Laura Irrgang

I've moved!

I've moved to:

www.laurairrgang.com

You can still browse my archives here (2007-2018), or you can visit my new website and blog above.

Pacific Crush

Madeline McDowell Breckenridge

This is famed suffragette Madeline McDowell Breckenridge. She was fascinating! As a woman born into a prominent family, she could easily have spent her days in idle leisure. Instead, she fought tirelessly for women's rights, children's labor laws, health awareness, and better education for people living in poverty. What an admirable way to live a life.

Granny's Attic-mini collection

I asked everyone on IG and FB to vote on their favorite chintz color combo. Coral was the clear favorite.

Here is the whole mini-collection.

Art in Voyage Dallas Magazine

Voyage Dallas Magazine featured a piece of my art this week. Yay! Check it out here.

Valentine's Day story playlist for kids

Here's a Valentine's Day story playlist for your little ones!

My video for the "Creating Collections for Home Decor" contest

I made a short video for a contest describing my experience in the "Creating Collections for Home Decor" class. That class was FAB! I got soooo much work done in 5 weeks. The deadlines are intense, and it really pushed me to do my best work.
Read more about the course here from Make Art That Sells. It's taught by art agent Lilla Rogers and creative director Margo Tantau.

The video includes my first animation/gif...I've been wanting to learn to do this for a long time. 
Fingers crossed!

I'm in the Texas Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society

I have good news-I'm the newest member of the Texas Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society.
Woohooo!
Visit this link to read my announcement. 

The group is made up of comic strip writers and artists, political cartoonists, animators, film makers, and more. They host cartoon-related events in the state, and offer consultations with cartoonists about projects. The NCS/Texas Chapter has a speaker program where members talk about inspiration and insight into the world of cartoon art.  They participate in charity "Cartooning with Kids" events, and much more.

Visit the Texas Cartoonists on Facebook 
or 
The Texas Cartoonists website

I'm excited to start working with the group in 2018. I'll keep you guys posted!

Christmas & Winter Storytime Playlist

It's story time!
As always...teachers/parents/kiddos-if you have a request for a subject, let me know!

Here is a playlist of storytime videos:

Thanksgiving storytime playlist for kids

If you have little people around your house, here's a playlist of Thanksgiving stories for them!

Thanksgiving Art Bomb for you!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Kick back with some art if you want. I always do.
Kids bored? Show 'em some art. 

"Thanksgiving" by John Currin
John Currin's paintings are AMAZING but they always freak me out. Everyone is kind of scary. And just look at that nasty blood puddle under that perfectly-painted turkey! The lady on the left is all..."Dang it, Sheila. I just cleaned this table. Better go grab the bleach spray."

"Turkey Talk" by Charley Harper

"Thanksgiving" by David Bates
Did you guys know he's from Dallas, Texas? Our DFW museums are RICH in Bates paintings. Not to be confused with the deceased British painter with the same name.

"Cutting the Pumpkin" by Franck Antoine Bail

"Thanksgiving Banquet" by N.C. Wyeth
N.C. Wyeth is the father of Andrew Wyeth. Here's one of the son's most famous paintings, "Christina's World":

"Portrait of a Turkey" by Johann Wenceslaus Peter Wenzal
That middle name cracks me up. As in..."Good King Wenceslaus".

"The Christmas Hamper" by Robert Martineau
This one is fascinating. I keep seeing new things! It's actually a Christmas paining, but I'm including it anyway. 'Cause I'm a total REBEL! 
The girl on the far left is up to something. What in the world is she holding? Probably a can of lard she's about to smear all over mama's expensive sideboard.
We like the tiny black kitten, too. 
What's on the chair on the left? I can't figure it out.

"Still Life with Turkey Pie" by Pieter Claesz

Art Deco turkey in terracotta on a building in Newark, New Jersey

"Thanksgiving Day Parade" by Lloyd Lozes Goff

"Pilgrim Turkey" by me, about 20 years ago!

"Great Amercian Hen and Young" by James Yang

What Does Your Favorite Candy Say About You?

