Phyllis Harris Illustration

I need help deciding which image to use for my spring mailer

2012-01-31T15:40:00.000-06:00

OK, all you blog friends...I need help deciding which image to use for my spring mailer.

just painting for fun...

2012-01-22T19:15:00.000-06:00

I have been working on some new sketches for possible rubber stamp ideas and came up with this image. I really had fun painting it. Do you think I am longing for Spring? I think so...

Ed Emberley, Children's Book Illustrator—Getting to know Ed

2012-01-19T13:44:00.000-06:00

This was pure magic to watch! LOVED it!!!

Another fabulous designer uses my "Your Wings Exist" stamp!

2012-01-15T15:40:00.001-06:00

Another fabulous designer uses my "Your Wings Exist" stamp from Unity!

Beate Johns

First post of 2012

2012-01-12T13:36:00.000-06:00

It's been too long since I blogged but I was "making rather merry" this Christmas holiday with family and friends. I didn't have work(by choice) during the holidays for the first time in many years and it was purely delightful! Then, a few days before New Year's, I was offered a couple assignments that were just too good to pass up so this is the first chance I've had to even think of posting.

Last night, I got an excited call from my sweet niece who lives out of town. She is in the first grade and went to her school library yesterday and checked out a book and began reading it. She's a fan of my art and an incredible little artist herself. She said she thought the pictures in the book looked a lot like my art and then she spotted the illustrator's name on the cover and saw my name on the book. She was SO excited that she couldn't remember the name of the book but started to describe the story. It was a Rookie Reader that I had done for Scholastic/Children's Press about 5 years ago called Kate's Surprise. How fun is that?! It definitely made my night. :)

Here's the cover. I used to paint with acrylics. I just may have to play with acrylics again sometime soon.

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-21T13:01:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to wish all my internet friends a very blessed and merry Christmas!!

My stamp art for Unity

2011-12-08T16:08:00.003-06:00

Wow! What talent! Here are a few of the cards designed by some of Unity's design team with my newest release of stamp designs!

My newest stamp releases are available now! Wahoo!

2011-12-08T10:34:00.000-06:00

Unity has 5 of my newest stamp releases available to order NOW! Here are the links and new stamp images just in case you still have some Holiday shopping left. :)

Thank you Unity for making this all possible!!!

New stamp release tomorrow at Unity!

2011-12-07T09:56:00.000-06:00

Be sure to take a look TOMORROW at my 5 new stamp sets to be sold at Unity.

One more set of Brandy and Emma to continue their sweet adventures together. Plus, some Valentine's Day sets as well as a couple new one's like the sneak peek you see above!

If you still have a few folks on your shopping list for the Holidays, be sure to check out all the stamps at Unity! :)

New stamp release at Unity delayed one week...

2011-11-28T12:06:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the inconvenience folks but the new stamp release will be delayed one week. After Unity just had their huge sale we figured you might need to recover a bit before ordering again. ;)

Stay tuned...all NEW stamp designs by yours truly! :) This is just one of the new designs.

45% off on all Unity stamps including Brandy and Emma!

2011-11-21T17:57:00.001-06:00

45% off and FREE SHIPPING over $50 only comes around ONCE A YEAR at unity - you have only 2.25 days left! coupon code: UNITY45 - SHOP! SHOP! SHOP! www.unitystampco.com

For the Brandy and Emma stamps be sure to click on the links above or go to the Unity website and click on Phyllis Harris. :)

new stamp release at Unity!

2011-11-17T11:50:00.000-06:00

Just found out that my newest stamp release with Unity will be Dec. 1st! Here's a sneak peek at one of the images. :) Stay tuned!!

sketching...

2011-11-10T17:12:00.000-06:00

Did you know that November is National Picture Book month?

2011-11-07T10:35:00.000-06:00

Did you know that November is National Picture Book month? Here's a wonderful website:

Another cute card using my "Brandy and Emma" stamp!

2011-11-04T19:07:00.000-05:00

Here's another lovely card created from my Brandy and Emma line of rubber stamps at Unity. It was created by the talented, Kary Lim! So cute!!!

Stay tuned for another Brandy and Emma set to be released hopefully in December along with some fun new sets I have had so much fun creating. :) Can't wait to share!

For a friend's new baby.

2011-10-29T12:04:00.000-05:00

A bunch of illustrator's for Highlight's Magazine decided to get together to create a fun gift for Nancy Cote, who is also an illustrator for Highlight's to commemorate the birth of her new grand daughter. We each chose a letter of her grand daughter's name and the theme was "pumpkin patch" so we had to have at least one pumpkin in the art. It was a fun little break from work! :)

Brandy and Emma stamps SALE extended!

2011-10-26T11:45:00.000-05:00

I just found out that the Brandy and Emma stamps SALE will be extended for one more week at Unity so if you haven't gotten your set of choice yet...HURRY...before they go to their regular price.

