paperwork

another point of view

2012-02-13T11:47:00.000-08:00

view of the studio from the kitchen

studio update

2012-02-13T10:29:00.000-08:00

my custom built desk holds large sheets of paper and looks out over the back yard

these are the wormy chestnut legs off an old farm table

I'm going to look for a stool so I can force myself to sit down once in a while

here it is, all ready to go...

Come on in and take a look at my new studio. Would you like some coffee? Chocolate? Make yourself at home .
The couch pulls out into a bed for overnight guests, at other times it's a comfortable perch for visitors. I have some good floor space for yoga sessions at home, and on the right is the desk with my computer stuff. The light is great, and I love to spend time in here!
Above the computer, there is a window that looks into the kitchen, I plan to make it a bit more private with a paper cut one of these days. The light is great, and I love to spend time in here! We joke that my family could just pass me meals through the window and I'd never have to come back in :)
Isn't it awesome? Im too lucky!

down on the farm

2012-02-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

Look at these cuties!

The first lamb is less than a day old, and the other ones out in the field were born about a week ago.

Thanks to the nice people at AD Farm I got a good idea of the farm setup, and it was great to get to ask questions and see everything up close. Now back to the drawing board!

yup, me again!

2012-02-11T17:30:00.000-08:00

I'm back - again !

I'm trying to get in the habit of posting regularly, this is a sketch page for one of the main characters of a picture book I'm working on.

For tomorrow, I've scheduled an outing to a farm not too far away, where they have a few newborn lambs. I'm very excited, references don't get any better than that!

what in the world is a "pyewacket"?

2012-02-10T10:55:00.000-08:00

for some reason I keep running into that strange word, and I had to look it up. interesting.........

that led me to see the movie "Bell Book and Candle", which led me to do some drawings of siamese cats; here are a couple of my favorites.
The little one of "Cinders" is of course a portrait of a character from one of my favorite books: The Wednesday Witch

Now I have to go clear out the studio: my new, custom made desk is coming, I'm so excited!
Hopefully I can have a studio tour soon.

playing around

2012-02-09T06:39:00.000-08:00

The weather here in South Carolina is anything but wintery, it cuts down on playing in the snow, but allows for some nice hikes and picnics and playing on the back porch.

I'm playing around myself, I have a new box of fancy watercolors and I am loving them. Now I have a practice session every morning, but more on that tomorrow........

walking trees, swamp angels and alligator pears

2012-01-23T07:37:00.000-08:00

Before I start posting for the new year, I thought our first trip to Florida to visit family deserved it's own mention. We canoed in the mangroves, found amazing shells and got to know this strange place a bit.

At the old store on Chokoloskee Island I heard about "Mr.Watson",and have been fascinated with the stories of old Florida ever since.

showtime!

2011-12-09T07:41:00.000-08:00

You know you wanted to see this guy in action!
He was a definite success, thanks to all the lovely people who came out and worked on him and helped him make it through the parade!

a magical creature

2011-12-06T11:33:00.000-08:00

In our quest to increase the visibility of the local art center, we set out to build a float for the Christmas Parade here in Clemson. Many hours later, here is what we have to show for it: a magical sea serpent, carried by an a group of volunteers and surrounded by hand made fish lanterns.
I'm excited because he was a group effort , and he's made almost entirely out of recyclables
(the support is pvc pipe and window screen). We went dumpster diving at the recycling center, and had many donations of bubble wrap and other odd supplies.
For the (evening) parade he will be lit up , I hope it all goes off well and I can get a few pictures.
cross your fingers!

moonlight pony

2011-12-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

A horse playing in the moonlight, just for fun. White ink and colored pencil on black paper.

almost December

2011-11-29T11:09:00.000-08:00

Here I am with Melinda Long of pirate fame, last year in Greenville.

The 12 Days of Christmas in South Carolina books are still going strong this year.

I'm honored to get calls every now and then for me to sign a bunch of books as presents, usually, appropriately enough, for cousins.

