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…

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 ~

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!