"the dust of everyday life"

Crazy Kites

2012-03-05T10:26:00.001-06:00

Illustration for "That's Silly!" feature, High Five magazine

Jane Dippold

Flying Kites

2012-03-02T07:48:00.004-06:00

This is an illustration I had done as a cover proposal for SCBWI, apparently they choose their cover illustrators, so it wasn't used for that purpose. I enjoyed working with, JoSonjas paints which I love. This piece inspired a series of paintings that I hope to use for a calendar proposal.

Susan Miller

Gift of the Magpie by Janeen Mason

2012-02-15T10:40:00.003-06:00

Max the magpie is smitten with Regina. He tries everything to impress her. Young readers will delight in seeing how these two birds navigate the pitfalls of courtship in order to find their happy ending.

"Regina is a shoe-obsessed magpie. Max is into Regina, a smitten magpie. Max figures if he finds the right shoe, it will seal their fate together... "

(Picture book. 5-9) -- Kirkus Review, December 16, 2010

The little dragon and the tiger

2012-02-07T06:55:00.004-06:00

Children's book illustration

Bernhard Oberdieck

dragon breath.

2012-02-06T15:31:00.001-06:00

dragon breath, best to brush before bed.

Promotional page of book for circulation

Sharon Lane Holm

bedtime snack

2012-02-04T10:42:00.000-06:00

From "Do Not Drop" by Margaret Teall, Ladybug magazine.

Patrice Barton

Dragon

2012-02-03T04:11:00.003-06:00

Here's a dragon from the vaults, in fact my very first trade picture book, The Secret in the Matchbox, waaaaaaaaaay back!

John Shelley

Chinese New Year Dragon

2012-02-02T10:11:00.002-06:00

It's the year of the dragon... hope everyone has a great year.

BOO!

2012-02-02T09:35:00.000-06:00

Jane Dippold

This illustration brought to you by the letters 'D' & 'R'

2012-02-01T13:37:00.000-06:00

Drucella the drowsy dragon dreams she is dressed up and driving a dragster.

Jenny B Harris

A Dragon Valentine for you

2012-02-01T11:56:00.003-06:00

Marilee Harrald-Pilz

The Fire-breathers Academy

2012-02-01T10:59:00.001-06:00

Patrick Girouard

St. George

2012-02-01T10:49:00.004-06:00

The Saint Who Fought the Dragon: The Story of St. George

Theresa Brandon

The Reluctant Dragon

2012-02-01T10:44:00.002-06:00

Theresa Brandon

Dragons in the street!

2012-02-01T09:12:00.001-06:00

Dragons might live in your street!

These are some friendly dragons from a picture book I illustrated way back in 1994. Where has the time gone!

Not a great scan as I had to scan from the printed book.

June Goulding

Ready or Not

2012-01-17T14:13:00.003-06:00

A quick one from the sketchbook. Sometimes new ideas take a while to get used to.

Janet McDonnell

Happy New Year All!

2012-01-13T11:40:00.000-06:00

Marion Eldridge

2012-01-02T14:40:00.007-06:00

Mark A. Hicks

If the New Year brings you snow...

2012-01-02T07:26:00.004-06:00

...Build a snow-friend!

June Goulding

Poussette on Stage

2012-01-01T20:58:00.003-06:00

New egg tempera in a new hobo frame!

Jon Buller

the NEW me

2012-01-01T14:58:00.003-06:00

NEW year, NEW inspirations, NEW directions, more of the NEW me

-or maybe its the real me!

Bestest to all of us in the NEW year.

Sharon Lane Holm

Happy NEW Year!

2012-01-01T13:28:00.002-06:00

Sharon Vargo

New

2012-01-01T12:09:00.004-06:00

Phyllis Harris

Happy Holidays - peace, joy, love and light

2011-12-28T22:06:00.003-06:00

Jill Weber - frajil farms

Seasons Greetings

2011-12-21T11:50:00.001-06:00

Bernhard Oberdieck

Angels -

2011-12-19T21:43:00.002-06:00

From "Happy Birthday Jesus", published by Twin Sisters Publishing a number of years ago....

Tara Larsen Chang

I.F. "Sink"

2011-12-17T17:12:00.003-06:00

The gator can just sink below the water and disappear, so watch out ...

Done in ink and watercolor in a Moleskine pad.

Tennin- an angel of sorts

2011-12-10T16:58:00.002-06:00

Tennins are spiritual beings found in Japanese Buddhist art that are similar to western angels. They can fly, and sometimes wear feathered kimonos called hagoromo ("dress of feathers").

I originally painted this illustration for Highlights for Children Magazine.

