The Forest Watches

When I was younger, we lived on the edge of a small forest, complete with swamps, lady slippers, and Wampanoag folklore. My siblings and I would spend so much time outside amongst the trees, that I began to know every root clump or raspberry patch there was. One morning, I started my day following the paths and felt something watching me. I looked up and saw a sculpted face staring back. Because it was made of out the same bark as the tree, it was perfectly camouflaged. It took me several weeks to figure out the brothers had placed these, and not the spirits of the forest. Those few weeks produced more stories and scenarios involving these omnipresent tree spirits than I could remember. I'm now trying to bring those stories alive once again.

0.3 Seconds on the Today Show!

Woooo! Look, you can almost recognize the ogre!

The Rejected Spreads

Sometimes looking back through old versions of my dummies, I encounter long forgotten ghosts: The Rejected Spreads. The months of painting the approved force these other ideas to a far off memory. I stumble upon these again while filing away a project when completed. Pausing slowly, I make sure to remember these previous efforts. Could I use this idea again? It's so easy to forget all of the ground work (endless sketching and thumbnailing) that took place before getting to the final idea.

I will always have a special liking towards these rejects. To the land of misfit sketches!

Oz

This past winter, Montserrat hosted their annual Illustration Theme Show. This year... it was OZ. The students work was not only wondrous, but so delightfully varied with their approach. I highly suggest both current students and the public to take notice of this show next year. An additional pleasure was to have Anne Moore from Candlewick Press to guest jury the show. Anne has been a long time friend and one of my oldest publishing contacts. I remember vividly how kind she was when she walked by my table at an alumni sale. It was right after graduation and I was trying anything to make a bit of money off my art. Anne walked by, came in closer, and said she liked my tiny painted portraits. Then... she gave me her card and I was forever afterward sending her postcard after postcard. Without her kindness that day, who knows if the poor sales (actually... I think I sold 3 paintings, framed for about $20 each) at the sale would have discouraged me from sharing my art with the public. In appreciation of her support, this Flying Red Shanked Douc Langur will hopefully give her luck much like her business card gave me.

Aren't the Langur's so crazy looking? I instantly became infatuated with these critters. They look like the escaped from the Jim Henson muppet shop.

Approved!

Well, looks like my painting coach approves of the paintings of the next picture book. Thank goodness because coach can be really grumpy when she wants to.

You're Fired!

I'm thinking that my current studio assistant isn't carrying their load lately. Too many sun filled naps!

Avril 14 but...

a day late.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's the last push up the hill! The deadline will be ours! Nobody lives forever.

I did always think this song may have been about the Titanic.

Where did she go?

I'm still here, and very sad to be missing out on my blog posts as of late. You see, there's work being made, but we're at certain phases where I can't show much. So, after way too big of a break, I will post a few sneak peeks!


School has also been occupying a lot of my time, but we're already over the mid-point, and I smell summer coming! A recent studio development that I have noticed is that my cat gets extremely irritated when I am not upstairs working in my studio. If I am downstairs having a snack, or reading some emails, she paces and tries every possible way to annoy the stuffing out of me. Scratching furniture, eating houseplants, sitting in front of the television. As soon as I start up the stairs to the studio, she runs as fast as she can up the stairs and sits in the studio. I have a new hard-@ssed career coach.

I'm coming around these parts again soon! No more disappearing acts, I swear.

Great Zeus' Beard!

Here's a quick spec I've been asked to make.
Not too sure if I caught the Zeus-ness of Zeus, but it was fun nonetheless!

Major Fun Award!

Hooray! The cooperative game, Race To The Treasure, I had illustrated for Peaceable Kingdom has won a Major Fun Award! I had a blast working on this project a few months back. Being able to come up with a variety of ogre designs and the game board was a challenge since I wasn't able to see the final project until just a few weeks ago. The design of the ogre was a tricky one... and I think I still had too much fright in him with my final design, hence they decided to close his mouth a bit. I was still so excitd to be able to work not only on a game but one that had nasty beasts and ogres.

What IS a weekend?

Maggie Smith is just as confused as I am. Deadline season is upon us, friends! Day, night, week, weekend... it don't matter!

It's Been a Bit!

Well, we are in a new year. 2012. Holy smokes, and today marks the new lunar year or the dragon! This year is a black or water dragon which I am sure will keep things spicy!

The holiday season is now over with and I am desperately looking forward to a productive year. New Years resolutions include even more studio time, experimentation with media and message, a deeper study of language and history, and of course that all important balance between body and spirit. All of this can only happen with the most important of all resolutions... better time management. I find myself increasingly consumed by online diversions and I'd love to replace that with more physical interaction, combined with a successful daily schedule. *sigh* This is a very tough goal!

Ok, I think I am being uncomfortably preachy! I extend the best New Year's wishes for everyone, and the best of health and happiness!

Here are some sneak peeks of a new book coming out this May! Alex and The Amazing Time Machine was an enjoyable project, being able to use my inks. It will be a very fun spring!

Lighted Lawn Dandruff 2011!!

Our annual Holiday festivities proved to be successful again this year! We noticed a rise in wicker animals and a decrease in inflatable snow globes. This year, the cold cold lights of the LEDs shone brightly over Little Rhodey, showing that us US Americans are indeed, trying to save money on energy consumption. A mid-nugget adventure, capped by a delicious shot served by our friend Holly fueled our fire and thirst to find the best of the lighted lawn dandruff this year. Can't wait for next year!

And as always, flasks up! Pants DOWN!

2011 Fall Painting Demo

Demo finished!

Old House, New Studio

So, about a month or so ago, we rearranged the top floor (it's basically a finished attic with slanted roofs). We moved the desks into the room with a wonderful skylight, making it a pleasure to wake and start working in the morning, I am looking forward to spending more time here this winter finishing two picturebooks!

Duncan and Tucker

Two regal dogs... in need of some artwork. How can you NOT want to paint these lovely beasts!

Hard Stares and Thin Beams

School's out! No more students dirty looks!! ;)
So here are a few scans of some recent works. MORE ON THE WAY!!!

New York Times Notable Book of 2011

To add to the amazing news that I've been receiving this week, The New York Times announced their Best of 2011 lists as well. Secrets At Sea received a Notable Book of 2011 for Middle Grade. I could not be happier for Richard Peck, who wrote a fun, engrossing tale of determination and loyalty.

Hooray!

Kirkus Best of 2011

I am ecstatic this past week. Kirkus announced its Best of List for 2011, and Secrets At Sea made a lot of them!

Best of 2011 Fantasy & Science Fiction
Best of 2011 Books for Animal Lovers
Best of 2011 Graphic Novels & Illustrated Chapter Books
Best of 2011 Novels with Great Girl Characters
Best of 2011 Exploring the Past
Best of 2011 Books to Make You Laugh
Best of 2011 Adrenaline Rushes
Best of 2011 Fiction
Best Children's Books of 2011

I was so excited when news of this came through the grapevine! 2011 should have been the year of the mouse!

Risk! A Sure Fire Way For Family Arguments

This year's RISK! battle only produced a few shouted cuss words.
Peach and tranquility was achieved world wide by Kelly's pony and kitten loving regiments.

Antoine's last red regiment was enslaved in the Glitter Sparkle Mines off the coast of Madagascar.