The Next Big Thing! Blog Tour

THIS IS: THE NEXT BIG THING! Blog Tour!

"See, it’s like this… it’s a global blog tour that started in Australia.The idea is to bring awareness to authors and illustrators and their current work. I was tagged by the talented Roberta Baird. At the end of this post  you see the awesome author/illustrator that I’ve tagged…. because she's The Next Big Thing!"

So on to the questions.

1. What is the working title of your next book?
  I just finished illustrating "The Southern Twelve Days of Christmas" written by David Davis. I'm just starting illustrations for "God is With Me" written by Cornelia Mary Bilinsky. 

2. Where did the idea come from for the book?
   I didn't write either book so I can't speak to that, however, for "The Southern Twelve Days of Christmas" I tried to create a set of characters that could interact throughout the story. I felt this was important because as the story progresses, interaction makes it more engaging and interesting.

3. What Genre does your book fall under?
   "The Southern Twelve Days of Christmas" is a regional holiday story for a juvenile audience. "God is With Me" is a Catholic Religious Non-Fiction book. 

4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
   In regards to my Christmas book, I would prefer an animation! I love Julia Roberts' and Emma Stone's voices for female characters and George Clooney's voice for a male!

5. What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
  "STDC": A Southern celebration of Christmas that gets bigger and bigger as the days lead up to the holiday.
"God is With Me" : A sweet story explaining how God's presence is always with us. 


6. Who is publishing your book?
  Pelican Publishing is publishing "The Southern Twelve Days of Christmas" and Pauline Books and Media is publishing "God is With Me".

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
  I didn't write either story, but first rounds of sketches usually take me at least 2 months.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
   It's a twist on the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas, which there are many stylistic examples of. The other story is very similar to "Jesus Loves Me", Illustrated by Laura Logan (and many other illustrators too! I just love her illustrations and purchased the book for my son!)

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
   Again, I didn't write the books, but I always LOVE painting animals which is inspired by my love of nature, travel, and the outdoors! Nature is usually my inspiration for most things!

10. What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
  Always seeing what the next day will bring during the twelve days leading up to Christmas. Each day gets a little more chaotic (or fun depending on perspective!) The other story, "God is With Me" will engage young readers who wonder if God really does love them no matter what... even in times of disobedience or turmoil! Conflict is always interesting.

Next on the blog tour is a very talented artist:

Erika Barriga

I think you'll really enjoy her work. The colors and graphic quality are beautiful and her new book looks like a fun text! Yay Erika!

What's New?

{Sketch, 2012}

It's been well over a month since my last post, which is pretty unusual for this blog. A lot has been going on in the past few months. First, I found out my husband and I are expecting in December. My first trimester was a bit tough on me and needless to say, I got through it but didn't accomplish much work. I'm feeling much better now, thanks! Second, I signed a contract to do another book with Pelican Publishing. More on that later, but here is a tiny sneak peek of one of the spreads so far. I'm still in the sketching phase, but I have a lot of work to do before December comes on the calendar! Hoping to keep the blogging up, but with so much work and so little time, posts will probably be a little sparse for the next few months. I don't want to turn this into a baby blog either, but I might post a few cute little projects I work on for baby and a few little updates here and there. Good to be back!

My First Picture Book Has Arrived!

{Title Spread, 2011}

{My First Copies, 2011}

{Books by Me on My Shelf, 2011}

My first picture book, "The Twelve Days of Christmas, In Texas-- That Is" has arrived! Its so shiny and smells so new! Its sort of surreal to see my own books on a shelf next to some of my other Christmas favorites! The funny thing is, I am already starving to do another picture book. It is so satisfying to see the finished product and see the smiles on faces when people see my work! Happy dance time!

Included in Publisher's Weekly!

{Click for Larger View, Screenshot, 2011}

Its becoming more real now! My name is listed alongside other authors and illustrators for the fall children's release list in Publisher's Weekly! Yay! I can't wait to hold that book in my hands!

Look Inside "The Twelve Days of Christmas--In Texas, That Is"!

{Title Page, "The Twelve Days of Christmas-- In Texas, That Is", 2011}

You can now opt to "Look Inside" my new book on Amazon. I like being able to look at a few sample pages of a book so I can get a better feel for what the world inside that story will look like. What are you waiting for? Go check it out!

You Can Pre-Order "The Twelve Days of Christmas- In Texas, That Is" Now

{Cover, Pelican Publishing, 2011}

My first book, written by David Davis is now available for pre-order through Amazon or you can fill out the publisher form to get a reminder about the September 30th release date!

The Sneakiest of Peeks

{Detail of Illustration for "The Twelve Days of Christmas - In Texas, That Is"}

{Detail of Illustration for "The Twelve Days of Christmas - In Texas, That Is"}

I thought I would show a few very small pieces from two illustrations for "The Twelve Days of Christmas - In Texas, That Is". Its due out in Fall of 2011 from Pelican Publishing. I am still painting like a madwoman, but my poor little blog has been suffering because of it! Hope you enjoy these!