A dream comes true

At the beginning of December I mentioned that I would love to see one of John James Audubon's books in person one day ... Well that didn't take long! By some quirk of fate, just a few days before Christmas we were able to view an original book from his Birds of America series. Talk about a Christmas present!! Weeks later I am still thinking about it. All I can say is spectacular!!! The colors, textures, shapes, character, story telling, drama, emotions - It reminds me of how important it is to take the time to do things right, every little detail matters and I hope this experience will help me to do even better work.

Researching at the Natural History Museum

I was in Europe for most of December, while in London I took several trips to the Natural History Museum to draw the animals. I have seen taxidermy in the past and they have always seemed wrong, just stuffed animals. But the ones at the Natural History Museum were different, they felt very natural and even had character and personality! The artists who did these were superb craftsman and I learned a lot from drawing at the museum. Birds are something I need to work on, they are a challenge to draw and bring to life.

The above photo is Michael sketching on our iPad. 

The poor owl below the one he was painting had a pencil in the side of it's head, very strange!

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!