Nancy Michaud's Illustration Page

Trip out West

2009-06-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

This month, Marcin and I had an adventure. We flew out to Portland, Oregon to spend time with his sister, then drove around Olympic National Park for a week, and met up with his sister again in Seattle, Washington. While we were travelling around the park, I drew in my sketchbook. Here's what I saw:

The Pacific Ocean

(there were tsunami cautionary signs all around)

Rock formations
(it was very windy and cold,
it was hard to hold the pages of my sketchbook down)

Our one-day duck friend

(Marcin is afraid of ducks)

A boat launch on an oyster-filled beach

(there were massive amounts of tiny crabs under the rocks)

The ferry ride to Seattle

(I'm always paranoid about loosing my sunglasses)

Rats!!!

2009-05-23T13:09:00.001-07:00

I have been painting on canvas for a change. And I've really been enjoying the texture of the canvas, which seems to usurp the texture of the many layers of gesso I've been putting on it before I start painting.

I've also become infatuated with painting and drawing my rat, Chunky. He's quite the ham and seems to enjoy me putting a camera in his face daily. I wish I could draw him directly from life, but he won't sit still for a second. If I try to catch him while he's sleeping, he senses my presence and proceeds to sniff at me and get excited. He's very cute, though.

This is my rat.

This is a painting I did of my rat.

His face.

His foot.

Beer at City Steam

2009-04-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

Marcin, some friends, and I went to City Steam, a brewery in Hartford. Everything was good - except for the service. While we were waiting (and waiting, and waiting) for the waitress, we became very artistic.

My drawing (right), many monkies drawn by several people (left) and Marcin's "Goat Lady" (Bottom Left).

Close-up of Marcin's "Goat Lady"

Marcin's Monkey

Cute

2009-03-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

My cat is so ridiculous.

This is Senior Tuxedo and his rat friend, Chunky Soup. Tux likes to lay on top of the cage and be cute. The rats don't seem to mind too much.

I try to only post creative stuff, but this is too good not to share!

Full Circle

2009-03-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

Last spring, I painted this picture (it was called "Vive Printemps", but now is simply called "Spring"). This year, on the first day of spring (March 20th, in case you were wondering), it will be on display at the Jonathin Trumbull Library in Lebanon, CT, for their annual Equinox and the Arts Show. The show is invite only, but will be up all month and can be viewed during normal library hours. I'll post pictures after the show!

2009-03-01T20:00:00.000-08:00

I made two types of balloon pigs for a "Hog Wild" party at work. Why? Because it's National Pig Day.

By the way, I'm a recreation director at a nursing home, not an annoying cubicle neighbor.

Revamped Christmas Masks

2009-02-26T18:04:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I go to thrift stores, craft stores, or rummage through garbage to find items to paint on. These masks were a craft store clearance item (I think they cost $.45 each). They're my homage to Frieda Kahlo, an artist whom I really love, but can't seem to find many books on. She loved her pet monkeys so I made a monkey to go with her.

The idea sprang from a brainstorm. The masks were pre-cut and pre-drawn. The monkey was a snowman and Frieda was a reindeer (can you tell?). I traced the outlines and drew face after face until the idea for a portrait of Frieda Kahlo sprang out of my brain and onto paper. The monkey, of course, followed shortly after.

Adelaida: A Cuban Cinderella, now available

2008-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Adelaida: A Cuban Cinderella, is now available at the Barnes and Noble website. This a version of Cinderella with a twist, and was a lot of fun to work on!

Moonbeam Children's Book Awards results are in!

2008-10-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2008 results are in! And Corazón de Piedra (Heart of Stone in Spanish) won a medal!

Spanish Language Book

Gold (2): Ensonacion y el Jardin de Suenos/Dreamygirl’s Field of Wishes, by Jorge Betancourt Polanco (Stephens Press) and El tirburón que me enseñó ingles/The shark that taught me English, by Michelle Markel; illustrated by Bo Young Kim (Lectura Books)

Silver: Piedrin y Goliat: El Verdadero Heroe/Stony and Goliath: The True Hero, by David P. Alcorta; illustrated by Jill M. Schmidt (Book Publishers Network)

Bronze: Corazón de Piedra, by Ana Monnar; illustrated by Nancy Michaud (Readers are Leaders)

What an honor to have taken part in the making of an award-winning book!

