Been Busy

The reason for the spare offering of posts here lately is that I've been more swamped than ever with a variety of things. FIrst of all (and probably all that is needed to explain) is the addition of an SPCA dog to our home. He came into our lives about 2 weeks ago, and things have been more of an adventure than ever. I think he's a mix of German Shepherd and Austrailian Sheep dog, because he looks like a miniature German Shepherd. He was roaming the streets before he was rescued by the SPCA. His name was Grizzly when we got him.
On the art scene, I'm working on illustrations for a picture book, and have been attempting to pick up the pace, while also attending to needs at home with busy kids and husband....so....all that to explain the lack of blog posts. Hopefully I'll sneak a few in from time to time.

Mayra's Secret Bookcase-blog...A New Logo

Check out Mayra's Secret Bookcase-blog. She posted the new logo I've been working on for her. Mayra is a talented writer with many irons in the fire, and awards recently for her writing. I've been enjoying collaborating with her on a children's PB, by doing the illustrations for it.

Hong Kong Toy Design Contest

Here's a toy design contest. I didn't read the details, but thought there just might be someone out there raring to enter one. Seems the monetary awards are pretty good....

Cre8tive Juice blog

Cre8tive Juice is another blog full of great stuff. Also...if you haven't been to ETSY yet....get over there and watch out...time flies while browsing the fantastic hand made items sold there from all over the world.

Book TV.org

Check out this online update of Book events at Book TV.org. You can sign up for email updates on book programs coming up. Check out the list of book festivals. LA has one coming up in the coming week.

Children's Book Illustration-Fantastic Reference Page

Here's a fantastic link about Children's Book Illustration. There are many excellent links as well, such as the Mazza Museum (I am planning on getting up there sometime!)

Early Children's Books and Illustrations

Here's a peek at a few collectible children's books and the illustrations in them. I am a sucker for old children's illustrations. The quality of linework in most of the early books is stunning.

DeCordova Exhibit-Telling Stories With Pictures

Check out the DeCordova Museum's exhibits. One of it's past exhibits was called Telling Stories with Pictures, The Art of Picture Book Illustration and highlighted the work of picture book artists.

Hokie Hope

Support the Virginia Tech community by wearing orange and maroon on Friday, April 20th. (the school colors) for the "Orange and Maroon Effect".

Ruth's Got a Blog

Check out Ruth McNally Barshaw's new blog Ellie McDoodle. Ruth is a children's illustrator and has a brand new young adult novel out as of days ago!

Prayers go out to Virginia Tech

I am sitting here stunned at what happened at Virginia Tech today. My prayers and thoughts and wishes for comfort and help go out to all the students, parents, alum, professors, brothers and sisters, friends, relatives of all concerned.
Many folks from my area have friends, kids and relatives attending VT....Our community is reeling, and will never be the same.
God bless you all....

Oilily Spring and Summer

One of my all time favorite online haunts...Oilily. Check out the Open Studio section. They always have the most fascinating designs, designers, artists, website and links. This time around the artist highlighted there is Linn Olfosdotter...very funky illustrations...offbeat . There is also a story created by the Oilily team. My favorite part of it is the way they've created the pages in the book to be able to be turned or flipped as they say. They've always got cutting edge designers, illustrators and artists involved in their site and clothing. There are also postcards you can send to folks online with their designs on them.

Big Animation Book Signing Event

Check out the Big Animation Book Signing Event in CA on April 19th. Stephen Silver's work will be there. (I love his work)

Pen and Ink Rendering

I just finished this pen and ink rendering for a client.

Mayra's Secret Bookcase-blog

Mayra Calvani, a children's author I am currently working on a project with, has just started a new blog. Mayra's Secret Bookcase. She is an accomplished writer, and I am honored to be creating illustrations for a picture book she has written.

Drawing a Fine Line Blog

Check out Paula Pertile's blog, Drawing a Fine Line. She is a children's illustrator who also has art here.

