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!

six months...... March 22, 2011

Juniper turns six months this week, can you believe it? I really can't. In the back of my mind I still feel like...what just happened? Something pretty wonderful, that's what. Forgive my shameless baby collage, I couldn't resist...!

more bonnie March 19, 2011

I've been a little out of the blog loop lately, busy working on Bonnie O' Boy paintings, and feeling really relieved and happy about how things are moving along. Super duper, actually. 

Gabe has been a secret champion...cheering me on every step of the way, swooping in with kind comments at just the right moment, and holding our household together so seamlessly when I'm off in painty Johanna world, that he deserves three thousand high fives. Well, not really. That actually sounds pretty cruel.

Here's some more book news....

1. I'm going to be illustrating the new Clover Twig book, Clover Twig and the Perilous Path, by Kaye Umansky! Just started on the sketches. Very fun to be revisiting these characters. Wilf!

2. My dear agent of four years, James Proimos, has decided to stop being an agent, so he can focus on all kinds of brilliant un-agenty things. He is loved and will be missed. I can't wait to see what new projects he has up his sleeve.

3. I'm lucky enough to have just signed with the fabulous Rosemary Stimola, of Stimola Literary Studio. Rosemary represents all kinds of amazing children's book writers and illustrators. I'm incredibly excited to be included.

4. My new book, Orchestra Pit  has an official release date! It's really going to happen! So thrilled. It will be coming out in Fall 2013, with Rabbits On Skates, in Winter 2013.  WOW.

5. Bandits is coming August, 2011. Hooray!! Book trailer coming soon....

Alright, back to painty world...

Softie Whale Hero March 08, 2011

Check out this brilliant Whale Hero softie made by this lovely lady. Sweeeet!! It totally made my day!

bike samples March 02, 2011

I've been squirreling away in my studio for the last few weeks, working on a few painty samples for Bonnie O'Boy Rides A Bike (Dial Books, 2012) along with some revised sketches. Whew! More soon..