Flower Dunny

2008-10-01T17:01:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend, Marcin is practically obsessed with Dunnys: vinyl toys made by Kidrobot and designed by hip artists. Lots of Dunny aficionados like to customize Dunnys by painting them. This is my third, and most successful attempt.

Art Show at The Investors Center

2008-09-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

I recently had an opening for a solo show I had at The Investors Center in Avon CT.

I'm in the background talking to Jim Wagner, another artist who has had a show at The Investors Center.

Mural at Beechwood

2008-05-02T17:12:00.000-07:00

Me standing in front of the finished mural

I just completed my first solo mural project at Beechwood Rehab & Nursing Center in New London, CT. The Therapeutic Recreation Director there, Michelle Behr saw the mural Allison Valentine and I did last year and decided to offer a project to us. I ended up taking up the project solo, and after about a month of emails and sketches, I came to Beechwood and started the installation.

A close-up shot

It took about a month of painting, but the final product is pretty nice. The room is small, and the mural spans the length of it. It makes you feel surrounded. The residents at Beechwood were very pleased (they would often visit me while I was working and root me on).

Michelle decorated the room to match the mural, and created a little sanctuary for the residents at Beechwood. She really did a great job bringing the whole project together, and I'm so glad that she decided to have me work on it.

Lebanon Library Show Pictures

2008-04-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

Marcin is making me laugh, but I don't remember what was so funny....

Equinox and the Arts XIII went very well. The opening was very enjoyable, and the show is still up until the end of the month.

To view the show, come to the library during normal library hours. They are posted on the library's website.

Jonathan Trumbull Library
580 Exeter Road
Lebanon, Connecticut 06249
http://www.lebanonctlibrary.org/

More Rabbits

2008-03-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

"The End of our Bunny Friend" Acrylic on Bristol Board, 2007.

This is another bunny painting I made almost a year ago. It is interesting to compare it with the bunny painting I finished yesterday. Which painting is more interesting? The superhappy springtime bunnies, or the dead one?

I don't know, I just thought I'd post it.

Happy Spring!

2008-03-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

"Vive Printemps"

Acrylic on Bristol Board, 2008.

Happy Spring!

While I love the winter, I am very ready for spring.

Yesterday was the first day of spring and it did not disappoint me. I was lucky enough to have the day off, and I took a (very) short walk. It was windy, but the sun was warm and the clouds were tall and puffy. I couldn't quite smell the grass growing yet, but I knew it was only a matter of time.

I finished this painting yesterday. I chose rabbits because they are a sure sign of spring. In the spirit of celebrating rabbits, I looked around youtube to find some cute rabbit videos. Here is my favorite video:

Two Chickens Break up a Rabbit Fight

Enjoy!

Equinox and the Arts XIII

2008-03-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

"Salamander Love" Acrylic on Oak Plank, 2006

I will have "Salamander Love" on display at Equinox and the Arts XIII at the Jonathan Trumbull Library in Lebanon, CT.

The show will run from March 29th - April 25th, with a reception for artists and friends of the library on March 28th. Sorry that it's private, but I'll post pictures if I take any good ones.

To view the show, come to the library during normal library hours. They are posted on the library's website.

Jonathan Trumbull Library

580 Exeter Road

Lebanon, Connecticut 06249

http://www.lebanonctlibrary.org/

Uconn Alumni Show Picture

2008-02-09T16:07:00.000-08:00

The alumni show was great. It was nice to see some of my former classmates, as well as a few new faces from the Uconn Illustration Department.

YAY!

Fun with clay

2008-01-22T19:27:00.000-08:00

A bunny and a kitty, yet to be titled

My boyfriend, Marcin, and I made clay figures today. These are the ones I made. My concept was "skeletons dressed up in cute costumes". I was a lot of fun.

Corazón de Piedra (Heart of Stone in Spanish)

2008-01-21T19:06:00.000-08:00

Cover art for Corazón de Piedra (Heart of Stone in Spanish)

My first book Heart of Stone, written by Ana Monnar, is now available in Spanish!

