Sketchbook Drawings This Week

New Drawings From My Sketch Book

Playing in my sketch book this week.  Have a great weekend!

 

 

No Thanks Mom Event with Elizabeth Stewart, The Savvy Appraiser

Elizabeth Stewart discusses the top 10 objects that younger generations do not want as “gifts” from the homes of their parents and grandparents and what to do with them. If you haven't heard her talks before, you must go! She is infinitely charming and funny with a wealth of information to share. I'm going, hope to see you there, too!  (More details below)

Here are some of the illustrations I did for the book (click to view larger). You can see more here.

Wed., Feb. 7, 2018

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Santa Barbara Historical Museum

136 E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Free entry for members / $5 Guests

Reservation Required: (805) 966-1601

 

No Thanks Mom: The Top Ten Objects Your Kids Do NOT Want (and what to do with them) is an honest and humorous exploration of the generational differences in the households and possessions of Millennials/Gen-Xers and their Boomer parents. The central conflict is that most of the Boomers’ grown kids are refusing the family heirlooms that have been saved for them.

Dr. Stewart, a certified appraiser (and SBHM docent!) discusses the top 10 objects that younger generations do not want as “gifts” from the homes of their parents and grandparents. She finds a c...onsistent pattern of familial tensions over objects that older relatives have saved for the kids, wishing and hoping to pass on the beloved family treasures. If you’ve tried to pass on fine china, tableware, linens, fine porcelain figurines, silver-plated objects, ornate rugs, or heavy, dark furniture to a Millennial, you know it’s not so easy.

The problem, Dr. Stewart says, is the intergenerational difference in the concept of value and ownership. The answer, she explains, is to understand the new and changing concept of home, and to follow her specific remedies for each category of objects.

Stewart reviews each of the 10 object groups and gives the current owners ideas on how to pass them on. She provides an easy way to survey your belongings and offers advice on how to verify value and, where there is a market, how to put your items in play.

 

The book is available on Amazon here.

New Book With My Illustrations!

 

I can now share what I've been working on the last few months - creating illustrations for this new book by Elizabeth Stewart!  Elizabeth is an appraiser of fine art and antiques, and her book, "No Thanks Mom, The Top Ten Objects Your Kids Do Not Want (and What to Do With Them)," offers advice on what to do with those objects that were lovingly saved but are not welcomed by the next generation. She is so charming and has such a great sense of humor and it shows in her writing. It was such a fun project and I'm excited and grateful to be a part of it.

 

These are just a few of the illustrations, there are many more inside. She is selling her book on Amazon if you're interested - looking forward to getting my copy! :)

New Drawings - Musical Series

I've been creating some music-themed drawings for a potential upcoming project.  Here are a few.  After drawing these, I realized that I think I prefer to draw cats doing cat things, not so much personified.  What do you prefer?

New Note Cards are in My Shop :)

New note cards have been printed and are now in my store. They are blank inside for any occasion. Cat and dog friendships are the best! Find them here.

New Illustrations Web Site!

Check out my new web site!!

I've been needing a site separate from my mosaics web site to share my illustrations and paintings, and I've just finished it. Currently only my drawings are there, but as I build my portfolio of paintings, I will eventually add those, too. I have been working on a fun project with my illustrations that I will hopefully be able to share with you very soon!  Hope you like my new site, you can find it here. Thanks for looking!

Sketchbook Drawings With Ink Pen

Woman and Her Dog

Gazelle and Friend

I've been drawing more and more in my sketchbook lately and just wanted to share some recent creations. Hope you like them!




Happy Halloween!

Trick or Treat!



Thank you card for Elizabeth Stewart at KZSB Radio



My Book - Free Priority U.S. Shipping!

It's the holiday season once again and my book, The Night Before Christmas, is an excellent gift, if I do say so myself! I want you to receive your order fast, so I am offering free Priority shipping in the U.S. until the end of December. This offer is only good on my web site so head on over there now to buy in time for Christmas! Books are signed by me and I will gladly personalize them if you let me know in the notes at the time of purchase.

Happy Holidays!



One of the images from the book

Kathy Temean features me on her blog, Writing and Illustrating

Ooh look!  I was interviewed by Kathy Temean for her terrific blog, Writing and Illustrating, which was posted today. Learn a little more about me, my stained glass mosaic illustrations process, and see lots and lots of photos of my art.  You can read it here.

Kathy’s blog is such a great resource for published and unpublished authors and illustrators. She posts information she gets from her interactions with editors and agents in the industry and shares thoughts and techniques of other writers and illustrators in the field. I always look forward to her weekly “Illustrator Saturday” posts, and now I am a feature! Check it out and leave a comment if you wish - we’d love to hear from you.  Thanks so much, Kathy!!

