If there's a monster under your bed....

...give it a make over.

Doodles of the day; like to draw tu-tu's.

God must be bored..

...and in need of good company. First, I spend the weekend all teary because of Tim Russert. I'm not a big fan of current politics, but he made it enjoyable, understandable and held their feet to the honest fire.

Now Stan Winston. This guy was a modern day Michaelangelo of movie making magic. I can't measure my admiration for imaginations like his.

I'd like to think God's like Charlie Rose. Now at a big round table in the clouds; there is a pretty cool conversation going on.

SCBWI - the Happiest Conference on Earth

I am back from a 4 day trip to Florida. I attended the SCBWI Florida regional conference.

Each step I take towards this goal of being a children's book illustrator changes me. One year ago this month I took Elizabeth Sayles' portfolio class at SVA. Since then, not only has my work changed for the better, but so have I. Every time I show my work, it's with more confidence. Every-time I meet an editor or agent or art director or established illustrator , my hand is no longer shaking before I shake theirs.. but it practically has a mind of it's own now, shaking the other hand enthusiastically. Instead of the nervous nausea this weekend..I was excited. I wanted to get out there and experience the exchange of work and ideas.

As I boarded the Magical Express bus to the Coronado Springs - "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart makes" was playing. -I love this song.

"A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling thru
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
the dream that you wish will come true"

That moment was the first of a long weekend full of great moments. Off the plane - I rushed to Down Town Disney to meet my college roommate Sara Au, the author of Stress Free potty Training. I got to spend time with her 2 kids, who are beyond cute.
That evening, I met an email friend face to face. Through my BNL artwork, I have gotten to know a woman who works for Disney. I had the BEST time getting to chat face to face with her. We have so much in common and she was kind to offer to pass along my work to the Disney folks for consideration. Then we went to the "Adventurers' Club"- an amazing improv-interactive show that starred her husband as the dashing explorer. He slid down a long ladder from ceiling to floor as an entrance- whew-impressive, and he can seriously arch an eyebrow,I wonder if you can get an eyebrow cramp? -It was great fun, and I hope to have made a new friend.
The next morning the conference started. It was the "Illustrators Intensive". The group was small, but that made it an intimate experience. The 2 illustrators leading the day were Linda Schute and Janeen Mason. Janeen is the Illustrator coordinator for the FL SCBWI. She is a force of nature. Linda, yin to Janeen's yang is quietly inspirational. It was a good match. Janeen's work is bold and colorful and exuberant, Linda's elegant and insightful. They were both possessive of the rare talent to critique without criticism. Giving each person a kernel of hope, a direction to go in and a pat on the back. The work of the artists was diverse and the level of experience varied, but everyone was eager to offer what they could to each other. There were 3 participants that impacted me, I believe her name was Danielle, she was from Belgium and brought a complete book dummy of originals. -She was tuned in to a very different frequency than I, her art was amazing. Susan, who has her first book published full of gorgeous realistic watercolors. And Kathy - a former Disney Feature Animator, who I had an awful lot in common with. She's new to this world of Illustration, kind of where I was last year, but look out!- she's gonna make her mark!
We were given the time to redraw our name tags on the spot, which is what is up above. I thought nothing of it, but I was told, the water color sketchy-ness was a look to pursue, instead of the slick digital painting I have been doing. The comments made that stuck with me are,"I can't believe you're not already published" and "Throw out your computer". ..... I won't break up with it, but I will tell it, we need some space.

I hear from my Mother in Law that when you enter the airport in Israel there is a big sign that says "Welcome Home" - and as a jewish person, that is what she felt. Well... that's how I feel when I go to Disney. When the soles of my shoes hit the cobble stones of Main Street USA... I'm the happiest person on earth. I went to the Magic Kingdom Friday night. I rode the Haunted Mansion, Small World and Splash Mountain- my three favorite rides. I watched the parade and cried like a fool when I thought it's been 30 years since I my first trip here. I stood watching the parade go by across from the Country Bear Jamboree and flashed back to how I felt at 7, how that's exactly how I feel now, full of possibility.