Corazón de Piedra, translated by Myriam del Castillo, is now available on the Barnes and Noble Website.

Check it out!

Uconn Alumni Show

2008-01-21T18:12:00.001-08:00

Undead Fishes

Acrylic on Bristol Board

I will have artwork at yet another show in this month:

Afterlife: The first annual UConn Illustration Alumni Show 2008.

January 23-February 9, 2008.

Student Union Gallery

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT 06269

The Closing reception will be on Thursday, February 7th, 6:00PM - 8:00PM.

Poster by Liz Gibbings

My submission, "Undead Fishes" is my interpretation of the afterlife.

My beta, Imposter Foster (the red fish), was found dead twice. The first time I found him dead, he was laying on the floor. He had jumped out of his bowl and was sticky dry, stuck to the floor. I peeled him off the floor, put him back in his bowl, and begged him to live. He twitched, swam sideways awkwardly, and eventually, he revived himself.

The second time I found him dead was when my apartment lost heat overnight. I wasn't home at that night. When I arrived at my apartment, Imposter Foster, and his two new friends, Greta (the silver fish) and Hazel (the dead fish that once was a suckerfish) were floating in the water, with the "death haze" that fish get when they die. I placed their jar in front of the space heater, and hoped. After a few minutes, Imposter Foster began to gasp. I was running late for work, so I left them. I knew Imposter Foster had a chance to live, but I doubted the other fish would make it.

When I came home, Hazel was still dead, but the other two fish were ALIVE!

That is it, my story of "Undead Fishes".

Enjoy!

Show at Cragin Memorial Library

2008-01-12T16:42:00.000-08:00

I will have work up in the meeting room at Cragin Memorial Library in Colchester, CT for the month of January. The address is:

8 Linwood Avenue

Route 16
Colchester, CT 06415

Come check it out if you have a chance!

Craft Fair this Saturday

2007-11-15T10:02:00.000-08:00

FYI: I'll have a table at the Harrington Court Annual Craft Fair on Saturday, November 17th (this Saturday).

It will be from 9:30-3:30

59 Harrington Court
Colchester, CT 06415
Directions

There will be raffles, a bake sale, a lunch sale, many crafters,
and Santa will be there from 10:00-2:00!

Come on and get a head start on your holiday shopping!

Cat Scans

2007-11-03T15:15:00.000-07:00

"Holding Hands"

In a previous entry, I scanned my kitten, Tux. I was really just fooling around, but I liked the way it turned out, so last night, hopped up on too much caffeine, I began scanning away, much to Tux's dismay.

Actually, he didn't mind too much, and he was given lots of treats as payment for his contribution. I included myself in this series of images...so it takes on a sort of narrative. Boy, either I like cats way too much, or I have too much time on my hands...I think it's a little of both...

Enjoy!

"Powerful Paws"

"Sea of Polka Dots"

"Cat Kiss"

"Bouquet"

"Curtain Call"

"Creation"

"Watching Over Them"

"Cat's End"

I've gone to the dogs.

2007-10-31T18:12:00.000-07:00

This month, some co-workers and I created a scarecrow display on the Colchester town green for their 8th annual scarecrow contest. We won 2nd place in our category!

This collaborative installation is based on the oh-so-tacky, yet wonderful work of C.M. Coolidge (dogs playing poker).

My father has a whole series of Arthur Sarnoff prints (dog playing pool) in his basement all around the pool table, so this idea really struck me as we were brainstorming for our theme. I love that sort of kitchy stuff. Like the crying Elvis Presley on velvet, or the unicorn flying through space, it's a classic tacky finished basement art. I love it!

Halloween Party

2007-10-31T18:06:00.000-07:00

Although Tux, my new kitten has come in between me and my artwork, primarily by attacking everything that moves, including brushes, pencils, and artist's hands, I have managed to complete a full-scale work in between kitten naps. I couldn't resist inviting Tux to the party.

In case you're wondering about the "thumbs" on the kitty, that's Tux's double paws. I'm sure there will be a vast future of double-pawed cats in my artwork. Something for all of us to look forward to!