Harts Pass No. 205

To the Liberty Bell High School class of 2014 -- and graduates everywhere -- CONGRATULATIONS!

Harts Pass No. 204

A couple of years ago, my now 11 year old daughter did this fine Bigfoot comic. In the tradition of Bill Keene (Family Circus) and in honor of this week's Young Writers Conference at MVES, the writing credit for this week's strip goes most assuredly to the 9 year old author of "Quiet Comics." Thanks much kiddo! And I look forward to teaching another session or two of "Making Comics" on Friday afternoon.

This Week: The Methow Valley Elementary Young Writers Celebration & Conference!

An EXCITING week ahead with the annual Methow Valley Elementary Young Writers Conference - ALL day Friday at MVES - and I am pleased to say that our keynote speaker/special guest for 2014 is the award winning and very excellent David LaRochelle -- all the way from the great state of Minnesota!

 David (left) pictured here with equally excellent illustrator Mike Whonoutka and their MN Book Award winning hardware for MOO!

David's voice and sense of humor offer just the right mix, and his experience of becoming a writer -- of the work and dedication to his craft -- will be a terrific compliment to the writing and illustrating that our students have been doing in their classrooms throughout the year. 

In addition, MANY 15-20 if I remember correctly, writers, illustrators, actors, musicians and cartoonists from the local community will be sharing their styles of writing and communication in a variety of kid-centric workshops and breakout sessions throughout the day. AWESOME!

And please don't miss the Celebration on Thursday night (5:30-7:00pm) where student work is on display and students get a chance to read from stories of their own. Its a really great night  and the kids love it!

Harts Pass No. 203 & sign painting in downtown Winthrop!

The first BIG waves of summer tourism descended upon Winthrop this past Memorial Day weekend. And from my perch atop a friend's brand new local retail establishment, I couldn't help but notice that everything is looking pretty spiffy and inviting. The art brain was also working a little overtime this past week -- and at two drastically different scales (GIANT signs and tiny comics) to boot. "Lookin' good" to all and thanks for stopping by!

The almost blank canvas (letters lightly penciled in)...

...to early progress from the Genie Z Boom... 

...to getting pretty close...

... to the final touches...

...and the finished product!

Harts Pass No. 202

A grrreat talk by Bill McKibbon here on the home turf Monday night. Not entirely cheery, but not without hope. Climate Change is a bear. No doubt about it. Learn more about McKibben's work at 350.org.

Harts Pass No. 201

Anyone else been pulling weeds? They're exponential!

Freelancing at work!

If you follow this blog or are familiar with my work in any way, then you know that I pretty much specialize in children's book illustration, comic strips, and the teaching/schools visits that come about in connection to those pursuits.

Occasionally, my skills are safely tested in the realms of library promotion and summer reading materials -- but in the last year I've had several opportunities to stretch the ole' illustration and design hat a bit.

For starters, a few logo designs:

And then a stroller design commission from the good folks at SmarteCarte (AKA the rentable luggage carts that you find in airports):

And then finally, with the official publication(s) of Training for New Alpinism (March 18th), and Simple Fly Fishing (March 15th) -- both by Pategonia Books -- I can now add a more "technical" line art (for lack of a better description) to my quiver of illustration styles: 

My contributions in each instance were relatively small, but both books turned out really great under the respective design direction of Faceout Studio and Monkey C Media.

In any instance, be it children's illustration, logo design, or technical drawings, the collaborative nature of the effort is essential to the best possible end result. Thanks to all of the above for giving me the opportunity to stretch and grow in the collaborative process and cheers to all in the year ahead!

Where can I find Welcome to Harts Pass?

With the last of my Kickstarter rewards finally in the mail, I've been taking steps to make the book available to a larger audience. As noted earlier this week, I did a small release party Trail's End Bookstore, and copies are also available at:

• A Book For All Seasons (Leavenworth, WA)
• Village Books (Bellingham, WA)
• Winthrop Gallery (Winthrop, WA)
• The Confluence Gallery (Twisp, WA)
• The Mazama Store (Mazama, WA)

I will update this list as additional locations are added to the mix, but thanks in advance for supporting your local bookstores and gallery spaces!