Saturday was filled with breakout sessions. One about pacing and word sounds, which tellingly, I did not do well at, I drew pictures. - Need work at writing. I went to a "How to deal with rejection" session with an editor from Putnam, which had a lot of good info. There was a writer Lisa McCourt- who was a dynamo. The three read first pages and gave immediate critiques which were on the money.

Then @ 5:30 I had a one on one to show my book dummy. Mind you, my book dummy is only 4 spreads done. I have notes and sketches and research but, I showed it as is, to get an inkling if it was as good as I suspect(hope) it is. From the cover , to the end of my brief schpiel; the critiquer - loved it. I heard "It's the best thing I've seen here." - That was a moment. So, I need to finish this dummy soon and get it into the Editor.

This trip, I had drinks and lunch and dinner with great people, got to stroll thru the Happiest Place on Earth - shopped like a tourist - and came away from this trip feeling more encouraged and hopeful (and tired...). It's really about the journey - and enjoying the ride, and like the rides at the Magic Kingdom, there's wonder, thrills, surprises - you may get soaked once in a while, but all in all - get on the ride... no matter how long the wait on line - because it's worth it.

If "Baby" part deux

I've got a lot of baby art.

IF "Baby"

Don't we all want to wrap them in bubble wrap for the rest of their lives... wrap the bike.. wrap the car.. wrap the heart...

Goodbye Great Gazoo..

Farting around...

I'm sitting here procrastinating.

I have to dive back into the book dummy - but first, here's some old stuff. These are from Ships and Dip 3

This is Sean Nelson from Harvey Danger. He was AMAZING to watch. Like a singing "Swedish Chef" from the muppets... his hands had a life of their own. Always moving- on the collar, on the jacket, on the mike, off the mike, on the glasses, on the hair... He also was a baby faced monolith of a man. His song "Pike Street to Park Slope" -a capella-was a show stopper. My honeymoon was on Pike Street, my husband's business is in Park Slope  and he dreams of opening a little repertoire movie house or somethin'...  Also, he sang a Monkees song! A rare one. "Someday Man" Ok, it's a Harry Nilsson song, but Davy Jones sang it, but Sean sang the hell out of it. He and Steve Page did a Paul McCartney songbook thing- which honestly- I didn't love most of it. BUT- Steve sang No More lonely nights-highlight- and Sean sang Maybe I'm Amazed, so I forgive the Paul bashing.

 I don't have this drawing anymore- which makes it pretty cool. This is the other Sean on board Ships and Dip, Sean Cullen.  Leigh and I saw his show, which was all about his day on the island of Grand Cayman. The gift shops were full of tacky island of "Tortuga" stuff. And there was some pirate named big black dick- no joke. But he did a very fun stream of Sean Cullen's conciousness bit about the Tortugan rum cake pirates who carry tote bags to keep their hands free. Then he went snorkeling and was sexual assaulted by sea turtles.

He is a very cute man. (I can still look at the menu, I just can't order) He is not too tall(Leigh's six three no wonder my neck always hurts-I'm 5 '2") Sean Cullen is a cute, Irish, dark haired bright blue eyed funny man (who can sing reallly well). A better looking, thinner Jackie Gleason- (who I love.)

Anyway, I did this sketch the morning after the show and hung it on my door. Went about the cruise..doo dood-do.. Last night, he's signing his cd's in the gift shop. Leigh says, Let's go get one, maybe you want to give him your sketch?-I think why would he want this silly drawing?-ok?! What the hell. We go in and get a cd and 2 rum cakes-ask him to sign them, and as I take the sketch out of my bag, he takes a note out of his pocket. 

He had a note in his pocket for me?! He had seen the drawing on my door and was writing to ask for a copy of it. Strange moment of wacky weird coinky--dink-ness.  So this is now his and that makes me happy.

