Yes, I got an iphone! I have been using a Blackberry for a few years, and loved it. Hubby and I decided to make the switch to an iphone after our BB contract was up after researching/ learning about all the cool stuff(holy cow there
is an app for EVERYTHING!) that the new iphone had to offer. The picture quality is pretty amazing too!
I thought I'd
jazz mine up with a cool, custom case. I ordered this one from
Case-mate, it is a "Barely there" iphone 4 case. It was super easy to upload my design and order.
I decided to use my adventurous mice illustration, as I do love their infectious energy.
Don't you just love it?
I think I might have to order a special one of Stewie the adorable skink in "Skink on the Brink", the first picture book I am delighted to be illustrating, written by the fabulous Lisa Dalrymple, due to be launched in the Spring of 2013 by Fitzhenry and Whiteside. Maybe I can bulk order a few? I hope Lisa and Christie my editor, have iphones by then?? LOL. I am getting way ahead of myself with excitement...
I don't know about you, but the first month of 2012 flew by like a whirlwind. Maybe it was the combination of crazy hockey schedules(for my 3 oldest boys), plus landing my first picture book contract, in conjunction with the daily hustle and bustle of having 4 busy kids. But I don't mind, the busier I am the more I seem to get accomplished.
I thought for this month's desktop calendar I would use a new favorite image that I created for this year's SCBWI Tomie dePaula award submission. I had a blast creating this illustration. Who knew fowl and feathers would be so much fun to create in plasticine? I thought my lovey-dovey couple, Cocky Locky "cool-man" rooster and his swooning hen, Miss Henny Penny would be the perfect couple to feature.
To download this calendar simply click on your screen resolution link under the above image, then right click and select "set as desktop background". Easy peasy.
Cheers to a Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope you all have a fun, productive, and happy February. :)
I was asked by my new 12x12 FB challenge friend Joanna Marple, if I'd like to be interviewed for her blog feature "Interview Wednesday" featuring up-and-coming illustrators.
Joanna's blog features book reviews and reflections from across the cultures, interviews, and resources for parents and educators. Well of course I jumped at the chance, answering with a big resounding SURE!! I was very honoured to have been asked and I had a blast answering Joanna's great interview questions. Please visit her blog and check out my interview at Miss Marple's Musings.
Thanks so much Joanna for the interview, and I look forward to getting to know you through the 12x12 challenge. :)
I can now officially announce my BIG news! I am going to be illustrating my first Picture Book, "Skink on the Brink" by Lisa Dalrymple, published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside, due out Spring 2013. Holy Moly, can you believe it, every time I say it I start doing my happy dance again! I feel like I am going the burst, I am so incredibly excited! I had the pleasure of visiting Christie Harkin and Cathy Sandusky at Fitzhenry & Whiteside yesterday. My editor(ok how fun is
that to say?!!) Christie Harkin gave me the o.k to give you all a sneak peek of one of the preliminary illustrations. I used plasticine of course and tried painting Stewy with acrylic gloss to give his skin a glisten.
So let me introduce you to.....drum roll please.....Stewy the skink. He might be teeny tiny, but he has a larger than life personality that I an so excited to illustrate and share with the world. Lisa wrote an amazing manuscript, that immediately pulls you in. I
know you will fall totally in love with this little guy just as I did. So mark you calendars for "Skink on the Brink's" release date for the Spring of 2013.
Lisa also has another book in the works called " If It's No Trouble...A Big Polar Bear" coming out with Tuckamore Books in Sept. 2012.
I hope to post a bit about the process of illustrating a picture book as I go(after the ok of course) to document the whole wonderful journey.
Maybe there will be the occasional photo of Stewy too- another sneak peek from time to time. ;)
Back to my happy dance :)...Have a great weekend everyone!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I hope you all have had a great Christmas and holiday season so far. I am very excited to see what new and exciting opportunities come our way in 2012 and I hope you are too. Here is my January 2012 desktop calendar as my gift to you for all you support and friendship over this past year- Thank-you so much! To download this desktop calendar simply click on the preferred screen resolution link, right click, then select "set as background".
