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…

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

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!

It’s been a busy couple of weeks with two new pieces for Fort Worth Weekly, another piece for Spokane Metro and the beginnings of a new one for Urban Tulsa Weekly!  Loving it!

I am planning on taking the evening off however for a much needed break!  The kids have been sick so being nursemaid on top of Administrative Assistant, on top of illustrator has left me feeling a tad bit exhausted.  One evening to recoop is doable I think…

Well here is the 1st piece I did for new client Fort Worth Weekly.