Tuesday Zoo!

I'm pleased to announce the opening of the artist challenge blog, Tuesday Zoo!  It's two illustrators going head to head on a weekly challenge- one illustrator being yours truly, the other being the most talented illustrator Robin Kaplan ( www.robinillustration.com ).  

Every Tuesday, we will each illustrate an interpretation of that week's 'odd, weird, fantastic and occasionally made up creature'.  Have a look here! 

This Tuesday- An emergency clockwork mouse!

SCBWI WWA Illustration Exhibition

Tremendous news!  This piece has been accepted into the SCBWI WWA Illustration Exhibtion!  It will be on display at the Seattle Convention Center from October to January.

I'm so excited I could burst!

New Print on Etsy!

New print up on Etsy folks!  The Education print is 24"x18", limited edition and depicts construction classes in the owl world.  The teacher has his work cut out for him- pay attention little owls!

Have a look!

Art Show Preview: Splish-Splash

So a bit back, I was invited to contribute a piece of art for Apocalypse Tattoo's Beer Coaster Art Show.  It's being held to raise funds for the Precious Life Animal Sanctuary, so I jumped at the chance.  The beer coaster part is referring to the size you're supposed to be working at- roughly less than four inches square!  It was a bit of an 'what on earth do I do for this??' moment to be sure!

So I went with an awful/cute type of painting- seemed appropriate for a show sponsored by Apocalypse Tattoo!

The preparatory linework- painting on this small a scale is difficult, you really have to pare down the detail so that you don't have to squint to figure out what's going on.

Chaos and Yarn

Cat: 1, Just-finished-handknit-sweater: 0.  Probably every cat-owning knitter's worst nightmare!

Tumblr roundup

Since my tumblr is fairly new, I thought I'd gather up some of the watercolor sketches that I've been posting there.  I originally started with the thought that even though 'the internet is made of cats' I've never actually ever posted any drawings of them before!  Then it began to snowball fairly thoroughly, as you can see.

Turns out, they're pretty fun to draw!

Out and About at the SCBWI conference

Last weekend was a time of busily running around doing my best to look professional and fantastic-  it was time for the yearly Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference (Western Washington edition).  For those of you looking to get into doing children's books, you'll want to check out their website (here!) or head to one of their conferences.

SCBWI conferences host a ton of learning opportunities, including the chance to talk with professionals in the industry.  This piece of art was created specifically for the conference; I was lucky enough to be able to sign up for an illustration class taught by Patti Ann Harris, who is an extremely nice Senior Art Director at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.  You might have heard of that publishing company!

Part of the class was to have a critique of the art at while it was a sketch and then take the comments into account when creating the final art.  So next post, I'll show you the process of creating this particular painting- stay tuned!

Illustration Friday- Talent

True Bremen Talent!  Also testing out a new way of doing things for Illustration Friday- ink and watercolor sketchbook illustrations.  Because as much as I favor my usual method of using gouache and acrylic, it's a little hard to paint with those on the go.

And I'm back!

Well, I've slithered out from underneath the pile of mail that's piled up from the holidays- is it just me or does more mail show up during the holiday weeks than most months combined?

I've got some recently unveiled work for you guys- 2012's holiday card for the Textura corporation.  This would be the fourth holiday card I've done for them, gosh.  This year I was handed the concept of 'education in construction' and asked to take that someplace interesting and vaguely wintery.  And so, owls.

Happy Holidays! (Illustration Friday- Snow)

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Aritst's note: Well, this is me signing out for the holidays on account of work and festivities barreling down on me at double speed.  See you in the new year everyone!  Also, if you were looking for links to just released projects, the Needles and Artifice knitting book link is here and the 3 Red Birds children's book series app link is here.

3 Red Birds!

I'm pleased as punch to announce that the children's book series 3 Red Birds, published by Byrne Publishing LLC has been released to the app store!  It's a series of four books (all contained in one app!) entirely illustrated by yours truly, featuring three of the most mischievous cardinals red birds around.  Each ten page book takes place in a different season, with the series beginning in Spring.

There are also a ton of extra features!  Would you like to have the books read to you by a kid narrator?  That's an option!  Would you like to see each of the illustrations go from line drawings to full color paintings?  We have that!  Would you like a behind-the-scenes tour of how I paint?  Done!  Would you like to color the illustrations in yourself?  Play a matching game based on the book?  Have the book in Spanish?  Yes, that's all there too!

If you'd like to see for yourself, please check it out here!

Illustration Friday- Freeze

"Don't you think the down jacket is kind of overkill?"

"NO."

Father's Day

Thanks for being you, Dad.  Happy Father's Day!


Published a mite late because while Mum chooses not to get involved with the internet much at all, the same cannot be said for Dad- and I did try to keep this gift as a surprise!

Kickstarter Reveal!

Today's the day the artwork I did for Chocolate Chips & Rocket Ships shall be revealed!  (And if you're wondering what that is, go here for the explanation!).

To read the wonderful poem "T" by John O'Marra, which this illustration is about, check out the Kickstarter page!

Illustration Friday- Hurry!

Well, he is always late!

Also- if you haven't checked out the Kickstarter page for Chocolate Chips & Rocket Ships, take a look!  99 1/2 great poems illustrated by 100 different artists (one of those being yours truly)- there's 28 days to go!

Illustration Friday- Swamp

Terrible puns can be found anywhere. Even in swamps.

Illustration Friday- Shades

A little doodle for Illustration Friday while taking a break from the latest illustration project, which requires figuring out how to draw picking a victorian rim lock with a crochet hook. The life of an illustrator is never dull!

Happy Valentines Day!

Illustration Friday- Prepare

Midnight snacks during hibernation require a lot of planning!

Illustration Friday- Grounded

You'd think, what with the lack of visible eyes, that moles would have the perfect poker face.