Lisa and Lotty- take two

2011-11-11T07:20:00.000-08:00

I think it is more easily readable with the second color...hmm, maybe this opens the door to multicolored paper cut illustrations. I have definitely been admiring these.
that makes me think that a black background may make my words easier to read, hold on...

well, maybe not with the second color, hold on....

still need to squint a bit, but better, and I liked the red flowers, so I kept them

All in all, I kind of like it, and it was fun to experiment. This would be a great time for comments, what do you think?

Lisa and Lotty

2011-11-11T06:05:00.000-08:00

This is a personal papercut did for a fantasy cover for one of my favorite childhood books.
I think it's still a bit hard to read the text, I'm going to try it with a paper cut overlay just for the title. Back to the drawing board

lucky day

2011-11-07T11:30:00.000-08:00

Ok, there are waay to many distractions around here.....
Between construction outside and organizing and planning inside, with a few holidays thrown in to spice it up, I am having a hard time settling down and concentrating on anything.
So, here's a picture of my new thrift shop chair, waiting for it's proper space to free up.
It's already a family favorite, and the dog approves.
For me it was love at first sight - for $15 bucks - score!

better luck on the artist front tomorrow, happy monday!

A Song for My Sister

2011-11-03T06:47:00.000-07:00

Early this week I found a large package from Random House on my doorstep. Here's a peek at some of what was inside. This is a random scan from the art for the front/back cover (wrap around) of a book coming out June 2012.
Lesley Simpson wrote the book called "A Song for my Sister", it's a sweet story of a little girl and her baby sister, centered around the Jewish ceremony of simchat bat.
I'll tell you more about it when the book comes out.

pet portraits

2011-11-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

This is the first in a series of pet portraits I have planned. It shows my dog Coco, but it is it is more of an exaggerated personality portrait than a realistic view. I had much more fun with it that I expected, next I will try to make a more realistic one.
This project came about because I agreed to put some pieces in the Holiday Art/Gift Sale at the local Arts Center. I ordered some more christmas books , but I also wanted to make a few things.
I'm painting some portraits of friends pets, and I'll take commissions, if someone wants to order one.
I made a few more random things, I haven't had a lot of time to sew stuffed animals, every year I realize - I should really have started earlier...
So it's an ongoing process, I'll take a picture of the whole setup when I'm done, but now I need a few elves to come in and clean up my studio. It looks like something exploded in there.
No wonder my kids just give me a wry look when I tell them to clean up their rooms : "seriously?"

hot dog!

2011-11-02T07:20:00.000-07:00

do you remember the Ladybug illustration with the trick or treaters...with the dog dressed in costume? Well, look who we ran into downtown this Halloween!

how about a title for this.....

2011-10-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

This is a personal papercut I'm working on, in progress. There are a few projects in the works right now, and I'm organizing some things for a local holiday Art sale.
Add to that some very exciting construction going on in my backyard - right out that window - and you can understand that I am having a bit of a hard time concentrating......
More on the construction later, I have been taking a lot of pictures.
And of course the finished papercut, I'm experimenting with using text and I wonder if it will turn out legible enough.
Lots of fun plans for the weekend, and the Illustration Friday topic is "scary" - hard to resist :)

just in time for Halloween....

2011-10-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

Here are my pages in Ladybug Magazine this month. I illustrated a poem called "Ghost Goes Boo" by Leslie Davidson. The best part of the project was choosing the costumes for the trick or treaters. One of my favorite characters of all time is Pippi Longstocking, so I dressed the big sister up as her. my dog coco is putting in a cameo appearance as a hot dog.

hurray for teachers

2011-10-26T17:54:00.000-07:00

This is a scan of the finished poster for teacher appreciation day. The local PTA asked me to design it, and I had a great time experimenting with a combination of watercolor, collage and cut paper. It is supposed to be printed 12" x18" and hung on every teacher's door as a decoration for the week.

I'm honored.

thinking about picture books

2011-10-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

I originally found this "proclamation" on Carson Ellis' blog,

http://www.thepicturebook.co/

I love the passion and the enthusiasm.

Red Fox

2011-10-07T07:37:00.000-07:00

I don't think I've mentioned that I have an agent now! I am represented by Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary. It's so exciting, I can't wait to see what happens next!

