Story Hour

Stretch! Meow...

Illustration Friday : Packed


Not only are cats the masters of grace and beauty, comfortable in their knowledge that they are far superior to humans - but they also raise the art of napping to a whole new level. This kitty has packed about as much napping into his day as possible. Now, please excuse him while he naps a little more...

All Grown Up

She had forgotten to pack her most important thing! At least that's what her teddy bear thought...

Illustration Friday: Clique

Illustration Friday: Island

No man is an island.

Rest In Peace, Beloved Georgia

Thanks to all who sent well wishes and prayers for Georgia. She was able to spend one last day at home with family after she got out of the vet. Georgia is the dog on the left.

Near this Spot

are deposited the Remains of one

who possessed Beauty without Vanity,

Strength without Insolence,

Courage without Ferocity,

and all the virtues of Man without his Vices.

This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery

if inscribed over human Ashes,

is but a just tribute to the Memory of

BOATSWAIN, a DOG,

who was born in Newfoundland May 1803

and died at Newstead Nov. 18, 1808.

But the poor Dog, in life the firmest friend,

The first to welcome, foremost to defend,

Whose honest heart is still his Master’s own,

Who labors, fights, lives, breathes for him alone

-Lord Byron

A Little Prayer

My sweet dog Georgia is very ill with kidney disease but maybe be able to feel healthy again for a bit longer if she pulls through her fluid therapy. Any prayers for her would be very much appreciated!

a Page From The "Raj" Sketchbook

Illustration Friday: Detach

Another Style - Pen and Ink

More Raj Character Sketches

Portrait of Raj

Portrait of Raj the Book Store Tiger


Wow, I got a lot of painting done today!

Illustration Friday: Sail

Frog and Turtle watched as the swan sailed by with her brood.

Swan Sketch for Illustration Friday

Dont You Just Hate It When...

Don't you just hate it when you feel inspired to draw and paint, but have tons of chores and (life things) to do first? I feel like I'm a kid at school all over again watching the clock inch it's way to 3 o' clock. I'm especially excited about this new creative upswing because my usual inspiration has been wavering a bit - something that never fails to worry me, although I know it shouldn't because it always comes back.

I of course couldn't be more excited about my current projects, but part of being an artist is weathering dips in crativity. It's easy to forget that part of your duty (yes duty) as an artist it to keep igniting that flame. It doesn't always happen on its own. I have my list of things I do when I don't feel excited about drawing for several days (or even weeks at times if I'm stressed or something). First I look back at artist's work that has inspired me. Then I search libraries, book stores, Lookybook.com, Amazon.com etc for new artists - and there are always new artists that I haven't discovered yet. The latter idea usually works the best. I also have this scrapbook published about William Joyce that's a sure fire choice. It has all sorts of his early sketches that quickly remind me why I began this wonderful career in the first place.

Well I'm off to do my 'have-tos' such as picking up my newly fixed, once water damaged laptop - argh. Don't ever leave any water/liquid near your laptop! It's a fast way for your 3 dollar Aqua Fina bottle to suddenly cost you 1,200 bucks.

Neat Little Myspace Slideshow

In Color - Raj Test Painting

Well I got to bed and woke up at 4:30 am with creative energies that kept me from falling back asleep. I knew it had something to do with the drawing left unpainted on my desk. Was it going to come out alright? Would I be able to get the sunlit room effect I was hoping for? At last I got up and worked from 5 am - 7 am to complete it, felt happy with the results and finally fell back into a much more restful slumber. I can post these without any copyright issues since they aren't going to end up in the book.

I've been really drawn(no pun intended) to pen/ink and watercolor illustrations lately so I'll probably test that type of style out as well.

Raj Test Sketch

Well darn, finished this at 1:30 am so won't be able to paint it until tomorrow. Current influences:

William Joyce
Edward Ardizzone

Raj

I've finished the dummy book for "The Little Green Pea" so while I wait for comments from the editor and art director I'm going to begin the dummy book for "Raj". Right now I'm doing some small spot illustrations using different styles to sort of test what would be best for the text. The art director pointed out several different styles from my portfolio that she liked so I feel I can experiment and still stay within the realm of what's expected of me. Once I find a style that fits, I'll send the color samples to the art director/editor and cross my fingers that they agree with me.

Illustration Friday : Canned

Maxwell got canned from his job as watch dog..... after paying more attention to the strawberry cupcakes than to the robbers who broke into the bakery.


Wow, I think this is probably the longest I've ever been away from my blog! I have to say I've really missed it--especially the comradery. Thanks so much for all the wonderful and kind comments on my previous post! :0)

The books are going well - right now I'm working on the dummy for The Little Green Pea. It's been quite a challenge as there aren't many books starring peas as main characters so I've really had to go with little reference save for realistic photographs of pea plants and leaves. I finally decided to base some of my characters on the classic images of moons and their faces. All you need is some green tint and you've got a pea instead of a moon! I have three spreads left to do and the cover and off it will go to the art director and editor. While they review that I'm going to start on the next book, Raj. Now, I've drawn lots of cats in my career and have owned cats most of my life so I'm looking forward to drawing Raj (the bookstore kitty who thinks he's a tiger).

Well the drawing desk is calling once again. I'll try to post more often!