Good Tidings of Great Joy!

Another Christmas card I recently designed.....

One of my absolute favorite truths from the (true) Christmas story.

Are You Good Enough?

I just listened to a podcast interview of Will Terry by Chris Oatley.  Awesome!!

If you have some time, give it a listen.  If you don't have time, MAKE time!  It's well worth it.

Thank you, Chris and Will!

These guys are amazing artists and teachers. Honest and real and so willing to share their expertise through videos, articles, podcasts, and classes. I highly recommend receiving email updates, reading/ listening to them, participating in their classes, etc.  Great way to ring in the new year....learning new stuff and being encouraged :)

Merry Christmas, Tink!

And something just for fun.....

Tinkerbell, dressed in her Christmas best!

Greatest Gift Christmas Card

Here's the colorized version. I'm printing them out and tweeking with black ink highlights.  It ends up looking kinda retro. 

I'll try to get a photo of finished product posted soon, but here's the pre-printed color model:

Christmas Card

Working on a design for my Christmas cards, featuring the REAL reason for this season:)

Encouragement for Creatives

Just found another very helpful site! Check out For the Creators for tips and encouragement for creatives.

We can all use some encouragement along the way and I'm so thankful for sites like this and the time invested by those who write these articles. Yaaaaay!

Movember Broccoli

My friends at Broccoli Creative Design have included my silly moustache photo on their blog! This was the challenge for Movember....that's right, Movember!

This group hosts a fun creative challenge each Saturday, called #saturdayscribbles. You can follow them on twitter @hellobroccoli:)

Crazy Cartoon Experiment

I'm so excited to have been included in my first comic collaboration! Check out Jon Esparza's Crazy Cartoon Experiment, AKA,  CCE Rewind to see my entry, along with many others.

Many thanks, Jon, for allowing me to participate!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving (if you celebrate it:)! I sure did.

Now I'm getting back to work, which, for now is mainly promoting and selling Brother Prairie Dog Goes to Town. There's a new post on my blog which goes with the book. You can click on the page tab above to go there.

Boo-Boo Bear

A quick #saturdayscribbles picture I did last Saturday, incorporating the themes bear and bandage.

Next Project?

Now that Brother Prairie Dog is completed, I'm looking at other projects....one of them is a children's book I'm illustrating and writing, which I started a few months ago. If I don't end up needing to work on something else, this will be my next book. The main character is a lizard. I may have mentioned this before, but now that I'm returning to it, I'm mentioning it again:)

Here's a sneak preview:

Christmas Penguin

When I'm not too busy promoting Brother Prairie Dog, I'm also working on some Christmas designs.

Here's one which, incidentally, involves a penguin, which seems to be my other favorite subject lately:)

Penguins and Fireworks...Naturally!

Another penguin piece. Done for #saturdayscribbles on twitter....the theme was fireworks.

It was fun....I love using colored pencils!

Picture Book Character Dynamics

Just read a great article about Picture Book Character Dynamics on Words and Pictures: SCBWI British Isles Magazine.

It was written by John Shelley, illustrator of, I believe, 40 children's books, whose work is lovely.

Very helpful! Thanks, John. Lots of practical tips to help us grow as illustrators.

Happy Halloween!

Consider End Papers

Nice blog article from Tara Lazar  on end papers in children's books. Nice to know!

Thanks, Tara:)

Brother Prairie Dog Blog

Wondering where to find Brother Prairie Dog and his friends? 
 Watch for a link to the Brother Prairie Dog Blog right here! I'm setting up the site with some fun activities!

Don't worry, guys. It'll be here soon!

Brother Prairie Dog is at the Printer!

Okay, it's official: Brother Prairie Dog Goes to Town is at the printer!

Ordering info soon......

....and a link to the Brother Prairie Dog Blog is also coming soon.....for all the latest news and info about Brother Prairie Dog and his friends plus educational fun.

