So, I know it’s been a while since I posted, and I apologize.  There just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything done between a full time job, a family, freelancing, writing and coaching (youth soccer.)  But enough boo-hooing!

I was thrilled to hear from Kevin over at the Shepherd’s Express who commissioned another cover.  (This seems to be the year of repeat business, which is awesome, since I’ve been slacking a little on my promotional mailers!)  In the midst of this explosive election season, I was happy to hear that this would be a political illustration, which are always fun to create.  The politician in the cross hairs is a woman named Leah Vukmir a Wisconsin State Representative running for Senate.

This piece was a journey into an all digital platform, an idea I’ve been moving toward for quite some time.  It’s been received with rave reviews and might even be used on television ~ a first for my art work!

My novel Lavender’s Blue is in the revision stage where I’ve been feverishly bringing the word count down to where it needs to be for the Middle Grade genre.  I’ve been receiving positive critiques which I’m hoping carries over to when it’s actually being perused by potential agents and publishers.  My query letter is currently in first place in a competition to win a chance to have my manuscript critiqued by some top agents and a publishing power house ~ It’ll only take a minute to vote.  So if you haven’t voted yet, please drop by and vote for Lavender’s Blue: http://www.wizehive.com/voting/yalitchat/10/2

I was happy to work with Diane at Seven Days again-always a fun project and straight forward art direction-no revisions…just like I like um!

If I don’t hear from you in the next month, Happy Holidays!  Hope to work with you next year!

Here’s the latest cover I did for Extra! Magazine.  I just love working for them & Deborah in particular.  I never have to guess at what they are looking for.  These Extra! pieces are always a lot of fun!  Keep um coming!

I just handed this one in, but figured since I was posting and it might be weeks until I get back to post some more I should just post it now.  I love working with Andrea at Fort Worth.  She had a clear cut idea for this one and even sent me a rough – which when working on such short notice is always appreciated!  I thought that not having to do a background would make this one a bit easier, but boy was I mistaken.  I spent just as much time cleaning up messy edges as I would have painting a background!

So, after a hectic couple of days I handed in the final on Monday.  Mitch & Charlotte were a joy to work with, and I hope to get hired by them again in the future.

Here’s the piece.  I think it went to press today and comes out tomorrow.  So if you see it out – pick one up.

Yay! My first mailer of 08 is finally out! After a crazy busy end to 2007, 2008 has been surprisingly quiet thus far. In retrospect, I did take advantage of my time to thoroughly update and research my target market database, which in and of itself could be a full time job. I hope it pays off!

Just why is it that art directors move around so frequently? Out of my now extensive database, only a handful are still with the publications I originally had them at five years ago. It’s frustrating to find that the art director you have finally made some headway with has left, unable to find.  In some respect, I imagine it is a good thing - with fresh new faces to wow.  I am grateful however for the art directors that I have worked with who are kind enough to notify me of their new ventures and welcome further submissions. I am also grateful for the new internet phenomenon of actually publishing a masthead online and for sites like mastheads.org and newpages.com for making my life a bit easier.

So now I wait – the quiet before the storm. Or so I hope!