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Kat Frick Miller

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Stillframeanimation-header.jpg

Animation Behind Last Fish, First Boat

February 12, 2021
LFFB-Title-Frame.gif

Our short film Last Fish, First Boat written by writer Jenn Thornhill Verma comes out next week.

My task in the film was to create the visual counterpart to the story of Eugene Maloney, as narrated by Jenn. This project stretched my skills as an illustrator and allowed me to dip my toe into still-frame animation.  We broke the story up into fourteen frames. Some frames were still illustrations, but for others we wanted to incorporate some moving parts to help hold the interest of the viewer. I had created some small still-image animated gifs from artwork before for fun but this was a bigger task.

I created all of the animations (probably the hard way) by moving layers in photoshop and combined them using the photoshop timeline function to export as video.

To learn the process I created lots of draft sketch animations to test out movements and how to create them with my characters.  These test animations informed how I created the final artwork. I had to plan which elements had to be painted separately and which could be edited in photoshop later. The test animations didn’t have to be pretty, they just helped me visualize how all of the separate pieces were going to work together.

Here is a look at one of my early sketch animations

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I broke down this piece into several individual components and painted them separately before bringing them together in the final animation. The separate moving parts included, the boat, alternating waves, fish, each man and a few seagulls that I would add to the composition in the final version. Here is a look at a few of the pieces I painted separately.

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Here is a snippet of the final animation

Frame 4 Animation.gif

Seeing the finished product come together alongside Jenn’s narration and the music and sound effects by Paragon Cause and Matt LeMay has been wonderful. I can’t wait to share it with you!



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Behind the Scenes: My Creative Process

October 29, 2020

I have been looking forward to having the opportunity to share more of the creative process behind my artwork.  Earlier this month I jumped into a quick project with writer and artist Jennifer Thornhill Verma and it was the perfect example to show my workflow in action. I’ve broken it down here into the basic steps I take when tackling any new project.

When Jenn asked if I would be interested in creating an illustration to accompany her piece on the recreational cod fishery, or what locals prefer to call the food fishery, in Newfoundland and Labrador’s The Independent I was excited but hesitant. The deadline was four days and I don’t usually take on short notice projects. Luckily Jenn and I have developed a smooth workflow together so after a bit of thought, I wasn’t worried about jumping in.

1. Research and Gather References

My first step is always research. Often when I sit down, ready to draw I get that blank page panic feeling. That’s when I realize I’ve jumped ahead a step. I have to go back and do my research. After reading Jenn’s story (you can read it here) I explored a few photo references and thankfully, Jenn was able to provide some photographs of the fishing trip with her daughter in Newfoundland that inspired the piece that were perfect to draw from. I most often use my own photo references, and in a pinch, google images is a good resource.

2. Sketchbook Brainstorm

I started by brainstorming in my sketchbook to see if any compositions or images resonated with me.  This is a bit like the collecting phase.  You don’t know what might be useful in the end project, so every doodle is valuable.  I don’t worry about scale and proportion too much at this phase as I can fix that later, for now I’m focusing on shapes and composition ideas.

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3. Find the Focus

There were lots of opportunities to have fun with scale and push the codfish to the forefront, but I wanted to focus on what resonated with me the most in Jenn’s article: the generational connection to the cod fishery and how families maintain that connection in the years of the Cod Moratorium, which has taken many away from their home province.  That meant a composition showing a connection between Jenn and her daughter, with the codfish as a supporting role.

My initial sketch book page for that idea looked like this:

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4. Refine the Sketch

Next, I tackled some of the smaller drawing details that I would like to fix up.  I wasn’t entirely happy with the perspective on Jenn’s daughter so I looked for more references (thanks google image) and re-sketched some options. 

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Finally, I brought those pieces together in photoshop into this final composition.  The boots, hanging gloves and handline from the brainstorm sketch found their way into the final composition.