Well...what's YOUR favorite? (click for a bigger image)

Inktober Day 2-9

#Inktober Day 2-Goblin

Halloween tune of the day:

"Wobblin' Goblin" by Rosemary Clooney
#Inktober Day 3-Vampire

Halloween tune of the day:
"Riboflavin-flavored, Non-carbonated, Polyunsaturated Blood" by Don Hinson 
#Inktober Day 4-Mothman

Halloween tune of the day"Mothman" Melissa Starfall (Link to song in the comments...That song is WACKY and not-kid-friendly! ) 
#Inktober Day 5-Grim Reaper

Halloween Tune of the Day:

"Don't Fear the Reaper/Cowbell Version" by Blue Oyster Cult 
#Inktober Day 6-Black Lagoon

Halloween Tune of the Day:

"Creature From the Black Lagoon" by Dave Edmunds

#Inktober Day 7-ectoplasm
(I made this one while camping, so I had to snap a quick photo at the campsite.)

Halloween tune of the day... "Ectoplasm" by Eptic
#Inktober Day 8-Alien
(Not the world's best lighting, but I was camping in the mountains on this day, so I did my best.)

Halloween tune of the day - "Purple People Eater"

 #Inktober Day 9-Ghoul

Halloween Tune of the Day-"Thriller" by Michael Jackson

 

 

Day 1-Werewolf (Inktober & Mabsdrawlloweenclub)

Inktober Day 1-Werewolf.....AAAaaaaoooOOOO!

(I'm thinking of including a song/video to go along with each image. Do you guys like that idea? I was going to create a whole playlist on Youtube to go along with this project.)
Today's song is "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon.

Inktober...who's with me?

Happy October, y'all!  I'm participating in #Inktober - you draw an ink image every day in October. They offer prompts for ideas, but you can make up your own.

I'm doing a mash-up of Inktober, & #mabsdrawlloweenclub on Instagram. Please join me!

Video of my interview on "The Texas Newsroom"

Here's the YouTube link to the my interview on The Texas Newsroom with hosts Ben Tinsley, Shane Clendening, and Rachel Totten Keith.

(Note: Portions of the show were not kid-friendly.)

Thanks for having me on your show, you guys! It was fun.

I'll be on The Texas Newsroom for an interview 9/21/17, 9-11 p.m.

Join me this Thursday, September 21, from 9-11 pm on The Texas Newsroom with hosts Ben Tinsley, Shane Clendening, and Rachel Totten Keith on the Fishbowl Radio Network. I'll be singing and playing harp, and talking about my comic strip, Glitterville. It's a call-in show, so feel free to say hello! 214-431-5062
(To watch/listen, click on their link below during the 9-11 p.m. time slot, and the show will automatically pop up in their FB page.)
https://www.facebook.com/TexasNewsroom/

Make Art That Sells shared my video!

Woohoo! Art agent Lilla Rogers shared my video today on her Make Art That Sells FB page.

I created a short video to talk about my experience in the "Illustrating Children's Books" course. It was an intense 5-week course taught by Lilla and Zoe Tucker. It is a fabulous crash-course that gives you an overview of all you need to know to get started in children's books. If you're an illustrator and want to work in children's literature, I highly recommend this class. And it's just FUN, too. The live community is so friendly and supportive, and Lilla and Zoe are a hoot.

 

Metal Items for Home Decor

I'm finished with the "Metal" portion of my class. I'm taking "Creating Collections for Home Decor" with art agent Lilla Rogers and creative director Margo Tantau. I'm learning so much!


Here's my Metal presentation, and I'm showing everything on its own below.
Unicorn painting inside a 3-d metal frame. There is a shallow bowl in the bottom for a wallet or other little bits and bobs from your pocket, and 
hooks below for your keys. There are geodes set into the top and bottom.

This chandelier would be of cast metal with a rubbed bronze finish. The nest would be gold toned with geode "eggs" that are lit from within. The bird woman would be painted, and the pink jewels are lit crystals, with dangling twinkle lights.

