The Clumsy Sunflower

Have you ever been the odd man out? The one who cannot get those steps straight? I have.
This is an illustration for a story I am working on - I am not sure where it is going at the moment, but it is filled with left feet and the heartache of fifth grade and not fitting in.

In the Garden

Here is the cover for my book - coming out in Spring 2009!

Sand in your ShoeS

We built a GIANT sandbox for our son. It was a LOT of digging, but we are heroes. We spend hours every day building pools and rivers and burying trucks. It is so much fun. We've had to fill a little pool nearby to clean up in before we go inside cause it gets pretty messy.

The best part is that our neighbour brought the sand in a giant backhoe - nothing more thrilling to a three year old boy - except for maybe a school bus.

Shaun the Shy Shark

The Olympics

Ok, I am a bit of a sap, but the opening ceremony of the Olympics always brings tears to my eyes. This year, more than ever. Disregarding politics and focusing on sport bring us - the world together, for me, I see hope. I see past the required fake smiles on the people in the audience and I see wonder in their eyes and a dream for the future. Every single athlete is there because they have worked tirelessly to be there. Every person there represents a kid who had a dream and has made it. They are all an inspiration to us all to work toward our own dreams and goals, and also to take a moment here and there to celebrate our successes - whether big or small.

Change is in the Air...

Portfolios - mine are always evolving. Right now I feel the urge to do a pile of new work, while I have a few weeks between projects and have realized a few things about my work - which I won;t post here for any art directors who are looking, BUT i have lit the proverbial candle, I have my eye on a few clients I WANT to work with, thus, an idea of what I need to do. Is that clear?

I ALSO have determined that although I am perpetually observing, now that my son is ALMOST three and my hands are free much of the time unless I have become a crane or a bulldozer for a moment, that I can truly begin sketching again. This has been lacking in my very busy day to day - and I have been missing very useful things.

Mowat is so interested in what I am drawing and is constantly telling me I should draw this digger, or tractor or bumblebee. It is great fun. Then we do big pictures together - which is even more fun.

Last night we ate carrots and cucumbers out of the garden, they were small and delicious. I've also noticed the leaves turning a bit already - maybe because it has been so wet? I thought that happened when it was really dry. Well, with a fall wedding 1.5 months away, i would LOVE for the leaves to be golden and red.

Change is good.

Edible Garden

I love this time of year - especially when we have had piles of rain. Things are so lush and green, the zucchini are already monstrous, tomatoes are turning a gorgeous shade of red, carrots are getting there and I've already had a fresh cob of corn right out of the garden. You can bet next year we are planting a whole lot more of that.

Starting to figure out what I need to do to start promoting my book, not sure yet where my publisher will go with it, or what I need to do. Looking for a location to have a show/launch etc. I'm not good at all that stuff so I end getting tongue tied and sweaty... and over-explain too fast and I fear come across less than professionally. But I do like visiting with kids, I am okay with them : )

Also trying to get together a new mailing, and finding some new clients. I've been so focussed on my books, that I kind of dropped out of the race for a bit and I think I am paying for it now!

So, off I go - work, work and work some more!