In case anybody thinks I'm not doing books - fear not! I have two coming out soon with Groundwood and, some wonderful people I've just started working with, Pajama Press.   In the meantime I've done another illustration with the idea of putting it on various products like cards and tea towels. This is my neighbourhood in Vancouver. In the summer it's pretty much a resort town. I grew up here and love to see the city growing and changing. I know a lot of people don't like that but I think Vancouver has the perfect balance - wilderness 10 minutes one way and a nice selection of cafes 5 minutes the other way. What more could you want. Of course right now we're still not open yet due to the pandemic but I'm pretty well convinced that's not going to last forever. 

 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.