Illustrations for a New Children's Picture Book for Guardian Angel Publishing

Finished up a project of 13 illustrations for Guardian Angel Publishing and sent them in to editor Lynda Burch. Such a nice feeling when those final pictures have been received and the editor says they all arrived safely. This one was Holiday Hamsters by Cynthia Reeg. I'll fill you in on the details closer to the release date. Just for now, here is a teaser...

The State of the Union ( I mean Book) Address

Writers and Illustrators often struggle even in good times. As I searched for information about how this scary economy will effect the book publishing industry, I came upon, The Purple Crayon Blog by Harold Underdown. I do not know if it made me feel better or worse but was very informative and I would like to share it with you.

Photoshop's Too Cool Tool

This was a study from page 1 for new book for Kicks Club Publications by author Kim Robinson. The book, Have You Ever, is due out early this year. This lion started as sketch on drawing pad, and later scanned into photoshop to complete. This two stage process allows the great feel of pencil on paper, going through many sheets of paper and using that wonderful eraser. But photoshop still allows for layout movement, color choices, size changes and the history tool that I dearly love.
A great tool that I'm playing with these days is the warp tool. To use it; select part of an image you know you need to change yet not sure what is bothering you about it, go to edit, then to transform and find warp. Sometimes just a slight change in an angle or curve can be just what you need. Play around and see what is possible. I would love to hear you thoughts about this too cool tool. Have fun....

Time for Coloring Fun

Don't you find the kid in you seeing that color page on the restuarant placemat and wanting to just grab that crayon out of that cutesy kid's hands.
I do, Yep coloring is fun.
As I was working on the many bunnies, mice and other creatures for Flutter Bunnies by Mel McIntyre, I found myself really getting into the color pages for the book. They were fun and I could always use them on school and bookstore visits to pass out.
Yes, I did color a few!
So I wanted to share this one page with you.
You can find more on Mel's page too. And Guardian Angel Publishing has a great selection of pages from many of their books.

Print them out for the kids and maybe for you.

2009 New Year's Goals

After reading several blogs on making 2009 a more productive year, I came upon a Blog by Jessica Kennedy, A Writing Playground. I was so impressed with her "Making it, Goals and Plan of Action," that I would like to share it with you.
Whether an author of picture books, young adults or adults- everyone can take something away to use in their planning of 2009.
So Happy New Year and Happy Goals-