Whispering Pines Writer's Retreat

Edit:  I thought I posted this a few months ago! Whoops! I'm posting now because I really did have such a fabulous time!

A couple weekends ago, I went to the NESCBWI Whispering Pines Writer's Retreat. (I actually got married at Whispering Pines, --remember?-- so it was funny/nostalgic/ironic to be there, not only without G, but also as my first time away overnight from my little kiddo. I survived!)

If you're into writing for kids, I highly recommend this workshop. Such a great group of really talented people, and put together with such care. I was kind of horrible about taking photos, so I won't do a whole recap. Don't worry, lots of other people did! However, I got the above shot of a doe and her fawn after they'd safely made it across the frozen lake... It was gorgeous there.

Huge thanks to Mary and Linda for organizing and being such fabulous hosts! I'm already looking forward to next year.

Art Licensing Show is Here!

Exciting news: ArtLicensingShow.com is all set to open its virtual doors today at 2pm EST 6pm GMT!

For those who don't know, ArtLicensingShow.com is

a virtual portal where artwork can be reviewed privately by Art Directors who are looking to commercially license artwork. Authorized Art Directors may request to see art from a wide assortment of participating Artists and Licensors and highlight favorite art pieces, all with a single login.

All the product and images of a licensing show, but from the comfort of your desk! Fun, right? I'm so excited to be a part of it.

Check out the grand opening here! And if you're a member, or you've signed up as an Art Director, you can check out my work here. I'd love to connect with you!

New Design Work: Salted Slate

Over the summer, I got to work with the lovely Nicole and Ben to create the branding and website for their new restaurant The Salted Slate. And I am so pleased with how it turned out.

If you are ever in Providence, RI, you must pay them a visit. It's such a cozy and welcoming space. Aaand so much delicious over there! I basically drooled through the whole project.

Thank you to the talented Sage Brousseau for the photos!

Sale at Society6 Shop!

I recently revamped my Society6 shop with new photographic patterns and perfect timing because they're having a sale right now! (Unfortunately, it excludes frame prints, rugs and canvases. Just FYI.)

This work is a whole new world for me-- one that's been really fun to explore. They're available as prints and cards, but also a variety of other products-- including shower curtains and duvet covers!

Free shipping and $5 off, until midnight Pacific Time November 9th, with this link right here.

Collages for Minted and Domino

I submitted the two collage pieces above for the latest Minted and Domino Magazine collaboration. I'd love your votes if you're so inclined. (You can click on the images to "rate" them.) Its been fun getting back into collage. --I used to do a lot of it. Since taking the Lilla Rogers class and then being selected for the Minted/West Elm challenge, I've been exploring the market of Wall Art. And for me that's meant mixed media pieces. (Right now I'm working on a series for the teen/preteen market.) I have a collection of vintage paper that I've been playing with, but for these two I decided to use catalogs. I love the idea of turning something that would get tossed, into a piece you'd hold on to.

It's....ALIVE!

So I've been keeping this quiet until it was official, but the papers are signed, and I can't believe it but: I HAVE A BOOK DEAL. (Yes, those caps mean I'm screaming at you.)

I'm very proud to announce that Jabari Jumps!, written and illustrated by your's truly, will be published by Candlewick Press and coming to you in time for Father's Day 2017.

(I'm having a hard time writing a super heartfelt post about how much this all means to me. So I'm going the animated gif route instead:)

I am so excited. And nervous. Giddy. I have been working towards this for a long time and am so happy the stars aligned and matched Candlewick and my little book up together. It is such a good fit. And wow, I will be in good company. WOW. I can't even...

The manuscript edits are finished and soon dummy illustration edits will begin. And then, I'll get to illustrate a book.

A BOOK. Guys:

Anyways, I can't wait for you to meet Jabari, his baby sister and his dad.  But in the meantime, I'll of course keep you updated on how its all going.

YAY!

Ok let's wrap this up with Prince:

Ha, ha.

(AAAAAAAH!)

Reindeer Print in your living room!

 

I thought it would be fun to pick out a few pieces for your living room to go with my Reindeer in Color print. Wouldn't these look nice together? They're all from West Elm and right now quite a few of them are on sale, so hop to it!

• Reindeer in Color print
• Metallic Chevron Pillow Cover
• Montgomery Sofa
• Gates Lacquer Side Table
• Kasuri Wool Dhurrie Rug
• Broken Stripe Pillow Cover 
• Ceramic Animal Planters
• Reactive Bronze Vase

I'm seriously eyeing that chevron pillow for myself...

Print for West Elm!

It's here! YAY my print is for sale on West Elm! Now called "Reindeer in Color" it is available framed for $149. I am over the moon. YAY--again.

Yep, I just had to take a screenshot of it on the site. Do you see it? Sure is in good company... Click here to see it.

Print for Minted!

Elk On The Ridge is available for sale through Minted.com!

It comes in all different sizes and with a variety of frames. And you can choose the standard art paper, or the super deluxe archival, museum quality rag paper --fancy! I love that its going to be hanging up in people's homes... You can get your's here.

Like I mentioned earlier, this print will also be available through West Elm! Woo hoo!

Print for West Elm!

I have some exciting news: my collaged pen and ink piece, Elk On The Ridge, was selected to be sold at West Elm through Minted.com.  West Elm is one of my favorite stores. --Ever since Vanessa Holden took over as Creative Director in 2011 they've been killing it. So I'm am thrilled to be selling a print with them! It should be available any day now-- I'll let you know when! [Edit: It's now available here.] The above piece is actually part of a series I've been doing for a while now of animal portraits over collaged pieces of vintage paper. I started doing them just for myself and they've been really fun to do:

In this series, I've combined my love of animals and vintage paper. The pieces of paper were carefully chosen mostly from discarded children's encyclopedias. Its been a joy matching that perfect bit of color and shape with the right animal.

