I was lucky enough to be part of this years Empty Bowls in Perth, Ontario. My good friend (and amazing potter) Jackie Seaton used the above image for the posters and tshirts. I was thrilled to be part of it!

The Lookout. Sketchbook 2011

I always loved the Bantha's in Star Wars...like a huge shambling wig with horns.

Tree of Life. I'd love to paint this. Pure chaos! It'd be awesome to see on a canvas...especially because the drawing is a bit of a mess.

I've been trying to sketch on a regular basis to keep the ideas and drawing skills flowing. Here's the latest... Bonsai Mind Control

Bustin' Moves Old Skool

TreeHug

Enlightenment (too bad dinosaurs can't read)

Owl King

Some recent sketchbook goodness...Oroboros
The Question?

DragonJoust (while listening to Beastie Boys new album HotSauceCommiteePartTwo. Nice!)

Owlmageddon...the owl of the apocalypse!

TreeSpirit

I had a blast working on a very short animation with my good friend, Joel Richardson.
It's called "Why I Don't Steal". I've never had a reason to try out animating before and I'm glad I finally got the chance.

Okay, I've been just horrible at posting as I've been working on the latest picture book, but I couldn't pass this one up. Here's my sketchy submission to the Modok Madness blog. I figured old Modok needed a little yoda love. "Feel it you must. Feel the flow."

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Some jazzed up sketchbook scribbles.

I'm having a book launch for Richard was a Picker (check out the new website!) on Nov 20th at a local library and I created this poster for Kaleidoscope Kids Books that will be co-sponsoring the launch.

For the website I did up some super fun activity sheets for your downloading pleasure. I also drew a comic that you can fold, origami-like, to make your very own minibook!! On the site there's even a place to have a sneakpeek at the book. I just received my copies in the mail last week and they look fabulous!

A couple of years ago I illustrated a book called What I Be with the amazingly talented musician Michael Franti. Above are a few of my favourite images from the book. The text of the book is

one of Michael's songs from his album "Everyone Deserves Music". He created a new version of the song for the book and it's on the cd that's included.

The always funky and laid back Jack Johnson has an amazing version of "3 is a magic number" from the old School House Rocks. (also covered by De La Soul back in the day). enjoy. yeah.

Here's the latest illustration for Kobold Quarterly. I couldn't believe they wanted me to draw a dragon on top of piles of treasure. How amazing is that???

Okay folks...get ready for a nose full of fun!!!
Richard was a Picker will be released this fall.

Start stockpiling those boxes of kleenex . It's a wild and messy ride!
(and there might be some extra free downloadable goodies on the publishers website too)
I'll let you know when the party starts.

Hi everyone. Well I've been insanely busy the last few months so I haven't had a chance to update the blog but one of the great things about working is that I get to listen to a lot of audio books. A fabulous listen is the latest Massey lecture by anthropologist Wade Davis. A truly mind opening talk.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
Have a blast everyone. I hope they're magical!

Here’s the group photo of the authors/illustrators at the 9th Annual Kids’ Lit Gala presented by The Ottawa Children’s Literature Roundtable and the Ottawa Public Library. A very talented bunch, if I do say so myself. :)

From left to right: Ben Hodson, Paul Glennon, Vickie Cameron, Andrée Poulin, Eric Péladeau, Brenda Chapman, Kevin Bolger, Caroline Pignat, Robert Sutherland, Crystal Beshara, Michel Rene de Cotret (thanks for the photo, Michel!), and Suzanne Pinel.

(A big congratulations to Caroline Pignat for being awarded the Governor General’s Award for her amazing book!)

I'm working on a picture book right now, but in the morning I like to do a bit of sketching to loosen up. I've been doing a lot of 80's influenced fantasy drawings. Above is another Kenku sketch. This one has some Russ Nicholson, Brian Froud and a little Don Bluth (The Secret of NIMH)

Here's a Dragon Rider. WAAAAY more fierce than Eragon. :)

A Deep Gnome influenced by the great Russ Nicholson in the Fiend Folio.

A Boar Rider. Snort. Wild boars and wart hogs are such amazing animals.

A Dwarf Champion ready to rumble. Some Clyde Caldwell, Larry Elmore, Jeff Easley vibes. I really like a lot of the DragonLance and Dragon Magazine artists.

Orko from He-Man. I couldn't really stand this character in the cartoon, (or any sidekick except maybe Ookla from Thundarr) but I thought he looked cool. Like a Jawa wizard.

A little Berbalang action. I always loved the drawing in the Fiend Folio by Russ Nicholson. So nasty.

I'm so happy that I found a groovy Keith Haring website devoted totally and completely to kids!!
That means I'll fit right in! Colouring book pages!!! YES! That's for me!