I’m exploring a new passion —making jewelry. This pendant is my first multi-stone piece. The turquoise and chrysocolla are like peanut butter and chocolate!
A New Character? /
I’m working on a new picture book. There might be a late addition to the cast…
Encountering John Brown /
I created a series of portraits for a traveling exhibit, ENCOUNTERING JOHN BROWN, that examines Brown’s encounters with important Civil War-era figures. Information about the exhibit may be found at, Overland Traveling Exhibits.
Pen & Ink /
I’m stepping away from the stylus and tablet and dusting off the ink, pens, watercolor paint and brushes. That’s right, I’m going analog for this current project (details coming in a later post). It sure is tactilely satisfying to drag ink across paper!
Damsels & Dragons Notecards /
So… it’s birds AND bugs, I guess. I do love birds, but I’ve got to tell you, I HAD SO MUCH FUN painting these little aerialists! Damsels & Dragons notecards are for sale in my Etsy shop. The set includes eight cards. Each card features an illustration of a different species of dragonfly or damselfly.
Backyard Pond Visitors /
Our backyard pond attracts all kinds of critters. This summer, it’s been fun watching the dragonflies and damselflies flit, dart, and careen near the water. You have to get close to really appreciate the remarkable variety of form and color that distinguishes species. These amazing insects have inspired a series of illustrations that I will post later. For now, check out these close-up pics my wife and I managed to capture.
Blue Dasher
Twelve-spotted Skimmer
Familiar Bluet
THE BOY WHO WAS RAISED BY LIBRARIANS In Paperback /
It was 2006 when I received my first advance copy of the soon-to-be-published, The Boy Who Raised by Librarians. It was super fun coming up with images to accompany Carla Morris’s story about a curious boy and his enthusiastic, encouraging, question answering Librarian friends. Fast-forward to 2019. Yesterday I once again experienced the joy of seeing this book for the “first time” but now as a soon-to-be-published paperback! I’m tickled the original hardcover book is still out in the world, and delighted, come August, it will be joined by its paperback cousin!
Great Blue Heron /
I’ve long admired these majestic birds, though always from afar, until one day I froze while passing by a window facing the backyard. Standing in our pond (this is a decorative hot tub-sized pond) was a Great Blue Heron! He was there to poach a goldfish or two, I suppose, but must’ve sensed or seen me, for he launched and was gone. The encounter, though brief, made an impression!
Prints of this bird are for sale in my Etsy Shop.