Every December I read A Christmas Carol by the masterful Charles Dickens, there’s nothing, absolutely nothing to put you in the spirit like that classic tale of a cold heart turning warm.
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” - Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
L. M. Montgomery was born this day, November 30th, 1874. So here’s my tribute to the author and her red-haired, free spirited, enthusiastic, optimistic, Anne of Green Gables!
“True friends are always together in spirit.” -Anne of Green Gables
In honor of what would have been Maurice Sendak’s 91st birthday, I decided to interpret his beloved classic story, Where the Wild Things Are…
“And now," cried Max, "let the wild rumpus start!” -Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are
Little Red Riding Hood in Winter
Winter nights are magical like fairy tales… Mixed together you have Red Riding Hood and her deer friend.
Humpty Dumpty: Had a Great Fall watercolor on paper
"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall,
All the King's horses and all the King's men,
Couldn't put Humpty together again." -Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme
In the last picture we saw Humpty Dumpty in all of his vanity, he was clearly head-over-heels for himself. Now he's head over heels, over and over, again as he tumbles down from his high opinion of himself (not to mention that towering wall!)
Humpty Dumpty: Sat on a Wall watercolor on paper
"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall,
All the King's horses and all the King's men,
Couldn't put Humpty together again." -Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme
There he is, Humpty Dumpty in all of his glory, he thinks he's really something. Well, pride cometh before a fall, and as arrogant as this chap is, I think we all know what to EGGspect next!
"CHARLOTTE'S WEB" by E. B. White - Book Cover
My favorite place to sift through books is- and always has been- in the children's book section of any library or bookstore I stumble into. Last summer my sweet mother started re-reading E. B. White's classic story of Charlotte's Web aloud to my family (my dad, my brother and I) Other than be the luckiest to have that sort of tradition with my family still going on - especially in this digital day and age. I have fallen, once again for Wilbur and Mr. White's world.
Originally published in 1952 by Harper & Row (now Harper Collins) It is still just as sweet, enduring, timeless, and beloved today.
This book cover is my tribute to the talented author and his immortal characters.
I am so overwhelmed and grateful for your sweet faces, stories, smiles, and kind words yesterday! Seeing so many of you face-to-face was a sheer joy and did my heart so much good, I can't thank you enough. Also a huge shout of thanks and praise to Renaissance & Papyrus for making my book signing for The Boxcar Children the most lovely of days! I just love that shop (it's an understatement to say it's my favorite!!) and the sweet ladies who always run it so gracefully!
Thank you again!!
Looking forward to signing copies of this lovely book at tomorrow's book signing party. I can scarcely believe this has been out for over a week now!!
I am so excited to announce that one week from today (November 11th) I will be having a book signing and live painting demo at the charming boutique shop Renaissance & Papyrus in downtown South Haven, Michigan from noon-7. If you're near by, please stop in and say hello, I'd love to meet you!!
There will be treats and goodies, and of course the shop is home to the most lovely of things!
Sharing another glimpse into the open pages of the lovely edition of this classic story. This scene with Watch becoming part of the children's story is one of my favorites!!
Thank you so much to everyone with their kind words about this book!! I have been overwhelmed by the warmth and sweetness this book has been welcomed with!! It has meant so, so much!
I can hardly believe that it is November 1st, and that of course means the day has finally come for this lovely book to hit the shelves! I am so excited, and over-the-moon!!! Stop in a book store near you, or pick it up online!
Wishing a Happy Book Birthday to this new edition I am so proud to have worked on! I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I loved working on it.
The first of several interior glances I'll be sharing into The Boxcar Children's 75th Anniversary Fully Illustrated Edition!! (This is the silhouette to chapter one.)
Coming out November 1st to a bookstore near you!
They're here!!! These arrived at my doorstep this past week and oh the joy and sheer thrill of finally being able to hold this first book I have illustrated. It was all so surreal and a dream come true, to be honest. So over-the-moon to have illustrated over 30+ illustrations for the interior of The Boxcar Children's 75th Anniversary Fully Illustrated Edition. Be prepared for lots more little sneaks and peeks, snippets and bits the next few weeks!!
Feeling ever so thankful this month, and how fitting with Thanksgiving just around the corner. I have the best job in all the world, and don't I know it.
Happy October, as if I needed another excuse to adore this calendar month, my favorite season just got a little bit more favorite-er!
So excited to announce that I was chosen to illustrate the first ever fully illustrated edition of The Boxcar Children for the 75th anniversary of its release!! I painted over 30 interior illustrations for this book, and every single one of them was a wonderful adventure and joy for me to work on! The cover art was painted by the talented Anne Yvonne Gilbert.
Thank you ever so much to the lovely folks at Albert Whitman & Co. it was a joy working with you during this project, and to my sweet agent Nicole of T2 Illustrators & Authors (you're a superhero!!) And so thankful to my parents and brother Seth, you guys are my best friends!! And above all thanks to my Heavenly Father for blessing me always and in all things!
Feeling so thankful and blessed for the opportunity!
Happy 75th Anniversary Boxcar Children!!
Follow this link if you fancy a bit of fairy-tale-dreams-and-mousieness to grace your walls!
The Elves & the Shoemaker 11"x11" watercolor on paper
In all of their story-telling-magicalness, The Bros. Grimm made a story about little elves that help a poor shoemaker. In my version the elves are mice, and the shoemaker a little boy who can't even afford any shoes for himself. And so he has fallen asleep with his work, barefoot, and unbeknownst to him these small helpers are scampering about his feet, helping him make his footwear, and the finest to be had!
Many thanks to Jacob and Willhelm Grimm for coining such an enchanting tale! Those brothers sure knew what they were doing... One of my favorite sibling collaborations!!
Hope is the Thing with Feathers watercolor & ink on paper
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -" -Emily Dickinson
Mr. Mole in Springtime 11"x14" oil on wood
Mr. Mole is cleaning in the springtime, taking care of his lovely home, and dreaming of above ground.
Part of my WIND IN THE WILLOWS SERIES: A miniature set of four paintings based on the classic children's novel by Kenneth Grahame.
The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Dollhouse 5"x7" Watercolor & gouache on paper
Oh to be a few inches tall, then you could crawl into the walls of a miniature dollhouse! That is where the town mouse makes his home in the city, within the toy house of the little children who live in the building he takes shelter in. It makes for very lavish mouse-size living quarters, and I am a bit jealous of them!
The country mouse seems to be a bit uneasy and awkward as she stands atop the table holding her china plate. A cup has fallen on the floor and shattered amid the hustle and bustle of city life. This is perhaps my favorite of the two paintings, mostly due to the awkward positions they take while sitting at the miniature toy table.
This Aesop's fable was such a fun thing to interpret, but they were also a present to my Mother for her birthday as we have always called her and her sister "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse". My mother is a country mouse, and I am as well. Although, I could be tempted to take up residence in a local dollhouse if one could be provided or I could find a drink similar to Alice's when she shrunk in Wonderland. Keep me posted if you come across anything of that nature!