Happy Halloween! It's going to be an interesting one. 

I actually like witches but you can see these are honest to goodness bad witches because they're not even covering their noses. 

 Thanks CBC! Here's a nice list to be on with my new book (Harbour Publishing, Lilliana and the Frogs).

 https://www.cbc.ca/books/52-canadian-picture-books-coming-out-in-fall-2020-1.5734265

If you're in Vancouver and want to get a copy, check out one of my favourite independent bookstores, https://kidsbooks.ca/ - and tell them I sent you! 

Tea Towels and Introverts

It's an interesting world we're in. After having some success putting one hero (Dr. Bonnie Henry) on a tee shirt I'm now putting other heroes on tea towels! Being a bit of an introvert myself I can relate to these guys. 

This was a nice interview I did recently with a really wonderful site - helping out B.C. creators and publishers! https://www.storytimestandouts.com/2020/08/27/beyond-the-dust-jacket-author-and-illustrator-interviews/we-are-thrilled-to-introduce-author-illustrator-scot-ritchie/

On a whole different topic I'm happy to report, she liked it! I sent Dr. Bonnie Henry her portrait on a tee and she liked it so much she asked, if I was so inclined, would I be interested in sending some to her team. It's quite a compliment considering how many things like this she gets (jewellery, clothing and shoes just to name a few). It's turned into a bit of a cottage industry here in B.C. I sent a bunch of shirts to the team and in return got this lovely pic of Dr. Henry herself holding up her likeness. Considering how busy she is with, ahem, rather more important work dealing with a pandemic, this was very kind of her. 

I guess this can happen when something like covid comes along. You venture into new areas to see where it might take you. All of a sudden I'm doing t-shirts! There's two designs, our local hero Dr. Bonnie... (this design is on the front).

Then my salute to Summer 2020 has been a big hit. Oddly enough it might be nice to have a momento of this very unusual summer. Design is on the back for those who are interested.

Listen to Dr. Bonnie - be kind, calm and safe!

I'm very happy to announce a new partnership with one of the best illustration agencies out there... the very satisfying sounding, Lemonade illustration agency. Lemonade primarily works out of the U.K. but they have offices in New York, Wakefield (!), and Sydney.

I did my homework when looking for an agent and am very happy Lemonade has agreed to work together. I've had the experience of partnering with an agent (in the 90's, I've been around awhile :) and I know how valuable it can be.
An agent can be a partner who opens doors I would never know about as well as providing a critical set of eyes when presenting  work.
Lemonade has been around almost as long as I have and I was very pleased to talk with Gary, the owner. So, to Gary and other Lemonade agents, thanks for taking me on board and I'm very excited to begin working together.

This was a nice surprise to see my new book (Lilliana and the Frogs) as the catalogue cover for Harbour Publishing. The whole experience has been great working with them and I look forward to seeing the book out there. 

Summer is in full swing and I keep jumping back and forth between taking part and staying indoors. They gym opened up again. I've always relied on it as a way to get out there and get fit. But now, for an older guy like me, it's maybe not such a good thing to do. So I keep booking a time then cancelling when I read some article or hear a news story. I bet there's a lot of people doing the same thing. Trying to get some normalcy while the ground is shifting. 

Then, add in living next door to the US where things seem out of control due to the train wreck known as Trump. I was already a fan of Trudeau (our Prime Minister) and he has been stellar in his handling of things. We're lucky here in Canada. Of course best to remain cautious since things can change so easily.  

So I don't end on too somber a note, here's some art I did for a possible new book. I haven't approached anybody yet and I'm still working on the text but I'm having fun with the art.