Cheryl Kirk Noll

Angels Unaware

2011-12-02T10:07:00.004-06:00

Theresa Brandon

Angel

2011-12-02T02:32:00.004-06:00

Published as CD cover.

Bernhard Oberdieck

Stairway

2011-12-01T19:45:00.004-06:00

From The Perils of Poussette, to be published in 2012.

Jon Buller

Angel with Rainbow

2011-12-01T12:39:00.003-06:00

Blank Angel Notecard circulated in packs with envelopes

Jodie McCallum

T for Teddy

2011-11-30T03:27:00.000-06:00

Bernhard Oberdieck

T is for Trolls!

2011-11-26T20:09:00.001-06:00

A piece I did this summer for the Illustration Master Class:

Tara Larsen Chang

T is for toddler teddy having a teatime treat

2011-11-20T13:09:00.006-06:00

Bear snowflake

Liza Woodruff

The First Christmas

2011-11-13T12:13:00.001-06:00

New Limited Edition, Signed & Numbered stretched Canvas Gicl'ee Print of image used for our first eBook - "The First Christmas". The eBook is downloadable on all of Apples mobile devises - iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.
The original artwork, of this cover, has been donated to the Mazza Museum at the University of Findlay, for permanent display and touring shows. It represents the first eBook that the museum will have on display.

T is for Triceratops!

2011-11-12T00:24:00.001-06:00

By Steven James Petruccio

T for "Time"

2011-11-11T09:02:00.002-06:00

Bernhard Oberdieck

T is for Constellation

2011-11-07T11:00:00.003-06:00

By Patrick Girouard

T is for toddler

2011-11-07T10:48:00.001-06:00

By Phyllis Harris

Thumbalina

2011-11-04T18:13:00.001-05:00

Mary Peterson

T is for "Taxi"

2011-11-02T10:53:00.001-05:00

Joanne Friar

Thanksgiving dinner place card

2011-11-01T20:10:00.002-05:00

By Freddie Levin

Tooth Fairy Land

2011-11-01T18:45:00.005-05:00

from No Tooth, No Quarter! (Random House, 1989)

Jon Buller

Time for Tea

2011-11-01T12:45:00.005-05:00

Theresa Brandon

Halloween Ghost

2011-10-30T08:53:00.000-05:00

I've never actually been asked to illustrate a ghost, just one of those juicy commissions that have yet to find their way to me. But here's my most recent sketch, part of the marathon of doodles I've been posting to my blog every day.

2011-10-29T17:27:00.002-05:00

Going ghosting this weekend? Get your "You've Been Ghosted" notice printout here: http://www.imhalloween.com/ghosted.html What's ghosting you say? Go here to learn about this fun Halloween tradition: http://www.imhalloween.com/ghosting.html

On Halloween

2011-10-25T13:31:00.002-05:00

A fab new ebook for Halloween, from Jenny B Harris

Meet Zoe, a little rag doll who can't decide what she wants to be on Halloween. With this fun interactive children's ebook, you can dress her up in 12 different costumes and see what she decides.

Created entirely by Jenny B Harris, using Interactive Touch Books online book-building tool, and available now in the ITB bookstore:

ON HALLOWEEN

Ghost!

2011-10-11T09:26:00.002-05:00

Colored pencil on grey paper.

Theresa Brandon

Ghost

2011-10-10T14:56:00.003-05:00

This is from an anthology of ghost stories: the story is entitled "How He Left the Hotel", illustrated by Ellen Beier

The Best Fall Festival Ever

2011-10-09T12:03:00.001-05:00

Window Poster that is posted on the Books-A-Million store entrances for the upcoming book signing

There were spooky goblins and scary witches

2011-10-05T10:53:00.004-05:00

The farmers had never seen such a sight
as they saw on their porches that Halloween night.

Cows and pigs all dressed up in wigs,

possums in peacoats and chickens with bows.

There were spooky goblins and scary witches

and pigs bustin’ buttons in pirate britches.

There were ghouls and a mummy and goblins galore

and a princess dressed from the second hand store.

©John Nez

A halloween ghosty illustration from my never to be published Halloween book. I still think it's good, even though it is a bit over-written.

Maybe I'll just do it as an e-book app instead...

Scaredy Ghost

2011-10-04T19:36:00.002-05:00

Mary Peterson

Five Spooky Ghosts

2011-10-04T10:11:00.005-05:00

From "Five Spooky Ghosts Playing Tricks at School" published by Scholastic

Marilee Harrald-Pilz

Space Dog Jack and the Haunted Space Ship

2011-10-02T21:08:00.005-05:00

Scholastic Hello Reader! (Preschool - Grade 1), 2001

Susan Schade and Jon Buller

Ghost

2011-10-02T07:53:00.001-05:00

From the app LULA'S BREW
by Elizabeth O. Dulemba
Click to see the image larger.

