Found at Borders

An Oldie but Goodie- free comic download!

What to do after my Sketchbook Project?  Thank you for all the kind words about it, as I do plan on continuing my comic endeavors.  Right now, here is a mini comic I did from about 7 years ago (whew, time flies by, doesn't it?) called When Girl Met Chicken.

Its available as a free PDF download over at The Illustrated Section, started by the ever so clever Dani Jones, which launched today. I'm so happy to see that artists are taking more control of their work and the way it is being presented. Please take a look over there as there is a great selection of work. Be sure to download When Girl Met Chicken. Its FREE...and let me know what you think. Looking at my past work, I realized I had more fun and was a bit daring back then.

You Can Draw Series

It was fun collaborating with Picture Window Books to create these two titles for their You Can Draw series, Zoo Animals, and Monsters and Other Scary Things.

They are simple how-to books for kids to learn how to draw, with basic shapes broken down. For me, it was fun sneaking a funky chicken in there. Just another little thing to help with my world domination with chickens.

Illustration Friday- CHICKEN!!!

So my plan for world domination with chickens is finally here! I suggested this week's Illustration Friday topic years ago, so it was quite unexpected. Perhaps its a sign that I should go back to doing IF more.

Well, the pressure is on to come up with some awesome chicken stuff, but I've been drawing tons of chickens already in the past 6 months with my sketchbook project, so those of you new to the blog, please check it out here. I started working on this Super Chickens Club zine just for fun, I'm not sure where its going but thought it would make a clucking good submission.

Bawk bawk bawk!

The End! Last Pages of my Sketchbook Project

So bittersweet. These are my last pages and post of my Sketchbook Project 2011.  To read this story from the beginning, please visit my flickr set.

(please click to enlarge and read)

 

Cover

Back Cover

Whew! Heck yeah!! I did it! I filled every single page of this sketchbook. I can't believe I spent half a year on this. I want to give a BIG thank you to those of you who came back every Tuesday to support and encourage me. Not only does it provide the energy I needed to continue but also a bit of comfort with the struggle I've been going through.

Things I've learned from this sketchbook project:

-I'm capable of being a storyteller.
-Deadlines are my friends.
-Slow and steady wins the race. Consistency is key.
-There is great power in telling the truth.
-People share similar experiences.

There were thoughts about continuing my comic after this. But right now, I sincerely need a break, as this book took up alot more of my time than I would of liked. There are lots of other personal projects that need my attention, and I would like to finish them.

Comics are still in my future because I still have alot more to say. But for now, time to wrap things up and send this baby back to Art House Co-Op!

Zero2illo Re-Launch + 48 hour Super Sale

Just a quick note here to mention the relaunch of Zero2illo, a great resource website for illustrators started by Jonathan Woodward. To celebrate, there is a super sale going on for 48 hours- a bundle of resources from some great contributors:

• Tara Reed
• Chris Guillebeau
• Alyson B. Stanfield
• Thomas James
• Khristian A. Howell
• Dani Jones
• Jonathan Woodward

It includes the Zero2illo 12 week challenge kit that Jonathan kindly asked me to contribute and be a part of.  

Click here to view more details*

*full disclosure: its an affiliate link, but I only recommend what I fully believe in. This is a pretty good deal, a great way to start off the year.

Speaking of which, I still need to do a list of 2011 goals post here, don't I. I have so much going on in my head but need to organize them in some way. Much success to you all. In the meanwhile, come back tomorrow for my Sketchbook project post!

My Latest Board Book: What Does Cow Say?

Its wonderful to kick off 2011 with the release of this board book I illustrated, What Does Cow Say? written by Joan Holub, published by Scholastic/Cartwheel books. It is a lift-a-flap book where you get to lift the mouth of the animals and see what they say.

I'll be talking a bit more about the process in making this book, but in the meanwhile, check out the author Joan Holub's interesting post on the 2 pg dummy she submitted to the publisher for this book.

And hey, this is the first time I have a rooster on the cover of one of my books. Possibly the beginning of my chicken world dominance?

Sketchbook Project 2011 Pages 64-69

This week is the second to last week of my Sketchbook Project 2011 pages!  To read this story from the beginning, please visit my flickr set.

(please click to enlarge and read)

5 spreads left to go. With this book due back by January 15th, I'm getting a bit sad about having to let it go, but in a way, it will feel good. This project had took more time than I thought, yet I'm quite surprised at how commited I was. (Every Tuesday since August, only missed one time!) I'm ready to wrap it up.

Please come back next Tuesday for the final pages of this book. Thank you for reading!

P.S.- if you want to see a painterly version of Chicken Girl and Rooster (math) Boy, here is a video.