Ann Pilicer Illustration

IF Highlight

2012-01-05T10:19:00.000-08:00

Okay well here it is. It took a large chunk of my time! This was actually a dream I had. I have so much more I wanted to add to it (like having the animals holding a big huge highlighter and underlining the words....) but I realize that it became a huge project. I did some things I have not done since college (100 yrs ago). Did some watercolor and collage and digital work. I became consumed with it all in my mind. When all I wanted to do this week was to hibernate. The chill was in my bones it hurt so bad. I do think it came out well and am very happy to finally have it out there and say that okay it is done for now. :) I am not a writer and it comes very hard to me. But, I am happy with this I found it amusing and my little girl just wanted me to read it over and over again. Which always warms the heart. :) Mrs. Moose was now happy to share her life with her new children and her shoe house was always full of laughter and happiness. The end. :)

IF Messenger

2011-12-28T06:45:00.000-08:00

Okay so here it is. I can not believe I was able to do this with the kids home for their 2nd week and the holidays. I have been trying out new things and am enjoying seeing what I come up with. :D Hope you like it. I was actually thinking of using this as my new banner? Let me know what you think? :) Happy New Year Everyone! :D

IF Sink

2011-12-20T12:12:00.000-08:00

Ok this is just a saying but I could not help it. My mom always would use a saying for things. Alot of the times she would mess it up and we would all laugh. Good times..... :D Maybe I will try some of the other sayings to see if I could? Anyone got a good one that they remember?

IF Separated

2011-12-15T09:59:00.000-08:00

Well decided to get back into IF and try out some new things and see what I end up with. I am very happy how this ended up. I want to get back to seeing what others are up to! I have been gone way to long! But, as you can see very busy doing an e-book which was just published. If you are interested see previous post for details.:)take care all!

My New Illustrated E-Book has been Published!!!

2011-12-12T07:14:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! Exciting News!!! The book I have illustrated has just been Published!

The E-book is called Pick-Me Polly written by Heather Tekavec and illustrated by me! I have enclosed a link for you to check it out. Also below I have included your very own sneak peak at some of the illustrations from the book. I hope that you will view Utales and see that it is a wonderful Children's picture book website for downloading E-books to your iphone and ipad or laptop.

Description of book:

Polly just loves being in the spotlight. If there is ever a special event, Pick-Me Polly wants to be at the
center of it. But when Polly is picked to ride on the first and most important float in the town parade, she makes a shocking discovery: first place is not always the best place to be.

http://utales.com/books/pick-me-polly

Still here

2011-11-16T08:14:00.001-08:00

Okay I am so close to publishing my ebook I can almost scream. I am finishing up on tweaking it and hopefully I will make an announcement soon on where you can see it! I have been working on this book for more than 7 months now and have not come up for air yet. That is why I have not been blogging. I have neglected this and hope to get back into it again! So I will be doing the circling again soon and visit my great, wonderful, fantastic artsy friend again soon! Best of luck to you all and see you soon! :D

IF Scary

2011-11-01T08:10:00.000-07:00

IF Scary...... I have not done an illo for IF in a while and decided to take my mind off of what is going on in my world lately. Hope you like it. I modeled the girls after my own two daughters Halloween costumes that they wore last night. Hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween. Boo to all! do not eat too much candy today. Caution! Major headache will come to you! :)

Illustrating a Ebook

2011-09-20T07:33:00.000-07:00

I have been working non stop illustrating a ebook Pick-Me-Polly by Heather Tekavec. Yay! Here is a peek at the approved cover. Hopefully I will be able to share more with everyone soon. I have put it here in low res so you can see. I have a few more spreads to do and then I will announce where you can find it! :D

I have some of the sketches in black and white posted on my website but they are in full color now and will post them here soon. You can see those black and white sketches if you are interested here: www.annpilicer.com. I am really proud of it and can not wait to share. It has kept me so busy that I have not had time for anything else. As soon as I am able to share more I will. I am looking forward to seeing everyones IF's again and checking out my art friends blogs once more. Sorry, all if I have not been able to check in on everyone. But I will be back at it soon. :D

If any writer is interested in doing self publishing or interested in spot illustration please contact me so that I can give you pricing. I have done many books for writers who go thru with self publishing and am experienced and love making their books come to life. I work one on one to get their character just right. You can contact me via email at info@annpilicer.com. I always do free character sketches for approval to see if I am the best fit for you.

