Betsy Bird’s Choice

There is usually a contest or some web request for art-inspired-by-such-and-such-topic available on a weekly if not daily basis. It’s impossible to keep up with them all but, Betsy Bird’s request to draw a Dr. Seuss image in the style of another illustrator seemed like one to make time for.

Dr. Seuss was the first Children’s Book illustrator I tried to copy. If you look back at my childhood sketches all of the eyes are that same “U” shape that Dr. Seuss uses.

Then my first publishing job took me to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, where I worked on marketing Curious George books. The match-up seemed planned by fate.

I had a blast drawing this popular little Monkey in one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books, If I Ran the Circus.

Check out the rest of the fabulous submissions for theRe-Seussification Project.
Thanks for inspiring us Dr. Seuss and Betsy Bird!

Wild Elyse

Family members tend to show up in my sketches, as I’m sure they do for other artists. I’m working on a new character and my cousin is definitely part of the inspiration. She is a firecracker and a sweet heart. Here is a sketch study of her running on ice. It seems appropriate on Leap Day and the first “big” winter storm of the season.

Poster Proof

This is happening! I am getting an 18 x 24 inch poster printed of the Animals in Alphabet. Today, I got to see a proof! Thank you Geno!

More news to come on when they will be for sale.

Today I am jumping up and down, with caution as my left arm is all out of sorts. I’m going to have to start stretching before I do handstands and the worm; how I usually celebrate when I’m excited.

Everyone’s Choice

Where’s the X?

It’s HERE!

X is for Xenops

I am so happy to have these letters finally done! One full set of Alphabet is illustrated. I’m sure one day, if they take off, I will make seconds for the more popular letters. We will see.

There is no good reason I left the X for last. However, since I began to work on these letters the amount of reference images available from search has greatly improved. When I first looked up Xenops there were two terrible pictures floating around the internet. Now there are hundreds! With my new information I was able to update my original sketch which, for this bird would not do. It didn’t actually represent the bird’s abilities or characteristics. With each animal it was a pleasure to learn about their lives to best come up with a manipulation that would look natural. This has been a remarkably fun project.

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Happy Valentine’s! Enjoy this coloring page!

click on the image to open it in a new window then drag it to your desktop to print.

 

Animals in a Show!

My artwork will be in an upcoming show, I invite you all to attend the opening at the Three Graces Gallery.

Opening Reception 5 to 8pm
in conjunction with the first friday artwalk
Friday February 3rd
105 Market St.
Portsmouth, NH

I have a couple of new pieces:

Kookaburra is my buddy at the zoo. I’m always happy to see him in the spring when it is finally warm enough outside for him. He lives next to the flamingos, viewing them is like watching a soap opera, so much drama!

Sketchbook Project 2012

Okay time to make the longest scrolling post I can today! I finished my sketchbook project just in time toget to the post office by the end of the day. It means my final product looks a bit more like a color comp but I’m happy with it. I didn’t compromise any page, no spread was simplified in the base drawing, I just did my watercolors REALLY fast. It’s a sketchbook right? It’s not supposed to be perfect. Unless you look at most of the other submissions, people take this project to an incredible level. Such as Emily Grandin or Alina Chau’s from 2011 or Gina Perry to name a few.
I didn’t procrastinate getting my book done this month, the procrastinated happened over the summer. I waited to finish it when I was scheduled to the max! I couldn’t let myself not complete my book. So, I didn’t sleep last night and missed a few meals today but it’s done! This is how it looked as it went out the door.

Monochromatic: Where did the other colors go?!

I do realize a couple of my animals aren’t the appropriate sizing in comparison to each other but, I wasn’t trying to be perfectly accurate.

NYC SCBWI 2012

What a weekend!

My trip to NYC started Wednesday and ended Sunday night. I was able to visit friends, have a portfolio review in a publishing house and spend intensive time at the National SCBWI Conference. Every day was packed from early morning until late or even early morning, every night. I seem to have survived on mash potatoes served up in a glass and jamba juice smoothies, with perhaps 23 hours of sleep in total. My body is telling me how it feels today about my weekend choices. However, I am telling my body to suck it up because this Monday does not bring me relief from projects due. That is another story, lets get to the good stuff from the weekend.

Wednesday: I visited with friends, Alison Morris and Gareth Hinds. I got to see the inked pages of Gareth’s latest graphic novel, Romeo & Juliet. They are stunning! He goes all out for every project. I can’t believe the task he has put himself to. For the evening we stayed up watching Jim Gaffigan, talking about the books we love, and postage stamps.

Thursday: I had a portfolio appointment at a publishing house in the afternoon. So, I took my time in the morning making one stop at the Society of Illustrators to see the Illustrators 54: Book & Editorial Show. It was great to see illustrations from Sophie Blackall who I would hear speak over the weekend. During the evening I was able to meet many of the SCBWI Illustrator Coordinators and Regional Advisors. Everyone was extremely welcoming. I am very happy to be a part of the SCBWI family. It is wonderful to be able give back through my position as Illustrator Coordinator of New England.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were the conference. It was more than incredible as always. As I look back at the faculty there was such great representation for illustrators. The topic I want to showcase is the Book Maker’s Dozen Panel on Sunday. Moderated by Laurent Linn the answers given by the illustrators provided helpful tips about their work, their process, and how they get it done while still having a family. It was inspiring and encouraging to know it is possible to get everything done; you really do just have to give up sleep.

After the panel and wonderful final keynote by Kathryn Erskine it was autograph party time. My search for more Octo-Puss in Boots continued. I failed to bring my book with me but, after a smart suggestion from a friend I realized I should use my current sketchbook. I could secure the pages into the real book with photo corners. They are now safe and sound in the tome.

I love the new entires! With one that is a totally new concept on the idea. Octopus tentacles for whiskers from Roxie Munro. Check out the incredibly creative entries from the illustrators themselves.


Ryan Hipp


Leeza Hernandez


Brett Helquist


Roxie Munro


David Gordon


Aileen Leijten


Sergio Ruzzier


Peter Brown

Thank you to all the illustrators that gave my a sketch!

My weekend ended in calm. I made sure to give myself a few hours between the conference end and my train ride home. I was able to get dinner with friends AJ and Lumi. We discussed what happened over the weekend and talked about the plans for their wedding in Romania.

I had hoped to work on my train ride home but, with so much having happened over the weekend I needed time to reflect. Four hours of quiet to myself was a perfect end to an amazing weekend.

These are my personal views and do not reflect the views or opinions of the SCBWI.