Groundhog Day!!!

Well, It's Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow predicting an early spring!

Of course Groundhog Day also means that this blog post will be about my book Mr. Groundhog Wants The Day Off. 

I decided to share a few images on how one of the double page spreads developed from concept to final painting. If you'd like to buy the book just click here and visit the Rave Tree Press website. Order a book and while you're there click on the Activity Sheet link and download some Groundhog Day history; fun activities; a coloring page; and a fun smoothie recipe for the kids!! Enjoy!

 

original concept sketch

 final sketch

with text

original paintings

final book spread with text

Painting Progression

This is a post that I've been wanting to do for a while now and just never got around to finishing it. Below is a progression video of one of the double page spreads from Mr. Groundhog Wants The Day Off. Although the video quality isn't excellent I am still happy with the video that I was able to put together. It shows a little insight to how my paintings look from start to finish. I hope you Enjoy watching! :)

Painting Progression video
Music: Alicia Keys
As I Am (Intro)

New Painting

"I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,

But put you down into the dungeon

In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will keep you forever

Yes, forever and a day,

Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,

And molder in dust away!"

an excerpt from The Children's Hour
by: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Two Bleeding Hearts : Undying Love
Watercolor
10.5" x 14"

I've recently finished the above painting for an open watercolor show in New England. The painting is of two flowers appropriately called Bleeding Hearts. This plant bears heart- shaped flowers, from which a little "drop of blood" dangles at the bottom, and are often a symbol of undying love.

Working on this painting was a bit of a challenge because it had to be done in strictly aqua media and I hadn't done a full watercolor painting since college. In my other work I like to get it to a point in watercolor or acrylics and then noodle away with my colored pencils to finish it. I'm not crazy about the painting but I figured if it doesn't get accepted into the show, I will have to get my colored pencils out and finish it until I'm happy.
Below is a photograph of me working on the painting at what seems to be my most productive hour, late at night when everyone is fast asleep. It's my quiet time to spend under the peaceful light of my desk lamp with music in my ears; no distractions; and nothing else to concentrate on but my painting. :)

Sneak Peek

"Opportunity is missed by most people because
it is dressed in overalls and it looks like work."
-Thomas Edison :)

I'm pretty excited to share a new piece that's on the drawing table. It's a self promotional painting that I've wanted to do for a while. Now that it's in the painting stage I'll work hard to finish it soon so I can share the whole story behind this little creepy guy :)