"WHAT IS THAT THING?"  by author Kevin McNamee and illustrated by KC Snider
This lively and imaginative story was released in March 2011!

What has caused Princess Jenna such distress?

What does Jungle Jenna hear howling?

"THE MILK HORSE"  by author Katherine Luce and illustrated by KC Snider.



The story of a little girl, a loyal horse, and the Heroes both become.


Meet "COWBOY JAMES"  by author Mary Jean Kelso and illustrated by KC Snider

The "rootin'tootin-est"
High "falootin-est"
Rough-and-tumble cowboy
in the Whole Wide World!

On Saturday March 5, I attended a reception at the Deschutes County Library in Redmond, Oregon for 25 finalists of the 4^th grade illustrated story project. This is becoming an annual event and is now sponsored by the Central Oregon Writer’s Guild. All the 4^th graders in the Redmond School District are given the opportunity to join in this competition.

Local authors and illustrators help set the guidelines, instruct the students and teachers on what is expected, and judge the entrants. Of course, I was the illustrator judge. It took a few hours to go through all the entries to say the least!

The Winner, Caleb, wrote Mystery Island where dragons live. The Runner Up, Megan, wrote Popeye the Pumpkin a story about a lonely pumpkin and his friendship with a pony. She also added some pages at the end about her characters and the scene where the story takes place.

Caleb and Megan read their stories aloud to the audience. There were goodies and lemonade for all. Copies of the stories were signed by Caleb and Megan for those who wanted a copy of their books. With sponsorship help, the Writer’s Guild was able to get both books bound, copied, and made ready for library use. Copies will be kept in the library for anyone who wants to check them out.

THE WEAVER  by Kai Strand and illustrated cover by KC Snider

This is a tale of a distracted female, stork, that is.
Who flew 'round the globe until low and behold,
A very strange egg caught her eye....

A STAR IN THE NIGHT  by Jennifer Gladen and illustrations by KC Snider 

A touching tale with a great Christmas message, December 1, 2010 Five Star Review from Amazon.com.  

While on his way home from Mr. Renetti's bakery on Christmas Eve, young David has three encounters that will change him and his view of Christmas forever.

Though part of the Wings of Faith line from Guardian Angel Publishing, I wouldn't say that I found this to be an overly religious book. Yes, it includes a Bible verse and David drops in at the local church and stands beside the manger scene, but I also believe that children of other faiths and their families would appreciate the message this book relays - the importance of thinking of others. I'm not sure this is what the author intended, but this is how I honestly felt about it.

Whether Christmas to you means the birth of Christ or Santa Claus slipping down chimneys leaving gifts, the reality is that both celebrations have at their heart a message of thinking of others, spreading peace, and sharing. That's what A Star in the Night is all about. A young boy experiences these three encounters where he is forced to make a choice to put another person's needs ahead of his own desires. Isn't that the type of message we seek to share with our children no matter what faith we believe in?

I am a huge fan of K. C. Snider's artwork. I find her winter scenes are some of the finest examples of her work. Looking at the front cover of A Star in the Night, I knew she illustrated the book without looking at the credit. If K.C. only illustrated books set during the winter, I would still be very happy; though I have to admit to being particularly fond of the picture that shows David inside the church.

I highly recommend A Star in the Night by Jennifer Gladen if you are looking for a children's book that will encourage your children to think of others during the Christmas season-and hopefully all year round.                                    

STILTS THE STORK a rhyming story by Dixie Phillips and illustrated by KC Snider.
This is a joy ride for people of ALL ages! It is a story about a dittzy stork who wants to be a mother. She finds what she seeks on the .........

COMING SOON...

From author Lea Schizas and illustrator KC Snider, a book for the younger crowd, "I Don't Want A Haircut!"  This picture book tells the story of a very imaginative young man named Harry and his first haircut.



                                                                                                            

JUST OUT...

This very cute woodland tale is author Marilee Crow's newest illustrated book, "A Short Tale About A Long Tail."  This story is a new rendition of the classic "The Ugly Duckling" but with a new twist.  Watch for the bluebirds, they are my favorite little game.                          

                                                      

Here is the cover of a newly published book authored by Mary Jean Kelso from a slightly different point of view...that of the mouse!  It's titled "RV Mouse" and we will be showcasing it at the Family Motor Couches of America (FMCA) event in Redmond, Oregon on August 12, 2010.

I am currently working on illustrations for a great Christmas story by author Jennifer Gladen. It's called "A Star in the Night."




It's always hectic during the summer trying to get everything done.  I just spent 10 days in a sales show our non-profit group set up in tandem with Redmond, Oregon's Centennial Celebration. I was the judge for the show's art work. We were set up boutique-style in a big (normally empty) store front right in the heart of Redmond.  This place has huge windows and many of our fine artisans' work sparkled in the summer sun.

