Those Darn Cameras!

This is just too good not to share with everyone. You know what does it for me? Berlin's "Take My Breath Away". Poetry in catastrophically drunk motion.

Advanced Illustrators Workshop

August 30 – September 3, 2012

Begins Aug. 30 with dinner at 6 p.m. (optional tour of HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN and Boyds Mills Press offered at 3 p.m.); ends Sept. 3 after lunch.

I'd like to announce a wonderful weekend I and several other talented illustrators will be attending. Are you interested in an illustrative retreat in the Pocono Mountains? Well, look no further. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me or the Highlights Foundation. Here's more about the late summer event:
 

While your artwork is accomplished alone, it is only with guidance that an illustrator can begin to understand how to make it in today’s picture-book world. Let one of today’s top children’s book illustrators be your guide. Explore the children’s book market with them, learn new techniques, and enjoy the camaraderie of artists who understand your passion.

During this intensive, five-day workshop you’ll immerse yourself in illustration—oil wash on board, printmaking, pen and ink, watercolors, and more. Daily hands-on workshops will challenge you to sharpen your illustration skills, all under the support and guidance of our highly talented mentors.

In addition to illustration techniques, you’ll also explore
* dummy preparation;
* storyboarding;
* continuity;
 * portfolio expectations;
* character development;
* self-promotion; and
* finding a market.

Your work will receive personal attention through one-on-one critiques from your mentors, group critiques with peers and guest art directors, and feedback from special guests at our portfolio showcase.

 Conference Highlights
* The Barn provides space for meeting and meals.
* Support and guidance from carefully selected authors, illustrators, editors, and academics.
* A unique opportunity to network with others in the children’s literature business.
* An intimate and inspiring setting in the Pocono Mountains.
* Charming on-site lodging.
* Farm-style meals prepared by a top-notch chef.

Sign up now! I am sure that spaces will go quickly. Hope to see you there!

Japan = Awesome

Back in June, Antoine, his brother, father, and nephew combined with my brother and sister-in-law took an amazing trip. We were fortunate enough to travel to Tokyo, Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto. With Antoine growing up there, I had heard stories of how amazing a place it is. I kid you not, he wasn't lying. All of this is just one girl's opinions, but I'd like to point out some high and lows! GARDENS EVERYWHERE. When I think gardens, I typically think of the kind Louis XIV would have loved. Controlled, bright, geometric. Japan is the complete opposite. Their gardens possess a naturalistic, or picturesque quality, and skirt the fine line of being cultivated and virgin. Super awesome. REALLY FUN SIGNS. Dōtonbori, Osaka has to be one of the craziest shopping streets I will ever be on. Many travel books commented on the ugliness of Osaka, but I found this to be quite opposite, and in many ways I preferred this city to Tokyo. TRAINS. I love trains. Make it a hi-speed one and I am even more excited. SO CLEAN, SO FRIENDLY. I was so impressed how such a densely populated area could remain so clean and organized. Granted, some of the architecture is unaesthetic, being a bit boxes and covered in wiring. Our merry group started taking pictures of the pieces of trash we would see, because it was that infrequent. Impeccable! BEER. I never knew that Japan was that stoked about beer! And even better with the summer temperatures! Vending machines on the street: beer. Vending machines in your hotel: beer. And, all of it was really cheap! On the flip side, when ordering non alcohol drinks in restaurants... the glasses are really small. Europe does this well, and my American thirst is just too great for such small glasses. TEMPLES/SHRINES. These buildings become so numerous, after a while you forget just how striking they are. The lights and space in and around them is so pleasing and well planned, I wish we could have lived inside them. BAMBOO. Ever since I was a child, I saw images of these forests. I've long dreamed of seeing them in person. What I didn't realize was that the color is the most amazing cool shade of green I have never seen before. Scooting along in the train, I would look at the shapes and textures of the forests. Even from a distance, these bamboo forest are amazing, with tall fern-like anatomy. A-mazing. PRESSURE. The worst part of the trip occurred on the second day. As we were headed out to Yadabashi Camera on the train, the horn started to blast in such an alarming manner as we approached a platform and every person inside the car looked forward. NOT A GOOD SIGN. My brother was just able to catch the glimpse of a man jumping in front of the train. As the train tried to stop, our car was the one in which was over the man. Trying to hide this from Antoine's younger nephew was imperative, and luckily, we were successful. While stuck in the train for a few moments, my brother and sister-in-law (each a dr. and nurse) naturally sprung into action, but alas we were locked inside. I was able to glimpse the stretcher carrying him out, and while not a horrific scene, made me sad to think why such a young, well dressed man would make this decision. We were nervous for the rest of the trip when we heard that train whistle blow. Phew well... ok. Sorry to end it on a weird note! BUT! I can honestly say, Antoine was not lying when he said Japan was one of the most amazing places on earth. Sure, it's busy, and urban, and overwhelming at times, but the hospitality, beauty, and friendliness of this ancient nation is amazing. GO THERE! Oh, and there are ridiculously cute things EVERYWHERE. It WINKED at us!

