Bombs, Ballets, & Breakouts

University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis 

I miss the Olympics. I love the anticipation before the race, the heart-pounding battle on the ice, and the swell of joy (or agony) as the winners receive their medals.

Last Saturday, I met some medal winners. The kid lit kind! I braved our inch thick, icy Minnesota highways to attend the 22nd Annual Hubbs Children's Literature Conference at the University of St. Thomas. (If I had taken a picture of the campus that day all you would see was white. The snow piles were over 6 feet tall.)

My favorite words of wisdom from the day...

"History is a series of moral contradictions." - Steve Sheinkin, Newbery Honor author.

stevesheinkin.com

"Illustrating has brought me to places I've never thought I'd go." - Lauren Stringer, IRA Children's Choice Award author and illustrator.

laurenstringer.com

"Who knows more about what's fair or righteous then children." - Sarah Warren, Jane Addams Children's Book Award author.

sarahwbooks.com

Promenade at the Pond

Promenade at the Pond

Thinking spring after 10 more inches of snow and negative wind chills.

Immerse yourself for a minute in the sweet scent of fresh cut grass, the mellow call of the morning doves, and the feel of the dew on your naked toes as you grab the morning newspaper to enjoy with a lemonade out on the deck.

Winter can be fun, but ahhh spring! SPRING -- a season with more greens and blues and golds then I could ever hope to fill my watercolor palette!

Promenade at the Pond

Watercolor & Ink

5" x 7" on Cold Pressed Paper

$95

Buy Original Art

On My Street Corner

Bunny About to Bounce

Bunny's natural instinct warns her to "hop & hide." But who can resist the allure of a camera and someone telling you how beautiful you are!

Bunny and I met on a crisp fall afternoon. She seemed happy to pose for a few photos, but wasn't really interested in any close ups.

Bunny About to Bounce

Watercolor & Ink

5" x 7" on Cold Pressed Paper

$95

Buy Original Art

Capturing Character

Want to know a little about how I capture character? Read my guest blog post on the Children's Book Illustrators Guild blog.

Cute as Buttons

Buttons the Toy Poodle

Buttons sitting inside a teacup. That's the first picture I saw of this delightful cutie.

With her ears perked forward, Buttons is ready to listen and happy to go anywhere with her people.

Petburbia - One Month In

TP Trailing Toddler 

Rowdy Remodeler 

Affectionate Aristocrat 

Great stories, great pets, and (if I do say so myself) some mighty fine paintings can be found at Petburbia.

I can't believe it's already been a month! Thanks to everyone who has taken part so far, and if you know anyone who is interested in having their pet painted and sharing a good story, send them a link to Petburbia.