Edmonton Oilers Pond Hockey Thank You card

I always enjoy doing art for Edmonton Oilers Thank You card. This is my latest design for a card that was to go along with Edmonton Oiler mittens.  I believe the proceeds were going to a good cause.

Edmonton Oilers Pond Hockey Thank You card

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

My Latest Roller Derby Logo Design

My Latest Roller Derby Logo Design

I've done a few roller derby logos over the last few years and here is my latest! 

It's for Sturgeon County Junior Roller Derby Association. I think the skater is pretty cute and fierce!

Why the DO NOT COPY all over it? Well it seems as though some new roller derby clubs have tried to use my art in the past. It's quite frustrating as an artist because this is how I make my living and some people think they can use it without paying for it just because they are able to copy it off the internet. Please respect the effort that I took to do it and respect the fact that SCRDA paid me for it. It is mine and it is theirs. If you'd like me to work on a logo for you, please contact me and I'd love to do something cool for you too!

Jr. Roller Derby Logo by Alberta artist Laurel Hawkswell

Graphic Art by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Artists Do Taxes Too

Some days or weeks I may not post as much as I usually do. Why you ask? Well life does come with certain responsibilities, yes?! There's one big one that I don't really look forward to. That's right ... taxes! Do you agree? What a silly question huh! Now if I was good at all that stuff, I'd be an accountant, not an artist. Luckily, my Mom has always been good at that sort of thing and has been kind enough for years to help me. I cringe to think back on the years when my kids were small ... I'd hand her a big garbage bag full of stuff and she'd sort through it all and have it ready for an accountant to plug in all the numbers. Slowly, very slowly, I've become a little more on the ball. I've even gotten an interest in seeing what I can do throughout the year to make the whole process go fast and smoothly for next year. I'm so darned proud of myself!

Artists Do Taxes Too

Now back to art...!




Graphic Art by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Digital drawing - Walking his dog

I drew this illustration a few days back on a sunny day as a watched a neighbour walking with his dog in the field behind our house. We've got snow so I used a little bit of artistic license. 

I'm sure enjoying digital drawings... I find myself excited to pick up my tablet, just for the pure enjoyment of creating.

a man walks his dog

Graphic Art by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

doodling for fun

So, it seems that when I sit down to doodle for fun (and getting more comfortable with drawing on my tablet) that I tend to draw kids. Like this little girl here. I'm not sure why but here is another one! I'm not sure if I managed to learn anything else while drawing this one specifically but last night I did learn how to use a couple more tools on the Sketchbook Pro program.

I promise I'll draw someone older next time! till then ...

Any suggestions?

A girl with her Dog

Graphic Art by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Stand Up Sign - Blog Post number 400

Introducing Paddy McInnes

Introducing Paddy McInnes

Paddy McInnes has been created as a new employee at Agriculture Industry Extension and Training Branch (Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development). He is being introduced to put a friendly face to the department. They wanted to remind their customers that when you call in for service, you are talking to folks that want to help and are doing their best for you. 

I hope Paddy McInnes adds character and warmth to their day.

Sign by Alberta Artist Laurel Hawkswell

this is Blog post 400 - a milestone for me!

Host Program Instructor Sandwich Boards

I really enjoy the opportunity to create art for The City of Edmonton. I think that bright colours, fun images and a nice layout get people's attention. These little cartoons fit city pools well! And here's a little tidbit, do you notice that each person's speech bubble is the same colour as their bathing suit, or in the case of the little boy on the right: the same colour as his ball. Just a little detail that goes through my head when working on it! Does it make a difference? Make it better? I can't say for sure but at least I try!

Graphic Art and signs for the City of Edmonton pools

Edmonton Graphic Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Working with Splatter

I've been working on a t-shirt design and got the idea that I wanted splatter as part of it to show water and water bubbles instead of the usual way I draw it. So I had fun "working" at it! After about 7 pieces of paper I thought that what I had in my head wasn't going to work out but I kept experimenting. I think I like this one though. I have to wait for it to dry and then I'll
put some of this in behind the rest of the design. By the time I get it put together, get it approved (hopefully!) and the t-shirts done … that's when I'll show you the end result!

'Splatter' for T-Shirt background design

O'Leary Fitness & Leisure Centre signs

I dropped off a bunch of signs for O'Leary Fitness & Leisure Centre today. They have bears as their "mascot". I really like the ideas that O'Leary staff came up with  for these signs. When you tell a person that they need to go no deeper than shoulder deep if they can't swim, they also need to understand that their children's shoulder deep is a lot different! And then there's my  favourite, the giraffe showing how deep their deep pool is. They've said that they get a lot of kids AND some adults standing beside the giraffe and looking up … way up! Brilliant stuff Colleen! And I have to admit that I'm pretty darned proud of how I brought her idea to life. I think the giraffe is cute and I like how the message is presented.

