April Castoldi

I’m learning how to do mixed media collage work. It’s harder than I thought. (Why does that continue to surprise me, lol?)

My stylus battery died, so I had to draw this with my fingertip. But it was fun, and I kind of like how it came out…

Sharing a little cheer.

Starting a new mixed media piece…

In my homage to the work of my friend, the illustrator Lizzie Savanella (and as a thank you gift for her), I copied her beautiful design, recreating it as a batik on a silk scarf.

#elizabethsavanella #scbwiillustrator #batik #silk

I’m working on a design for an image that people who are participating in an art show can share on social media. Here’s the current version…

Did a little illustration for our monthly SCBWI Creative Jam.

#scbwi #illustration

I’ll show a picture of the whole thing after I gift this to my friend, but here are a few more little samples of the scarf I’m working on.

I’m working on a gift for a friend. It’s going to be a surprise, so I’m only sharing a little bit of it here… 😜

And this time I tried acrylic paint. Still not quite there yet, but I’m learning. Oh yes, always learning.

My friend said this was kind of like “Colorforms.” 😜

Response to an art prompt

Learning about pastels

I really enjoyed the mixed media art workshop led by London Ladd at the SCBWI Winter conference in New York. I’m excited to keep working on these techniques. I need to buy some Gesso and other supplies so I can really create the layers, but I’m feeling bolder about experimenting.

#scbwiNY26

Exploring mixed media with London Ladd at #scbwiNY26

Anyone around here try illustrating a book with stamp art?

Lately, carving stamps is the only art I feel like doing for some reason…

Place settings…

Carved this little kitty from a scrap of leftover carving block.

More mini scenes

Working on some art to use in speech therapy with my students.

Experimenting