3x3 No. 9 Children's Show!

Hello! My, it's been some time. I've missed the blog. I've mssed the blog so much I am contemplating getting rid of my facebook page to solely concentrate on this better kept chronologic list of happenings. I wanted to check in to share that my recent work on Behind the Bookcase has been accepted into 3x3's No. 9 Children's Book Show. Super excited, especially since I am eager for this book's release in October. Here are the images that will be featured:

In other news, Antoine and I just got through a week of hell in regards to our next move. If any of you are ever thinking about buying a home, feel free to drop a line because we'd love to share what NOT to do... and how to really keep your realtor(s) in order. After this week, my opinion of humanity dropped a notch. Oh well, you live and learn, right? New studio will be set up in a month! Have I ever expressed how much I hate moving? We still like the house, and its early 1900s touches, so it's just a matter of washing the realtor "ick" off us! Hope everyone is having a good summer!

The Forest Watches

When I was younger, we lived on the edge of a small forest, complete with swamps, lady slippers, and Wampanoag folklore. My siblings and I would spend so much time outside amongst the trees, that I began to know every root clump or raspberry patch there was. One morning, I started my day following the paths and felt something watching me. I looked up and saw a sculpted face staring back. Because it was made of out the same bark as the tree, it was perfectly camouflaged. It took me several weeks to figure out the brothers had placed these, and not the spirits of the forest. Those few weeks produced more stories and scenarios involving these omnipresent tree spirits than I could remember. I'm now trying to bring those stories alive once again.

0.3 Seconds on the Today Show!

Woooo! Look, you can almost recognize the ogre!

The Rejected Spreads

Sometimes looking back through old versions of my dummies, I encounter long forgotten ghosts: The Rejected Spreads. The months of painting the approved force these other ideas to a far off memory. I stumble upon these again while filing away a project when completed. Pausing slowly, I make sure to remember these previous efforts. Could I use this idea again? It's so easy to forget all of the ground work (endless sketching and thumbnailing) that took place before getting to the final idea.

I will always have a special liking towards these rejects. To the land of misfit sketches!

Oz

This past winter, Montserrat hosted their annual Illustration Theme Show. This year... it was OZ. The students work was not only wondrous, but so delightfully varied with their approach. I highly suggest both current students and the public to take notice of this show next year. An additional pleasure was to have Anne Moore from Candlewick Press to guest jury the show. Anne has been a long time friend and one of my oldest publishing contacts. I remember vividly how kind she was when she walked by my table at an alumni sale. It was right after graduation and I was trying anything to make a bit of money off my art. Anne walked by, came in closer, and said she liked my tiny painted portraits. Then... she gave me her card and I was forever afterward sending her postcard after postcard. Without her kindness that day, who knows if the poor sales (actually... I think I sold 3 paintings, framed for about $20 each) at the sale would have discouraged me from sharing my art with the public. In appreciation of her support, this Flying Red Shanked Douc Langur will hopefully give her luck much like her business card gave me.

