Moleskine®'s make good sketchbooks

Well, a number of years ago, I picked up a Moleskine® brand journal and ever since then, can't seem to get over how awesome these little things are... so needless to say, I have been happy to see them all over the place at Powell's Books. I have picked up a three pack of some blank journals to use as a sketchbook and keep track of my submissions.

Here are some sketches I did...

I am also happy that in my one month with the July Group, they have announced interest from Charlesbridge! I should be receiving my fourth contract in the mail sometime soon! The manuscript is lovely... very playful character and challenging! I haven't quite figured her out yet...I just know that I love her and can't wait to get to know her better!!

For those of you wondering what the heck I mean... well, I already posted about how I get attached to the little characters in my paintings... so... can't help but feel like somewhere they have little minds and even though the story closes on a part, they continue to live! Am I crazy? Probably. A cheeseball? Definitely!

Anyway, I am happy!!

I also sent those submissions and meanwhile, have a number of postcards that will be arriving soon as well... I'll send those out once I get them... thanks for all the advice on the images for the cards!! I truly appreciate feedback!

:)

Halloween is coming soon... I would like to be Eloise for Halloween... but I think no one would know who I am and her little school girl outfit might not ... well, it may not read the way I'd want it to... heh... so I think I'll have to think of something else... My twin loves costumes, and owns a couple of her own, as well as makes some, but alas, I have... I think one old Red Riding Hood get-up somewhere in my closet that I wore one year for Halloween??

Am I too old for this???

Don't answer that....

PS: I got an e-mail from the website childrenillustrators site and wondered for those of you that are on this site, do you feel it helps? I know that if you can afford it, why not? More chances for people to see your art... but if you are on a tight budget, it's not always such an easy decision to make.

Any opinions? :)

Submissions...

Geez, finally got my submission packets put together (for the most part) but I got distracted into trying to create a back image for promo postcards I've been thinking of ordering... I posted the image I wanted to use for the front already but here is what I painted today for the back...(keep in mind I left room for address, etc.)

I like it... but I am always nervous to spend any kind of money... even when it's for the right thing!!! :<

Anyway, I wish my twin, Mei, were on I-chat so I could ask her what she thinks, but she's helping my friend pack and move. Of course, this is in California, or I, being the crazy person that I am, would've driven all the way from HB to Irvine to show them the painting and ask them... WHAT SHOULD I DO???

(I know what I should do, by the way, I just need her to say it!)

I have progressively become more open about how neurotic I really am.... tee hee.

Darn CWIM, why did you have to have a blurb about promotional postcards? Right after I decided on how I wanted to organize a clean little submission packet??!

I don't want to be the person that plans and plans and never does!!

OK, I'll sleep on it. :)

Helpful Blogs

I wanted to post here that both Fox In Socks (Paige Keiser) and Kwan Kwest (Wilson Williams) have recently posted blogs with helpful tidbits on children's book publishing...
Don't forget Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, too!! Tons of interviews!
I have links to the right of my blog... very cool! :)
So check those out if you are interested.

And as always, the Big Illustration Party Time podcast has great insights into freelancing/cartooning... their newest interviewee was Asaf Hanuka!!! Big Time Illustrator... he's awesome. :) Click on the title of this post for a link to his website, and if you like what you see, go to I-Tunes and download the episode! (there's also a link to BIPT on the right side of my blog).

Cheers!

A Happy Find amid a Hellish Week

Well, this has been a hectic past week.

My twin flew in from CA on Saturday morning, which was great. We geeked out together and frequented the asian supermarket here in Beaverton, OR- Uwajimaya together, which was fun. I also showed her a couple nice parks, as well as downtown Portland- the Pearl District.

