My sketchbooks are incredible works of art. And I say that completely without ego. See, I can't draw in a sketchbook without 2 minutes going by when all my kids are surrounding me wanting to either 1) comment 2) color in my drawings with the nearest crayon or 2) share the chair and draw with me on the same page. What this means is that I go through phases of drawing with my kids. Sometimes it proves to be simply a supervised drawing session for them. Even though they have their own sketchbooks, they prefer to just draw in mine. But that's wonderful too, because I see in them budding artists. Addie already is quick to tell me I am off a bit on this or that. And I have to tell you...she is very quick to say that she is the best artist in the ENTIRE universe. Don't you think so? I thought you'd agree.
Bringing to you a
It's been quite a while since I've added anything to the shop! And with the hot summer weather, and with a potentially second summer of not being in the ocean, I have needed to get these water images down on paper. I come from a long family history of mermaids. My Grandmother's nick-name was "The Tan Mermaid." My mother is a Mermaid, I am one when I am any body of water (meaning I don't get out) and now, my daughter:
From the very beginning of my shop opening, my Addie hasn't liked much of what I had to offer her. "Mermaids, Mom. I want Mermaids."
But I was always stumped. Mermaids just didn't seem to "fit" in the shop, yet at the same time, all the illustrations of mermaids that were available were Disney or the like. Why can't there be sweet vintage Mermaids? Well, they are here now, and I can't wait to do more.
And with mermaids, whales have been on my mind a lot lately too. We'll see how many I get out between final art pages. But these are serving as warmups, quite literally, since the book I am illustrating takes place at Christmas...and I am starting to get really cold!
Expect to see them in the shop next week! Stay tuned.....and have a wonderful summer weekend!
Sneak Peek.
When you put your life and soul into something, it's only natural to want to share it with the people you interact with. I mean....what mother can't keep her mouth shut about the cute thing her toddler said, or the sleepless night spent with a teething infant? It's just how we are made. We were meant to share things.
I for one, and not naturally a 'secret keeper.' I can keep a secret when there is a specific reason behind the withholding...like this book I'm illustrating for instance...but any one who knows me, knows that I'm a rather transparent person. I wear my feelings and thoughts on my sleeve.
But...the book is getting closer. Closer and closer to being done! It's taken a bit longer than initially anticipated: mostly due to my buying and selling and remodeling a house, having a baby and mothering 3 under school age children while trying to learn the industry of picture book making all at the same time. Whew! But thankfully I have the best editor in the entire universe (Yes, YOU Molly!) and I've been granted a lot of strength and help from my family...namely my incredible and good-lookin' husband.
I'll save all the thank-you's for when I'm actually finished with this baby. But it's been an AMAZING journey...one that I can't wait to share more of. I can't share it all now...I still have a bit more time before it goes to press.... but the lessons have been invaluable. I'm completely in love with the Children's Book industry, and illustrating picture books is the hardest yet most fulfilling and wonderful work! I feel so, so lucky. It's such an amazing opportunity and I am so humbled to be involved and learning!
A CHRISTMAS GOODNIGHT (Fall 2011) written by Laura Godwin and Published with Katherine Tegan Books, and imprint of Harper Collins Children's Books, is a simple goodnight story which mixes the traditional Christmas story with the story we make for ourselves every season. It is a classic treasure!
Stay tuned for more!
This makes me so happy.
I got this image in my inbox this morning from the talented designer Lindsey who blogs here.
I still get goosebumps to think that a little drawing that I created in the corner of my basement late on a Thursday night is the first thing a newborn baby will see when he wakes from his naps every day. I really love doing what I do!
Isn't that print just perfect in that space? She has a great eye and has a lovely home you can check out here.
*Print is from my ETSY shop here.
Mother Robin Redbreast.
There is a pregnant Robin that has been making a home somewhere on our property...I can't tell where yet. But I see her, lugging that big belly around, and wonder when those babies will hatch. Every morning, she finds a crooked twig in front of our breakfast window, and sings a little tune and then dashes off to find more twigs and dry grass. Is this her first hatch? Does she get scared? Or does she simply get lost in the present moment of a beautiful sunrise? This time last year I too was lugging around a big belly, and had only a wish of being as spritely and light as Little Robin Redbreast. By the size of her belly, and if my timing is right, I am thinking that she will have a very special Mother's Day.
Embroidery Patterns.
Yahoo! I have been so excited about this.
Embroidery Patterns are coming....and we're starting with the "Her Month By Month" set.
You can purchase a PDF Download or the Paper Copy here.
Have any favorite images from Sarah Jane you'd like to see as embroidery patterns? Comment below and let me know!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend....and just for fun....
I'll be extending the SALE to Tuesday. Purchase $50 and get a free Sketchbook.
Enjoy!
Rain drops for Amelia and FREE Download.
Paper Dolls, Paper Dolls. We do a lot of paper dolls around here, and it's high time for some new wardrobes and activities, yes?
And it's wet and rainy here this weekend, so this is going to be our weekend's Pretend Play activity.
This April Showers outfit comes complete with umbrella and Finn, Amelia's pet lamb. Can Amelia keep Finn out of the rain today? Cut it out and see!
Oh, and the best part is this is aFREE DOWNLOAD for you to print off and make today. The paper dolls can be found here, and this little scene can be downloaded FREE here.
The download even comes with rain drops if you want to make your own scene. glue these down to paper and display, or prop them up with cardstock and tape the raindrops to string for the ultimate diorama experience! Or just play dolls. Have fun with it!
More vintage art for the kids.
Well, Sarah Jane, isn't about time? I've been meaning to get this in the shop for oh....a year or so?
I have a list out the door of prints to add to the shop. They get finished one at a time...and drag in slowly these days! But isn't she so cute? I want curls like that.