Just $16 each. See all four sets and to order just go to this link.

Why not start your holiday shopping early. :) Just 8 more shopping weekends left before Christmas....Yikes!!

PiBoIdMo?

2011-10-24T09:53:00.000-05:00

I have just signed up to be part of PiBoIdMo 2011. What's that? It's a challenge to create 30 new picture book ideas in 30 days! Sound tough? Yes! But I think it's just the push I need to get me going. Even though I have been illustrating for children's publications since 1999 I want to also write for some, especially picture books.

So, here we go! :) Yikes!!!!!!

Brandy and Emma Stamp links

2011-10-20T12:51:00.001-05:00

I thought it might be easier if I gave you the specific links to be able to order your Brandy and Emma rubber stamps.

There are four sets on sale through this weekend for $16 each!

Order the sets now by clicking on each set below.

To see some amazing card examples using these sets just keep moving down my blog. :)

Emma and Brandy stamps are on sale!

2011-10-20T10:15:00.005-05:00

It's finally time!! Emma and Brandy stamps are on sale! Woohooo!

This darling card designed by Jess at http://www.thewhimsicalbutterfly.blogspot.com

To help celebrate the day Unity is hosting a Brandy and Emma coloring contest! See link for details.

Brandy and Emma Stamps are ON SALE all weekend long for only $16.

Winner will be chosen on November 17th - and YOUR CARD will be posted on the Unity Website. The WINNER of the Brandy & Emma COLORING/Cardmaking Contest will be given a $100 SHOPPING SPREE at UNITY STAMP COMPANY.

Tell all your stamping friends!!!

To see card samples go to Unity's Blog here!

To order start here and see the featured products!

1-The final day of the countdown!

2011-10-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

1!

Just one more day!! It's the final day of the countdown...tomorrow is the release of the Emma and Brandy stamps with all new sentiments from Unity Stamp Company!

Here is a peek of a couple cards that were made by some fantastic designers for Unity!

Only 2 days left!

2011-10-18T09:53:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's only 2 days until the release of the Emma and Brandy stamps with all new sentiments from Unity Stamp Company! I'm looking so forward to creating new adventures for Emma and Brandy to share with all of you stampers. :)

Here's another look at some of the first original rough sketches of Brandy and Emma.

Just 3 days until...

2011-10-17T10:27:00.000-05:00

3!

Just 3 days until the release of the Emma and Brandy stamps with all new sentiments from Unity Stamp Company!

Please share the word with all your stamping friends!

Today I am sharing some of the original rough sketches when Brandy and Emma were first born. More rough sketches to come tomorrow.

4 days left!

2011-10-16T11:43:00.000-05:00

Just 4 days until Emma and Brandy stamps are available for purchase from Unity Stamp Company!

Spread the word!!

Here's another original water color painting from the Brandy and Emma story before the stamps were ever created.

Just 5 Days until Emma and Brandy stamps are available!

2011-10-15T13:44:00.000-05:00

5!

Just 5 Days until Emma and Brandy stamps are available for purchase from Unity Stamp Company!

Here Brandy and Emma are eating breakfast...well at least Emma is but I bet Brandy will get the last bite. ;)

6 Days to go!!

2011-10-14T10:42:00.000-05:00

6 days until the Brandy and Emma stamps are available for purchase from Unity Stamp Company.

Today's image is one of my original watercolors when I first started creating images for Emma and Brandy although this one hasn't been turned into a stamp yet. Maybe one day though...there are so many stories still left to tell. :)

7 days!

2011-10-13T10:02:00.000-05:00

7!

7 days until the Brandy and Emma stamps are available for purchase from Unity Stamp Company.

For today's images, I am sharing my inspiration for Brandy and Emma.

Here's a photo of Brandy, our first golden retriever who we miss every day. She went to doggy heaven three years ago this month.

This is my inspiration for Emma...my sweet daughter, Emily. This is one of my favorite photos of her when she was about 2 years old, helping Grandma plant seeds in the garden.

8 Days!!

2011-10-12T10:49:00.000-05:00

8!

Eight days until the Brandy and Emma stamps are available for purchase from Unity Stamp Company.

For today's image, I am sharing a card done by Barb Foster.

Countdown...9 Days

2011-10-11T15:16:00.000-05:00

9!

Just nine more days until Brandy and Emma rubber stamps are available at Unity Stamp Company.

For today's image, I am sharing a card done by Karen Seifert.

Count down! 10 days!

2011-10-10T15:25:00.000-05:00

10!
That's how many days until Brandy and Emma come back to life! The Unity Stamp Company and I are so excited!

To celebrate the countdown I plan on posting an image each day. For today's image, I am sharing a card made by the talented Kerry Urbatch.

Signs of Fall

2011-10-04T12:44:00.000-05:00

Brandy and Emma Stamps - October 20th!

