The Odd Couple

I love how they say opposites attract. I think it often goes for the physical traits as well as many character traits. Here's a couple I spotted at a ball game not long ago. The image was burned in my brain and I had to sketch it to get it out during the game. Think what you will, but I couldn't help but document it.

Sketchbook

Here's a recent page from my sketchbook...done during my son's Kyukido martial arts class. I also brought along some fun watercolor pencils I've been trying out and added a splash of color.

Press Check

I've never been able to actually go to the printer where one of my books is being printed because they are usually in CHINA. But the printer for the "There's Always a Way, Annie McRae!" book is actually located only an hour from my house. So I got to go do my first press checks ever on a book. Usually you have to rely on the eye of the printer to match the colors as close as possible. But I was able to go and see for myself with the original paintings in hand, how closely they matched up. You can never get an EXACT match to the originals in a picturebook because they are printed on a glossy paper, a paper with a warmer or cooler undertone, and within the confines of mixing Cyan Magenta Yellow and Black (CMYK). But after a few tries, we were able to find a happy medium. The prints were way to yellow at first, but when you took enough yellow out to make the yellows correct, the reds were too pink. So, all in all, it's turning out great and they should have the first print run bound and ready to hit shelves by August 1st. I'll post when we do and a link to where you can get it.

Me signing off on the final proof sheet.

Art Representation

Well, all these years (10 since graduation) I've been going it in this business alone. Getting my own work, doing my own advertising, collecting my own payments. But now, I finally signed on with an awesome art rep... Tammy Shannon and Associates. They are pretty well known in the children's book publishing industry. I submitted my work and they accepted me into their group. I'm feelin' kinda good about that. It's nice to be in such good company with really talented illustrators that I admire. Yea!