Three books, three friends

I am fortunate to know three people in the kidlit world who have been published in the last few months. My friend Brook Gideon just got her illustrations published in Azalea Unschooled by Liz Kleinman. The folks at Islandport Press loved her whimsical watercolors and asked her to illustrate this chapter book. Looks great!

My other RISD art buddy, Walter Silva, is one of the featured artists in The Big Book of Mod Podge. Several of his decoupage projects are in the book. Walter took illustration classes with us at RISD and has an Etsy shop for all the great decor items he's created.

Also having a publishing "birthday" is Josh Funk, the leader of our picture book critique group at the Writer's Loft in Sherborn. Josh has several books in the pipeline. The one just published is Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast, a whimsical rhyming journey of two breakfast treats as they fight for the last drop of maple syrup.

 All three of these people are dedicated to their craft, be it writing and/or illustrating. They have all given me hours of helpful feedback on writing and art. And they are nice people as well! I'm proud to say I know them....check out their work!

Live Animal Study at RISD's Nature Lab

This past Sunday was a day well spent. Most of the afternoon, I was at the Edna Lawrence Nature Lab at RISD sketching live and taxidermied animals.

"Posing" for us was a dog, rabbit, turtle and I believe, an African Gray parrot. 

The proceeds went to the RISPCA, Providence Animal Rescue League and Sweet Binks Rabbit Rescue. What a great way to spend an afternoon: sketching, hanging with the animals and fellow artists plus supporting animal welfare. The whole time I went to RISD I never did more than pop my head into the lab (I missed the evening class "field trip"). Now I can't wait to get back. It's really a great resource. I'd even consider bringing my kids, though I might wait until they're pass the "Eww, that's so gross" stage!

Thanks to Christina Rodriguez for setting up this animal study. To my knowledge, it's at least the third time that she's organized this. Also thanks to Laurelin Sitterly for bringing in the animals, managing their set up and explaining some behavior and anatomy to the artists.