2011-09-30T10:09:00.002-05:00

Do you know what happens on October 20th?! That is the target date that the Unity Stamp Company has given me for the Brandy and Emma stamps to be available for purchase! So put it on your calendars stampers and be sure to share the great news with all of your stamping buddies!

Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson - Winter Song

2011-09-28T10:58:00.000-05:00

This is a beautiful song and being a children's illustrator I LOVE the video as well. Enjoy!

Mine!

2011-09-27T19:15:00.001-05:00

Here's another peek at a toddler sketch for a book I am working on. I love drawing toddlers with attitude. ;)

My Big Book of Prayers is now shipping! Yay!

2011-09-21T17:28:00.000-05:00

Stamp news to share!!! Drumroll please....

2011-09-21T12:06:00.001-05:00

Ok folks...I finally have news to share on my stamps.

I will be working with not one but TWO different companies who will be creating stamps with my art and I couldn't be more thrilled!

My Brandy and Emma rubber stamps will now be produced and sold through the Unity Stamping Company along with many others!

I will also be doing clear and rubber stamps for Layers of Colors .

I am really excited about both opportunities!!

I will be keeping you all updated as to exactly when they will be available so please stay tuned!

working...working

2011-09-19T20:10:00.001-05:00

I'm busy working on lots of different stuff but at the moment, a book about toddlers again but this time it's for adults...for grandmas in particular. Here's a peek...

Next project in line will be 4 books with animals as the main characters. It will be so much fun creating animals for a change of pace!

update and the woods...

2011-09-15T11:06:00.001-05:00

Still working out the details on the rubber stamps as to where they will all end up and who will produce what but hopefully in the next week or so, I should have some answers to post.

In the meantime, I visited my brother's awesome cabin a couple weekends ago and it seems every time I spend time in the woods, Mr. Bear appears in my sketch book.

The trip last year to the cabin, I painted this one:

and this character appeared in my sketchbook this time around...with the plaid shirt and all, I think I will name him Ralph, aka - Ralph Lauren. ;)

Stay tuned on the stamps...

2011-09-09T10:57:00.001-05:00

For those of you who have been asking about where you might be able to get my rubber stamps please stay tuned. I am in the process of talking to a couple different companies who I hope to be working with soon.

I so appreciate all of the kind comments here on my blog regarding my stamp designs and hope that I can offer them to you again in the near future so please keep checking back. I will hopefully have some news very soon.

animals!

2011-08-29T18:53:00.001-05:00

I have been craving to do more animal books but I seem to continue to get projects with children in them, instead. That is probably because I have so many kids in my portfolio. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE drawing kids but I also really enjoy drawing animals so I have been adding a few critters to my portfolio, recently.

Sept./Oct. Jack and Jill Magazine

2011-08-26T13:57:00.000-05:00

I have a piece of art in the September/October 2011 Jack and Jill Magazine. They do a fun contest where kids can submit their stories and the winner gets to have it illustrated and put in the magazine. What a great way to get kids interested in writing.

So sad...

2011-08-23T21:00:00.000-05:00

I have been sharing lots of posts here recently about my new stamp designs I recently created for The Angel Company. I was shocked and so very sad to find out the following news today...

Here's a message from The Angel Company

It is with great sadness that I must announce we are hanging up our wings. These past several years our industry has faced enormous challenges and as a result, we have seen many companies close their doors. We continued to hope we could see The Angel Company through this recession and back into prosperous days and we held onto this hope as long as we could.

One of the largest challenges affecting each of us is our industry not being able to support all of the direct sales companies in our field. Even in a healthy economy, we are a niche market trying to compete for a very limited number of distributors. As a small company, this has been a grueling challenge for us. Times are tough for everyone ~ in direct sales and retail environments.

I would like to thank each of you for being an customer and Angel these past 14 years. Indeed, it has been a pleasure to serve you.

The Angel Company

a short break

2011-08-18T14:15:00.001-05:00

I have had a short break before starting on my next project and it has gone by so quickly. I used my time to work on a couple personal projects. I prepared a book dummy for an up coming conference where I will have a one-on-one with an editor and worked on this piece as well for a workshop during that same conference.

I tried a new perspective and a little different palette than I typically use. It was tough...I redid this piece 4 times. It was a challenge but I learned from it so it was worth the effort.

What a gift...

2011-08-15T11:53:00.003-05:00

Over the weekend I received the most wonderful hand made card and letter from a consultant and card designer for the Angel Company, Kerry Urbatch. The card is absolutely gorgeous and I am so touched that she would give me such a precious gift! Thank you again, Kerry!

She shared a very touching story about how my Brandy and Emma rubber stamp designs brought back a sweet but sad memory from her past childhood. I will share(with her permission) just a short part of this sweet story...

