Great tips for getting published in Children's Illustration

For those who want to get started in Children's publishing as an illustrator or even those who are already working in kid's publishing; check out this wonderfully informative post by Paige Keiser. Thanks Paige for all you do for illustrators on your blog!!

Helen Craig: Book illustrator

Highlight's Illustrators Party 2009

Here are some of the "Highlights" to the 2009 Highlight's Illustrators Party! As you can see...fun was had by all!

My sweet Brandy girl

It will be a year in October since we had to let our sweet Brandy girl. I still miss her so. Here she is just a couple years ago by my favorite tree in the front yard.

Highlight's Illustrator's Party 2009

Honesdale, PA...here we come!! I know I've posted this one before but it seemed appropriate. :o) I'm looking forward to seeing my illustrator friends again this year at the 2009 Highlights Illustrator's Party. What a great group of people!

Happy first day of Autumn!

Helen Oxenbury

Helen Oxenbury has always been a favorite of mine. Thanks to Alicia Padrón for sharing this video!

The fabulous Quentin Blake!

Here is a wonderful new video by one of my favorites, Quentin Blake! Thanks to Anette Heiberg for this fabulous link !

Fall is in the air

Sorry for my long absence on my blog. I have been working on my writing and have been neglecting the drawing side.

Fall is just around the corner which is my favorite time of the year! I love the cooler nights and the lower humidity this time of year in the midwest. A few of the trees are just starting to get tipped with warm hues of oranges and reds.

Here are a few of the leaves I picked up last Fall.

Illustration Friday - Wrapped

Here's the traditional version of the post below. It is also my IF post for the week.
Grace's kitty had her wrapped around her little finger. Kitty could do no wrong in her eyes.

color study

Here is my digital color study and although it's in final form I am still going to try a traditional version so stay tuned. Here's the original sketch. It's funny, with all the cats I have been drawing lately you'd think I was a cat person but actually I am a dog person. My hubby's allergy to cats is most likey a big reason for that. Don't get me wrong...I love kitties, it's just I am a MAJOR dog-lover!

Another observation I made regarding the chair pattern. I love plaids and polka dots and I realize this pattern may look a bit too traditional or out of style with the current trends but it reminds me of a well loved and worn-in grandpa's chair so I kept the pattern.

a little peek

I have been busy working on a new magazine piece but it won't be published until November so in the mean time all I can show is a little peek. I'll be painting some of my recent sketches soon so check back.

GoD And DoG by WJ Francisco

A friend sent this to me....I LOVE, love it and had to share with you all.

first try...

OK, here's my first try. I will eventually try one with the boy, too. That is if I find time before the fall mailers need to go out. I have been keeping busy with some work...yay! That is a very good thing considering what a dismal year it's been in the industry. So, once I get my magazine illo. painted, I'll get back to trying another painting. But for now, here is the first try.

A Fall sketch

I know it's a bit early for Fall but I am working on images for my next mailer. I need to decide wether to leave the boy in the background. My hubby thinks it would make a more dynamic piece if I left him out. What do you all think?

JK Wedding Entrance Dance

What a fun way to start a marriage!

another sketch

Here is another sketch...I am working on some Fall images for my next mailer so you will see that theme in the next couple sketches.

a new sketch

While on vacation last week I had a little time for sketching just for fun. Here is one of them. I'll post more soon.

We're back!!

We're back from a fabulous vacation. Here are just a couple of the many photos I took of the Big Sur coastline in California. Some of the most beautiful country I've seen in my life!

Joyride in color

I practiced on Strathmore bristol board and then did it on watercolor paper, Winsor & Newton Hot Press which has a little more tooth to it than most hot press. I like things about both of them. What do you all think?