Inktober Highlights

{Bear, Sketchbook, 2013}

{Rabbit, Sketchbook, 2013}

 

 {Briar Rose Awake, Sketchbook, 2013}

{Like Moths, Sketchbook, 2013}

 {Fall Harbinger, Sketchbook 2013}

 {Forest Floor, Sketchbook, 2013}

{Brave Merida, Sketchbook, 2013}

Don't let my blog absence fool you! I've been a busy lady the last few months. I finished my 4th picture book illustrations during the first week of October and have been working on personal projects off and on. I've also been using my daily sketchbook time (ie. drinking coffee, watching Sesame Street and trying to fend of my 10 month old pen stealer.) to participate in the #inktober fun on Instagram. I love seeing what everyone else is doing and it feels good to be a part of a huge community of people who are all over the world doing the same thing. The above sketches are some of my favorites from this month. I am also planing on participating in PiBoIdMo which is essentially one picture book idea a day for the month. You can read more about it at Tara Lazar's Blog. I hope to share some of my work from that during the month of November.

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!

Shiny New Bookmarks!

{Promotional Bookmarks, 2012}

 {Promotional Bookmarks, 2012}

I'm going to an SCBWI Iowa event this weekend and I wanted to have a fun little promotional freebie to give away. I'm not planning to send out postcards until the spring ( after baby is born and my book project is done) so I thought about something that could be a non-mailer. I decided on a bookmark to start getting the word out about the book I'm currently working on. The bookmark has one of the illustrations from the book and all of my contact information. For the conference, I punched holes in the top and added a coordinated ribbon to fancy it up! I still have several that are unpunched in the event I want to mail a few out. As always, I recommend Overnight Prints because the quality is good, the prices are fair and they ship really fast (even at standard rates).

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!

Beaverdale Books Signing

{Photo by Gail George, 2011}

With Friends

{Photo by Gail George, 2011}

With my husband, Ken

{Photo by Gail George, 2011}

Signing books!

Last Saturday I got to hang out at Beaverdale Books and sign my two Christmas books during the annual Beaverdale Shop Hop. It was really cool to be able to do my first book signing in my own little neighborhood within Des Moines! I managed to sign a lot of books and it was great to see everyone! Thanks to all the friends that came out to support me! You guys made the night!

KCCI Des Moines: " In The Artist's Studio"

{KCCI Channel 8 Des Moines Interview, 2011}

I was super excited to be asked to talk about my work and my new books on our local news station! Mollie Cooney was so nice and I owe her so much gratitude for giving me a little press! The video is almost 5 minutes and it aired yesterday (Sunday) morning. I managed to wake up early just to watch it. My favorite part is near the end when they show my little studio buddy, Oliver! One more thing, does my voice really sound like that? It's weird to see yourself and hear yourself on camera!

Santa's Secret Story on Display

{On Display in Pauline Books & Media in Alexandria, VA, 2011}

{Pauline Books & Media in Alexandria, VA, 2011}

My cousin's wedding was last weekend in Washington DC and my husband and I managed to make it into a little vacation. We visited all the major landmarks and got a really good feel for the city. All in all, we had an incredibly good time and really enjoyed the area! A major highlight of the trip was being able to see my book, "Santa's Secret Story", in an actual Pauline Books and Media store that happened to be in Alexandria. From my house the nearest Pauline stores would probably be Chicago or St. Louis and the 2 hour plane ride is quicker than driving to either one. (not that I would buy a plane ticket just to go to a bookstore... but it was convenient to have one in a place we were going anyways!) The above picture is my book on a shelf display (note the Tomie dePaola right next to mine. Cool, right?!) The below picture is the Pauline storefront on a lovely November day!

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!

Today's Special Delivery

{"Santa's Secret Story" Books, 2011}

{"Santa's Secret Story" Books, 2011}

{Binding Detail, 2011}

I was sitting on my front porch talking to my dad today when the UPS truck pulled up. Every time I see a UPS truck in the neighborhood, I am secretly hoping to receive a box of my books. Well, today was the day for "Santa's Secret Story" published by Pauline Books and Media. I immediately opened the box and held it up to show the delivery man (who was far less excited than I). He shrugged and managed a lackluster "wow" as he walked back to his truck. My neighbor pulled up a few seconds later and was a much better partner to share the excitement with! She and I leafed through the shiny new books. What an excellent day! Holding a book in your hands is a wonderful feeling. Holding a book that you helped to create is downright magical!

"Santa's Secret Story" Trailer on YouTube

{Video by Pauline Books and Media, 2011}

I found a trailer for "Santa's Secret Story" on YouTube this morning. I think this video is so cute! (and I love the idea of trailers for books!) Check it out!

Preview "Santa's Secret Story"

{Screenshot of Preview, 2011}

Click to view larger.

My second children's book is available for preview here on Issue.com. The release date is September 1st and it will be available from Amazon and Pauline Books and Media.

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!

Book Work

{Section of Cover for "Santa's Secret Story", 2011}

This is just a small piece of the cover for "Santa's Secret Story". I'll share more details and show the full cover once the publisher has finished laying it out.

Good News

{Watercolor, 2010}

I have a few pieces of good news to share! The first is that a piece of my art won a merit award at the Iowa State Fair in the Fine Arts Juried Exhibition. It came with a $100 prize and a lovely yellow ribbon! You can read the press release HERE. My second piece of good news (and very big news!) is that I recently signed a publishing contract to illustrate my first trade children's book. I can't give any major details yet, but I am beyond excited to have such a wonderful opportunity!

SCBWI Bulletin

{Watercolor, 2010}

{Watercolor, 2010}

I am officially back from my trip to England and Ireland. I will be sharing some experiences in later posts! Until then, I am pleased and excited to share that I had seven illustrations included in the May/June issue of the SCBWI Bulletin. The above images are a few of the illustrations chosen to appear.

SCBWI:Iowa Conference

{Portfolio Display, 2009}

The SCBWI:Iowa (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrator's) conference was this past weekend. This was my first time attending, and WOW, it was so amazing. The wealth of information at this regional event is so vast! They had quite a bit of information for illustrators, even though of the 83 attendees, there were less than 10 of us. The guest speakers or this three day event included:

• Harold Underdown who has been an editor for several books within children's publishing and the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books". 
  
• Abigail Samoun, an editor at Tricycle Press since 2000. She had a lot of love for illustrators as well as writers. (very exciting to hear!)
  
• Amy Lennex of Sleeping Bear Press, which is in Michigan. I always get excited to hear about Michigan!
  
• Ruta Rimas, who is an editor for a brand new imprint of Harper Collins called Balzer + Bray. She was so witty and fun to listen to.
• Larry Day, an illustrator, who has illustrated several books, including "Not Afraid of Dogs", which I bought at the book sale, and he signed for me! He also gave me a portfolio review, which gave me some interesting things to think about, and revise.

There were also several published authors from Iowa in attendance (also presenting) as well as a few published illustrators. The next SCBWI:Iowa conference is the weekend of October 24, 2009 and will be held in Des Moines. (I am super excited about not having to drive three hours for that!) I can hardly wait to go again. SCBWI members are always very encouraging and engaging.

{Weekend Snapshots Collage, 2009}

From top left clockwise: Attendees enjoying portfolio displays, Canadian geese and goslings alongside the Mississippi river on the Iowa side, Attendee checking out fellow Iowa illustrator, Claudia McGehee's portfolio display, some John Deere equipment in Moline, Illinois, a few of the conference guests (from left to right: Abigail Samoun, Harold Underdown, and Ruta Rimas), and some lovely and fragrant blossoms.