Wednesday, May 28, 2014

BEA STUDIO TOURS
















Today it was my great pleasure to be a part of the BEA studio tours. It was an honor to have the book sellers in my studio. That’s Catherine van der Bil (above left) from EIGHT COUSINS and Tegan Tigani (above  right) from QUEEN ANNE BOOK COMPANY. In the photo below on the left is Gussie Lewis from the GAITHERSBURG BOOK FESTIVAL and on the right, Amy Oelkers from RED BALLON BOOKSHOP. Also if you look closely you can see my cover for Ann Martin and Laura Godwin’s new book “The Doll People Set Sail”. I'll post more of that on another day.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

FAVORITE ILLUSTRATIONS: RAGGEDY ANN
























I was recently visiting my wife's parents in Utah and I found an old copy of the "Adventures of Raggedy Ann", written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle. I don't know anything about him but I thought the ink drawings were great. These were two of my favorites. They're quite simple, nice line work and not a lot of hatching. I also like the use of the solid blacks, very well composed.

Friday, May 23, 2014

THE BLACK ARROW






































I've been reading "The Black Arrow" by Robert Louis Stevenson. I read it and loved it a long time ago and I'm enjoying reading it again. It's made want to make some pictures. Above are a couple of my rough starts and below a little inspiration from N.C Wyeth. We'll see where it goes. Have a great long weekend everybody, and do some drawing.


Thursday, May 22, 2014

A GOOD DAY IN THE STUDIO














My table at the end of a good day of drawing. Below is a drawing from the the pile.


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

THE GRIMJINX REBELLION























Here's the cover for the THE GRIMJINX REBELLION by Brian Ferry. This is the third book in  THE VENGEKEEP PROPHECIES series. I really enjoyed these books. If you like good fantasy, give them a look.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Friday, May 16, 2014

BEAUTIFUL IMAGES FOR SPRING































After enduring the long winter my kids an I have been enjoying seeing the blossoms and birds near our home in Brooklyn. It's reminded me of these beautiful prints by Hokusai. Years ago when I was an unhappy engineering student I fell in love with  Chinese painting and Japanese printmaking. It was images like these that inspired me to start painting. I hope you're all having a lovely spring.