Friday, June 29, 2012

Happy Independence Day

I'm a little bit early, but wanted to wish everyone (US based) a Happy Independence Day!!  Eat up, have fun, and maybe see a parade!  (And all of you non-US based friends ... Happy 4th of July!)


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Great-Grandma's Victory Garden Zucchini Bread

In between waiting for approvals and painting on the book project I'm working on, I have managed to sneak in a new piece for the porfolio,  a submission for They Draw and Cook, and a present for one of my cousins.  Whew.

I was inspired by the Victory Gardens that I'd seen while visiting Strawbery Banke, NH.  Victory gardens were part of the 1940s war effort. Because labor and transportation shortages made it hard to harvest and move fruits and vegetables to market, the government turned to its citizens and encouraged them to plant "Victory Gardens." They wanted individuals to provide their own fruits and vegetables. Nearly 20 million Americans answered the call. They planted gardens in backyards, empty lots and even city rooftops. Neighbors pooled their resources, planted different kinds of foods and formed cooperatives, all in the name of patriotism.


This particular recipe uses some of those extra zucchini that overrun the garden in the summer.  Great-Grandma's Victory Garden Zucchini Bread is really tasty, freezes well, and keeps in the refrigerator for a week or two.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Character Design Exercises

I'm doing my exercises.  My brain exercises.

I, along with several illustrator pals are taking the fantabulous Kelly Light's advise and doing our character design exercises.  (Kelly held a workshop at the most recent NESCBWI Conference and amazed all with her superhero illustrator powers (although everyone who knows her, knew she'd be amazing - wish I could have been there)!

So what are these exercises, you ask, and how can you play too?
It's simple.  It's fun.   Just make a grid and draw a random shape in each box.  Then you let your imagination take charge and see where it leads you!


For me,  this was a great way to relax at the end of a very busy drawing day.