Been Publishing, I'm Back-Listing of Famous Illustrators

BPIB has a huge listing of well known and lesser known children's illustrators. His Images Magazines are amazing.

Art Junk Girl

Art Junk Girl is another blog you may get caught up in. Lots of great links and things to look at there.

Maximo

Maximo is another fun site to check out. Look at the dolls, and the designers of the items there.

Oh Joy!-blog

Here's another blog with many links that will have you travelling down blog-trails if you're not careful. It's Oh Joy! I found Pedlars from it, and Art School Girl. Have fun! You'll find lots to browse through from Oh Joy! (all of this originated from a fun online newsletter called Curbly)

Creative Times Blog

OOooh. Here's a blog I'm going to be revisiting. It's called Creative Times. Eleanor Traubman, from Brooklyn, is the author of it. She has a variety of cool links and topics regarding creativity (the outside the box type)

Heartschallenger...a Random Cachibachi

Check out Heartschallenger, a random cachibachi I found. The website alone is worth a visit. I just like the design and concept, and the little truck that passes by as you click on the image. Heartschallenger is an ice cream truck with international ice cream toys and candy.
I used to look forward to the ice cream truck every weekday afternoon..it's bells ringing, those funky popsicles and ice cream combos that are only found on ice cream trucks.

The Project Gutenberg

Wow....this is a real find for artists interested in polishing up their drawing skills. It's a free e-book provided by Project Gutenberg that gives instruction on drawing in general and is written by Harold Speed

Check out our Picture Bookies Showcase

The Picture Bookies Showcase has new picture book art up daily. Take a peek.

Illustration Friday-I Spy

Here is my Illustration Friday piece for I Spy. I spy hummingbird babies in a nest.

Two Caravaggio Paintings to be on Display

Two Caravaggio paintings previously stuck in the Royal Collection's dusty storerooms, due to being mislabled as reproductions, have been taken out to be placed on display this week in England. Caravaggio....now there was a painter....

Ruth's 2007 NYC SCBWI Sketchbook

Many of you may have seen Ruth's sketches or sketchbooks in the past. Here is her most recent sketchbook from the 2007 SCBWI NYC Conference.

Chicago Manual of Style-for Writers

The Chicago Manual of Style is a sort of bible of the publishing and research community and is now available on your desktop. It is completely searchable and easy to use, providing quick answers to your style and editing questions. I found it on SWET's site. The Society of Writers, Editors and Translators. I originally found that link through Art For Housewives, which led to another fantastic find of Janet Cooper Designs, whose art is created from found objects. Take a look at her quilts, mixed media creations and tin can art!

Adobe Illustrator CS2 WOW Book

Have you see the Adobe Illustrator CS2 WOW Book ? I borrowed it from the library today, and it looks "wow" enough to invest it. A CD comes with it.

The Blurb Publishing option

Have you heard of Blurb? it's another publishing option for self-publishing, or making small runs of personalized books.

Imaginary Friends

I was chasing down a link for the Victoria and Albert Museum, and their artist's blog, when I saw a link from one of the children's museums where kids could post about their imaginary friends. These kids are wonderful...I hope some of them grow up to be writers and let their imaginary friends come to life in books.

Roaring Waves

You can't tell as well from these photos, but the waves are roaring today. There's hardly anyone on the beach. I've got to get close to the waves. There's nothing like the roar of the waves up close.

Happy First Day of Spring!

For a fun Spring thing...go to Ginger's blog and check out Vern.

More Views from the Beach

What's a stay at the beach without going barefoot...even when it is still a bit cold...

5 seconds later my footprint was washed away....

sunrise...

Great Resource with Children's Illustrators and Authors

I somehow found this list of children's illustrators and writers. There are more great links at the home page.

A Break at the Beach

Words can't say how wonderful it is to be taking a break. This is a view from the window...it doesn't do it justice.

