Another Gambia piece with cut paper...

I can see this getting addicting, and since it is only mildly dangerous - so what?
Dangerous only because I am slightly reckless with knives. I did, once, in a job interview, saw off part of my thumb with a knife while cutting lettuce. Strangely enough they offered the job anyway. Beginning of the boom in alberta where they just needed people I suppose. I was a cook for a long time though and I do still have all my fingers!

So, aside from that disgusting diversion, here is the latest piece in my quest for clothing of cut paper. The faces are done in gouache, background in acrylic and clothing in cut paper.

SCBWI Canada East Conference in Barrie

I love our conferences - they are really special. The people that come
are all amazing, love books/writing/illustrating, and you can get that
nowhere else in such concentrated form. Not to mention - our two
organizers are Lizann Flatt, who's book, Let's Go, is the 2009 TD
grade one giveaway book, a HUGE honour, since 500,000 grade one kids
all across canada will get her book – and Alma Fullerton, whose
numerous accolades include being shortlisted for her book, Libertad
for the GG's, the Ruth and Sylvia Shwartz Award, the Golden Oak (i
think and many more).

Karen Li, Kathy Lowinger and Lisa Graff gave us amazing insight on our
craft, making us think, laugh and I think succeeded in lighting a fire
under each of us to continue to get better. Not only were they
wonderful presenters, but also genuinely nice people, and we are so
fortunate they could come spend the weekend with us.

There were some new faces, and lots of familiar ones, which made for
lots of laughing and very late nights. It is also so neat to see what
people do from conference to conference, and how work is evolving for
everyone, i think we've all made leaps and bounds, thanks to events
like this..
I am exhausted, elated and inspired.

Now I need to get to work!

My Sisters

I have lots of ladies in my life, my good friends, my long time tent-
sisters and then my biological sisters. We've grown up now, and are
becoming much more like friends. I am so proud of them both. I am
writing, since it was just easter, and I am missing my baby sister
terribly (that's her - the gorgeous one in the middle).

She is working in Kenya with Free the Children www.freethechildren.com
building schools and doing general good works. I know she is making
such a difference over there - she can't help it, no matter where she
goes that happens. But Africa is so far, and I just want to hug her.
At least now we can virtually hug, and skype from time to time.

Next year, I want to take my family over to do some building, and
experiencing things - so we don't get lost in this North American way
of life too much. Here is her blog - http://collinatorskenyanadventures.blogspot.com/
There is much to learn and I can't wait to sit down with her for days
and hear all about it. Like I said, so proud, and miss her so much.

A group of Kinders explore talulla's Atishoo!

Kids creations...

My visits always contain a good chunk of art exploration with the kids... here are a few from two recent visits... I think they are incredible!

Hometown Book Reading

Well, on Saturday I did a reading at the Lindsay Public Library. It was amazing. Many faces, many friends, so many with kids. It was a total reunion, and completely unexpected. My only regret is not getting to spend as much time with the kids, which is usually what I do the entire time, but was so busy saying hi to everyone the hour went by really fast. Perhaps we'll need to do an adult event sometime! I also did not have enough books and ended up selling my last copy. We don't even have one now... wierd. I need to make one out to Mo.

Looking forward to this Saturday in Napanee where it will be more about the kids... should be great fun! I will also have more books.

Open Book Toronto Interview

SImon and Shuster set up a little Q and A on Open Book Toronto for In the Garden... here it is!
Photo is by Luke Hendry, but widely available online now.

http://www.openbooktoronto.com/news/crooked_little_house_beside_winding_river_with_luscious_little_overgrown_garden

Oh Happy Day

Ok, I have to admit, I have been too busy playing with my new computer... a 17" MacBook Pro.
I am in love. Not to mention, when they migrated all my info, they managed to gather ALL my photos and music that have ever been digitalized. So all my music is back, and all the photos... and I also need to mention, I am loving iweb, and will have a website up - soon!!

Yesterday, I visited a kindergarten class and It was so much fun!
They drew these giant gardens with me, and I am hoping to post a picture soon - they are so beautiful.