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5. Paint

From there I traced the final drawing onto my hot press paper and got to painting.  I’m currently using acrylic gouache paint for all of my projects. I really love the matt finish and bold colours I can achieve. I challenge myself to keep some of the linear elements from my original drawing in the painted piece.  I like to try to tackle each object differently to add depth and variety, playing with flat colour alongside dry brush textures. 

Once painted, I usually sit with a piece for a few days and make adjustments.

KFMiller-JVerma-Cod2020.jpg

Every project is a little different but I find it comforting to have a workflow that I can rely on.  For me this process provides an easy, low stress point to start from and lots of room to navigate around hurdles.  If I were to pick up a paintbrush before going through steps one through three I would be lost.

I would love to hear what your workflow is like.  Do you use a process similar to this?

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Holiday Markets & Tea Towels

November 8, 2019

I’m happy to report that for the 2019 holiday market season I will have Barns of Nova Scotia tea towels available for sale. The tea towels are also available in my online shop. They are not available in stores.

Visit my events page for the full listing of holiday markets I am attending this season in Nova Scotia.


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Open Studio Show & Art Sale

October 8, 2019

My studio home, Manual Training Collective Artist Studios is hosting an open house and art sale! It is a fun and unique chance to see inside artists’ studios. The group is having a 6”x6” original works art sale with 12 artists participating.

Participating artists are: Laura Campbell, Joanna Close, Emma Fitzgerald, Rebecca Hannon, Glynis Humphrey, Louis Lemoine, Kevin Maclean, Jim MacSwain, Kat Frick Miller, Hila Peleg, Louise Pentz and Johanna Steffen.

The open house and sale will be on Thursday, October 17th 2019 from 5:30pm to 9:00pm, at our studios on the 5th floor of the Champlain building, 5162 Duke Street in Halifax. More info here.

*Cash and e-transfer only.

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Word on the Street - in discussion with Wanda Baxter, Saturday Sept. 14, 12pm

September 10, 2019

Collaborating on a Book: The Story of Making “If I Had an Old House on the East Coast”

Wanda Baxter and I are so thrilled to be a part of the Word on the Street Festival in Halifax, NS this coming Saturday Sept 14th at 12pm. We will discuss the collaborative process of creating If I Had an Old House on the East Coast from pitching to publishers to the final edits.

Word on the Street events are free and open to the public.

Book Signing: After our presentation you can find us at the Nimbus table signing books from 2:30 - 3pm

https://thewordonthestreet.ca/halifax/

Saturday September 14, 12pm
Lindsay Room 2nd Floor
Halifax Central Library
5440 Spring Garden Road

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Summer Days

July 15, 2019

This summer I’ll be popping around at various farmers’ markets in Nova Scotia. You can find me semi-regularly at the Lunenburg Farmers’ Market and the Alderney Landing Farmer’s Market.

Keep an eye on my events page as I’ll post market dates in advance!

If I Had An Old House Book Launch

June 18, 2018

Join us to celebrate the launch of If I Had an Old House on the East Coast. We are hosting two events, in Lunenburg and Halifax.  Nimbus editor, Whitney Moran will lead a discussion with author Wanda Baxter and illustrator Kat Frick Miller about their book collaboration.  Both events will feature live music and light refreshments.

Tuesday, June 26, 6-8pm
The Lunenburg Makery
230 Lincoln Street, Lunenburg, NS

Thursday, June 28, 7-9pm
14 Bells Fine Art Gallery
5523 Young Street, Halifax, NS

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Call for Models

May 11, 2018

I am looking for women in Halifax to participate in an ongoing project about 19th century Newfoundland women who worked in the fishery.  Pay rate is $20 per hour, with a minimum of 3 hours work. Experience is not necessary. 
I am looking for women ages 18 - 70, who have a connection to Newfoundland or are of Irish decent, POC are welcome.  Women of every size and ability are encouraged to get in touch.  

