Announcements

Hey, ladyfriends.

I mean, I know I might have a few male readers, but let's get real - most of you are of the XX variety.

You may or may not have noticed the slowdown in posts and maps and posts over the past few weeks.  This slowdown is directly related to this post of yesteryear.

I'll give you a minute to read.

Life has caught the eff up to me.  This has resulted in a number of consequences, most obvious of which being a hiatus in the map department.  I've had to turn down a number of fun invitation and map inquiries because... I just don't have extra time anymore.  I have a primary career that I adore - the maps are an awesome secondary small business I run because I also love to draw.  Right now, I work, sleep, work, eat a snack, eat a bigger snack, and work.  Everything is great... I've just had to slow down in the extracurricular activities department - specifically, maps.  Right now, I'm polishing off my last official 2010 Pantomime Papers map.  My schedule will ease up starting next summer (I think), but not before. My hope is to start taking mapwork again next summer, but we'll have to see what happens.  I'll of course shoot up fireworks as soon as I know whether I can start taking on awesome new clients.

SO that means you will see more personal drawing-for-fun here, as well as less-planned blogging, on a spontaneous basis.  I am not taking any more paid, client work until next summer (unless my life continues on the busy train, which is entirely possible).  I have a few more maps that I haven't blogged, and I will surely add them to the portfolio over the next couple months!

I am keeping this website.  From now on, posts will be less structured, more spur-of-the-moment, more personal.  I may post once per week, five times per week - who knows?  Also, you may see maps that I draw just for fun.  I have many ideas for maps that are experimental and would be fun to try out.  We will see what happens!

It'll be an adventure.  Life throws you swerves - I like to roll with it.

Much much love,

Penny

Love in The Windy City: A Midwestern Map

Many moons ago, Julie wrote to book me for her 2010 wedding.  I was so excited because... I happen to live in the focus of her map:

She and her fiance Neil live here in The Chi, but they often make weekend road trips to visit Neil's family here:

This was a great opportunity to meld the energy and metal of Chicago, with the natural beauty and peacefulness of Iowa.  We had a great time brainstorming Julie and Neil's favorite places! 

Julie's family are A1 White Sox fans, so of course I had to draw that in!  I love the fireworks...

Perhaps my favorite part of the map is Sears Tower (I can't bring myself to call it by its new name, Willis Tower - can't do it!)  I love drawing in perspective, especially when presented with one of the tallest buildings in the world. Holy Name Cathedral is one of the most beautiful churches in Chicago, as you can see - and how fun are the kayaks!? 

Many congrats, Julie and Neil!

Love on the Pacific: A Cali Beach Map

Hey, guess what?  There's a new map in the Pantomime family...  And there's milkshakes for everyone!

*Important personal info has been removed...

We have our very first panda... and I think I love him.

Burgers on a pier with an ocean view sounds pretty perfect...

Many congratulations, Alicia and Tim - have a milkshake for me!

It's Time for a Little Updating Around Here...

So I was checking out my blogroll (look to your right...) and so many of you are missing!  Or I have an old blog listed when I know you've changed web addresses.  Sooooo, let's fix that.  If you have a great blog and you'd like to be listed on my blogroll, then comment below (with your web address!) or email me at penny@pantomimepapers.com ...  I love the blogging community, and want to promote it! 

XOXO -Penny

Can I Get a Little Light?

For my drawings, I work a lot with light.  I'm a super messy artist (sidebar: I feel weird calling myself an artist, but the alternative is "pencil-holder-smudger", so there you go).  I work exceedingly sketchily, and my initial drawings are a huge mess with the end drawing embedded somewhere within the chicken scratches.  After I work out my map or whatever drawing I'm working on, I "ink" it by tracing over my messy work on a new sheet with my [sorta] fancy pen.  This requires the use of my light box.  See the evidence below...

Now, using a $30 light box has a few limitations, most notably that the surface area is smaller than I'd like.  I also work from my bed - I sit hunched over on my bed with a drawing board to draw and ink, which results in Supercrick Neck.  I could balance the drawing board/light board on my pulled up knees for a more relaxed neck... but then I wouldn't be able to watch my television shows at the same time.  A dilemma.  I choose the crick and the TV. 

I live in a city apartment with two [lovely] roommates, and I do not have room for what I really need, which is this:

 Dick Blick Art - $800-$1200

Or even better - something like this:

Various Retailers, $2,999-$5,999

You can use a separate light box and then just sit it on top of your drawing table, but... I really prefer simple and clean - and no lugging and stashing 3'x4' light boxes.

This kooky-looking option is much more affordable in a range between $179.99 to $279.99.  The table is designed so you can clamp a light source underneath for tracing, but... I'm skeptical.  Wouldn't the light would be much brighter if the light source was enclosed?  I need bright light because sista is going blind in old age.  If the whole light-clamping idea works, I'm sold.  The storage options are good - the only thing this table lacks is a cupholder!

Right now, I don't have space for a drawing/light table, so at the moment I own an invisible sunroom for my invisible table!  Can you believe how expensive some of these things are?  Crazytown.  Which is what Bossyboots said when I showed him.  "Um, we'll just build you a light table." 

Well, ok then.  :)