Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Holidays, with much love!!

 I ran out of time to do a christmas card this year, but I drew these cards to give to my family.

Christmas comes so quickly nowadays, I can remember when it seemed like it would never come.

But I feel that way this year because I have to wait for another year (winter 2012) to give my latest present.

But below is a very small sneak preview from the inside flap of the cover for... 

THE CHRISTMAS QUIET BOOK!

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Christmas Card

I was so surprised and thrilled to see that my publisher has animated an image from The Quiet Book for their christmas card!

Click on the image to see it snow!

Old Danish Christmas Card

I received this jolly fellow from Denmark when I was little.

It makes me smile now as I am sure it made me smile then.

Santa's beard is literally as soft as a bird's feather.

Snowy Owl

More snow arrived just in time for me to put up my little christmas tree.

Each year I get one new ornament, and this year it is a lovely snowy owl.

It reminds my of a print by John James Audubon, one of my favorite artists and a big influence. 

I would love to see one of these big books in person one day!

New Look

I started this blog around 4 years ago, when Little Panda was first published -  I figured it was time for a new look! I considered a bunch of different names, but the most obvious seemed the most appropriate - The Quiet Blog.

This was a card for a friend who turned 4 (with a T).

Congratulations

to Cybèle Young who was the winner of The 2011 Governor General's Award For Children's Literature in Illustration for her inventive book Ten Birds. All of the nominee's for this years awards were amazing and I counted myself very lucky to be included amongst them. As for me I will have to try my best to come up with something that is worthy of a 3rd try --
which will be a lot of fun!

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse Charity Auction

An original drawing of mine is up for bidding in The Artist Who Painted A Blue Horse Charity Auction, check it out here: www.bluehorseauction.com.
I was happy to be asked to be included in this charity auction, I am a great admirer of Eric Carle, his work always feels fresh and new - no matter how long ago it was published.

Blast from my past

This is what 3D was like when I was young! I don't know what today's 3D films are like, but these were magic to me. I still bring them out occasionally to inspire me, and make me smile - so DDR!

It's been a while Panda

I haven't posted a panda in quite some time!

Librarian Presentation

A few of weekends ago I enjoyed a wonderful satuday morning spent with local librarians, artists, and writers of children's literature. It was a great time for me and I hope for them as well. It strongly reminded me of what a vital role librarian's play in introducing children to literature! I was also fortunate to listen and look in on the presentations of the other writers and illustrators and it was great to hear their perspective on making kid's books.

Here are a couple of the slides included in my presentation. I mentioned how I feel making a kid's book can be compared to making a film (only much smaller of course). You have to cast characters, or in my case, critters. This mole tried out for a role in Red Wagon - unfortunately he didn't make the cut. But I am sure there will be a picture book in his future someday.

Red Wagon is a finalist for the GG's

I am humbled and excited that Red Wagon has been selected as a finalist for this year's Governor General's Literary Award for Children's Illustration! This makes it two in a row as The Quiet Book was selected last year. The competition is pretty stiff again this year, I have already read Migrant illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault and Along a Long Road by Frank Viva. They are both simply amazing books that I would highly recommend, I look forward to checking out the other finalists.

Here is a link to the Canada Council for the Arts official GGs website featuring all the 2011 finalists.
http://987321654.canadacouncil.net/en/archives/2011/Finalists.aspx

Thank you

His vision helped open up possibilities for me as an artist in creating my own worlds, Thank you Steve Jobs.

365+ Sleeps to go

Last week I finished the interior artwork for my latest book, Yeah! Now only 365+ sleeps until it is released. That will give me a little time to write up a new story to draw.

Kindle Fire Quiet

I will have to put one of these on my christmas list for sure!

Thanks Amazon!
HERE is where I found it.

LOEM

I will be a part of this event, should be fun. (click to enlarge)

Thelma and Louise

These are my neighbors, they often sit way up on a second floor porch.

Real Simple Family

If you happen to be reading this month's special issue of REAL SIMPLE called REAL SIMPLE FAMILY (sept 2011) check out page 44 which mentions THE QUIET BOOK amongst a handful of other fine books. I enjoy how the illustrator (Jane Mount) drew my character from the spine of the book.

Library of the Early Mind

I am so looking forward to seeing this documentary about children's literature.

Trailer: 'Library of the Early Mind' from Backspace Productions on Vimeo.

And the poster is lovely.


http://www.libraryoftheearlymind.com/

“Library of the Early Mind” is an exploration of the art and impact of children’s literature on our kids, our culture, and ourselves.
From the first stories we hear told to us to those childhood heroes that stay with us a lifetime, the impact on our culture runs deeper than what we might expect. “No one suspects the children’s writer,” says author and illustrator Mo Willems, a former 'Sesame Street' writer.
The film features nearly 40 prominent authors and illustrators talking about their work, its genesis and its impact. The number of books in print by the authors in 'Library of the Early Mind' exceeds 240 million.

Random Doodle

This is a random doodle from sketching earlier in the week.
I really don't know why I drew this, it just happened.

Coloring

This is what I am doing right now, although I color in photoshop.

I have posted the black and white pencil drawing for this previously.

Where inspiration strikes

This was from a magazine article I illustrated a few month's ago.

To Do List

I have been super busy finishing up my next book, this is a list of some of the work I have left to do. The drawing is from a card I did for someone special.

Coming Soon

I have to tell you I am pretty excited about this!






Quietly and loudly anticipated this fall from Merrymakers Inc,
visit their website for more info:
http://www.merrymakersinc.com/quiet_loud.php?mtype=p

Un-boxing Video

Good friend and fellow children's book illustrator Carolyn Fisher has put together this fun un-boxing video of her latest book. It captures the excitement of finally receiving your book after the year(s?) it takes to make one. Although I might not be so happy if the delivery had been left alone on my porch!



www.carolynfisher.com

Guppy and Signed Copies

While in San Francisco we stayed in a really lovely B+B in the Mission District. They had a dog named Guppy which I just had to draw.



In SF I visited a couple of wonderful bookstores and signed some copies of my books. The bookstores are just the right size, small enough to feel precious but big enough to have a good selection. I signed several copies of The Quiet Book and The Loud Book at The Booksmith on Haight Street, www.booksmith.com. And I signed some Red Wagon, The Quiet Book, The Loud Book, and Little Panda (!) at Books Inc on Chestnut Street, www.booksinc.net

We meet at last!

I just got back from a wonderful week in San Francisco, where I met up with Deborah Underwood, the author of The Quiet Book and The Loud Book. It was the first time we got together in person, although it feels like I have known Deborah always!




We exchanged autographed copies of the books, this is the drawing in the book I did of/for Deborah. (Although it turns out she is left handed, oh well.)


Deborah also gave me a signed copy with a couple of her drawings. I love them!





They are so sweet!