Off to the Big City!

Having been wrapped in brown paper and sitting in a pile of "to do's" for several months now, my first manuscript is finally on it's way to the desk of some acquisitions editor in New York City! Here's hoping it lands in the right hands. And, since there's plenty of waiting now, better be off to start a new book.

Forecast from our Front Yard

Picture This: That's Love

"I can name the leaves and even the trees, describe what I see in the clouds on the breeze.... I can feel the air and taste the sea.... I can count to a million and sing do-re-me.... but I can't name the look that I see on your face. It isn't a color, it isn't a place...."

There's a short sampling of the first part of one of my favorite picture books, since the images included are from the second half of the book. It's rare to find a book that combines words and images with such powerful simplicity. That's Love by Sam Williams, with illustrations by Mique Moriuchi, does just that. The simplicity of the poem, vibrant colors, and textures show a surprisingly complex understanding of this idea, or feeling, called love. After stating that it cannot be defined or named, the author and illustrator go on to describe this thing called love, with layers and depths exploring the "muddles... and cuddles." There is a certain understood consistency throughout their description, maybe steadfastness is the appropriate word? It does a beautiful job of taking a long quite look at something as simple and certain, and maybe complex, as the sky. It's easy to forget that children understand these concepts immediately. Thankfully, as adults we get to read these books too and be reminded there may be more to it than reason or romance... "and all the while, that's love."

See more of Mique Moriuchi's illustration here: www.miquemoriuchi.com

Williams, Sam. That's Love. Illus. Mique Moriuchi. New York: Holiday House, Inc. 2006. Print.

Wordless Wednesday

photo by Laurence Eaton

Pink Peppered Paper

Here's some more peppered paper from my collection. I've used these, or very similar papers, for some of my illustration. The first pink background resulted from experimenting with screen printing. I find that pulling paint through a screen can be quite therapeutic, there's just something about the mechanical process that is very relaxing. I quickly discovered some beautiful textures by playing with the paint application on the screen itself. Hope I can experiment with more screen printing soon in Knoxville.

The second pink sample is painted tissue paper, salvaged from wrapping paper. I love the bouncing dots on the background. I use this paper quite a bit for my illustrations. I have painted lots of warm colors on sheets with the red dots, and cool colors on some of my blue dotted paper. Sometimes the tissue paper tears if I get too rambunctious with my strokes, but after the paint dries, the paper is much sturdier and easier to work with!

Last is some experimenting with gesso and rubbing alcohol on board. I like to use this technique for backgrounds sometimes, but find it can get too busy, unless I just have some simple images or doodles, which I still haven't gotten around to and it's the day after Valentine's Day!

XOXO

Hugs and kisses, handmade Valentine's, and some chocolate left over too! I had lots of fun with the scissors and glue stick this weekend, and I ended up with lots of extra pink and red foil. I'm sure I can come up with some other crafty use for it. The foil tears easily, so I had to be very delicate with the gluing. I love how the candy packaging does most of the work, so I could keep these designs really fun and simple. As for the chocolate kisses that remain, some cookies will go perfectly with one of these cards for my sweetheart!

Peanut Butter Blossoms:

Chocolate Kisses

1/2 cup margarine

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

1 egg

2 Tbsp milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 3/4 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp baking soda

Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, & baking soda. In a separate bowl combine butter, peanut butter, & sugars; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk, & vanilla; beat well. Gradually add the dry ingredients. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in additional granulated sugar. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes; remove cookie sheet from oven & press 1 chocolate kiss atop each cookie immediately.

I just put some Hugs on top of some of these cookies, along with the Kisses, but I did see a recipe for Tuxedo Brownie Cookies on the back of the package that looks yummy. Maybe I'll try out this recipe next time I make some Valentine's cards.