Bookmarks for SCBWI

     Here's a few bookmarks I designed for the Ohioana Book Fest in Columbus on April 25.  The local chapter of the SCBWI asked for some bookmark designs that kids can color in the children's area that day. Hope the kids like these. They were fun to do!

Illustration Friday- OUTSIDE

     It is almost time for this!!!  I have to say, I'm one of those people who enjoy winter.  I like the snow, and feel like a kid when there's a big snowstorm coming.  I live in Ohio, enjoy all four seasons, and each one helps me appreciate the others.  But, the approach of warm weather, not having to bundle up to go outside, going barefoot, and the smell of that freshly mown grass. . . aaahhhh (deep sigh here) - nothing like it.  I always forget the energy boost I receive until it rolls around again. 

     I've posted this image to my blog before, but this is yet another updated version of it.  You'll probably see it again someday with even more tweaking done.

Pages 12 & 13 of Serenity

Here's the spread for pages 12 and 13 of my manuscript Serenity. The story and illustrations are turning out to seem like the easy part. The hard part is the business end of it. Do I look for an agent? Do I submit straight to publishers? I'm going back and forth and weighing the pros and cons of both. There is sooooooo much to research! By this time next week either my query to an agent or a cover letter, manuscript, dummy book, and a copy of this illustration WILL BE ON ITS WAY TO SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, SOMEHOW. As soon as it's on its way I am popping open the bottle of champagne I received from my step-daughter for my birthday!!!  Can't wait! Then, it's on to the next story!

photo quote

Here's a project I did recently for my son-in-law. 

This is the one I did for him originally. I painted the photo equipment in acrylics and inked the words over the top.  I just wasn't happy with the job I had done on the lettering.  So, I dropped it into the computer, erased the words, and added a layer with the new lettering (also done by hand in ink and watercolor pencil).