I have met so many wonderful and talented illustrators and Children's Book industry people through SCBWI, CANSCAIP, FB and twitter and I hope to meet you guys in person at a conference one day soon. Reflecting on the past year makes me a little emotional as I reflect on the supportive, and encouraging relationships I have with so many wonderful people. I am so very thankful to all my family and friends for enriching my life, I love you all :)
Wishing you all a very productive, and happy 2012!!
Here is my submission for this year's SCBWI 2012 Tomie dePaola Illustrator award. It was created using plasticine and I used polymer clay for the metallic effects. I wanted it to be rich with lots of yummy textures, and details. This year Tomie selected this passage from P.C Asbjornsen's "Chicken Licken":
So they went along and went along until they met Turkey Lurkey
“Good morning, Goosey Loosey, Ducky Daddles, Cocky Locky, Henny Penny,
and Chicken Licken,” said Turkey Lurkey, “where are you going?”
“Oh, Turkey Lurkey, the sky is falling and we are going to tell the King!”
"How do you know the sky is falling?” asked Turkey Lurkey.
“Ducky Daddles told me,” said Goosey Loosey.
“Cocky Locky told me,” said Ducky Daddles.
“Henny Penny told me,” said Cocky Locky.
“Chicken Licken told me,” said Henny Penny
“I saw it with my own eyes, I heard it with my own ears,
and a piece of it fell on my tail!” said Chicken Licken.
“Then I will go with you,” said Turkey Lurkey, “and we will tell the King!”
I am so excited to see all of the wonderful interpretations submitted by my fellow entrants!
If you'd like to see some of the submissions head over to the
Unofficial Tomie dePaola award submissions blog. A big thank-you goes out to
Diandra Mae, for setting up the blog and taking the time to put it all together over the holidays! Good luck to all who entered, I can't wait to see who Tomie selects as this years winner. The illustrations are all so wonderfully unique, Tomie has a very tough job this year.
To see the othe amazing submissions just click on the big acorn on the right to go to the Unofficial blog!
Best of luck everyone! Fingers crossed!!
We had our first snow of the season this morning. It was wet and messy, not very fluffy and pretty, but snow never the less. Time to put on the snow tires!
And as tomorrow is the 1st of December, I thought it would be the perfect time to post my free desktop calendar. Consider it an early Christmas present :)
I showed this image previously, as it was one of a few I created to go into my winter promotional mailer packets. I am waiting patiently for my Moo shipment to arrive, full of all of my goodies; business card sized gift tags, stickers, and postcards....Eeeeeeee, I can't wait to crack open that package and see how they turned out!
As always just click on the appropriate screen resolution size link below the calender and right click to set as background, or save to desktop.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it....doesn't it make you want to go out and hit the toboggan slopes....fingers crossed we get a white winter. While I am wishing, can I also wish for a magical snow shoveling elf to accompany the snow...that one is for hubby :)
It has been a few weeks since I have paid attention to my cute little blog,. sorry blog. I have been busy behind the scenes after attending my first CANSCAIP Packaging your Imagination Conference, getting my winter promotional material created, prepared and ordered. I am pleased to say that as of last night it has been ordered and hopefully will arrive in a few weeks to be lovingly packaged and sent out to all of my dream publishing houses. I liked my idea to include a little take away gift(bookmark) in my last mailer, so this time I thought, for the festive season, I'd create some rounded corner business cards that I could turn into gift tags by punching a little corner hole and attaching some festive ribbon. I also created rounded corner rectangular stickers from the same images to be used as gift labels....hopefully they will make their way onto someones holiday gifts.
I ordered a few extra so if anyone would like a few to use this holiday season drop me a line with your address and I'll send them out. Maybe closer to Christmas I will make a printable PDF so you can even print them off on your own computer to use? I'm liking that idea too.
When my postcards and extra goodies arrive from Moo I'll be sure to take a photo and post it, to share in my glee. :)
Stay warm everyone, winter is here, and it's time to crack out the winter coats and toques! :)
Happy Halloween everyone! November is just around the corner, tomorrow actually, so I have posted another free desktop calendar for you to snaz-up your computer screen! I used a recent illustration I created for
Illustration Rally's Children's Book Illustration Contest. The winner has not been announced yet, but if you get the chance go check out all of the beautiful illustrations submitted! Very inspiring to say the least. :)
To download your desktop calendar simply click on the link corresponding to your desktop resolution, then right click and then click on "set as background".
