It's interesting that when contemplating a new project mid year 2019, I turned to an old piece that I had originally started back in High School. (long time ago in a galaxy far, far away). Catcher in the Rye isn't one of my favorite books, but I respect the emotional connection many people have with the work. One image I retained from the book was of Salinger's Holden Caulfield standing in the field of rye ready to catch the children if they come too close to the cliff. I the

Brighty of the Grand Canyon By Marguerite Henry Horse lover in the family? Marguerite Henry, teamed with Illustrator Wesley Dennis, are far and away one of the best equine story teller teams to date. Today I'm saluting Brighty of the Grand Canyon with a few of my illustrations inspired by the lovable donkey that really did live in the Grand Canyon in the late 1800s. #burro #donkey #bookfriday #illustration #storytelling #sketching #mule #horselovers

When I first turned my career towards story illustration, I had no idea the amount of prep work that goes into making a stunning piece. Before an illustrator puts brush to canvas, they've already done a ton of homework. The tricky bit is that the image has to look believable. Whether it’s Alice in Wonderland, Gulliver’s Travels, Catcher in the Rye or Little Woman. BASIC HOMEWORK This is like drafts of your term papers. Rough sketches, ideas that will eventually be worked up i

Brother Cadfael Mysteries One Corpse Too Many Ellis Peters The King’s Man: The Brother Cadfael mystery series, though simple and plan-and slightly romanticized, understands the brutal loneliness of the 1100 England. Ellis Peters doesn’t hesitate to show the reality of a world where money meant power, you didn’t always marry for love and death was often a cruel choice. And someplace in all of that was still beauty and good and honest people in all walks of life. The King’s Man

Peter Pan JM Barry Ode to my favorite character from this classic kids book. Not Hook. Not Pan. The poor crocodile who swallowed an alarm clock carelessly tossed overboard by some smuck. #peterpan #storybook #illustration #bookfriday #salamandaz #graphite #captainhook #neverneverland

Flavia de Luce Series by Alan Bradley Delightfully original series follows Flavia De Luce, her two sisters, their stamp collecting father and domineering aunt as they struggle to navigate life and salvage their beloved Buckshaw Estate in a post WW II England. During this time of new economic and social change, many visitors come to the hamlet of Bishop’s Lacey. All with secrets and stories of their own. How can a precocious 11 year old with a talent for poisoning and chemistr