This image is from an upcoming book I illustrated for Sleeping Bear Press - so much fun to draw all kinds of animals.

not just bread...

2011-10-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

I've been asked to come up with a poster to decorate the classroom doors for teacher appreciation day. Usually I send a loaf of bread for the special soup lunch, but this is even more up my alley.

This is my sketch,(slogan not by me). I had a lot of fun coming up with a range of possibilities.

Both of my girls are at the same school now, and I'm so happy they like it there!

my favorite fruit

2011-09-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

here's a custom card I painted for a friend...

inspiration

2011-09-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

I'm having a bit of trouble focusing on my work this morning, but I think I just found something that will do the trick: another cup of coffee and some time spent on you tube discovering Zoe Keating.

Awesome

Back to School

2011-09-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

After a flurry of organizing, planning, shopping and packing, it's time to go to school!
Everyone went off excited and happy, it looks like we're off to a good start.

Look for more activity over here, I have big plans for my own future, and there's a lot I haven't told you yet, poor neglected blog.

IF: Warning

2011-03-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

Here's my quick sketch for "warning" this week.

With a nautical nod to N.C. Wyeth

all business

2011-03-01T10:18:00.001-08:00

This is my new business card, what do you think? Eventually I'd like a set that has a color image on the back, but this was all I could whip up in time.

I was invited to have a table at an arts event last weekend, and so it was a good time to experiment with having some prints made, and think about a card to help people remember me. The sale was pretty successful and I had a good time hanging out with my friend at the next table.

I'm thinking of opening an Etsy shop for the prints I had made; I think they turned out really well.

IF:Swarm

2011-02-27T11:28:00.000-08:00

a swarm of bees for Illustration Friday

I was playing with my new bottle of masking fluid - art supplies are fun

2011-02-14T06:57:00.000-08:00

Thank you to guest artist Nora Wren Mai, for creating the beautiful header "witch goes to princess Alice's birthday party"

IF: sweater

2011-02-14T06:44:00.000-08:00

if coco wore a sweater......

house cleaning

2011-01-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

please excuse the look of this space while I do some cleaning up and rearranging.

magical holidays

2010-12-20T10:41:00.001-08:00

here is this year's paper cut; happy holidays to all!

out on the town

2010-11-22T08:27:00.000-08:00

Me and my big girls went to the big city to see Emmylou Harris last night.

She was awesome, of course; but so was her opening act, Low Anthem, a quirky band from Rhode Island.

Checking in on my lonely blog, I notice that we need a fall - or almost winter- header, and some all around love and attention.

I'll be back

IF: sneaky

2010-11-22T08:14:00.001-08:00

here's a sneaky little fox for illustration friday this week

IF: spooky

2010-10-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

this weeks illustration friday was covered by a page in the 12 days of christmas book. I will get around to doing a few other spooky drawings, it's that time of year.

Book Launch

2010-10-01T18:17:00.000-07:00

Whoohoo! Saturday (tomorrow, eek) is the book launch party for The Twelve Days of Christmas in South Carolina. Fiction Addiction is graciously hosting this event, and it sounds like it will be pretty exciting! Melinda Long, the author, has come up with fun worksheets and even a sing along- since it is a song.

We'll be off to Greenville in the morning, the party starts at 11 am and the store is on Woodruff Rd, so stop by if you're in the area.

iF: proverb

2010-09-11T13:44:00.000-07:00

"Butterflies in my stomach"? or maybe more like "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"

In any case I had fun with this collage, and I think I'll make some more

playing around

2010-09-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

This is the result of my first timid exploration with my scanner and photoshop.

Just getting my feet wet.

illustration for Babybug

2010-09-07T11:40:00.001-07:00

I just got my new issue of Baby bug in the mail. I have an illustration on the last spread.

It's always like a present for everybody to get these in the mail, my kids still love looking at them.

IF: Atmosphere

2010-08-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

Misty morning at the horse farm

Little Snake

2010-08-20T06:17:00.001-07:00

We met Little Snake on a walk to the lighthouse this summer....he was well camouflaged, but Louisa spotted him right away.