I hope eveyone has a safe and fun Halloween!
Here are some photos of the fish cake I created for my Dad's surprise 70th birthday party this past weekend. I molded the fish out of rice krispies and the water was a very yummy lemon cake. My Dad loves to fish at the cottage in the summertime. He and his buddy Doug have had quite the dry spell lately, so this cake is representative of the "big one" that got away! LOL :)
He was completely surprised and a ton of fun was had by all that attended.
Happy Birthday Dad!!
Right now there is a Children's Book Rally going on over at
Illustration Rally. To submit you could choose to illustrate 2 double page spreads of either an original story or an old classic. I chose to illustrate my take on the classic fable "Thumbelina"by Hans Christian Andersen. I love this fable and could relate to this character growing up as I was always the tiniest child in school. Over the years I have grown to love being ...ummm...petite, not short, and now fully embrace my uniqueness.
I took this opportunity to create 2 double page spreads that show variations in layout, text placement composition, viewpoint and character emotion, yet maintained character continuity and artistic style.
My submission illustrations do not have the text included as the text was longer than the one or two sentence allowance within the submission guidelines. So above are the final double page spreads, including text.
I am really enjoying checking out
Illustration Rally each day to see what fabulous submission are posted. Go now and see for yourself!
I'd love your feedback as always and hope you enjoy my interpretation of Hans Christian Andersen's "Thumbelina".
P.S It looks like Illustration Rally has extended the deadline for submissions until Oct. 10th, so do head over to their site on the link above and enter!
Hi Everyone! Well it is the end of another month and you know what that means...free desktop calendar time!! Yipppeeee! I chose to make this month's calendar from a personal work-in-progress illustration that is still waiting patiently to be completed. It's a fall farm scene, highlighting the abundance of glorious autumn colours we are so lucky to experience here in Ontario Canada. As it is the background of this illustration, I've had to zoom in pretty close with my camera, but I kinda like it as you get to really see the details of the mud and wheat fields nicely. Eventually there will be some rambunctious kiddos frolicking in a big pile of leaves in the foreground, which I have cropped out for now.
To download your desktop calendar simply click on the link corresponding to your desktop resolution, then right click and click on set as background.
I hope you enjoy it and it reminds you to get out and enjoy autumn before it gets too chilly. :)
This past Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a seminar by the Canadian Children's Book Centre. It was a wonderful morning packed with advice and discussion from some of our canadian author/illustrators, publishers and booksellers. I still can't quite believe I was in the same room as some of these fabulous people-pinch me. Award-winning authors Frieda Wishinsky, Gillian O'Reilly, Kevin Sylvester, and yes Barbara Reid! I know, double pinch me!! It was interesting that each spoke of non-fiction writing, and how it is often something we don't immediately consider when we think about children's books. But now I sure will! Especially considering my background in science. They all hit home how important it was to write about what you know and love, and to honour your voice.
I left so inspired and energized that I started brainstorming ideas for my own picture book manuscript the very next day.
Canadian publishers Margie Wolfe and Sheba Meland shared the inside scoop on what they are looking for; from cover letter advice, to how to stand out in their slush pile. Booksellers Maria Martella and Saffron Beckwith spoke about what librarians, schools and bookstores are looking for in new children's books.
Overall it was a very informative and inspiring seminar. The speakers were so kind, humble and honest in their thoughtful responses to how they began their careers and found success in this industry.
After this seminar I am really looking forward to my next conference: "Package your Imagination" by CANSCAIP this November. And I think I better start saving my pennies because next on my list will be an SCBWI conference :)
I hope everyone had a great August! Was it just me or did it fly by really fast??
I managed to get one glorious week up north with the family filled with load of fun in the lake as the weather was amazing. Then I stayed on for another week all by myself yes that right, no kiddies(did I say how incredibly wonderful my hubby was to give me such a refresher) to get lots of artwork done and some R&R.
It was wonderful to dive into work for hours at a time and I got quite a bit accomplished. I completed this ABC series for a local nursery school I just adore. I added many of the items found in-class as well as many of the special events and spirit day themes. I felt it was important to personalize it as much as possible with familiar objects so that the children could use the illustration as a fun learning tool.
