Furball Friday

We live on a busy street, so we don't let our cats outside. But that doesn't stop them from hoping.

A Greta spot

Just finished this one the other day. I love doing spots, so tiny and self contained and simple. A few more weeks to go on A Photo for Greta! I'll have more art to show soon.

Cartoonapalooza

On Sunday afternoon my friend Alissa offered me an extra ticket she had for Cartoonapalooza, a fundraiser at the Northampton Academy for the local library's children's room. So I took a couple hours off of painting Greta to go see what it was all about.

The afternoon was hosted by Mo Willems, and consisted of animations of his books and some clips from his many years writing for Sesame Street. I was psyched since I've never seen him present before and I loved Sesame Street as a kid. Also I was sitting in an audience of tiny children who laughed hysterically at the slap stick, yelled heartily that NO, you canNOT drive the bus pigeon!, and seemed to generally be having a jolly old time.



Mo introduced the clips, then answered questions at the end (questions such as "will you do the pigeon's voice?" to which he responded "I am doing it right now"):



They also showed Knuffle Bunny and Knuffle Bunny Too, narrated by Mo, his wife, and his daughter Trixie:


And of course all the great Sesame Street clips we know and love were just as funny and bizarre as they always were:

What can you do with an old tin can?

In What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe? there is an activity that shows you how to make a lantern out of a tin can:



I just discovered a shop on etsy (Mariposa Avenue) who uses cans to make lanterns and nightlights! Check them out...

Furball Friday

Greta sketch

I've been working on painting this sketch this week, its almost there... I'll post it when I'm done!

(click to enlarge)

BRG Weekend

This weekend some of us BRG met up in Libby's new place in Stonington, CT, a small coastal village with water on three sides. The town looks like it comes right out of a children's novel with its sweet little manicured gardens, historic houses from the 1700's, and city center with an old church whose bell rings to mark every hour. Alvina will have better pictures (as is usually the case), but I got a couple on a walk by the water:





We ate gelato and sang happy birthday to Grace and wandered along crooked rock walls. A nice break from painting to say the least. Some topics discussed:

*If you could wish for any other author or illustrator or editor's career, whose would it be (that is who has a path you relate to and hope for)?

*What are the differences between a chapter book and a middle grade novel?

*Do most writers have just a small number of truly great books in them? Does it matter?

What do you think?

Furball Friday

What can you do with an old sailboat sail?

Another great Etsy find made from recyled materials! Check out reiter8's shop of things made out of sailboat sails.

A tote:


Luggage tags:


A throw pillow:

A new Greta painting

Still painting A Photo for Greta... here is my new favorite from what I've done so far:

(click to enlarge)

Furball Friday: A series of unfortunate events

...have caused Willy to need a new outfit. He is taking it like the stoic little man that he is.

America

Check out this map painted by author/illustrator extraordinaire Oliver Jeffers! Apparently it comes with pins to chart your travels, love it.




(Via swissmiss)

Greta jacket painting finished

Last week's painting for the jacket of A Photo for Greta is all done and mailed off to the publisher. Here is how it finished up:

Labor of love

I recently discovered the work of Sharon Montrose, who photographs animals of all kinds. I love this little movie about her work! She balances personal and commercial work so seamlessly, I find this very inspiring. And what a dream job, making art and working with animals all day (two of my big passions).

You can buy limited editions of her prints at her web site, and open editions at her etsy shop. Make sure you check out the "tail" series and some of the more exotic animals... so modern and elegant and beautiful! I am dying to put one of these prints up on my wall.