Doodling Friday

2011-09-02T05:13:00.000-07:00

Add caption

Okay this is for doodling Friday. To lift my wonderful mood. I did some doodles. Above is the lovely Lady is what I think I will look like in a number of years! ha ha

At least she is stylin! :)

First Day of School Chick

This little chick is ready for school.

And this below is a comic that my daughter did for her History class. I think it was very creative and fun. I am very proud!

Hope you enjoy your Friday and do a doodle too! It made the day brighter for me! :D Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Paleolithic Cave Men on Hunger

Spring Bear Family Outting- Sketch

2011-07-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

Okay well here is Spring. Just thought I would post it. I sent off my group of 3 images to get critiqued.
I also sent out my web link to alot of Agents to see if anyone was interested! oh and sent out postcards.

Cross your fingers and toes for me that I get someones attention!! Look out! :D

Sketch Final for Bear Family Summer Outting-part of the 3 pieces for promotion

2011-07-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

Made all the adjustments and this is the final image I will be going with. The next one up in my Bear family series is Spring. I will be posting the sketches and final. I hope to get that ready to send out next week for the major critique. 3 pics in the series for promotional. Hopefully someone will take notice!!

At least I am trying!

Sketch Layout #2 Bear Family Summer for promotional piece

2011-07-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

Okay I have placed them together and need to add a few things to the sketch to make it complete before I send it out for a critique. If anyone has some suggestions on things I could add or any comments please do! This is to accompany the bears in the boat which is a illustrated piece I posted previously.

I will be doing a spring one next.....But, I would like to have this done first! :D deadline approaching got to get to sketching!! Let me know what you think... :D

Oh, and something is going on with my blog followers listing. It is showing up blank. I am hoping it will pop up again soon to show all my fabulous friend followers!

More Character sketches today of my take on Bear Family

2011-07-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

Okay so I am at it again. As you can see I changed the boy bear up a bit. He seemed to hard lined. This is for my summer bear family. It is getting there. I will keep at it and see what happens. Like I say to my kids keep tryin dont give up! song. Not really sure where that is from but it helps. Anyway, if anyone has any ideas you can throw it my way... I am here to listen to suggestions. Always... :D

Character Development/ Simon and Schuster Art critique

2011-07-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone I had a art critique with the art director on Simon and Schuster recently thru a conference with SCBWI in Orlando. The experience was great and It was really nice to meet with illustrators like myself. It was a really good learning experience.
I was so nervous and if I thought about it any more I would have fainted! But, the art director liked my work!!! and loved my Bears in the illustration above in this particular illustration. We spoke about really seeing them in different seasons for example. So right now I have just sketched out and developing the young character in a position that you can see him more clearly. Then work on the others. I think I am going to use them in two different seasons and put them on a promotional postcard. Right now you can see that I am thinking summer. If you have any ideas or comments they are always welcome!
Other than that in a nutshell she said your work is good... so go out there and get a rep or just go get em what are you waiting for! Well, I am going to start looking for representation now and narrow down and see if I have any takers! I have prepared my mailing list and will popping those postcards in the mail as well! Hopefully I will have good news to share soon! :D

I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July and is having a great summer so far!

IF SWEPT / Scholastic Poster Contest

2011-06-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

Did a doodle for this weeks IF to try to get back into it... As the flower was swept into the air from the strong gust of wind a happy little fairy hopped on for a ride. :D

Also, please take the time to vote for me for the Scholastic Poster Contest. Above the sign is what it looks like! It is now up to the public to vote. You may vote multiple times! I have been selected as one of the top 10 finalists. Also, tell your friends to vote too! :D The voting is up on Monday! I am attaching the link so that you can go right to it. :D Many thanks to those who vote. Please let me know if you did! I would love to know!!!