However, come Monday morning, I had four wisdom teeth extracted and was thereby totally incapacitated for about three days! I am kind of a weakling, I hate to admit, especially with pills or medication, and whatever they prescribed me for pain brought forth series of anxiety attacks mixed with complete stupidity... it was horrible. My poor sister ended up watching over me for two of the days that she was down... I was told by countless people how having your wisdom teeth isn't "that bad" and that "a day or so" and you'll be quite yourself. I should've realized that I am not like the average person and being as I said, a weakling, should've added two more days because of that fact. Needless to say, I was unable to function and therefore, have not much to report of show... :(

However, I DO want to show off a great find I made while we were at Uwajimaya- a Moomin decorated candy tin!! I will cherish this forever as I am a big fan of Moomin. :)

If you don't know what or who this little hippo adventurer is you should immediately find out!!!

Written and drawn by Tove Jansson, in the 1940s to 1950s, Drawn & Quarterly released a complete Moomin comics book that I bought a year ago at a convention... I have fallen in love with it... I wish I had known about it sooner!!

Anyway, so enjoy the cute little tin and the flowers that I received after surgery...

apparently I was blowing kisses to the nurses and lobby staff when I came out of surgery because I was so drugged up... so maybe I deserved the flowers...

(this is also why I do not drink any alcohol... ) :P

So, lastly, I am sorry for the lack of work! Hope to have something soon! ;)

Oh, and isn't it wonderful it's Fall now? My favorite season of all.... ;)

A Portrait/Painting

I finished the painting I was supposed to do a long time ago for a family member that requested a "portrait" of her two daughters as faeries...

This morning Josh was out front and saw a squirrel running up and down the tree in front of our apartment...which got me thinking!

I still have to get it framed and then ship it to her, but I do hope they like it.

On a totally different note, the first day of Fall is Tuesday of next week (if I am correct) which is exciting because it is my favorite season. After our first year here in Portland, Josh and I feel better prepared for the winter as well. We plan on stocking up more on wood so our heating/electric bill isn't so steep. It is nice to get the seasons though... :)

There are pumpkins at the grocery store, now, too!

:)

I now can focus on other things that I feel I need to improve in my portfolio as well as get my submissions packets all ready to go... the only problem is juggling all of this Dental work I am needing to have done. It's sad that for so many years I could not afford dental insurance and now with my day job, I finally have it, but even then... I STILL can't really properly afford it. Sigh.

I'm sure I'm not alone on that.

Well, in any case, hope every one is in high spirits!!

Big Illustration Party Time

I recently was interviewed by the hosts of BIPT (Big Illustration Party Time) podcast (Kevin Cross and Joshua Kemble- my fiance) for Children's Books... They talk about freelancing, cartooning, and other insightful info.

Feel free to download the episode #34 for free on I-Tunes (search in the "store" section) or there is also a quick-link at the right side of my blog.

Cheers!

Strange

For some reason, I saw someone else's Tweets on my Twitter preview on my blog, so I have temporarily removed this feature. Sorry 'bout that... but I still have a link on the right side of my blog so if anyone reading this would like to follow me on Twitter, please click on the link there.
:)

Thank you very much!

I just went to the Dentist this morning... It has been an embarassingly long time since I have had insurance to go, so I was told some dauting news... I need 4 wisdom teeth removed and then some other work done. The X-rays were easier to take, but still painful to a certain degree. This isn't going to be fun. Take care of your teeth, guys.... :(

What else? I was unable to sleep last night- I think I got about 2 hours or so- and tonight I plan on eating a large dinner and then crashing.... haven't done that in a while.

The July Group

My new rep, the July Group, has posted my artwork on their website.
Please feel free to take a peek! (You can click on the title of this post, or click on the link to the right).
:)

I am very excited and flattered... ;)

Music video...

So... of course, Chad Beckerman has once again posted an amazing little post... just a music video of mind-blowing proportions.

Please click on my link to the blog Mishaps and Adventures and see his post for Two Weeks-Grizzly Bear. :)

Cute photo...

I had to steal this picture of Kevin Morrison's little girl Holly holding up her papa's new book :)

Too cute.

I Can Speak Bully

Yay, I received my copies of I Can Speak Bully written by Kevin Morrison today!

They look awesome. I am so glad. I love the orange back and the type looks great! I re-read the text as well and think it turned out really, really well! Hopefully, other people will think so, too.