Now that school is back in session, little Snake and I get to spend some time in the studio together. This is such a fun project, it's great to be back!

swimming pool

2010-07-30T06:40:00.001-07:00

Here is swimming pool image #2.

Somehow those goggles always manage to let in a few gallons of water...but nobody seems to mind.

swimming pool

2010-07-29T12:13:00.001-07:00

I have been spending my summer mornings at the pool these days, what a great place to bring a sketchbook!

It's been so much fun watching and drawing swim team practice and swimming lessons; as a bonus, everyone in my family is making some progress in the water.

Now I'm turning my sketches into a series of swimming pool drawings/collages, my plan is to pick the best one and turn it into a "real" postcard to send out at the end of summer for self promotion....feel free to weigh in with your favorite.

I hope you're enjoying your summer days!

dancing in the rain

2010-06-08T18:06:00.000-07:00

after a week of rainforest weather the air is dry and the sun is back out - just in time for my birthday .

happy birthday to me:)

IF: slither

2010-06-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

this subject came at the perfect time; snake sightings here in SC,

and the beginning of a snake fest around here as I get back to work on a cute picture book called "Little Snake" (I'm allowed to call it cute, since I didn't write it)

...I'm sure you'll be hearing a lot more on that subject...

hello Portfolio

2010-05-28T08:33:00.000-07:00

After a long absence, welcome back to my portfolio (applause!)

see the sidebar for a link and check it out!

I will be updating it regularly; it's good to be back!

TaDa!

2010-05-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

The proofs have come out, the planning has begun, I just can't wait any longer.....I have to show you the cover proof of this book!

It's going to be published in november, in time for the holidays,of course. Yesterday I got to meet the charming Melinda Long for coffee, and we came up with a game plan to travel the state and present it. It sounds like a lot of fun!

check back for some peeks at the interior drawings...

in the garden

2010-05-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

calling it "in the garden" is a lot more interesting than calling it"endless hours spent in front of the computer moving photos and deleting programs"....

soon I'll be able to hook my scanner up to my NEW COMPUTER !! hurray!

life will never be the same

monday inspiration

2010-05-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

I will let myself be inspired by my little girl today, she sure has a way with a pencil

IF: Cocoon

2010-05-03T07:37:00.000-07:00

a cozy cocoon for this rainy may day

IF: dip

2010-04-04T17:46:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist digging out this old cat for "dip" .

By the end of the month I'll be able to jump back in with some new work,
right now I can't wait to get cranking on the last big deadline projects!

hi

2010-03-29T18:11:00.000-07:00

hello blog, just checking in...

No time for Illustration Friday this week, I'll have to wait for the next topic to roll around. My big girl is on break, and we're enjoying the days and trying to squeeze in a bit of work, since the deadline is creeping up.

The picture today goes with a whole bunch of them done earlier this year; little books that come with your baby doll...more on that later too.

back to the drawing board

2010-03-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

I'm listening to this amazing concert as I head into the home stretch of the next book.

goodbye

2010-03-24T05:14:00.001-07:00

the silly cows are making their way into a book, more on that this fall... hurray!....

now, on to other pressing things; and a little spring sunshine always helps me get motivated.

That, and the prospect of a nice beach holiday in june....aaah

chickenscratch

2010-03-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

These are partial endpapers for my new cow book

It's spring! (and spring break for my little chick), so I'm off to dig in the garden

IF: subterranean

2010-03-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

Here is the final papercut for this week. With the weather warming up I'm feeling springy.

I'm back!

2010-03-12T08:38:00.000-08:00

This is a sketch for this weeks "Illustration Friday" I will cut it as a fun weekend project and post it with a link when I'm done.

It makes me a bit homesick just to look at those swiss cows in the mist...

moo

2010-03-12T06:03:00.000-08:00

I' ve been spending a lot of time with these girls lately. I'm working on a math book with a friendly cow as the main character - and her silly chicken companions. It's turning out to be a lot of fun.

snip, snip

2009-11-18T07:05:00.001-08:00

it's that time of year again.....you know, when you're really busy already but you have an excuse to put it aside and work on some really important fun projects..... this is my first holiday card idea

IF: pattern

2009-09-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

the word pattern certainly comes to mind with this collage....too much ? - never

raining cats and dogs....

