Portraits for $100!

  To celebrate her new photography studio, my longtime, talented friend Julia is throwing an exciting event: The "100/100/100 Project": 100 portraits, in 100 days, for 100 dollars! Its a fabulous chance to get a professional portrait taken at a super low price. There are a bunch of framing options, and you can also order holiday cards from her as well.  I illustrated the frames for the photo cards, and I'm really happy with how they came out. Here's one of them:

So if you're in the Philadelphia area, go grab your spot!  (If you're not in the area and would still like to order a photo card, you can do that here and use your own photo.) Julia is also available to shoot on location.

Portrait Shop is Open!

I'm happy to officially announce, I'm now offering a new line of custom portraits!  Just in time for the holidays.

Each piece is painstakingly drawn by hand, then printed on thick, archival paper, and finally placed in a gorgeous wooden frame (--There are three to choose from!) I aim to provide you with a timeless keepsake, of the highest quality, that will look wonderful--for years to come-- in any home.

Visit the shop here. Can't wait to hear what you think!

And on another note, be safe everybody on the East Coast. I'm typing from soggy Rhode Island, where the wind just picked up. Wishing you all an uneventful few days.

Illustrations from NY Times' Sunday Review

Spotted two especially lovely illustrations in yesterday's New York Times Sunday Review. One for an article about the environmental impact of air conditioning, by Victo Ngai:

And this one about how to be more productive by taking time off, by Vidhya Nagarajan:

Both of their portfolios are stunning.

Business cards!

I picked up my business cards from Moo.com yesterday evening!  They're in East Providence, so it was a short trip over-- nice to save money and time on the shipping.

(Well, I should have saved time. Funny story: I was going to post this right when I got home, but I locked my keys in the car in their parking lot. Oh thank you, thank you AAA. I don't know why I don't have your number in my speed dial. And thank you to the nice people at Moo who let me hang out inside even though their office was closing.  Anyways, this meant I spent the rest of the evening rushing around. Hilarious.)

I think they came out pretty cute. It was a last minute decision to go with Moo, so I didn't really take full advantage of the different images option. But I'm happy with the two I picked.

I especially love the back.

So thumbs up for Moo-- good quality, easy interface, and great customer service.-- Even if you don't lock your keys in the car, they're still really nice and helpful.

Work in Progress

I'm still here! I've just got my head down, racing to the finish line, trying to finish up a few projects for the New England SCBWI Conference next weekend.

But here's a peek at what I'm working on.

Video Monday: Sophie Blackall

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nKHXyvsR-U]

Are you familiar with Sophie Blackall's illustrations? I knew her from her brilliant "Missed Connections" series, and separately as a children's illustrator, but I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't realize they were the same person, until today. Sigh. You'd think I would have put it together after spotting the video above, and seeing the cover of the most recent SCBWI Bulletin:

But nope.

It wasn't until I started writing this that I figured it out. But now I'm thrilled to discover her site and all of her work, including another series "Drawn From My Father's Adventures," which looks amazing.

What do you think? Did you already have an illustrator-crush on Sophie Blackall?

Happy Presidents Day!

Aren't these fun? Click on the images to get more info.  Also remember these portraits from forever ago? About that time again...

Images: 1Canoe2, Jason Wates, Iotacons

Oscar Cookie Portraits on Today Show!

I say it doesn't matter if it took less than fifteen seconds:

My Oscar Cookie portraits for Eleni's Bakery were on the Today Show with Hoda & Kathie Lee a few days ago!

Holla.

Illustration News

Some children's illustration news I thought people might be interested in!

-Have you gotten your copy of the December Zero2illo Zine yet? It's all about children's illustrators and I'm in it! They kindly picked my site for a review and I'm so grateful. 2012 is the year my site will get a proper overhaul and it's invaluable to get some outside perspective on what's working and what needs changing. Thank you so much you guys!

-I just signed up for illustration consulting with...Holli Conger!! I'm so excited!! Last year, I was complaining to G (and friends) about missing a "boss". Which, I know, sounds insane, but it can be exhausting to juggle so many roles. Sometimes you wish for someone to provide some guidance and nudges to keep you on the right track. Perhaps not a "boss", but a mentor. Anyways, thank you Universe! I've been a huge fan and reader of her blog for years. So I'm really looking forward to working my tail off with her!