It's a really sweet story... :)

** you can click on this blog post title for a link to Powell's Books here in Portland to pre-order!

Anyway, I will post some pictures for those that want to take a little peak.

I may end up doing a little interview on Big Illustration Party Time this Sunday to promote it as well, but we will see. :)

I also have another painting I did for some promotional material that I will post as well.

Thanks for reading and commenting on my last post- I think that it's great to join arms with your fellow illustrators!! You are all bada$$es!! :)

'scuse the $'s...

;)

Lot's more to announce in the future!

Other people...

I started this blog a long time ago... and much to the lovely changes Blogger made to the site, I have been able to stay on top of a bunch of artist's websites and blogs... the rewards are great!!
I am excited to read all the stories and hear ideas and other people trying to make it in the illustration world... and I also realized how important it is to comment!
I know what it's like to write something or post something hoping for other's to notice... :) so I have decided to really not be shy (believe it or not, I am pretty shy) and just put my thoughts out there... to encourage other artists, too! I'm sure they feel the same way- it's nice to know people are listening! Anyway, that's my two-bits for now.
If anyone knows of any other sites or blogs that are inspirational, I am eager to find more!
:)

I will also be trying to get more art up on my own blog, too!!
:)

Check out It's a Whimsical Life link... daily creativity is in store! Lovely idea :>

Do You Know This Story?

I finished painting my "Peter Pan" themed piece for my sister's family and I am pretty happy with the results. Now I must mail it to her, along with another piece I promised to send to her (it features her two daughters riding safari animals across a desert).

What a productive weekend!! I love that! Cleaned up the whole apartment, got the laundry going, washed the dogs, painted, blogged, etc.!!

I have more exciting news, but I want to make sure it's set in stone before I write about it, so until next time...

I have been following Chad Beckerman's blog Mishaps and Adventures (there is a link on my blog spot)... he posts the most fascinating and endearing videos!! Please take a peek :)

The one he just posted was especially awesome- but in order to find out what I am writing about, I encourage you to click on the link and see for yourself!

I have ideas stewing in my head for designing some fancy submission packets, too... Maybe I can post images as those progress. They are still just in my head after all... and unless you are psychic there's no way of showing what the heck is going on in there, is there?

I know it's cliche to say, but doesn't time really fly??? I cannot believe that August is half-way done, and I know, before I know it, Fall will be approaching.... Fall is my favorite season. But it does also leave me with a tang of melancholy feelings because with it, is the end of yet another year. I am one of those people that thinks probably way too much about "the meaning of life..." so you can only imagine what goes on in my head during these times. I still can't believe I am in Portland, to be honest. Never in my life did I imagine I would have the guts to move so far away from my family and survive it!! I'm really falling in love with this city, though.

Alright, enough rambling! :)

PS: great movie I recently watched... Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much... now I have Que Sera Sera stuck in my head. This movie... for some reason... really, really, really got to me... something about the relationship was so real, and their pain so sincere, that I fell in love with Doris Day and James Stewart all over again. I have linked this title to a youtube video of Doris Day singing so her kidnapped son can hear her... very touching scene.

When Time Stands Still

I've noticed how much I miss times when I was young, very young, and could sit and read. My whole family actually are book/comic junkies... I find that I love books that have heros and heroines that are book junkies as well. What a lovely thing it is to delve straight into a story and come out as though you just returned from a wonderful adventure. And what a wonderful thing to be able to draw from your mind.

Sometimes it really dawns on me how truly lucky I am that I draw... being able to get out what is in my head down on paper- but not just in words- in pictures! Illustrations are so powerful... and I think about the children poring over pictures, putting their hands softly on the page as they greedily soak in all the details and then.... the best part: they imagine it for themselves!

Don't ever forget it. :)

On a lighter note, here is the drawing for my next painting... it's actually for my sister's family... Ethan (Peter Pan) is actually not even one years old yet, but I wanted each child to be in the painting. Wendy is Maya and Eva is Tinkerbell, although I purposefully made her larger. I had lots of fun drawing the roots and the leaves... I think this will be fun. Let's hope I don't get too eager and "over work" my painting... I had a horrible habit of doing that in college (I'm so sorry for my Special Studies professor- I simply wasn't patient! I learned the hard way, I know.)

