I like to watch pixels change color on the screen. It is much better than TV and it is very relaxing. Oasis is an experiment simulating pastels. The process uses a brush with an applied texture. The scale of the texture is changed frequently so that the colors underneath show through. I used the polygon lasso tool to select different areas and add the hard edges that give the image its geometric look.

A giraffe is not at all clumsy reaching the highest, greenest and sweetest leaves, but getting a drink is a different story.

This is a digital image created to look like a relief print (wood or linoleum block). There are five layers. The line layer (dark brown), leaves (green), shading (warm grey), spots (med brown), and body (yellow).
The pencil drawing that was scanned into the computer and used as a template to create the line layer.

yellow layer

green layer

med brown layer

warm grey layer | This layer would be difficult to print traditionally because of the change in value.

dark brown |

My life in children’s publishing has been in a confusing place for a while. One book is published and book number two has eluded me. I have one manuscript out to a publisher. When I sent it I felt really good about it but the longer the wait the less hope that I have that this book will be my second book. In addition, there are five book concepts that I like but still have major problems to solve. So here I am in the Valley of Publishing. It is hard to look forward and it is hard to tell how book number one is doing. So it is time for me to start climbing out of this valley.

I have heard some illustrators say that they show their work to children and other illustrators that never show their work to children. The picture book market is interesting because adults make the purchase and then children are the consumer. Who knows what will be successful and attract adults and is also “kid friendly”.

For myself I have discovered that a child can give helpful feed back but not in words. When I first show an illustration to a child (usually one of my children) I pay close attention to their immediate response. I watch their face and never explain the illustration. It needs to communicate on its own. I have found this to be good information.

If I start asking them questions, the comments are almost always nice because they know me and want to be kind. This information is less valuable.

I am pleased to announce that my favorite bow tie company, Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont, has licensed the Doodle Garden Bow Ties.

Stay Tuned for Availability
We are at the beginning of the process and I don’t know how long it will take but in the near future you can have your very own Doodle Garden Bow Tie (or long tie) exclusively from Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont.

As you may have noticed, I have been away for a while. I have finally returned and I have had an adventure. I had exploratory surgery and now look like I was involved in a magician’s accident. I am the proud owner of a 15 inch scar that follows along the bottom of my ribs to the sternum on my right side. The results of the surgery are all good for me. It is a relief to have it over with.

Un-brella is in 300 library systems according to World Cat. I just checked it this morning and it has made it to 300! It is fun to see which libraries it is in and to see that it is being checked out. If it is at a library near you go check it out! Have a great day one and all!

I have been spending most of my time lately working on a picture book project that I am sending off today.

Here is my sales line:

A delicious blend of color mixing and tragedy.

This is the time in the process that I think, that I have figured out all of the major problems in the book. It is a short lived experience because as soon as I drop it in the mail box, the doubts begin.

I hope this book makes it through the publishing gauntlet.

I just found these drawings in the deep dark corners of my hard drive today and thought I would share. I hope that you enjoy them.

The first two drawings are of my daughters. The has always loved to dress up and play mom with her dolls.

The following drawings are from a life drawing class. They are 15 minute poses. I took a lap top to class and had a great time.

I hope that you enjoy them.

One of my favorite blogs is by Fuse #8. This week she used this new word Hipification refering to an artical in the New York Times about librarians becoming more hip. Well, I think Hipification is a funny word and wanted to offer a few variations just for fun. Hippofication and Hippyfication. Both of these words are entertaining to think about. I mean no harm, it just makes me smile.