Ozzie's Book Launch Party!

Yes, it's official: July 5 at Secret Garden Books in Seattle. There will be biscuits and kibble, cheese and whine. Maybe even an art contest. Can't make it? Order a signed book from Secret Garden Books (but you gotta wait til they're actually in the bookstore). Tell 'em you want your copy signed (and/or personalized) on the special instructions line of your order, and the Garden will make sure it is!  I hope to see everybody there! Whoo hoo!

Ozzie Trailer!

Speaking of Ozzie, I made a little trailer. Well, more like a work in progress. Watch it here.

In the Wee Hours

Drawing Digger and Daisy

I know many of you have been wondering, "just how the heck does Dana make those initial sketches for Digger and Daisy? Does he just go for it with that black Faber-Castell Polychromos pencil, never making a mistake and oh-so sure of himself?" The answer is YES. Not really. I made a quick video on how it's done, which you can watch if you click here. And remember, I didn't make those annoying ads by Google.

Cereal Comma

The serial comma. What camp are you in? Add that third comma or not? Example: "Dana, Vicki, and Bennie fell asleep on the couch after eating the whole package of peanut brittle Theresa brought over to thank Vicki for planting the beautiful flowers, bushes, and shrubs in her front yard." I think the answer is pretty obvious: Vick better get her butt back over there and plant some more stuff!

Sit and Hear a Story in a Big, Comfy Chair

My dear friend Tina Hoggatt designed and produced an amazing installation that's at Seattle's Jack Straw Productions: Story Chairs. These two chairs are big and comfy and as soon as you sit down in them stories waft out of hidden speakers to lull you into a dream state of story-telling bliss. A whole slew of writers recorded their stories for the chairs and a whole lot of other folks did a ton of work to make this magic happen (even my sweet Vicki reads one story!), but it's mostly all Tina, no matter what she says. Story Chairs was recently profiled on a local show: Art Zone. If you can't come to Jack Straw yourself (you SHOULD!) check out the story here.

I'm Teaching at Kirkland Arts Center!

I had so much fun teaching the Intro to Children's Book Illustration class at Pratt that I wrestled my way into Kirkland Arts Center! If you want to learn how to begin YOUR exciting career as a children's book writer/illustrator, c'mon over to Kirkland for six Tuesday nights, July 9 through Aug 13. Check out the link here: http://www.kirklandartscenter.org/?q=content/illustration-childrens-books

 http://www.kirklandartscenter.org/?q=content/illustration-childrens-books 

The Gardner's Assistant

Bennie's really not much help in the garden. He prefers to root around for rabbits, destroying some of Vicki's beloved flowers. But he's so cute in his overalls!

Ozzie and the Art Contest out in July!

Whoo hoo! Ozzie comes out July 1!!!! And save July 5 for my book launch at Secret Garden Books in Seattle. What started as a story for Peggy King Anderson's class in September 2010 is going to be published! Here's a picture of me with my F&G (that means "folded and gathered," a term for a last proof of a book before it's really printed and bound). As you can see, we're pretty chuffed about it, me and Max. For those of you who would like to buy my book (yes!), you can order it from your locally owned, independent bookstore or pre-order from Amazon. Thanks to all who contributed to this book, especially my sweet Vicki, who I promise will be making more appearances in the next blog. Really.

Digger and Daisy Go To The Zoo

I've just finished the art for the first in the Digger and Daisy series, which will be out in the fall. Judy Young is the writer and Sleeping Bear Press is the publisher. Next week I start on sketches for the next installment, "Digger and Daisy Go On A Picnic." These are fun and humorous books for beginning readers and I'm hoping they continue until "Digger and Daisy Go On a Cruise in their 80s." D&D really want to see their own F&G (hint, hint), and were really pushing me at the end there.

The Inside Story

Tuesday night is the Inside Story at Mercer Island Books and Ozzie and me are first in the lineup ('cause I emailed my "YES!" first). We get two minutes to tell the story behind the story of Ozzie and the Art Contest. There will be tears and quivering lips, you bet. Hope to see some of you locals there.

Haircut

I guess it's pretty obvious when I need a haircut.

BEA, NYC, OMG!