Illustration Friday-Total

Total absorption in what they're doing. (OK..I'm pushing the theme again)

Check out La Bloga

La Bloga is a collaborative blog devoted to the discussion of Chicana Chicano Literature, Chicana Chicano Writers, Chicana Chicano Fiction, Children's Literature, News, Views, Reviews. I was drawn to it this morning due to the article, Living To Tell the Story: The Authentic Latino Immigrant Experience in Picture Books (Part 1) by René Colato Laínez.
Maybe it also had something to do with the fact that I'm reading Cellophane by Marie Arana, which somehow reminds me of 100 Year of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I have to admit, I picked the book out in the library due to it's cover, and it has not let me down.

Small and Big....a Blog I like

I found P.L. Frederick's blog, Small and Big from a post she sent me..and have loved it ever since. Her humor and art is great fun. Lots of wit there. I have been enjoying the jokes and her insights on them.

Picture Bookies New Showcase

The Picture Bookies have a new collaborative showcase for story-book images. The current theme is Spring.

Artnatomy

Here's a fun one for you to play with. It's called Artnatonmy. Sherry showed it to me.

Recommended Art Books

Here's a cachibachi I found randomly while looking for fairytale illustrations in pen and ink.
It's a list of wonderful books by artists of many types. There are more links at the bottom of the page too.

Comic Space

Comic Space is another online gallery/forum for comic artists, cartoonists, illustrators and any others who fit the bill. The styles range from edgy to more traditional.

TrekEarth

Here's a real treasure as far as reference photos (NOT to break ANY copyrights, or use any images for copying purposes!!!) But....as a source for image info when doing research from lands far away..
Trekearth.

A Few Good Picture Books

I found an armload of picture books to read and reread. One of my favorites is called Mama, I'll Give You the World by Roni Schotter, illustrated by Susan Saelig Gallagher. Not only is the story heartwarming, charming and well told, but the illustrations are like a trip home...warm and comforting. I tried to find a website for S. Saelig Gallagher, but didn't come up with one. Her illustrations are outstanding.
The other favorite children's book I found was another Marge Palatini book. (her work is always a huge hit. (She writes hilarious pun filled books...just check her website for a taste of her humor). This book is called Moo Who? Illustrated by Keith Graves. Keith's website and art are great fun.

Illustration Friday-Wired

This is pretty offbeat for me, but I wanted to do a quick sketch type of illustration for this Illustration Friday Theme-Wired. This one was fun, and quick. She's celebrating the coming of new things, Spring, following dreams, taking healthy risks, trying new things...

Check out Alisa's blog and Illustrations

Alisa has some funky, fun illustrations..go see...

A Lecture by Charles Hively-Publisher of 3x3 Magazine

An incredible opportunity...I'm definitely going to attend this......
The Illustrators Club presents A LECTURE BY CHARLES HIVELY Publisher of 3x3 Magazine: "ILLUSTRATION IS DEAD!"
If illustration is dead, who killed it? The publisher and design director of 3x3 Magazine takes a historical look back on who killed illustration and how he sees illustration coming back from the dead. 3x3 is the first magazine devoted entirely to the art of contemporary illustration, founded by Charles Hively. Charles sees the work of leading illustrators from all over the world and believes there's a renaissance happening in illustration. Charles owned his own creative agency for 12 years and was the former co-publisher at Graphis magazine.
WHEN: THURSDAY MARCH 29, 2007, 7:00-9:00 PM
WHERE: The Art Institute of Washington Dining Lab (12th Floor) 1820 N. Fort Myer Drive Arlington, VA 22209
METRO: Rosslyn Station (Blue & Orange Lines) Exit at rear of station (up the steps). AIW is across the street. MEET IN THE LOBBY between 6:30 and 7:00pm to be escorted up to the 12th floor (elevator passkey required). PARKING: Free at meters after 6:00pm ADMISSION: $10 IC Members; $15 Non-members

SCBWI NYC 2007 Conference Scoop

Check out the SCBWI 2007 NYC notes from the Feb. conference.

Graphic Design Magazine...free subscription

Graphic Design Magazine USA offers a free subscription to professionals in the biz.

Illustration Friday-Hide

Here's my Illustration Friday image for the theme HIDE.

