a long overdue web update

Yes, it’s been a while, but I finally updated my website. Look for lots of new work in ‘children’s’ and a few pieces in ‘grown-ups’ (formally known as editorial). Why the new name? Well, it seems that in 2011, I became primarily a children’s book illustrator, so the distinction seemed appropriate. Because—let’s face it—my grown-up stuff looks like it’s for kids too.

And my lovely publisher, Philip Lee of Readers to Eaters, has given me the go-ahead to provide a few more sneak peeks at Sylvia’s Spinach, due out this November.

Hey, and were you aware that Chicken Month starts in just a few days?

frederick douglass + chicken month

While the concept of the internet was most likely not at the forefront of his mind, I’m also pretty sure Frederick Douglass never anticipated being part of a blog post announcing a month of illustrations devoted to chickens. In case you’re wondering, there is absolutely no connection. More on the honorable Mr. Douglass in a moment...

Yes, you heard right: April is Chicken Month on Ornithoblogical. Every day, a new chicken...no foolin’. Go ahead, cry foul—just try and stop me. If this doesn’t rustle your feathers, and if you haven’t done so already, you can subscribe to Ornithoblogical by clicking on the RSS icon in the lefthand column on the site.

Now for Mr. Douglass. I was happy to contribute to the Book Cover Club again this month for their selection, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave by Himself. Here’s my take:

Presently, it’s back to the drawing board for me, where I’m up to my ears in rats for World Rat Day. Believe me, it’s not as unpleasant as it sounds. :^)

another peak @ sylvia’s spinach + bird 500 + more

 Happy Friday! Also Happy Birthday to Theodor Geisel, one of my idols.

This week, I’ve been finishing up the final art for “Sylvia’s Spinach”, and finally met my delightful editor/publisher Philip Lee of Readers to Eaters in person. Another teaser from the book is pictured above.

In other news, Ornithoblogical reached a big milestone yesterday with the posting of bird #500. There’s been lots of heavy-lifting going on in my studio this week. Not the least of which has been trying to find a place to store all of that art.

Also, I’ve got series of spots in the current issue of Kiwi Magazine, another installment in their cooking with kids series. This time we wash and trim mushrooms! Living the dream...