My Race For The Critters!

Thirty years ago I was quite an avid runner, finishing marathons and many shorter races...that was thirty years ago! Since then I've been able to keep up with my running off and on while raising two wonderful kiddos who are now brilliant teenagers. In the last few years I've been building my running miles up bit by bit, and rejoicing in the fact that I still can. Recently when I was out on my morning run, I had a brain storm- I would run a 10 kilometer race and have people sponsor me to raise money for the critters! It would be such a pleasure to train, build up the miles and endurance knowing that it would benefit animals in need.

The race I've chosen is scheduled for September 19th, 2010 and is called the George Coope Memorial Road Race Run. I've begun taking pledges and you can follow my progress on my website.

Enjoy!

More On New Childrens Book

I'm working on the cover illustration for the new children's book:"Duncan's Magic Garden". These are the initial steps of the painting, building an India ink structure, like the "bones" of the piece. After this will be many many layers of colored pencil, watercolor and Acrylic washes, then more layers!





I will also be doing several intricate borders, with the main character inside like the one shown below.



Duncan (the main character in the book) is one of the famous Fabbitz whom I have painted many times. Here is Master Duncan surrounded by fall colors (right)

You can find out more about the Fabbitz here, and below are the Fabbitz, seen here at their Big Birthday Bash!



Enjoy!!

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Our Childrens Book Wins Award!

The childrens book, Moonlight Memoirs, written by Maggie Mei Lewis and illustrated by myself, won a first place gold medal in the Spirituality category of the 2010 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

These book awards are sponsored by the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group (IBPPG), an organization that promotes professional standards in independent book publishing.

Winning first place is a great honor for Maggie Mei, Good Times Press, and myself because the awards are open to independent book publishers world-wide, making it a highly competitive award.

The general announcement of all category winners and finalists will be made in early June at the Indie Book Awards website


Maggie wrote Moonlight Memoirs (at thirteen) and together we worked on the book over two years via email before we ever met in person. One of the most interesting things about Maggie Mei Lewis (aside from publishing a book at sixteen!) is that Maggie was adopted from China before her first birthday in 1993.

Enjoy!

Bounty of Beautiful Backyard Birds

These are some the beautiful birds that I get to enjoy as I gaze out the studio window at my bird feeder. I am so blessed!

Indigo Bunting:


Tufted Titmoue:

I've also included some of the little paintings that I've done over the years representing a few favorite birds.

Female Cardinal:


American Goldfinch:

Chickadee:

I have collections of bird art on Etsy, Art Fire, Zazzle, My Gift Shop, and My Website.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak:

Brown Sparrow:

Bluejay:

Enjoy!

Little Further On Book Cover

Moved a little further on the new children's book, Duncan's Garden cover this afternoon.
Click on the image below and then use your magnifier tool to zoom in on the areas I am working on.

New Work On New Childrens Book

Happy Mothers Day everyone. It was a little bittersweet for me today, being the first Mother's Day without my mom who passed in February. But after a very long run this morning, extra hugs for my hubby and teens, and more work on "Duncan's Magic Garden, I succeeded in having a great day.

The image below is a close up of the book illustration corner I am beginning to fill in and at the bottom is the book cover showing our main character "Duncan" in his magic garden.

Spring Chipmunk On Art Gifts

I am so pleased with my latest miniature painting, "Spring Chipmunk" and have used his image on a large collection of art gifts for you!

Just click on the image of any animal art gift below to navigate to my shop where you can learn more about that item or purchase it.

Ceramic Tile:

Magnet:

Framed Tile:

Jewelry Box:

Greeting Card:

Christmas Ornament:

Tote Bag:

Wearable Button:

Childrens Book Cover Begins

On what feels like a mid-summer day here in New England I roughed out the Thumbnail (a quick sketch that an artist uses to work out ideas) for the new children's book that I have the joy and privileged of illustrating:"Duncan's Magic Garden". I will also be doing several ornate and intricate borders, with the main character inside like the one shown below.



Duncan (who is, of course our main character in the book) is one of the famous Fabbitz whom I have painted many times. Here is Master Duncan surrounded by fall colors (right)

Below is another portrait of Duncan and one of his bunny family:



You can find out more about the Fabbitz here, and below are the Fabbitz, seen here at their Big Birthday Bash!



Enjoy!!