Serenity Sleepdog

Still painting Sleepdogs :) Here's one of the latest...

Bear with Me...

Construction traffic between Winthrop and Twisp? While away the minutes by finger painting on the iPad!

Harts Pass No. 121

"Blissfully Unknown"

Sad Sleepdog...

The Methow Song

I talk about this in every school visit, but as a writer and artist your "sense of place" is a powerful inspiration. One's home is an important touchstone to so many other things - be it fascinatingly rare and endangered wildlife, dramatic mountain vistas, or even just the simple everyday friendships and daily interactions that humanize us all. The places we know help us tell stories!

Liberty Bell High School seniors, Duncan Hanron and Damen Martin do a pretty sweet job of putting their own little spin on the Methow Valley -- a place that I too call home and appreciate very much.

Great work guys!

Harts Pass No. 120

The wolf "recovery" in eastern Washington hit another large snag last week with the complete and total elimination of the Stevens County Wedge Pack. Thor and Melanie pay some tribute here and hope for better days.

Who Has These Books?

Who Has This Tail? comes out October 16th, and I just received my author copies in yesterday's mail. The book looks great, and once again the design team at Holt did a wonderful job of making sure that my watercolors stayed true to their vibrant and radiant selves -- not always an easy thing to do!

In a simultaneous debut of sorts, the Scholastic Book Club copies of Who Has These Feet? are also primed and ready to go. Stay tuned to your local book fair and check it out alongside the over-sized erasers, and Justin Bieber posters :)

Harts Pass No. 119

Unstructured time is INCREDIBLY valuable... 

New School Visit Brochures!

Hi all. I've been meaning to do this for a LONG time, but I've finally produced a brand new handout on my school visits and book orders. It's ready just in time for the South Sound Reading Foundation's Books by the Bay event, so please stop by and say hello if you are planning to attend. 

Otherwise, I'll start the mailing process soon and/or you can always download the info by dragging and dropping the brochure images that you find here. Give a call anytime if you'd like to talk more specifically about scheduling a visit. I would love to hear from you.

Happy fall!

Harts Pass no. 118

It's NOT been very fall-like over the last few days... hot and smokey rather. Here's to a change in the weather that sticks!

Harts Pass No. 117

OK. So between the day that I drew this and the day of this post, we've gone from wintery feeling nights to smoke-filled, warmer-than-normal afternoons... It was timely when it hit the page (and it's still kind of chilly at night if I actually wanted to open my smoke deterring windows). I swear!

Books by the Bay 2012

Thursday, September 27 from 5-7pm

Join the South Sound Reading Foundation  for a magical evening with award winning authors, including regional best-selling author Jim Lynch.

Mr. Lynch will read from his new book, Truth Like the Sun. Other authors and illustrators include: Judy Bentley, author of Hiking Washington’s History, Erik Brooks winner of the 2011 Washington State Book Award, Newberry Honor Winner Margaret Chodos, writer and publisher Robin Cruise,  Parents' Choice, Washington State Governor's Writers, and Best Multicultural Award winning author Ken Mochizuki, and critically acclaimed award winning illustrator, Julianne Paschkis.   Books will be available for signature and sale.

Also, meet local leaders committed to literacy, listen to live local music, enjoy appetizers and refreshments, and browse the over fifty unique literacy silent auction items including a ticket package to the Seattle Symphony. It’s a great opportunity for early Christmas shopping!  

Where: Olympia Country and Golf Club, 3636 Country Club Road, Olympia, WA  98502

Each year the South Sound Reading Foundation invites you to participate in their literacy celebration to support their mission; ensuring all children are read with and, or are reading 20 minutes a day.  Reading just 20 minutes a day promotes the healthy brain development, family bonding and school readiness all children need to read and succeed.

The reading foundation does this important work by educating and reminding children, youth and families about the importance of reading though community awareness campaigns and family education programming and by distributing free books so that every family, every child has the tools they need to read and succeed.

The reading foundation distributes over 50,000 books each year and with each book they share the important reading message.The funds raised at Books by the Bay will enable the reading foundation to continue its important literacy work. Please show your support by
attending this very special event.

To order tickets call: 360-412-4499 or email:readt2me@nthurston.k12.wa.us

For more information visit: readingfoundation.org/southsound

The Sleepdog Show's Virtual Gallery!

I'll add to this throughout the fall, but everything is live and ready to go. Enjoy!

www.sleepdogstudios.com

Harts Pass No. 116: Back to School!

The Sleepdog Show!

Sunday, September 2nd. Today. In just three hours even!

Visit www.sleepdogstudios.com for the virtual version later next week.

Harts Pass No. 115

Summer road trip explorations into Idaho... Check out the signage on your next visit the Gem State and see for yourself! The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness area IS excellent wolverine habitat however.

Harts Pass No. 114

Melanie is relaxed and I was on vacation. A great trip to another mountainous and wild place, but its always great to get home!

Harts Pass No. 113

Running in the woods last week -- in the heat of the day no less -- I was frankly shocked to cross paths with so many rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks (even a black bear) etc. at various trail junctures. Apparently, the summer "crush" of traffic extends beyond downtown Winthrop!

Harts Pass No. 112

Mega-commercialism and the Olympics. Hand-in-hand since 1984 -- or at least that's when I'm led to believe that somebody REALLY started cashing in :) When you might be crossing a line by displaying the Olympic rings (freshly made no less) in your bakery window or other such grass roots celebratory efforts, then things have probably gone too far.

And please stop showing the professional athlete "Olympic Dream" commercials. THAT is never the story here people!

Harts Pass No. 111 - The Olympiad Edition!

With no television reception, and limited online viewing access, the critters at Harts Pass are a bit disgruntled over their capacity to follow The Games of the 30th Olympiad. Thor considered a border hop north to Canada, but Kit and other young animal friends have taken the Olympic Spirit and run with it... Bring 'em on!