"Brandy & Emma brought me back to a day that was very difficult, a day a young child shouldn't have the opportunity of having. It was the day I said goodbye to my best pal in the world. To give her to another family and move on with my own. I remember the long drive down the gravel road to her new farm in the country. I remember holding her neck and crying the whole way. I begged my dad to keep her but it wasn't allowed. The military was moving our family and she had to be left behind. He searched for her perfect home but to me it was not.

Before leaving that day, she looked at me--the same look and unspoken words displayed in my card. She let me know "It's ok. I'll be fine!"...

Kerry shared that the art gave her "a comfort and a long time forgotten reassurance that things would be ok."

This story touched my heart in a big way because we adopted our sweet Brandy, who was the inspiration for this stamp design, from a military family and she ended up being the best dog in the world for almost 15 years.

As an artist...to bring forth such wonderful feelings and emotions with my art is the absolute best thing in the world. That's the reason I create art. I am humbled and I am so very blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love for a living. Thank you, God!

The advance copy of my book came!

2011-08-04T15:17:00.001-05:00

Even though it's not due out until Oct. 1st, I just received an advance copy of my book, My Big Book of Prayers and I could not be happier with the results!

It's is a heavy board book with a padded cover. The designer, Katie Jennings, did a fabulous job and the printing is spot on for the color! Really perfect!! I love my scanner! It scans my art beautifully and enables me to produce high quality scans that I can then work on digitally and feel really confident of the quality that will reproduce once printed. One of the better investments I've made.

NOTE: I was so excited about the book that I made a huge oversight...I know I called this my book...shame on me...the writer of this book is the wonderful Michelle Medlock Adams.
I am the illustrator of this book, not the writer....still working on that! ;)

working on a new book dummy...

2011-08-02T17:28:00.000-05:00

For the first time in a year and a half, I'm finally getting a moment to work on some personal projects. I'd like to introduce, Lola...she has been sitting in my flat files for years just waiting to come out and play!

It's TOO hot!!!!! Enough already!

2011-07-28T18:43:00.000-05:00

We have been in the middle of a heat wave for much too long in Missouri!! I am SO ready for a nice cool breeze! This is a sketch from my sketchbook...I guess I've been dreaming of a nice cool breeze...wouldn't that be wonderful?! It is 6:45 p.m. and 100 degrees! Yuck!! I feel so badley for those who have to work outside in this! I am very blessed to get to work indoors in the AC!

Hey! I think I hear the faint noise of thunder in the distance! Maybe there is relief in sight! :)

More wonderful cards using my stamp designs

2011-07-23T16:59:00.000-05:00

Here are some more wonderful card designs created by the talented Kerry Urbatch. She wrote the most touching post about some of my new licensed stamp designs that I created for the Angel Company.

I am so thrilled that my illustrations are being enjoyed and used by these wonderfully talented and creative folks. It is an honor to have my stamp designs being used in such wonderful ways. This is exactly why artists do what they do...to hopefully evoke some emotion with their art and to bring joy somehow.

The lovely top card was featured in the Angel Company catalog but I also love the black and white card with it's clean, classic design! Thanks Kerry, for making my Brandy and Emma look so good! :)

Our book is now available as an ebook!!

2011-07-20T17:30:00.000-05:00

My husband and I recently got the rights back from a book we did together back in 2006 that has gone out of print. It's now available at Barnes and Noble as an ebook. Check it out!

Sorry for all the cross posting on facebook and twitter but as you can tell, I'm pretty stoked about it. :O)

What a great mail week!

2011-07-15T14:12:00.001-05:00

I always look forward to the mail every day but this week has been especially fun! I know I've blogged about this already but just wanted to share again because it's so much fun to see all our hard work as artists finally come to fruition.

As illustrators, we often have to wait for months and sometimes years to finally see the final product come about. So when that big box of books comes or that magazine arrives in the mail, it always feels like Christmas!

This week the mail brought a few copies of the Ideal's Publications(a Guidepost imprint) catalog where my illustration from a book I did for them was featured on the cover. What an honor! I also received the catalog and rubber stamps I designed for the Angel Company as well.

Working on both projects were a true blessing! I LOVE my job! :O)

Illustration Friday - Stay

2011-07-13T10:39:00.000-05:00

Brandy, the dog taught Emma how to "stay". This is one of my new licensed images for rubber stamps. For more info read this post.

Christmas in July...for the rubber stampers out there

2011-07-12T11:45:00.001-05:00

When I originally created this illustration, I had no idea it would eventually become a rubber stamp design but thanks to The Angel Company, it is! :) This is the original watercolor painting but you can now get the stamp and color it however your heart desires!

To order just click on this link and enter your zip code for the angel
rep nearest you.

A cover...yay!!

2011-07-10T12:59:00.000-05:00

A friend alerted me to the fact that my art is featured on the cover of the Fall 2011 Ideals Publications Catalog. It is a piece of art from a book I did which is shown on page 11 of the catalog .

I haven't gotten the actual printed catalog but here is the online version.

