Painting...

Trying to...

Feeling Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you'll get to eat lots of turkey and pie!

Here are a few of the things that I am especially thankful for this year...

1. Book deals

2. The sunny new house that we'll move into in the spring

3. Getting to meet my cousin's beautiful baby, Harper.

4.  My dreamy husband

5.  Gingerbread lattes

6.  My jumbo round watercolor brush

7.  The illustrations of Gyo Fujikawa

8.  My friend, Jaclynn Larington, who co-founded NYCmore 2012, to organize NYC marathon runners to volunteer for the Sandy relief effort. 

What are you thankful for this year?  

Faces

When I was little I loved filling pieces of paper with faces.  Not much has changed.

Have you seen this TEDx talk by author/illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka?  It's really wonderful!

Also, authors Kate Messner and Joanne Levy have started "KidLit Cares", an auction to raise money for the Sandy relief effort.  There are lots of really amazing things being auctioned off, including a portfolio critique from Marla Frazee, tuition to the SCBWI 2013 Winter Conference in NYC, and a set of signed Lois Lowry books.  Take a look!  Maybe there's something you'd like to bid on!

Rose

Twelve Tales: Inking "Snow White and Rose Red"

Happy News!

Yesterday, I received word from my agent that I'm officially allowed to announce that I will be illustrating my first picture book.  Eeeep!  The story, which will be published by Beach Lane Books, is called "Baby Love" and was written by Angela DiTerlizzi.  ANGELA DITERLIZZI!!!!!!!

Gosh... I don't know what else to say about this... except that I feel so honored that my first picture book illustrations are for an imprint that I have long admired and will accompany the words of a member of the highly talented DiTerlizzi clan.  I'm really excited to get started.  :) 

Twelve Tales: Drawing "Snow White and Rose Red"

Well, I didn't finish this one before the end of October like I planned on.  But, hopefully it will be finished before the end of the week.

I hope you all had a happy Halloween!  And if you're over on the chilly east coast, I hope you have a warm fire and a good friend to snuggle up with.