One spread down, twelve more to go!

My "before" rough sketch for DaisyLocks interior spread

My "after" illustration following comments from the publisher

I wanted to show you part of my process when illustrating a picture book. I've already done my storyboards in Indesign and those have been revised and approved. Now I'm working on individual spreads. My rough is really loose. I've worked with Sylvan Dell before so they understand my shorthand roughs and have a good idea of how I'll finish the artwork. Their comments were to have more emphasis on plants than animals. So I took out a scorpion in the middle ground and added more plants. Since I work in Painter I've isolated various images on different layers; like the plants, turtle, background, daisy blowing in the wind, etc. This way Sylvan Dell can easily pull out parts to use for their creative minds sections for teachers and home schoolers. Also, when illustrating I have to keep in mind where the type will be (in the lower left hand side of the spread) and that the book folds right down the middle, referred to as the gutter. Books are a lot like life, you don't want something important falling in the gutter.

One spread down, twelve more to go!

Wind blows daisy seed from a hot environment to the cold arctic. Do you think this will work for her?

Make that two down, eleven to go.

Daisy's not ready to put down roots just yet.

Three down, on to the next one.

Blowing around looking for just the right spot....

Four finished spreads! You can click on the images to see the full art.

Daisylocks by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Cathy Morrison,
Sylvan Dell Publishing

Here's a cover concept for a new book coming out Spring 2014. I won't go into a lot of details yet but you'll be seeing more along the way. Plus there's two more trade books in the works for next year as well. There's a whole lot of drawing going on.

 Tracks made by raptors of long ago show that they moved in packs...

 Step back in time to a long-lost land, where dinos ruled the Earth...

Still two spreads to go before final artwork for DinoTracks is done. Here's a couple of new interior spreads and I probably won't be showing more dinosaurs until the book is published fall 2013. Back to work now and thanks so much for taking a look.

Dinosaur tracking

Here's a sneak peak at some cropped illustrations for DinoTracks, a fall 2013 release for  Sylvan Dell Publishing. The author, Rhonda Lucas Donald tells the story in rhyme that can be sung to the tune of Over the River and Through the Woods. She takes you back in time and around the world as you follow the various tracks. These trackways are clues to the dinosaur species, can tell their behavior and movements, what they ate, how and when they lived, etc. Paleoichnology, the study of fossilized tracks and trackways is an amazing science and we hope future dino trackers will enjoy the book.

Show and tell for this working girl!

DinoTracks, Colorado Foundation of Agriculture Workbook and Apps, Gardener Girl

I start feeling guilty when I don't post on my blog for over six weeks. Not that anybody cares except for me, but I hate to appear a slacker.

So here's what I'm currently working on.... illustrations for my fourth Sylvan Dell Publishing picture book, Dino Tracks by the amazing, Rhonda Lucas Donald, 100+ spot illustrations for Bette Blinde (who is also a Livermore, Colorado resident! I don't get many of those as you can imagine), with the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture, illustrating the Understanding Water Activity Book and Apps, and last but not least, my own story, Gardener Girl that I'm writing as well as illustrating. We'll just have to wait to see if that one sees the light of day, but so far so good.

OK,  I don't feel like such a slacker now that I've validated myself. Back to work I go! See you in another six weeks or so....

I Want A Pet!

Front Cover

Back Cover

I Want A Pet!, my first book as author and illustrator comes out today. The publisher is Tiger Tales Books, one my favorite publishers for books for little readers, seven and under. And its first review is actually good! You can go to Kirkus for the full review. So far so good. Maybe I should stop while I'm ahead, but heck no, I'm working on another.

Dino Tracks by Rhonda Lucas Donald

I'm drawing dinosaurs. Here's the cover and I'm revising interior spreads to get vetted before going to final artwork. It involves lots of research which is one of my favorite things to do. So this will keep me busy through the end of this year and beyond. I feel like I've drawn about everything there is to draw, but this is a first for me. 

Dino Tracks, by Rhonda Lucas Donald, illustrated by Cathy Morrison

And the focus is on the tracks - we follow dinosaur tracks around the world. They leave clues for today's scientists and our future scientists to discover all kinds of things about these ancient creatures. The author, Rhonda Lucas Donald  tells the story in rhyme and it can be sung to Over the River and Through the Woods which makes it a lot of fun. Another Sylvan Dell Publishing project, coming fall 2013!

The Studio - Girl Scouts of the USA

Do you know about The Studio? Every week the Girl Scouts showcase inspiring storytellers of all kinds, offering an inside look at how they do what they do. It started with authors, has now expanded to include illustrators and soon the girl scouts will be able to upload their own work. The goal is to create a community of creative work shared by the girls and professionals working in a variety of creative careers. I'm honored to be showcased this week, along with illustrations I've done for the Young Patriot Series.

Nature Recycles by Michelle Lord

To say this year has been busy is an understatement. I'm quickly wrapping up illustrations for Nature Recycles by  Michelle Lord, published by Sylvan Dell Publishing. Wish I was quicker, five more spreads to illustrate, but it makes it more doable as I really like the story. I'm currently working on the spread which focuses on Asian elephants and how they recycle. I'll post it and the others as I get further along. But wanted to mention Asian elephants because that's where I'm heading in a couple of weeks - Bangkok Thailand! My husband, Andy Brown is working there for most of the summer, creating communication centers in that area so I'm excited to visit and see another part of the world I've never experienced. When I come back I'm starting a new book about dinosaurs. More about that one later.

Here's two additional images I cropped from Nature Recycles. Three more to go and I leave for Bangkok in just over a week. Lots to do before I go. Also wanted to add "Happy Memorial Day!", especially to my son, Evan and all his Navy friends.

So here's two more cropped images. I'm working on the last one and leave late tomorrow - will I finish before I go? Or am I destined to always carry work along on my vacation?

Kindling Words UK!

Kindling Words UK Workshop/Retreat was the best thing I've done for myself in years. I made new writing and illustrating friends, many whose names I recognized, but now can put a face with the name. I shared a room with New York Times best selling fantasy author Cinda Williams Chima who was such a fun room mate. I'm hoping just a little of Cinda's talent rubbed off on me. We stayed at Lodore Falls Hotel in the Lakes District, ate amazing food and hiked the surrounding mountains and lakes. Above is a photo of one of Mary O'keefe Young's plein air water color classes on the grounds of the hotel.

We had several afternoon trips to choose from; the slate mine at Holister Pass, Wordsworth's House and Museum in Cockermouth, Beatrix Potter's home, Hill Top in Ambleside, historical Hadrian's Wall, Birdoswald Roman Fort in Cumbria, Castlerigg Stone Circle and of course a pub or two. What really amazes me is that on top of all the fun and traveling I got a lot of work accomplished. Both Alison James's workshop, "Entering the Dreamspace" and Mary Lee Donovan's "Picture Book Creation" workshop were great and I have to thank them for being wonderful, inspiring teachers. And also thanks to expat Terie Garrison for graciously sharing her home and Sally Wilkins, both for being great tour guides and driving us up, down, and all around on the wrong side of the road. I learned a lot in a short time and look forward to more Kindling Word Retreats in my future.