A big thank you to Paige Keiser for sharing this client's info with me! They were a dream to work for! :)

More Stamp news!

2011-07-06T11:27:00.000-05:00

I hope you all don't tire of me sharing my excitement over my new licensed stamp sets with The Angel Company! Here are some of the pages from their newest catalog.

If you would like to purchase any of these just find an Angel nearest you at this link and then insert your zip code.

Another cute card using my "Brandy and Emma" stamp design!

2011-06-27T21:15:00.000-05:00

I just found this wonderful card designer who used another one of my new stamp designs featured in The Angel Company's new catalog. She blogged about the new stamp sets here .

It's so much fun to see how people use them to create wonderful cards!

To purchase the new rubber stamps contact and angel nearest you!

Illustration Friday - "Midsummer Night"

2011-06-24T11:15:00.000-05:00

For Illustration Friday - "Midsummer Night" from a book I illustrated due out in October.

Brandy lives on in stamps :)

2011-06-22T14:39:00.000-05:00

I already posted about this earlier but I just found this cute card created with my stamp design by this talented Angel Company consultant. The Angel Company catalogs start shipping today!

My beloved dog Brandy lives on in stamp designs! Brandy is featured in several other sets along with her sidekick Emma, modeled after my daughter Emily.

If interested in purchasing be sure to contact an angel nearest you! :)

Summer Solstice

2011-06-21T12:41:00.002-05:00

Happy Summer to everyone! My sweet sister brought me this bouquet last night. I LOVE hydrangeas so much!!!

Ok, back to sketching! I'll post something soon...just can't share at the moment. :)

Packaging is key...keylime ;)

2011-06-15T14:40:00.001-05:00

I just love the way Piperlime packs their items with such great attention to detail... I ordered some sandals. Free shipping and returns to boot so their is no risk to order online! Just how cute is this?

Of course I also love everything having to do with lime! The color, the fruit and key lime pie, too! :)

Here are the sandals...but don't laugh at my ugly feet! Artists can't really afford pedicures!! ;)

Ok, back to sketching my next picture book for tiger tales!

Designing rubber stamps

2011-06-04T21:39:00.000-05:00

I have been designing rubber stamps for The Angel Company for a few years now but I am super excited about some new sets that will be coming out in their new catalog in late June. Many of the stamp designs were inspired by my beloved pet, Brandy. Here is a sneak peek from a guest card designer.

Here is the original painting of this design that I did several years ago.

Asleep - Illustration Friday

2011-05-27T10:10:00.001-05:00

This week's Illustration Friday's topic is "Asleep". This is art from an upcoming book to be published in Sept. titled My Big Book of Prayers.

Christmas in May

2011-05-14T16:04:00.003-05:00

Here's another peek of the picture book I am working on at the moment. Listening to Christmas music on Pandora as I paint to get into the zone.

Wet-in-wet watercolor technique

2011-05-03T16:22:00.000-05:00

I have been doing a lot of wet-in-wet watercolor technique on the new book I'm painting. It's a big challenge but fun. There are moments I feel totally out of control but it's also exhilarating to not know what the outcome will be. Talk about letting go! Which is completely new for me but I am really enjoying it.

painting...

2011-04-27T12:08:00.000-05:00

I am painting away on a new project. I will reveal more in late June...but let's just say I am listening to Christmas music while working on it. Here's a sneak peek.

Messy studio and sleeping studio companion included. ;)

Shhh! Spring is here!

2011-04-13T20:52:00.002-05:00

Shhh! Spring is here! Maybe, if we don't say it out loud, Spring will stay! It has been a LONG Winter and it seems at least for the moment that warm weather is here at last! Here are a few photos I took in my yard, today.

Quentin Blake - The power of illustration

2011-04-06T14:01:00.000-05:00

Junkin' treasures

2011-03-22T14:51:00.002-05:00

I love watching American Pickers on the History Channel and even though I am not a "junker"...that's what we call them in our family...my sister and brother-in-law are the best junkers I know! I am lucky cuz all I have to do is give them my wish list and they go on the hunt!

Here are just a few of the recent treasures they have gotten for me. Thanks Jan and Pat!!! :)

A wonderful Corona typewriter that still works! The case is the to the left with my hubby's old slinky from the fifties. A 1959 Highlight's Magazine and a great book, Art for Children...I found those two gems. :)

A very cool small portable Corona typewriter and a couple old fans.

This is what I woke up to on March 14th!

2011-03-14T10:04:00.001-05:00

And it's started snowing like crazy again since this picture! It's a white out at the moment outside my studio window.
What is even crazier than this? It's supposed to be up to 70 by Thursday! That's the best part of Spring snows...they don't stick around very long.

painting...painting...painting

2011-03-03T16:19:00.000-06:00

Working away...here's what's on my desk.