I'm working on a broader placement with help from book distributor Partners West, and I will make that information available to any potential booksellers when I get final approval.

Books can also be ordered RIGHT HERE, so follow the PayPal link below if you'd like a book mailed straight from the source. Fill in a name to the "autograph" field and I am happy to personalize!

Personalized autograph to:

Thanks so much, and remember to stay up on the weekly comics at www.hartspass.com. GRRR!

Harts Pass No. 200!

I enjoy doing the weekly comic, I really do, but something about it also creates a time warp. Week to week to week, and time is FLYING by! Two-hundred strips is almost fours years of making comics. GAAA! I've really been doing this for years already? AMAZING...

Anyway, as I said to start, I like it. Its quick-turn storytelling practice.  Its keeps me drawing consistent characters. It presents a creative challenge for format and subject matter, etc. All great :)

Still, time is flying.  No doubt about it. Thanks for reading!

Erik

Trail's End Bookstore welcomes Harts Pass!

A small publication party at my local bookstore today here in Winthrop, WA. Much thanks to Trail's End for hosting and for the small but attentive crowd for turning out in the middle of your Sunday afternoon. Special thanks to Abby for making AWESOME COOKIES!

I'll be posting a Facebook event announcement later this evening, but Harts Pass Comics and I will be making our next appearance at Village Books in Fairhaven/Bellingham, WA on Saturday, May 17th. Don't miss it. GRRR!

School Visit Press

Follow the link below for a few nice words about my late March visit to Clark Elementary in Issaquah, WA. Ironically, and I just found this out moments ago, Issaquah and I also share a birthday:

Now, the city IS exactly 80 years my senior, but still and interesting coincidence to say the least - especially since the little article was also published on April 29. Enjoy, and thanks again to all of the kids, teachers, and staff at Clark that put me up to an excellent visit!

http://www.issaquahpress.com/2014/04/29/clark-elementary-school-draws-attention-to-literacy-month/#more-98289

Harts Pass No. 199

Several birthdays celebrated in the last few days -- not all of them "creaky!"

Harts Pass No. 198

Earth Day 2014. Work for some. Just another day in the woods for others...

Harts Pass No. 197

I'll say it again, inspiration abounds!

Harts Pass No. 196

A little abnormally nice dining over spring break and suddenly the inner wolverine...

Harts Pass No. 195

After a week off, apparently wandering the greater reaches of the Pacific Northwest, Thor and Harts Pass are back again. Three cheers... we think!

The Harts Pass books are in... and heading out the door!

UPDATE: AND YOU CAN PURCHASED SIGNED COPIES DIRECTLY FROM ME USING THE "BUY NOW" BUTTON AT THE RIGHT        > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

If you'd like it personalized, please fill in the box right above the button. Thanks so much!

About ten days ago, my Kickstarter project took one final (major) step towards its ultimate conclusion as forty boxes - hot off the presses - arrived safe and sound in my carport. My studio space will be happily crowded for a bit as rewards are being shipped just as quickly as I can get everything safely repackaged and sent off in the mail. Reports thus far are GRRRand :)

Trail's End Bookstore in Winthrop, WA has signed copies on hand, and I'll be doing a local launch for the on May 4th -- when my school visit schedule has finally settled down a bit. Stay tuned for an Etsy Shop/paypal button etc. so that I can do at least a little bit of business in online sales and thanks again for helping me to make this book. Cheers!

Erik

Harts Pass No. 194

Our community theater is currently running Joe DiPietro's "Over the River and Through the Woods." A great performance if you've ever had parents or kids... so seek it out sometime if you miss it here or don't live anywhere near Twisp, WA :)

Bears Galore!

I've been drawing LOTS of bears lately. Fun to do -- as usual -- and this particular arrangement (for example only) feels a bit like a Richard Scary page... Bride Bear. Groom Bear. Burly Bear. Policeman Bear... :)

Harts Pass No. 193

I started thinking about hibernating bears... and this is the result. Enjoy :)

Harts Pass No. 192

Without saying quite as much in the cartoon, the continuous snowfall is getting ridiculous! In a slight twist to this African proverb/oft quoted running inspiration, the gazelle and lion can be truly thankful that running from/after each other is their primary concern.