Be Afraid, Mr Puggles...Be VERY Afraid....

I know it's been a while...been workin' hard to finish up on Brother Prairie Dog Goes to Town. Finally got everything submitted. We'll be getting back a proof soon! YAAAAY!


In the meantime, did a fun comic sketch for the #saturdayscribbles on twitter, hosted by the @hellobroccoli group.

This week's theme was animals....I decided to draw one of my favorite animals, the dog, and one of my favorite dogs, the pug, and plugged it into a Halloween theme.

Style Evolution

Here's a wonderful article on Author All Sorts about how our style changes over time.

Boy, was this helpful for me to read!  I've had a bit of a struggle over this, thinking I'm all over the place with my art, when I suppose I've just been growing and *evolving, to put it in Ged's term.

Thank you, Ged Adamson for taking the time to write this article! Check out Ged's website. His illustrations are brilliant :D


*Side note, which I can share b/c this is MY blog, baby - I have to say, I don't believe in evolution, as it pertains to life on earth (we were created by an amazing God - YAY!), but I do agree our art and other abilities can evolve;-)....just sayin'......

Baby Elephant POP!

Baby elephant with some color. Wooooo!

Baby Elephant Walk....

Got final final revisions sent in, so have a little time for fun sketching....

Here's a baby elephant:

Prairie Dog Central?

On the heels of that last post, I wanted to let you know, I'm planning to make this blog into Prairie Dog Central, in order to celebrate the release of Brother Prairie Dog Goes to Town.

My plans are, to not only have info about the book, including ordering information (of course;), but also fun info and activities for kids and parents! I think this book, and hopefully the series to come, is a great fun educational opportunity (without seeming educational). 

And, as parents, I think we're always looking for that.  So, stay tuned.......

Brother Prairie Dog is Coming to Town!

I mentioned a while ago that I've been working on a couple of children's books.  Well, I'm excited to say that, in 3-4 weeks, the first one is due to be published!!

The author (soon to be announced) and I are frantically working on last minute changes...trying to make everything just right (hopefully!).

I can now say that the story is called Brother Prairie Dog Goes to Town. It's the epic adventure of a young prairie dog trying to get to town and back, facing the perils that a real critter of this type might face!

More info to come, but here's a sneak peek, without the text, for now:

Squishy Wish

A poem I just thought of this morning. I shan't tell you why...

Stepped on something in the dark,

I wishy, wishy, wishy,

When I stepped on that thing in the dark,

It hadn't been so squishy.

Pigeon on a Hot Air Balloon

I had such fun creating this guy. I think he needs to be in a story, some day....

My husband said, "Wow! You're getting faster..." which I take as a compliment. Doin' all these twoodles (which is what this guy originated as) has helped me become more and more comfortable doing this.

Great Advice on Writing & Illustrating Picture Books

I love love LOVE this post from Tara Lazar! Actually there are 2 posts on her blog that are perfect for me, right now, so maybe they are for you, too. One is about Writing a Picture Book.  There's a lot of staring, yes, staring (and coffee, of course) involved. So it appears that I am VERY productive most days. Heh-heh....

The other post is about Being an Illustrator, Then an Author-Illustrator.  BINGO! That's where I am...actually, I'm still working on becoming a published illustrator and in my down time/waiting-for- author-and-publishers-time, I'm being an author-illustrator for another book.

So, thanks again, Tara, for such helpful and encouraging advice;)

Jump for Joy...or 'Fro Joy, Whichever You Prefer

Phew! Okay, it's all better now...

Things are more matchy around here.....

Hope you like my update...decided to lighten up and also change to fit my new style....at least my current style...until I change again, right?;)

And I am starting to shamelessly promo the book I'm finishing up illos for....just waiting to hear from author about a couple of things before finishing up, hopefully! (Which is why I have some time to update my blog.)

