Actually, I had planned on posting this promotional piece before I noticed the new topic of Illustration Friday's weekly theme, breezy. I thought this one fit in perfectly. You know those breezy days that also happen to be rainy and just too windy to keep the umbrella in place? She seems to relish it.
When I can't sleep I let me mind wander and sometimes I'll think about stories that, during the day, are trouble for me. Somehow the roadblocks are gone and I'm not as inhibited or insecure about an idea or perhaps I'll find an end, or theme or image that will propel it to completion. This is one of those nights.
I can't remember where I discovered Ms. Ness's artwork, but I do know that I'm about five years off from having been part of a generation that remembers and considers her books as classics. It's clear why and I'm glad to have found them even if it took thirty years. I bought a few second hand editions of her books and marvel at her range.
For all you crime novel fans out there, Ms. Ness was the former wife of Eliot Ness (of The Untouchables fame), the crime hero that brought down Al Capone. It just made my discovery of her talent that much sweeter. 
Interior Sam, Bangs & Moonshine
Coraline Concept Art © Jon KlassenI haven't seen Coraline yet but I will, thanks to Jon Klassen, an artist whose work I just discovered. He makes me want to step up my game.
Coraline Concept Art © Jon Klassen
I've been working hard producing new pieces for a distinct illustration direction I'm moving towards. Here's a sample that will be going up on the mbartists.com website.
I decided to be bold and feature a closeup, a remembrance if you will, of my sophomore year in high school. Unfortunately, aside from the stunning green eyes, all other details are quite accurate, including the very large pimple in the middle of my nose.
I'm excited to see that I'm now officially part of the roster of a talented group of illustrators that make up MB Artists. Check out my page on the website!
You could say I fell into comics by way of my husband, but over the years I grew to appreciate the medium, the people, and the industry like aged wine. We started out with a digital comic book coloring studio in the mid-nineties, and now I had just attended my umpteenth convention as supporter of my husband's rapidly growing comic fan base. I do color here and there, recently a few covers for Marvel Comics, but I love to be a part of the collective of professionals that attend these conventions, trading experiences and techniques, sharing ideas or yuckin' it up with the bevy of jokesters, and there are many to be had!
Aside from business, most conventions mean reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones, pretty impressive talents at that. Despite being big talents, they're just really nice people.
In honor of Groundhog Day, I would love to show you something from my latest book about groundhogs, which I just completed for G.P. Putnam's Sons. But because the book isn't slated for release until the end of the year, I'm not at liberty to share any of it. So I thought I'd show you my latest release instead…the adorable February 2009 cover of Highlights High Five Magazine. Moms and Dads, look for it on your local newsstand, or as I like to imagine it, at any pediatrician's office worn and torn from the multitude of children that have already thumbed through it. Because as pretty as it is on the outside, there's a slew of good reading to be had on the inside. Plus, it's the least I could hope for since Punxsutawney Phil predicts another 6 more weeks of winter!
