Happy Halloween!

Here is a frightful image to make your Halloween I little scarier. This picture is entitled "The Hunter and the Hound." This guy is one bad man. But don't worry you are most likely safe. He won't come after you. Maybe.

Children's Book Week

Last week was Children's Book Week. The Provo Library hosts some great activities and panel discussions. Tuesday night authors Kristyn Crow, Jessica Day George, Tess Hilmo,
E.J. Patten, and Rick Walton lead a panel discussion. They answered questions about their favorite books, where they write, where they get inspiration. Loads of fun. Afterward they signed books.

So, I love mid grade fantasy. I could safely say its my favorite genre. Those of you out there that share this passion should read E. J. Pattern's Return to Exile.  In fact go buy it right now.  

Thursday's panel consisted of illustrators Guy Francis, Nathan Hale, Julie Olson, Jake Parker, and Will Terry. I'm always so inspired by my fellow illustrators. Its fun to hear what they're working on.

You should take a look at Jake Parker's Kickstarter project. Its awesome. Today is the last day to back his project (In case anyone is interested.) 

Finally, the moment you've all been waiting for... A brand new coloring page! This time its "Little Red Riding Hood." Have Fun! 

 

I'm back, again.

Something about having a baby takes the wind out of my blogging sails. But now that she's more than a month old its time for me to get back on the horse. (Shall we see how many cliches I can come up with?)
I love doing art and coming up with ideas. Its fun to day dream about a new project. Its even more fun to see a project come to fruition. I'm still working on my up coming portfolio. I'll post one of my new painting today on this very post.

This is a picture that I started more than four years ago, but at the time I didn't know how to move forward with it. I've picked it up off and on over the past four years to piddle with it. For the longest time I couldn't move past this point of my painting. My vision exceeded my skill.

 I've finally got to a point where I'm satisfied with it. And here it is...."Jungle Dan." I think I'd still like to work on a few parts that need work, but over all I'm pleased with the way this is shaping up.

Monday I was a Monkey

Here it is: the cover of my up coming book. So, I've learned that the book will be here sometime the first week in August.

Goldy Locks and the Three Bears

Here is another tale picture.

It is finished

Here's the finished drawing.

IF topic: Toys

So, I've wanted to participate in Illustration Friday for so long, but I never have time. So I'm excited to say that today I have an illustration that fits this topic perfectly. This is an illustration from my up coming book "Monday I was a Monkey."

And this is a turtle.

The Nephew Crusher: Now in Color!

Melvin the Christmas Elephant

Merry Christmas everyone. May Melvin bring you joy this time of year.

I shouldn't paint food while hungry

And this is a cat.

Ok, now its finished.
I must say this is a milestone for our company. Up until now all the art work that we've done for our papers have been very specific in style, coloring, and line work. The house cat vs lion is a pretty good example of the formula that we've used. Just this week we had a meeting with the art department and administration. During which Kris, the head illustrator, brought up some points about giving the artists a little bit more freedom in the creation of the artwork and playing to the individual strengths of each artist. So, when I started this piece Kris said, "Do whatever you want." Anyway, I'm very excited.

house cat vs lion

I just finished this cartoon today. I liked this particular assignment and the visual contrast between the two cats. The article compared the colonies vs England as a cat going up against a lion. At first I was going to have the cat on top of a fallen lion, but since we all know the out come of the revolutionary war I decided to show how intimidating the odds look.