Is it Earth Day Yet?

             Is it spring yet? Yes, here in illustration land. Ranger Rick is always encouraging kids to get out and commune with wildlife and their habitat, in the wild or their own backyards. That's why I love them so much. I was thrilled to be able to contribute this new illustration for their April issue.

                                                Here's how it will appear in the magazine:

HOP ON!

 This image was originally created in 2014, probably in the dog days of August, for a High Five magazine cover. I decided to play around with some new type today for a New Year's greeting and this is what resulted.  Thanks to Kelly Cunningham for this chill assignment. Despite my sarcastic exterior, I have the pure (snowy white in fact!) heart of an innocent child and love doing these High Five covers.
 Assignments like these make me glad illustration is how I make a living.  This one also made me long for that hill where my three sisters and I tobogganed with my Mom and Dad as kids.
 I'm also looking forward to creating more books in 2015, especially picture books.
 So brace yourself, it's going to be a great ride!

Winter Solstice

 Time out to honor the longest night and the increasing light. Light in the darkness, lightness of spirit, and the promise of light in longer days.  What began as a small doodle turned out to be my card this year.  

Leaving Hidden Pictures

   That's a pun. I don't know if I will be doing any more of these, but the art director will not be; so it may be my last one! I post this with much gratitude to Highlights for allowing me to create this for their Hidden Pictures puzzle books. While you are waiting for that pie to bake, grab your kid and immerse yourself in the memory of jumping in a pile of autumn leaves. ( beats snow any time). And try to find the 5 hidden sailboats! Happy Thanksgiving! My next post will be about the book I've been illustrating so stay tuned!

Pajama Party!

Such a busy few months ! Could not turn down this offer from Hal Leonard for a sheet music cover for the wee ones. Songs about getting ready for bed! Sounds wonderful... "is there a monster under my bed?" they sing in unison...  I can almost hear  them.  My sketch:

 ...and the finished piece.

Just in time for cuddling up and recovering from my killer cold ( a little human interest there to  make my post captivating.)  Let's see, what else?  I  kidnapped my neighbor's kids and made them pose for me for this piece. That's how I caught this cold. No, not really. Thanks to my artist friend Sheree Boyd for providing use of her red plaid. She really did.  Goodnight!

Dealing With Bullies

  I've been working on illustrations for a fun but also serious guidebook for dealing with bullies... "superhero style"! 

  Here are some of the sketches. It will be published by the nice folks at Red Chair Press. I did not author it. September and October will be busy months as I do the finishes!

  This week I will be prepping for the SCBWI conference in town here on Friday and Saturday.  I'm excited as I am making more progress on the road to  authoring and illustrating my own book, and I always leave the conferences inspired. 

Zack is a kid just like you... except when he dons his DIY superhero outfit.

Come On In! We Have Hot Chocolate!

A recent cover for the February 2015 issue of High Five. 

 I  start with a pencil drawing and add photoshop color, which makes it easy to adjust colors if needed.

detail.

The finished cover.