I also decided to work with a limited colour palette on this piece. I have to give a big shout out here to the wonderfully talented
Jannie Ho -aka Chicken Girl for inspiration. I love her ABC series, I can see how they can become addicting, and her use of limited colour palettes is so fabulous. I think the overall effect of this limited palette nicely unifies the illustration, keeping it gender neutral and playful.
I hope everyone had a safe and memorable summer. My kiddos started school today actually, and my youngest met her JK teacher and is excitedly awaiting her start next week. It's going to be a weird adjustment for me with all of my babies in school full-time....
My package from Moo arrived yesterday just in the nick of time!! WEEEEHOOOOO!! I love Moo's products and managed to get my order in during a Moo-wide 30% off sale!!
We are heading up to our family cottage for a week(then I am staying on for a few more days of art-time) and I wanted have all my supplies on hand to assemble my summer promo packet mailers during the quiet evenings up there.:)
I went with 2 different postcard fronts as not all the publishers I am targeting like anthropomorphized animals. The backs are the same on both. I also had some minicards printed that I am going to make into bookmarks. Trying to go for a summer beach feel with these. So I am using hemp cord, and I am leaning toward using a shell instead of a regular bead, but I am not sure if it will survive the trip through the mail.
Now I am just waiting for my vellum envelopes, which are due to arrive any second. I was going to go with clear self closing bags to hold my packet contents but it looks like there is an extra fee for sending any thing poly plastic through the mail! So I am going with translucent lovely vellum envelopes instead. Who doesn't looove the feel of vellum?? Am I right??
Hopefully the yummy vellum will help my promo packets to stand out from the slush pile, and the translucency will grab the curiosity of the AD, leaving them wanting to see what's inside......I hope, fingers crossed!
I hope everyone has a good 2 weeks, and I will post once we are back from our summer holidays! :)
As always I'd love any feedback :)
Can you believe August is just around the corner! Summer is half over already!! Boy that just flew by.
For this month's FREE desktop calendar I thought this summer themed illustration of a fun-loving Granny having tea time with her grandchildren would be the perfect fit! Doesn't it make you want to go run barefoot in the grass to feel the blades tickle your toes? Too bad our grass is all yellow and straw-like due to the lack of rain in our area.Bummer! But we can image it. ;)
I love being able to spend more quality time with both sets of grandparents over the summer holidays. It really allows the kids and the rest of us to build lasting memories to cherish and have a good chuckle over when we reminisce.
As always, just click on the appropriate screen resolution link below the image to bring up the corresponding image size then right click and then left click on "set to background".
Cheers to creating great summer memories with your family!
This past weekend we held our annual Birthday BBQ bash to celebrate the kids birthdays. For this year I decided to create a cake depicting the kids doing their favorite cottage activities. They have all grown such confidence and learned new skills this summer both in and around the water. They have learned new paddling skills, snorkeled with fins, attempted fancy dock jumps, caught bigger fish than Grandpa off the dock and even learned some new swim strokes. So I thought this theme would be a great idea to celebrate and showcase their achievements. Here are some pictures of the cake:
"crazy dock jumper- cowabunga!!!"
"determined fisherman"
"paddle snatcher in the dingy"
"super-engine on the dingy"
I was very excited to see that my favorite printer
MOO was offering a 30% off summer sale. Aren't there products just glorious? And I love their Printfinity option to get multiple images on the back of your products. Genius!What perfect timing, as I am in the midst of creating my summer promo mailers. So with a day to spare(as the sale ends tomorrow) I just finished placing my order. I created 2 different postcards and some minicards which I plan to fashion into cute little bookmarks. The above image is what will show on the back of my minicards, with my logo and info on the front. I am going to add a cute ribbon and bead detail at the top of each bookmark so it can easily keep ones spot in a favorite book of choice. You like?? I think I may be onto somethin' here...
The good friends decided to stay for one more jump. The perfect end to a fun filled day.
I couldn't resist using this illustration for this weeks
Illustration Friday topic "stay". I hope to do a series of illos with all of these little friends....they sure can get into mischief while seeking out adventure!
Short post as it's summer time and with 4 kidlets home it is kinda crazy around here! Happy summer everyone!
