I try to go to the library or a local bookstore every few months to look at picture books. I prefer to go to a bookstore because I love seeing the latest books. Wellesley Booksmith in Wellesley, MA is usually where I go—they have a fairly large childrens book section, the books are well-organized … [Read more...]

Yahoo!!! My new flat files arrived today. Getting them into my basement was such an ordeal but we finally did it. I took out the drawers which made each cabinet (one is stacked on top of the other) much lighter to carry. I bought them on Ebay which was a huge risk - just relying on pictures from the … [Read more...]

I knew I wanted to do a book about a bulldog as soon as we got Mabel. Her face has so much personality and no other dog moves quite like she does. So ever since she arrived I've been thinking and thinking and thinking of an idea for a story. Sometimes I work on developing the character first and do … [Read more...]

I just hung these two very small (4x4) encaustic paintings in my studio, above my printer in between two windows. They are by Amy Ruppel.And I got a doggie bed for Mabel.I notice as I post this image that she somehow got her paws on a needle felted doll that was given to me as a gift. I am afraid to … [Read more...]

I decided that I would send out 3-4 promotional cards to childrens book publishers this year. I got some really great jobs from previous cards that I've done in the past. It's also a great way to get art buyers to look at your website - to remind them who you are and what you do. Modern Postcard has … [Read more...]

Sally Warner, author of the Emma chapter book series published by Viking, has written new stories about another one of the characters in the Emma books. His name is EllRay. The first book is scheduled to come out in Spring 2011. It's a new series, so there's always a lot work that goes into the … [Read more...]