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.

IF: Teacher

I am thrilled with this weeks topic of teacher. Because the teacher I want to feature is my dad. Love the man. And what's more is that twenty years ago today he passed away (just a month before I turned fourteen.) What a great day to remember him.

My dad was a farmer. He grew in Montana plowing, planting, herding, and fixing. He also played the accordion. I remember banging on tin pans as his percussionist while he practiced in the basement. My brothers and sisters and I loved to dance to his lively jigs.

One of my favorite memories was when I was five. He took me with him to harvest. I sat with him in the cabin of the combine looking out the windows. Now this may seem boring, but I loved it. It was just me and my dad. And then for lunch he let me eat a whole tomato. A whole tomato all to myself!

He read to us. I loved gathering around him as he read, "The Little House on the Prairie", or Dr. Sues or the scriptures.

My dad set such a good example to me. He taught me hard work. (I'd have to get up at 3:30AM to help milk cows.) He taught me the worth of an individual is great. (He never set himself up as the center of attention for any kind of gathering, but he'd often find one person and find out how that person was.) He taught me faith. (Every morning and evening he gathered his family together for prayer.) He taught me to forgive. (If I fought with any of my siblings he would sit us in chairs facing each other. There was only one rule. We weren't allowed to laugh. I think I broke first pretty much every time.)

Here's to my dad. Dad, I love you.


       

Happy 4th of July

Here is a coloring page to commemorate our nation's independence. Have a happy and safe fourth of July. (Please, don't burn up my town or home.)

I'm looking forward to teaching my little Mary a little bit about the Declaration of Independence and the flag today.

IF: Mysterious

This is one mysterious banker. This time I painted this one today. Hooray for me!

October Is Here

This is my new home page illustration for the month. I've also designed a new logo for the month of October that can be seen on my website. Follow the "My Website" link to see it.

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.

Jen E Art!

Contact me for your next Mid-grade fantasy novel cover or picture book:
jennifer@jeneart.com