New Book Contract!

Yay!! Just signed the contract for a new picture book with Guardian Angel Publishing titled Funny Bug.  The illustrator has been chosen and here we go! This is a story I have held onto for awhile and tweaked and re tweaked through the years. It is geared for young preschool children and it is lots of funny fun.

I am also finally on the last illustration for the secret picture book I wrote.  I hope to get it off by next week and that means it should be out in about a year.  Yep, this is a slooooow business!

Veggie Tale Phil Vischer Story

I have almost finished this book, Me, Myself, and Bob by the maker of Veggie Tales.  I can hardly put it down.  He starts with his own background as a kid, through the unbelievable work towards his dream, to the rise and fall of his dream.  

It is loaded with his humor and written really well but what makes it so absorbing for me is his transparency and heart.  He is ending the book the same way he ended each Veggie Tale video, with the lesson learned from the story.  Only the story this time is about him and what he learned.  As always, in Veggie Tales, the lessons are ones we all relate to and hit the core of our heart.   I don't usually post what amounts to a review, but this book, at least for me, is one that is right up there with the list of books that have most influenced my life...just like Veggie Tales has done for so many people. 

My husband actually got to hear him speak and received a signed copy!  

Coloring Books for Refugee Children

I am so excited to find organizations that are not too far away, in McAllen, Texas who are helping refugee children on the Texas border.

 Information can be found on this site http://www.southtexasrefugees.org/ on how to help with food, clothing, and other necessary items.

Calvary Baptist Church http://www.calvarymcallen.org/  in McAllen is also helping.  I am about to send off a box full of two coloring books I had the privilege of writing the stories for along with a box full of coloring boxes to go with each one. It is important to feed the heart, soul, and creativity as well.  It is my hope and prayer that these items will help do that.

Let it Rain

New Baby

Wow, what a sweet whirlwind!  After coming back from a vacation with my daughter, we had a non stop week.  My middle son graduated from college and we moved him home...in 103 degree heat.  Whew! That's Texas.  Then our oldest son and his wife had their first baby, and my husband and I's first grandchild...a precious little girl. Such pure joy!! Next, we moved our youngest son back to college.
 Nothing like getting everything done at once!

This is some art I did on my vacation.  We went to a place where you choose a ceramic piece to paint.  They fire it for you and you come back later and pick it up. I chose an art palette and just had colorful fun.

Grandma Hugs

New Promotional

Sneak peak at a small part of one of the book illustrations:

Just for fun:

These are some paintings I did for our home based on the pattern on one of our chairs:

New Sketch

 This is a tidbit if a new piece I am working on.

 

Summer Art Class

I taught an art class for elementary kids the last three weeks at a local junior college.  It was an amazing room with a gorgeous view.  The kids amazed me!  We are truly wired to create!

Blocks

I finished a new block for my first grandchild expected in August.  This one matches her room.  I have many designs of my own as well which I am working on to present to publishers, etc.  It was fun to do this one just for fun.  I actually made a block for each letter of each of my children's names when they were little. I have gotten a lot faster!  Or maybe I just don't have little ones interrupting anymore!

I am teaching a drawing and painting class for three weeks at a college.  It is for elementary students where they can experience a little of what it is like to be a college student.  It is so fun to be in a college art room!

I am also continuing to work on my new book and a special gift for my first grand child expected in August.

 

Caught!

I finished this painting for now.  I am swamped with graduation gala for my daughter and have to give this a rest.  I cropped the left side for now but I plan on adding a bulletin board with photos.  The photos would contain images of the graduating senior with friends and in her cheer outfit, as well as one with her little sister.  Hopefully that will complete the understanding that this is a picture of an older sister finding her little sister in her room dressing up in her high school graduation clothes.  The model just happens to be my beautiful daughter as a little girl and now as an eighteen year old graduating senior.  Yes, it is a wonderful emotional time!

Past and Present

My daughter, who is my youngest child, is about to graduate from high school.  This is her when she was little and grown up all in the same picture.  I started the illustration at the bottom of a page and had to tape more paper on.  Sometimes you have to go with the flow of inspiration--even if it is on the edge.  I had to add our new puppy, Mocha.

Not far from our home is is a small field by a neighbor's house where they have planted poppies.  They are absolutely gorgeous!  I needed some excuse to paint a few and what better reason than Mother's Day.

New Sketch

A sketch I did today.  Still needs some tweaking before painting, but overall I am pleased. It will be added to a promotional page I am working on.

Creativity

CREATIVITY TAKES COURAGE

Courage-the ability to do something that frightens you

I love this quote! I heard it from an illustrator friend who is very courageous.  It encourages me to push forward!  Speaking of, I'm busy painting  the sketches for my new book and busy with graduation for my youngest child.  This is also my last year to teach art at Calvary Academy.  I have taught there for twelve years. Excited about the new season!  It is also a little scary as I push forward in creative endeavors...with COURAGE!

Mary Delany

While researching the history of collage for a project lesson I am about to teach, I ran across a very interesting female artist I have never heard of before.  Her name is Mary Delany.  She created beautiful intricate botanical collages way before Picasso or Braque.  And she started her artistic endeavors late in life.  This blog shares a bit about her life and a book called The Paper Garden about Mary and her art.  On my way to the library this week to check it out!

Just finished painting a picture I did for Easter and a promotional.