I also made some changes to my blogger page- the fish thing was just something I thought was adorable... plus I like the idea of "koi" fish because well the Japanese aspect of it, but also because Josh and I graduated from CSULB (Cal State Long Beach). On campus is a Japanese Garden... which also hosts weddings. One day when we make enough money, we hope to have our wedding there... although time has been ticking away so I don't know if we'll ever get to, but at least we've both been there before.... and they have Koi. It is beautiful. :) If you click on the title of this blog, it will take you to their website...

Well, enjoy the warm night and hopefully, you have a lovely sunset, too! (the one we saw while walking the pugs was delightfully pink-orange against a blue). Josh said "Isn't it wonderful how nature has compliments everywhere? (referring to complimentary colors)." Too true. Look out for them and you'll see- the red rose with the green leaves...etc.

Grab a good book one day and just remember!!

a few more sketches...

It rained today. Totally beautiful. I think my favorite bridge in Portland is the Fremont, partly because I drive it almost everyday, but also because it is so high up you can see all around- the city, the river, the mountains... just breath-taking. Of course, being originally from So.Cal, this is totally awe-inspiring because where I grew up the only marvel was the ocean. Don't get me wrong, the ocean is beautiful...but there are much more pretty oceans than the view off Huntington Beach Pier.
I may be biased though... I definitely have a preference for a city scape with bridges and a sparkling lights.
In any case, even though I have the WORST night vision, I do think it's beautiful to drive at night.

Actually, funny story... when Josh proposed to me in San Diego, CA, it was at night. He kept trying to guide to what I saw as these dark, ominous alleys where there were no people (he insists there were tons of people around and that they weren't as freaky-dangerous as I thought or thought I saw). I almost ruined everything because I was arguing that I didn't want to get murdered!

Ok, enough of that...

I sketched some more... the scene I drew here of with the fireplace (yes, that's a fireplace) is on hot press watercolor paper.... I found it while rummaging around beneath Josh's art-desk. I remembered how much I adore hot press vs. cold press and had to draw something quick so I could try it out again. :)
If you've never painted on hot press, try it sometime. I love the way the color sits... and shines!

Anyway, happy sketching...
I have to get through some novels I've been addicted to so I can focus!!!

:P
I can't wait... for Friday!!!
Having a day job can be tedious... but well, such is life. Hopefully some day soon, I will have secured more freelance work and will be able to confidently work exclusively on illustration.
Well, cheers all!! :)

An update

I finally adjusted a few things on my website and uploaded some newer sketches as well (here is one of the pages I added).  I also added a downloadable coloring sheet of the cover of The Moon and the Nightsweeper in case someone would want to use it to run off copies for their class or child.  That can be fun- I've used them at book signings before and I think children really have fun coloring them.  If I can get my butt in gear, I can probably have more for the other books, too.

So it's exciting to know that I Can Speak Bully is now at the pre-ordering stage... I still haven't seen the official interiors, although I have seen a mock-up for the cover.  I feel much more capable now (I think that's only natural that if you practice, you're going to get better-duh) so I really hope to land another contract soon!  I've always wanted to illustrate a story with some magic to it- like a Christmas story.

By the way, it has finally cooled off here in Portland so I am going to be pulling out the watercolors again soon.  In the meanwhile, I'll need a bite to eat, and then sketch-time!

My twin has been staying over at our dad's apartment (he's leaving to China for 4 yrs. so she wants to spend as much time as she can with him before then) so I have been without my crit-buddy!!! You can only imagine how that feels...  and I am someone who (since birth) needs a companion to help me fight crime and lay down the law... let's hope I survive this!!

To the bat cave!

Who's the Bunny Boy???

Click on the title to find out... :>

So it's incredibly hot right now in Portland, OR- in the hundred degrees this entire week, in fact.  My poor pug dogs have been panting all day long...  so I've had to fill the bathtub with water and sit in there with them to help cool them off.  It helps though so that's good.  The weekend is supposed to at least go down to the 80's and 90's so I am happy.  Here is my art desk luckily sitting near two large windows in our dining/kitchen area.

