rough for a cd cover

Rough for a job I am working on. Back to the traditional paint and paper. So much fun!

Hey Freddy, it's Canada's Birthday

Another one off to press, that's three this year!

Off to print - Johnny and the Gipsy Moth

Freddy #2

Another Freddy book will be on its way soon. Publication in June?
Crazy, nuts schedule! but lots of fun!

Gipsy Moth book

Getting deep into next book and loving the 3D additions.

Finished...almost

Finally finished my most recent book, phew! or at least the images, last bits of production work left and then it is off to print. A feeling of calm comes over me, a little time to stop and smell the daisies and then onto the next project. Something a little different but not too different. Getting comfortable with technique but it needs some cleaning up. Freddy's Day at the Races is full of confusion and people, just like the Regatta that it is about but the next book needs more calm and quiet excitment. Love starting a new project as there is always the anticipation of where it might go...

IF - Seed

Detail from a story sheet I am working on for my portfolio. It starts with a seed an this is where it ends.

First spread

The first spread is always the hardest, now onto the others. Fourteen more to go!

For my friends @ Creative Cup

The blogger community is great and even greater when you find the right place to share ideas, enthusiasm and information. That place for me is www.creativecup.blogspot.com and we are celebrating our first year together. Happy Birthday!

Illustration Friday - Leap

Piggie Wiggie it's cold outside...

Really busy these days and it is wonderful. Mind is rotating at a fast spin. Another book, that's two to get done this year.

New work

Beginning on the adventure of a new book. This one is a picture book based in the 1930s. Thought I would go back to traditional watercolor for this one. So much fun to do...

Playing around

Just playing around on the ol' prairie. Doing some sketching and trying out some things. Always testing out.

My Volcanic Adventure

Article and images in KNOW magazine, yeah! Lots of fun doing this one. KNOW has sold rights to Korea also, so hello Korea.

Another book image

Another illustration from the baby board book. All are done for the first round and out for proofing.

Book spots

A couple of images that I did for a book to be used on the chapter heads. They bleed off so they look a little funny in their cropping without the page layout.

Book image...finally

After many, many hours and days of working and struggling with style for this little book (board book for new borns) and some philosophical beliefs I think I have finally gotten somewhere that I am happy with. This is a total change of style for me but it just shows that if one persists long enough a solution can be found. I wanted something soft, emotional but still energetic and a little edgy. Trying to not look like a gift card for a baby shower. All feedback is welcome at his time as I still have the rest of the book to do. But I am moving fast now! When this is done I am going to try this style on something that is more humorous and see what happens then.

Checking out the summer brochure...

The first sketch on an new idea for a kid's book.

Paradise (IF)

Remember when...

Sketch for Illustration Friday that I never gone done in time.

Ladies at the Lodge

While visiting an elderly family member at "The Lodge", I did some sketching. Great lessons learned there in drawing older people. Loved this lady on the right as she had the same hairdo as I do in the morning, call it the rooster-do. I wonder what she is thinking or is she just enjoying her tea?

Watching for green... (IF)

This time of year, this is exactly what we do in Nova Scotia. Any little spot of green makes one so optimistic. Thought we were close to spring but no, snow arrived, and here we are sitting, waiting, hoping...watching for green.

I Spy - many sides to every story

Just where can one go with one image?

I Spy (IF)

Ready, Set, Go

Did you ever notice how long it takes to get ready for a vacation? I think it might take longer than the vacation itself...it did for this one. I am about ready to get on a plane to Costa Rica after MANY months of planning. Ever since I was a kid and read an article in National Geographic about some scientists exploring the rain forest from the top of the trees on a large net canopy I have wanted to go and do that. Not sure if I had the net canopy correct but that is the way I remember it. So, I am finally going! Haven't read anything about a netting above the forest but they do have zip-line tours in the canopy of the forest which I am going on! Too exciting! If I am a good blogger I will put up some of my favourite photos when I get back. I don't promise anything any more on this blog because I do know that I will be busy, busy when I get back.

So off I go, adiós amigos!

New project

This is all about finding another style that works for softer more emotional projects. Not so bizarre, less funny. These are roughs but pretty close to where I think they should be. I always wanted to work in pastels but I just hate the dirt and scratching noise of them and conte pencils. Was inspired by 'The Lost Colony' by Grady Klein. Loved his use of black. Did try it out in Illustrator with shapes as previously mentionned in my 'Spinning' post but this works better for me.

Comments welcome.