The Show to See

After a summer slumber in blogland, I thought I'd wake things up a bit with a happy announcement. The Society of Illustrators in New York will be hosting their 32nd Annual Original Art Show this October. For those who do not know, here's a bit about the juried show from the SI website:

"Founded by Dilys Evans in 1980, the show celebrates the fine art of children’s book illustration. It has been sponsored by the Society of Illustrators for the past twenty-two years.  The selection process will be by a jury of outstanding illustrators, art directors, editors, and experts in the field of children’s publishing."

With that, I'm pleased to announce that my latest picture book, No Dogs Allowed, by Linda Ashman (2011, Sterling Children's Books), made the cut! After years of submissions, this has become the title that brings a whole other level of validation to my work.

...pat on the back to me...

I am so proud of it, and still I strive to want to do better. For now, I will bask in its success, show you a few pieces from its interior pages, and let you know that the Original Art Show opens Oct. 24 and runs through Dec. 22, 2012.  I'll post more news about it as the date approaches!   

Picture Book 2012

In addition to my latest DI ad is my latest in Picture Book.  This year's directory reflects the downturn in children's book publishing. The book is about half the size it was last year.  Good news is, I'm happy with how the ad turned out.  Let's see if it bears any returns.

Directory of Illustration 2012

This year my rep encouraged us to expand our clientele. Of course, in business, this is always a smart thing. So some of us have decided to advertise in the Directory of Illustration. Here's my latest ad as it appears, in an effort to be more commercial friendly:

To a Swell 2012!

Wishing you a creative New Year whether you're an artist or an accountant!  So my New Year's resolution for 2012 is to be much better about posting.  I'd love to help fuel that creative spark as well as find it.  Truly, there's nothing like a new year to give you that boost.

Christmastime came and brought a box of product samples of my latest illustrations for Mudpuppy.  Perfect for budding fashionistas: All Four Seasons Magnetic Figures - Galison/Mudpuppy.  It reminded me of my own childhood, creating paper dolls and storing them in recycled plastic sleeves that stored old bank books—creative packaging at its finest.  Mudpuppy's is an award-winning magnetic doll product, a rendition of the paper doll, using a substantial tin case that serves as the magnetic backing to hold the backdrops, figures, and their lovely little outfits.

What's new for 2012? Other than the usual musings, sitings, and latest projects, I plan to bring art tips and behind-the-scenes creations.  Stay tuned!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

A Devilish Edge

It's always fun making a departure from my usual genre and into the world of comics—especially dark, devilish ones.  Todd Stashwick and Dennis Calero have created a weekly comic strip called Devil Inside, which just celebrated its year-long run at San Diego Comic Con.  I was asked to illustrate a dream sequence for one of the main characters, Sophie.  The result is a cool juxtaposition of styles.  Take a look and if you like what you see, click on the RSS feed.  You won't be disappointed!  

Hello August 2nd!

If you haven't been yet, go to your local B&N store and take a peek at the children's book wall.  I believe you will find my latest book, No Dogs Allowed, proudly displayed.  As for me, I'm bringing my camera, folding chair and giant foam #1 hand to watch it perform.  In the meantime, if you're stuck behind your computer, which you must be if you're reading this, check out Jenn Bertman's interview with me in my work lair on her blog: From the Mixed Up Files of Jennifer Bertman.   

Picture Book 2011

With this latest Picture Book ad, what this story might entail is up to the viewer.

With Pride

I had the honor of illustrating a poster for a fundraising event on Fire Island featuring Martha Wash, best known for singing "It's Raining Men" and the voice behind The Weather Girls. An icon for the gay community, the assignment serendipitously coincided with the legalizing of gay marriage here in New York.  I almost felt a part of history! The poster was art directed by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez of Somos Arte.  It was a departure from my usual projects and a welcome change.  I enjoyed doing work for the "adult" world and hope to do more in the future.

At the Ballet with Mudpuppy

A ballet where the prima ballerina is a cat, the admiring audience a dog, an orchestra pit full of piggies, and you have my latest Color Me Puzzle from Mudpuppy!  This one's unique because it's double-sided.  On one side you get the full-color illustration, on the other, a black and white version of the same image, so that once you've assembled the piece you can color it.  You even get a nice set a of fat wipe-off crayons to boot!  How can you not be a fan of Mudpuppy?

Summer Promo & Sneak Peak

Rolling out the big promo guns this summer.  The first one is a sneak peak of an interior spread from my upcoming book No Dogs Allowed (August 2, 2011, Sterling).  I'm also working on a few original pieces which I'll share with you once they hit the press.  Hope you like it!

