Billboard!

I snapped these pics over by the IKEA in Atlanta, GA (near Atlantic Station, on 17th Street). That's my illustration towards the right on the hang tag!

Read all about the making of this illustration --which I did in 19 hours!-- and view it full sized here.

Little Princess

I have a character I am working on in a picture book with lots of curls--it's a boy about the age of six. Curls are such a challenge! This was a doodle of mine of a little girl that I took to the ink stage, half for fun, half to get myself accustomed to inking some locks for the boy character.

Holiday Promo Card

Dancing Fields Book Signing

Illustrator and author together! Me and author Ronit Elk

This afternoon I attended a signing event for the book I recently illustrated, A Surprise at Dancing Fields, at author Ronit Elk's community. The community, where her story takes place is a co-housing community. Co-housing is an interesting concept that features car-free neighborhoods and community areas. Ronit's community is a particularly beautiful place that was very inspirational to me when I was designing the images for Dancing Fields.


The event began with a reading of two chapters by author Ronit, with the help of Blaise, the girl of who the character Tali is based on. All the kids of the community sat up front to hear the story, and were captivated.


The whole community came out, it was great to see some of the Dancing Fields characters I illustrated. Some of them I felt like I knew even though we had never met!

Isn't this a great cake?! It features the book cover in yummy icing.

Here is a little bit more about A Surprise at Dancing Fields:

Who is the book for? This is a chapter book (children can read themselves) for children aged 7-12. Each chapter has a wonderful illustration (by me!)

What is the book about?
"Dancing Fields is a special place to live, where doors are never locked, toys are left outside and cars are not allowed wherever children play. All the kids who live there know each other. But even through it's a really cool place to live, things don't always go so perfectly. In A Surprise at Dancing Fields, you'll read about the adventures of four friends, Tali, Andrea, Jennifer and Sand, and a newer resident- Katarina- a shy, ten year old year old girl adopted from Russia. The friends are inseparable, even though Jennifer has a real "mean streak!" One day while playing, the girls discover a turtle laying eggs and promise to protect the eggs until they hatch. And protect they do, from the neighborhood cat to neighborhood boys to flying potatoes (you'll have to read about that!)

Over the summer, adventures turn into serious misadventure and Katarina comes to the rescue. Thanks to her bravery, she is hailed as a hero. We find out the reasons for Jennifer's meanness and watch as she changes for the better. A Surprise at Dancing Fields is all about new beginnings: of hurtful ways replaced with kindness, of acceptance, friendship, gratefulness and (of course!) of the cutest little baby turtles. Join the Dancing Fields friends in this reading adventure."

How do I order? Copies may be obtained for a reduced rate of $9.99 (+ shipping) through the author. ($1 of this will go to a charity of your choice.) Email author Ronit Elk at elk.ronit123@gmail.com

--or--

order through the AuthorHouse Bookstore

What does the book cost? The book will be available at regular bookstores and on Amazon.com in January. The price will be $10.49 Prices directly from the author are a DISCOUNTED $9.99 (+ shipping).

Buy One Get One Free AND Free Shipping on Zazzle Today!

Warm Wishes Cabin Mug by Renee Rivas

I love a good deal, and am very excited about today's great ones on Zazzle: Buy one mug, get one free, AND free shipping! (See site for coupon codes.) I am also obsessed with mugs, so this is a good one for me. If you aren't familiar with Zazzle, it's a marketplace for designers to put their images on different products on pretty reasonably priced products at low quantities. I have opened up a store, so take a look at some of my products, peruse the marketplace for other designs, or create your own!

Happiness Is... my work on the cover of Atlanta INtown!

I found out a couple weeks ago that the illustration that I completed for one of the challenges at SCAD-ATL's "Generate" event was chosen for cover of Atlanta INtown's "Best of the Holidays 2009" issue, and I have been bursting with excitement for the big reveal since! (See this post about the creation of the art). Last night was finally the day--the cover art revealing was held at Atlantic Station's Christmas Tree Lighting. The Lighting events at Atlantic Station were magical: there was snow, bubble balloons shaped as stars and snowflakes, Christmas carols sang by a choir, and Santa Claus...I am officially in the holiday spirit.

My mom, Pat, dad, me, and sister Reghan holding the framed cover

What even made the night more special was that my family surprised me and drove up from Tampa to be there at the event. I have been so looking forward to seeing them over the break and seeing them a few days earlier made me so happy!

That's my picture on the cover!! How cool is that?!

To the wonderful people I met last night from Atlanta INtown, Wendy and Elizabeth--thanks for choosing my art! They gave me a framed picture of the cover to put up in my studio, which looks really awesome!

Me holding a mini version of the billboard-- my illustration is on the right side near where my finger is pointing.

The "Best of the Holidays" issue comes out next week, so Atlantans, look out for it! The illustration is also going to be on part of a billboard advertising The Holiday Shops in Atlantic Station. It will be up starting next week over near the IKEA at Atlantic Station, so look out for it if you are driving around or through Atlanta.

A Surprise at Dancing Fields is on sale!

The children's chapter book I illustrated, A Surprise at Dancing Fields is now available for sale!! The book is beautifully written by Ronit Elk-- the story follows four girls during their adventure-filled summer in a very special neighborhood.

Stay tuned for the book's listings on Amazon.com and BN.com coming soon.