Giraffe sign to demo the Deep-end depth at O'Leary pool 

Deep water sign for the City of Edmonton Leisure Centres

Signs for Fred Broadstock Pool

I always enjoy adding a little pizzaz to a sign. Here is a seal I designed especially for Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool here in Edmonton. I did him outlined, not in black but a dark grey so that the words stood out more than he did. It turned out to have a cool aqua kind of colour tone to it. I did the layout and design on this sandwich board and got them produced for the pool.

Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool sign

sign for Fred Broadstock Outdoor Pool

Art for signs at John Janzen Nature Centre

The Indoor Play Area at The City of Edmonton's John Janzen Nature Centre has signs that include my drawings of squirrels, flowers, mushrooms and I look forward to several new signs to go up soon that will include my bee graphics! Can't wait to see them!

sign for John Jansen Nature Centre

did you know sign for John Jansen Nature Centre

Welcome sign for John Jansen Nature Centre

Edmonton Graphic Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Bee Signs for John Janzen Nature Centre

I recently finished several signs for the Indoor Play Area at John Janzen Nature Centre.

The trick was to make the images of the bees correct but also appealing to children.

Here is an example of one of the bees that appears on "The Busy Life of Bees" sign.

The Life of Bees sign for Edmonton's John Jansen Nature Centre

Designed by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Mill Woods Bicycle Festival design

I think this turned out pretty sweet, even if I do say so myself. Fun and lighthearted.

I hope it works well for The City of Edmonton's Community Services and their Mill Woods Bicycle Festival.

I think my favourite character on it is the little dude on the scooter!

Edmonton artist Laurel Hawkswell

Collage of my Web Album

a collage of some of my photos from my Picasa Web abulm

signs for Leduc #1 Discover Centre’s Annual Rib Cook Off

OK so after making a whole wack of signs for Leduc #1 Discover Centre’s Annual Rib Cook Off, which by the way keeps getting bigger and bigger each year, I got a little loopy … as you can see here! 

 Are you wondering what the arrows were for?  Believe it or not, they weren’t done just to emphasize me.  They were directional arrows for parking.  I know, not as exciting as pointing to me! 

 When making signs I try and make things readable and use the space wisely.  There’s nothing worse than seeing a banner or sign where the lettering just seems to be floating in a ton of space.  If you’ve got the room, use it!

Signs by Alberta Graphic Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Alberta Artist

Edmonton Signs

The pros of working from home

   There are definitely pros AND cons to working for yourself.  I try not to think about the negatives too much ... afterall, I think it cartoon form most days!  There are days when I get going on artwork and realize I haven't brushed my hair yet and it's 2 p.m.!  There are days when I am running around doing family errands, taking the kids to the dentist, making supper and realize it's 6:30 p.m. and I realize I've done NOTHING that makes me money!  But then there are days when I hand over a painting or drawing or paint a little girl's face at an event, and get artistic praise (not to mention getting paid!) ... and it makes it pretty sweet!

pros AND cons to working for yourself

Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

I love my Sharpies!

A Sharpie is one of my favourite tools!

What do I use to do all my caricatures? It’s simple .... Sharpies! 

If you’ve found the perfect pen, why try others? 

I personally should have a share in the Sharpie company OR at the very least, get a thank you letter from the company. 

I don’t know how many I’ve bought over the last several years but I’ve loved each and every one of them. 

So go pick up a Sharpie and a piece of paper and make some magic!

A Sharpie is one of my favourite tools!

Edmonton Artist

caricatures for company Christmas party for Wolseley Canada

Another successful company Christmas party for Wolseley Canada. What fun to do caricatures for these fine folks!

Edmonton Artist

edmonton caricatures

Caricatures at Muttart Conservatory celebrating Canada Day

Started the day by doing maple leaf chalk art leading up to the Muttart doors then enjoyed meeting and drawing nice families inside.  Just another day of being proud to be Canadian.  What a great land we live in, OH YA CANADA!

Edmonton Caricature 

perfect weather for Sidewalk Chalk art

Edmonton Artist

Caricatures at Junior High Farewell Celebration

Caricatures at Junior High Grad
Caricatures were a hit - something more to do than just dance and look at each other in fancy clothes!

Caricatures at Junior High Grad