I just completed a new hidden picture puzzle for Jennifer Newbold, a client who plans to send it out with her Christmas cards this year. All the hidden items are things that have meaning for her family this year. I didn’t get an explanation for all of them, but for one example, the family took a special trip to Canada this summer. So, she wanted to hide a Canadian flag.
As always, I am open for commissions.
I recently completed a project for Utah-based Fish for Garbage, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes communities through waterway cleanups and watershed education. They commissioned me to create a series of illustrations for a children’s activity book.
This image is the second of two hidden picture puzzles. I saved this one until last because it’s my favorite. That’s the same duck from several pages ago. Having him visible both above and below the waterline really sold the idea that he was floating on the water and what was underneath was the underwater view. And just look at those duck feet! So cute!
I’m really not an expert at drawing fish, but I work from references and do my best. The client said the one brown trout I drew had a longer snout than the other, which is actually called a kype and is sought after by fishermen. I don’t really know enough about them to do that intentionally, but I’m so glad it turned out to be a feature and not a bug. Serendipity.
Can you find all 8 items? There’s a cigarette butt, a tin can, a plastic spoon, a plastic drinking straw, a deflated balloon, a deflated inner tube, a plastic bag, and a flip-flop sandal. The client said they find a surprising number of uninflated inner tubes at their cleanup events.
I will say that, between this one and the previous illustration, I spent SO much time drawing little circles for all that gravel. But it was worth it!
I recently completed a project for Utah-based Fish for Garbage, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes communities through waterway cleanups and watershed education. They commissioned me to create a series of illustrations for a children’s activity book.
This image is the first of two a hidden picture puzzles. Can you find all 8 items? There’s a soda bottle, a drink cup, a flip-flop sandal, a chip bag, a soda can, a plastic fork, a deflated balloon, and a set of 6-pack rings. The hidden items were chosen because they’re items often found during the organization’s cleanup events.
This image is a version of the illustration that was used as the cover image. The cover image was in color and without the hidden items. But it still has the same expansive view and variety of wild animals.
Here’s an image for page 9 of a safety-themed coloring book commissioned by Positive Promotions. This one is my favorite. It’s a maze with various locations in the neighborhood. There’s the library, post office, a park, grocery store, and elementary school. There’s also a little line of traffic. You’re supposed to get the girls to school.
Here’s the second image for page 4 of a safety-themed coloring book commissioned by Positive Promotions. This shows a puzzle. You’re supposed to find which two phones are identical. Can you find them?
Here’s a commission I just sent in to Hart McLeod.
Hidden in the image are 12 pictures. They weren’t supposed to be TOO hard to find, so you should be able to spot them. A woman, a man, two girls, one boy, one owl, two rabbits, three turtles, and a frog.
Interesting thing about this project. They told me which hidden elements they wanted to see, but said that the scene was the artist’s choice. I hate that. That means I had to figure out an interesting scene and compose it with no guidance or limits. I love limits. Contrary to what you’d think, I can be so much more creative if I have defined framework to work in. Oh well.
Luckily, I pulled out this reference photo from my photo collection and used it as my framework. I took this at the Overland Park Arboretum this fall. There actually is a pond off the frame to the left, but it isn’t to the horizon like in the drawing.
Karen B. Jones - Illustrator 