New year, new postcards

  It's been a while since I sent out any promo cards.  It's always so hard to decide which images to use. So this time I  guess I let the season and the weather decide. Brutal "polar plunge" temps here in Cleveland, and across much of the country. I wish safety, warmth and cozy dreams for you in the new year.  These brave souls on my cards will be celebrating outside only in the imagination, I'm afraid.
  Oh, except for the penguins. They will be happy.  This one is a work in progress so far... and taken from a riddles piece originally created for Ranger Rick magazine.  We had pancakes this morning, courtesy of Dave. He makes the best pancakes ever.  The key is fruit, walnuts, vanilla, almond extract, cinnamon and a good apron. Flip me one.

postcard in progress

original work

postcard

original version for Hal Leonard

postcard

original for Highlights

Penguins and Pancakes

    Continuing on my current theme of premature winter images, I illustrated this Reader Riddles for Ranger Rick magazine. (Alliteration accidental).  They are a  great award-winning magazine for kids of all ages who love animals published by the National Wildlife Federation.  I learn so much myself with each issue. And this time I learned something while researching for the art. Did you know penguins are only found in the Antarctic, and polar bears are only found in the Arctic?  They can never hang out together. I also  learned I could get very hungry for pancakes.
  The lettering is by Jim Paillot.
  This is for their December issue, but it could also provide inspiration on one of the hottest nights of the summer, like tonight.  I 'll take my pancakes cold, thank you, with a scoop of vanilla ice.