Illustration Friday - Homage

This is an "homage" to friendship. This illustration is about a little character called Douglas who feels lonely and decides to bake himself a friend. Friends are so important so this is also an homage to my friend Becca who is always there for me and inspires me.

I had a great night last night making pop up cards and brainstorming picture book ideas. Orange and cranberry cider was unusual but very nice!

Illustration Friday - Pet Peeves

I can't stand nasty smells invading my nostrils!

Spot

I have just been to visit my friend Debbie and bought her son Thomas an Easter present. One of his presents was a picturebook by Eric Hill about Spot the dog's first Easter. Coincidentally I then came across this interview. I love finding out how famous illustrators work.

Illustration Friday - Heavy

This is one of my illustrations for the children's book that will be published and available to buy on the 30th September.

http://www.palimpsestpress.ca/naming-book-rascally-rhymes-p-300.html

Have I mentioned this before????

This illustration is about a little boy called Kalvin who loves collecting things but not heavy dinosaurs!

Updated AOI Portfolio

I've just updated my AOI Portfolio. Fingers crossed that this will encourage more commissions. I was horrified to see that I hadn't updated my change of email address. I can only wonder how many people had contacted me about work. Big mistake! All changed now.

My next mission is to complete my new picture book idea and make a couple of mock up books to send off to agents and publishers. I hope this is my year!

I also need to begin to send off mailers to potential clients. I need to stop thinking I'm not ready. I have a book coming out in September so why do I still feel that i'm not good enough yet?????

I have sat looking at other illustrator's work seeing all their commissions and books and just want that to be me. If other people can earn a living drawing and getting books published then surely I have a chance. I should feel inspired not down in the dumps!

Illustration Friday - Garden

This is one of my rare digital illustrations as i prefer the tactile feel of putting paint to paper. It's about a rabbit who didn't like carrots. Here is Norman contemplating picking some carrots from the vegetable garden.

My first ever illustrated children's book

The Naming Book of Rascally Rhymes

Written by Jordan Troutt and illustrated by ME!!!

After many months of hard work, my dream of becoming a children's book illustrator is becoming a reality. Palimpsest Press who commissioned me to illustrate a children's book for them have put it on their website's catalogue. It will be available to buy from Tuesday 30th September 2008 for $23.00CA. I'm dead excited!!!!!

Illustration Friday - Leap

I've been so busy illustrating a children's book over the last few months that I haven't participated in Illustration Friday for ages so here is my first one for 2008!
This illustration is based on one of my picture book ideas about a little character who enjoys inventing things but is not always successful.