I was invited to do the cover art for a Virgin Islands-centric publication that’s widely circulated in the territory. Two separate covers- one for October, one for November.
The editor had a general topic in mind and left the execution to me. The subject incorporates our amazing stilt dancers called “ Mocko Jumbies ” known as our Guardians of Culture.
Pencil sketch for the angular poses and foreshortening I was looking for.
They loom 12 feet over the crowds on 5-6 foot stilts and parade down cobbled streets with agility the rest of us couldn’t know of in sneakers.
I’ll post the finished piece and the official cover after it goes to publication.
But I enjoyed the process of sketching out ideas, working out color placements, and experimenting with mediums and techniques that I haven’t used in years.
Watercolor sketch for color and perspective ideas…
Working out some scale and composition ideas. Exaggeration is good for eye appeal.
Gouache on canvas- a new combination of effects. Lots of experimenting on cotton canvas panels before going for the finished piece.
Now I’m starting on the second cover- different theme.
Aiming for productivity despite the cutest damn puppy ever:
AND, the looming threat of Tropical Storm Bill, churning up the Eastern Atlantic, moving towards, we hope, not us.
Tags: gouache, magazine covers, mocko jumbies, St. Croix, work in progress
Asheville: The North West of The South East 
August 16, 2009 at 4:36 pm |
Congratulations Bonnie, that’s excellent!! Oooooh, that puppy is so cute, best of luck in the triumph for productivity!
August 16, 2009 at 8:23 pm |
Cover art! How great… unfortunately, we don’t get to see until October. The mocko jumbies will make a great image. So is the theme for November “puppy love”?
August 16, 2009 at 8:25 pm |
I bow from the waist…these are fabulous…from the line sketch of the dancer, the abstraction, the flexibility all there in such simplicity of line and dreamy background. And, then, bam! gouache on canvas—YEOW! I feel the sea breezes, I’m reaching for one of those parasol drinks, the folks in the territories will know why they want to live there after looking at this! All this and Clouds, too. He must be good for you.
August 16, 2009 at 9:04 pm |
Love how you showed the different steps to getting to where you wanted to be with your cover art. I’ve seen the Mocko Jumbies in person in St. Croix and you’ve captured them perfectly.
How’s that beautiful little Cloud?
August 16, 2009 at 10:09 pm |
Thanks Don- you and Sue can see in person if you come over.
Then you’ll know how accurately they interpret the color match in the printing.
November isn’t puppy love but perhaps Cloud should be the cover girl for the February issue. I’d be her Valentine.
Pat-as always, your perfectly descriptive phrases and praises.
It’s good for us to stretch out of our own bounds and try something different. It’s working for YOU, I can say that!
Yes, that Cloud muse- she is the muffin-est muffin.
Carol- that’s right, you’ve seen them at our favorite place, soon to be visited again.
Did you notice some similarities in the use of gouache to your watercolor in the finish? Hmm, I’m eager now to try the second cover after working out the properties of water based paint.
I really like the richness and malleability of gouache.
Maybe a new series……..
About Cloud? I feel like I’m the shepherd of a mythical angel.
Does that just about describe her being?
August 17, 2009 at 4:58 am |
Absolutely mind-blowing sketches!! “Mocko jumbies”–what a strange name!
Ah, my little Pigletta! She looks blissed-out. Like she’s on…cloud nine.
August 17, 2009 at 12:13 pm |
Great opportunity! The lines and colors in the sketchs have such a wonderful freedom, just like the jumbies expressing themselves. Can’t wait for the finish. Thinking of you and wishing you fair winds and not too much rain!
August 17, 2009 at 2:06 pm |
Left other comments on FB… but forgot to mention…. Keeping my fingers crossed that the hurricane fizzes out.
August 17, 2009 at 4:02 pm |
Cloud actually looks like a prawn.
August 17, 2009 at 4:29 pm |
Jala- the name refers to a ” mocking ” of the spirits, meant to keep away the sinister ones. Whenever something goes missing here, like the spatula you just put down, or the pad you had in your hands, it’s attributed to ” Jumbies “.
Maybe there’ll be one in your room when you come….
And the pigletta you describe, seems to garner other ridiculously appropriate descriptions as I now see my son thinks she looks more like a prawn….
JoAnn, oooh you said the magic word to me: Freedom!
That’s what doing these sketches helped me see. And find.
Starting on the other one today, inbetween thunder, lightening, power outages but good rain. NO wind.
I think of you too….
Marian- thanks, I find you everywhere and anywhere you leave your imprint.
So far, we’re fine. Thank You.
August 19, 2009 at 3:10 pm |
Congrats on the covers!
Mocko Jumbies sound like a tall order from a stilted perspective.
(best I could do)
August 21, 2009 at 5:02 pm |
I’m a fool for a pencil sketch, anyway, but these are delightful!
Kudos to you for landing such a prominent spot for your art!!
The puppy is just the sweetest!
August 21, 2009 at 10:53 pm |
Great news! Congratulations. Sketches look great but can’t wait to see the final product.
in anticipation,
August 22, 2009 at 1:31 am |
There is some thing really appealing about that top sketch. You have captured a difficult subject in an eye arresting manner.
August 22, 2009 at 1:46 am |
Ross- wooden you know, your best is so very funny.
Mary- thanks for stopping by- love your new onion duo.
100 Paintings- hi and welcome. The finished covers will be ready in early October.
Bill- these guys ( a few are gals but mostly guys ) are so mysteriously captivating and as you’d imagine, a favorite subject for painters here and throughout the West Indies.
I still get goosebumps when they perform at events .
August 24, 2009 at 7:49 pm |
Hi Bonnie
I’m back, Bill is gone, and you’re up to something new and fabulous. Jumbies, huh? I’m pretty sure they hold their family reunions at my house. Now….. where are my bifocals this time?
September 1, 2009 at 12:28 am |
Fantastic drawings! What feel for swervey motion…
September 6, 2009 at 6:18 pm |
I can hardly wait to see what comes out of this project. You’re gonna knock em dead I have no doubt.
Eldon
November 18, 2009 at 5:14 pm |
…delightful: seeing the origins of the November cover – – – love, Love, LOVE the sketches. …no idea why I am so moved by sketches, but I am.
Thanks, as always.