Childhood Inspiration

I just purchased this Reading Rainbow endorsed gem of a book yesterday at the store I work at once a week. The store's called Curious George, and it's chock full of treasure (and also a bizarre assortment of gifts including light up eyeball tentacles as impulse items). I feel so lucky to be there for that little stint. Not only do I get to art chat and talk shop with the other crazy booker friends, I get to find and buy my childhood inspirations (or at least peruse them on lunch break). This book was one of the driving forces in my childhood to keep at it. I remember being in about 1st grade and being amazed by the colors, and the fact that the horses were referred to by the Sioux indians as the Sacred Dogs. I kinda never get over my love for drawing ponies and the plains indians.

Paul Goble's flat shapes and very well thought out page design makes this book quite a world to enter as a child (or grown up). I'd recommend it, but "you don't have to take my word for it!"
:)

Wellingtons and Kittycats

Right now, I'm in one of those peaceful Saturday evenings. The kind that decide to keep you in because there is much to be done in the quiet. So, here I am, at my desk, listening to Clive Carroll, a new British discovery- beautiful guitarist. So with Clive for company, I finish up a promotional picturebook/coloring book for a luxury condominium complex going up in the upper east side NYC sometime soon. Sounds caaaarrrazy and market-driven, but this project has been such fun and quite the opposite.

I was allowed a lot of freedom with the advertising client I worked with, they have been amazing. Freedom is so important, though I know much of it is forfeited when you are young and just getting your bearings (or learning how to grow some claws and fight for your vision). Luckily, I had no opposition this time to any kneesocks, bobbed haircuts, flowered Wellingtons or fun gesture.

This is a sample from the inside cover page (click on to enlarge!). Above the girls, there will be a spot for the child coloring to put his or her name.. "This Book Belongs To".. I really hope some little guy (or girl) will have some fun coloring while Mom and Dad sign papers to their new home.

Working, hoping, trying

A sketch of many for a manuscript with a secret publishing house. Not sure what will come of the decision over at the publishing house. I gave it my best. Here, the main character runs into her grandmother's arms.

Vacation ?

Hum dee dum...This is my "vacation" week. I scrambled to grab some days which I told myself would serve as a break. Still, it is QUITE chilly out...I'm talkin' -9 degree windchill here in Somerville, MA. Not a very warm vacation, but a good excuse to finally doodle on my own, and do some personal work that's been waiting in line behind jobs. I guess that's me up there scribbling in knee socks.

Very fun piece of information! Just secured a job today for Weekly Reader's teen lit magazine offshoot, called READ. The subject? Anne of Green Gables (yahoo! time to be 12 again :) Prince Edward Island, here I come! Ah, daydreams...I hope all of you are having a marvelous week.
<3

Cinnamon Lesson #2 : Sometimes one needs to flop about in the grass before setting to work. Eat a few thistles. Sniff the wind. Tunnel through alfalfa hay. Dig in the dirt. Enjoy oneself for a bit. No harm done in that.