No Dogs Allowed!

I am excited to finally have an advanced copy of my brand spankin' new book No Dogs Allowed!.  Its official release date is August 2, 2011.  It was a challenge to illustrate as the story is mostly told visually, with very few words.  The most exciting part is you can order an advanced copy online now.  Yay!  

Up Crocodile Creek

If you're a fan of puzzles (I know I am) I think you'll like this huge floor puzzle packaged by Crocodile Creek. They have a line of Tower Puzzles (they call them that because they each measure about 4 feet in length!), and one of them, Kids World Tower Floor Puzzle, I had the privilege of illustrating. Here's a link of an online retailer that carries it, including, of course, Crocodile Creek.  I'm a big fan of their products and I hope mine lives up to their reputation.

April Highlights

In the latest issue of High Five Magazine, in a piece called "Good Morning," I illustrated two landscape images, one city, one country.  Including more architecture in my work has always been a challenge for me so I knew I had to step up to the plate with this particular job. Normally I rely on character as a focal point to my work. In this case, I treated the countryside as one character and the city as the other.

Sketchbook Project Cover

Normally I leave the cover for last, but this time, since I decided that my chosen theme, "The View from Up Here," will record events around my growing baby bump, I started drawing (cutting and pasting) the first obvious thing to me.  Can't really explain the bright yellow, pasted in giant hands, but in a way it effectively calls attention to the belly.  I do have a love for fashion illustration so I incorporated a bit of that into the piece.  I can't say this book will be consistent with what I normally do, but that's the fun of sketchbooks, creating unexpected things and whatever suits my mood to draw, think, create. I plan on recording a series of events or "non-events" surrounding this very confusing, exciting, crazy and hormonal time.  This year has seen many changes and I hope to sketch all that stuff in as well.  More to come!

Picture Book 10

Here's my latest ad printed in Picture Book 10 below or turn to page 75!  It's actually my first too.  Hope you like it.

Change is Good

As you can see it's been a busy summer.  Can you tell by the Christmas-themed image?

Not that you would know since I haven't posted a lick all season.  But trust me, busy busy as a bee I have been.  Went through a major move from my home of ten and a half years (!!) to a bustling town closer to NYC.   I'm still unloading some things, constantly rearranging and organizing, and it goes a lot slower when you're carrying a load yourself.  

Yes, that's right, I'm sporting a new baby bump (don't know what kind of load you were thinking)!  As of today I'm a week shy of seven months along and due right around Christmastime.  Here's an illustration I did for Amscan a bit ago to commemorate what I've been doing...you guessed it, Christmas shopping.  It's a bit different from what I normally do, but what's fun about Amscan is creating art in styles that aren't always your own, keeping things interesting.  Still I do like to put my own stamp on new styles. 

How 'bout a high five for another High Five piece!

Yawn...been a bit sleepy here on my blog.  Well, I hope to start making up for it.  It's been a bit hectic in my household, lots going on including an upcoming big move.  So unfortunately, posting has taken a back seat.  Well, hopefully this will change starting with my newest published piece of the season for High Five Magazine's June 2010 issue.  The piece illustrates Myrna Foster's poem entitled "A Place on My Bed."  Don't you just love his pjs?

A Few More Important New Releases

I illustrated a series of books for Picture Window Books, written by Amanda Doering Tourville, about Friends with Disabilities, and am very pleased with the results, especially in the design and printing of the series.  If you have young friends or family members with Dyslexia, ADHD, Autism or Down Syndrome, these important books help children understand their peers who may be living with any of these disabilities.

Happy Groundhog Day!

OK, this is the last time I'll be spouting out about groundhogs for a while now, but of course, today I must because it IS Groundhog Day!  Most of the groundhogs throughout the country, including Punxsutawney Phil, saw their shadows, and unfortunately for us cold weather dwellers, the prediction calls for 6 more weeks of winter. In the meantime, I've enjoyed some Groundhog Weather School book sitings around my area (NY).

(1) Lincoln Center B&N, (2) West Nyack B&N, (3) B&N in CT taken by illustrator friend Jamison Odone

Art © Jean Cassels

Also, I made an appearance yesterday at my local Barnes and Noble during their morning storytime to talk about my book.  John, the regular host of the event, was gracious enough to lend me some of that time.  He also read aloud a book called Groundhog Stays Up Late and I found the illustrations by Jean Cassels to be very beautiful and worth sharing. 

Also, here's a great inspirational blog post from Design Sponge.   

Happy Groundhog Day everyone!