Announcement: http://oomscholasticblog.com/2011/06/voting-is-now-open.html
Voting: http://opinio.scholastic.com/opinio/s?s=5869

IF Bicycle- Late!

2011-05-04T08:19:00.000-07:00

Well it is late for IF but here is my take on Bicycle. I am sick with a stomach bug that my kids have been passing to each other. This thing will not go away!
This word reminded me of my girls school crossing guard who I just had to illustrate. What a character!
I hope I can make it for this weeks word. I will try.... no promises! :D

IF Toy

2011-04-01T07:26:00.000-07:00

Last minute lady! Here it is "toy"! Hope you like it. It was a difficult one for me for some reason. I did another illo right away and it was horrible. Ended up with this one that I do like but took up alot of time to do. But, I am happy with it! :)

IF Cultivate

2011-03-24T06:23:00.000-07:00

Well here it is! I had fun with this piece if it does not show. For some reason my colors are muted when I post. Can not figure out why? I have wanted to do a perspective piece for a while now and this just popped in my head. As you can see I was able to put a dog into it. I just love adding dogs when I can! :D

IF Stir

2011-03-16T06:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, leave it to the spoons to have a good time! They are stirring up some fun! a spoon full of whipped cream and sugar! :D need I say more.... :D

IF Swarm

2011-03-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

Okay they all swarm on the candy! Yay! Still feel like something is missing! But I worked really hard on this so I am going to leave it for now. What is your favorite candy? I am more of a cookie person! :D

Blog look

2011-02-28T12:25:00.000-08:00

Hey there all... just trying to figure out what was the best look for this blog! Well I ended up with this I hope everyone likes it and comes back often to comment or just say hi! The other one I had was a little in your face frightening after a while. I think this is better. :D

IF Layer

2011-02-23T09:01:00.000-08:00

Pulled out a old one but a good one and revamped it. I thought it would be great for the word. Cupcakes do make me smile. Each layer is pure goodness! :) YUM!

I am trying to gear up for a SCBWI conference in June and decided it was time to try to promote myself with a postcard! along side a new portfolio ( still working on!) I hope it gets someones attention! It is my first real time trying to promote. You would think after "beep" years I would have tried much sooner. But, I am really proud of myself on how far I have come and hope that it might take me places. :)

IF Sweater

2011-02-17T07:29:00.000-08:00

Okay this was the only thing I could think of. 3 doggies with sweaters! I was going to add trees and things but it was getting late again maybe at some point I will do that. But, I think I have another one for my portfolio. :)

IF Reverse

2011-02-10T21:03:00.000-08:00

Okay here it is finally. I would have had it sooner if I did not have a monster of a headache! No animals were harmed on this adventure! :D

IF Dusty

2011-01-27T05:09:00.000-08:00

Okay, I missed out on Chicken. So here is one for "Dusty". Let's see.... Dusty the chicken would not leave her house. She did not like the look of those sheep! They always played tricks on her!

A stylish blogger award

2011-01-17T14:04:00.000-08:00

I have just been given a "Stylish Blogger Award" by Christie. Thank you! It was quite wonderful to receive.
I in turn have the duty to pass it along to 10 more bloggers......
Okay seven things about myself... not know if I could think of anything interesting...

1. Always looking at ways to improve my art.
2. Always say to my kids " today is a new day".
3. Love to just have a moment to sit and sketch.
4. I love singing to old songs with my kids.
5. Always cold it seems and need to wear my favorite sweater!
6. I love to read and look at illustrations of many children's books.
7. Lastly, my family and friends mean the world to me.

And now I shall pass this award on to the much deserving fellow artists. Please look at their blog
and I know you will think they are great as much as I do! They are in no particular order they are all well deserving!

If you decide to join in please pick up the Stylish Blog award on my blog. Then pass it on...

String Studio by Jane Massey
Angelato by Angela Matteson
Fox in Socks by Paige Keiser
Just pencil on paper by Jane Grant Tentas
Gingerpixels by Ginger
Diana Evans illustration
N.B. Miller By Nancy Bea Miller
Nina Seven
Tamara Henderson
Yellow Kitty by Tracy Cundiff

For all of these wonderful illustrators who would like to participate and pass on the award that would be great. Let the illustrators know that you appreciate their work and think they are great.

