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!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

(click to enlarge)

Here is my new postcard, hot off the presses! My first attempt moonlighting as a reporter and a staff photographer at a pretend newspaper... The idea popped into my head one night when I was brushing my teeth. It was fun researching The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and also poring over our local newspaper to try to catch all the details that would make it look as authentic as a pretend article would. It was printed on newsprint, even! One of the publishers I am mailing this to is actually located in Tarrytown, NY.

Coincidence? Yes.

Cool? You betcha!!

Horse & Rider

Good Monday Morning! What have I been up to lately? How kind of you to ask!

Working out a new postcard and getting new art together to update the ol' website. The above sketch has been transformed into a lovely b&w illo that I will share soon. I really have to say that black and white illustration has a certain charm that I thoroughly enjoy. It is the shades of gray that appeal to me most, I think, because that is where I tend to bide my time. Some folks run hot and cold, and I admire their passion and conviction. It takes an awful lot to rile me up, so you'll find me at a pleasant lukewarm most days. I am feeling excited and a little scared about this next postcard because I am going to end up sharing my sense of humor. My family and friends know me too well, but what will the unsuspecting art directors think??? *gulp*

Hope that you are doing well! Have a wonderful day! Love, Nina

Please Mr. Postman

This rather largish stack of postcards went out on their merry way on Monday (that is a golf ball for scale). Here's hoping they make it to their intended destinations and don't get chucked immediately. My secret wish for them, should they not get a parade when they arrive, is that they get filed away to look on later or else recycled if they are not a favorite. They are my little lottery tickets... I buy them knowing full well that I might not win, but the happy dreams that they might keep me going. This is all part of the happy mystery of children's books. If it is meant to be, it will happen. When it happens, it is magic!