Buffalo Hunter

Buffaloes used to cover the plains where I now live. Sometimes, they say, it would take days for an entire herd to pass by. Today there are a handful left in zoos and preserves. But they're ready for you this time.

This was a painting done while watching a western on tv. Made on my iPad. It's quickly becoming my preferred sketch pad. I was completely finished by the time I noticed that I had given him sleeves, but no collar. It was just too much fun developing that hairy chest. But that's probably why we call them sketches instead of masterpieces.

Award Winning?

Just a quick note to brag about my first book. Put Away Your Phone has been awarded semi-finalist in the Royal Palms Literary Contest and is now a finalist for the award in the Picture Book category!

Won't know the final results until they hold their annual banquet in October. But the author, Tracy Bryan, and I are holding our fingers crossed til then. This would mean a great deal in legitimizing this self-published book. We each put a great deal of work into making it as professional, entertaining and helpful as possible (okay, the author gets a lot of credit for that. But I put a lot into those illustrations too!). It never occurred to me that it would be lumped into the same category as those self-published books people create just to show their grandkids. I mean, I understand. It didn't go through an editor, but it did pass through a ton of professional critiques. I really feel that if people take a look at this and put it up beside other traditionally published books it will compare favorably (that's a modest way of saying it deserves this award).

I'm just sayin'!

A NEW BOOK on the Market!

Back in February I was contacted by a woman halfway across the continent from me. She had seen my portfolio on the SCBWI website and asked if I would be interested in illustrating her book. I said yes, but just between you and me it took a few weeks before I started taking it seriously. You see, I've been approached by a lot of people over the years with grand ideas of publishing their children's stories and just needing someone to illustrate them. Usually I never hear from them again. No, ALWAYS I never hear from them again.

Until Tracy Bryan.

Tracy Bryan is a self-publisher of children's books designed to "educate, inspire, and empower kids and their families." She had an idea for a full-blown picture book and needed an illustrator to make it happen. Eventually I began to realize that Tracy Bryan makes her dreams happen. Just follow her blog and see for yourself! She certainly inspired and empowered me!

So anyway, I learned a great deal during the process of creating this book. The first and probably the most important thing I learned was that I know how to do this. Everything I've ever had to do to make a living has required me to push myself to achieve something I didn't really have any idea how to do. There's nothing wrong with that. But when that's all you accomplish it's discouraging. The results were always somewhere around mediocre.

As I began laying out this story across 32 pages I discovered that I already knew what I needed to know to be able to do this. Some of it came naturally to me. Most of it were things I've studied, pored over library books for or practiced all my life when I had free time. Not that I can't still learn. It's just that all my life I've been illustrating picture books without actually having a book to produce.

Like I keep telling everyone: This is what I was always meant to be doing!

And the book? It's available on Amazon as a download or a paperback. The hardcover version is being printed right now and should be up there any day. We are both really proud of what we have produced. I believe it can stand beside any picture book on the market (take that all you self-publishing haters!). In addition to being a fun romp with lots of crazy animals as Emma and her parents visit the zoo it teaches both parents and kids the value of cell phones and the danger of their overuse.

Frankly, you'll just love it.

Jackie Gleason

No drawing today. I just wanted to share more of my experience this last Christmas morning. For years now Christmas has been a great season for me. But that big morning was always a bit of a bore. I was all alone just watching the Andy Griffith Christmas episode.

This year, my son and his wonderful wife invited me to their house for Christmas morning. I experienced something I hadn't seen or felt in years - the unashamed full-blown excitement of a kid on Christmas morning. It was a fantastic experience. That's all I have to say. It was just fantastic.

And how was your Christmas?

Had a GREAT time this year. I got to visit my grandkids on Christmas morning and experienced that magical uncontrollable excitement that is a child's Christmas morning. Wow, it was great.

This is a children's Christmas play featuring wisemen following the star to Jesus' birth. The dog is substituting for a camel. It's all just a little something I wanted to do to show how my "children's book" style is evolving.

Elmer

                    

Elmer was a unique character I remember from my childhood. He lived down the street and drove an old pickup past our house every day as he went searching for junk to sell and barter with around town. He always wore overalls (just overalls) and a ball cap.

I remember him driving up to our house, getting out of his truck and digging around in the back. Finally, he would pull a watermelon out and lay it down in our front yard. Then he would pull out a small machete and cut off any bad places on the melon. Then he would proudly bring it up to our door and present his gift to us. Sometimes we'd get to eat it and sometimes my mom would throw it away after he left.

Elmer always had a smile on his face, though. He was one of those characters that knew everyone in town and had a story to share with each one. He would look at us kids and start talking about how the wheel of life just keeps turning and turning.

Elmer was truly a unique character. I just can't think of anyone around who lived that simple a life and enjoyed it so much.