You may pick up your Stylish Blogger award and drag it onto your computer and post it with pride!

New Portfolio Piece- Bear Family outing

2011-01-14T18:05:00.000-08:00

So cold outside today thought I would be like a bear and hibernate! So I did a new piece for my portfolio.
Hope you like it. Stay warm everyone! :D How are you keeping warm.... anyone having some hot chocolate! YUM!

IF Winter

2010-12-29T13:02:00.000-08:00

Okay decided to do a If for this week. It has been so cold here in Florida that it was not hard to imagine
snow. Hope these little chickadees find a warm and cozy place for the night. :D Being here for about 10 years my blood has gotten very thin and I am ALWAYS cold! Gotta grab my old lady sweater! ha ha! Hope you like it. Trying out some new things. Stay warm everyone.
And Happy New Year to all!

IF Transportation

2010-10-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

Scooter is traveling the world using many ways of transportation! I will be putting these up on my Etsy as prints and some more originals will be available! They are Aceo's. Where will Scooter show up next! Any ideas ???

Phineas and Ferb Song Izzy's Got The Frizzies HD With Close Caption Lyrics

2010-10-13T05:40:00.000-07:00

Love this and it always makes me smile! Thought I should share it with my blogger friends!
The Phineas and Ferb show is the best!!! Check it out if you have not seen it! My kids dance
to this we all get kick out of it!!!

A Lovely Blog Award!!!

2010-10-09T17:07:00.000-07:00

Wow, I was surprised yesterday to have another fellow artsy blogger named Michele from her blog Mushroom Tender give me this Lovely Blog Award. I am thrilled to get this. After a while of blogging you wonder who is actually taking the time to look. Is anyone out there looking? When you have a chance please look into her blog she is a wonderful artist.

With this blog Award comes a duty to share with your own fellow bloggers. To nominate other bloggers who you feel have inspired you and to make them aware that they do so. So I am sharing with you. This award goes to all the people that I have listed below. Please take the time to look at their work.

Chris Forrest
Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Hollie Hibbert
Jack Foster
Megumi Lemons
Kathy Hare
Victoria Usova
Mary Hall
Mika
Alicia Padron
Penny Weber
Liz Lucas
Joy Steverwald
Christine Grove
Helen Wheeler-Shaw

These bloggers are wonderful and in no special order on my list. They are all unique in their own way. If you are one of the names on my list please pass on this award to who you find inspires you!

IF Beneath

2010-10-06T10:05:00.001-07:00

He took his little girl to see the fireflies beneath the moonlit sky on a summer night!

Well I have been out for more than a few weeks trying to get my shop up and running. Took alot more time than I thought. Oh and alot of research! But it has arrived! If you have a moment please check it out my artsy friends. :D

IF Artificial

2010-08-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

Artificial Flowers in her hair and a dress cut down to there! ha ha
I did a quick digital. I did not want to miss out on the word. Really reached for this one... could not think of anything else.

IF Giant

2010-07-08T19:32:00.001-07:00

Although Lilly is small her personality is Giant! All her friends make sure to tell her how Giant her shadow is on stage. This made Lilly smile... :)

I only had enough time to clear up my sketch. I am really happy on how this turned out and I am hoping that when I put it into color I will be as happy. I think I will take my time on this one.

Lilly is a character I am developing for a story that I have in my head. ( written on some scrap paper) She is a combination of me and my beautiful girls. :D

Lilly's personality is nothing like me. I could never go on stage! oh, except when I was little and did dance recitals. Thinking back to it makes me nervous and ugh! :D

Picnic

2010-07-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

This is my picnic illo. This was done about a year ago in watercolor and ink for a book I illustrated called Room for One More by Donna Mavrides. It is strange to look back at how much my style has changed.

IF Satellite- Surfin Aliens Satellite

2010-07-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder why your reception on your television was bad or where all those leg warmers went to. Well here is your answer! My surfin aliens satellite .... I had some fun with this I hope you like it!

