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.

Round 2: Jane Au-some

I guess I am getting into this character design stuff a bit more than I should. But I had the idea for a Jane Austen girl... but named Jane Au-some. Not too sure if it either reads as someone from that time era, or the name itself tells you who she is. Either way, fun to pick up watercolors and swear at them for an hour or so. Such a tricky medium!

Hot Shot

So, fun things are happening this semester at Montserrat College of Art. Antoine Revoy and I are hositng a battle of characters between our classes. It's been fun seeing the students come up with ideas ranging from the absurd to genius. After finishing the last chapter book today, I leaped at the opportunity to join the creativity. Here's my round girl for the big battle!

I'm having a bit of fun messing around with digital color.
And when match time comes, my lady Hot Shot here can yell, "TO THE DEATH!!!"

Illustration Friday: Scary

My submission for IF's Scary is an excerpt from my cover sketch process of Creepy Monsters Sleepy Monsters, written by Jane Yolen. Because the finished painting is so iconic after its completion, I easily forget all of the brainstorming and thumbnailing it took to get to that point. Sometimes, I look back at rejected sketches and think... that could have worked nicely. Hmmm. All of my sketches are still kept in physical form, deep inside some drawer in the studio. Although, I am thankful for organized digital files that can be quickly called up for service.


These tiny monsters are so scary... but the older of the two certainly does like to give his sibling the heebeegeebees!


ps.) You can see the book's old working title above!