Then, hopefully, eventually, it'll be published, and then we'll jump fro joy (fro joy??? Does that mean we are joyful because we have 'fros??? Well, we may not have 'fros, but we can jump FOR joy) and then I'll be able to share the whole shebang with you.

Oh, and if you DO have a 'fro, you, too, can jump FOR joy....maybe even more so! 'Cause 'fros rock, man!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!!

If things seem mismatched on here it's because....well, they are...

I'm working on re-decorating this blog and, for some reason, blogger won't accept the changes I'm trying to make....except some....Going to try something other than my laptop and see if that works...

ARRRGGH!

3 Pillars of Selling More Books

If you are involved with books - writing, illustrating, both - here's a great article from Digital Book World about selling them.

I just read it and found it to be very practical and helpful. Maybe you will, too:)

Sloth+Volcano+Tea = Fun Practice

Here's my twoodle-toon from this week, incorporating the words sloth, volcano, and tea.

I was reluctant to do it, because of being super busy, but I'm glad I decided to, because it was a great exercise.

We exercise our muscles to be stronger and we exercise our art to be better artists. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! I don't know about you, but I can always use more of that....

I Scream for Ice Cream!

Sometimes, I just have to do something that is a total "no brainer" and just kinda flows out, for fun.

Especially when, lately, it seems I'm dealing with so much of the technical end of my work (revising and converting files and lots of clean-up and re-organization of my ginormous files)!

Here's what I created yesterday....simple shapes and colors....very relaxing, and helped me get back to the work work that I needed to do.;)

"Being Completely Ready to Attract New Clients & Win New Work"

Check out my page called "Red Lemon Club." I've added Alex Mather's latest helpful tip for creatives.

Also take a look at his website Red Lemon Club which contains a wealth of info for us.

Ben Affleck twoodle

Well, at least here's my twoodle from last week....I mean, like last last week...

Ben Affleck, purple, camera

 

Work Frenzy

Working on prepping one book for printing and another for submitting....I love it, but need more hours in my day! The clock appears to be spinning uncontrollably fast!!!

AARRGGH!

Interview with Illustrator Hazel Mitchell

Here I go again, living vicariously through other people's blogs......but, hey, there's some great stuff out there!;)

I learn so much from interviews! Here's another great one on Simply Messing About with illustrator Hazel Mitchell.

78% of Published Books Fail...Gulp!

If you're and illustrator who also happens to be an author, or you're thinking of becoming an author, I just came across an article that could be helpful for you.

It's on Tara Lazar's blog Writing for Kids (While Raising Them). Tara is interviewing Patricia Fry about the need for authors to market their books. It's sobering, but true. Being new to the "author thing" I'll definitely be heeding their warnings and working toward more and more marketing of my book.

In fact, watch for a blog dedicated to my story.....

But also, check out Tara's blog. She always has some great info.

Thanks, Tara!

Tunes I Dig

I've really fallen in love with listening Gramatik and Wax Tailor while working lately.....

Bits n' Baubles

Okay, I feel famous now, because the sweet Amanda Sorenson mentioned me on her blog, Bits n' Baubles Studio which, by the way, you should take a look at.

Thanks, Amanda! You're a great #twoodle friend.;)

Did You See a Masked Chicken on a Bicycle?

Fun stuff.....

As one of my friends said, "The Lone Chicken rides again!"

Roland's Birthday

My latest project is a children's book I'm writing and illustrating, as I kind of mentioned in my last post.

It's about a lizard named Roland who plans his birthday party, but then, things don't exactly go as planned....

Not sure yet, what I'll name it, but have some ideas.

Fly-Muffin? Pattern

Had so much fun this morning creating a pattern that I think will decorate the inside covers of the picture book I'm developing!

I didn't want to stop and eat until it was finished....one of those times I wished I could be fed intravenously.:)

Anyway, here it is....also decided to make it my background on twitter.

Those are "flychip muffins." A clue about my characters' tastes.....

