It’s an annual tradition-usually in late fall, to attend the Society of Illustrators Original Art show in NYC. It’s always so fun to see the illustration art on the walls and then look at them in the actual picture books, which are displayed in the gallery. My friends and I are often surprised to see the mediums used on the art. Sometimes it is digital (Procreate) and other times what we think might be digital could also turn out to be acrylic. There was a lot more collage in the show this year. That was my fave.
Trees, trees and more trees!
I’ve been painting and sketching on the go lately. Currently obsessed with trees! Can’t stop looking at them on my walks. Some of the trees here in Montclair are over 100 years old. The weather here has finally warmed and I have really enjoyed getting outside and breathing the fresh air. Pollution is way down due to so many businesses shut down. Car emissions down due to lack of commuters. So in that aspect, it’s great. I am so sooooo grateful that I have had this book project throughout all this. It has kept me focused and I work long days, which I much prefer to sitting around! This book will be coming out next year now—March as listed on Amazon. I hope everyone is safe and in good health.
Cover Reveal!
I’ve been toiling on this book for two years now! I illustrated it entirely in watercolor! So, so much work but it was the right medium for the book. And as you know, j’adore SQUIRRELS! More to come!
On books...
Publishing can be a bit of a mystery. You create these books, work on them for a year or so-laboring over every detail and then wait as they are sent overseas to be printed and eventually released a year later. You hope for good reviews and aside from promoting the heck out of them and doing as many events as possible (I also plaster car magnets on my Jetta), they are basically out of your control. Not always easy.
Yesterday I was in the local bookstore and spotted my second book "The Grumpy Pets" and was delighted to see that not only was it in its third printing, but the back now had the New York Times blurb added onto it! Made me smile.
back cover of The Grumpy Pets 3rd printing
It's been a good month for this book. A few weeks ago I was tagged by a librarian in Texas with this news:
It's one thing to get a review, but to have the children love your book is really what this is all about. It's easy to get caught up in the business of things but this is the good stuff.
Eloise exhibit at NY Historical Society
This show was definitely a highlight this summer. So cute!!!
Props to the exhibit designer. Well done!
Had no idea that the Plaza Hotel capitalized so much on this book in it's heyday. And so adorable was the children's menu. Those prices!!!
I never knew the back story between the author and illustrator. Wow! I won't spoil it for anyone, but again...wow!