If I Were a Fox!

 

Earlier this spring, I signed my first new illustration contract since I started teaching. Wahoo! This summer I've been working on the art for "If I Were a Fox," written by Shelley Gill and published by Sasquatch Books. I've done quite a few books with Sasquatch over the years and it's great to be adding a new one to the "If I Were a..." board book series :)

The illustration above is not in the book, but it was one of several little practice paintings that I've been working on to test out colors and textures. It also became a postcard and journied to a friend in Alaska just a few days ago!

Harts Pass No. 706

Not to rain on anyone's parade here, but the end of summer is fast approaching. Personally, I'm good. I've made nice progress on my book illustration project (see next post), we took a summer road trip to retrieve the kiddo from WI, and I took a break from being at school. I feel refreshed. Bonus: the smoke season is ending soon as well!

Harts Pass No. 705

I like this one. Drawn on a summer road trip. Collecting snapshots on the way.

Harts Pass No. 704

The double entendre that is making comics. You have to look closely. You have to "read" the drawings. SUPER glad that the heat has subsided - even if it's temporary. GRRR!

Harts Pass No. 703

Yep. The weather and politics. So often what we talk about... I truly hope, for the sake of my daughter and the kids that I teach, that this country can find its Democratic soul again and stop with all of yelling and screaming about stuff. I mean it's always been that to a certain degree - albeit now QUITE a bit less civil or veiled - but people who have chosen to govern should realize that they serve an entire COUNTRY of people - human beings from all walks of life. We need to talk about solutions. We need to talk about money for those solutions. The corporations and the money-makers will be fine.

 

Harts Pass No. 702

It's summer in the Methow and water is a HUGE part of what makes any of this work! July (and especially August) are FAR from my favorite seasons in this place, but the rivers and lakes make it bearable -- not to mention their impact on agriculture and fish and all of that jazz :) 

Harts Pass No. 701

Happy Fourth of July! The stream of cars over the mountains in the last few days was unsettling but predictable. Enjoy the woods. Be nice. 100% no fires please!

Harts Pass No. 700

It is curious, I think, that SO many people seem to have opinions about these reclusive mega fauna. Sure, it will be an adjustment to our normal way of jaunting off into the woods if/when a reintroduction of Grizzly bears should ever take place, but as is true of so many other things as well, most people's opinions on something like a new world of Grizzlies in the woods are supremely under-informed. GRRR!

Harts Pass No. 699

On the cusp of 700 comics!!! so perhaps this one is just about the grand idea that you just never know WHAT might happen if you give it half a chance :) And on a second note, I'm super happy to have entered my first full week of summer break. A few more clean-up things to do at school, but a summer of more art, comics, and time in the woods awaits.

 

Harts Pass No. 692

I can say this now, but there is something about this comic where I was trying to express the constant juggle of teaching and coaching and making art. I am, after MANY years of coaching, removing that hat and giving my chance a self to refocus again on my art and writing. I will miss coaching immensely -- just like I have missed having a little more time for art over the last 6+ years since I started teachings. Onwards and upward! 
 

Harts Pass no. 580

A long time Minnesota Viking fan, and the whole Justin Jefferson "Griddy" phenomena has made its way into the pages of a Harts Pass Comics. Long live the joyous dance and the creative play of signature moves. It's more than just a game... but it's also -- in the best of all possible ways -- even better as a GAME. GRRR!!! PS also, a haiku comic. The game is afoot!

Harts Pass no. 579

And another sometimes theme: the origin of words -- the etymology. Spring is very much the shortest season 'round these parts. The snow will last... and then it's gone. Pretty much no mud season. 

Harts Pass no. 578

Ah, the self-deprecating cartoonist joke... and it really IS garbage day on Tuesdays. 

 

Harts Pass no. 577

The traditional mid-winter thaw. We seem to get one almost every year. The wolverines... never so pleased! Also, another haiku comic. I cannot be stopped!

 

Harts Pass no. 576

Ah, the winter olympics! A spectacle for sure -- but perhaps no more than ALL of the middle-aged folk who romp about spandex with slippery p-tex on their feet. 

Harts Pass no. 575

And here you go! The steady, calm, and thoughtful pondering that I mentioned last week. Wolverine Wisdom... writ large. GRRR!

Harts Pass no. 574

On a roll! (If I do say so myself.) This is pretty much what we have to do. Smack dab in the middle of a global heath crisis. We are in it. There is nothing to do but forge ahead and get through it. The Wolverine Way! (I mean, you can also be smart and thoughtful and scientific and compassionate about it... but that is fodder for another strip. 

 

Harts Pass no. 573

Yep. And then there was Covid school and my usual attempt to find a relevant MLK quote -- which you can always do!

 

Harts Pass no. 572

It's crazy now to think back about how much those Covid days affected our live and our thinking about EVERYTHING! I liked this attempt to draw some overlap to the challenged of "remote" learning to the life of a baby wolverine :)

Harts Pass no. 571

On rare occasion, these comics fall to a level of junior high discourse. In the best of all innocent, bodily function, kinds of ways. Let it sink in and don't' hold back the smile :)