The actual proverb reads like this:

Harts Pass No. 191

The Winter Olympics are over, but Mother Nature is piling it on. Three cheers for more snow!

Scholastic Audio Polar Opposites!

OK, I just finished listening to the 4:31 Scholastic Audio recording of POLAR OPPOSITES. I was skeptical at first, it was really pretty nice :) These arrived in the mail about 10 days ago, but I really could't bring myself to listen. Its a short book, and the story is shared pretty evenly between the words and the pictures -- You HAVE to see the artwork in order to understand the story.

But you know what? They did right. There are some fine "Tinkerbell-style" charms to indicate page turns. Paced just about right for a child to read the simple sentences in concert the audio AND still have a moment or two to take in the art. The sound quality is great. Very professional with both the narrator's voice and some short snippets of background music suited to the story - and there is even some additional whimsy with an audio effect or two - IE some lip-smacking when Alex and Zina enjoy their breakfast, and a well placed grunt and groan as they both push and pull their luggage along the ice.

All-in-all a pleasant surprise :) Thanks Scholastic, for making a fine day even better!

Harts Pass No. 190

Olympic fever continues!

Harts Pass No. 189

As per usual "click" to enlarge!

Posting the weekly Harts Pass a little early -- as in just about the same time that you might read it in the paper. There are currently three Methow Valley athletes living their dreams at the Sochi Winter Olympics and the wolverines just want to throw in some "scratch n' claw for all your worth" kind of support!

Three cheers for Methow Made Team U.S.A. nordic skiers Brian Gregg, Erik and Sadie Bjornsen. GRRR! GRRR! GRRR!

Harts Pass No. 188

Let the games begin!

Let the school visits begin!

A great start to my week of Tri-Cities school visits today! A big thank you to both Lincoln and Ridge View Elementary for the excellent visits and to the Literacy Connection and all of the participating librarians/staff who've put all of this together in such an orderly fashion.

To Lincoln, your pajama party enthusiasm was awesome and I'm sorry that I forgot to get my camera out to capture any of the action :) Below are a few snapshot from the halls of Ridge View, where the kids and teachers did an excellent job of putting both The Practically Perfect Pajamas and Polar Opposites to spirited use.

Thanks again to all and I'm looking forward to the rest of the week!

Harts Pass No. 187

Do YOU know anyone plagued by back pains? This one's for you! Its not much, but wolverines are a surprisingly sweet and social creature - once you get past all of the gritty determination, bone gnashing teeth and such.

Harts Pass No. 186

The Olympic Spirit alive and well in the North Cascades -- with a wolverine twist!

For words from those more gracious athletes who just missed out the 2014 team to Sochi, check out this article at Fasterskier.com. A special nod to Caitlin Gregg, whose husband Brian is one of FOUR US Nordic Team skiers with ties to the North Cascades. Go TEAM GREGG! GO TEAM U.S.A.!

And in Caitlin's words, because they're just so great:

“I am bummed to ski so well this year and not make the Olympic Team but I am staying positive and using this opportunity to look at the big picture!” she wrote. “My work with under-privileged kids in North Minneapolis gives me incredible perspective! To have the opportunity to chase the Olympic dream at all is extremely wonderful. Once again I am forever grateful to the countless individuals, companies and organizations who have helped make my career possible! I will use the story of not being named to show the entire ski community that the triumph is not only in making the team but in the approach and almost more so, in the response and actions when you do not make it!!!”

GRRR!

Harts Pass No. 185

Snow? Just kidding... GRRR!

Harts Pass No. 184

Harts Pass Lives! A flurry of post-holiday activity and I'm dragging a little bit with the online posts... back ON IT this week but no promises in February -- when I'm gone visiting schools almost as much as I'll be at home in the studio :) GRRR!

Harts Pass No. 183

Kind of a low snow year thus far in the North Cascades. Stay safe, go Seahawks, and have a Happy New Year!