2009-09-25T10:51:00.001-07:00

after some serious southern rain the sun has come back out and we're appreciating it all the more. (see new header)
I am back in the running and have a new resolution to post.....oh I don't know .... all the time..... or at least more often (has it really been since april? I'm working on a bunch of new things, and I actually have some regular studio time, so I will keep popping in.

princess papercut

2009-04-29T06:39:00.001-07:00

here's the papercut of the day.
I'm having a hard time with my scanner, for this one I increased the contrast and it seems blinding to me. Does anyone have a recommendation for a simple scanner that works well for artwork?

IF: Theatre

2009-04-27T17:44:00.000-07:00

I spent a little more time working on this larger papercut. This one is on a piece of maroon rice paper. I was a bit stuck until I started shaping the outside of it. For my next one I'll try folding it and cutting a symmetrical outside border.

Far Out

2009-04-23T06:20:00.001-07:00

good morning! This one's a bit silly...

friendly monster

2009-04-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

daily papercuts, day two. So far I'm having fun with the papercuts but it's not doing much for the rest of my work....it'll all come together though.
happy earth day

jumping rope

2009-04-21T07:47:00.000-07:00

I'm getting ready for an open studio event, collecting artwork, framing and matting and getting organized. I'm also working on sketches for two picturebooks. I've decided to do a papercut a day as a warmup, and to get some momentum going, so here's a simple little papercut to start it off. I will post a new one every day until May 1.

My Teacher Dances on the Desk

2009-03-19T06:22:00.001-07:00

Look what came in the mail! This little book of poetry was a fun illustration project - and it makes my six year old daughter laugh out loud every time she opens it. It's an all around success.

IF: Intricate

2009-03-11T09:52:00.000-07:00

just a quick sketch this week; we've been admiring bubbles in the warm sunshine

birthday owl

2009-03-09T17:33:00.001-07:00

This little owl is going to fly all the way to Arizona as part of a birthday package - surprise!

Postcards

2009-03-03T07:38:00.001-08:00

Help! I have exactly 1 hour to do all my work today..... We did have a lot of fun in the snow yesterday. My neighbor lent us her sleds and we found a little hill in walking distance; my youngest is a sledding superstar- she even proudly pulls her own sled back the hill !..... but I don't think we needed a two hour late school start this morning.....Anyway - off to work. This is a sketch for the postcards I'm planning to make for the open studios tour in May. I think I'll put it aside for a while though. Right now I'm working on the paintings for a book called "Just A Boy". (he's the top picture, I thought it would show up down here - I'm still learning how this works)

have a nice day, I'm enjoying the sunshine. Now for a cup of coffee and a burst of speed!

Illustration Friday: Breezy

2009-03-01T13:55:00.001-08:00

Here is my image for "breezy". Around here "rainy", or even "stormy" is more appropriate; it's been pouring for days! (I'm not really complaining, we need the rain)

Owl papercut series

2009-02-27T08:31:00.001-08:00

I found these little frames at the thrift shop and was inspired to make a series of paper owls to fit in them. I've made fabric pocket owls, so a paper version it makes sense. It's fun to try to do something very simple and only concentrate on colors and patterns. I'm already thinking of the next series. These owl babies are named "Sara, Percy and Bill", of course. I'll show the other ones as they come together.

A Tree for Emmy

2009-02-25T17:48:00.000-08:00

Just in time for spring, or maybe a bit early, (especially considering how often I have to run outside as it gets dark to cover my baby garden with a warm blanket) I got my new book out from Peachtree. It certainly is bright.... It got a nice customer review on amazon and in general I'm pretty happy with it. ( I love the pink polka dot endpapers) You can see a few of my favorite pages above.