Would people be interested in seeing more? I'm toying with the idea of selling the others as well...

PS. The Every Girl has a great interview with Vanessa here if you're interested.

Time for Oscar Cookies!

It's that time of year again--Oscar Cookies! (Its my 11th year doing them!)

Get your's from Eleni's bakery here!

Working Wednesday-- F*ck You, Pay Me.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h3RJhoqgK8

So the title made me laugh-- NSFW-- but seriously a brilliant talk on developing contracts for your creative business.

Brought to you by Creative Mornings.

Working Wednesdays: daily routines

I find routines really soothing-- the less decision making regarding what-to-do-next, the better.  I'm constantly trying to perfect mine.

When I first started working from home I was obsessed with reading about other people's daily routines.  How did they structure their day?  How many hours did they work? Did they make time for themselves and family?  I still find it really interesting.

Here are some links about Daily Routines

• Cup of Jo:  Joanna interviewed a number women about juggling kids and creative careers-- some from home.
• Daily Routines: How writers, artists, and other interesting people organize their days.
• From the Happiness Project.

What about you? Any tips? What does your daily routine look like?

Poster by MySweetPrints. 

Class with Lilla Rogers!

 

I have some exciting news: I signed up for a intensive, ten week class with the wonderful agent Lilla Rogers! The class is all about "making art that sells" in various markets that will be covered each week.  Its a big investment --of both time and money-- but its one I'm making in my career.  And I'm going to make the most of it!

I met Lilla briefly a couple years ago at a NESCBWI portfolio event at her house and I've wanted to work with her ever since. So I'm pretty thrilled about this opportunity learn and stretch and grow artistically, professionally, and personally.

My fellow students have been posting their illustrations about getting into the course (see?-- everyone is excited!) and so there's mine. Usually I err on the teacher's-pet-zebra end of things, but lately, I'm totally that little bear, freaking out. YAY! (Do they familiar? They're from this piece. I have a feeling I'm not done with these two yet...)

Ta Da!

I have new website! I have new website! After a couple of technical snafus last week, I wasn't sure when this day would come. But my wonderful husband swooped in and saved the day! (Thank you, Babe. You are the best.) So, it's up! There are still a few bumpy areas that I'm working to smooth out, but overall I'm pretty thrilled: The art is front and center! It's mobile friendly! And I have a new "Pattern" portfolio that I'm very excited about. Please take a look around and let me know what you think!

Today, I am this little girl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofCZNgnPtqU

Free Screensaver

I made this screensaver for Oh My! Handmade Goodness! Click on the image to go over and get yours!

A New Look!

As I've mentioned before, I've been busy redesigning my website these last couple months. And now that it's March (March?!) it's time for the unveiling. I'm shooting for Friday.

Basically, I wanted my illustration work to be front and center and the new design really delivers that. One of my over-arching goals for 2013 is to focus more on illustration and pattern making work, as opposed to design work. (Though I am still available for design work.) And I think the new site reflects that. I'm pretty excited about it!  Cross your fingers I don't stumble on many hiccups and bumps in the next few days...

Oscar Cookies on Kelly Ripa!

Hold the phone, my friday just got a whole lot more interesting!

At 8:40 Kelly Ripa, and Josh Grobin, eat the oscar cookies I draw for Eleni's Bakery. Specifically, George Clooney and Rooney Mara-- before they throw the rest into the crowd. But in a happy way!

Edit: oops this is the clip from last year! duh. I'll post the new one, from today, when it's up!

YAY! Happy Oscars everyone!

Contributing to OMHG!

I have a fun announcement to make: I'm a new contributor to the wonderful site, Oh My! Handmade Goodness! I'll be doing a couple illustrations a month for them and the first one, above, is live!

If you aren't familiar with OMHG, I encourage you to check it out:

We explore creative entrepreneurship from all angles and are a welcoming, supportive place no matter where you might be at on your business journey. OMHG is known for insightful and honest original content, a positive outlook, and for sharing resources + stories on how to build a creative business while living a creative life.

Good stuff, right? I'm thrilled to be --officially-- part of such a wonderful community of inspiring people.

Like the illustration says, come join us today (and every Thursday!) for a chat on twitter. #omhg Hope to see you there!

Illustration Workshop at NESCBWI Conference

Registration for the Spring NESCBWI Conference opens tomorrow, so I wanted to do a quick plug for the workshop I'm teaching there. YAY!  It's on Sunday May 5th, at 11 am, and I'd love to see you! It's for Beginner/Intermediate illustrators with information applicable to both groups. So don't be shy!

7 Animation Concepts Every Illustrator Should Steal

“Animation” sometimes gets a bad rap in the world of kid lit, but this workshop will uncover 7 commonly-employed animation concepts that every illustrator should steal to improve their work. We’ll examine each one with a mix of lecture – exploring examples from both the animation and illustration worlds - and hands-on activities demonstrating each technique.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will walk away from the event with:

• A deeper appreciation for the drawing craft through curated examples of illustrators and animators.
• A thorough understanding through examination and practice of specific animation tools to strengthen their work and produce dynamic illustrations.
• A detailed resource guide and exercise handouts.

Bring a mirror and your drawing supplies!

Sound like fun? I think it's going to be a blast!

PS. The photo above is of Ollie Johnston, the last remaining artist from the legendary group known as Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men.