Trick or Treat

2011-10-01T19:15:00.001-05:00

Patrick Girouard

Old Ghosts

2011-10-01T15:50:00.005-05:00

My only ghost illustrations. I did these many moons ago, but it was a fun change of pace.

Cheryl Kirk Noll

21 PBAA Members attend Highlights Illustrators Party 2011

2011-09-30T16:44:00.006-05:00

Picture Book Artists Association members attending this year's Highlights Illustrators Party in Honesdale, PA September 23-25 are shown with Tim Gillner, Art Director, Boyds Mills Press.

Back row: John Gurney, Sally Springer, Cheryl Kirk Noll, Emilie Boon, Terry Taylor, Laura Jacobsen, Sharon Holm, Paige Billin-Frye

Front row: Tim Gillner, Anni Matsick, Judy Moffatt, Barry Gott, Sherry Neidigh, Phyllis Harris, Rebecca Thornburgh, Susan Miller, Maggie Swanson, Sharon Vargo, Jennifer Thermes, Rose Berlin, Layne Johnson, Joe Kulka

photo by John Traynham

PBAA members attend Highlights Advanced Illustrators Workshop

2011-09-30T16:38:00.004-05:00

PBAA members Anni Matsick (left) and Lisa Cinelli attended Highlights Founders Advanced Illustrators Workshop over Labor Day weekend September 1-5 and roomed together in one of the modern cabins. They're shown here in "The Barn," Highlights' new conference facility in Boyds Mills, Pennsylvania.

Faculty for the workshop were Suzanne Bloom, Melanie Hall, Lindsay Barrett George, Floyd Cooper and Caldecott Medal winner Eric Rohmann. Guest speakers included Vera B. Williams.

Photo by Debra Wilburn

Sweet Moon Baby

2011-09-28T20:49:00.003-05:00

written by Karen Henry Clark

pictures by Patrice Barton

Alfred A. Knopf

Book trailer by Dan Prozinski / Durable Images Inc.

Dan is a freelance graphic artist, song writer and musician living in Minneapolis. He's also a friend of the author Karen Henry Clark, who asked him if he would be interested in making this trailer. So glad he said yes!

Bad Luck by Cynthia Decker

2011-09-26T22:48:00.007-05:00

This cover came from a little book called the Bad Luck Chair. I love trying to give personality to inanimate objects. I can't say I've mastered that art, but it's fun trying. I'm sorry to admit that the teacher in the background looks like me. Yikes.

Cynthia Decker

From "The Staffroom", by Moira Munro

2011-09-26T06:45:00.002-05:00

I have so many of these "Staffroom" cartoon strips. They were weekly commissions from The Herald, a big paper in Scotland. I ought to publish the whole lot in a Print-on-Demand book, but I'm put off by the time I imagine it will take me to do the layout. Do you think I'd need InDesign?
More of my cartoon strips on: http://www.moiramunro.com/Pictures_Cartoon_Strips.htm
Moira Munro
(www.moiramunro.com)

from FARADAWN

2011-09-25T20:02:00.004-05:00

Fitzgerald was our reading teacher at school. He picked out a book for the class to read out loud, called Paddle-to-the-Sea. It was written by a human named Holling Clancy Holling. I was the first one to read:

"The Canadian wilderness was white with snow. From Lake Superior northward the evergreen trees wore hoods and coats of white. A heavy blanket of cloud hung low across the hills. There was no sound . . . "

Jon Buller

Teacher trauma

2011-09-25T18:54:00.005-05:00

I know we should be posting picture book illustrations, but I hope I won't be sent into detention for showing a B/W text illustration, it's from the Japanese edition of Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors.

John Shelley

Teacher

2011-09-25T12:02:00.006-05:00

Albert Einstein's class at the Luitpold Gymnasium in Germany, 1889, when Einstein was 10 years old (from Young Albert Einstein published by Troll, written by L. Santrey & illustrated by Ellen Beier, 1989).

Ellen Beier

Teacher!

2011-09-15T16:21:00.004-05:00

"My name is Princess Priscilla," said the new girl.

Click image for a larger view

This is an old piece dating back to my early days as an illustrator, but it was the only piece I could think of with a teacher in it! (The teacher was based on a friend of mine who really was a school teacher.)

The well behaved girl in the pink dress is supposed to be the new girl in class, and a Princess at that.

The poor teacher has quite a boisterous group of children to cope with, but by the end of the story they are all very well behaved.