I recently visited California to see my family so I spent much of the four days watching my nephews and nieces.  Try to imagine watching one 8 month old baby, two toddlers, age 4 and 5, and one 2 yr. old in scorching hot weather at Disneyland.  Yep.  Needless to say, I was exhausted when I returned home.  However, it was also super nice to see everyone again- I hadn't seen them all in a year, which is the most I've ever been away from my family.  I talk to my mom every day... and my twin and I are pretty close... not to mention the fact that I dote on my nephews and nieces quite a bit (Keegan is actually featured in The Moon and the Night Sweeper and I have in the background in one of the interior pages for I Can Speak Bully, their names on the cubbies in the classroom).. so it was about time I got to hang out again!

We took some official looking family portraits, and then some less-than official pictures on PhotoBooth...

I'm the attractive one in yellow.

If my computer continues to work I can finally scan some new sketches.  I think it's funny that I already am considering making some changes to my website... Updating and changing will continue to happen, I'm sure.  I'm liking the new features they have on Blogger as well.

I hope to have more art soon!  I can't wait to have my advance money come in so I can put it toward mailing out more art to publishers!

Summer Matsuri (Festival)

Hello all!  As promised, I finished piecing back together my scanned painting before I uploaded it here.  Today has been unbearably hot and the computer is not liking the heat at all.  I think Josh has become completely nocturnal for this reason alone.  Two computers in a small room can actually make it pretty warm even with two mini fans and one larger one on the floor.

Regarding the title, a "matsuri" is a street festival that usually happens in the summer in Japan.  I remember when I visited relatives as a pre-teen going to one of these and enjoying trying to catch goldfish with weak miniature nets, eating cotton candy, wearing a ukata (summer version of a kimono- a lot less work to put on), and sporting a uchiha/round hand-held fan.  I also remember festivals we would throw at our Japanese School in Long Beach, California, USA which involved many of the same games as well as a huge tower in the center of the playground with a large drum (taiko) at the top... this would be played while they blasted music from speakers.  Everyone would dance around this in a circle with their fans or just doing the hand jestures.  Sounds pretty bizarre I suppose, but these were some of my favorite memories growing up.  Granted getting up every morning on a Saturday while your American schoolmates got to sleep in sucked, but I now, of course, find it all worth while.  We had speech contests and Christmas plays, Boys and Girls Day, and other fun events to help keep our heritage alive way out in California.

Anyway, this scene isn't exactly authentic.... the thing the boy is carrying on his back is a smaller taiko drum wrapped around him, with the sticks held to his belly.  I'm not sure if people would do this... taiko drums are pretty darn heavy... so imagine this is a bit fantastical... aside from the children playing on rooftops!

So here's to summer!! :)

little update

I have my painting ready to post, but the scanner was not working today, so that will have to wait until I can get that fixed...  I think it turned out alright.  I have ideas for more paintings and the like stewing in my head.  I am thinking about trying to get more sketches posted on my website as well.

In the meanwhile, I updated a lot of links on here to include blogs that I like to follow.  All of these links I visit regularly and find tons of inspiration as well as first-hand accounts from illustrators out in the field.  It can sometimes seem like such a small, lonely little world unless you remind yourself that everyone has been where you are and everyone starts from somewhere.  In the midst of trying to survive some personal events not related to art, I have been trying to view my portfolio objectively and tap back into what I like to draw or paint... I feel like I go back and forth between wanting to perfect how I paint and work, to trying to remember what it is I like to draw, and then also, what is necessary to show I CAN draw or paint in order to get work.

I think that all you can do when you are stuck in a rut is just keep drawing... just keep painting.  I think life managed to creep up and hit me pretty hard these past weeks and had left me feeling a bit disillusioned...  but I think I'm back.  And a lot of that stuff has been resolved to some extent... so to change things to a positive note before I end this post, I hope to post that painting I finally finished and keep on posting... 

So, go check out some of these links!!! :)