IF Paisley

2010-06-23T13:40:00.001-07:00

Okay...a place I would rather be. My IF for this weeks word "Paisley". Hope you like it. :D

IF Detective

2010-04-20T10:33:00.001-07:00

Sherlock McBone and Mr. Stinky Cheese III has closed in on those sneaky cats! They won't get away with it this time! Still getting used to the digital thing. I probably could have added in more stuff but I just wanted to post it! This topic was fun! I hope you like it.
Let me know what you think! :D

Our Crazy Baby Iguana visit or Geico Lizard

2010-04-17T09:50:00.001-07:00

We got a happy Lizard visit that freaked out the girls. So funny! Almost looks like that Geico lizard. Thought I should share this funny photo with you!

IF LINKED / IF DIP

2010-04-14T10:31:00.001-07:00

Well I finally think I am close to being done with this one. ...I just wanted to post for this week. This illustration was supposed to be dip.

Here goes.....Baby animals behind the fence that is "linked" together. The baby animals in the zoo could not wait to play in the water while the zoo area was closed. Good thing Ms. Duck is keeping a close eye on them.
Okay I know it is a stretch but it was supposed to be Dip. I hope you like it. :D

I do love comments... It keeps me going.. so if you have time please leave one. :D

IF Dip

2010-04-07T04:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I know I am not going to finish the piece I am working on for this word. So I decided to put this up. I never posted it and I think it works for the word. Hey everyone in the pool it is time for a dip! Sorry that was cheesy! ha! But, here it is.... :D I will post the other image on my blog as soon as I can get it done!!

IF Rescue

2010-04-01T07:05:00.001-07:00

This is dedicated to our rescue dog Scruffalapagus Potter aka "Scruffy" who was rescued in the month of March of last year. Happy 1 year anniversary with our family! Here she is getting a bath by my two beautiful girls.

WaWe Spring First Entry

2010-03-26T19:31:00.001-07:00

IF Expired

2010-03-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

Ew! who left the eggs out on the table! They turned green. Ew!

IF Subterranean

2010-03-17T05:17:00.001-07:00

My first Digital illustration!!! I had so much fun with this figuring out what to do for the word. I am really happy with it. Let me know what you think! They were pretty lucky to find those big marshmellows in the woods! :)

IF Brave

2010-03-11T16:41:00.001-08:00

Getting on that tire was sure brave! Went to my old comfortable painting style with this one so I could get it done! I knew if I did not do IF I would feel like I missed out... Glad I made it in time!

New updated Website now up and running!

2010-03-10T10:31:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone-
I am happy to finally say that my website is officially now up and running. I have been working really hard on it. I hope you like it. Please check it out.
Here is your link....

http://annpilicer.com

New Book Release on Amazon!!! - I have illustrated

2010-03-03T07:40:00.000-08:00

Grandpa Fix-it-

Grandpa loves to fix everything in the house, until one day he finds something he can't fix. But he's still "Grandpa Fix-it" to his family.

Here is a link.....

http://www.amazon.com/Grandpa-Fix-Neil-Stoller/dp/0982297408/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267630339&sr=8-5

No images yet on amazon it is so new. But you have your sneak peak inside the book.

I hope you like the images and check it out. The story is very sweet.

IF Perspective

2010-03-02T05:13:00.001-08:00

I did a quick pen sketch this week. I actually had a dream of this image for this word. I guess it was because I was watching the Olympics. Which I love!
I used to ski when I was a kid. Going on the ski lifts I thought was cool! and at the end of the day the hot chocolate just completed the day..... :)
Now living in Florida you do not see snow.... some day I will teach my kids how. I think that would be quite fun. All bundled up with red cheeks and noses!

IF Propagate

2010-02-24T07:21:00.001-08:00

Little late on entry. Was hit with stomach virus. Not fun! Doing better now.... Yay! Hope you like it. Let me know... okay..

IF Adrift

2010-02-15T07:38:00.001-08:00

The two small woodland Fairies fell asleep in a leaf.
Something a bit different for me. Have never done fairies. Hope you like it. Let me know what you think..... :D

IF Muddy

2010-02-08T06:54:00.000-08:00

The friends found a "muddy" spot in the park. Even the rain could not hold them back from having fun.

