all started in the States when I was a child and my bother and I were to introduce Japan to our classes. He was in kindergarten and I was in the 1st grade. My mother did all the preparation for the event and that is where I learned how to make hats and cranes. We made hats for all the kindergartners out of newspaper. I couldn't stop folding cranes and kept on folding till this day collecting and learning different folds. I have a whole zoo in the house and other stuff.

Here are my recent collections of folds.

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Afternoon on the beach

2009-02-19T22:14:00.003+11:00

Our friend came down from Canada and we were all at the beach talking. Now my hands take special interest in sand and this is what came up during our conversation.

Collaboration

2009-02-15T22:53:00.004+11:00

Our first public collaboration. I did the drawing and Rob did the colour. He did a very beautiful job and made it more becoming. It was first published on Rob's blog on Valentines Day.

Diverse Visions : Opening Night

2009-02-05T13:57:00.007+11:00

The opening night was a blast! The gallery, corridors, and artist's studios where packed with people from all over to enjoy the night with 106 studio artists.

Artist friend Ruv Nemiro (left) and my artist husband Robert Scholten (right) and my four pieces and Ruv's sculpture in the background

Artist Friend Maria Leonard (left) and me (right)

Rob's work from afar

Atmosphere 1

Atmosphere 2

Atmosphere 3

Exhibition: Diverse Visions

2009-01-31T19:44:00.003+11:00

I will be taking part in a group exhibition with all the artists I share the studio with.
The Opening night will be on the 4th February 2009 from 5pm - 8pm. The exhibition will go on till the 8th of February 2009. It will be held at Level 2, 106 Barkly Street, St. Kilda.

Let the show begin!!

Featured in Behance

2009-01-16T11:15:00.005+11:00

My little Knobby Knee Monster made her debut! This series was featured in Behance on the 4th of January 2009 along with all the other awesome artists and desingers. A really great way to start the year!

Happy New Year!!!!!

2009-01-11T14:17:00.004+11:00

It is 2009! I started my new year by greeting many many people on the streets of Melbourne. It's already been a crazy week starting with all good and bad coming and tumbling in. I'm predicting a busy year.
Happy New Year everyone!

New Space

2008-12-02T10:42:00.004+11:00

Summer is approaching and and many things are happening at once. I will be moving into a new studio space which is very exciting. It will be in a very charming building where I will be working most of my time. New details will be updated on my website in the near future.
There will also be a pantomime during December with sets that I had the opportunity to design. The production is 'Red Riding Hood' from the Adelphi Players. I also have a little part in it as Bo Peep. Pictures of the production will be up as soon as the show starts!

Bologna 2009

2008-09-28T23:14:00.008+10:00

My Bologna Children book Fair 2009 submissions: Nana's Secret

9x5 Take 2

2008-09-20T19:25:00.003+10:00

I was about to submit when I was emailed the theme for this year...
It happens I guess :) The Theme 'The Rat Year'.
My Entry:

9x5

2008-09-18T19:38:00.004+10:00

This was submitted to Illustrators Australia for the 9x5 exhibition.
It is cat, a toy cat built from scraps here and there :)

St Kilda Festival Comp

2008-08-25T12:13:00.006+10:00

My Entries for the St Kilda Festival Art Competition. Starting off with the concept, then painting, and the final touch with digital enhancement.

Life Drawing Part 2

2008-08-18T21:41:00.006+10:00

My Life drawings from Friday. This one was a very special one. We had the chance to draw a pregnant woman.

Arabian Nights

2008-08-13T22:40:00.005+10:00

I am a sucker fairy tales and the stories from The Arabian Nights. I've always wanted to illustrate from the Arabian Nights and I've finally started somewhere.

These are my first two.

My monster collection

2008-08-13T22:34:00.005+10:00

This is my Knobby Knee Monsters series. I ended the series with all knobby Knee Monster's friends and other monsters.

Life Drawing

2008-08-12T00:35:00.005+10:00

I have been getting back to life drawing for the last 3 weeks.
Here are a couple drawing done last Friday.

Shortlisted

2008-08-07T00:21:00.006+10:00

Rob and I have been shortlisted for Create Awards 08 (Desktop Magazine)for Original Illustration.

This is mine from the 'Tail Transplant Tale'.

And this is Robs 'Aspergers' illustration and 'Raven' illustration.

Vietnam project

2008-08-05T11:23:00.007+10:00

This was one of our first projects to take place overseas.
With Mind Gallery we were able to make this wonderful piece with the great people of KPMG.
My husband, Rob, and I came up with using the Vietnamese dress and patterns.
Then I came up with the overall design combining it with mosaic feel that Rob came up with.

But this is what happened when the people of KPMG and all the artist who were there to help combined forces!

I definitely had a lot of fun with this one!

TRIP TO VIETNAM

2008-06-25T00:24:00.003+10:00

It's been so hectic that I have neglected my blog :( But out of the busy time my partner and I are getting a chance to go to Vietnam to work for a day and tour for 8 days. This will be a great opportunity to draw and learn a different culture. I am looking forward to it greatly! Plus, I love the food :) Yummmmm

CBCA Conference

2008-05-08T23:03:00.005+10:00

I went to the CBCA conference this year! It was great meet Shaun Tan and Neil Gaiman in person. Though it was a very brief encounter because we were getting our books signed and there were so many people. I was very nervous to even getting my book sign and it was just one of those times when I couldn't think of anything to say. All I managed was "that's so cool". mmmm..... Wish I had come up with something... Other than that all was great. There was a publishers expo held outside of the conference and I was able to go around and introduce myself. I was also lucky enough to meet editors who gave me insight on what they look for in an illustrator and always seek new talent. It's great practice and opportunity to go these places and grasp that chance. Even if I don't get anything out of it this time the more I do it the more chance I have next time.
Here are a few quick shots I managed to take.

Knobby Knee Monster

2008-04-27T23:16:00.006+10:00

My Knobby Knee Monster series is coming to an end... I have a very deep connection with this monster because I also have knobby knees.
There was a lot of pink fur in this collection. Where ever I looked there was fur to be done.
Here are a few finished pieces.

My Proccess - Traditional Illustration

2008-04-15T22:27:00.008+10:00

This is a recent project I am still working on.

First of all I start off by making thumbnails of compositions. When I am happy I make the full scale drawing and finalize it by inking it in. This is so that I will always have something to go back to with out having it fade away. I've had bad experiences with smudged drawings...
I usually use tracing paper to transfer the drawing on to the good stock. There are other ways such as using a light box.

Next I lay down the mid colors. Then I go darkter and light for last.

I finish the illustration and scan it into the computer and adjust the colors if needed.
And voila, we've got an illustration.

There's always a first

2008-03-27T22:05:00.008+11:00

Yes, there is always a first and this is my first entry to my first blog! About time I got around to doing this...

I am an illustrator and I will be posting my progress, discovery, and a whole lot of other things I can't think of at the moment.

On the left is my image of a cat. I used to have a cat by the name of Cruiser and everyday no matter what time of the day as soon as we walked through that front door he is always there to greet us.