Happy New Year!

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

Don't Write the Obit For Picture Books Yet

Merry Christmas!

Cassie's ready for the hoildays!

sketching

Piggy doodle

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

Tomatoes in October and bookshelves

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

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

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?!

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!

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...

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

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

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!

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!

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

A quick painting

OOOPS!

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

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!