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
Sew Much Love
I’ll be the first to admit I am a member of the “Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve” club. Just like this little wolf and loving motherly owl. So I’m in good company!
Little Red Riding Hood in Winter
Little Red Riding Hood in Winter
Winter nights are magical like fairy tales… Mixed together you have Red Riding Hood and her deer friend.
Hansel & Gretel
Hansel & Gretel
Getting into that spooky, Halloween mood with this classic from the Brothers Grimm. They sure know their stuff when it comes to these types of stories, and I love them dearly for it!! Vegan Caramel Apples, here I come!
and…
Of all the things in this painting that I love:
A ginormous witch with the most spindly, bony arms
& that expression on the gingerbread man’s face.
It’s enough to make an artist proud, for sure.
Friend Ship
Friend Ship watercolor on paper
Even when sailing through stormy weather and rough waters, the Friend Ship holds fast and strong!
Tribute: JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH - Book Cover
James & the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl - Book Cover Tribute
What happens when you combine an orphaned boy, a spider, centepeed, inch-worm, lady bird, glow worm, grasshopper, and one oversized fruit? Genius.
This is another tribute book cover I did to one of my all time favorite adventures. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (originally published in 1961 by Alfred A. Knopf)
You can bet his wicked old aunts are up in that rickety house planning some kind of no-good and mean schemes. But for me, that round fruit full of typography left me suddenly wishing for bowls full of peaches and cream.
Humpty Dumpty: Had a Great Fall
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!)
Father Time
Father Time watercolor on paper
Walking through the ages, holding time tenderly in the crook of his arm. Father Time himself has been on my mind a bit, seeing as we have left one year and gone into another, but it is true that he walks amoung us every calendar day of our lives. You may or may not know this, but Father Time is also a friend to Mother Nature, so I put some little woodland friends in there as well!
Happy Twenty-Eighteen, hoping it's off to a lovely beginning for you!
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker watercolor on paper
You may be familiar with the magical story of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet. In my version however they are happily dancing together- and the Rat King certainly appears a bit more mouse-y.
The Elves & The Shoemaker
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!!
Maggie Among the Magnolias
Maggie Among the Magnolias 8"x10" watercolor & ink on paper
A fairy and a robin make for the best of friends. These two are singing the sweet first notes of spring.
February 10th was when I spotted the first robin in my backyard. And now, we're having a taste of spring here in Michigan this week, and I must say that I a little bird told me it was coming.