Work includes sitting for photo sessions indoors and outdoors in period dress (provided).  Participants should be comfortable taking direction. Sessions would take place in June and be 3 hours long with a potential for two sessions if required. Pay is $20 per hour with a minimum of 3 hours work. Photos will be used as references for watercolour paintings.

Please get in touch here with your name, age and connection to Newfoundland (if any) and I'll be in touch when I'm selecting models.  Thank you!

I would like to thank Arts Nova Scotia for the support they have provided for this project.


 

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HCS Spring Poster Digital 8.5x11.jpg

Halifax Crafters Spring Market 2018

April 16, 2018

After over a year away, this spring I'll be back at the Halifax Crafters Society Spring Market on May 5 & 6 at the Olympic Centre, Hunter St. Halifax. 

Visit Halifax Crafters for the full lineup of vendors.

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If I had an Old House on the East Coast...

April 14, 2018

Later this spring my first book project ‘If I had an Old House on the East Coast’ will be released with Nimbus Publishing. This book is a true collaboration with local author Wanda Baxter.  Wanda and I first met in Lunenburg in 2014 to explore this idea of hers and it has been a wonderful experience bringing our shared love of old houses and east coast charm to life. The release date is set for May 30th and I’m sure many fun events will follow. 

Available for purchase here.

Tags Book Illustration, Commission, Watercolour, Nimbus Publishing, If I Had an Old House on the East Coast
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Karen, Watercolour, June 2017

Karen, Watercolour, June 2017

Making Fish - Women in the 19th Century Newfoundland Fishery

March 20, 2018

I’m back in St. John’s, Newfoundland completing research for a new series of portraits. I will be working Provincial Archive of Newfoundland and the Maritime History Archives researching the history of women who worked in the cod fishery throughout the 19th Century.  Over the next two weeks I will be collecting details of the economic activity of women through surviving merchant ledgers and court documents.  The unique truck or credit economic system in Newfoundland provides a wealth of information to draw on as I explore this topic.  

Portraits will be completed this spring and summer in my Halifax studio.
 

Funding for this project has been providedby Arts Nova Scotia.

Funding for this project has been provided
by Arts Nova Scotia.

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Tall Ships on Parade - Quilt Pattern

March 14, 2018

Last summer in celebration of the Tall Ships Festival in Lunenburg, we dedicated our Row by Row Experience pattern to the Lunenburg icon, the schooner Bluenose II. 

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I loved designing this pattern, inspired by the tall ships on parade at sunset.  I love utilizing the foundation paper piecing technique to create sharp points that are perfect for a scene like this.  The kit includes a printed fabric Bluenose II hull with hand drawn lettering.

This pattern and kit are now available in store and online through the Lunenburg Makery here.
 

Tags Quilting, Quilt Pattern, Quilt, Lunenburg Makery, Bluenose II

Ontario Bound

August 9, 2016

I will be away from the studio from August 10 to September 6, 2016.  Among visits with friends I'll be taking part in a technical watercolour course and a quick residency to explore new studio ideas.

Advanced Watercolour Techniques Workshop
Haliburton School of Art
August 15 to 20, 2016
Haliburton, Ontario

Artist-in-residence
Spark Box Studio
August 22 to 28, 2016
Picton, Ontario

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Rural Creativity - Studio Magazine

June 24, 2016

Find my article, Rural Creativity — Building Community Through Craft Education in the current Spring | Summer 2016 issue of Studio Magazine.  Highlighting examples from Nova Scotia's South Shore, the piece features Westcote Bell Pottery of Lahave, the NSCAD Community Residency Program and the Lunenburg School of the Arts.

I had a great time researching this piece, exploring the wonderful things going on in my own backyard.  Thanks to Studio Magazine's editor, Leopold Kowolik and all of my interviewees for their support.

Westcote Bell Pottery
NSCAD Community Residency Program
Lunenburg School of the Arts

The Spring | Summer issue is on stands until September 2016.

The 160 year old boathouse that is now home to Westcote Bell Pottery, Lahave, NS.

