It's Time...

Register now for Summer!  I will be teaching Illustration Portfolio at  the School of Visual Arts--beginning June 5.  Brush up your portfolio. Create some great new pieces. Discover your personal style and work on concepts and execution. Or work on that children's book dummy. This class is focused on each individual student. Color, composition, technique will be discussed. Contracts, copyrights, and all aspects of the business of Illustration will be discussed as well as how to find clients in a difficult economy. Assignments vary each semester.  
ILC-4011A
Wednesdays 6:00-9:30pm  beginning  June 5 (10 weeks) 

Samples of my students' work (or click the link on the bar above)

Books you can walk into.

Lately I've been designing exhibits, which is a little like
making a life size picture  book that you can WALK INTO!
Here are 2 of my latest exhibits:

The Ghost Army (When you send Artists to war, they bring back Art)
Edward Hopper House Art Center
82 North Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960
Now thru June 9
more info

Special Screening of the Ghost Army fim, in conjunction with the exhibit will be on
Memorial Day, Monday May 27 5–7 pm
Nyack Center
58 Depew Ave,
Nyack, NY 10960
more info

And Greetings from Summer Camp
at the Historical Society of Rockland County
20 Zukor Rd. New City, NY
May 18 – Sept 15

more info

A Conversation with Donna Miskend

Illustrator Donna Miskend interviewed me the other day about my life as an illustrator.
I met Donna when she took my Illustration Portfolio class at School of Visual Art.
This is one of my favorite pieces that she did in that class.


My Beloved © Donna Miskend

I'm thrilled to have Liz join me for a conversation about her art and the illustration industry. She has illustrated numerous children's books as well as writing and illustrating her own. Liz's other illustration work for advertising and editorial projects include clients such as Lands End, Delta Airlines and T. Rowe Price to name a few. She has a keen eye and a generous spirit. Take her class. Her assignments are cool and you'll learn a lot about being an illustrator.   Read the whole interview here...

Thanks Donna!

It may just be the original Mardi Gras.  And a great story for Women's History month.  The festival of Purim honoring Queen Esther of Persia, who saves her people from the evil Haman. The celebration involves dressing up in costume and acting out this great tale of intrigue.  In the end everyone eats Haman's hat (hamantashen!)

This is an illustration for a book I'm working on, which is not about Queen Esther, but it does take place in Ancient Persia...  at least part of it does anyway.

The Journey Home

Butterflies will soon begin their long journey from their winter homes in Mexico, back home to us.  They should have some good stories to tell.

Love, Actually..

I recently finished the illustrations (all 30 of them) for "Anne Frank's Chestnut Tree," a Step-into-Reading book for Random House. Although she is one of my heroes, it was a hard book to work on emotionally.  It will be published this fall.

Among the Stars in Los Angeles

I'm excited that this piece has received honorable mention in the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles' 51st Annual Illustration West Competition

It will be on view at Gallery Nucleus in LA , March 8 - 12, 2013.

This is one of the last spreads, and jacket art, for my latest book: How Does Sleep Come?

It was published this fall by Sourcebooks/Jabberwocky. Here are more pictures from the book. 

Well, sorry I've been too busy to post lately, and now 'tis the season once again...  It is very welcome this year.  A little magic is the perfect cure for a year of too much reality, including hurricane Sandy.  So come on Santa! 

Another Peek

Thanks for all the amazing feedback on the last post! Here are two more peeks at my latest book, "How Does Sleep Come?" arriving at bookstores this September.  See more pictures HERE.

The decision today by the Supreme Court is a big step forward for freelance artists, and I salute the five justices who let stand the Affordable Care Act.

Book Expo America

 






















This is a very big display at Book Expo, featuring my new book! The photo was taken by a friend, but I will be at Book Expo tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing it in person.