Welcome to your life... there's no turning back....

Woke up this morning and for a change - put on an OUTFIT. Not jeans and a t shirt and checkered vans as usual- grown up clothing. And new shoes. Did my hair and make-up. My husband took the daughter to school and we drove to Brooklyn together. A nervous subway ride later. I went to meet an agent.

The agent reached out to me after the New England SCBWI conference. (Seriously- someone has sprinkled me with pixie-dust lately)  I've been trying to create a book dummy- while simultaneously co-writing the story while sketching other story ideas and writing other story outlines to show the agent I am not just a one-image wonder. I've got stories in my head - and the ability to tell them.

The meeting was positive. The agent was friendly and helpful. Lots of good advice, - and I believe, some interest. It's going to be an ongoing starter relationship (no contract - just talking): my working hard on these dummies, showing the continuity in the characters, ability to tell a story.. finishing some color-ups- and sending it back to the agency. I really consider myself lucky to have this opportunity even if nothing comes of it. What a great chance to get inside knowledge on the inner workings of the children's book publishing world. 

Points made by agent: 

1. Still hearing that my stuff looks very animated (I have no idea how to do anything about this.. it's the way I draw)

2. Need to break out of the frame - work looks like it's designed for TV(heard that before too-I totally agree)

3. Change website (like yesterday) - I'm getting right on that...

4. Edit portfolio

5. Join critique group-(trying to choose between Patchoque or Brooklyn)

6, educate myself more on what is selling - what works- why it works in children's books.

So it's back to the drawing board. Fleshing out the good stuff... editing out the stuff that was good at the time, but doesn't serve me well anymore. All in all, it was a good day, except for the new shoes, they killed my feet. 

I kept singing that line in my head from the Tears for Fears song everybody wants to rule the world... "Welcome to your Life ... there's no turning back..." all morning alternating it with "I'm Gumby dammit!"  -Strange way to psych myself up, I know, but it worked. And it's true, I've been brave enough to jump off of the starting block and dive in - now there's no turning back- I'm swimming... freestyle.... 

"Slow down you crazy child..

.. and take the phone off the hook and disappear for awhile..."

In this case, take the blog off the hook. And the reading of too many great blogs...

I'm gettin' busy, be back soon. 

I don't know how I missed this.

Ollie Johnston

October 31, 1912 – April 14, 2008

The last of the nine old men and one of the most amazing animators passed away last month. In my crazy chaotic life I didn't hear about it. If you can, watch this dvd:

Their story is not just one of two talented artists but of a lifelong friendship. I will always think of him like this:

As Rufus from The Rescuers.

sketchy sketchy sketching

More of my messy sketches. I actually understand all of those scribbles. I know they need work and my perspective's funky.. but they're not too bad. I'm whipping out some ideas. This is called "smells like science". It was inspired by a friend's daughter who declared "Smells like Science!" when visiting Jersey City's Liberty Science Museum. Actually, Claire, that's eau de New Jersey.

The one above is the result of watching too much Top Chef and growing up in a family restaurant. Since, I have to think of stuff to draw..I tell myself stories as I do. This would be a story of a New Orleans family restaurant...the "Etoufee Cafe" and how thru the hurricane the restaurant kept life going. Soon, I will start writing some of these stories in my head and disappear for awhile. 

Art is long and Time is fleeting....

Such a fun day that went so fast. We spent the afternoon at the BNL Barnes and Noble show for the Snack Time cd release.

The three of us got to have reserved seats(yay!), then a nice woman from Nettwerk; Danielle, said she would take us in to meet the band. Walking in I was all hand out, smile on the face, "Hello Ed!".... shaking their hands. Then... in my brain crickets chirped- if I opened my mouth all that would have come out was "I got nuthin'" Then Tyler, all smiles said to me, "This is my head!"- referencing my re-draw. Whew- thank God he's funny, snapped me out of a big dumb silence. Then I remembered I have a kid. AND she's standing behind me. They were really nice to her. They signed the artwork to Maggie and signed a print to go back to Nettwerk. Then, Steve told me he has my Bartles drawings as his computer wall paper. ????????




