I'm a huge fan of Uppercase Magazine so I was pretty excited to have been selected for the third edition of their Work/Life 3: the UPPERCASE directory of illustration. Each artist created a bespoke image based on their interests and personal story. This is the image I created. 

I told editor Janin Vangool I grew up on a picture book-like family farm with lots of animals including a dog named Tippy. Here's Tippy engaging with a slightly cautious bird as she makes her rounds. To see the interview and snaps of my letterpress studio get yourself a copy of Work/Life 3.

For all the students who returned to school today.

Tunnels Beach, Kauai, HI

Hey there Uppercase Magazine fans. The new Work/Life 3 is heading to press very soon and I'm tickled to be one of the artists featured. Unlike most illustration directories, Work/Life gets personal. We each made a bespoke work of art specific to our interests and story. There's an interview and snaps of my studio and letterpress workspace. Follow the link to Uppercase Magazine for a list of the featured artists, a very cool video of last years Work/Life 2 and then poke around the magazines site. Its a real treat. When the book is released in Spetember I'll share the linoleum block print I made especially for Work/Life 3.

cover artist: Jeff Rogers

I've been tagged by the wonderful illustrator Erin Eitter Kono to participate in a blog tour! For the tour, I was asked to answer some questions about a recent or upcoming book and then pass it on to some author and illustrator friends. Here's my go….

 1. What is the title of your most recent book?  WOOBY AND PEEP. It was published in February, 2013

2. What genre does your book fall into? Picture Book (with extras).

3. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition? 
A movie! Wouldn't that be wonderful? Well, Wooby is quiet and thoughtful so Winnie the Pooh would be a good choice (if he were taller). Peep is outgoing and prone to misunderstandings so Big Bird would be good (if she were shorter).

4. What is the one sentence synopsis of your book? Opposites attract and become fast friends in this quirky, funny picture book.

5. Who is publishing your book? Sterling. High five Cindy, Brett, Meredith and Jennifer! 

6. How long to sketch and draw and paint the illustrations? About a year, give or take. The book was sketched and edited at the same time which is an unusual book making process but worked beautifully for this project.

7. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Although they aren't picture books, Mo Wilems' ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE series and Arnold Lobel's FROG AND TOAD series because of the odd couple friendships.

8. What else about the book might pique the reader's interest? The smallest children love WOOBY AND PEEP as a slapstick read-aloud. Older kids like the comments and puns made by the nosy neighbors. The comic book style panels are very funny and the end papers are a chock full of cute details about their neighborhood.

Thanks again to Erin for tagging me on this tour.  Erin's new book, CATERINA AND THE PERFECT PARTY, will be available in July 2013 but you can get a sneak peek at www.caterinascorner.com (aka party central!)

Wooby and Peep have a new home! Go on over to woobyandpeep.com and welcome them to the neighborhood.

What happens when you take peaceful and orderly and mix them thoroughly with loud and busy?

Odd couples rejoice!

February 5

Who scared Inky?

Cynthea Liu and i are super excited to introduce you to Wooby and Peep (and Wendy and Ricardo)! 

On shelves in February, 2013 from Sterling. Too right! 

Another fun, exhausting, exhilerating, hilarious conference! I love seeing so many old friends and making new ones.
The images above were scanned from the notes I took over the weekend. Credits for each bit of wisdom...

1. Personal observation
2. Linda Pratt, Literary Agent
3. John Klassen, author/illustrator
4. Arthur A. Levine, Arthur A. Levine Books
5. Tony diTerlizzi, author/illustrator
6. Rubin Pfeffer, Literary Agent

New for sale at Letterpress Habitat. Cards inspired by my favorite Japanese motif, Kokeshi dolls.

Sara Wilson Etienne's book, Harbinger, just came out. Leading up to the launch, she asked 25 artist friends to illustrate a moment or theme in the book. This is the piece I contributed---there's also an interview with me at her website where we discuss the piece, my illustration work and super powers (natch). Check out the entire gallery of illustrations at Holbrook Academy and "follow the path"...hopefully to your nearest indie book store.

The 2012 3x3 Illustration Directory is just out and I'm in it.



3x3 is one of the few directories that is curated so it's especially nice to have been included.



Here's the directory cover, illustrated by the amazing Wonil Suh.

Happy New Year!