The 160 year old boathouse that is now home to Westcote Bell Pottery, Lahave, NS.

Jacqueline M Cohen at the Westcote Bell Pottery studio, Lahave, NS.

Jacqueline M Cohen at the Westcote Bell Pottery studio, Lahave, NS.

Lunenburg Harbour

Lunenburg Harbour

Lunenburg School of the Arts at Montague and Prince Street, Lunenburg, NS.

Lunenburg School of the Arts at Montague and Prince Street, Lunenburg, NS.

Tom Forrestall leading 'The Art of Egg Tempera Painting' in the Lunenburg School of the Arts studios.  Photo courtesy of the LSA.

Tom Forrestall leading 'The Art of Egg Tempera Painting' in the Lunenburg School of the Arts studios.  Photo courtesy of the LSA.

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Row by Row at the Lunenburg Makery

June 3, 2016

I consider myself pretty lucky to be part of the team at the Lunenburg Makery.  I teach crafty workshops, design crafty kits and in general, spread lots of crafty joy.

This winter I had the new challenge of designing a quilted row for the shop's first contribution to the Row by Row Experience.  Quilt shops across North America are all designing quilt rows to fit this year's theme of Home Sweet Home and will have the patterns available in their shops for free all summer!

I had so much fun working on our row which is created using the foundation paper piecing quilt technique.  Pulling inspiration from doodles in my sketchbook our design includes the classic Lunenburg Bump and the town's iconic Dory Shop with a few dories tagging along.

Visit The Lunenburg Makery in person from June 21st to September 6th to grab your free pattern or a row kit that includes the customized Dory Shop applique sign.  You can find a list of Nova Scotian shops participating here.

Tags Quilt, Quilt Pattern, Quilting, Lunenburg Makery, Lunenburg

Lunenburg Tote Bag + Market Mornings

May 16, 2016

I'm super excited about my new screen-printed Lunenburg tote bag for the summer market season! This fantastic cotton tote has gusseted sides and long handles perfect for carrying your market veggies in.  I created this illustration over the winter while I was daydreaming about sunny days in town.  

You can find this bag exclusively at Dots & Loops and at my stand at the Lunenburg Farmers Market on Thursday mornings.  I'm back at the market this week for the whole summer long!  Hope to see you there. <3

The Dartmouth Makers — May 7

May 3, 2016

Looking forward to an awesome Dartmouth Market this weekend.  Find us at The Parish Hall, 61 Dundas, all day Saturday!  Visit The Dartmouth Makers on facebook for updates on what you'll find at the show.

Looks like I'll be in good company. :) 

Travel Painting

April 21, 2016

Views of Nova Scotia from my recent Halifax to Toronto flight.

Halifax Crafters Society Spring Market

April 19, 2016

Find me and my stuff at the Halifax Crafters Market — Olympic Centre April 30 + May 1!

The Lunenburg Symposium

April 19, 2016

This May Lunenburg is playing host to Visual Arts Nova Scotia's first mentorship symposium.  In partnership with the newly formed Lunenburg School of the Arts, the symposium will celebrate 10th anniversary of the VANS Mentorship Program bringing together a range of perspectives on mentorship in a three day event.

I was super pleased to create this illustration for the event, drawing on Lunenburg's nautical roots.

For more info on this event check out VANS.

 

