pantyhose! June 30, 2011

The creative hounds are out, people. That's why I've been so quiet around here. 

Gabe and I have worked out operation, Wakey Wakey Eggs and Bakey, for yours truly, so that's what I've been doing. Getting up absurdly early, before the baby wakes if you can imagine that, to sneak off to the coffee shop to write and think. Sadly, eggs and bacon are usually not involved, though lots of coffee and toast seem to be.

The getting up in the wee hours is mildly painful, (especially when there are baby snuggles in the mix…)  but I've found that getting up for something that I'm desperately excited to do, is much easier than...oh I don't know....getting up and putting on a pair of pantyhose and heading out to a job where pantyhose are required.

I know that for many many people, putting on a pair of pantyhose does not feel like they are squeezing their soul into something tube shaped and wrong, and I salute you. For me, a pair of pantyhose in the wee morning hours is enough to reduce me to pitiful, weepy wails. It's also enough to inspire me to keep making a living as an artist, even though that can be a tough sometimes. And I must admit, a major perk to working for myself is wearing whatever I please. 

More soon....

etsy store is open!!! June 18, 2011

My store is finally open again. Hooray! I have prints and some mini paintings available right now, with new products on the way. You can check it out, right here.

Thanks so much for your patience. More soon!

Bridget Zinn June 02, 2011

Last week friend and YA writer, Bridget Zinn, passed away from colon cancer at the age of 33. It's taken me a bit to write about this. What to say? How do I wrap my mind around the loss of someone so young and vibrant and awesome? Impossible, really. 

I was in my studio the other day, and I just felt like I wanted to paint something special for Bridget's sweet husband, Barrett. When in doubt, paint. That is my (very unofficial) motto. 

The more I started thinking about this painting, the more I wanted to share it with others, and I thought it might be nice to sell prints of this painting, in memory of Bridget, with all of the proceeds going to Friends of the Cooperative Children's Book Center, (an organization that Bridget was very close to, and the chosen place for memorial donations.)

Bridget's husband thought this was a good idea, so it's now in motion! If you would like to purchase this print, you can do so right here.

**update***  

The In Memory of Bridget Zinn print is still available! Thanks to all for supporting this piece and Friends of the CCBC. I know that some of you were concerned that it was sold out, but I've just ordered a new batch of prints. For those of you that have already purchased a print, yours will be shipping on Monday, June 20th. Thank you again!

May 25, 2011

Where has the time gone? What the heck have I been up to the last few weeks?

Sunshine. Baby love. Book stuff.

Sketches and paintings and more paintings and more sketches. And...maybe a few spring-y breaks with an IPA and a sunset and some Clover Twig sketches and a giant eraser...and..and..a little fun reading because it's nearly summer. The Penderwicks, of course.

Sigh. Goodness.  

Juniper in Wonderland... May 11, 2011

First off, thank you so much to everyone who came out to Crafty Wonderland this past weekend! Wow. I had an amazing time. All of the kind faces and fun conversations were buzzing around my head when we got home, I could barely sleep that night! So much energy, and so much fun. Thanks again. 

I'm doing the last push for the Bonnie book, working like crazy this week. I just got a note telling me that the title has been changed to The Best Bike Ride Ever. Isn't that great? I love it. Photos of the spreads, coming soon....

Crafty Wonderland Spring 11 April 29, 2011

I'll be there! A week from tomorrow, can't wait! Hope to see you there. 

spring treats April 25, 2011

Spring has sprung in these parts. I've managed to break away from the studio to enjoy some family times the last few days. Easter eggs (my sister and her fam painted these, so pretty!), blooming yards, leisurely breakfasts, dinner on the sidewalk with long lost friends, and even a birthday party in the sunshine with a million cutie babies. Goodness all around. 

And MORE goodness came in the mail the other day. The kind folks over at Dial Books sent a springy surprise package of treats, for Juniper! Here she is enjoying the books and this cuddly pink elephant (that looks suspiciously like an elephant that appears in Bonnie O' Boy..) What a lucky baby!

what up April 20, 2011

true colors April 10, 2011

I've noticed some recent emails from folks wondering when exactly I'm going to reopen my etsy store...

It's been great to take a break the last few months, but I'm excited to reopen in early to mid-May. I'll send out a mass email when I do, so please sign up for my mailing list if you'd like to be one of the first to know…(especially for those of you asking about originals, they tend to disappear fast and I hate getting sad emails from folks who missed out.)  

In other news... the daphne is blooming, daffodils are peeking up, and it smells suspiciously (and deliciously…) like spring. Hooray!

dibble dabble March 30, 2011

I've never been terribly attached to my own paintings. I don't come back to them weeks later to rework them, I don't dabble with them for years on end, and I don't hang onto them for long. I admire artists that do, I've just never been like that. Once in awhile there will be a painting that I'll keep for a year or two, but more often than not, I make them and sell them without remorse.  Gabe has bemoaned this for years. Here's a typical conversation in our house:

Gabe: "HEY, what happened to that one?" 

Me: "Which one?" 

Gabe: "That one, the one that was right there?" (waving frantically at empty place on wall.)

Me: "Gone. Sold."  

Gabe: "What?I really liked that one." (sighs)

I've been meaning to make a proper painting for Juniper's room for the last six months. I've started a bunch of things and at last I finally have something. Here it is! I feel like whatever I make for her room, I should keep until she decides what she wants to do with it. Which makes me feel strange about this painting. Is it done? Can I stand to look at it every day? Will I dabble with it in a few weeks? I can tell you right now that I will. Indeed. And dibble. And who knows what else. And so begins a new phase…

In other news, James Proimos has a new blog and he posted a little interview of yours truly the other day. You can see it right here!

Dabble on!