Coming June 2010

I just got the pdf proof of the catalog in which my first illustrated chapter book appears (well, not MY book alone...the wonderfully talented Ann Cannon wrote it, I just did the pictures). It's a GREAT story full of mystery, pre-teen "romance", and of course, chihuahuas! Watch for it.

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Finished Another Job

Well I finally finished illustrating the Fairy Garden book. Even though I had less time in months to work on this book, I think it especially felt like a long job because there were more than the usual number of illustrations for it and a lot of changes during the process. It's always nice to finish a job though. Even if you love the book, you need some space from it before you like seeing it again. On that note, I was happy to receive an advanced readers copy of the chapter book I illustrated, "Chihuahua Chase." It's always fun to see a book in printed form, and then smile because you know all the blood sweat and tears that went into it. Happy reading, everyone.

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"Fairy-ly" Done

I've been working on this fairy picture book for months now and it's been a LONG process. I have a lot of stories to tell associated with the work on this book, but those aren't for sharing on a blog. The good news is that I'm almost finished. Here's some of the work in progress. I paint by hand with watercolor and then scan in the painting and add textures and do more painting digitally. (Ann, you'll notice some of the "Chihuahua Chase" pictures up on the wall behind, since I'd just finished that one).




In the meantime, I'm enjoying the fall weather and the changing leaves. I miss my childhood home with the woods in the back yard. I'd sit for hours under those trees just staring at all the colored leaves, inhaling their smell, feeling their crunch. I do have the mountains covered with trees to gaze at here, but living in a subdivision that was clearcut farmland just 7 years ago, leaves a lot to be desired as far as mature trees. Sounds like it's time for a drive.

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Fun activity

In preparation for another school visit, I thought I'd let the kiddos learn how to draw my latest picture book character...Gus. The book I wrote and illustrated (my first publication as an author) comes out in Spring of 2010 with Marshall Cavendish. I wanted to get the kids excited for it's arrival so I made up this little "how-to." You are welcome to print it for your own self or children, or even for their school. But those are the only usage rights given. Enjoy!

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Finished two, one more on the tables

Well, I just finished the interior illustrations for a chapter book I've been working on for Farrar, Strauss and Giroux by A.E. Cannon called "Chihuahua Chase". It was fun to see it come together but kind of "pull-my hair out" in the process at times. But that's how great creative work comes to be, right? In addition, I finished and turned in the illustrations for the book I wrote, "Tickle, Tickle! Itch, Twitch!" coming out in Spring 2010. I love finishing projects. I just don't love the in between sometimes.
I'm still in that "not-quite-done" phase of one more book. I have to be in the "I'm finished" phase in just 4 weeks. Whew! Time to get back to the drawing table (or the painting easel at this point).

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Didn't get the job...Again

Amongst all the books I'm illustrating right now, I was asked to RE-do some character submissions in another style for a client. They were revisiting the project, apparently, because they still hadn't settled on an illustrator. I had submitted some samples previously but they came back a while later and asked for ones done in this style. So I did them, but once again, I didn't end up getting the job. But it's always good exposure to be asked, to submit, and be seen. (I'm a glass half full kind of girl) It just made for a more busy week one week. What do you think of this limited color and airbrush smooth look?

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