Vikings!

I love getting jobs. It gives me kind of an electric boost. I've had two the past coupe of weeks. The thing with getting jobs is that I don't take time to do personal things. (You should see my laundry.) So I haven't written on my story for two weeks. I haven't updated this blog either. I haven't even activated my new phone that I got in the mail.

Here is a coloring page for those who are anticipating another one. (I know there are hundreds just waiting for this.) It was the preliminary sketch for one of the jobs. I had a blast coloring this I hope you do, too.

Intorducing-Zuzu

Sorry, about the long break between posts. I don't have a really good excuse, just sorta bad excuses. You know; cleaning house, yard work, working on a job, wanting to make the next picture really cool. The list could go on and on.

Here is a character from a story I'm working on (she's a super hero). Her name is Zuzu. This is a younger version of her. In the story she's around twelve. I'd love to hear from you. What are the stories that come to your mind when you see this picture? What are your guesses to her powers? (Btw, there are no clues as to what they are in the picture, so let your mind go crazy.)

Enjoy this weeks coloring page.

click on the picture to enlarge to print.

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! 

 

Coloring Page 2, Goldylocks

Here is coloring page number two. I've had a busy day so I'm finally getting around to posting this Page.
(P.S. I just heard my three year old playing by herself. She said, "You killed my father." "No! I'm your father." That's my girl.)

Coloring Page 1

Starting today I will post a coloring page each week every Tuesday or Wednesday. It is free and I hope your kids will enjoy it.

click the page and print. Color away.

The first coloring page are some zombie ballerinas. Enjoy!

Mountain Ridge Jr. High Art Show

This was best in Show, and as it turned out it was also the faculty choice.

Last week Mark and I had the privilege of judging an Art Show for Mountain Ridge Jr. High. I must say I was very impressed with the quality of work these young kids were putting out. It was difficult to choose between the various pieces. But here are some of the works from the show.

Honorable mention in Black and White drawing.

Second Place in Black and White drawing.

First Place in Black and White drawing.

The black and white drawing category was the hardest for us to place. The second place piece was executed very well (unfortunately these are terrible photos taken with my camera phone, so you can't see the detail very well.) The one we gave first place to, while compositionally wasn't great, the subject matter and the interior design was quite original.

First Place for Color Photo.

First Place for Black and White Photo.

    I was very impressed with the photography. It was very hard to narrow down the winners, but we did it.
    Bellow are the prizes. These were so cool. I would have loved winning something like this in Jr. High. Heck, I would love to win it now (even though now I do most of my art work digitally.)

Paints, canvasses, and easels. Oh my. 

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.