Mazes and Puzzles

I got to do another puzzle and game spread which is something I really enjoy. This time with Know Magazine, coming out in the next issue. If you have young kids interested in how the world works this is a great mag. Getting to create your own little underwater world is always fun. I would love to see a puzzle done by one of my favourite artists. http://www.pbase.com/csw62/sempe

Highlights

Just came across an image I did for the wonderful people at Highlights... I'm not sure if it ever got used so thought I'd put it up here so somebody gets to see it.

These people are so nice... they actually throw a party for illustrators every year out east in a wonderful garden and home - I think a lot of us can't quite grasp the concept that somebody would do that. We're more used to toiling away unnoticed for hours in darkened studios only dashing out on occasion to grab a coffee then scuttle back to the studio. Ok I exaggerate a bit... One of these years I'll actually make it... even though it involves dressing up and looking silly.

21 Journeys release

Just heard from the bigwigs at Cloudscape that the online version of 21 Journeys is now up for sale at http://www.cloudscapecomics.com/shop/ I've got a little story in there. This is my 3rd anthology with the collective and I've enjoyed them all. It's a great group of people with a wide range of styles. Check it out if you like comic books, and who doesn't like comic books?

Future Architect

Just had the family over and my niece and her daughter were checking out my new book 'Look at that Building' - all about structures and buildings for young kids. Maybe she'll turn out to be an architect like her great grand dad. I'm pretty sure she looked at the book for about a second and then caught sight of something shiny but luckily my nephew caught the moment.

Summertime, summertime

Summer continues to elude us up here in Vancouver... or I guess I should say it's around but it sure comes and goes. It seems a lot of people are on holiday now anyway so I'm getting out to the beach when I can and to hang out with friends. Still working on a massive book with Owl Publishing called 'How?' It is coming along great and I can't wait to see the final book. At this stage it's about 95 spreads so that is a lot of questions for the kids to enjoy. I'll put up some samples here.

I'm also really enjoying doing my cartoon, tentatively called Noisyville. It's in a New Yorker style and I'd love to find some kind of venue to show it off regularly. So if anyone has a magazine that needs a bit of humour... I'm your guy. Or of course I can do one just for you!

Hope everybody is having a great summer.

National Gallery in Ottawa show

Got some exciting news today. Artwork from a book I illustrated (Let's Go, written by Lizann Flatt) will be on display in the National Gallery in Ottawa. http://www.bookcentre.ca/artauction/ I have to say I'm flattered to be in the company of these talented artists. You can even own a piece if you want to enter the auction! I'll be out in Ottawa around that time so I may even be able to drop in and take a look. And if you happen to go to the gallery in I'd love to hear what you think of the show.
Other than that I'm working on a new comic anthology with Cloudscape Comics. It is called Exploded View and is a science fiction comic book with about 25 artist/writers centered on the theme of Machines. It's a whole new area for me to be working in and I love the challenge. That will be out in the new year. I will keep you posted.

Book tour update

Just got news on the book tour and it looks like we won't be flying all over Canada. Instead it's off to Toronto for a book awards event then doing some school visits to nearby towns. Sounds just as much fun and a lot less strenuous.
I'm on a promotions blitz this week which is something I haven't done in awhile. Have to admit it's fun getting all creative with promo cards again. And now, more than ever, your promo has to be unique if it manages to make it to the AD's desk. Love to hear other people's stories about promotions they have done over the years.