Hi Everyone,
It's that time of month again- FREE desktop calendar time!! Yippeee :) I don't know about you but I just love checking out all the amazing desktop calendars created by so many great illustrators each month. I have a hard time picking and often put different ones up weekly, so I can admire and get inspiration from all my favorites. A few other links to check out for desktop calendars are
Jonathan Woodward (click up top on free stuff),
We love to illustrate for children group blog, and
Geninne Zlatkis .
Remember to click on your screen resolution link listed below the image then right click and click on "set to background".
I hope you all enjoy this desktop calendar and it reminds you of how fun it is to play with friends and be silly sometimes. :)
Here is the latest plasticine illustration I have been working on over the past few weeks. I thought it would be fun to do a bunch of silly farm animals taking turns jumping in the mud in the pig's pen. Those crazy animals! The textures were fun to play with, expecially the mud! I hope I didn't give my kiddos any ideas- ekk! ;)
Below are some close-ups of the jumping sheep and my mocking rooster. Enjoy!
I am so excited to share with you that the very first edition of the
Zero2illo Zine is available now! If you haven't yet signed up for your subscription then go and
subscribe now!! I am so very honoured to have been one of the lucky illustrators chosen to be featured in the gallery section of this first edition! I submitted my "Teepee Granny" illustration above.
This new venture put forth by the very talented
Jonathan Woodward, and his equally talented wife
Lea Woodward is fantastic example of how to bring together a great bundle of illustration resources such as website analysis, in depth interviews, illustration business tips, and a gallery section with great artwork from both established and emerging illustrators, all rolled up into a cohesive and gorgeously designed e-zine. Brilliant!
Jonathan also contributed a wonderful process piece of the creation of his majestic eagle illustration that he submitted for the BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year Competition. I
so love seeing other artist processes and methods, and this one did not disappoint! I really must try collage soon! I have it on my "to-do" list.
They are currently accepting submissions until July 31st for the next issue due out in Sept. so
do visit
zero2illo for more information on how to subscribe and definitely submit some of your illustrations! The zine will also be sent to select Art Directors as well as subscribers.
So go, go now and check it out!!! You know you want to....;)
I thought my little hummingbird and parachuting mice characters were so much fun that they'd both make great June 2011 desktop calendars. So now you have two to choose from...I might just have to switch back and forth every other week, I can't pick a favorite?!! Just click on the links below each image to choose from 2 different screen resolutions of each desktop calendar, then right click the image and click on " Save to desktop". Enjoy!! :)
Here another few quick snaps of this illustration as I'm working on it. The hummingbird is giving a ride to a furry mouse friend and his little buddy is parachuting in above with a napkin. Lately I have had a thing for Echinacea flowers...I've used them in my last 2 plasticine illustrations- they are so, so pretty :)
Can't wait to share more...check back soon. ;)
Just a quick little post to share a few snaps of what I've been up to...
Here is a quick snapshot of the little hummingbird character I am working on that will be part of my next plasticine illustration. As you can see from the quick sketch above he will be giving a little mouse friend a ride, and will accompany a few other skydiving, and daredevilish little mice. Bye for now...:)
View Next 25 Posts
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/trac
</p>
<div class="post-comments">
1 Comments on <em>Busy behind the scenes</em>, last added: 11/17/2011</div> <!-- end post-comments -->
<a class = "displaycomment" href="javascript:toggleLayer( "View comments for this post"){kind=small}
Display Comments
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! Such happy news! I know everyone will agree when I say I cannot wait to read/see the book next year!
We join you in your happy dance!
Love Stewie there in his natural habitat, Suzanne! I'm so excited about this book and working with you!
Wahooo!!! Congratulations!!!
Congratulations Suzanne! I can't wait to hear more about the process as you move along.
"Congrats!"Suzanne, looking forward to seeing the finished product. Go You!
That's fantastic Suzanne!! So well deserved, can't wait to see it!
a : )
Congratulations Suzanne! It looks great!
OH I am SOOOOO happy for you, Suzanne..this is SO well-deserved and I know you are going to put your heart into this wonderful book. YAY!!!!! I'm also doing the happy dance for you...awesome, awesome..congratulations!!!! : )
Congrats, Suzanne! That's fantastic news! What a great post to start 2012! Happy New Year!
Thanks so very much everyone for your wonderful comments and congrats! I am so excited!!! :-)