Spring

Don't you just love peonies? These cuties bloom every year in our front yard. I have been thinking a lot about springtime as of late... April, specifically, when I'll hop on a jetplane and attend the SCBWI conference in New England (as opposed to Old England, the birthplace of my Mother). Really looking forward to attending a big conference, learning a bunch, and finally meeting some cool kid-booky friends in person. So, I am making up a schedule for myself so I can stay on top of all the things I need to do before the conference (getting a book dummy ready, spiffing up my portfolio, and making a poster to name a few). My new music book assignment just came in, too, so that is great! Juggling some additional kid/family-related things as well, so I thought I'd offer up a pretty photo until I get a chance to post some new art. Hope all is well with you, thank you so much for visiting! xoxo

If Wishes Were Horses

A very, very, very long time ago I drew this horse for my friend Kelly's parents. I was recently given a chance to revisit it and spiff it up a little. Trot on over to the Brown's Folly website to look at all their beautiful horses. Great big thanks to Greg & Mary Brown for asking me to draw for them again. A horse is really a perfect gift, so pick one up today!

A Norma Rae Moment

The good and kind Laura Purdie Salas just tagged me with this shiny Versatile Blogger Award. Not so sure how versatile I actually am, but I'll just go with it... There are some rules that I need to follow now, so bear with me as I am traditionally pretty awful at reading directions. I need to:

1. Thank the person who bestowed the award on you
2. List seven random facts about yourself
3. Spread the love by passing along the award to five other bloggers – and let them know

Thank you so much, Laura! I hope that 2012 brings you all you would wish yourself! *hugs* Laura is a very talented poet and an equally wonderful lady, I love that she is local and that I get to bump into her at kid book events.

Ok, Seven Random Facts about me...

1. My favorite pop is Dr. Pepper.

2. I have lived in Minnesota my whole life but have never been to Canada.

3. My Pink Pearl eraser has gone missing... *sob*

4. Riding horses is my all-time favorite sport, but I haven't been on horseback since I was 7 months pregnant with my eldest (and that was over 9 years ago). Gah!

5. Currently addicted to Downton Abbey.

6. I once accidentally stabbed through my sneaker with a pitchfork and did NOT injure my foot. I know, right!?!

7. My favorite song right now is The Roller by Beady Eye.

I'd like to pass this award on to some local groovy art chicks that I adore:

Alicia Schwab, Anne Adix Fabie, Barb Björnson, Sara Weingartner, and Sharon Wagner.

Also, many thanks to everyone who has stopped by because of the 2012 Comment Challenge. I have enjoyed your kind comments very much and it has been especially nice to find all sorts of fab new blogs to visit! Cheers!

The Tree In Winter

This is a little poem I wrote, inspired by the blog of the lovely and talented poet, Laura Purdie Salas. Thank you for helping me find my tiny inner poet, Laura! It was fun to illustrate this wee poem, and I am very pleased with how it turned out. We sent this postcard out to fam & friends as our holiday card (with love from the Crittendens), and today I'm sending out another version (with my contact info on it) to all the fab art directors and publishers that I would love to get a chance to work with someday. Plus, there is a new b&w page on my website now. Fun!
Happy 2012! Wishing you and yours every happiness! May all your trees be full of happy birdies and cheeky squirrels!

Fowl Play

This is my entry for the SCBWI Tomie dePaola Award. Oh, to snuggle a baby fox!

I woke up last Friday morning with this song in my head, and it all just came together...

It is also a small tribute to one of my all-time favorite movies:

If I am ever in a fight, I want Burgess Meredith on my side. Far Out!!!

Bionic Nina

The daily sketches in November were so fun, and I will get back to them, but I am going to have to put them on pause until I finish up a few things... Today I sent off the cover art and 76 spot illustrations for a project that I have been working on, so I am feeling super happy about that and will definitely share more about it when I can. The artwork I was planning on using for my last postcard was not very well-received at the MNSCBWI conference in October, so I am channelling my inner-Steve Austin for a newer... better... faster (?) six-million dollar bionic postcard. Now I am wondering if I have the chops to make it as a tv action hero and an illustrator and if six million dollars is too much money to spend on a promotional postcard...

thirty

Can't believe this is my 30th sketch, and I have not quite finished telling this story. Do I keep going? I don't know how many more there will be... Feel free to chime in with your two cents, and I'd like to thank each and every one of you who have stopped by. You're awesome!!!