A copper weather vane embellished with amethyst and rose quartz.

This is my Bejeweled Journal. They give us a suggested color palette, certain things we need to include in the image, and we let our imaginations run from there.

These are my "finishing notes".

Chandelier sketches

I'm working on sketches and paintings for the Home Decor course I'm taking.
This chandelier would be of cast metal with a rubbed bronze finish. The nest would be gold toned with geode "eggs" that are lit from within. The bird woman would be painted, and the pink jewels are lit crystals, with dangling twinkle lights.

Our week

I've been painting bit of things for the home decor class I'm taking. We're focusing on birds and metal this week, so that's what's on my drafting table.

The girls and I have been painting and hiding rocks for the Kindness Rocks Lone Oak project. People paint rocks with positive messages/images, then hide them. If you find them, you post a photo on our FB page: Kindness Rocks Lone Oak
Then you either rehide the rock, OR keep it and replace it with another rock. I'll be working the Kindness Rocks booth today at the Lone Oak back-to-school event. Join us at Lisa's Cuts & Curls for hot dogs, painting, bounce houses, and more!

We hide them, then leave a little poem for a clue on the FB page. It's fun! We like it, anyway. :) 

I saw the most bizarre UFO house (?) off Highway 34 between Quinlan and Rockwall. It was really junky inside with lots of calligraphy. I'll have to ask my friend Tui Snider about it. She's knows all about weird Texas stuff.

 

Creating Collections for Home Decor

I'm taking a class called Creating Collections for Home Decor with Lilla Rogers and Margot Tantau. So excited for it to start this Monday!   
These are prep assignments to get our ideas flowing for the course. 

Design a cup:

Come fly the friendly skies with Nadine. Wait...they're probably not that friendly is SHE'S up there.

2. Create some color combinations you're excited about:

Mysterious Moroccan and classic library inspired hues for fall. I'm feeling a deep dusky purple and worn leather vibe coming on .

3. Share your workspace:

I'm sprucing up my studio over the weekend to get ready for the class. I need to get crack-a-lackin' on the cleaning.

Cone of Shame

Our poor kitties. They just got fixed, and they're so sad in their cones.

Tui Snider's new book..."Understanding Cemetery Symbols"

Do you like spooky stuff? Fascinating info about symbolism in art and sculpture? Like cemeteries?
Do you know what "obelisk" means? 
If you answered "yes" to any of those, you should check out my friend Tui Snider's new book:
"Understanding Cemetery Symbols" on Amazon

Here's her 30-second book trailer:

To find out where Tui will be on the web, radio, and hear what people are saying about the book, click below:

"Understanding Cemetery Symbols-Interviews, News & Reviews" 

If you order NOW, the paperback is 1/2 prices during the pre-order phase. That special only lasts a few more weeks (until 8/18), so pre-order now if you're interested.

Glitterville Comic-Week 6

 

 

 

I have this weird feeling

It's like someone's watching me.

Freedom tea set

 

For the art course I'm taking, we had an unusual assignment: design a mug or tea set based on the hairstyles of Ellis Island. I love these quirky challenges!

The new gallery for Lilla Rogers' MATS course is live.  See all the art here.

Lady Liberty is such a powerful image to me that I decided to make her a central part of my project. It makes me giggle to think of tipping her over to pour out my tea. The background is a real ship manifest from Ellis Island.

While doing research, I particularly enjoyed seeing people on the decks of ships with cheerful pennants and flags, so I made a "boat tray", with a storage compartment for your tea bags and accouterments. I chose cities/countries where some of my own family members originally lived. My cheerful Bavarian guy would bring his stein with him, I'm sure. The woman from Constantinople (Istanbul now Constantinople....any "They Might Be Giant Fans" out there?) seemed wise and kind, and the lovely lass from the Caribbean seems hopeful and determined.

If only those ship portholes could talk!

Austin Hippies map featured on Lilla Rogers' blog

Woohoo! I was in art agent Lilla Rogers' "Top Picks" today. She featured my map of Austin on her blog. I'm learning so much in her Make Art That Sells (MATS) classes.