----Gobsmacked. Struck dumb again.





The show was fun. I loved, LOVED the drawing song Kevin wrote. Did I say I LOVED it! ? I wish I wrote it. I wanted to ask him about his art... but there wasn't a chance.



We bought a book for Mags to get signed. Ed told Maggie the first girl he ever liked was named Maggie. Mags asked me a lot about Kevin because she plays piano too. She's sure he can play 25 instruments at least. I asked if he could pose for a pic with her, and he happily did and she was thrilled. She sang/rapped the lyrics all the way home.

They are as talented as they are gracious and warm and friendly. And that's quite a lot. The key to their art being long lived and their fans loyal.

I'll be smiling for days...

Almost there..

Gotta run to Kinkos to make prints for BNL show tomorrow in NYC... Almost done, may shrink image on back to allow room for address/stamp. I like it a lot more now, Thanks Gina!

Less is more..

Gina Perry had some good suggestions ... lookin' better?

Another Postcard...

Done and I don't know how I feel about it.

Color me tired..

I'm off to bed. I am halfway done. I need to finish the flat color, then do the shading. I may actually stay away from the computer tomorrow and go out. I'll post the finish by Friday.

I walk the line..

Final line work, now to color.

Oh.. Aloha, Hoaloha, means; "Hello Friend!" "Koa"-girl's name means "bold".

Anatomy of an illustration...

I'm trying to churn out 3-4 illustrations that will be consistent with the look of the BNL and "Taking Flight" illos I've done recently. I seem to be zeroing in on a style that's working, and have to adjust my portfolio/website accordingly. In the past, I felt I didn't have enough "real" examples of work so I put everything in plus the kitchen sink. Now, I'm editing and re-evaluating. I've got a few more cooking, will post as they develop.

When I was 7, my Mom and Dad took the family to Walt Disney World. Obviously, that had a big part in shaping my future. We stayed at the Polynesian Hotel. It started a lifelong love and ongoing dream of Hawaii. If I ever get there... I wanna learn to hula, play the ukulele, sing tiny bubbles, wear hibiscus in my hair and drink from a coconut. I also will buy 2,000 shirts. All of the cliches, I know, but I want that 7 year old's version of Hawaii. So, I drew this up! See how messy I sketch? I'll post the final line and color as I go.

I'm going to another SCBWI conference in June, and then I'll wait for NYC next winter. I think the next NYC conference, I will feel much more ready. So, I'm going down to Orlando, to show my work again, meet my college pal Sara AU,
who wrote the potty training book that I illustrated. I also hope to connect with a talented BNL friend, who works for Disney Parks merchandise. I'm passing along some samples for her to pass along, in hopes of work for the House of Mouse.

So much going on and it's all good.

I'm schlepping on an airplane....

I'm off for a week long tour of Florida to visit the Light family for Passover. Maybe we'll find Elijah hitchin' on the side of the road.. the mini-van door is always open for him! I plan on drawing up a storm, but for now, here are some words of wisdom, well Walt's actually:

Pinch Me...

The final art for the contest and announcement : http://www.bnlmusic.com/default2.asp

To paraphrase a BNL song, "... during a week such as this, it's hard to tell if I exist...."

'Cause I'm expecting someone to pinch me and all of this will go "POOF"!

May 6th- Barnes and Noble- NYC- Snack Time - LIVE, Me, Maggie, Leigh and a few of our musical friends...
Come on down with your kid in tow, it's gonna be a good time!

A Day in the life...

For a stay at home Mom, who wasn't sure if she would survive re-entry into the art world, Saturday was a good day.

