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!

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!

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.

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!

Recent Happenings

{DaVinci Exhibit, Science Center of Iowa, 2011}

I don't have any artwork to share in this post, even though my studio is full of new art right now. I look forward to being able to show a few pieces later, but for now I offer a photo of me as the Mona Lisa!

Here is what is going on in my art life right now:

1. I finished my 9th illustration for the book I am working on. That puts me at the halfway point! 9 more to go and then I can ship them off to the publisher!

2. I just signed up to attend the 2011 Iowa SCBWI conference. I am looking forward to seeing friends made at previous conferences and making new friends! Also, excited about a portfolio review and great information.

3. I just sent sketches to my other publisher for my second children's book and should get edits back sometime this week.

I'm busy as busy can be, but enjoying the process and seeing a lot of improvement in my illustration and book spread composition skills.

David Diaz at the Joslyn Art Museum

{Me and David Diaz, 2011}

{"Me, Frida", David's Newest Book, 2011}

{David Showing Sketches, Process, Promotional Materials, 2011}

{One Area of the Exhibit, Joslyn Art Museum, 2011}

I had a wonderful opportunity to see Caldecott winning illustrator David Diaz speak at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska a little over a week ago. He was very funny and very open about his process and how he approaches illustrating books. He showed sketches and promotional materials for his most current book entitled, "Me, Frida". I had my picture taken with him and asked him to sign my sketchbook... which ended in 6 pages of sharpie sketches! My friend and fellow illustrator, Erin Taylor, was able to coordinate this event with the Golden Kite Awards exhibit that was curated by Diaz and is now showing at the Joslyn Art Museum. It was overwhelming to see so many original illustrations from the best in the industry dating back to the 1970's. Illustrators included Melissa Sweet, Tomie de Paola, Trina Schart Hyman, David Shannon, and so many more! The Golden Kite Awards show is a traveling exhibit so if it comes to your area, I highly recommend seeing it!

Book Signing Event: Sue F. Cornelison

{A Picture with the Author/Illustrator at Barnes & Noble, 2010}

{Sue F. Cornelison, 2010}

{"The Twelve Days of Christmas in Iowa", 2010}

Yesterday my friend and I tromped to Barnes and Noble in West Des Moines because we wanted to meet Illustrator Sue F. Cornelison and have her sign our "The Twelve Days of Christmas in Iowa" books. I brought along my camera hoping I might snag a picture with Sue and she kindly agreed! Meeting her was wonderful, she has such a warm personality and really took time to meet her fans! You can get her book HERE on Amazon!

Altered Book Project

{Altered Book Cover, 2010}

{Altered Book: Favorite Color, 2010}

{Altered Book: Favorite Books, 2010}

{Altered Book: Travel, 2010}

{Altered Book: Gardening, 2010}

{Altered Book: Ocean, 2010}

I am currently teaching a Mixed Media class for 9-12 year olds at the Des Moines Art Center. Our first project is an Altered Book and so this past week I have been filling up my demonstration book with examples of collage and ideas. I love the tactile experience of collage and altered books. (during and after the processes of making them) I still have several pages to fill, but I plan to finish the book. It can be pretty cool to have a visual record of what you were into at the time... like 2010 in this instance! For this altered book I went to the local thrift store and purchased a board book. The pages are generally pretty thick and shiny with UV coating to resist things that babies do (ie drool, food, puke). While its nice to have a thick board book, the shine can interfere with paint chipping off so I recommend sanding the book and adding one layer of gesso to the covers and each page before beginning.

Reading Buddies

{Watercolor, 2010}

Two unlikely buddies reading together! I used a black prisma pencil, black watercolor and some white acrylic ink to finish this illustration. I've been trying to get my creative groove back since returning from Europe. I might sound whiny, but traveling is tiring!

"Just One More Book" Podcast Interview

{Screenshot of JOMB, 2009}

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Just One More Book. They had a call for entries awhile back for a new logo and I decided to enter an idea. They have been gradually interviewing the people that submitted entries and mine has finally popped up! My little bookworm is shown in the screenshot above. You can go HERE to listen to the podcast!

Illustration Friday - Caution (Colored Version)

{watercolor, 2009}

The book had a disclaimer on the cover. It read, "Caution: opening this book may have unexpected results!" Timmy shrugged to himself, "what harm ever came from reading a book?" 

I watercolored the drawing that I had previously posted for this weeks Illustration Friday theme of Caution. I painted this using only three primary colors. Usually I use a double primary color system, but I found some watercolors from my time in college, and I thought I would try a more simplistic color palette. The three colors I used were all Holbein watercolors. They were Aureolin (the yellow), Cobalt (the blue), and Permanent Rose (the red). I think this specific palette really lends itself to illustrating for children! 

Illustration Friday - Caution

{Colored Pencil, 2009}

The book had a disclaimer on the cover. It read, "Caution: opening this book may have unexpected results!" Timmy shrugged to himself, "what harm ever came from reading a book?" Come back later to see the colored version! Happy Friday!

Creative Journaling

{Working on My Creative Journal, 2009}

{Visit This Book on Amazon to Find Out More}

The last few days I have been working on something called a "Creative Journal" It all started when I found "The Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real", by Lisa Sonora Beam. I felt an instant attraction to doing a business plan in a more visual, inspiring and introspective way. I think its a great guide for revealing your true desires, strengths, weaknesses and organizing them so you can use them to your benefit. I recommend this book to anyone who is an entrepreneur within the creative spectrum!