The Pineapple Diary

Did I miss Christmas?

Forgive me for not blogging before the holidays. It's not too late to celebrate, is it?

Look at the beautiful package of goodies sent to me by Kathy Weller! It was more than I expected as a runner-up to her blog giveaway contest. Thanks Kathy, you're super talented AND a packaging dynamo!

Look at those beautiful holiday cards - I just love them all. And what better way to display them than on our FLOWERING Jade tree. Like last year, but with 10 times the number of blossoms. I hope it blooms every Christmas.

Speaking of which, look who else has been blossoming:

It was strange to not illustrate a holiday card, but can you blame me for just wanting to share his smiling face? We had a wonderful Christmas. I hope you all did too.

Illustration Friday: Hatch (Flashback Friday too)

This week's IF theme goes well with my Flashback Friday style post, so here's a classic. There are still some things I love about the look of colored pencil but I don't miss the process. Here's a VERY similar family, also newly hatched, done this year in gouache.

They say it's your birthday!

Actually, it's no one's birthday I know. But while searching my files today I stumbled into these Birthday designs I submitted last year for paper goods. In addition to my childrens' illustration list of things-to-do, I have a bunch of licensing themes I need to resubmit. Sadly, they're just gathering digital dust. Thought I'd share!

 

Pineapple what? Pineapple who?

Wow. So this week has been an interesting sandwich. Monday started off super productive. I got some great news (I'm a finalist in the PictureBook contest, woo hoo! more on this another day), had time to get the house in order and felt like I could make art this week. Then the meaty middle of the sandwich was filled with napless days, sleepless nights, endless dishes, crying, frustration, shopping, etc. Not what I planned. Today has been a return to Monday with 2 naps from the little guy (shocking!) but I chose to crash on the couch and zone out for a whole hour.

Where have I been? Where am I going? It's a blur people, a blur of aforementioned challenges.

My one victory I'm holding onto - I finally finished a picture book manuscript. Hooray! The above sketch is one of the main characters. I need to get the dummy done, but it's a big achievement for me. I'll have to keep reminding myself of it during next week's meaty middle.

I'd say more but the little guy is awake. I guess I just wanted to pop in and say HELLO, and then GOODBYE!

Crafty Folk

My friend Jen (aka Recovergirl) coordinated the above event. Doesn't it sound wonderful? The Portsmouth Library is one of my favorite places to visit.

It's timed nicely to coordinate with The Button Factory's Open Studios. I still haven't seen Handmade Nation so I'm hoping to make it to this AND the Open Studios. I've had my eye on this artist's lovely necklaces since a farmer's market earlier this year. (She's on the first floor) I think one of them might be my Christmas present, I'll even wrap it up for hubby to give to me!

What We're Reading...

I've re-discovered my town's library this month. I had been trekking up to Portsmouth because I pay for a membership there and just adore it's big, new, shiny wealth of books, magazines and media of all kinds.

But that town library is so much closer. And with an infant it's nice to have a 3 minute drive rather than a 15+ one.

And that little library is quite nice. They have book bags full of infant/toddler books, ready to sling over your shoulder and check out - a very nice assortment too.

This week I think we're both enjoying this book:

The babies are beautifully drawn and my 8 month old son was drawn to it instantly. I can see why. It's all about babies and the things they do. Nothing like knowing your audience!

And who doesn't love a little girl who makes the old man of the sea look like a couch potato:

Also, since we're both fans of Leslie Patricelli, Higher and Higher. Which is fun but a VERY quick read. I do that she put her 'baby' character in the plane window...

And I can't say enough about Ba Ba Ha Ha. This was Miles' first book, and it still makes him smile and giggle.

 

 

Flashback Friday

This Flashback Friday brought to you by... Zombie Chickens in the Cafeteria!!!!!

You know, because it's almost Halloween.

This piece would make me laugh if it didn't make me cringe. Weird muppet-mouth kids, little orphan annie eyes, jellybean feet. I think I did this in 2002, just after I took my first (and only) illustration class and was still experimenting with style and technique. I still like the idea though!