I was up at the New England SCBWI conference. I took some great workshops with amazing illustrators and had a positive critique with someone from Greenwillow books, an imprint of Harper Collins. I met some really nice people. Donna, Bree, Cathy, Maureen, Mary, Angie, Jennifer and Tracey. I met up with Gina Perry, the talented illustrator I met at the NYC conference, and met her friends and fellow SU grads. New England is abundant with warmth and easy conversation and friendliness...,and an awful lot of people have relocated there from Long Island!...hmmmm....

The NESCBWI held a poster design contest with the theme "Take Flight". I watched other eager, enthusiastic, talented artists put up wonderful work all around me. Some so good, I was tempted to write someone else's name on my ballot. I sat as they read the award announcements.. People's Choice.. honorable mention, third place, second place... winner... me. ME? Really? Me! Hooray! What a great thing!- I went up got my award-sat down, happy.

Next category, unpublished: I was a little foggy from happiness and kinda heard, "The people have spoken and the judges agree, a repeat winner, Kelly Light"...my next door seat neighbor, Bree Baldwin, nudged me and hit my shoulder, and I popped up out of my seat... in shock.

After that , a blur of warm wishes and congratulations and wonderful words of encouragement.

I drove home today with some new feelings I've never felt before in my 17 years since becoming a working artist. Validation. Hope. Possibility. Pride. I think I'm going in the right direction after all of those detours. Sign post up ahead reads "Keep going!"

PS: The published winner: Frank W. Dormer - great stuff, google him!

Shhhh...I won..again....shhhh

Be vewy vewy quiet...Don't tell anyone yet, til the band announces it....so forget you are reading this...I won the BNL Snacktime cd release contest to draw BNL. Oy... I can't believe it. I'm hoping this is sign from the great beyond... Good art happenings will be coming my way. People like what I do! It makes me so happy! Oh please, Children's Book Gods smile down on me! I'm here in New Hampshire waiting for the weekends' New England SCBWI conference to start. As usual..I get nervous and feel nauseated. But I am hopeful and this win adds some wind to my sails. Ok...remember...you never read this, you didn't hear it from me..consult the BNL Music site to find out who won..

IF "Save"

IF topic this week "Save". The thought of a Momma polar bear following her maternal instinct and normal migration route in the arctic... only to find home's all melted. It's just inconceivable to me that I could have grandkids one day and have to tell them about what a Polar bear was.. gone the way of the dodo.. it's a painful thought to an animal lover.


What can we do?
http://www.polarbearsos.org

The best art hits you straight in the heart...

Thanks to Brett for commenting and mentioning this brilliant series of Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson. It's touching and so true to my life right now.

Catharsis

I'm still a little upset over the cat. We're gonna have a service this weekend. I've been thinking about how much mothering was involved in this event in our lives. And how much pets mean in our lives. As kids, they are our first loves. Teaching us to be compassionate, caring, responsible, patient and kind. Being our secret keepers, our best friends, playmates and protectors.

It's brought up thoughts of all of the pets I have had and what I learned from having them in my life. They were all there that day the cat died. Memories of them came bursting forth as I felt that same feeling of love and loss. My daughter has had a lot of fish.. which, with the exception of "Sushi"- didn't live very long. But even they teach you about the frailty of life.

So, kids out there could probably use more books about this. I thought I should show some other emotion in my art than bright cheeriness. Cartoons can be sad. I just couldn't bring myself to make the cat black and I discovered, I can draw and cry at the same time.

I promise to not keep dwelling on this, this was a cathartic illustration.

Anakin

This past Friday, my cat Anakin past away. It's been a slow decline for him since this past November. He was 11 years young. Nowhere near old enough for me. I adopted him from a rescue society in 1997. Newly married, he was my "test baby". Could I care for another life... actually be a Mom? He was my baby then and until Friday morning when I swaddled him in a towel and held him until his eyes closed.
Through the years he was a GREAT cat. Full of personality. When I was pregnant with Maggie and having pain, he would climb onto my belly and pat it with his paws. Maybe he knew then that Maggie would be his best friend. He kept his distance from her through her toddler years until she turned four, he chose her, and that was just fine with me. She called him her big brother. She's gonna miss him a lot.

