Artist and Model

Artist and Nude Model © Peregrine Higgins, pen and ink

Artwork Using Archival and Acid Free Materials

The Tooth Fairy by Peregrine Higgins, pen and ink, 9 x 7 inches, © Art By Two

Always use acid free papers and the best quality materials you can afford for your artwork. 

While selecting art for Art by Two I found ink drawings or paintings done in watercolor or oil by my mother that she had done decades ago that were fine and drawings done in the last ten years that might have faded, especially if exposed to light, or done on newsprint. She loved the effect of drawing with a fine micron pigma pen on newsprint. I would get stonehenge paper or other acid free fine drawing paper, stick it in her portfolio before she went figure drawing in hopes that she would use it. She did sometimes but kept going back to newsprint. These drawings can be preserved with some care, but it is best to work with high quality materials from the beginning. If you do have work that is on material that is not long lasting, at least document it as soon as possible. 

The drawing above is Peregrine's self portrait as the tooth fairy, and a portrait of me at the age of five.

Artists telling their story in an e book

Falconeer © Peregrine Higgins from Art by Two by Maud Guilfoyle

 An e book offers artists a way to tell their story, how they grew up, and what inspired them.  Some books I have found helpful on the craft and basic rules of writing are Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew byUrsula K. Le Guin, The Elements of Style Illustrated by William Strunk Jr., E.B. White and Maira Kalman, and The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life by Julia Cameron. I find Ursula Le Guin's line "craft enables art" perfect for all creative endeavors.