The book is out of print now... but maybe it will get a new life one day.

June Goulding

Teacher

2011-09-14T14:39:00.003-05:00

Here's my version of an illustration for 'teacher'. I started out as a substitute teacher after college... a job that had me 'baptized in fire' as one principal described it to me. Actually it wasn't half that bad.

This is from my book 'One Smart Cookie', written & illustrated by me from Albert Whitman. Recently it's appeared in the book club and also as an ebook, or so I'm told.

John Nez

First Day with the New Teacher

2011-09-12T10:06:00.003-05:00

It's like going on a blind date. "I hope I like her!" I hope she likes ME!" And I know from my teaching days that teachers lose just as much sleep the night before the first day of school as the students do. Maybe more!

Janet McDonnell

Teacher

2011-09-08T16:57:00.002-05:00

By Phyllis Harris

My teaching experience

2011-09-01T09:40:00.004-05:00

This sample represents two new endeavors on my part: teaching and painting digitally. I'm still not crazy about the digital line, so I draw with my old fashioned crow quill and scan it. I also prefer working with real paints; the imperfections of watercolor on cold press paper, but I am inching along on my digital painting learning curve. As much as I love watercolor, I do get frustrated with how it reproduces.
And the teaching...I'm inching my way towards 60 hours of student teaching in k-7, and in k-12 so I can get certified to be an art teacher, (as if teaching art is a growth industry in today's education climate!). I'm a few years away from being an "empty nester" as my own children approach college age, and I'm thinking it would be nice to supplement my income with something that involves interacting with other humans on a regular basis.

John Steven Gurney

All in a teacher's day

2011-09-01T09:38:00.003-05:00

By Marilee Harrald-Pilz

Ms. Broomstick

2011-09-01T08:10:00.001-05:00

By Rebecca Thornburgh

The Irate Pirate

2011-09-01T08:09:00.001-05:00

I was about to post my "Teacher" image for the new month, and I noticed that I had missed the "Pirate" theme of August, so I snuck this on.

John Steven Gurney

My Pirates

2011-08-17T05:11:00.005-05:00

Bernard Oberdieck

Pirate drawing...

2011-08-11T18:44:00.002-05:00

Here's a fun pirate from an old dummy book I did years ago.

John Nez
http://www.johnnez.com/

Captain Rooster

2011-08-05T16:37:00.002-05:00

For CAPTAIN ROOSTER, written by Phillis Gershator.
Illustrated by Diane Greenseid.

Diane Greenseid

Pirates ahoy!

2011-08-05T12:48:00.006-05:00

Tom the cabin boy and the ship's cat watch as
the Pirates use the map to find the hidden treasure

Here is a piece from a pop-up Pirate Ship Adventure book I illustrated a few years back.

This image shows 3 layers of illustrations roughly assembled in photoshop to give an impression of the cut-out layered view!

These are the three illustrations as individual layers, drawn out in pencil.

The lines on the top layer indicate where 3D folds would be made
to bring the front layer forward.

I needed to work out the cut-out areas for each layer, to display the scene below it.

This was the facing page where the text would go.
It had an ornate border to match the illustration.

June Goulding

Pirate Girl

2011-08-04T19:43:00.010-05:00

This is a digital painting I did for my own amusement in homage to Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth and Howard Pyle. I've included a closeup detail.

Theresa Brandon

Pirate with Hiccups

2011-08-04T10:38:00.004-05:00

This is from a chapter book that I illustrated last year. In a major plot development, the captain gets a bad case of the hiccups.
-Dave Opie.

Pirate and Princess

2011-08-03T13:21:00.004-05:00

This was the cover to a Halloween board book I did a while back but it's still one of my favorites!

Dad of Divas' Reviews: Book Review - Fish Facts

2011-07-25T11:18:00.005-05:00

Dad of Divas' Reviews: Book Review - Fish Facts

Illustrated by Janeen Mason

Holiday for bears!

2011-07-24T07:04:00.007-05:00

Going to Camp Bruno
A summer holiday camp for small bears

This little bear appeared on my paper when I was sketching. He is eagerly awaiting the bus to take him to the holiday camp for small bears.

Sketched roughly in 2B pencil, scanned and then digitally coloured in Photoshop. This gave me a chance to learn how to add textures, but it is tempting to overdo all the patterns and effects, so I tried to keep it simple.
I think it is still too fussy a drawing - but a small step forward towards a new way of working for me.

June Goulding

Winter Holiday

2011-07-22T21:07:00.000-05:00

The Christmas Coat

2011-07-22T11:39:00.011-05:00

Page from The Christmas Coat by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, illustrated by Ellen Beier, to be released in August.
A true story from the author's life, set on the Rosebud Reservation, South Dakota, in winter, 1945.