Crazy Bird Guy

I love it when, as I'm developing characters, some just kind of "appear" on the page!

This crazy bird guy appeared a couple of days ago...it was love at first sight for me.:)

Platypus+Mohawk+Ice Cream+Balloon = ?

New #twoodle...platypus+mohawk....

These are great fun and great practice! I'm truly enjoying being part of the #twoodle community on Twitter.

Wordless Picute Books

Interesting article about Wordless Picture Books on the "Eye Magazine" website.....

One of my favorites is Pancakes for Breakfast, by Tomie DePaola. The only problem is, it always makes me crave pancakes.;)

I Draw Comics - What Should I Do Next?

I've added a new Will Terry video on the "Resources" page.

This is so helpful, if you're at a place in your artistic journey, where you'd like to actually, possibly, maybe start making some money...hey, it can happen....

Thanks, Will!

Watermelon+Sailboat+Bird=?

My twoodle for this week looks like maybe it could be in a baby board book about shapes, or something!:) Watermelon, sailboat, bird!

Need Chocolate!

Here's a comic I just completed....

"Rules for Freelancers"

Take a look at the comic by Grant Snider, on the "Red Lemon Club" page.:-)

Lizard, Hula Hoop, Bubblegum!

This week's twoodle: lizard+hula hoop+bubble gum.:) Oh, and I had to add in a ladybug who is cheering him on!

I tried to make the sky look as if it were made of torn paper and the surface he's standing on has a fun kind of fake granite look, creating a collage effect. It was all done, start to finish, in Photoshop.

Good fun, good practice!

Digital Illustration has Gone to the Dogs...

I believe I've finished my Photoshop painting, which I'm calling "Watching."

I had fun creating it, and it was a great opportunity to practice things such as cloth, wood, fur, and light effects.

New Twoodle

Here's my twoodle for this week: cow, milkshake, and owl.

Why Not Twoodle?

What's a twoodle? Combine doodle with twitter, and you've got a twoodle! It's a weekly drawing activity started by Alicia Padron on twitter. Combine 2-3 random words suggested by others or that you've thought of yourself, draw it, and #twoodle it!

Great fun and practice. Also gets ideas flowing. I've loved seeing what others are twoodling, too!

Here's mine for last week for giraffe and pastrami:

"Finding" My Art

I guess I'm still trying to "find myself" as an artist. While I really dislike this phrase, I can't really think of a better way to put it.  I look at other artists' portfolios and see a unity(?) in their work that I don't seem to have.  My art is literally all over the place. So, I've come to the conclusion that I'm still trying to....figure out my style(?) I don't know....do I need to stick with one style? I don't know...

I just love so much to experiment, though, and to push myself to try new techniques!

What's a girl to do? For now, I guess I'll keep practicing and testing and see what happens...

Here's what I'm working on, at the moment.  Really enjoying painting digitally...seeing what Photoshop and I can do.:)

I'll update this, probably when it's complete.

Keyser wistfully looking out the window, like me searching for my artistic style.

How to Put Together a Portfolio

Just read a great article on putting together a portfolio, written by Juana Martinez-Neal.  This is the first of a series of posts on this topic.  I don't know about you, but I can certainly use some help with this!

Just click here to read:  How to Put a Children's Illustrator Portfolio Together

What I do on Friday nights, now...

I stare at my dog who is staring.

Friday evening sketch....Keyser looking wistfully out the window.

Helpful Pinterest Tips for Artists

I've now seen 2 illustrators discussing how to use Pinterest to improve your work, fuel creative genius, and to get your work out there. Also, it's a good way to see what other people (besides family and friends;) think of your work.

I'm too lazy to write about it myself, plus, this has been explained marvelously by a couple of illustrators much more experienced than myself, so I'll defer to them...

Check out Will Terry's blog post about it here (you have to scroll WAY down to see it...you may see some other helpful things along the way, too).

Read Emma Block's post about it here.