Design Life Now Blog

The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum has a blog called Design Life Now.

glass eyes

glass eyes
Originally uploaded by altamash.

The photographer who took this photo is amazing. He is from Pakistan.

Spudart - An Online Art Forum

Spudart is another promising looking art forum.

concentric circle

concentric circle
Originally uploaded by Happy.Phantom.

I just love this person's photographs (Happy Phantom). Take a look at some of them. What a wonderful sense of tone, emotion, texture...

Smitty Drawings

Check out Andy Smith's cartoons and other illustrations

fan and petals

fan and petals
Originally uploaded by alvazora.

Here's another beautiful image created by an artist/photographer on flickr.

Preparing the Lights

Preparing the Lights
Originally uploaded by sistereden2.

Isn't this an incredible photo? I finally figured out how to blog things from flicker and will blog a few others that I saw this morning.

Bill Brown's Amazing Photos

Take a look at Bill Brown's photos. Incredible stuff.

article on Children's Publishing trends

Here's a short article on some children's publishing trends. Another blog about children's book publishing is Christy's Vox.

Monoface

Have fun playing with Monoface. I found this through Soaring Tortoise. It's great fun

Ispotters We Love

Now here's a fun place to go....it's located on bloglines...and is called Ispotters We love, listing the favorite illustrators of Dave Tabler from The I SPot.

Children's Illustration Blog

Julie's blog, Children's Illustrations has loads of info, fun links and posts about the biz of children's illustration.

Drawger

Drawger, Bob Staake's site, is another good art/illustration site to browse.

Five and a Half Blog

Here's another fun blog to see....Five and a Half.
look at the art and preparation and presentation of it.

Zen Damage Illustration Blog

Zen Damage has tons of illustration site links.

Sketch Club

Sketch Club is another of my rebloggings, but it's worth another look.

First Book Blog-Podcast...Peter H. Reynolds

Check this out. It's a First Book podcast of an interview of Peter H. Reynolds (illustrated Judy Moody....wonderful illos) and wrote The Dot and Ish.
First Book looks like a terrific organization too. I'm embarrased to say I hadn't heard of it before. I'm going back to read more about it.

Gina's Illustrations coming out Soon

Check out Gina Pfleegor's illustrations in the book she recently illustrated called I Like Gum, by Doreen Tango Hampton. It's due out soon. Gina's illustrations are "popping good fun"
While you're at it, check out our Picture Bookies blog. We've got a new group challenge coming up soon, and nearly all of our Feb. entries are in.

The Illustration Cupboard reblogged

This one is worth reblogging. The Illustration Cupboard. (I blogged it awhile back)

Animare Studios

Take a look at Animare Studios where George Schill and Ron Magnes have their creative work highlighted. I think you'll get a kick out of the short flash images called For the Halibut.

Lace Fence

If THIS isn't the coolest thing you've seen in awhile, I'll be surprised. A Lace Fence! Check the other links there as well...so many interesting designs and things happening.
(BTW....someone help me...can you tell I'm procrastinating here....blogging everything I find) Somehow I got on a trail of amazing things, and I've got to blog them before I lose them in my zillion favorites.

PON DI RIVER PON DI BANK

PON DI RIVER PON DI BANK...this is a true cachibachi....just a random blog I found. You've just got to love this for the quirkiness of it. It makes me want to create some pompoms...(like I have the time)

Image Zoo

Image Zoo is an online source for royalty free illustrations. (I know....I KNOW...I can hear some illustrators murmuring under their breath at the very mention of creating illustrations for stock art, but I believe it has it's place)
Anyway...if you are not one of those murmuring illustrators, check it out. You can sell images there as royalty free art. I'm going to scour my illustrations for work that I wouldn't mind using that way.

Illustration Friday-Communication

Communication is the key...otherwise things can get pretty "fowled up" (I know...pretty corny pun....)

This is my entry for this week's Illustration Friday theme, Communication

Fabric Art Journals

This blog, Fabric Art Journals, makes me want to get back to sewing, or using my endless pile of fabrics and thread somehow (What...me ADD?).

