Illustration Friday - Fortune



Everyone knows that leprechauns have a fortune hiding at the end of the rainbow. (This particular leprechaun is a St. Patrick's day card I did for Design Design Inc.)

Speaking of leprechauns, I moved to Massachusetts several years ago. When St. Patrick's Day rolled around my neighbors all asked me if my daughter was setting leprechaun traps the night before St. Patrick's Day. I was told that the leprechauns always seem to elude the traps set for them but they do leave treats for the girls and boys that try to incarcerate them.

I grew up in Pennsylvania and my mom was heavily into all the holiday traditions from Santa to the Easter Bunny, but leprechaun traps were a new one to me. Anyone else ever hear of this tradition?

Comments

Janice Ykema said…
sweet illustration. He looks so gleeful
Very fun illustration!
Anonymous said…
That's a new one on me (the trap). What did a trap look like, just out of curiousity? Love the illo!
Kristi Valiant said…
Hi Jenn,
Sweet illustration - I love the simple overall shapes you use. I also like how his beard echoes the stubbly grass.
Haven't heard of leprechaun traps.
I saw on your website that you use Photoshop and Illustrator for your illustrations. Do you use brushes in Photoshop to create the textures in your backgrounds? Or do you have another method? I've been experimenting with brush textures, but haven't gotten it to look quite so "Oil Painty" that you have. Feel free to email me if you don't mind: kristi at kristivaliant.com
Thanks!
Susan Mitchell said…
I love this one Jenn! Great colours and he is such a cute character :)
HOLLi CONGER said…
So cute Jenn! I love his little shoes. Never heard of the traps! If I were a kid I'd be so scared to think "what if they did get trapped" and then I'd freak out just thinking about seeing one!
studio lolo said…
Awesome character! Design Design was going to publish a series of four of my illos for cards a few yaers ago, and at the very last moment they changed their minds :( I never did know why.
I grew up in Mass and I never heard of leprechaun traps. No wonder I'm messed up today!
Wonderful card...I'd buy it!
Nicole Florian said…
Lovely illustration!
JO said…
very cute character, great style.
mcscrub said…
great job as usual i alway love your stuff
Lunabee said…
Really lovely illo, your style is gorgeous - so rounded and playful. The limited colour palette works great too.
Pirusca said…
I love this leprechau!
° said…
great lil wee folk
DaisyB said…
My first visite here... I really like your style. I like how he's chubby and cute... Love the colors too. I'll come back for sure!
mike r baker said…
Super awesome!!! You never fail to amaze me. :)
J. E. Morris said…
Gee, thanks everyone!
J. E. Morris said…
Paula, I'm not sure what the traps look like. I think they were making little box traps but I'm not sure. We never adopted the tradition in my house. I know my kids would have wanted to stay up all night checking the traps.
Kathleen Rietz said…
Oh! I absolutely LOVE this! Wonderful image and I see you also have great design skills.
Unknown said…
Lovely lovery!!!
Omigosh...my first thought on seeing the image was "This looks like it would make an adorable Saint Patrick's Day card!" and then I read the post explaining that it was a Saint Patrick's Day card! It is absolutely perfect.
nicole falk said…
haha no but it is a beautiful card you made..
Luisa said…
yipvfzexcellent!!
Scott said…
Very nice work. I love the look and style of it.
Ginger*:) said…
Thanks for the info about Leprechaun traps. How interesting. I will be sure to set several next year. Your illustration is just wonderful, Jenn!
Anette Heiberg said…
Nice. He's very cute!

Anette Heiberg
www.wynlen.no
Angela Matteson said…
This guy is so darn adorable!! I love his overall shape, and how he's so light on his feet.
I'm interesting in finding out more about the traps. Maybe they sell them on the internet? :P
tusen said…
he's so cute and delicate with his tiny hands and feet.
Lovely illustration.
Anonymous said…
I love this one! Very nice!
DINTOONS said…
lol!! this is so sweet!! :o)

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