Sunday, September 27, 2009

IF - pattern


A pattern of characters from Theodore the Tree, for this week's Illustration Friday challenge.
This will be used as the endpapers in the book and it happens to be one of my favorite pages. I've always been a big fan of patterns and use them a lot in my work, so I guess that's why.
I love patterns so much, I may just have to do something new for this challenge, later this week.

Friday, September 25, 2009

theodore bookmark

Here's a promotional bookmark the publisher asked me to design for Theodore the Tree. They will be set out at bookstores, coffeeshops, libraries, etc. to help get the word out about the book. I'll be getting my advance copy in the mail any day now! It's getting really close to the release day! Are you guys getting sick of my blogging about the book yet? I just can't help it, it's exciting stuff, to me anyway!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

IF - infinite


Funny little kiddos blowing infinite bubbles, for Illustration Friday this week. Practicing in Illustrator.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

promo cards



It's promo cards time again! It seems like I just did this, but it's been a year since my last mailing! Now I remember why I don't do this very often. It's time consuming! But, of course, it needs to be done, to get my name out there and hopefully get another book to illustrate.
I was so proud of myself in the fact that I was able to make my envelopes more fun by printing a line drawing of Theodore the Tree on the front. I'm fully aware of how many envelopes and post cards hit the desks of art directors and I wanted to do something to stand out and make them want to open the envelope. I hope it works. I know if I received a lime green envelope and it had a Christmas tree with a face on it, I'd want to open it. But hey, that's just the way I am!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

IF - welcome


For Illustration Friday this week, from my upcoming picture book, Theodore the Tree which is now available for pre-orders on Amazon and will be in stores Oct.1.

I thought this was a good page for the theme of welcome - Welcome to the new baby and Welcome to the new star ornament. The family gets a new ornament for their tree every year. It's a sweet story with a message, perfect for the holidays.


Thursday, September 10, 2009

website update

I've redesigned my illustration website, with the help of the fantastic webmaster, Darren Di Lieto, from pixelpresence.net. He's awesome, if you are need of an illustration or art site. He helps you design it and hosts it, all for a reasonable rate. Anyway, check it out, right here. I've added some new categories - books and design work.

Speaking of books - Theodore the Tree has his own website! I designed some coloring pages that are available to download from there and of course, it talks about the book and the author and me! How cool is that!

Sunday, September 06, 2009

exciting news

Whooo-hooo! Theodore the Tree, my 1st illustrated picture book is now available for pre-order on Amazon. Written by Maribeth Stephens, it will be released on Oct 1st, 2009.

Saturday, September 05, 2009

random notes

Nikki turned 15 over the summer and got her braces off. She also is the proud owner of her learner's permit and is now navigating the streets of Seattle, with me in the passenger seat. So, if you're in the city and you see a charcoal gray Subaru Forester, with an auburn haired girl driving and a woman with short dark hair and a stricken look on her face, beside her, that's us.

Derek turned 18 a couple of weeks ago. He's 6' tall and wears a size 12 shoe. I'm 5'4", so he's a great help getting things down from high spaces.

Zoey, our new kitty is like a puppy, she chews on things! Her favorite thing is ipod earbuds! We've lost 2 so far and now we have to put them away whenever they aren't in use.

Scout, our older cat, has irritable bowel syndrone. He's on medication for it and is doing better. He used to barf a lot! I always thought some cats just did that, but I mentioned it to the vet and she said that's what everyone used to think, but it usually is what Scout has. Who would have thought!

We had 5 racoons in our backyard the other day. Not just one or two, five! This is the city of Seattle, not rural at all! There's a Starbucks a block away, for heaven's sake! Crazy, but true.

I changed my banner to the Fall one I did last year. It's time, the kiddos will be back to school on the 9th. whooo-hooo! I'll miss sleeping in, though.