Take a look at Julia Kelly's Fabric Art

Here is a yet undiscovered talent you've got to see. (well...some of us have discovered her talent, but the publishers haven't yet...and I can't wait to see who finds her first.)
Julia Kelly. Go see her work. Her fabric art is amazing. She is also a children's writer, and lots of fun!

Check out Kim Baccellia's Author Interview

Here is an interview of author Kim Baccellia, about her book Earrings of Ixtumea.

1001 Journals

Here's a site I may have blogged months ago. It seems familiar, but then again...who knows. It's 1001 Journals. It's a site showcasing artist's journals of all types.

I uploaded some cards to my Greeting Card Universe Site. I'm still not totally at peace with some aspects of the image handling and a few other things, but I'm trying it out anyway.

Animation Blogspot

Have you heard of Animation Blogspot? It's a new free blogging place for visual artists. gaming and digital artists community.
It seems you can move an existing blog to the location as well. I'm off to check it out.

New Venue for Illustrators....Greeting Card Universe

Greeting Card Universe is another place to get your art sold online. I just heard of it today and have begun searching out the terms and agreements. It looks promising so far.

Nicole's Coloring Book Pages

Check out Nicole's Coloring Book pages.

Johnnie Scoutten's art

Check out some of the art here. My favorite is the painting of the sneakers....gorgeous. I think this is the blog I trailed from to find Nutini's music in the post below..
There are many worthy links here as well if you have the time to check what's on the sidelines of the blog. Here's one http://gregkapka.blogspot.com/,
and there is a painting a day from UK too..

Paolo Nutini sings

Here's a random cachibachi. I found it while going searching for illustrators and artists, and from another artist's site that I will blog after this one. I love this song for some reason..it must be my Scottish ancestry shining thru. He's from Glasglow I think.

Valentine's Cake

This is a bit blurry, but you'll see that we tend to like sprinkles in our household. (The cap came off of the sprinkles when they were shaking it). We also aim to please on the frosting flavors, which explains the half vanilla half chocolate icing, It was fun

Victoria Saxe's Illustrations of Insects

Take a look at this video of Victoria Saxe's amazing insects. It's a fascinating view of the process she goes through as a scientific illustrator. You can see more fun things there on 49 Sparks On Design. or look at www.49sparks.com
Another fantastic video shown is of Tom Hershey's Graphic Art and Illustration.

Happy Valentine's Day!

May it be a day of chocolate cupcakes, sappy greetings, overly sweet sentiments, a hug from a loved one, hope, affirmation in a form that means the most to you.
I'm happy at home, "iced in" with the kids and husband after the ice/sleet/snow mix that hit last night.
It's a perfect Valentine's Day....time to bake a red velvet heart shaped cake, celebrate by opening the valentine's day box, filled with little goodies and candy, and be safe, warm and sound together.

(My taste buds are already numb from too many of these tiny sweet-tart hearts.....love those purples..)

The Society of Secret Fairies

The Society of Secret Fairies is a wonderful blog I just discovered after going down the blog trails somehow.

Illustration Friday-Crash

This week's Illustration Friday theme is Crash.

OK... I know I'm pushing it here with the theme....she's holding the teapot very carefully so she doesn't drop it and have it crash.

(I know...it's lame...but I didn't want to post another rooster drawing, which was actually much more appropriate...I needed a change)

Preschool Prelim

Here's a preliminary drawing I did recently. It was such fun to do.

A Mural at Oberon's Journal

Take a look at Oberon's amazing mural. Ginger told me about it. Her daughter painted it. The view shows only a part of the mural. I can't imagine painting such a large mural with such detail and the sense of the ocean she captured. This is only one section of it. There are animals from all over the world showing in the rest of it...white tigers and many other land animals!! I hope she posts more pics soon.
Oberon's work is beautiful. I don't even think she does murals as a business. Maybe this will be the start of some mural commissions.