Illustration Friday - Layers

2011-02-22T10:01:00.001-06:00

Here's a small cropping of a piece I did for the Tomie dePaola Illustration contest that SCBWI had recently. The illustration was for the opening of Johanna Spyri’s wonderful book Heidi.

I thought it was appropriate for Illustration Friday's "layers".

Note- I just realized I had two versions of this illo that I worked on so I added another version where Heidi's clothes are bigger and the shoes a bit clunkier as well as a few other changes.

Not sure which one I like better?

What's on my desk?

2011-02-10T13:00:00.000-06:00

I'm working on a sweet board book project at the moment. I can't give many more details until it comes out but I'll give you a peek. You will see a little color study above the painting that I did digitally. I find it really helps me to do that before just jumping into a painting. That way, I can work out all the color issues ahead of time.

working...

2011-01-31T13:35:00.000-06:00

It's been way too long since my last post because I have been working feverishly on a board book project along with other assignments as well. I am having lots of fun but I haven't had time to post so here is a little peek. Lot's of toddlers in this book.

Too much trust?

2011-01-15T13:16:00.000-06:00

Here is Brad hard at work in his office chair.
Here's Cassie...too trusting? Good thing we always look down to see where she is before moving an inch.

Magazine art

2011-01-03T16:30:00.000-06:00

I recently did an illustration for Jack and Jill magazine, the Jan/Feb 2011 issue. They do a fun contest called Pen in Hand where they choose one of their young subscribers whose story was chosen to be illustrated and featured in their magazine. Here is Tiny Tom's Courageous Adventure.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T13:14:00.000-06:00

I don't usually do resolutions for the new year but I am going to try to sketch more this year in my sketch books. My sweet daughter got me not one but two sketchbooks for Christmas to try and motivate me.

Happy New Year to all my blogging friends!

Don't Write the Obit For Picture Books Yet

2010-12-17T11:53:00.000-06:00

Don't Write the Obit For Picture Books Yet

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-06T17:43:00.000-06:00

Cassie's ready for the hoildays!

2010-12-01T17:21:00.000-06:00

sketching

2010-11-23T18:46:00.002-06:00

Piggy doodle

2010-11-05T11:03:00.000-05:00

A piggy doodle for you...he's greeting someone, just don't know who as of yet.

Tomatoes in October and bookshelves

2010-10-29T10:49:00.000-05:00

It's been a gorgeous October in Missouri this year! The trees are really just beginning to change. We just had our first deep frost this a.m., Oct 29th so we recently picked all the remaining tomatoes. They have continued to ripen and it looks like we'll still have tomatoes through November! Here are a few in my studio window.

I have a little break before starting another project so I have been cleaning and organizing my studio. I finally recycled two old Macs, two old printers, an old scanner, etc. Best Buy has a great program. You can take three items per customer, per day. I also got my new bookshelves and I actually have room to spare!!!! I'm in heaven!!

My studio mate, Cassie has finally found her bed in the studio. Up until it got cooler she has always been at my feet but I think she likes the warm sun that shines in on her bed.

Something about Fall makes me want to organize, clean and start fresh. The interior of the house has all been repainted and updated, the studio is organized and somewhat clean so now it's time to start working on a couple personal projects that have been sitting in the flat files forever. Let's see how much longer I procrastinate...

Babies, babies and more babies

2010-10-05T08:26:00.001-05:00

I've been working on adding some babies, toddlers and young children to my portfolio. They are so much fun to draw! Here are a few character sketches.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum

2010-09-15T12:00:00.003-05:00

Along with so many people, I grew up loving the Little House books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Recently, we finally went to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri where the Little House Books were all written. We've driven by the exit so many times before but never took the time to stop in.

What a treasure to behold!! There were actually two of Laura's homes there. One was the farm house and another was a gorgeous stone cottage that Laura's daughter, Rose had built for them in the early 1930's where the first five Little House books were written. The last 4 books were written after Almonzo and Laura moved back to the farm house. All of the manuscripts were written with pencil on 10 cent tablets. They have all the original manuscripts at this museum along with Pa's actual fiddle! Truly amazing!!

These photos are screen shots on my Mac which are not of great quality but at least you get the idea. I forgot my camera that trip and all I had was our flip movie camera. There were no photos allowed inside the two homes so if you want to see the amazing items like Pa's fiddle, etc. you have to go visit this wonderful museum.

Look what arrived inthe mail?!

2010-09-10T15:23:00.000-05:00

I received my copies of My Two Holidays yesterday from Scholastic/Cartwheel so it's now available online for purchase and as soon as the bookstores start carrying the holiday stuff you should see it bookstores as well.

It feels like Fall!

2010-09-03T13:24:00.000-05:00

It feels like Fall today! In the seventies with low humidity and it was actually chilly this morning! It feels like heaven!!! Here's another practice piece to celebrate Fall.

Back from the woods...