Both have some practical and motivating ideas.  Have fun!

Squirrel Graphic

Yet another squirrel....I'm also working on taking images and drastically simplifying them.  This is a good exercise for me, as it doesn't come naturally!

Helpful Tips for Creatives

Check out my new page, devoted to sharing posts by Alex Mathers. This is from his site called Red Lemon Club. Just click the tab above called....so original....."Red Lemon Club."

Thanks, Alex, for sharing your expertise!

Simply Messing About Blog

I just added a link on my "Resources" page. It will take you to a blog by some ladies (Renee Kurilla, Tracy Bishop, Christina Forshay, and Laura Zarrin) who are amazing illustrators.  I so appreciate their willingness to teach and encourage!

My Process of "Painting" in Photoshop: Part One

I tweeked one of my previous squirrels in Photoshop.  I love experimenting with materials in the "real world" and, apparently, I love experimenting digitally, as well! Guess that would make sense.

I've been learning so much by reading other artists' processes and viewing their tutorials. I'm sure Photoshop (and other digital illustration software) has a nearly endless list of things to learn...which can be cool and overwhelming at the same time! But, I'm gradually wading through it and thought I'd share some of my process from the bit I know.

1. First, of course, I opened the image in Photoshop.

2. Next, I simply created a new layer atop my scanned pencil drawing and started "painting" with a textured watercolor brush. I actually created an outlined version, too, but decided I preferred it sans outline.

3. For this type of work, I like to gradually build up layers of "paint," by using a low opacity brush (I think it was around 10-20).

4. I also like to add subtle color changes as I go. For example, there are a couple of different shades of gray used throughout the picture. On the squirrel, there is also a little brown hair and some light pink on the nose and around the mouth and in the ear turned this way. On the leaves, I used yellow, orange, and a gray, built up, as needed, to create highlights, shading, and depth.

5. Each time I do something different, that I might want to erase, without affecting the layer below, I create a new layer.  That's one of the great things about digital art!

6. In places, I used the eraser at a low opacity to kind of blend and tone down areas.

Anyway, that's about it. I know there are people who know tons more than me about this, but, hey, maybe you'll learn something....

Oh yeah, I kept the pencil marks in it from the original.  I like the texture.

Had so much fun creating this! Thanks for reading.:)

"SQUIRRELS!"

I was just thinking....I believe I'm almost as obsessed with squirrels as Keyser.  Although, I do not sit at the back, sliding glass door, watching for them, and then start whining to go outside when I see one.  Hopefully, I won't get that bad...hopefully....

Baby Squirrel in Photoshop "Watercolor"

Okay, I admit it. I'm obsessed with squirrels, lately. Well, I have these stories involving squirrels that I'm thinking of writing and illustrating...we'll see how it goes...but, in the mean time, I'm practicing and experimenting with some techniques, such as a vintage-ish color scheme, as in the drinking squirrel piece posted below (I may upgrade that one to ink outline...not sure).  Also, did this one in a "watercolor" look, plus other textures, in Photoshop (after drawing original in pencil & scanning).

Squirrel Drinking...Water

Friday afternoon drawing: another squirrel...

The Bugs here are SO Big...How Big are They?

Hats Off!

I just have to say, my hats (or, hat, I suppose:) off to those who can draw cartoony characters.  It's been such a challenge for me to move from realism to "tooning"!  Good job, ya'll!

Aliens?

Color Study

Okay, next project was a color study....relaxing.....nothing fabuloso, but gettin' me back in a groove.:)

I can color!

"Bad Draw Day"

Yesterday, I had one of those days when it seemed like I couldn't draw anything! Ever have one of those days?

I'm hoping I'm better today...we'll see.  I haven't picked up a pencil, yet....:)

Squirrel Sketches

Squirrel sketches....preparing to illustrate children's stories about squirrels....

Busy Bee

Been working with Photoshop today.  You might say I was a "busy bee."