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast!

Oh yay, I’ve been featured on my favorite children’s literature blog, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast!  Julie Danielson has posted my detailed process of how I created my book with tons of pictures, most of which I’ve never posted before.  If you’ve ever been curious as to how I did it and what my thoughts were as I made it, please go over and read it on her blog, here!  And stay awhile if you love children’s literature.  She’s been doing it since 2006 and has a wonderful archive of the most interesting interviews and of course, fabulous children’s book art!  Thanks so much, Jules!!

Mrs. Figs' Bookworm with Carol Heyer

I had a great time at the book signing I did with Carol Heyer at Mrs. Figs' Bookworm!  The store is absolutely charming, as are the owner and staff, who were so friendly and welcoming.  I loved the indoor porch reading area, so cozy.

 

I brought one of my mosaics from the book to display, the one that shows the Christmas tree, so when the kids were doing their own paper mosaic Christmas tree, they could see that I also used cut triangle pieces to create mine.

Connie, the owner, read both my book, The Night Before Christmas, and Carol's book, Humphrey's First Christmas.  I am going to have to up my game when I read my book the next time if I want to do as great a job as she did!  She is a born story teller.

I LOVED Carol's book, which I had never read before.  It has humor and heart and the illustrations are so beautiful.  I particularly enjoyed the images of Humphrey and his wonderful expressions.

Thanks so much for hosting me, Mrs. Figs, and I hope to be back again next year!

Christmas Book Signing and Craft Event

I'm excited about an upcoming event I'll be doing with author/illustrator Carol Heyer at Mrs. Figs' Bookworm in Camarillo, CA.  I will be signing my book, The Night Before Christmas, and Carol will be signing her book, Humphrey's First Christmas, the story of a lovable camel that accompanies three wise men to bring gifts to the Baby Jesus.  Here are the details:

Date:  Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014

Time:  2-4 p.m.

Location:  Mrs. Figs' Bookworm, 93 East Daily Drive, Camarillo, CA

Bring your kids for a fun paper mosaic craft and Christmas illustrations from Carol's book to color.  Also plan to visit  Santa's Workshop in the Las Posas Plaza from 10-4 (Santa eats lunch from 1-2).  Hope to see you there!

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Postcards Available From My Book

I now have postcards available of these two images from my book, The Night Before Christmas.  They are 4.25x5.5" and are blank on the back, perfect for a Christmas greeting.



The cards come in packs of ten and you can find them and my book here! 

SAMA Mosaic Summit, Houston

I recently returned from SAMA's annual mosaic summit in Houston, TX where I spent four days attending presentations, dropping in workshops to see what friends were teaching and creating, selling my book at the vendor marketplace, and making new friends!

The first day I hadn't signed up for any workshops, but I was very curious as to what others were doing, so with the permission of the instructors, I popped into several classes to check out what they were up to.  I visited the classes of Carol Shelkin, Laurie Mika, and Marian Shapiro, all wonderfully creative artists and teachers who I highly recommend.

Brownian Bee Press booth

On the second day, the vendor marketplace opened where I sold my book with Barb Keith and her two books in a shared booth.  Barb was also promoting her new book, I Love You to Pieces, which will be available this summer. You can find her books at Brownian Bee Press.  It was so great to meet so many new people this way and to share our love of children's books and mosaic art. 



Dreaming

Marian Shapiro and I at the salon
Photo by Carol Shelkin

That night was the Mosaic Art Salon where attendees display and sell their art.  I created a small piece, 8x9" called "Dreaming," made with Mexican smalti and glass fusions, that sold and is now residing in Mexico City.

Friends at MAI
Photo by Carol Shelkin

Flair Robinson and her MAI piece
Photo by Carol Shelkin

The third day was more marketplace, the start of presentations, and the opening for Mosaic Arts International (MAI), a juried exhibition of member artwork.  Always a good time to hang with friends and ooh and ahh over mosaic art!

The final day of the conference started with some flooding in the vendor marketplace (still not sure how that happened, a broken water valve, I think).  Some booths had to be moved and the marketplace was closed for about 45 minutes so all booths lost some sales.  Our booth was at the back of the market so the water did not reach us. 

More presentations followed, then a raffle and a nice dinner with Carol.  She left early and I finished my dinner alone, the first moment I had to myself in four days.  It was rather nice!  The closing party was next, but I didn't go - utterly exhausted!  I went back to my hotel room to pack and relax and flew home the next morning.



Croutons this big are only in Texas!
Photo by Carol Shelkin

Next year, Philadelphia!  A city I've never been to before and am looking forward to getting to know.  My buddy Carol is on the committee so you know it's going to be good!!  See you there.  :)