2010-09-01T18:16:00.000-05:00

I just returned from visiting my brother and his wonderful family at their fabulous cabin in the woods. While there my hubby was fishing and I was happily relaxing, reading and painting. Here's what I came up with for my Fall mailer. I have been wanting to do more books with animals so I figure I'd better start sending more mailers out with critters on them.

what's on my new desk

2010-08-17T18:53:00.000-05:00

I finally got my new art desk stained that my sweet hubby got me for Christmas! Even though I don't have the top drawing board at an angle for this particular painting, it is very cool that I have the option to paint at a slant if needed. Saves the back and neck, for sure!

Here is a photo of my studio mate, Cassie who is settling in VERY well here. We adore her!!

Also, a shot of what I'm working on...on my desk...very fun project! Love those!

Little fella

2010-08-13T17:47:00.000-05:00

I don't know why but this little fella spoke to me as I drew him for a project I've been working on...what did he say? You tell me. ;o)

It's so hot!

2010-08-09T10:24:00.000-05:00

It's been too long since my last post. I've been very busy with work again. I am in the middle of several projects that I cannot share but I thought I'd re-post an old painting from awhile back.

The ice cream man brings back fond memories of childhood past and hot summer days. I called the weather line last night at 11:30 p.m. and it was 87 degrees and 87 percent humidity! Brutally hot and miserable but fairly typical for August in Missouri.

Looking so forward to cooler days in September.

You can pre-order now!

2010-07-22T11:18:00.000-05:00

A book I illustrated is due out in September 2010 but it's available for pre-order now. Check it out! :o)

Illustration Friday - Breakfast

2010-07-16T10:56:00.000-05:00

A quick painting

2010-07-08T11:16:00.000-05:00

OOOPS!

2010-07-01T15:49:00.000-05:00

I realized last night that I forgot Mr. Fox's tail! Ooops! Yes, it could've been hiding under the water but then I thought...hmmm...Mr. Fox wouldn't want the fish mistaking his tail for a lure! So thanks to Photoshop Mr. Fox now has a tail! ;o) To see the before just look at the post below.

Summer promo art

2010-06-30T17:37:00.000-05:00

OK, folks...drumroll....here it is. My art for my Summer promo. Now, gotta get busy getting 'em printed up and sent out before Summer is over!

HAPPY SUMMER folks and happy 4th, too!

Opinions needed from my illustrator friends

2010-06-21T10:51:00.000-05:00

Although I am really busy with work right now(yay!), I still need to come up with a piece for my summer mailer. Gotta keep up the promotion to keep that work coming in! I desperately want to start doing more animals in my work. Don't get me wrong...I love doing children, too but I have a great love for all animals and I LOVE those wonderful books I see at the bookstore with animals as their main characters...so...I need to have more animals in my portfolio.

If you haven't noticed by now, I have an obsession with doggies so that's one of my favorite things to draw. Here is a piece I did with a book idea simmering in my head. Is this piece something that would entice editors and art directors?

Cassie and an update on Annie

2010-06-13T18:22:00.003-05:00

Still trying to find a "new normal" these days. Life has been such a whirlwind of stress in the past 6 months that I feel as though I have been on spin cycle. I am busy working and trying to get caught up. It is good to be busy making art. I am so blessed and God is good so I know there will be much joy again. I just need to breath.

Speaking of joy, here are a few pictures of our new family member, Cassie. She has brought us so much love and joy in these past weeks when we so desperately needed it!

I was looking at Cassie about a week ago and I noticed that on both of her shoulders she has some lighter hair starting to grow in.(her withers) They are shaped exactly like wings and it occurred to me that Cassie is an angel given to us just when we needed her. Look and see if you can see what I'm talking about in a couple of these photos. It was so hard to get her to sit still when I was above her trying to take a shot of both shoulders but here she is to the side.

And now an update on Annie(her new name is Abby).

..."Annie is now Abby or as we call her AB normal from the movie Young Frankenstein. She is totally living up to her new name.......she is trying to become normal as fast as she can. She no longer wants anything to do with her crate. We came home from picking up Bill at the airport and we could hear her barking from the garage. When we opened the door she threw herself up in the air and barked. Then she flipped herself around and went into a play bow. When we let the dogs outside the 3 Goldens run up to the corner of the lot looking for the neighbor dog Tommy. She is by no means anyway near a normal Golden but she is well on her way. She recovers quickly when she is frightened which is amazing for a dog with a background like hers. It is with great joy that I can tell you we are starting to see a dog."

Here are a couple photos of Annie on her pink bed with her new buddies. The gray jacket she has on is a thundershirt. It helps dogs that are noise reactive. (i.e. during thunderstorms, etc.)

Let me just take this opportunity to thank the wonderful folks with http://www.goldenrecovery.org They have truly been a God-send!! If you are anywhere near the midwest and want a golden retriever, please check out this wonderful group!!

