Day in NYC

In mid November I attended a brunch and the Original Art show at the Society of Illustrators.
Our brunch was in the elegant Hall of Fame Dining Room where we were surrounded by great company and historic works of art.  After brunch a group of friends and some Highlights staff attended the Original Art exhibit.  It is an annual juried show of illustrations from the year’s best children’s books published in the U.S.  The show was founded by painter, art director, and artists’ representative, Dilys Evans, in 1979. It was an enjoyable day at the Society of Illustrators!

Afterwards, I also visited the New York Public Library exhibit,  The ABC of It: Why Children's Books Matter. It is an excellent maze-like show with interactive displays that celebrate children's literature. Literally the show lets you step into books… I'm pictured below in the Goodnight Moon green room. Zzzz

The show was curated by Leonard Marcus, who brings the culture of children's books to life.
I bought the book, Show Me A Story!  Why Picture Books Matter, at the NYPL bookstore.  The book features conversations with 21 of the world's most celebrated Illustrators. It is a great addition to the exhibit!  http://www.amazon.com/Show-Story-Conversations-Celebrated-Illustrators/dp/0763664642

Fast Forward to Fall

It was a super busy summer between traveling and illustration work. Back in August I attended the 42nd Annual Summer SCBWI Conference in Los Angeles. This was my first time attending the LA Conference. I had an amazing week in CA, meeting other SCBWI volunteers from all over the world, as well as agents, editors and art directors.  I also received a new project to illustrate three game-boards during the portfolio showcase portion of the conference!

Last week I attended the Rutgers One on One Plus Conference in New Jersey. I submitted a new picture book dummy and had a wonderful day with the mentoring editors, art directors and agents. My mentor wants to take another look at my picture book dummy, after I make some revisions ...  which was very exciting news!! The conference is sponsored by the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature. It was a inspiring day!

After a week of summer-like weather in NJ, I returned home to rain, cold, and a little snow!  Reminding me, the holidays are just around the corner and it's time to create ornaments for my  co-op- Art IN Hand - Gallery in Zionsville, IN.

The gallery's holiday tree will be up November 14, displaying ornaments from many of our artists. My 2013 ornaments are made of porcelain clay. Pictured below are two designs, Catching Snowflake Kids and Santa by the Moon. I'm working on more designs today.

Happy (fast-forward) Fall!

Vist to Padua Academy

Today I visited the 1st and 3rd grade art classes at the Padua Academy Charter School in the Haughville neighborhood of Indianapolis. http://www.paduaacademyindy.org

After we talked about my job as an illustrator  … I gave the students an assignment to create a character.  We worked on rough sketches and some students had time to color in their finished drawing.  The Padua Academy has awesome artists!!!

Thanks you Hanna C., a 3rd grader, who gave me her super-snail drawing.

Happy Spring!

Happy Spring!  My spring promo illustrates the poem “Map to Spring” written by my talented friend Rebecca Kai Dotlich.  "Map to Spring" was first published in in Sharing the Seasons : a book of poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Rebecca is a poet and picture book author. Her work is featured widely in poetry anthologies and textbooks. She can be reached at rebeccakaidotlich.com.

The illustration for “Map to Spring” was drawn on Strathmore 400 Series Drawing paper and subsequently painted in Photoshop.  The promo postcards will be in the mail soon. 
Thanks for stopping by to see my new spring art. 

Valentine's Day Art

Sweet-tweets! I created this promo-greeting traditionally and in Photoshop.
I am also collaging textures into the art by scanning tree-bark, fabrics, and little feathers I created in colored pencil.  I have also included a close-up of the red bird from the Sweet-tweets art below.
You can click-on the bird (if you like : ) to link to my Picture Book Directory page.
I hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day xxx