New Dragon Slippers Cover Art

I was asked by Bloomsbury Publishing to create new covers for a reissue of Jessica Day George's "Dragon Slippers" trilogy. This is the art for the first book.

Recent Sketch: Paint Break!!

Been working like crazy this last year, but so much has been digital. Every so often I have to just step away from the monitor and splash some paint around in my sketchbook. Here is the result.

Theater Poster: Gathering Blue

A theater poster for "Gathering Blue" for Oregon Children's Theater. Such a great production!

Imagination Station: new book cover

The cover art for the upcoming entry in the Imagination Station series.

Theater Poster: The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Sheep Lessons Part 3

A bit of a jump in the narrative. Suffice to say our heroine has enjoyed her first day of Kindergarten.

Sheep Lessons Part 2

Part 2 of "Sheep Lessons".
Our heroine has a nightmare

Sheep Lessons Part 1

Did this project for Spider Magazine that was published a couple months ago. I enjoy working for magazines (especially Spider) because the art direction is fairly light and I can try out different techniques. I was happy with how this series of illustrations turned out. I'll post my favorite three over the next few days.

Recent Sketches: Out on the playground

More of my model

Sketches from our various outings over the last few months.

My new model

Been a while since I updated this blog.
I do have a good excuse, and we will be seeing more of him over the years.

When Animals Act Oddly

I've never fully trusted squirrels.
Sure they're small, cute, and look adorable when they munch frantically away on a nut, but still . . .

Ice Rink Sketches

Went to the local ice rink with a bunch of other illustrators this morning to do some sketchin'.
Very different from figure drawing in the studio -- mostly in that these little ones didn't sit still for more than a couple seconds. Gotta' grab that pose quickly!

Portraits: Visitors

With the holidays we had a number of house guests over. These are a couple of the younger ones who were good enough to sit still while I sketched 'em.

New Book Cover: Tuesdays at the Castle

I just found out that a book I did the cover for is now available at your favorite bookstore!
Written by Jessica Day George, it got a great review blurb from Kirkus:

“This enjoyable romp turns mischief into political action and a stone palace into a cunning character. These kids are clever, as is George’s lively adventure. May pique castle envy.” —Kirkus Reviews

This is a splendid YA fantasy and I had a great time coming up with all kinds of cover concepts.
And what the heck, since you're here at my blog what better place to show some behind-the-scenes stuff:

In hindsight it would have been awesome if I had waited until Tuesday to post this -- ah well, enjoy!

Sidewalk Stroller

The inaugural drawing of my brand-spankin' new set of mid-toned sketchbooks. (Very excited to be drawing in these again!) This stroller was just sitting on the sidewalk today, and while I admire the engineering that has gone into modern "baby-jogger strollers" there's just something evocative about this design.

New Books: The Imagination Station Series

For the last year I have been working on a series of books "The Imagination Station" with Focus on the Family and Tyndale House Publishers. I've recently received my advance copies of the first two books in the series and wanted to show off the covers. Click the horizontal images for all the wraparound cover art goodness.

 

Turkey Transport

Jim: Part 4

This is the most recent in the six part ongoing series of "Jim: Who ran away from his nurse and was eaten by a lion". You can check out my website for parts 1 to 3.

Recent Sketch