-Did I ever mention that I found a local children's writer and illustrator crit group? (Again, thank you Universe.) We've had a couple sessions and it's pretty great. If you're in the Providence area, we're looking to add serious kid lit writers and artists.  Please get in touch if you're interested.

-Heads up: Registration for The New England SCBWI conference in April is coming up! Register here on January 23rd. I've never been to this one, but I hear it's been fabulous in the past.

-Are you doing the Kidlitart #PBDummy Challenge this year? It's a 25-week-long online group challenge to create and submit a picture book dummy. It starts January 9, 2012 and ends July 1, 2012. After reading the  inspiring post post by Greg Matusic --who I met in person at the Falling Leaves conference-- I decided to jump in!

And whaddya think of that little dinosaur guy up there? I'm working on a story for him...

Prints & Tees for Kids!! + its ALL on SALE!

YAY I'm so happy to finally announce I'm offering PRINTS of my work, as well as, TEES & ONESIES for kids!

I've partnered with two wonderful companies: Society 6 and Skreened to do my printing and fufillment. I was originally postponing offering anything until I had my own shop up and running, but then I decided it was just better to get the ball rolling. Baby steps, right? Someday I'll have my own online space for merchandise, but for now this will work fantastically!

The prints are offered in a variety of sizes, as well as framed, or on stretched canvases ready for hanging.

The tees come in a bunch of kid sizes, as well as onesies, and are all printed on American Apparel, 100% cotton.

And everything is on sale--with free shipping!-- through today: Cyber Monday!

Hooray!

Hope everybody had fun Thanksgivings...!

Plic, Ploc, Wiz App

Have you seen the Plic, Ploc, Wiz app from  Pepillo? You can use it on your iPhone, iTouch, or iPad.   When I dream about making apps, this is what I want them to look, and feel, like. Simple, but beautiful. Gush...

Working Wednesday: Proclamation!

New work

Just popping in quick to show you my latest promo piece:

Working Wednesdays: Aeolidia

I'm Aeolidia's Artist of The Month!  (which means my Underwater Circus theme is up for October.) And I'm celebrating with a new profile pic--see?

If you've been musing about a new website, or just sprucing yours up, they are just the people to do it.  They've added new creatives to their roster of fantastic people and seem to always be working on a fun project. I cannot recommend them enough.

And of course I would love to make your logo, or draw the perfect illustrations to make your brand pop!

Taped Up

I recently read “The Character Test,” by Paul Tough, a fascinating article in The New York Times Magazine which profiles two schools that are working to "improve the character of their students." (You should check it out if you haven't. Lots of food for thought for everyone, even if you don't have kids--like me.)

However, what immediately caught my eye were the accompanying illustrations, installed by Stephen Doyle and then photographed by Stephen Wilkes. At first I thought they were just cleverly photoshopped, but then I was so pleased to discover that they're tape installations!

Pretty great, right?  You can watch the installation of "Grit" here.

How to Draw a Penguin

The Guardian currently is doing a How To Draw series and a few months ago Oliver Jeffers taught readers how to draw a penguin:

(See the rest of the tutorial here.) And then readers sent in their penguins!  So fun.

via VLA blog

"Snacks of the Great Scribblers"

Did you guys spot this  in the NY Times a few weeks ago?  Wendy Macnaughton asked writers what they munch on while they write and this is what she came up with. (I think I like Truman Capote's the best.)

Mine would be gum and coffee. What about you?

New Work: Happy Garden

I just finished this piece.  I've been trying to work more efficiently, not agonizing over initial pencil sketches. I think it was a success!

Abridged Classics by Lisa Brown

Books summary drawn  in three panels. Have you seen these? They. are. hilarious.  Here are a few of my favorites.

I can't stop.

Ok, one more.

Thanks to Julie on Twitter for the tip!

Jillian Tamaki for Penguin Threads

So I wasn't going to post these, because everyone has already... but I've been trying since March and finally can't resist.  (Besides, even if you have seen them already, don't you want to look at them again?  I thought so.)

Jillian Tamaki's finished covers for Penguin Threads Deluxe Classics:

Damn.

Yup, still awesome.

click for more info and to see them larger.