A Cupcake Day!

Into every life some crumbs must fall.

Like last night's dinner was ruined because after spending an hour and a half preparing, we discovered that the zucchini I used was moldy. I threw away an entire casserole.

Or like when Mary fell off the monkey bars the other day and crashed hard on her head. And we ended up taking her the emergency room that night.

Or when our furnace wasn't working on Sunday even after trouble shooting, so we ended up calling in a technician later this week to diagnose the problem.

But don't worry, turns out they're all cupcake crumbs.

After throwing away dinner we ended up eating out.

In talking with the doctor at the emergency room, we learned that Mary only suffered from a mild concussion, and we learned from him what to look for if it is more serious.

And when the technician looked at our furnace he found that it functioned fine, but there was one part that was broken that could have caused much bigger problems down the line. He was able to replace it very easy.

Cupcake crumbs are delicious!

      

A Dinosaur Goes to Church

Here is the cover for my latest book. I got to say it was fun to draw dinosaurs.

Tomorrow I will be in the Layton Seagull Book signing copies from 9 to 11. Any of you in the area please feel free to drop by.

See you there.

Vehical Design

Now I'm no car designer, but in creating this alternate Ottoman Empire I've had to stretch my limits and plunge into new territories.

I've had fun experimenting with these designs. The hub caps have some Islamic art influence. I've taken some inspiration from Italian cars and from Rolls Royce.

These are high end designs, but I'll also be doing some utilitarian vehicles and buses.

Murad

So, I'm working on coming up with a profile picture for Murad. The following is an example of a failed profile picture. Its not that it doesn't look like him or that I can't use it in the actual comic. What I failed here was to portray his public personality.

He's a charismatic politician who has won the hearts of many of his statesmen. This picture is more of a private, brooding moment.

Anyway, there it is.

 

The CAMPAIGN

I'm so excited about the latest project I'm working on. I'm teaming up with writer James Goldberg to create a comic book, The Campaign.

The premiss is, what if the Ottoman Empire never fell, instead it became a major world power.

The story begins with the death of Sultan Mehmet V. The entire empire mourns the far too early departure of their beloved leader. He was only fifty-eight.

But to his family it means even more, not only do they have to deal with the lost of their father, but one of the sons will become the next Sultan. The throne isn't pasted down to the eldest son, but rather to the son who gains the majority vote in the now up coming election. To ensure unity throughout the nation, the remaining sons will be executed.

The following are concept sketches of the oldest son, Murad.

SCBWI Summer Social

I'm excited to announce this summer's southern Idaho/Utah SCBWI's picnic social. Its coming up in just a few weeks.

This is an opportunity to socialize with your fellow writers and illustrators. We'll also be talking about our favorite social media tips.

This is a free event. So, all you fellows itching to get out of your studios, dens, or converted oldest child's bedroom come!

You may notice that there is a BYOC policy (bring your own chair). That is only because this is a free event. So under no circumstance were we (the planning comity) allowed to rent a pavilion. Maybe next year we'll charge a couple dollars per person just so we can get that, O so coveted pavilion.

I hope to see you there!

Here's the link to the event on the scbwi website, just be forwarned that the information is not complete. 

Okay, okay. I admit it. The reason this information is out so late is because of me. Its all my fault. In March when I was going to make this flier I ended up illustrating a children's book instead. It was a supper tight deadline. And I was putting every spare minute into the book so that the publisher could get it printed in time for its September release. (which, by the way, is called 'A dinosaur goes to Church'. It was fun painting dinosaurs.)

So, if you're going to blame anyone. Blame ME.

Here is some additional information.

Don't forget to join us this Friday evening, July 12th, 6:30pm at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City for our fun and relaxed summer social. Since it's a big park, here are more detailed instructions on how to find us:

Enter Liberty Park from 13th South between 5th and 7th East, head along the one-way road to the pavilion at the north end of the park. Since pavilions are on a first-come, first-serve basis, if the pavilion is empty we'll set up there. If it's already taken, then we will be setting up our own shade tents to the west of the pavilion (the road curves to the west as well, so continue around the corner until you see us).

Also, don't forget to bring your own chair, your social networking tip on a small piece of paper (less than 50 words, please), and your potluck dish. Assignments are as follows:

YA writers bring a main dish MG writers bring a side dish PB writers bring dessert Illustrators bring chips/dips

Plates, napkins and utensils will be provided, as well as cold water. And this event is free to both SCBWI members and non-members, so bring all your writing/illustrating friends for a fun evening of socializing.

We'll see you there!

Sividious Stark: And the Stadium between Worlds

This is a book cover I did for a YA Sci-Fi novel. It was fun to do and a little different than my usual style. I love breaking out and trying new things. Even though those darned art directors keep saying to limit my styles. ;)

SCBWI Illustrator's Conference!

Mark your calendars! Save the date! Register now! An exciting even is coming up in February. SCBWI is hosting an illustrator's conference. This year we have art director Martha Rago of Harper Collins coming as a guest speaker. Also, the husband and wife writer/illustrator team Mark and Caralyn Buehner will be presenting.

Illustration by Manelle Oliphant

 To read all about the conference click here. To register click here.

Okay, so I have to put a plug in for the Illustrator's Intensive with Martha Rago. When you sign up for this you will get to work with Martha as if you were doing a project for a big publisher (She'll give the assignment one month before the conference and work with her all month). Then, at the conference there will be a work shop for those that did the Intensive.

This is a great opportunity to see what its like to do a job for a big time New York art director. Plus, it doesn't her to have her get to know you on a personal level, just saying. You'll have to hurry to sign up for this one. Only the first 25 people will get to do the Intensive.