Working on SIMPLIFYING my designs.  This was a good exercise...not to mention fun!

Ideas....

I have many (too many, I'm sure) notebooks filled with ideas (and shopping lists).  I think I need to create some kind of anthology....anyway, I was thumbing through them, looking for something....maybe some organization would be nice, too......and I stumbled upon these sketch-ideas. 

Think I'm gonna have to do something with them.:)

Tumblr, the Continuing Saga

Tumblr.  I'm there!  It's starting to make sense to me, now!  Inconceivable (she says, with a lisp)!

Check it out....I put some work on there that isn't on this blog....never before seen by mankind!!  Well, I wouldn't go THAT far, but it's not all the same stuff, as here...just some.  Also, I've reorganized myself there. 

Haven't really re-blogged, yet, but I'll get to that.

Tumblr Superstah!

Okay, ya'll.  I have some breathing room, now, after submitting 42 illustrations to the author of the children's book I've been working on! Phew!

So, I've finally put myself on tumblr.  I barely plunked something together yesterday - a couple of paintings and a comment to "stay tuned," but I'm there.  Will post updates and links, as I have more content.  I hate to admit this, but I'm having a little trouble understanding how to navigate around and get things done in there.  Guess it's like anything new. You just have to get in there and work with it!

I do love the look of tumblr, though. It's easy to look cool, even if you aren't very cool in real life......

 (shshsh, don't tell anyone....how do you spell "shshsh"? Is it ssshhhhh, or shshshsh, or sshhsshh, or what?)....Guess I ought to google it, as I do all my other spelling and grammar questions.

Well, anyway, sorry about the rambling.....watch for me on tumblr, and I'll be looking at all your wonderful and inspiring art there, too!

If anyone would like to leave a comment, I'd love to hear tumblr suggestions!

Kicking Horse

Afternoon fun/sanity preserver.

Penguin Girl/Deep Thinker

Hmmmm. What is she thinking?

Ctrl+Paint

Okay, now I've watched some of the ctrl+paint tutorials (it's how I spend my free time, these days). Looooove them! He even includes assignments to do at the end of each one! Many of you probably already know this stuff, but for me, being new to Photoshop, it is fabuloso! I reckon that, even if you've been around the block some, you could still pick up some, or a lot of, gems. Matt Kohr (hope I spelled it right) is a great teacher!

I've posted one of the videos on my resources page. Just scroll to the bottom. Enjoy learning!

Practice Makes Perfect...Or At Least a Lot Better!

Wow! Just found this website called Ctrl+Paint through Chris on AnimationSeven! Haven't tried any of the tutorials, yet, but excited about having this resource, since I'm self taught, and constantly looking for new ways to learn.

I also appreciate Ira Glass' quote about needing to work to get better. That's what I hear time and time again....PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!! Always good to remember these things (like becoming great at whatever you do) don't just happen....we have to work at it .

The book Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell, comes to mind....also a great resource.

Digital Airbrush Shout Out

Okay, I should really go work, but first, another digital tool I've recently come to love....drum roll, please....dtl-dtl-dtl (ooh, how do you type a drumroll sound?).....uh, ta-daaaa! It's the digital airbrush!

I love you, digital airbrush, for making shading so awesome! I love you for your flexibility, in opacity and size and erasibility! XOXO, to you!

"Songbirds"

New work, created in last couple of days:

7 Keys to Being a Freelance Illustrator

Here's a very helpful article, by Christina Forshay: Seven Keys to being a Freelance Illustrator.

She refers to herself as a "zygote illustrator".....that means I must be a, uh, pre-zygotified cell, or something!:)

Thanks, Christina, for taking the time to write this.

Crayola Mona Lisa

Did this, for fun, one day.

I love to experiment....this is my version of the face of the Mona Lisa, done with crayons, and using some different colors.

It's a little light, but I feel like she's peering out of the page....