Illustration Friday's Forums are updated

Illustration Friday not only has the weekly illo posting, but a forum, which is recently updated. Here's one illustrator's blog whose work was highlighted there, Chickengirl Design.

Pictorial History of Costume

I found a gorgeously illustrated book, depicting colored ink renderings of fashions throughout history and nations. It is called A pictorial history of costume or Illustrierte Kostumgeschichte.
It snowed here again in VA, giving us a total of a whopping 1-2", which gave the kids a school day, and a 2 hr. delay the next day.
As a "northerner" I still get a chuckle out of school closings for 1" of snow, even though it's understandable due to the roads being icy and slick.

3x3 Mag Student Illustration Call for Entries

Just a reminder. This looks like a good contest for illustrators. The 3x3 magazine is topnotch. I posted this before, but take a look at the folks involved and send something in!

Illustration Friday- Sprout

Here's my Illustration Friday entry for Sprout. I'm trying to post entries for IF regularly...(who knows if it will happen)

Check out Picture Bookies News

Our collaborative illustration blog, The Picture-Bookies has been busy lately. We've been honored with several new illustrators. The newest member is Gina Pfleegor . Welcome Gina.

Good Stuff

Today has been a day full of good news, and receiving good things.
I received several goodies in the mail. A book called Christian Mythmakers by Rolland Hein. It covers C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, J.R.R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton and others.
Another book about G.K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis also arrived.
Then we have a wonderful new addition to the Picture-Bookies group. Bron Smith. Welcome Bron! It is an honor to have you join!
Another good thing, was a good friend coming through surgery with flying colors.

Wierd Tagging

I've been tagged by Allison.
The rules are: Each person who gets tagged needs to write a blog post telling 6 weird things about themself... as well as clearly state the rules. After you state your 6 weird things, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you're tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog for information as to what it means."Go to her blog to see the instructions...
Here are the results of 6 wierd things about me. (only SIX?) Any other artists/writers reading this probably have some of the sensitivity issues.....
1. When I read anything, or even see things on movies or TV dealing with specific smells, I tangibly smell them. This can be wonderful, but also pretty disgusting at times. Sometimes it happens when I see things in movies or on TV.
2. If someone has an ache or pain, and tells me about it, I can usually feel it the way they have it, such as headaches, I'd feel it in the same area, and stomach aches, in the way they feel it, or pains in the back, etc. (this is not fun with upset stomach situations or other stomach issues.If someone in a car or vehicle even mentions feeling car sick, I am done for, even if I was fine for hours before. When my kids mention feeling sick, I feel sick immediately, but I do not vomit when someone else does, thankfully.
3. I detest wearing flat shoes unless I am in an uncommonly thin stage. I feel like a fat duck when wearing flat shoes, unless they are running shoes.
4. I can't stand having anything over my ears that would clog them or stop me from hearing, such as ear plugs. I have a mania about having to be able to hear clearly. I'm also extremely sensitive to noise, and excess noise, or off-key singing or offkey, jarring musical instruments.
5.I love to find wierd images in anything..whether it is patterns on the floor of my bathroom, or on the backs of dumptrucks when I'm stuck in traffic, or cloth, stains, etc. And I sometimes enjoy dirty images, such as metal grills on the road, rusted things (not eyesores) broken down barns, spattered stained trucks (what is it about trucks?)
6. I sometimes snort when I laugh, and unfortunately have laughed at a few inappropriate times without being able to help it. Thankfully I can cover it up enough not to hurt people..but it is terrible.
OK. Now I am going to tag:
Ginger
Julia
Sherry
Courtney
Vivian
Dee

Roberto Innocenti's Illustrations

Roberto Innocenti's illustrations are well worth a look if you haven't seen them before. He doesn't seem to have a website, but you can see some of the covers from the children's books he has illustrated in the links here.
There are hardly any large images online. Here is the cover of Pinnochio, and another cover for The Nutcracker. He teaches in an art academy in Florence.

ALA Notable Children's Book List

Here's the 2007 ALA Notable Children's List.