Any hippies out there? What species are YOU, if I may be so bold as to ask?

 

P.S. The map is now available  in my Etsy shop.

You can read her review by clicking here. 

 

Here are a few details:

Garden Journal Gallery

I'm halfway through art agent Lilla Rogers' Bootcamp, a structured five-month program of monthly assignments designed to help you build a strong body of work. It's a fun, fast-paced way to improve your portfolio. 

My journal is featured in the gallery, along with work from other artists. You can see all the journals at the Bootcamp Gallery here.

Glitterville comic, Week 5

 

 

 

Summery painting

Here's a big summery painting!

At a barn sale, I found a huge old glass jar filled with stamps, and I collaged them into the seaweed.

I took the postmarks and shell stamps and turned them into clouds, and the white seaflowers. I like to imagine the gentleman who collected the stamps was a sailor and sent love letters back to his wife or girlfriend.

It seemed fun to turn these stamps that have physically been so many different places into a beachy/travel/vacation painting.

I also used sand and shells from our last trip to Galveston.  A friend living in Hawaii sent me a little bag of semi-precious tumbled stones, and I smushed them into the sand.

I worked fairly large...30" x 30".  I'm excited to have a big, beachy painting.  I added the text for a class project, but I prefer the actual painting without it. Do you like it better with or without the words?

Hippie Field Guide to Austin, Texas

Here. Have a Hippie Field Guide. In case you're going to Austin any time in the near future. Hey hippies....love ya.
This is a silly project-it's not supposed to be a "real" map. I will probably work on a more accurate Austin map in the future. A bunch of you guys commented on Facebook with ideas for the map. Thanks! You gave me so many ideas it will turn into a separate project. 

I think this would be a fun t-shirt, and maybe a large post card. Dish towel? Large hippie towel for Barton Springs, maybe.

Glitterville comic, Week 4

 

 

 

 

Glitterville comic, Week 3

 

 

 

Glitterville comic, Week 2

 

 

For Sale/Etsy

Click HERE to visit my Etsy store.

Glitterville Comic, Week 1

 

Welcome to...GLITTERVILLE, my unicorn comic

Thanks for hanging out with me during my mermaid alphabet. That was FUN! But boy-oh-boy, is it pushing me to finish a complete work of art every day. 
I let people who follow my Facebook Laura Irrgang Artist page vote on the next alphabet's subject, so we have.....UNICORNS!
I'm calling my webcomic "Glitterville", after the town where the cast of characters lives.

I hope you like it!

P.S. I'm participating in the 100 Day Project on Instagram. I'm challenging myself to do 4 alphabets in 100 day. 1st=unicorns   Done!
Next, Glitterville. Soooo....

A is for the "Amazing Advertising Agency", where Eunice just won Employee of the Year.

Z is for zinc

Day 31-Z is for zinc

That's all folks! The Misbehaving Mermaids Alphabet is now complete. Thanks for joining me from A-Z. 

Next up...unicorns! I've created a comic strip called "Glitterville" for my next alphabet. 

Y is for yacht

Day 30-Y is for yacht

X is for Xena

Day 27-X is for Xena

W is for wax

Day 26-W is for wax

Have any of you ever visited Weeki Wachee Springs? I want to go SO BAAAAD!!!

V is for vacation

Day 25-V is for vacation
My artist friend Vanessa Valencia has the perfect initials for "V", doesn't she? She's such a gypsy.
Visit Vanessa and her magical world at her blog:
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/

Spring School Photos

We just got Margaret and Squeak's spring photos in from school. They're growing so fast! Margaret is on the A Honor Roll, and Squeak got a Citizenship Award this semester.

U is for under water

Day 24-U is for under water

T is for tide pool

Day 23-T is for tide pool

S is for scallop

Day 22-S is for scallop

R is for reef

Day 21-R is for reef

Q is for quahog

Day 20-Q is for quahog

P is for pearl

Day 19-P is for Pearl