State of the Studio

I'm having a hard time coming up with words lately, since my brain is in total-overdrive-drawing mode. Also, doing a lot of standing and sketching. It's much easier on the spine. I'm a complete Miss Cranky Pants if I sit and work all day. (Note to anyone starting out in this field: Don't skimp on good ergonomics!!)

It's a good thing I don't mind standing, since somebody likes to call my chair her own.
















Here's a peek at a sketch for the new book I'm illustrating:

















SUPER excited about this one.

Spring is Springing

Actually, it's more like summering around here...

Sled Ride Sneaky Peek

Here's a final spread from the Sled Ride book! And here's the sketch, from way back when. I can't believe myself that all the artwork is finished. It's true that you really fall in love with the characters as you draw them over and over. And it's just a little bit scary to be done and sending them off into the big world. But exciting, too.

And now, I'm off to draw Moose!

2012 Illustrator's Gallery (Pinch, Pinch!)

I'm beside myself honored to be among such talented company in the SCBWI Bologna 2012 Illustrator's Gallery! Still pinching myself.

Endings and Beginnings

Above is a detail from a spread I'm working on for the Sled Ride book. I'm heading to the finish line with the final art...

... and here are the different stages of each page crossed off from my thumbnail list. (Very satisfying to see all those "x's" accumulate!) Next it will be time to look everything over for final tweaks and then...












... it's back to the beginning again, with sketches of this fine fellow!