They Draw & Travel (or run . . .)

The theme of our fourth challenge for Square Carousel was to illustrate a map for They Draw and Travel, a website featuring artists' maps from around the world.

Although I have been blessed with the opportunity and excitement of traveling overseas to Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, I decided to dedicate this challenge to someplace very close to home. A place where I have spent a good deal of time (and miles) around: Northway Park in Orange, Texas. About 20 miles away from my parents’ house is a little dirt trail, 1 mile in distance, which I would (and still do) drive to for a good long run. I can’t even recall the number of miles I have run around this little park, but I have grown quite attached to it. For the landmarks I pin-pointed the 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 mile markers (as it is at Northway) but I also had a bit of fun illustrating the things that make this running trail so unique, fun, and sentimental. Use the porta-potty at your own risk . . .

Honey, Let Me Tell You . . .

ballpoint pen & water color, digital

Honey. Our third challenge for the Square Carousel group. This was yet another challenge for me; being so broad a concept, I was overwhelmed with different ways I could interpret it! For my concept (after lots of doodles, sketches, and word lists), I chose to design a pretend label for honey and beauty products. I’ve come across a lot of beauty and soap products that incorporate honey, and I love designing labels and packages. I chose the name Hive Honey after the beehive hair-do. This was a really fun challenge to me, and working traditionally has been so refreshing.

Square Carousel: Challenge 2

thumbnails & thought process (just scribbling ideas etc.)

hermit crab comp sketch

snail comp sketch

another snail comp sketch

Home Away from Home (final piece)
ballpoint pen & watercolor

So, this is my illustration to Challenge 2 from Square Carousel. I must confess that I had spent a good deal of time on trying to develop a concept for Caitlin’s challenge: A Home Away from Home. Despite the subject relating to my own point in life in limbo. The definition for limbo: in a state of uncertainty, neglected, up in the air, in abeyance, betwixt and in-between, not knowing whether one is coming or going. There is also sort of a sadness assosiciated with it as it can be described as an imaginary place for lost, forgotten, or unwanted persons or things. With this feeling that I could so easily relate to, I decided to move beyond that sense of vagueness and aloneness, and turn the idea of a Home Away from Home to travel and exploration, adventure and determination. From my time spent in Lacoste, France, I could not help but think of all the snails and their little mobile homes. The snail carries his shell, his home, where ever he ventures, much like we have our family and friends to turn to if necessary. He’s not afraid to go it alone and continue on.

The final piece was done all tradionally: ballpoint pen & watercolor. More time consuming but was a nice break from digital. Almost forgot how fun watercolor is!

Square Carousel

black & white (ballpoint pen)

final color (ballpoint pen & digital)



I'm a member of the illustration collective called Square Carousel, which was formed just this late spring/early summer among some fellow illustrators. Every so often there will be a challenge with a chosen theme to create a new personal piece. This is the piece I did for our first of many projects. Being the first project, the theme was carousel animals. I love horses so I chose to do a horse in Bedouin inspired ornamentation. Go ahead and check out the website to read more about Square Carousel and find out about the group!

Promotional mailer!

front

back

My design for my promotional postcard once I order them . . . These things take time . . .

Official website FINALLY online!

Finally uploaded a NEW website, which I built myself (with the help of fellow illustrator and friend,Caitlin B. Alexander! Check it out my portfolio here: Catherine Fontenot Illustrations

Some Scientific Illustration work

So, for my vary last studio elective at SCAD, I finally had the chance to take Introduction to Scientific Illustration. My only regret about my decision was that I did not take this class two years earlier and take several other classes related to a scientific approach. I am thoroughly enjoying it and discovering an interest in a different field of illustration. I always have loved studying and drawing wildlife (probably pretty apparent) and now I intend to pursue this field more seriously after graduation.

Each of these projects used different materials than my usual illustrations, but it was so refreshing trying new techniques. Here are some examples of work from this class, as well as sketches:

Rieger begonia botanical illustration (watercolor on hot-press board)

Raccoon skull (traditional stippling technique using crow quill)

Sketch studies of mountain lion

Sketch studies of mountain lion

More studies of mountain lion

And more mountain lion sketches . . .

Sketch for final piece

Research notes on mountain lions

Sketches for final piece

Mountain Lion (Felis concolor / Puma concolor) in scratchboard technique

Mountain Lion (Felis concolor / Puma concolor) in scratchboard technique