Sneak peak of another book

Can you believe that Christmas is over and we are only three days away from 2009? I sure can't believe it, but I guess I have to accept that it is here. The one good thing about the end of this year is all of the fun things I have to look forward to in 2009 which include at least 2 more book releases and possibly a couple more depending on the final production schedule. I have been extremely blessed as of late and am really excited to share with you the new books that I have worked on recently and the new one that is to come, but know that I can't share too much yet. So with that, here is a sneak peak at a book that is to be released in March. I hope you like. I know it is a different look than my acrylic textural work that I did in "The Sick Bug", but feel it really fits this book. I think you will see why when I am able to share more. Until then, I hope you all have a great rest of 2008 and have some fun plans for the ringing in of the New Year!

"The Sick Bug" gets its first big award

Hello Everyone. I know it has been hard not to mention anything the last week, but since I saw that Susie had mentioned it on "The Sick Bug" website, I thought it was good to go. The official press release isn't going to happen until January when the MCA's announce all of the winners, but here it goes. We just found out last week that "The Sick Bug" has been named a "2009 Gold Medal winner" by the Mom's Choice Awards®. WHOOOOO HOOOOOO! How exciting it is! I can't wait to get those little medallions on the cover of the book. So, for Susie and I, Christmas came early and we are loving every minute of it. Thanks to all of you for the support that you have shown the both of us as we have been out an about promoting and promoting and promoting. It definitely makes all of the hard work worth it.

Anyways, it feels good to get that off my chest and am now anxious for the official press release and to see where it goes from here. Hopefully we will be starting work on "The Sick Bug II" soon as well.

So with that, I will wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Lets hope that holiday cheer will be all around.

Need I say more?

Here is the space I was exhibiting in. I was able to use the whole front section with my paintings, prints and books.



And then here is a shot just before the opening last night. Need I say more?

Holiday Art show at the Elk River Art Gallery

Hello everyone. I know it is short notice here, but thought it is never too late to get the news out there. Starting on this Thursday Dec. 18, I along with a number of other artists are going to be showing works of art at the Elk RIver Arts Gallery for the Holiday show. It has been going on now for a little over a month, but starting Thursday, I will be the featured artist. With that comes a storytime and booksigning from 4-5 pm followed by a reception in the gallery. So if you are still looking for that last minute gift that will blow your recipients away, stop down, say hi and look around. It is sure to be a great time. You can also get a list of the other artists at the Elk River Arts Gallery Website

Here is the info itself and the picture above is just one of the great pieces for sale!

Thursday Dec. 18 through Dec. 20
Opening reception for 4-8 pm on the 18th

Elk River Arts Gallery
716 Main Street
Elk River, MN 55330
763-441-4725

Speaking in front of an audience

As a children's book illustrator there are often times that you are required to speak to a group of people, many of times which include kids. Now I know that for many people, the thought of speaking in front of any size group whether they be kids or not can be a scary thing. But there are things and activities that can make things a lot smoother like getting the kids involved through questions and small activities. But if you are someone who would really like to learn how to do these and don't want to learn in front of an audience, I would recommend looking at a workshop that the Minnesota Humanities Center is offering this January and May. It is a class titled "Reading Aloud Basics" and is a class that is devoted to gaining knowledge about the impact of reading aloud to groups of children.

The workshops are offered either on

Saturday, Jan 31, 2009 from 10-noon

or

Tuesday, May 5, 2009 from 6-8 pm

The fee is $35 and they are going to focus on the following:

1. Benefits of reading aloud
2. Tips for reading aloud
3. Book/story related activities
4. Discussion questions with reading aloud

For more information you can visit their website at Minnesota Humanities Center

Illustration Friday: "Similar"

MNSCBWI Winter workshop

Have you ever wondered how or what you should be doing to protect your work as an illustrator or artist. Well, the Minnesota SCBWI is having their winter workshop called "Guarding Your Work: The New Age of Intellectual Property Rights" this coming January in Minneapolis. It is bound to be a great workshop on what you need to be doing to make sure that your rights stay with you. Also, attorney William D. Shultz will be presenting information on the new potential Orphan Works Bill that is trying to be pushed through congress. So if you are in the Minneapolis area on Sat, January 10th, it would be great for you to take in this wonderful workshop.

The info is as follows

"Guarding Your Work: The New Age of Intellectual Property Rights"

January 10th, 2009

12:30-3:30 pm

Merchant and Gould P.C.
3200 IDS Center
80 South 8th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402

cost is $25 per member/ $35 for nonmember of SCBWI

for questions, contact regionaladvisor@minnesotascbwi.org