NOTE! I've had some people wondering if all those dogs were mine...no, they are at the rescue expert's home where Annie went to get the help she needs. The rescue expert, Jacki, has a couple extra foster dogs right now. She is such an angel for helping/saving so many dogs! Thank you, Jacki!! And thank you to all the foster families who help rescues around the country!!

Goodbye for now...

2010-05-28T10:40:00.000-05:00

My precious mother-in-law, Barbara went home to Jesus last night. She was truly the strongest woman of faith I have ever known. Her 81 years on this earth truly made it a much more wonderful place. I never heard her utter one negative word or complaint throughout her entire illness.

Barbara was such a humble servant of the Lord. Her favorite phrase was: "It’s not the bush, but God in the bush, and any old bush will do!" She must have told us at least a thousand times (at least 200 times over the past 5 months) that her faith, hope and love comes from Christ in her. That anything we do for Him and for others is Christ in us. This is an extension of her favorite verse - Phil 2:13 and also Galatians 2:20.

Here is a photo of her on New Year's Day with her grandson, Nathan, just a few days before her diagnosis of liver cancer. Cancer is such an evil thief in this world. Please pray for her husband of 60 years in June as well as the entire family.

Update on Annie and introducing my new studio mate

2010-05-25T12:00:00.000-05:00

As hard as it is for me to post this update on Annie, I felt it was necessary to share with all of you who have been following the Annie saga. Here is the original photo I first saw of Annie at the pound.

After 2 and a half months of living and loving and working with the beautiful Annie; her fear and anxiety didn't improve...it only got worse. She was having constant episodes of anxiety related diarrhea because of me working with her. The only time she was ok, was when she was sleeping in her crate all day and night. Obviously, that is not a thriving and healthy dog's life and it was killing me that I couldn't help her. This was so hard for me to accept and I felt like such a failure. Annie needed to be with other dogs to help her come out of this very deep rooted anxiety and mistrust she had for humans and to learn to be a dog. Unfortunately, because of my recent family's health issues and some other stresses, we just could not take on a second dog at this time in our lives.

Just to make me feel better, I thought I'd share some of the positives we were able to give Annie:

* she put on about 20 lbs while she was here(she was skin and bones when we brought her home)
* we were able to get her healthy. She had worms and had to be on several meds.
* She was easily crate trained
* Potty training was a challenge but she did well eventually

I was working with the golden retriever rescue experts throughout this entire journey and bless them, two days ago they were able to take Annie in on a live-in basis to work with her one on one. Just after one day, there was already some improvement especially being around several other dogs. They were only able to take Annie if I would be able to help them and foster another stray golden that had been in their care for the past 2 and a half weeks. So now enters...Cassie.

The only issues Cassie has is that she is very overweight, with a mild hip displasia which has only shown up because her extreme weight. In these pics, she doesn't look fat but trust me...she is a very round waddler and her little legs are having a hard time holding her up so we have her on a diet and excercise routine.

Cassie is the polar opposite of Annie regarding affection, in that she is like velcro...and wants to be as close to us as possible at all times. She is a lover and after only being in the wonderful rescue trainer's care for 2 and a half weeks, is crate trained, housebroken and is doing very well with her obedience training. She is 2 years old and extremely active and full of energy.

Needless to say...we are loving every minute of her being here! Even though we are only fostering at this point...we are already smitten and it would take a team of horses to take her away from Brad. :o).

Cassie looks so much like my old Brandy girl when she was young. More on the Cassie saga soon.

Dreaming of Summer

2010-05-18T16:32:00.001-05:00

I've been gone for too long again but it's only because I'm so busy and life is so crazy right now but it's very good to be busy with work so I'm not complaining.

I thought I'd post a little painting experiment I did in honor of my sweet daughter Emily when she was little. She loved all things creepy and crawly--i.e., frogs, lizards and bugs. It's kind of my fault. When she was really tiny, she was very frightened of creepy crawlers(especially bugs) so I tried to make them less scary and maybe I went a bit overboard. I remember when she was two, I found her just about to pick up a big hairy spider so she could pet it! That's when I realized I needed to do a bit more explaining which ones to touch and which ones not to. Yikes!

Here's to you my sweet daughter who's now 23 and still loves nature. :o)

on my desk...

2010-04-30T11:10:00.000-05:00

Life has been SO crazy since the new year began that I have not been able to post about the WONDERFUL gift that my sweet hubby gave me for Christmas 2009! I have coveted my brother-in-law's antique desk for many years and searched high and low to try and find one like it to no avail...until...I saw this desk that is very similar at Hann Manufacturing. It is actually a drafting teacher's desk but it works perfectly for my traditional watercolor painting. It even has a door on the side to store drawing boards! How cool is that?!!

I have the sweetest and most supportive husband in the world! Thank you Brad!!! I love you!!!

We ordered it unfinished so we can stain it the color we choose...that is when I can finally find time to do it!