More tiny birds, some less tiny than others

My birdies and I are busting out! Two blog posts in two days, and I jumped up a size for some of my tiny paintings!

For those who wonder, I do collage little bits of stuff in behind the paintings, because it helps me not to be so afraid of the "blank page." The "blank page" sounds like a funny thing to be afraid of, but it is like other unknowns that make us gulp and back away at first. Collaged bits of humor, love, hope, joy, light, color, and courage make the unknown approachable, not so fearsome, and maybe knowable.

At least that is how I feel after I paint these little tiny birds.





Wee Advent and New Year Birds

I make these tiny paintings (most are about 2" x 2") around this time of year, sometimes as gifts, sometimes just because. (Some of you looking at this might find one in your mail soon!) Most of these divine little beings frequent the shrubs and trees in my backyard. I love to watch them and to hear their winter chatter and song. Some I have not yet seen, but I know they are near.

Habits and Standards, who needs em?

As I launch myself into the process of creating the final art for my very first picture book-to-be-published (George Shannon's TURKEY TOT) I find that it is time for me to develop not only some really good time management habits, but also some really good standards for creating my art.

Can I just tell you that this is not the easiest thing for me? I have spent years developing myself as an artist who proudly shuns standards and habits and describable processes!!  My lack of discipline is--I tell myself--what sets my art apart!! (and creates such a mess in my studio)

Well, so, now the trick is to develop habits and standards that don't LOOK like habits and standards, that allow my art to retain the freshness of flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants spontaneity, that allow it to feel lively and layered and sort of organic or even unplanned. It's actually a fun new challenge, and I like that! I just wish I had a bigger studio, north facing skylights, a live-in photoshop coach, a color consultant, a techy sidekick who could make my printer and scanner and computer work perfectly, and an art supply store closer than an hour away.

Yeah. Life is really really good. But there is always something that could be better, isn't there? I don't ask for much.

This image is a little monotype/collage thingy I created of a Sandpiper. I didn't plan the process, but I think I could recreate this one. Maybe my habits and standards are more defined than I think.



Oiseaux, for you

I expend a silly amount of energy feeling guilty when I browse the internet rather than working on something on my to-do list. Enough with the guilt--I've put the browsing on my to-do list!
Here is what I browsed today, and it was just exactly what today needed. I found it on a new favorite blog called Booooooom!
Enjoy!
(Note 5/23: sadly, our right to view this sweet animation seems to have been revoked. If I find it again I will post it again.)

Bunny Experiments

These bunnies are being experimented upon! Taking a break from the real work, I dabbled a little in species modification and lifted these cuties right from the petri dish. They'll look special in the meadow at night--bwa ha ha ha!!

Words, lost and found


Have you ever had so much to say that you are at a complete loss for words? That is how I have felt lately when I think of this blog. My apologies. It’s been a long time. And I’ve had so much to say that I’ve said nothing at all. And I've also been working hard in a quiet room.

Time to emerge from my cave! But, rather than flood you with all that I could have been saying, let me tell you just a few small newsy bits.

Last week I sent off a signed contract for another picture book to be published by Candlewick Press!! This one won’t be out for about a hundred years (well…2015. Not THAT far off I guess.) I am over the moon to have a second picture book written and illustrated by me, join my first one under the roof of Candlewick Press, and in the caring hands of its amazing book creators.

I recently attended one of the best SCBWI Conferences ever, right here in Western Washington. I am sure that this year’s annual conference glowed from outer space! The weekend was filled with generous, funny, moving, genius, glittery contributions of the likes of Melissa Sweet, Rachel Vail, Bruce Hale, Bonnie Becker, Lucy Cummins, Scott Magoon, Tammi Sauer, Nancy Conescu, and many many more. Three things really stuck with me from that conference:
  1. As a writer or an illustrator, you’ve got to develop really good habits, and stick with them if you’re going to get your best work done, get published, stay published, and make the world different.  And you have to have grit. And thick skin. And determination. And feelings!
  2. Children’s books can really make you cry! Even hearing other people’s stories about how a book touched them can make me cry. (I almost had to be a jury member for a murder trial, right after the conference. But when I told them that I write books for children, and I am kind of a crier, they dismissed me. True story! I would have done my service if they wanted me...!)
  3. Children’ book creators comprise a wonderful, emotional, generous, passionate, creative tribe, of which I am very proud to be a part. 

I recently stepped into the role of Illustrator Coordinator for SCBWI Western Washington, so stay tuned for news of upcoming events designed especially for illustrators of children’s books. And of course, if you have any ideas or feedback for me please don’t hesitate to contact me!! I am so looking forward to being a part of the outstanding leadership team that makes our region stand out in SCBWI!

I’m just about to start the finished art for my very first picture book, TURKEY TOT, written by George Shannon, to be published by Holiday House. It’s very exciting to be at this stage—wish me luck!! And I just finished the revised sketches for my own picture book TWO SPECKLED EGGS, to be published by Candlewick. Meanwhile, I’ve been madly trying to program my children’s summer, because I have a lot of work to do! Any tips, anyone?

Finally, I read and adored this book: Children’s Picturebooks:The art of visual storytelling, by Martin Salisbury and Morag Styles. If you love and are fascinated by picture books, and are especially drawn to European picture books, then READ THIS BOOK! It’s academic, insightful, compelling, and filled with gorgeous illustrations, many of which you have probably never seen.

That's it for now. More soon.

Bloggy Face Lift

It's my birthday today, and in honor of that, I am going to spiff up my blog a little. Check back now and then for more changes, little and big. Trying to learn to be my own IT department! 

P.S. This is a work-in progress, starting today!

More Neighborhood Birds Enjoying the Season


It's been a mild December here, and the birds have been so song-ful. It must be their joy, when the weather is fine.

Here are a few tiny portraits of some of those who loiter in the yard or linger in the neighborhood. They are all characters-some more transparent than others. Miss Quail doesn't really live around here. But she insisted on a portrait in any case.

Sing out a little joy yourselves during this celebrating season. It's good to be alive! It's good to welcome the sun whenever it may shine!

Happy holidays all.

Neighborhood Birds


The wildlife that my dog and I see in the neighborhood Marina is unusually entertaining: sea otters with boundary issues, seagulls who really will swallow a large starfish in a single gulp, great (huge) blue herons with terrible posture and impossible patience.

Overseeing it all is the Belted Kingfisher, a theatrical dandy among birds, so well dressed in his high collared shirt. Undaunted by cold November water, he hovers, plunges, zips back with wiggling prey, all the while announcing his presence with a sharp rattling cry. He seems to prefer to fish in the morning fog, through which we watched his funny antics this morning.

(Note: I modified this painting after initially posting, and what you see now is the modified version. I think he is much more handsome now!)