What’s News with Me: You Are Not a Cat…

…and neither am I, but they are really fun to draw.

I just finished the first round of sketches for You Are Not a Cat, the first picture book by Sharon G. Flake to be published by Boyds-Mills Press. Best known for her multiple award-winning young adult novels such as The Skin I’m In, Money Hungry, and Begging for Change, Sharon is a real superstar in the world of children’s literature. So as exasperated as this little cat might look, it’s no reflection on my current mood—I’m having a great time.

Summery Summary

Since my last update to this page, I was on the brink of finishing a year-long marathon of picture book painting. Today I’m happy to report, it’s pretty much done. 

Zora’s Zucchini comes out first, this August, just in time for the bounty from your own garden. I’ve added a new section to my website, where you can get a few peeks at the illustrations. The image above, of Zora’s neighborhood, is one of my favorites.

Zora is also available for pre-order, if you are so inclined.  

Today, I spent the better part of my day looking over proofs for A Big Surprise for Little Card, due out in February 2016. The designer geek in me is thrilled that this will be my first book printed on uncoated stock. Thanks Candlewick!

Now it’s onto the next project—I’ve started sketching a picture book written by the great Sharon G. Flake, to be published by Boyds-Mills Press late next year. But more on that in a future post. 

Next week I begin my month-long teaching gig at the School of Visual Art Summer Residency in Illustration. It was such a rewarding experience last year, and I hope to share some of my students’ work here in the coming weeks.

Happy Summer to you!