Tortoise Time

This is a tortoise that I sketched at the MNSCBWI Como Zoo field trip earlier this month. Get ready for a random animal factoid from Nina: Not all "turtles" are turtles! A tortoise has stumpy-type feet and lives primarily on land, a turtle mainly lives in the water and has flipper-like feet for swimming, and a terrapin can live on land and in the water (but always near the water) and their feet have claws and webbing. Check out the San Diego Zoo website for more cool turtle information!

Catbirds

My first painting since I have finished the book! This will be in a gallery show with fellow CBIG'ers this October in Red Wing, Minnesota. Next post: Zoo sketches!

I Heart Unicorns!

Well, the bunnies have left the nest and have been seen frolicking about the yard. I find myself currently stymied by a story idea, and this preoccupation has become my current occupation. Also started on a new drawing that will be in a show with fellow CBIG'ers in October. Not much else to report, I guess. Thanks for checking in!

Bunnies For Sale!

It is a good thing we don't keep up with our yardwork! My kids were on the swingset yesterday and I was chatting with my favorite neighbor when she noticed something move in the grass about 3 feet from where we were standing. These little critters were snug as bugs in their little nest, right in the middle of the yard! Too funny! So, we took a little peek and a couple photos, the kids squealed with delight, and we covered them up again. I told you we live on a bunny farm!

Postcards

I found a creative use for leftover postcards from my last mailing campaign! Wallpaper! My darling daughters were kind enough to model for me. I wonder if it is possible to create custom wallpaper from your own designs? Hmmmm......

Feed the Birds

Now I totally have the song from Mary Poppins stuck in my head! Here is a new sketch that I am going to finish, eventually... Getting used to my new computer, I am a Mac now! Still have to figure out how to get my email to not only GET messages, but send them, too. Baby steps. Oh, and I am going to figure out iTunes if it kills me! I have a hand-me-down iPod from my husband and am excited to get that loaded up with favorite songs. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Field Trip!

YOU’RE INVITED TO GO WILD!
Join us for the Minnesota SCBWI Field Trip to the Zoo!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
10am to 2pm
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
1225 Estabrook Drive Saint Paul, MN 55103
THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Voluntary donation to Como Park Zoo is $2
Pack a lunch, your art or writing supplies, and some sunscreen! We’re going to spend the day gathering inspiration from the various creatures and activities that the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory has to offer. Sketch, paint, write a children’s poem, come up with a new character or story idea, or practice a creative technique…. Go WILD with your imagination!
Meet at the Como Zoo Entrance at 10am. It is located at the Visitor Center. We will share our work and maybe even do some brainstorming when we break for lunch. This is a great chance to mingle with some of your fellow Minnesota SCBWI members!
See you there!
For more information, visit http://www.minnesotascbwi.org
For Como Park Zoo directions (including a map), visit http://www.comozooconservatory.org

p.s. Back from the beach, we had a really nice time. It is good to be home! I have loads of new sketches to post- stay tuned!