March Break

We had a relaxing March Break, which considering our usual hectic schedule, was a very nice change. My oldest had a hockey tourny the first two days with Daddy, but apart from that it was wonderful to just stay close to home, bike ride, and spend time together enjoying the unseasonably warm weather.   We also took our annual March Break day trip to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. My boys(hubby included) love, LOVE anything to do with aviation, or military history etc. If you have never been to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, I highly recommend it! The kids can sit inside some of the planes and they also have simulators-very cool! We hope to go back in June to watch their annual air-show, we'd love to see the old Lancaster in action.

I also got a little work done too. Here is a little peek at my table top, I like to spread out all of my many reference photos when I sketch. Then I can quickly glance back and forth between them to get a better feel for the animal, yet continue to sketch organically. These are some rough thumbnail sketches for the book I am currently illustrating, "Skink on the Brink" by Lisa Dalrymple. I hope to share snippets from time to time, to share the process with you.

It is a balmy 19 C today so I think I will get a fresh mug of tea and take everything outside to the deck, to enjoy this warm weather...it won't last, I think we are due for frost in 2 days?? Crazy Canadian weather, eh? LOL ;)

March Desktop Calendar

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Happy Leap Day!

Here is my desktop calendar for March 2012. My Leap Day gift from me to you :)

I couldn't resist using my Stewie the skink illustration for a calendar. He is the main character of the first picture book  I will be illustrating!Lalalalaaaaaa, I love the sound of that! It's called "Skink on the Brink" written by Lisa Dalrymple, published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside, it is due out in Spring 2013.  I am so excited!

To download this desktop calender just click on your screen resolution above, then right click and select "save to desktop". Easy peesy.

Look at my cute, custom iphone case!

Yes, I got an iphone! I have been using a Blackberry for a few years, and loved it. Hubby and I decided to make the switch to an iphone after our BB contract was up after researching/ learning about all the cool stuff(holy cow there is an app for EVERYTHING!) that the new iphone had to offer. The picture quality is pretty amazing too!
I thought I'd jazz mine up with a cool, custom case. I ordered this one from Case-mate, it is a "Barely there" iphone 4 case. It was super easy to upload my design and order.
I decided to use my adventurous mice illustration, as I do love their infectious energy.
Don't you just love it?
I think I might have to order a special one of Stewie the adorable skink in "Skink on the Brink", the first picture book I am delighted to be illustrating, written by the fabulous Lisa Dalrymple, due to be launched in the Spring of 2013 by Fitzhenry and Whiteside. Maybe I can bulk order a few? I hope Lisa and Christie my editor, have iphones by then?? LOL. I am getting way ahead of myself with excitement...

February 2012 Desktop Calendar is here!

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I don't know about you, but the first month of 2012 flew by like a whirlwind. Maybe it was the combination of crazy hockey schedules(for my 3 oldest boys), plus landing my first picture book contract, in conjunction with the daily hustle and bustle of having 4 busy kids. But I don't mind, the busier I am the more I seem to get accomplished.
I thought for this month's desktop calendar I would use a new favorite image that I created for this year's SCBWI Tomie dePaula award submission. I had a blast creating this illustration. Who knew fowl and feathers would be so much fun to create in plasticine? I thought my lovey-dovey couple, Cocky Locky "cool-man" rooster and his swooning hen, Miss Henny Penny would be the perfect couple to feature.

To download this calendar simply click on your screen resolution link under the above image, then right click and select "set as desktop background". Easy peasy.
Cheers to a Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope you all have a fun, productive, and happy February. :)

Featured on Miss Marple's Musings Blog by Joanna Marple

I was asked by my new 12x12 FB challenge friend Joanna Marple, if I'd like to be interviewed for her blog feature "Interview Wednesday"  featuring up-and-coming illustrators.
Joanna's blog features book reviews and reflections from across the cultures, interviews, and resources for parents and educators.  Well of course I jumped at the chance, answering with a big resounding SURE!! I was very honoured to have been asked and  I had a blast answering Joanna's great interview questions. Please visit her blog and check out my interview at Miss Marple's Musings.
Thanks so much Joanna for the interview, and I look forward to getting to know you  through the 12x12 challenge. :)

BIG NEWS!!! I will be illustrating my first Picture Book!

 I can now officially announce my BIG news! I am going to be illustrating my first Picture Book, "Skink on the Brink" by Lisa Dalrymple, published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside, due out Spring 2013. Holy Moly, can you believe it, every time I say it I start doing my happy dance again! I feel like I am going the burst, I am so incredibly excited! I had the pleasure of visiting Christie Harkin and Cathy Sandusky at Fitzhenry & Whiteside yesterday. My editor(ok how fun is that to say?!!) Christie Harkin gave me the o.k to give you all a sneak peek of one of the preliminary illustrations.  I used plasticine of course and tried painting Stewy with acrylic gloss to give his skin a glisten.
So let me introduce you to.....drum roll please.....Stewy the skink. He might be teeny tiny, but he has a larger than life personality that I an so excited to illustrate and share with the world. Lisa wrote an amazing manuscript, that immediately pulls you in. I know you will  fall totally in love with this little guy just as I did. So mark you calendars  for "Skink on the Brink's" release date for the Spring of 2013.
Lisa also has another book in the works called " If It's No Trouble...A Big Polar Bear" coming out with Tuckamore Books in Sept. 2012.

I hope to post a bit about the process of illustrating a picture book as I go(after the ok of course) to document the whole wonderful journey.
Maybe there will be the occasional photo of Stewy too- another sneak peek from time to time. ;)

 Back to my happy dance :)...Have a great weekend everyone!

Happy New Year! January 2012 Desktop Calendar is here!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I hope you all have had a great Christmas and holiday season so far. I am very excited to see what new and exciting opportunities come our way in 2012 and I hope you are too. Here is my January 2012 desktop calendar as my gift to you for all you support and friendship over this past year- Thank-you so much! To download this desktop calendar simply click on the preferred screen resolution link, right click, then select "set as background".
 I have met so many wonderful and talented illustrators and Children's Book industry people through SCBWI, CANSCAIP, FB and twitter and  I hope to meet you guys in person at a conference one day soon. Reflecting on the past year makes me a little emotional as I reflect on the supportive, and encouraging relationships I have with so many wonderful people. I am so very thankful to all my family and friends for enriching my life, I love you all :)

Wishing you all a very productive, and happy 2012!!