IF Focused

2010-02-04T06:00:00.001-08:00

Ms. Cow said they could never do it! They all set out to the pond and focused and did it!

IF Clumsy

2010-01-29T05:14:00.000-08:00

Jack always had a hard time getting dressed in the morning. He was quite "clumsy" if you ask his mom.

Bob Dylan Painting

2010-01-21T13:22:00.001-08:00

IF Confined

2010-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

She was "confined" to a corner for creating her masterpiece all over the wall and floor! She smirked thinking how great she still got her work finally displayed on the wall!

Undone in Color

2009-12-29T08:13:00.001-08:00

This is my color version of Undone IF for last week. The lighting on the picture was a bit dark so the color that is showing is a little off. But, here it is finally. Hope you like it... :D Click on image if you would like to see it larger.
Happy New Year to Everyone!

IF Undone

2009-12-22T19:39:00.000-08:00

Okay I know that I will not be able to finish painting it this week. I hope you like the black and white sketch instead.
It is a stretch! They baked throughout the day and into the night to bake the biggest cupcake anyone has ever seen. They will have to leave the pots and pans "undone" if they are going to finish by morning! Anyway, I kept having this image in my head. I guess I was craving some cupcakes! YUM...

For Monday Artday Topic Family

2009-12-22T19:37:00.000-08:00

My Homage to Adams family. This is for Monday Artday word "Family". I chose to keep in black and white. Hope you like it.

IF Hatch

2009-12-17T15:33:00.001-08:00

Bringing baby owl which egg has just hatched to a new home. I was thinking that I would not be able to do the word this week. But, I came up with this and I am pretty happy with it. Let me know what you think.... :)

IF Crunchy

2009-12-06T16:28:00.000-08:00

Baby Elephant eating his crunchy peanuts. Maybe he will share it with his friend Mr. Mouse.

If Entangled in Color

2009-12-06T16:27:00.000-08:00

IF Entangled

2009-12-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

The hot air balloon got entangled in a tree! The kids thought it was quite funny!
I tried doing this in color and had a stomach bug. The painted one came out horrible.
So here is the sketch and I will try at it again when I am feeling better. Hope you like it. Let me know.

Sketch Idea for Entangled

2009-12-03T06:53:00.000-08:00

I was trying to think of what I could do for the subject this week for If Entangled. After an afternoon of planting mom entangled a flower in my hair.
I liked the sketch how it looked in sepia. Maybe I will do it in color at some point.

2009-11-27T07:30:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

IF Music 2nd Posting

2009-11-25T04:58:00.001-08:00

I had alot of fun doing this one. The dog is actually my own dog Scruffy. She inspired me. She likes to ahhwooooo in the morning for attention. :)

IF Music #1 - Playing the blues at the swamp

2009-11-25T04:54:00.001-08:00

This was done from a fast sketch idea. My daughter encouraged me to finish it. Hope you like it.

IF Unbalanced

2009-11-16T18:49:00.000-08:00

Maya took on taking care of the pets in her neighborhood. She became slightly unbalanced when she wanted to play with them all at once.

Run as fast as you can- MUMMY!

2009-11-10T09:16:00.000-08:00

This was supposed to be ready for IF Fast and I just thought that it was not ready. It was Halloween time when I started. Finally done!

IF Blur

2009-11-10T08:14:00.000-08:00

This is for If Blur:
Mr. Mouse thought he saw something on his prize flowers. Mr. Mouse did not realize that he left his glasses on his head. It was all a blur!

New Color sheet for Margaret Book for Library reading

2009-11-02T10:15:00.000-08:00

Here is a look at my new color sheet I just finished for the kids at the Library. The Author will be doing a reading on November 10th and I will be answering questions on what it is like to be a illustrator. What fun.
I hope the kids will like it! :) This is from the cover of the newest book I illustrated. Enjoy...

IF FAST

2009-10-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

This is for Illustration Friday. Subject: Fast. This image is from the book I just illustrated called Margaret the Magnificent visits the Everglades.

IF Frozen

2009-10-21T20:35:00.001-07:00