Mty Teacher Dances on the Desk

2009-02-19T07:46:00.000-08:00

I just got my artwork back from Sleeping Bear Press this morning. Here are some of my favorites from this little book of poetry.

studio photos

2009-02-18T07:27:00.001-08:00

Here is a peak at my studio....maybe this will inspire me to clear and organize a larger space to work in. I'm applying to be in an Open Studios Tour in May.

altered doilies

2009-02-04T13:58:00.001-08:00

valentine for a horse happy little girl

A Tree for Emmy

2009-01-27T10:26:00.000-08:00

hey look, I got to be on the cover!

Illustration Friday: Climbing

2009-01-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

another valentine , this time with a "climbing" theme (I was thinking along the lines of..."I'll pick the moon and stars for you"....)

momentum

2009-01-22T11:38:00.000-08:00

here is the first in a series of valentines ideas, I'm just trying them out to start making instead of just looking....I also need a new header soon, so I'm on a roll...

New Babybug cover

2009-01-21T08:21:00.001-08:00

Look what just came in the mail! I'm happy with the way this turned out.

Lacy

2009-01-12T06:52:00.000-08:00

This is my first pet portrait

the original is a lot more subtle....the scanner still needs work

Happy New Year

2009-01-06T10:55:00.000-08:00

best wishes for a fruitful New Year!

"baby new year" by Nora

owls

2008-12-16T07:01:00.001-08:00

A while back I was in my first art/craft sale. Although I made some money and had a good time talking to people,it's not something I would do again around here. I do love to make things though, especially toys and dolls. This seems to be the most popular thing so far: my owl beanbag set (thanks Pam for the photo) A friends mom is copying the design overseas, and I have two holiday orders to make more. I am thinking of setting up an Etsy store so I can make as many stuffed toys as I want without exploding my house.... :)
...first I have to learn to take and post my own pictures...

Illustration Friday: Rambunctious

2008-12-15T06:31:00.000-08:00

these are some rambunctious kids, I'd like to finish some of these guys later...

IF balloon

2008-11-29T07:24:00.000-08:00

this was the sketch for a little girls birthday painting a while back

supergirl

2008-11-28T13:24:00.001-08:00

I was having fun with this new idea, a cut paper collage

holiday card

2008-11-20T08:29:00.000-08:00

Hey, I think I've got it...

IF: Pretend

2008-11-18T06:42:00.000-08:00

A "wolf in sheeps clothing"

IF: Wise

2008-11-18T06:38:00.000-08:00

here is an old drawing I just ran into. Its a bit wobbly, but I still like it.I think it fits for "wise"

IF: Late

2008-10-18T06:43:00.001-07:00

This is a spot for a poem called "Always Late" (Eugene Gagliano) in a little book of school poems I'm illustrating for Sleeping Bear Press.

scary thoughts

2008-10-16T10:35:00.000-07:00

Here's an old illlustration with a halloween feel. It's been so long since I've worked in pen and ink that I had to go back and remind myself...but I'm having a very good time with it.

IF: String

2008-10-12T11:32:00.001-07:00

Just a sketch this week, I should get back to work ...

IF: Sugary

2008-10-12T11:30:00.001-07:00

This one went a little over the top....maybe I will make a halloween postcard out of it

Emmy

2008-09-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to squeeze a better picture from my scanner, meanwhile the rest of the art has been sent off....oh well, maybe later...

2008-09-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

....I have a new scanner, but I think I need to figure out how to adjust the contrast. I'll just take pictures of some other pages......now I have to go wrap it up though..

A Tree for Emmy

2008-09-05T10:35:00.001-07:00

This is the last page of a newly illustrated book for Peachtree Publishers. I'm just getting ready to put it in the mail... whew

IF : enough

2008-07-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

still no scanner, another one from the files
i t seemed to go with the topic;" enough"

IF: Foggy

2008-07-11T07:45:00.001-07:00

Since my scanner is broken, here's an old one for this week

We're outta here!

2008-05-11T18:27:00.001-07:00

This is the last page from my newest book "Booming Bella", written by Carol Ann Williams, Putnam, due out any minute.

I'm on my way out of town; we will be in Europe until July 4th ! (yippee)