Evolution of a sketch

In one of the scenes in Disappearing Desmond the new kid at school (Gloria) keeps noticing Desmond, despite his efforts to keep out of sight. Here is the evolution of that sketch.

At first my idea was to have Desmond hiding in a bush, fruitlessly shielding himself with a branch, and Gloria turning to notice him:



Then I thought it might be better visually for them to be on different planes, with Desmond up in a tree and Gloria down on the ground, to underscore their different frames of mind (Gloria being extroverted, and Desmond being introverted):



But something still didn't feel right... so I flipped the image of Desmond so that Gloria notices him as she passes. I thought this better showed how effortlessly Gloria sees him (she doesn't turn and is not looking right at him), which tells us about who she is and tells us more about him, that his efforts at hiding are in vain:

Furball Friday: the new place

Oh look at this. A mattress turned sideways next to a window. What a cozy place to sit.



I could really get comfortable in a spot like this.



I love this new... WHOA!



That was embarrassing.



This spot's all yours Wilbur.

A sweet review of Abigail...

... from lehighvalleylive.com, click here to read!

"Charming in every way, this powerful little story will connect with children on multiple levels."

Highlights from a crazy month

Please forgive my lack of posting, the past few weeks have been mad! Since I lasted posted I have moved from Boston to Northampton, finished the book dummy for Disappearing Desmond, and been scrambling to finish planning my wedding which is now in LESS THAN THREE WEEKS. *gulp* Since I am still knee deep in boxes and seating charts, I will offer some highlights in pictures...

When we first arrived, my studio looked like this:



I needed to set it up right away to meet a deadline, I'd say its about 75% there now... still need to put up my bulletin boards do a little rearranging. Definitely the biggest work space I've had so far!



Here is George sleeping in the mess, with his head resting on a wooden shelf. Oh George.



Once the studio was in order I finished off the Desmond sketches I've been working on. I have to say I am very excited about this book.



When not drawing or unpacking, I've been attempting to continue with wedding craft projects. My mother and I are sewing cloth napkins out of this amazing fabric I found on fabric.com:



This is what they look like. Each place setting will have a different napkin, and guests will get a set as gifts.



Can't forget about the legal stuff! Yesterday we headed down to City Hall for our marriage license:



Here we are out front, bleary-eyed but happy. Its been a little crazy having everything happen at once, but when we took the oath and got our little slip of paper we couldn't help but feel that everything is happening just as it should.

Furball Friday

More soon on the blog- promise! We are still in apartment mayhem, slowly unpacking ourselves out of it...

Furball Friday

We are still unpacking (and I can't seem to locate the cord to connect my camera to my computer), so today I will post a pic of the boys from our old place. Though there are LOTS of them at the new place. You just wait.

Recent sketches for Disappearing Desmond

Things I realized when I moved

*The vast majority of my possessions are work related; for every one box of clothes or towels or pots and pans there are 10 of books and paper and art supplies.

*Also, I have a LOT of plants. Some got damaged on the ride and I felt like I lost family.

*I'm totally addicted to the internet. If I don't set it up right away when I move it feels like something big is missing.

*I love arranging space.

*I aspire to own only things that I use. Except for several giant tubs of fabric and yarn that I rarely touch, but like to know are there.

*Hiring movers is TOTALLY worth it.

*I am ready for the next phase, even if it makes me sad to see things change.

Furball Friday: moving

Moving moving moving

Please forgive my lack of posting this week while I move from Boston to Northampton! Right now my office looks like this:



Will post pics of my new work space when we get there!

Massachusetts Book Awards

I've just learned that Priscilla and the Hollyhocks made the Recommended Reading list from the 9th Annual Massachusetts Book Awards. Hurray! Here is the full list in the Picture Book category:

As Good as Anybody by Richard Michelson. (Knopf) Lessons from the parallel upbringings of Martin Luther King and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel culminate in their 1965 march together against discrimination, from Selma to Montgomery.

One Hen by Kate Smith Milway. (Kids Can Press) The true story of Kojo, a young boy from West Africa, who realizes that one small loan will result in a successful venture. An inspirational story about a little help, i.e., a micro-loan, that makes a real difference.

Planting the Trees of Kenya: The Story of Wangari Maathai by Claire A Nivola. (Frances Foster/FSG) The story of 2004 Nobel-Peace-Prize-winner Wangari Maathai who launched the Green Belt Movement in Kenya and changed her homeland one seed at a time.

Priscilla and the Hollyhocks by Anne Broyles. (Charlesbridge) With a backdrop of the Trail of Tears, the true story of a young slave, Priscilla, separated from her mother, who is sold away, and connected to her past through hollyhock seeds she eventually gains the freedom to plant.

Sisters of Scituate Light by Stephen Krensky. (Dutton Children’s Books/Penguin) During the War of 1812, two sisters trick the British soldiers into retreating from Scituate Harbor, by playing the flute & drum. Based on a true story.