Diversity

Sparky's Activity Book, NFPA; acrylic ink with Photoshop

In this economic environment it seems you must adapt or perish. I've been working on my own evolution and that includes diversifying my client list, my skills, and my resources. But I feel better equipped to survive this climate than ever. I have a new resolve to do what it takes including working longer hours, working faster, doing projects that I may have turned down in the past, and doing more pre-production and client service because of new digital skills and software. And I'm getting Tim to "collaborate" with me more (meaning I beg him to do some of his digital magic on my traditional work). I am happy to say that this old dinosaur may be growing wings.

I'm working on new digital skills constantly but have also been trying different traditional media as well. The marriage of digital and traditional media is the most comfortable for me right now. Let's have a look:

Highlights For Children, July 2009; traditional acrylic ink with watercolor (fast and fun!)

Black Enterprise Magazine, June 2009.
Special Report: What Obama's Economic Agenda Means for You;
traditional watercolor with Photoshop

Cover for American Bar Association Natural Resources and Environment,
traditional acrylic with Photoshop.

I've Returned

Free! This is how I feel today! This was for Highlights March '09. I've been very lucky to have been doing a lot for them lately - working on one right this very, very moment that is beyond fun.

A study

I don't know why I never tried this sooner but maybe I didn't have the chops. This is a recycled image (see it here), FW black acrylic ink line applied with a #2 brush on Fabriano Artistico hot press, quick and sloppy watercolor over. So easy! So quick! So fun!

I've been experimenting more - doing several pieces in acrylic with a very limited palette. I am enjoying it more than I thought possible. I'll post some of those when they are done.

And some stuff I am doing this week...

Monday November 10th I will be one of the visiting authors at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh NC along with Frances O'Roark Dowell author of Shooting The Moon, Dovey Coe, The Secret Language of Girls: and Sarah Prineas author of The Magic Thief.

Thursday, November 13th, I will be at the Duke School in Durham.

Friday, November 14th, 4:00pm - 5:00 pm at The Regulator Bookshop in Durham.

Tuesday, November 18th, Robeson County International Reading Association meeting

Black Man Given Nation's Worst Job

From The Onion


WASHINGTON—African-American man Barack Obama, 47, was given the least-desirable job in the entire country Tuesday when he was elected president of the United States of America. In his new high-stress, low-reward position, Obama will be charged with such tasks as completely overhauling the nation's broken-down economy, repairing the crumbling infrastructure, and generally having to please more than 300 million Americans and cater to their every whim on a daily basis. As part of his duties, the black man will have to spend four to eight years cleaning up the messes other people left behind. The job comes with such intense scrutiny and so certain a guarantee of failure that only one other person even bothered applying for it. Said scholar and activist Mark L. Denton, "It just goes to show you that, in this country, a black man still can't catch a break."

Patrick Moberg says this...

Adam Rex Rox

My most favorite author/illustrator, the incredible Adam Rex was in our lovely state this week to accept the North Carolina Children's Choice Book Award in the junior book category for his outstanding Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich. Fortunately for me he also swung by to visit my most favorite book store, Quail Ridge Books & Music. The guy totally rocks my world and seeing him perform his drawing magic live was nothing short of incredible. I picked up a copy of Pssst (so funny!), his middle grade novel The True Meaning of Smekday , and his latest Frankenstein Takes the Cake. Go out and get yours today!

A Day Late...

Happy Halloween!

Hot Off the Press!

My Half Day is Hot Off the Press!

This is the third in the zany math series by Doris Fisher and Dani Sneed, Sylvan Dell Publishing, that I have illustrated. Have a look! If you want to know more about my role in this book, Elizabeth Dulemba graciously hosted an interview with me on her blog.

In other news:

I will be at our SCBWI/Carolinas annual fall conference in Durham this weekend, September 19th through 21. What a treat it is to have such a dynamic chapter. We've three great keynote speakers, Anita Silvey, well-known for her 100 Best Books for Children and 500 Best Books for Teens. Martha Mihalick, Editor at Greenwillow Books and Alyssa Henkin, Children & YA Agent for Trident Media. I will be hosting a round-table portfolio discussion on Saturday.

The following Saturday, September 26th I will be returning to Broadfoot's of Wendell for their annual North Carolina Experience.

The weekend after - I'm going to Honesdale, PA with my husband and kids to celebrate the 22nd annual Highlights For Children's Illustrators Party! See you there! (I'll be one of the mushrooms).

After that - thankfully nothing!