Thursday, January 28, 2010
Fatou Fetch the Water
Here are some images I illustrated from a book called Fatou Fetch the Water, written by Neil Griffiths and published by Red Robin Books, UK. The illustrations are mixed media, gouache, ink, cut paper, acrylic and ink... It will be out later this year. I am very excited about this one, as my little sister is working in Africa again this year. Someday, we hope to go and lend a hand as well. This is my fourth book with this publisher - I just love working with them. Every book has been so different and this one was by far the most challenging and most fun at the same time.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
So much to say...
Anyway, this last week was an eventful one! Saturday started out with a lovely full page article in the Kingston Whig Standard about my books and family... and it just got better from there.
My students and coworkers from the Loyalist College PR post-grad program threw me a surprise baby shower, I went down for what I thought was going to be a serious meeting (and i was worried!!), and was greeted with a dark room and a wonderful surprise. It was a fantastic pot-luck, great games and such lovely unexpected gifts. The group brought in Children's books, and much to my suprise and great pleasure, many of them I do not have and/or had forgotten about how much I loved them. I have to confess though, they have not been saved for baby, Mo has been devouring them at a rapid rate. I know so many students are strapped for cash and I can't believe they did all of that, I am still smiling because of it!
This week so many things got done on the house too. Our dryer is back in working order after a lovely visit from our friend an electrician who pointed us to a separate fuse box where our dryer fuse was burnt out. Some history here - about 1.5 years ago we bought a new dryer, and it never worked. We thought it was because the squirrels we had had eaten through the wire. Anyway - long story short - there are some boxes that are scary to look into - and that was one for us... lol.
Also, we have have 3 of the 5 windows in our reno, and the new set of glass double doors (recycled), shawn took off the old wall inside that was crappy old particle board and pieces together (badly) to expose the gorgeous original siding of our house. It has some holes, but is otherwise pristine. So, it is coming, it is a long and laborious project, because Shawn has essentially had to do it all himself, I've been responsible for looking after mo and myself and baby, and he is doing a great job. It is so nice to walk out the back door and be greeted by our back yard - which we love so much. Cannot wait to sit back there with a nice glass of wine watching the stars.
On Saturday night we went to the Banff Film fest, my 9th year, Shawn's 10th. It was ok, there were a few great movies, but it seemed to really be lacking the environmental/humanitarian focus overall, awesome tricks and amazing footage of mind blowing athletes, but usually I am moved in one or two of the films and this time I just didn't feel it. However, the highlight was 'Finding Farley'. Lucky for us my sister works at the NFB and we have a copy of it at home... but it was a movie about a family canoeing through Canada following some of Farley Mowat's books. It was neat, their little guy was 2 at the time and so much like mo at that age it was crazy. Mo also started canoe tripping at 9 months... it was great. And well, we did not come up with the name Mowat out of nowhere, we do like Farley.
Anyway, life is good. It is busy, I am tired. But we have a roof, and food and the love of each other and friends and family. Who could ask for more?
Now we eagerly anticipate meeting our baby girl, sometime over the next month or so we will be holding her in our arms.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Some new art...
finished in time for me to have a little break before baby. I am so
happy to say that I am finally, totally, completely finished. Here is
a piece for the cover of the April 2010 Babybug. More to come soon!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Thoughts for Haiti
Red Cross
doctors without borders
Hug those you love and give thanks for what you have. Think deeply about what the people are feeling in Haiti right now as they struggle to find life and will struggle for survival.
Not sure I can say much more than that. We are all family, let's not forget that.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
STORIES FOR CHILDREN BOOK REVIEW
STORIES FOR CHILDREN BOOK REVIEW
Book: In the Snow
Author and illustrator: Peggy Collins
Publisher: Applesauce Press, 2009
ISBN-13: 978-1-60433-027-4
ISBN-10: 1-60433-027-9
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Rating: 5 stars
Do you remember the very first time that you ever saw snow? This book tells the joyful story of a little lad who wakes up to find out that it had snowed while he was sleeping. So he puts on his fuzzy hat, long socks, warm mittens, cozy coat, big chunky boots—and, oh yes, his snow pants. Then he and his dad go out and play in the snow. They learn about animal prints and feeding the birds, and they even build a "ginormous" snowman complete with a carrot nose. But what would they use a screwdriver and a wrench for?
Nothing could be more pleasant than a story in which a father romps in the snow with his boy. Basing the book on her own son's adventures and using the same characters as her previous book In the Garden, author and illustrator Peggy Collins combines this pleasant text with vivid artwork to evoke the excitement of a youngster's first snowy day. In addition to being a fun tale that will satisfy children's love for snow stories, In the Snow also encourages an interest in science and nature with the inclusion of backyard animals such as squirrels and rabbits and portrays a loving and warm father-son relationship. I mean, what can be better than going in from the cold for a warm nice and a cuddly snuggle? This book is a real keeper!
Related website: www.cidermillpress.com (publisher)