Click here to buy The Christmas Coat on Amazon.com

Holiday online

2011-07-18T08:43:00.000-05:00

Not specifically children's book illustrations I have to admit, but it shows the kind of shenanigans I regularly worked on in Japan quite well. It's a magazine editorial about booking holidays online, currencies etc. Gimme some of that sunshine now please, its cold and rainy in the UK!

boo!!

2011-07-06T14:17:00.001-05:00

I always love the holiday halloween!
When I worked for Millbrook Press in another lifetime, I created, designed, illustrated over 50 childrens craft books. The Craft Queen!
I miss the people from Millbrook press, it was a great to work with them.

A discussion the other day about getting jobs from odd resources- I got my Millbrook work by submitting a resume that mentioned I did work gratis for animal welfares. That was my in...

Holiday

2011-07-04T15:11:00.001-05:00

"A New Day at Put-in-Bay" Lake Erie's Key West Playground!

2011-07-03T15:37:00.005-05:00

Perry's International Peace Memorial

A favorite "Holiday" spot located off shore of Port Clinton, Ohio. Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of lively souls trek to South Bass Island to have fun - it has the longest bar in the world and other dubious claims to fame.
The Marblehead Lighthouse is visible in the background and is another holiday destination on the shores of Lake Erie - our Fine Art Gallery is located just out of view to the right of the tree line. When in the colonies, make it a point to stop on by and visit us, Jodie's studio is located within the Gallery.

All-Seeing Eye of Becket Hill

2011-07-01T18:59:00.002-05:00

These stones were left over from a terrace that we built about a dozen years ago. Every few years we seem to find a different use for them. Just lately they have become a pedestal to support our giant blue marble.

Holiday

2011-07-01T09:28:00.000-05:00

Birthday Cake

2011-06-30T04:36:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've posted! Here's something topical, from a non-fiction book on the workings of the human body. This was part of a section illustrating breathing.

Yummy Cakes

2011-06-24T10:35:00.001-05:00

Yummy cakes, another jump into Photoshop.

MINE!

2011-06-22T18:14:00.002-05:00

And now it can be yours! Story by the wonderful Shutta Crum, pictures by Patrice Barton, published by Alfred A. Knopf. This was such a fun story to illustrate - toddlers, toys, troubles, triumphs and one puppy. Shutta also made this cute trailer. Yes, she's awesome.

Animalogy: Animal Analogies

2011-06-22T11:51:00.013-05:00

My daughter, Andrea Brown produced this book trailer for Animalogy: Animal Analogies and I think she did a great job.
The author, Marianne Berkes is one of my favorite writers today so I was excited to be teamed up with her for this book. Marianne's a retired teacher and librarian who has turned her love of nature and teaching into writing. She uses rhyming analogies about animals to give kids a different way to see how animals are related. . . bat is to flit as eagle is to soar; dog is to bark as lion is to roar.
Comparisons include sounds, physical adaptations, behaviors, animals classes and are so fun, readers learn without even realizing it. Animals are to nature, as Animalogy is to fun!

Thanks for taking a look.
Cathy

Step by Step Cake Making

2011-06-14T09:26:00.004-05:00

Just like making a cake... artistry is easily accomplished with a step by step method.

I find it's the singing of 'Happy Birthday!' that's the hard part. Have you ever noticed how hard it is to hit the right note from the start?

My Digital Attempt...

2011-06-13T18:02:00.001-05:00

This is my first real attempt at using my new wacom and Photoshop. It is a bit disappointing that I feel that I missed alot of the details that I was working on, I dont have the hang of the layers yet, multiply and normal, so much more learning to do, but it was fun. My kindergarten in digital school offering...

(sheep, digital painting)

Cake!

2011-06-06T04:34:00.000-05:00

Self-promo.

Dictionary Cake

2011-06-04T10:30:00.000-05:00

This was a picture for "The Shelf Elf Looks It Up: in the Dictionary." When the book was printed, the little cards in front of the cake had the IPA pronunciation symbols on them -- as in, here's how to pronounce "ee-KID-nuh." (I don't know IPA and I don't have a copy of the printed book right now, so I can't show the symbols.) Anyway, cutting up a cake was the only way I could figure out to show pronunciation of a word. (Doing pictures for a book about the dictionary was not, let's just say, E-Z.)

let them eat cake...

2011-06-03T15:53:00.004-05:00

Licensed artwork.

Happy Birthday to me,

Happy Birthday to you-

You look like a monkey and you smell like one too.