My Son

So my son, Caleb, won an art contest at school... and ever since, he has been on fire with his artwork. The other night, he was in his room drawing to music and came out with this! He's only six years old! I just love it (and him) and wanted to share this piece with you.

Blue Frogs!?!

I can't believe it's almost February, and I apologize for you having to stare at my Christmas painting for almost two months... but I've been working on getting a contract with Imagine Publishing for a children's book with Peter Yarrow from the legendary folk group, Peter, Paul and Mary... and I got it! And so, for the next 6-7 months I'll be working on that. It's been a great experience so far, and I am excited to see it all come to fruition. 
I'm waiting to see if I am allowed to show work in progress, but for now just enjoy the video above of Peter, Paul and Mary singing the book I am about to illustrate.

Merry Christmas!

The Cookie Thief  |  Copyright 2011

Final Page

This is the final entry in the Tumnus Journal, however, there's room for more... I just never finished it.
This is a stained glass window commission for "the North Tower in Cair Paravel." The windows are based "on the events surrounding the coming of the Kings and Queens - the two sons of Adam and the two daughters of Eve - and the sacrifice of Aslan."
I really enjoyed creating these and would love to make them sometime... if I knew how to work with stained glass. 
There's a few other pages in the journal, but I have shown you the major works. Maybe someday I will be able to re-work this into a published work.... but for now it remains a one-of-a-kind. Can't wait to show the kids.

The Beavers

Here is a page for Mr. and Mrs. Beaver. One of my favorite characters from "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe." It's really just a sketched portrait of the two of them by Mr. Tumnus. For fun, I included actual pieces of birch bark into the trees. The little note under the portrait reads, "The Beavers love Birch. (Not the living Birch however - only the Birch that can never be awakened - The Beavers would never cut down a Birch madien!)

Below the Beaver portrait, Mr. Tumnus included in his journal a personal invitation from The Beavers to tea. The note beside the envelope reads, "A little note inviting me to tea; The Beavers were well known for their tea and I accepted any and all invitation!)
The envelope is hand-made with leather buttons. When opened, you see that it is lined with a Narnian tartan. (Not woven by me... just a cool looking fabric I had.)
The note comes out of the envelope and is written on a piece of Birch bark.

The note reads (in yet another handwriting style), 
Our Dearest Friend of the Forest, 
Please accept this humble invitation to our home for tea. It feels like ages since we've seen you - as you have been so often a guest or our fair Kings and Queens - may the Lion keep them - at Cair Paravel. We will be expecting you on Thursday for the mid-morning meal. 
Our humblest hopes, 
The Beavers

Our Pardons - You are more than welcome to bring your little flute - and any new tunes if you are so inclined! Our ears are itching for the sweet songs of a faun! And a day doesn't go by that I don't hear Mr. Beaver humming or singing your song of the coming of Spring! 
May the Lion keep you 'til you come!

The White Witch

This was probably an acrylic wash with pencil and gesso, and is another college friend. 
The text reads: 
I was at one time under the service of the cruel white witch. (Many Narnian's were forced to work for her at the risk of their lives - for she often turned them into stone.) When she learned of my artistic talent - she had me paint this portrait of her. I had only gotten this far however when I found Lucy by the lamp post. I wasn't able to turn in Lucy to the witch - which was my duty - and I was arrested only a few days after I helped Lucy escape. The witch was so angry, I was turned into stone before I ever had a chance to finish. I am glad however, for I was never able to place a crown upon the head of the witch and Lucy make a far better queen!
Lewis describes the queen as "... a great lady, taller than any woman that Edmund had ever seen. She also was covered in white fur up to her throat and held a long straight golden wand in her right hand. Her face was white - not merely pale, but white like snow or paper or icing-sugar, except for her very red mouth. It was a beautiful face in other respects, but proud and cold and stern."
C.S. Lewis form The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

This Image is sewn unto the top right corner of the image above. It was a sketch I had done for another etching in printmaking class, but it never turned out right. It's funny because I did so much research on this particular piece (medieval sleds, reindeer, etc...) but the design never struck me as good enough to etch into a metal plate. Fortunately I kept the sketch because it makes for a good story telling element for the journal.

The Lamp Post

One of my favorite literary scenes - the mysterious lamp post in the middle of a snowy woods. I've drawn/painted it a hundred times. It's the perfect contrast of light/dark, nature/man-made, warm/cool... with variety and repetition. All things I teach in my Design class that are staples for good design. (The imagery is also used as the name of a DHARMA station on one of my favorite television shows, LOST, where it serves a similar function.)
This page was fun. The large image was an etching from my Printmaking class at Indiana Wesleyan University. I loved that class and if I had a printing press - I would incorporate etchings into my illustration work. I also sewed Tumnus' original sketch onto the top corner. (A sketch I made from a photo of a lamp post I took outside of Buckingham Palace in London, England.)
The text reads: The Lamp Post. Truly a mysterious place. Legend has it that the lamp grew from the fresh earth at the beginning of time. Some say it has origins of another land - of the Land of Adam & Eve. Either way, or even if both are true - the lamp is a beauteous sight and I have always enjoyed spending time there. The light burns always, as if by some magic - and magic it must be - for this is the very spot where first I found Lucy, way back during the reign of the White Witch. How Lucy came to this place, I'll never know - though she has explained it to me a thousand times (something about a city of War Drobe within the land of Spare Oom - but you never can tell with daughters of Eve.) Anyway - it all must be within the power and plans of Aslan - for shortly after her arrival, all of Narnia changed and the ancient prophecy came true! Long Live Aslan!