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Instagram

After a few long weeks in the studio, we escaped to my favourite spot in Lunenburg County this weekend. We enjoyed the gorgeous sunshine and had a chance to check out a vintage fair that was full of little bits of rural inspiration. I snagged this am
After a few long weeks in the studio, we escaped to my favourite spot in Lunenburg County this weekend. We enjoyed the gorgeous sunshine and had a chance to check out a vintage fair that was full of little bits of rural inspiration. I snagged this amazing sign that would have been used in an agricultural exhibition barn. Ron Storch’s 4H cow is moving into my studio to keep all those good memories close by. . . . #fourpointsvintagemarket @4pointsmarket #4h #agriculturalfair #bigex #agriculturalexhibition #farming #getsway #inspiration #rurallife #lunenburgcounty #ruralnovascotia #novascotia
Happening tomorrow on Instagram live! Join us at 12:30pm AT (11:30am ET, 1pm NT) as @jenn_verma and I go live to share our work-in-progress Last Fish, First Boat. We&rsquo;ll share a reading from the script, show snippets of artwork in progress and o
Happening tomorrow on Instagram live! Join us at 12:30pm AT (11:30am ET, 1pm NT) as @jenn_verma and I go live to share our work-in-progress Last Fish, First Boat. We’ll share a reading from the script, show snippets of artwork in progress and our video storyboard. We’ve been collecting questions and are excited to hear any you have as we’re live. This is my first live Q & A and I can’t wait! . . . #bringingtheartstolife #instagramlive #artistcollaboration #livestream #fishinglife #reading #codcollapse #boatbuilder #illustration #workinprogess #gouache
Pieces of Gene Maloney for &lsquo;Last Fish, First Boat' are coming together.  The final format of this work will be a digital video with narration by @jenn_verma.  This format has given me the opportunity to add a few simple still frame animations t
Pieces of Gene Maloney for ‘Last Fish, First Boat' are coming together. The final format of this work will be a digital video with narration by @jenn_verma. This format has given me the opportunity to add a few simple still frame animations to help bring the story to life. That means painting little things in many different ways. Next I’ll scan each piece and bring it together in photoshop. . . . #gouache #gouacheillustration #illustration #lastfishfirstboat #portrait #portraitillustration #painting #bringingtheartstolife #canadacouncil #newfoundlandstory
Join @jenn_verma and me next Thursday for a chat on Instagram live!  We will talk about our collaboration, Jenn will be reading an excerpt from &ldquo;Last Fish, First Boat&rdquo; while I share the accompanying storyboard thumbnails and artwork in pr
Join @jenn_verma and me next Thursday for a chat on Instagram live! We will talk about our collaboration, Jenn will be reading an excerpt from “Last Fish, First Boat” while I share the accompanying storyboard thumbnails and artwork in progress. I’m so excited to share sneak peeks of how the pieces are coming together and answer your questions! We’ll be going live Thursday Sep 17 at 12:30pm AT (11:30pm ET, 1pm NT). . . . #bringingtheartstolife #codcollapse #fishinglife #artcollaboration #canadacouncil #illustration #artistsoninstagram #instagramlive #qanda #bookreading #LastFishFirstBoat @canada.council
A study for Last Fish, First Boat as I explore compositions, tone and colour palette. This project with @jenn_verma is still in its early stages as we work through storyboard thumbnails and revise the script. I&rsquo;m looking forward to sharing insi
A study for Last Fish, First Boat as I explore compositions, tone and colour palette. This project with @jenn_verma is still in its early stages as we work through storyboard thumbnails and revise the script. I’m looking forward to sharing insights into our process as we move ahead. I’ve started a newsletter as a way to share more peeks behind the scenes on projects like this. The link is in my profile if you’d like to sign up and get the inside scoop. :) . . . #illustration #storyboard #lastfishfirstboat #bringingtheartstolife #gouache #gouachepainting #codfishery #fishing #fishingboats #codfish #newfoundland #jennverma
A little study inspired by my work with @jenn_verma. I was fascinated to read in The Guardian this week about the recreational dip net salmon season in Alaska where residents fill their freezers with salmon for the year.  Twenty five fish for the hea
A little study inspired by my work with @jenn_verma. I was fascinated to read in The Guardian this week about the recreational dip net salmon season in Alaska where residents fill their freezers with salmon for the year. Twenty five fish for the head of the household and ten more for every member. I’d fill my freezer with mackerel if I could, but it would take while. 😉 . . . #illustration #gouache #gouachepainting #bringingtheartstolife #cannedsalmon #salmonfishing #alaskafishing #recreationalfishing #stilllife

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