Coloring Page Tuesday - Writing Bear

     From card to coloring page... Whatcha writin'? I hope it's something good!
CLICK HERE for more coloring pages.
If you use my coloring pages often, please...

Just love this one image? Consider a one-time donation...

CLICK HERE to sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week.

     I create my coloring pages to draw your attention to my books! For instance...
my debut novel, A BIRD ON WATER STREET - winner of over a dozen literary awards, including Georgia Author of the Year. Click the cover to learn more!
     When the birds return to Water Street, will anyone be left to hear them sing? A miner's strike allows green and growing things to return to the Red Hills, but that same strike may force residents to seek new homes and livelihoods elsewhere. Follow the story of Jack Hicks as he struggles to hold onto everything he loves most.
     I create my coloring pages for teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents to enjoy for free with their children, but you can also purchase rights to an image for commercial use, please contact me. If you have questions about usage, please visit my Angel Policy page.

Faculty Reading at Hollins

We have some amazing and prolific creators teaching at Hollins University and it's always a treat to hear what everyone is up to! Each year the faculty at Hollins University has a reading, for which we share our latest projects. Again, lectures/slide-shows make terrible photos, but here is a quick wrap-up. Hillary Homzie shared her newest book called Ellie May on President's Day.
Candice Ransom shared the second book in her Amanda Panda series, Amanda Panda and the Bigger, Better Birthday.
John Gurney shared his newest graphic novel The Bossy Pirate.
And Mary Jane Begin shared some of her "My Little Pony" books as well as a very personal project.
I shared a work-in-progress written by Jane Yolen that will be shopping around soon. (No pics for that!) Lisa Fraustino shared a chapter from her work-in-progress novel, as did Ruth Sanderson. And Chip Sullivan shared a story that is heading for an anthology.
     My fellow faculty wowed my socks off - what an amazing group of talented people. I'm proud to teach alongside them all!

VIDEO: To Scale: The Solar System

To Scale is labeled as "On a dry lakebed in Nevada, a group of friends build the first scale model of the solar system with complete planetary orbits: a true illustration of our place in the universe." And it is mind-blowing. Click the image to watch this short documentary on YouTube.

Beautiful Hollins

I'll be boarding a plane later today to head back to beautiful Edinburgh. But before I do, I am compelled to share that I also believe Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia to be one of the most bucolic places on the planet - in a completely different way.
Greens are especially verdant here, with fog that sits in the hills like stuffing let loose from a comfortable chair.
Deer roam without fear and become regular companions.
It's why I so look forward to returning every summer to the rolling hills - my Appalachian mountains. I can never stay away from you for long.

Passing of the Torch at Hollins

Our dear Director and founder of the Graduate programs in Children's Literature at Hollins University, Amanda Cockrell, is retiring this year. Academic and author Lisa Fraustino will be taking her place. So there have been some lovely passing-of-the-torch ceremonies taking place this summer. One was a party hosted by Chip and Sheree Sullivan at their new house. Faculty gathered for an intimate and emotional time.
In the back are Chip and Tony Neuron. Next row is Hillary Homzie, Candice Ransom, Ruth Sanderson, and Amanda Cockrell. In the front is Julie Pfeiffer, Lisa Fraustino, Yours Truly, and Sheree Scarborough Sullivan.
     Crowns were made for the outgoing and incoming montors.
And just in case you think this is a sad affair, Amanda and her partner Tony have made it clear that they are quite excited about this next chapter in their lives. They've even talked about taking a train ride adventure across the continent. So, while we're all sad to see Amanda leave this position, where she has made such a huge difference in so many lives and left a very large legacy to fill, we are also so happy for them.
And I have great confidence in Lisa. She's already taking on responsibilities and it's obvious she'll do a great job as our new Director. CONGRATULATIONS to all!

Cards, cards, cards!

I mentioned that I work on cards during the Francelia Butler Conference - cards for friends and students. It's amazing how streamlined my process can be - even working traditionally. I purchased this wee watercolor kit and a brush that holds water in its handle. It's all I need!
Here's how it looks when its open.
That and pencils/pens is all I used to create these... A drawing bear for our new teacher John,
cornbread for Museum Director Jenine (who makes awesome cornbread),
a croc to thank Julie for a great party,
a painting dragon for Jennifer,
a reading fairy for Ruth,
a singing frog for Lisa (who loves frogs and karaoke),
'Mom Keys' for MJ who let me borrow her car,
, and three cards for my students based on the stories they worked on all semester, Little Red Riding Hood for Andrea,
a teacup for Deanne,
, and the owl and pussycat's boat for Caitlin.
I did one acrylic piece for Tina, an Appalachian Fairy, although I really don't prefer the medium (it was an experiment).
I love making these cards every year. And I love that my little watercolor kit has moved me from black and white drawings to color. But even more, I love this new comfort level I've reached with watercolors. I attribute my MFA to finally getting me to this point - hand-made art!

