election time

So I finished the Obama/McCain piece, and sent it off to The School Library Journal. I was in Douglas giving school presentations when the call came in that they had received the painting. Yes.... I still deliver traditional whenever possible. Long story short, they really enjoyed the painting and I can't wait to see it in print. Sometimes you do work for someone that you really enjoy, maybe it's the subject matter and sometimes the art director. In this case, it was both.

I love working for SLJ. Mark Tuchman is a great guy to work with, and seems to get great work from his stable of illustrators. I am honored to have another cover for them and hope to do more in the future. These are a few of the in progress shots and the final painting with revisions. Still working in oil and can't see myself changing medium any time soon.

I don't know about you, but I've been enjoying this season of politics. From Saturday Night Live to the attack ads on television, I'm enjoying it all. This past Saturday, I was searching around on the internet for some reference for the next painting and ran accross this sketch for change website. I researched a bit further, and found out that this was a way to donate to a good cause and really do something for the greater good. I decided to submit the original sketch of Obama for this cause. I loved the sketch and wished it had been used on the cover, but it will get some longevity in someones life. All the proceeds go to the Obama campaign, finally something that I could do as an artist other than cold call and buy merchandise. Thanks for the opportunity to give what we do. http://sketchforchange.blogspot.com/

Preparing for Winter

It has been a while since I last posted. For those of you that have checked back and seen nothing, I'm sorry. I will try my best to do this more often. Winter is coming quickly, therefore I'll have more time indoors to do things like this.

I just received the PDF of 'Alfred Nobel' which will publish Fall 09. I'm impressed with the understated beauty of the design. Here is the cover image as of now. It may change, as things always shift, but it will give you an idea of the work that went into the book. What a great project. I am starting work on another title with Sleeping Bear which is a writers alphabet. Thumbnails are being reviewed and I should be well into this project in the next couple of weeks.

I just got word (unofficial) that 'Friday my Radio Flyer Flew' was chosen as one of the books for the Wyoming Reads program. This is a great program that gives every first grader in the state a chance to choose which book they would like to receive as a gift. A great program and an honor to have my book chosen. Thanks to all those that promote reading and the importance of picture books to the perfect audience.

The past few weeks I have been preparing for visits. First I did the Library Association Conference. After a few technical glitches, the presentation went off without a hitch. Librarians have a great job, and it was great to sign for them and see their enthusiasm for the work that goes into books in general. In another week, I'll be in Douglas Wyoming for three days presenting to all ages. This will be an intense couple of days that I'm looking forward to. Hopefully the kids will get something out of it and we'll all walk away happy. Presenting to children of all ages is the best payoff in this business. I love the feedback and interaction. It's always nice to open a younger mind to the possibility of a creative future.

I will be talking about many different projects with emphasis on 'Casey and Derek on the Ice'. This book just released a few weeks ago and since it's the most recent, it seems everyone wants to know a little something about it.

I will also be having a book launch party at the Casper Ice Arena on October 18th from 1 pm to 3pm. The event will feature the book signing as well as a buy one get one free ice skate for the attendees. Should be a lot of fun. A big thanks to 'Wind City Books' for sponsoring the event. If you're in town, please stop by.

Aside form the book projects, I'm taking a little break to fit in some editorial work. I nice change to meet a crazy deadline and do a bit of edgy work. Some political situation we're in right now, and working on the books only, I was feeling a bit out of the loop. So here it is, the pencil for the latest political workings. Hope you enjoy it. I'll post the oil painting as soon as it's completed.

Thanks for reading this ramble. Hopefully I'll be able to keep it shorter by doing them more frequently. Until next time. Do good work.

July 29, 2008

Hello to the few people that will check this blog.

I am a fan of the blogging nation, and only today decided to venture into one myself. I hope this is something I can keep up with.

I will post a few images here and there with some background and process to what I am currently working on and what is in the future for me.

I guess I'll start now. Thanks for checking out this blog, and I hope you enjoy what you see. I'm finally connected in a way. Thanks again for checking it out.

I'm getting ready to ship 19 painting to Sleeping Bear Press for my fifth picture book. The title is 'The man behind the Peace Prize, Alfred Nobel'. This book was a risk for me to take on due to the subject matter. I learned that Alfred also invented dynamite and therefore the destruction had to be tackled within the text as well. I went into the project a little tentative to say the least. The saving grace on this particular title was the supporting characters at SBP. They were and continue to be the most pleasant people to work with. I hope this relationship continues for years to come. The image post is a pencil drawing from the book. All painting were done in oils. Since it isn't published yet, I don't feel right posting them. Please check back and I'm sure some of them will be here soon.

'Casey and Derek on the Ice' is publishing this fall with Chronicle books. Another great experience. I love doing picture books. The freedom that I have as an illustrator is outstanding and the vision that publishers have for these projects is always amazing to me. Look for this one this fall. I'm scheduling book signings and speaking engagements right now to take me through December.

This past May, My first picture book that I both authored and illustrated came out via Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. 'Friday my Radio Flyer Flew' was released to some great buzz. It received a starred review right away and I hope it keeps its momentum through the school year. I'm very proud of it and the work that I did throughout. I will post more details of the paintings as I get more comfortable with this technology.
Thanks for letting me get through this first post, now I better go watch a movie with my son.