Golden Guernsey

The Red Bengal goat is not actually a goat breed- thanks for voting! This is my first assignment for illustration class: I needed to include 5 things that begin with the letter "G." Imagine how thrilled I was that there is a Golden Guernsey goat! Trying to keep up with back-to-school and the kids and finding art time, still need to get my postcards in the mail, and will be in a gallery show that starts this weekend in Red Wing, MN with fellow CBIG artists. I'll post about that next time. Happy Tuesday!

Pizza

Congratulations to Pizza- the winner of our Fave Hot Lunch poll! The photos above are from an assignment I just finished for a fab illustration class I am taking! Pardon the poor lighting for the first image- but sometimes it is nice to see what it looks like before I paint it. I have a weird moment before I paint and worry that I will wreck it. Nina=Nerd. I like how this one turned out, though. I'll post the whole thing next time. Oooh, suspense!

Be sure to vote in our next poll: Which Is Not ACTUALLY a Goat Breed

Birthday Girls

My cute little nieces are turning 1 and 2 this September. My cute sister asked me to design their invitation for them (and let me blog it, blurring out a few details, of course!). Please take a moment to vote in our poll, inspired by my new first grader: Favorite Hot Lunch

Watch the Birdie

Here is a little bit from the back cover of the book. It is Tuesday according to the calendar, but I have been thinking it has been Wednesday all day. Hope to finish another painting in the next few days, so that will be good. According to our latest poll, most people seem to need more Cheetos these days. In a goodwill gesture, I am bringing Cheetos to my daughter's soccer game tomorrow night as a "healthy" snack.
p.s. Hi, Angie!

I Heart Spring (and Gilles)!

We had a great day doing yardwork today- and the kids played they little hearts out. Finished pages 20&21 today, I'll post a bit of it next time. I am going to pop some popcorn and veg out in front of the tv tonight. The only question is, what should I watch.... What about Bob?
p.s. Looks like most of us are rooting for Gilles. I have to say I was sad to see Chuck go, and so were my kids. One daughter is rooting for Shawn, the other for Ty. I am glad Melissa didn't get voted off the show, I like her a lot, too. Heck, I want them all to win!

Knight Time

I finally finished pages 14 & 15 last night! There were a lot of horses! This is from pages 12 & 13, and I realized that I had forgotten to post something from that painting. This is from a photo, the colors look better in person. Another week has flown by. Hopefully I will be able to relax with the fam and get some drawing and painting in ( I would love to finish another illustration by the end of the weekend). Hope everyone has a groovy weekend! Oh, poll results: most seemed to think that Mr. Owl was off his nut, and that 3 licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop is not entirely accurate. Wise old owl.....

Tea Time

I really love a nice cup of tea. Most of my friends give me a hard time because of the way I take it: loads of sugar and milk (half & half is a treat), with a little room left over for tea. My Mom was British, so this is the way I have had it since I was little. Now I am thinking about comfort foods... Shepherd's Pie with Bread Pudding for dessert along with a nice cup of tea.

Sounds delightful!

p.s. The Marshmallow Peep was elected a foe in our last poll. Oh, dear!

Princess

Oh, Yes! The Oxi Clean and Kaboom! guy is indeed way too loud- thanks for voting, people!
Here is a princess from the book. What are we celebrating today??? It is almost Friday!!! I started illustration no. 11 yesterday.... almost halfway done! I also finished another little project that might have potential, I'll start posting bits of it here and there. Make sure to vote in our next random poll: The Marshmallow Peep.

Quentin Blake

Looks like the Goose and Gray Duck poll was a toss-up! I am sure my Gray Duck vote cancelled out my husband's Goose vote....
I love, love, love Quentin Blake's artwork and thought I'd post a link to his website so you can check it out. I could watch "Quentin In Action" every single day.

Food For Thought

Salsa received the most votes in our Most Underestimated Condiment poll. Ketchup didn't get a single vote. I think we all know who the real winner is.....

Three Way Tie

The polling community is reeling with the results of our latest poll: a three way tie in the Favorite Pole Poll. The winners are North Pole, Bean Pole, and May Pole. In other news, I am happy to be attending the opening reception of the Reflections exhibit, co-sponsored by the Minnesota SCBWI and the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. This is the illustration I entered in the show. So, looking forward to an evening out with wonderful art friends on Friday night. Oh, I also completed another painting for the book. 8 down, 14 to go....

Penguin

Congrats to the penguin: winner of the Coolest Flightless Bird poll! Almost everytime we have pancakes at our house, we think of Chilly Willy...

More butter?

More butter!

More pancakes?

More pancakes!

More syrup?

More syrup!

In other news, the lovely people over at Alma Little seem to be liking the paintings for the book so far. I am going to begin painting a new one today! Be sure to vote in our Favorite Pole Poll!

Poor Marcia, Marcia, Marcia....

Three Cheers for Jan Brady: winner of our Favorite Brady Poll! Aimee, I think your vote for Jan really made a difference- thanks for voting! Make sure to check out our newest poll: Coolest Flightless Bird

Liver

Liver was the overwhelming winner in the Icky Food poll. Thanks for voting!

Have your cake and eat it, too!

My cousin, Ellen, is getting married today! This is the cake I drew for her rehearsal dinner invitiations and thank-you cards. It was fun to get a chance to be a part of her special day, aside from being a guest at the wedding. Hope everyone who celebrates Christmas had a merry one! Ours was nice and oh, so busy! Oh, don't forget to vote for your FAVORITE GUM (see the left side of the blog). I added the Poll Gadget to my blog and will conduct random surveys from here on out.... the fun just never ends!