Shifty Peacocks

These peacocks would like to remind you that I'll be signing Big George and other books tomorrow (aka Saturday) at 2pm at the lovely Head House Books. Hope to see you there. However, if you're closer to Old Greenwich, CT, stop by Just Books on Saturday morn to meet Big George author, Anne Rockwell.

Niles and Pete

Another Ape

This time with a hard charcoal pencil on Arches cover stock.

From Washington to Wash

Big George Booksigning!

On Saturday February 28th at 2 pm, I'll be at Head House Books in Philadelphia talking about and signing copies of Big George. It's my first event at this great little indie store. If you're in the area, stop by and say howdy.

Above is the sketch of Washington's crossing of the Delaware from the book dummy. My wise editor and art director at Harcourt pointed out that it would be better for the final illustration to have the action going from left to right instead, leading the eye to the page turn. A simple change, but very important.

For a detailed look at the long and twisty road to publication for Big George, check out author Anne Rockwell's blog.

Charcoal girl

Reckless Enthusiasm

Beastie of the Month

Names, anyone?

Big Brother

A big, tall, up-on-stilts thank you to everybody who stopped by the Main Line Art Center yesterday. I had a great time and I hope it becomes a yearly event. It was fantastic to not only meet so many readers and aspiring illustrators, but also to hang out with other usually hermit-like illustrators... and to ogle at so many original illustrations!

And for those of you who were interested in my paintings for sale, there are still three of 'em available that will be up on my soon-to-be-established Etsy site (I'll probably make prints of them, too).

The Main Line (you know, like in The Philadelphia Story)

Hullo, hullo, hullo! Long time no posting, what?

This Sunday (2/8) I'll be at the Main Line Art Center for a free day of fun called The Art of Illustration. I am only one of a truly impressive list of children's book illustrators, and we'll all be hanging around, talking about our work, signing books, offering tips to kids, and giving presentations (mine starts at noon).

I don't often sell my work, but I will have some illustrations for sale at the event (including The Adventurer, seen above... maybe...I kinda like how this turned out). What doesn't sell and/or prints of the stuff will eventually wind up on my soon-to-be-established Etsy site. It looks like Mr. Biggs will be offering some super cool work for sale as well.

If you're in the Philadelphia area, stop by and say hullo, hullo, hullo! (I've been reading a lot of Wodehouse lately).