Suddenly tea towels are my new thing! It's one of things I'd never noticed before but then when you start doing them, they're everywhere. So for the art lovers, one of my all time favourite paintings - with a twist. Arnolfini Portrait. I've always been drawn to this portrait, the colours and detail and fun (with the artist showing himself in the reflection of the mirror behind the 'about to be married' couple). I just thought it would be fun to have a little update with them both doing their social media while being painted. 

 Dr. Bonnie is still going strong. Along with the t-shirt I now have a tea towel and greeting cards. 

There's a whole industry out there of Bonnie things. I guess it's one good thing to have come from all this. Hope everybody is managing ok now. We're just on the verge of another wave and people seem to be finally getting it - mask up, stay in and limit friends. I really don't get the people who don't want to put on a mask. Luckily they're in the minority so I'm sure we'll handle this soon. 

 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. 

How are you feeling? I want to get on a plane but I don't want to get on a plane. I bet a lot of people are feeling that way.
I was talking to a friend about Toronto and I miss it. I lived there for 25 years so it holds a world of memories. And now, most people I work with are in Toronto so I have a whole new world to visit when I go out there.
I travel a lot, and I'm missing another city. I was supposed to be there right now. I should be riding my bike through Gleisdreieck on my way too Bikini Berlin for a coffee and a little monkey watching.
Well I guess it's not going anywhere so patience little grasshopper. I will be satisfied where I am.
I did a drawing that kind of sums up what's in store for this summer. Hope you like it. I'm planning to do t-shirts if anyone is interested.

There's a new hero I wanted to show respect to - Dr. Bonny Henry. She is our provincial health officer here in British Columbia. Not exactly world known but she should be. She's got this incredible way of delivery that is very calming but still highly informative. Check her out.

I was looking for a slightly more amusing quote (during these tough times) but I guess she's not doing amusing right now.

As for other news, I've joined forces with https://childrensillustrators.com/scotritchie/portfolio so I can put up a bit more of my work. 

Covid has had such a different impact on different industries. We're a couple of months in and I'm just beginning to notice. I was lucky to have some books that I was working on but I can see those coming to an end. In some ways books are doing well with everybody self isolating. In other ways not so much with all the stores shut. 

And finally I'm happy to be getting out on my bike and hiking nearby. But I'll be  honest, I'm ready for cafes and stores to open (and feel safe enough to sit in)!

It's an unusual card but I made this for a friends birthday. Given the times we're in I guess it's a good fit. It will be interesting looking back next year to notice all the things we so quickly got used to: tape on the sidewalk for safe spacing, plexiglass dividers and not using cash. Strange times indeed.

As usual it's been too long since I wrote but I'm going to blame that on being busy and learning how to cope during this Covid shutdown. For a semi-introvert like me it hasn't been too much of a shift but as it drags on I really am starting to miss social gatherings and just getting out the door.
The good news is I've been busy with work and will have a new book coming out in October, with my new best friends, the people at Harbour Publishing.  http://www.harbourpublishing.com/  Ok, I still love the other publishers I work with but I have to say there is something special about working with somebody in the same province. The book is called Lilliana and the Frogs, based on a little adventure I had as a child when I brought home a box of wild frogs. It's a book with an eco message (let's leave nature alone) but hopefully with a bit of fun along the way.

Another book, coming out in October is called Follow Your Breath. It's # 8 in our 'Exploring Our Community' series with my other best friends the amazing people at Kids Can Press - especially my editor, Jennifer Stokes, who is, as far as I can tell, perfect. 

This story follow the five kids, Yulee, Pedro, Nick, Martin and Sally as they learn about mindfulness. It's coming out at a good time, considering what we're going through. Mindfulness is used in schools as well as millions of homes so a lot of people recognize its value. 

For something completely different I also do cartoons. This perfect storm of a pandemic and a president (with a very little brain) south of the border, is great fodder for cartoonists everywhere. I am reluctant, but I will thank him for that.