Why have pets if you feel this pain when they die? Because the love we feel for them makes us feel more alive.

Red, your Spanx are showing....

IF topic this week: "Homage". So this is my homage to Preston Blair and Red Hot Riding Hood. As the animator of one of most memorable "hotties" of classic cartoons, and the author of several books, I think Preston Blair has posthumously guided countless young artists into the world of cartoon drawing. I purchased my Walter Foster "How to draw Cartoon Animation" book when I was in high school. When young(er) artists ask me where they can learn to draw "cartoons" , I tell them to buy this book. I had one young woman ask to borrow my book, only to see my reaction of sheer horror at the thought of letting it out of my hands that she said "Sorry.. sorry... where can I buy one?"

I've added some meat to her bones. I've personalized her (very personally personalized her) in a moment a lot of 37 year olds can relate to. Trying on clothes(persona) from your youth and having it just not fit anymore. No amount of Spanx or "sucker-inners"(as I call them).. are gonna get you back there. Let go of it and revel in what the years have wrought upon your person. She still looks good- just more to love.

IF and Easter

Happy Illustration Friday/Easter...

Topic this week; "Heavy". By Sunday, I will have eaten 5,342 cadbury mini eggs, so don't tell me after all of these years the bunny hasn't been hittin' that chocolate! And feeling the effects- we all do. Let's hear it for sugar highs! Thanks Easter Bunny- Boc Boc!

Missed another I.F.

I got caught up in the BNL illustration, missed "Garden" as an Illustration Friday topic... This was my quickie sketch... New topic "Heavy".. will have to get this one in on time.

Poodles in Blu

Today, while up in the attic, the phone rang. The machine didn't pick up. After 9 rings, I reached the phone only to hear it click-hang up. I checked the caller I.D. and it said "Poodles in BLU".

I kid you not. "Poodles in Blu"!  How funny! It was a Long Island number. I said "Jabba- it was for you- Poodles in Blu called!"  All day, I've been thinking about poodles in blu. Could it be a canine secret law inforcement agency? A puppy jazz quintet?  ... But as I  thought on.. hmmm...I decided it was a call girl agency! "Poodles in Blu Doggie Escort Service" was calling  and my golden retriever was client number 9! He 's been so secretive lately, carefully hiding treats in holes all over the yard. I'll stop there.. it's too funny and your minds can do the rest.. Funny..

BNL Contest

Another BNL Contest. I tried to stay away..I tried to resist.. must.. put.. down ..the pencil..

They have a new kid's CD coming out May 6th! Called "Snack Time". So, here's my imagining them @ around 9 years old. I tried to make it portfolio appropriate too. 

"What is Art?"

This was a discussion over on the SCBWI board. I thought it was a great discourse, but even more.. this amazingly brilliant video of Creature Comforts (click on title) totally answers the question posed by the poster in the first place.  Art is completely subjective-differently defined by different people. (or animals- love the penis line, so my husband) I truly wish artists would stop trying to divide and conquer eachother with their own narrow views of what makes real art and what does not- and just respect the act of making art in all of it's various forms. Then again- I want world peace also.... Let me know when the temperature starts dropping in hell. Anyway, I'm cross posting my opinion here, cause I can.

I will speak from my own experience. My background is in animation, my heart in cartoons. I spent the 4 years of my college education defending the value of my work to my illustration professors who drew lines defining what was good art and what was not. So this discussion struck a chord with me.

