Educational Reader Done

Sometimes I fill my schedule to the point where I'm just wanting a nap every day. But too bad...work comes first. The client wanted the files digital so I did all the drawing by hand and all the painting on the computer. The big blank snowy areas are for text. (DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE ROOM FOR TEXT!)

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Calling all illustrators and writers of Children's Books

I'm on the planning committee for a conference sponsored by Utah Valley University (formerly Utah Valley State College) and SCBWI in March (the 20th-21st). We already have the main Keynote Author booked, Kirby Larsen. But, I was just able to book David Small and Sarah Stewart as our Keynote illustrator and picture book author. We are SOOO excited. David has won the Caldecott Medal and the Caldecott Honor Medal. He wrote and illustrated "Imogene's Antlers"...a classic you probably all know. Anyway, Book your calendars and if you are anywhere near Utah in March, you should come. IT'S GOING TO BE FANTASTIC!!!!!

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Illustration Friday: Captain

I had fun doing this one. I don't plan to physically have any more babies myself, but they sure are cute.

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Illustration Friday: Missing

This is just a quick sketch painted in Painter. Can you guess what she's missing...good old summer days. My kids are dreading the start of school. They love summer.

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Illustration Friday: Poem

I saw this theme and instantly thought of that poem "Footprints" which has been WAY overused in my opinion. I used to like it when I was young but it's lost all sensibility for me now. But I had this illustration in my mexico sketchbook that speaks to that poem. (notice the footprints) It's actually a nice poem, but as I said, just way overused. If by chance though, one of you have not read it, here it is. It may be quite inspiring to you if reading it for the first time. I should look at it that way again

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you.”

Mary Stevenson

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It's not all drawing

I mostly focus on the drawing part of what an illustrator does. But I just thought I'd share this tid bit to show that we all do have a life outside of the day/night job of illustrating. Although, our lives sometimes involve using a little bit of those skills.

My mother-in-law puts on a great "fair" for the grandkids every 24th of July (which is a holiday here in Utah celebrating when pioneers first came here to settle the valley). She does a great job. She always has a "fishing pond" but usually just puts up an old sheet. Well, this year I was commissioned to spray paint a new sheet and add fabric fish. It turned out cute and the kids had a great time (and so did I, eating way too much).

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