Give the Gift of Reading

A quick post on a limited time offer from Raven Tree Press, the publisher of Mr. Groundhog Wants The Day Off , and many other great titles. Visit their website today and get a FREE nook version of any Hardcover book that you purchase. Offer expires 12/31/12!

Jinxy

 "If there ever comes a day when  we can't be together 

keep me in your heart I'll stay there forever"

8x10" colored pencil on toned paper

A recent pet portrait commissioned in memory of a dearly loved cat gone too soon.

It's All About Respect!

I'm happy to say that the second book in the Team Dawg series is finally off to the printers! Joining the first book entitled Trevor's Bully Problem is the new book It's All About Respect. In this book the same young pup, named Trevor, gets a weekend homework assignments which helps teach him about the meaning of the word respect. In this post I wanted to share the cover along with some of my favorite paintings from the book. I hope you enjoy and I look forward to sharing the printed copy of the book with you. In the meantime don't forget to visit the new Team Dawg website and see what's new!

A Pit bull named Lola

The difference between friends and pets is that friends we allow into our company, pets we allow into our solitude.  ~Robert Brault

8"x 10" colored pencil on toned board

 

This pet portrait of a beloved pit bull, named Lola, was a commissioned birthday gift.  I couldn't help but be happy to draw her every time I looked at her big content smile. :)

drawing in progress

Elliana

"While we try to teach our children all about life, 

our children teach us what life is all about." -Angela Schwindt

11"x 14" colored pencil on toned board

 A short post on a drawing I recently finished of my niece who just turned one! A tiny girl that always puts the biggest smile on my face and fills my heart with everlasting joy! I had so much fun drawing her adorable little face. :)

 

A photo of the drawing in progress which to me, always has a certain charm.

 

And finally a photo of the drawing in its mat and frame.

Independence Day Sketch

Kiss the Chef 

An Independence day sketch in honor of the 4th of July celebrations. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Maurice Sendak

A small dedication post in honor of a wonderful and inspiring man, children's book author and illustrator, Maurice Sendak. 

 on illustrating:
"..it's sublime to just go into another room and make pictures ..it's magic time..Where all your weaknesses of character and all the blemishes of personality and whatever else torments you fades away, just doesn't matter. You're doing the ONE thing you want to do and you do it well, and you know you do it well and...you're happy."

Illustration from Maurice Sendak's book 'Higglety Pigglety Pop! Or, There Must Be More to Life'

Happy Earth Day!

A quick sketch for the day :) I hope everyone had a wonderful Earth Day today. Remember to show our Earth a little love not only today, but everyday! And do your part to take care of it because it is OUR home! :)

pencil on paper, 2012

Groundhog Day

 

"Better late than never." A coloring page in honor of Groundhog Day 2012.  Click on the image to enlarge and print. If you still don't have a Mr. Groundhog book, order your copy HERE . A wonderful story written by Pat Stemper Vojta that teaches kids about friendship and confidence. Great for any time of the year, not just Groundhog Day.