The original.

ROUGH draft.  So rough...but, you really get a sense of the fluttering.

''A Flock of Swönghúls''

*EDIT*

I just altered an image in GIMP!!!

Can you believe this only took me 2 hours???/

I just altered an image in GIMP!!!

Can you believe this only took me 2 hours???/

I've started using GIMP to alter my photographs.  To get high-resolution images of my art, in the past I've had to get them scanned at FedEx.  But now, I can simply take my crappy digital photos and touch-up the levels to get the colors back to true.

From bad to worse

After such a long period of inactivity, I'm pleasantly surprised by the events of the past week.  I've started and finished two watercolor pieces and am thinking about starting a third today.  I am REALLY enjoying these studies in iconography.  I've been experimenting with borders and patterns, color, and technique.  Lately, I've rekindled my appreciation for the works of Ivan Bilibin.  The richness of his compositions, his bold use of color, and painstaking attention to detail have given me a lot of inspiration.  

With all the writing and art I'd planed to do during winter break (which is now half over), I thought I'd have more to show by this point.  OMGMOTIVATION WHERE R U?!?//1/  

Got some good news from the undeniably astute folks over at kirkusreviews.com...The Woodcutter and The Most Beautiful Tree has been named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2011!  It's one of 50 or so independently published books to make the list, so that feels pretty good.

Damn.  I guess it's been about a year now since that pallet of 1000 books was delivered to my parents' house. I'm so happy to report that, thanks to my generous, supportive, and all-around kickass network of friends and family, and an incredibly supportive community in Rockford and Grand Rapids, I've exceeded all my expectations for this first printing.

To date, I have sold, given away, or lost track of 900+ copies of TWaTMBT (not the most flattering acronym, I know).  I still have some copies on hand for people I run into that are interested in picking one up; but, for the most part, I tend to recommend people get their books from the local shops.  These small operations in A2, GR, and Rockford have been so incredible in their support of such a small fish in such a big, terrifying pond.  A big thank you going out to:

Aunt Candy's Toy Company (Rockford)
Karen's Candy and Gifts (Rockford)
Hop Scotch Children's Store (GR)
Plaza Essentials Gift Shop - in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel (GR)
Muddpuddles (A2)
Fun 4 All (A2)
Vault of Midnight (A2)
Crazy Wisdom (A2)
Tree Town Toys (A2)

Please check these places out!  And if you're wanting to get a copy of the book, they might have some to sell.  Or, you can get it on amazon.  And if you missed the Kirkus review, check 'er out HERE.

I'm still pretty bad at getting interviewed, further evidence of which can be seen HERE.

1.)  You can now purchase copies of the The Woodcutter and The Most Beautiful Tree at Karen's Candy and Gifts in Rockford, MI.  Karen's a nice lady and she makes some neat stuff.  You can scope her website here: Karen's Candy and Gifts.

2.)  I'll be signing books in downtown Rockford at Aunt Candy's Toy Company this evening from 5ish - 9ish.  Stop by and get a signed copy of the book!

I guess...that's it?  New art coming soon, I promise. <3

Last weekend I went back to GR where I had the good fortune to participate in the "Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace," a first-time event organized by the Northview Senior Citizens.  A young family had donated the use of their home for the event, so a bunch of local crafters and artists decorated the space with their wares.  I was stationed at their dining room table for 14 hours over two days, selling and signing copies of The Woodcutter and The Most Beautiful Tree.  It ended-up being a pretty successful experience for me, lots of books sold and lots of word gotten-out.  I got to see some familiar faces and briefly catch-up with some friends' mums.  Plus, I was surrounded by my key demographic: females 60+ years old.

There was one thing that kinda struck me as odd.  People would approach my little display and I'd invite them to take a postcard or flip through the book if they so wished.  Some would ask questions, most would pick up a book and check it out, and a handful would read the book cover to cover.  The thing that got me, was that some people would stand in front of me, read the entire book, say something like "Aww, what a sweet story," and then wander off.  To me that seemed...not overly classy.  Now, I go to the grocery store and try samples without buying things, I steal stuff from the farmer's market when the farmers aren't looking, as a kid I would read comics off the stand at the comic shop and not buy them...so is this behavior any different?  Maybe I've been doing the same thing, but am only aware of it now because I'm on the other side of the table.  To quote Omar from "The Wire":

"It's all in the game."

-Robb

Ps - I was kidding about the farmers market :)    

Tomorrow (Sunday, October 9th), I'll be in downtown Rockford at Aunt Candy's Toy Company!!  It's a totally sweet little shop with lots of stuff for kids.I'll be hanging out from noon until 3ish, so please stop by, say hi, and if you'd like, grab a signed, personalized copy of The Woodcutter and The Most Beautiful Tree.