Sketching wolverines... on an iPad!

I've been fumbling around in the dark a bit with video promo... but this one seems like a fun start!

Harts Pass No. 152

Life lessons from a young wolverine...

Harts Pass No. 151: Happy Mother's Day!

An elephant this afternoon...

Drawing elephants and other things this afternoon. Including this one. More on the way...

Harts Pass No. 150

Dear Melanie,

Why do you insist on using such a small font when posting to your blog. Sincerely yours, Nearsighted Nellie. 

Dear Nellie,

These are always easier to read when you click on the image to make it bigger! Much love, Melanie

Harts Pass No. 149

A little late on posting last week's strip, but here it is... Kid logic. You gotta love it :)

Harts Pass No. 148: For the 2013 Boston Marathon

As a runner, coach, and human being, I grieve the losses of Monday afternoon. As an artist and cartoonist, this is my simple plea for healing, justice, and resolve.

Art on My Desk: A Silent Auction for Arts Education

I'm finally finished (or nearly enough for photos anyway) with my contribution to Sage Abate's ART ON MY DESK PROJECT:

Complete with a fully functional chalkboard top. Chalk & eraser included!

Underside features nearly twenty wallpapered comics strips including the very first issue!

GRRR!

Not suitable for outdoor use, but your kids would love it in their room!

Featuring Melanie, Thor, and Kit from my Harts Pass comic strip, this desk has a bargain-priced opening bid of $100. Or you can buy it out right for $800 :)

Help me help Sage support Arts Education in our local schools. See the desks in person at Saturday's Reveler's concert, or keep bidding online and drive up the price until as late as 8:00pm on Saturday night (April 20).

AND SEATTLE-AREA FOLKS: I'M IN THE CITY NEXT WEEK AND WOULD HAPPILY HAND-DELIVER TO ANY SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS!

Harts Pass No. 147

This loses a little context when posted so late in the week, but if you're a fan of March Madness you'll still understand. GO BLUE!

Sea Star Wishes: Reviews

A few nice reviews for the new book. I couldn't resist placing them with the decorator crab, one of my favorite pictures in the book. Click for a larger image and reading that' be easier on the eyes.

You're Invited!

Join author Eric Ode and I for a SEA STAR WISHES publication party on Thursday, April 11th. 7:00pm at Secret Garden Books in Ballard. I'm posting this official invite today but will send a reminder or two later in the week.

Cheers!

Harts Pass No. 146

Spring break in the North Cascades... and else where. Small wonders!

Harts Pass No. 145

One word... "Marmageddon!" 

Harts Pass No. 144

A win, is a win, is a win!

This Creative Life: A podcast with Sara Zarr

Sara gave a fantastic keynote speech at the Winter 2010 SCBWI Conference in NYC. I hadn't taken a look at her website since but something flashed on the twitter feed and here we are...

Six episodes in (whilst working on my taxes last weekend) and I'm hooked. Great interviews and a nice insight into so many ways that people, write, draw, dance etc.. These are some fine, accomplished folk who are also real people.

Don't stop what you're doing, but put this on for some company in the studio. And thanks again nudging the creative muse:  THIS CREATIVE LIFE

Many Hands...

I recently illustrated a story for my local paper's "building guide", the Methow Valley Home. It was kind of a tongue-in-cheek article about the do-it-yourselfers of the world and I got stuck on this image of the many-handed task master. I'm not sure why exactly, but they chose to run a draft image in a rather unfinished state. Editorial decisions can be like that, but I was a little more excited about the finished piece and its truer Bodhisattva references... Enjoy!

Harts Pass No. 143

Spring is in the air...

Harts Pass No. 142

They're always keeping things in perspective up at Harts Pass!

Harts Pass No. 141

Alas winter weather watchers, I fear an early spring. Can we do this?

Sketches galore!

Although I haven't posted any in a while, I'm still hanging in there with a daily (or almost) sketch routine that seems to be doing the trick. So many story ideas spring from these generally spontaneous drawings. And the surprise factor is always nice -- be it ninja raccoons or something more subtle like an arm curled around a favorite pal. Enjoy!