                                                                                                         


Of course, the Deschutes County Fair is the last week of July and I'm planning to enter three pieces of my Western Art for judging in the Open Class Fine Arts Exhibit.  I 'll do a demo or two showing how I create the illustrations for "A Star in the Night." Children really enjoy that.

Less than 2 weeks later, on August 12, is the seminar and book signing with Mary Kelso at the Family Motor Coaches of America (FMCA) while they are visiting our little "hub" at the county fairgrounds. It just keeps getting better!

I just completed the cover illustration for a new childrens' book by author Dixie Phillips entitled "Stilts the Stork."  This story is written in rhyme, about a stork who had a difficult time, with no other recourse, than to hatch "eggs" on a golf course...and more...

The illustrations for Frederico, the Mouse Violinist by Mayra Calvani are done! It was quite a project because Mayra and I wanted the illustrations to be historically correct which meant a lot of research on violins and bows from the 18th century, during Stratovarius' time.  Mayra has talked about having this book published in the new hardback version and that would be very exciting since I did 16 illustrations with the cover.
Now I have finally begun The Golden Pathway by Donna McDine.  This is another challenging book to illustrate because the material could be upsetting and controversial.  Since this book is geared at 9-11 year olds, again we want it to be historically accurate, but not upsetting.  Donna and I have both done research.  I've had to think about what life would be like in the US South in the mid-19th century for both black slaves and white farmers and their families.  Very interesting challenge!
Here is an illustration from Frederico and one from Golden Pathway:

Frederico adjusts the violin pegs.


David blocking out the screams.

Mayra had her dog, Amigo, interview Jack "The Pooper" and she has posted it on her blog.  You've just got to see it at www.petsandauthors.blogspot.com/.

We had a great time at the artists' reception for the "In The Company of Cowgirls" Western Art Show at Hamley Steakhouse Cattle Baron's Grand Ballroom (http://www.thehamleysteakhouse.com/) on May 6.  My original mixed media piece called "A Little Love for Dazzle" got a lot of attention.  The big question was "How did you do it?"  We enjoyed some great entertainment in an 1890's saloon.  The featured western singer/songwriter was Juni Fisher (http://www.junifisher.com/) who has been chosen to submit the official music CD for the 100th anniversary of the Pendleton Roundup.
For the benefit of Lynda Burch, here are two pics of me.  This may be the last time you see me in a skirt.

A Little Love for Dazzle (Middle top)



This 1890's Bench just about dwarfs K.C.

Claudia, my publicist, has finished designing my new coloring book based on illustrations from the Andy and the Albino Horse series.  It will be published in time for the Ochoco Western Arts Roundup in Prineville, Oregon on May 1st.  I plan on doing several more coloring books soon.  Here is the front cover and the back page.

My mixed media painting titled "A Little Love for Dazzle" has been accepted for a very important invitational western art show in Pendleton, Oregon which will be held May 6-9, 2010.  Claudia and I will be attending the artists' reception which "will be held at Pendleton's renowned Hamley's Steakhouse in the Cattle Barons Ballroom. It will kick off Cattle Baron's Weekend, an event featuring a Western Classics Gelding Sale and preview, ranch bronc riding, and, for the first time, team-branding.  Also included in the events are mutton bustin', championship Dutch-oven cook off, saloon crawl, & Calcutta. The Cattle Barons Weekend, now in its third year, is on its way to becoming a well-established event. Crowds from all over the Pacific Northwest are expected to come" ( http://www.inthecompanyofcowgirls.com).  We are really looking forward to this show.  Check out the website to read more about it.  Here's the piece:

Here's one of my latest covers for the children's book written by Mayra Calvani called "Frederico, The Mouse Violinist."



And my next cover for Kevin McNamee's story "What Is That Thing?"


Kevin told that the little girl on this cover reminded him if his daughter.  That's so cute!!

I've been invited to submit two of my fine arts pieces to a very prestigious Western Art Show in Pendleton, Oregon which is for women artists only, so in between book illustrations, I just completed this mixed media painting (guache and prismacolor).  This painting is based on a photo I took of a young cowgirl in Nevada,  the daughter of the woman who runs the equine therapy center that Mary Jean Kelso contributes to from her Andy and The Albino Horse royalties.  The horses were following Amanda around because she had a bag of Chex snacks.  "Elvis" the horse really wanted some of those snacks!

I forgot that we had not posted the portrait of my grandkids to my blog, so here it is (just a little blurry).
Meet Colby and Savanna Snider:

This has been a really fun book to illustrate; I can use lots of imagination...

Here are a couple of the pages...

Here are a few of my illustrations from "Andy and Spirit Meet the Rodeo Queen", another great sequel written by Mary Jean Kelso.