The Disgruntled Elf Part 2

Round one: Tree 10, Elf zip.

The Disgruntled Elf

I sketched this late last night after a long evening of stringing up lights, chasing down and replacing the bad bulbs, and unboxing ornaments.

In The Spirit Of The Season Day 9

Here is a piece from the book Silent Night, Holy Night. The story of how the Christmas carol came about. I painted all the art in watercolor and Prismacolor Pencils.

In The Spirit Of The Season Day 8

This is the cover art for the book The Legend of St. Nicholas, depicting a very young St. Nick early in his career. I painted this piece in acrylics and prismacolor pencils.

In The Spirit Of The Season Day 8

This piece was just pure fun to work on.

In The Spirit Of The Season Day 7

This is the cover art for the book Clear Moon, Snow Soon. I can feel the cold air just looking at this piece. Probably has something to do with growing up in the Midwest. I painted the art for this book in oil on paper.

In The Spirit Of The Season Day 6

Just a fun piece for the back cover of the book “The Night Before Christmas.” It was great fun illustrating such a classic story. I painted the art in watercolor and color pencils.

In The Spirit Of The Season Day 5

This is one of my favorite pieces from the book “Junk Man’s Daughter.” I painted all the art in watercolor.

In The Spirit Of The Season Day 3 & 4

These are two pieces from the book “Papa’s Gift” written by my good friend Kathleen Long Bostrom. I’ve always enjoyed painting snow. It sure beats shoveling it, which I’ve done plenty of times. Who knows, maybe it takes experiencing the snow and cold to really understand it… naw.

 Snow Chickens.

Making a snow sandwich.

In The Spirit Of The Season/Day 2

The shopping scene from the book “The Legend of St. Nicholas.” I painted this piece in acrylics. The unique perspective kept things very interesting. It was a lot of fun to work on.

In The Spirit Of The Season

This is the title page illustration from a book I illustrated titled, "Clear Moon, Snow Soon. I painted all the artwork for this book in oil on paper.

Fire Chief Aiden

Another quick painting.

Chief Kelly

I set sketches aside for those times that I just need to paint for myself. It gives me a chance to explore new procedures, work with different color pallets, add to my portfolio, or just have fun with. I’m very happy with the way this painting turned out. The wheels of inspiration are turning. I’m looking forward to doing more.

Wait For It

I inked this one digitally... 

OK, Now What?

Commander Cowley hadn’t considered the possibility that they would actually make it over the moon.

And Then There's This

Just felt like sketching in color for a change.

Something I'm Going To Paint... Soon

Trouble on Broccoli Gamma 4

I began this piece late Friday afternoon as a break from my regular work, then finished it up Saturday Morning.

A Quick Drawing

Finished Painting

I was able to steal a little time here and there while working on several other projects to finish this piece up. I actually started it 3 times, but was never happy with the direction it was going in, (artistically, not literally) — till now. Glad I persisted.

An Ink Drawing, and How It Happened

Background Noise

Drawing in front of the tube last night… technically anyway. Although I would have looked up if something sounded interesting. But, for the most part, I was busy drawing. As for what was on — Probably the news… I didn’t look up.

The Cover Concept

Good ideas usually get better with a little help. This was my first cover concept for “Jump!” I wanted to see what the main character, Barb, might look like while I was still working out the story. This image really stuck with me but it was suggested that I take another stab at it. The word Jump… well, didn’t jump. Now wouldn’t that have been awkward. letting go of an idea isn't always easy, but I'm always amazed at how much better they get when they're challenged a little. I'm glad I had the opportunity to re-think this cover.

The Barb Book

I was in Starbucks the other day and had “jump!” with me. A woman with three kids saw the book and shouted, “Oh, you have the Barb book! We just love that book, we read it every night.” I’m thrilled to have my book identified by its main character.

Sign them? I thought they said read them!

I signed 8 cases of Jump this morning. 

Duck Race

And now for something completely different… I’m Looking forward to painting this one.

Sophie

Overwhelmingly happy, it was all Sophie could do to keep from cracking a smile.

Perspective

I liked the dramatic perspective of this sketch.

Decided to finish it up in line.

Whoa, check this out! Amazon.com has the “Look Inside” feature functional on my book. Very cool! 

A Very Short Fishing Trip

Felicity was happy and she knew it. Which of course, prompted her favorite song.

Flinch: A bit wobbly and unreasonably nervous around buzzing noises, the once unflappable horticulturist was never quite the same after his unfortunate dentist waiting room experience.

Eye Robot

When it comes to working in pen and ink, there's no dilly-dallying about it. No hemming and hawing. No beating around the bush. You just say it — or put the pen down. It's an exercise in brevity, which is why I like it so much. It keeps my color work on track by reminding me what's important, and what's not.

I'll be signing books at the Tucson Festival of Books this Saturday, (3/15), at 10am. Stop by and say hello.

Life In The Fast Lane

A bit more than just wishful thinking, Wendell, once again longed for the sleepy scenery of his own backyard.

Two Far-fetched Characters

Handlebar Bill: The notorious gum-cracking, big-hat-wearing, stick-in-the-mud, broccoli eatin', two-bit, four-flusher with a mustache as wide as a pizza pie—bad guy. 

Luciano LaCheeze: Crooner of the crown. Song-mouse of the tresses (and quite a bit shorter than you might think). Affectionately known in some parts as, Frank, due to his rather lively rendition of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”

The Wordwizard

My original inspiration for this piece was just a goofy sketch I did while watching TV. (I don't remember what was on.)

The idea of a convoluted cycle seemed interesting enough. But where was it going? And who was riding it, and why? Clearly, I didn’t have a plan at the moment, but I was having fun. Sometimes you just gotta fly by the seat of your pants. To quote Indiana Jones, “I don’t know, I’m making this up as I go.” 

Coffee...

I'm up!

Two Of A Kind...

Character, attitude, and a sense of humor, makes for a fun sketch. 

Cake...

This is what happens when you draw while your mind is on dessert.