Every year, I go on a weekend trip all alone. I call it my "sanity break". I leave the life of a stay at home Mom behind and go to emerse myself in "art". I believe without great input, one can not have great output. I drive 3 1/2 hours north of L.I. to the Berkshires- first stop, The Norman Rockwell Museum. It's like a pilgrimage to Mecca for me. If I am lucky there will be another artist on display there, I have seen Jesse Wilcox Smith, Maxfield Parrish, JC Leyendecker. I have been known to cry and have the little old lady volunteers bring me kleenex. Afterwards I drive on...45 minutes north to North Adams, Ma, sleep and in the morning walk to Mass Moca. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.( Until 6 years ago, I never even knew what "contemporary art" was or cared to, I dimissed it as.. well, crap actually. I decided it was crap with out really exposing myself to it. Because in my mind, to be a real artist, - you had to draw- and I mean DRAW. That was MY criteria for art... show me how well you can draw.) Anyway, my first step into the first gallery was like falling down the rabbit hole, dizzying, thrilling... nauseating... and I loved it. There was stuff that I loved! And stuff that I hated! And I loved the feeling of having those reactions! There was photography, installations, video art.. crazy brilliant stuff.. and brilliantly crazy stuff!
My last day is spent at The Clark. Bastion of academic beauty. Here you can see within an hour a Renoir, a Sargent, a Reubens , a Durer... and I can get lost in how one brush stroke at the tip of a nose makes it pop off of the canvas. Or how paint becomes velvet so soft you want reach out and touch it, alarm or no alarm..
so blah, blah, blah,.. what I'm getting at is that I have decided to draw no lines. I think the artist who studies his/her whole life to paint the most realistic jug of water or the most translucent skin feels the same thing as I do when I drag my blue pencil across a piece of vellum to create the perfect weighted line around a cartoon characters eye's to give it that illusion of life. I think an artist who plants trees upside down, suspended from a wire feels that same feeling, perhaps to a different end, maybe it's more external in the hopes of the reaction viewers will have but it's still that need to, express, create, move, share, leave a trace of yourself behind.. share an experience. Be human. And I do believe all children are "natural" artists and many do unlearn that carefree need to create and express, but the few, who refuse to put down they're crayons.. go on to become true artists. My wish is that more people would spend time taking it all in and less time counting some of it out. It's not all going to be your cup of tea, but it's all there to learn from.- Ok, I'm done. -'nuff said.

"The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself."- Anna Quindlen

Trust your pencil, it won't lead you wrong...

Stuck on a sandy beach in the Caribbean- sounds like heaven to most people, to me... an offering to the sun God.. it can be an uncomfortable place. I don't do well in sun and heat... I burn..I faint... I shrivel from dehydration. So, for the last week, I hid under the shade of a lime green umbrella and drew. Some good stuff came out. Some fun characters were on the beach. I forced myself to stare into a mirror and draw my 37 year old bed headed face.
I came up with 1 new idea for a book. And some sketches of an existing idea for a book.  "Undercover Hippo"- a film noir picture book. Undercover Hippo solves animal mysteries. The first being for a giraffe. Hippo: "She walked in, her legs went on forever..." I will be watching a lot of old movies for ideas and dialogue. I thought it was funny to imagine a Hippo going undercover..trying to blend in as a giraffe or monkey or bird...  This was inspired by a story I heard on NPR of an actual guy who wore a hippo suit to study hippos... seems hippos are quite ornery.
The other book, a graphic novel for kids 8-12, is, obviously a take on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland/through the Looking Glass. So dear to  my heart is this book and these characters, that I am trying to dig deep and find a new way to spread the love of imagination and nonsense this book gave to me. My brother, a fourth grade teacher informed me , no kids today would ever read or relate to the original text. So, it is my goal to build a bridge from 2008 to 1865 . Not to be so bold to think I could attempt to rewrite, retell, or re-illustrate. That has been tried by much more talented and notable artists than I. And in my opinion.. they all pale in comparison to the original. My hope is to create a new story that is fun and gets kids interested enough to read the originals. So, I'm gonna get to work.