Aren't the Langur's so crazy looking? I instantly became infatuated with these critters. They look like the escaped from the Jim Henson muppet shop.

Approved!

Well, looks like my painting coach approves of the paintings of the next picture book. Thank goodness because coach can be really grumpy when she wants to.

You're Fired!

I'm thinking that my current studio assistant isn't carrying their load lately. Too many sun filled naps!

Avril 14 but...

a day late.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's the last push up the hill! The deadline will be ours! Nobody lives forever.

I did always think this song may have been about the Titanic.

Where did she go?

I'm still here, and very sad to be missing out on my blog posts as of late. You see, there's work being made, but we're at certain phases where I can't show much. So, after way too big of a break, I will post a few sneak peeks!


School has also been occupying a lot of my time, but we're already over the mid-point, and I smell summer coming! A recent studio development that I have noticed is that my cat gets extremely irritated when I am not upstairs working in my studio. If I am downstairs having a snack, or reading some emails, she paces and tries every possible way to annoy the stuffing out of me. Scratching furniture, eating houseplants, sitting in front of the television. As soon as I start up the stairs to the studio, she runs as fast as she can up the stairs and sits in the studio. I have a new hard-@ssed career coach.

I'm coming around these parts again soon! No more disappearing acts, I swear.

Great Zeus' Beard!

Here's a quick spec I've been asked to make.
Not too sure if I caught the Zeus-ness of Zeus, but it was fun nonetheless!

Major Fun Award!

Hooray! The cooperative game, Race To The Treasure, I had illustrated for Peaceable Kingdom has won a Major Fun Award! I had a blast working on this project a few months back. Being able to come up with a variety of ogre designs and the game board was a challenge since I wasn't able to see the final project until just a few weeks ago. The design of the ogre was a tricky one... and I think I still had too much fright in him with my final design, hence they decided to close his mouth a bit. I was still so excitd to be able to work not only on a game but one that had nasty beasts and ogres.

What IS a weekend?

Maggie Smith is just as confused as I am. Deadline season is upon us, friends! Day, night, week, weekend... it don't matter!

It's Been a Bit!

Well, we are in a new year. 2012. Holy smokes, and today marks the new lunar year or the dragon! This year is a black or water dragon which I am sure will keep things spicy!

The holiday season is now over with and I am desperately looking forward to a productive year. New Years resolutions include even more studio time, experimentation with media and message, a deeper study of language and history, and of course that all important balance between body and spirit. All of this can only happen with the most important of all resolutions... better time management. I find myself increasingly consumed by online diversions and I'd love to replace that with more physical interaction, combined with a successful daily schedule. *sigh* This is a very tough goal!

Ok, I think I am being uncomfortably preachy! I extend the best New Year's wishes for everyone, and the best of health and happiness!

Here are some sneak peeks of a new book coming out this May! Alex and The Amazing Time Machine was an enjoyable project, being able to use my inks. It will be a very fun spring!

Lighted Lawn Dandruff 2011!!

Our annual Holiday festivities proved to be successful again this year! We noticed a rise in wicker animals and a decrease in inflatable snow globes. This year, the cold cold lights of the LEDs shone brightly over Little Rhodey, showing that us US Americans are indeed, trying to save money on energy consumption. A mid-nugget adventure, capped by a delicious shot served by our friend Holly fueled our fire and thirst to find the best of the lighted lawn dandruff this year. Can't wait for next year!

And as always, flasks up! Pants DOWN!

2011 Fall Painting Demo

Demo finished!

Old House, New Studio

So, about a month or so ago, we rearranged the top floor (it's basically a finished attic with slanted roofs). We moved the desks into the room with a wonderful skylight, making it a pleasure to wake and start working in the morning, I am looking forward to spending more time here this winter finishing two picturebooks!

Duncan and Tucker

Two regal dogs... in need of some artwork. How can you NOT want to paint these lovely beasts!