Friday, August 17, 2018

I'm heading to Amsterdam next week so here's something I did awhile ago - maybe I'll even find this canal.
Other news: I'm very happy to say I'm back with my agent, Three in a Box. I started out with them many years ago - in fact we pretty much started out at the same time - so I'm very happy to know they will have me back. I'm really excited to get back into this side of the business.
I've been focused on kid's books for the last decade. I'm keeping that going (two books coming out this spring) but I think the key to success in anything is poking your nose into new things along the way. It keeps you on your toes and gives your style freshness - or at least I hope it does! So far so good.
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Except for the occasional beach closure because of dirty water it's been great. Lots of swimming and feeling like an otter.
Which reminds me, time for a swim. 

The Wall Street Journal


Sunday, July 15, 2018

Every time I write here I realize I need an assistant - somebody to keep me consistent with keeping up to date. But then, once I'm done, something bright flies by and I forget all about it. Maybe I'm not going to change.
So lots to catch up on but I'll cut to the chase. 'Owen at the Park' is nearing completion. That's my book that takes place in Tiergarten - the park in Berlin. I was lucky enough to be able to write a lot of it (and start the illustrations) while there. Out of all the books I've done it's been the most enjoyable. It's really been a labour of love. I was always conflicted when working on the final art - I couldn't wait to dive into each page but knew the more I did the closer I was to finishing it. And I didn't want it to end.
 
Of course working with Groundwood (Michael and Nan) has been a joy. Here's hoping more is on the way. Whatever I do they improve on. Mind you I'm just waiting to hear back on my final art so I let's see how I feel after I get comments. Ok, I'm joking, I really find they elevate anything I might do.
But working as a freelancer means you have to be scrabbling around for new work while you're finishing off the current project. By rights the scrabbling should start earlier but that's where the creative aspect comes in. I find I can only split myself up so much (creatively speaking) so that sometimes one project needs to be almost done before you can focus on the next.
I'm working on a new story about logging and tugboats here in B.C. Thanks to a friend who worked in the field I feel I've got the inside track on a lot of information.  It's pretty fascinating stuff. I've just started rough sketches so who knows how it may end up but here's the characters. 
On a whole different note I'm still doing editorial cartoons. As reprehensible as he is I have to be grateful that he kick started an aspect of my illustration that I'd never pursued before.
 
Ok, that's the news for now!