I finished up 2011 with a few more commissions.  One of my favorites, if not the favorite piece I did this past year is the “Media Monopoly Octopus” for the October issue of Extra! Magazine.  Sometimes, a piece really comes together from conception through the final product and this illustration was one of them.

I must have been on a role, because right after this, came another 2011 favorite, this time a piece commissioned for MovieMaker Magazine.  This was the second piece from them this year, and like usual, the theme was a blast and so much fun to work on.  This commission was to accompany an article called, “Look Good in Your Shorts.”

I was thrilled to do a six piece series for Philadelphia Weekly’s Better Than Best issue, though the three day turn around nearly broke me.

I finished out the year with another cover from Extra! on Steve Jobs.

In between creating these pieces, I was also diligently working on Lavender’s Blue chapter revisions under the direction of my agent, Erin Harris.  Erin is helping tweak and mold my novel so that it reaches its fullest potential, and I am grateful for the tremendous amount of time and effort she’s poured into it since May.

The New Year is already starting off at a breakneck pace.  While I wait to receive my next set of revision notes from Erin, Iv’e already begun the February Cover Art for Extra!  (If I stick to my resolution, it will be unveiled in next month’s posting.)  I’m also working on a proposal for what could potentially be my largest illustration job to date.  So, fingers crossed I have good news to announce next month.  I’ll keep you posted.

Best wishes for a healthy & prosperous New Year!!!!

On the Art Side ~ My June Extra! cover is at your local Borders or Barnes & Noble Booksellers, so stop by and pick up a copy.

I was quite pleased with how this piece came out, even though my blacks didn’t print as dark as I’d hoped.  Something happens between my final and the printed piece that I need to ask about next time around.  Nothing major, just not as crisp as I’d like it to be.

I’ll be sending out an emailer with it as soon as I get back from vacationing with the folks next week in the hopes of garnering some new work.  I’d love to get a brand spanking new client this year…

I’ve really been trying hard to finish up some sketches for Lavender’s Blue on top of final edits before the YALITCHAT query contest winners are announced.  I managed to whittle it down about 30K words to fit in the middle grade genre where it fits much better than in young adult as I had originally intended.  One Sunday afternoon perusing the stacks at my local Borders convinced me that I made the right choice.

I need this novel to be perfect and am content to wait until January to start querying agents.  First impressions account for everything in this biz, so until it’s shiny and pretty it’s not going anywhere.  Some of my beta’s are trickling in and the feedback is encouraging.  What I really need to do however, is reach out and get some unbiased opinions.  I think I’ll put some feelers out to see if I can’t hook one tomorrow.

On the art front, I’m putting the final touches on another piece for Extra! Magazine that’s due in the morning.  It’s been an interesting to watch how my work has evolved this year to an entirely digital canvas.  My Wacom is my best friend in this regard.  I need to upgrade at home.  If you knew me back in college as I fumbles to find the ‘on’ button, (thanks Chris & Kyle!)  you’d be amazed at how far I’ve come.

The Flower Mound piece above was recently commissioned by Fort Worth Weekly and another favorite client.  I feel so blessed that in this year of working on my novel, my go to guys in the art world really came through for me.  I didn’t put much out in the way of self-promotion, so it’s good to know I’m dependable and consistent enough to garner some repeat business and I’m grateful.

I leave you with many thanks and good vibes for a brand new year ~

With Halloween only a few days away, I was excited when I received word about a fresh new cover for one of my favorite weeklies, Seven Days in VT.  This illo depicts gubernatorial candidates, Dubie & Shumlin.

I also learned today that my query for Lavender’s Blue made it into the panel judging round where my chances of getting my manuscript read by not only a few of the biggest agents in the game but a publishing giant are one step closer to fruition!

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

After months of misbehaving, my blog’s finally been set straight.  I’m back in business with the ability to post some art again.  Yay!  Thanks Dave!

I’ve some exciting news to share . . . I just finished the first draft of a young adult novel!  I’m ready to share with some beta readers and am roping my pre-teen’s friends into being the first to peruse it.  I’m really excited about this project because it gives me a chance to mesh my two loves ~ words and art.  Now that the words are done, I’m able to focus on the art, and am chompin’ at the bits to get moving on it.  I have some roughs already laid out, so I should have something to post in the near future.

As for recent freelance work, I’ve been blessed with some repeat business.  Last month I did another caricature cover for Seven Days in Burlington VT and just before that, Extra Magazine gave me an intriguing concept to illustrate – the current predicament of education.

Rushing into fall, my favorite season, my to-do list includes an email blast to try to garner some more work, (Christmas is right around the corner!), a series of b/w chapter heading illos for my book and the start of agent submissions.  Should be a busy couple of months!

Until next time ~

Go out and enjoy the day and the freedom we take for granted!  Thanks to all of our service men and women who risk their lives to keep America safe and strong.

Here’s a piece recently completed for Seven Days, Burlington VT’s alt. weekly.

A tip of the hat to those who hired me in 2009.  My hopes are 2010 will give me the opportunity to work with many new faces. I am excited to see what the new year will bring!

Happy New 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!