Natalie Marshall's YOU'RE MY LITTLE CUDDLE BUG

I've developed a growing interest in board books over the years. They're a distinctly different genre in children's books with very groovy bindings. When done well, they can be demonstrations of absolute genius. Today I interview Natalie Marshall, the illustrator of YOU'RE MY LITTLE CUDDLE BUG (written by Nicola Edwards for Silver Dolphin Books).
e: So, Natalie, board books are a class unto themselves. What about them inspires you as a creator?
Natalie:
I feel very privileged to illustrate board books. For most babies and toddlers, board books are the first step towards a (hopefully) life long love of books, so to be involved in creating interesting, engaging and educational books for babies and toddlers is an amazing part of my job. I am inspired by the interaction that children have with board books and seeing babies learn from my board books is a real buzz. 
e: What is your creative process/medium, can you walk us through it?
Natalie:
I am not an illustrator who carried around a notebook and constantly sketches - I wish I did have the time to sit and sketch! I still have a stack of sketchbooks from my days studying art and design, but these days I am so busy with my work schedule and my two children and their schedules that my creative sketch time is usually directed at working up ideas for projects that are live. I actually get quite a buzz out of working within the framework of a client brief, I find it really challenging to solve illustrative problems. That said, I do work on my own book ideas that are not client led. So my creative process goes something like this: receive a brief, do some concept drawings, work up pretty good colour drawings (I usually draw straight into Illustrator), make sure everything fits together and makes sense, adjust anything that needs to be edited (either by client request or because I think it could be better), complete final art.
e:  What do you think makes an illustration magical, what I call "Heart Art” - the sort that makes a reader want to come back to look again and again? I’m looking for your definition of “Heart Art.”
Natalie:
Ooh this is a hard question!
      When I draw something that I really love - I want to keep looking at it, and I will look at it again and again and every time I look at it, it makes my heart skip a beat - to me that is 'Heart Art'... so I often hope that that particular illustration that makes my heart skip a beat will work the same magic on anyone else who looks at it. In my work I really only want to publish illustrations that I honestly LOVE and feel engaged with and I hope that love is seen by the reader. I drew a little chameleon for a book project a while ago and I just loved him. So I printed out a large print of him to stick up on the wall near my desk - and I every time I look at him I feel happy - that is a successful illustration. 

e: How do you advertise yourself and can you expand on creating in this genre?
Natalie:
I have an agent so I don't advertise for work as such - I also think that my books are my best form of advertising, each and every book I have illustrated (and / or written) is done with love, care and total dedication. I make every single book I work on the very best book it can be. I am lucky to work with some wonderful editors, art directors and designers who also work towards the same goal.
e: What is your favorite or most challenging part of being a creator?
Natalie:
I find the most challenging part of my job is scheduling and managing my projects. I am often working on ten or more books at a time so keeping track of all the dates, emails, changes, meetings and deadline dates can be a challenge. I work on my own so I only have myself to rely on!
      My absolute favourite part of my job is opening a box of brand new finished books OR seeing them on the shelf. That particular thrill will never get tired!

e: Is there something in particular about your work you hope readers will take away with them, perhaps something that isn’t immediately obvious?
Natalie:
Happiness.

e: What are you working on next or what would be your dream project?
Natalie:
I am working on my new picture book - and it is a lot of work!

e: Can't wait to see it! Thanks for stopping by!

End of a Housing Era at Hollins University

The houses on Faculty Row were old, granted. They were falling apart, yes. But, they were where faculty lived on campus. They had good energy and great flow. And they had great views. I sat on the back porch of Jenine's house many times eating cornbread and watching the sun set.
But time moves on. The houses are being torn down.
They've been checked for asbestos and any live power or gas lines.
Monday, the demo began. So many of us have stopped to just watch. They are coming down so quickly.
I hear they will be replaced by sweet townhouses. I imagine they will be very tasteful and cute in keeping with Hollins campus.
     But still...
     Change happens and it is so often bittersweet.

Francelia Butler Banquet

After the Francelia Butler Conference was the banquet. It's a nice time to gather with faculty and alumni. Here I am with fellow faculty member Mary Jane Begin and one of my students, Deanne Sander.
I got to talk to Elaine Magliaro, winner of this year's Margaret Wise Brown Award. That thing is heavy! Here she is with our keynote, Uma Krishnaswami.
Ruth moved all of our picture book characters (created by Ashley Wolff) into the dining room as decorations. We rarely get to see all of them in one place, so I thought I'd share. Can you name them all?




All said, it was a lovely end to a lovely day!

Coloring Page Tuesday - Lemonade Monster

     Even monsters enjoy a cool glass of lemonade on a hot summer day!
CLICK HERE for more coloring pages.
If you use my coloring pages often, please...

Just love this one image? Consider a one-time donation...

CLICK HERE to sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week.

     I create my coloring pages to draw your attention to my books! For instance...
my debut novel, A BIRD ON WATER STREET - winner of over a dozen literary awards, including Georgia Author of the Year. Click the cover to learn more!
     When the birds return to Water Street, will anyone be left to hear them sing? A miner's strike allows green and growing things to return to the Red Hills, but that same strike may force residents to seek new homes and livelihoods elsewhere. Follow the story of Jack Hicks as he struggles to hold onto everything he loves most.
     I create my coloring pages for teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents to enjoy for free with their children, but you can also purchase rights to an image for commercial use, please contact me. If you have questions about usage, please visit my Angel Policy page.