Sleeping Bear Press (the folks publishing Ozzie and the Art Contest and Digger and Daisy Go To The Zoo) have reserved me a spot in a booth at the Book Expo America at the end of May. The BEA is this big something or other in New York City that's for, um, people who buy books. Like booksellers and librarians and ... you know. Okay, I don't know nothin' about no BEA, but I'm going! And I'm taking Ozzie and Digger and Daisy with me! And if you're around, you should come too. Two other writer/artists of Super Agent Anna O will also be there, so I can finally meet them: Kate Sullivan (no, not my sister, that one's spelled C-A-I-T), who writes, illustrates and PLAYS A SAW, and Becca Dudley, the creator of Hank! Hank and Ozzie finally get to meet. Sleeping Bear asked me if this cartoon I sent to Sleeping Bear Publicist Audrey Mitnick could go on their Fall Catalog. I said yes, sweet guy that I am.

Scooby Conference

The annual Scooby (SCBWI) conference was last weekend and, as far as I know, it went off without a hitch. Or at least no injuries. The speakers and teachers were fabulous - entertaining and so full of information.

From "Kay Kay's Alphabet Safari," one of the pieces I submitted for a roundtable discussion with Sophie Blackall

No, I was fine with it. Really

Shane got an even better review. Shane's tough.

Kelly Milner Halls is a self-described weird, weird writer. But she's also supportive and embracing and just a joy to be around. She also is able to find ghosts using dousing rods she bought on Amazon. Who knew? Buy her books and you'll learn a lot about this world.

I had to leave pretty early Friday morning.

This is the illustration I did for Patti Ann Harris' class (not on the spot, we had a little time)

Patti Ann Harris is the Senior Art Director at Little, Brown for Early Readers and one of the sweetest people you could meet, if you're lucky enough to meet her.

Colleen Ann Felicity Venable is the art and design editor at First/Second Books. She's wacky and wonderful and learned me that this blog is not something I should do in my spare time, it IS my job and I need to work it into my schedule, dammit. Okay! Thanks CAFV!

Mac Barnett is a writer of subversive books for kids and spoke about that sweet spot for kids where truth and fiction meet. That's a place where Santa and the Easter Bunny live, so we're in darned good company if we make it there.

Bennie, Bennie, Bennie

Bennie continues to be the best dog in America.

Max has been coaching Bennie in "cute."

But he does have an appetite. Now Max has to teach him to clean the kitchen.

I think we're watching too much of "The Good Wife."

He's no fonder of the rain than we are.

Actually, it's mine. Love that dog. Glad he can't talk.

Post Pratt Blues

My Intro to Picture Book illustration class at Pratt Fine Arts Center came to an end this week. A bittersweet day of celebration and goodbyes. This has been the greatest group of people I have had the pleasure to meet and make art with. The bitter was saying goodbye, but the sweet is that they are staying together as a critique group! There will be books coming from this group, mark my words.

The other sweet was a visit from Laura McGee Kvasnosky, who not only gave us many lessons from her own life as a children's book writer and artist, but gave us actual books, too! Thank you, Laura, and all the other excellent illustrators who visited our class.

The You Are Next Tour

Martha Brockenbrough, Kevin Emerson, Cat Patrick and Sean Beaudoin are on their You Are Next World tour promoting their books. They've been to places like Disneyland and are headed to Las Vegas, but yesterday they were at the Issaquah Costco! I had to go visit and take a few photos and pick up a few tips. Visit their sites to find out how YOU can catch their tour and get their books!

Don't you just love that logo?

Earned My Crack!

One of our sinks has just never drained well. "Oh, that's the way with pedestal sinks," we kept hearing, until master all-around craftsman Jerry Childs told me to replace the p-trap and the 1 1/4" pipe with 1 1/2". (I never question Jerry, I just nod like I know what he's saying) And it worked! After I wrote to the Amateur Idiot Plumbers of America about my success, look what they sent me!

More from "As The World Blog Tours"

Rebecca Dudley is an amazing photographer, fuzzy creature-builder, children's book creator and storyteller. But a tagger-of-other-bloggers she aint. Which is why I'm ghosting her World Tour blog today for her. I'm a sucker for fuzzy creatures. Sue me. You can see Becca's marvelous work at her blog: http://storywoods.blogspot.com

And now, on to Becca's "Hank Finds An Egg":

1) What is the working title of your next book?

Hank Finds an Egg

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?

I think in pictures.  One day I had the picture of a little bear holding an egg, trying to keep it safe.  Then I wrote the story that came before and after he found the egg.

3) What genre does your book fall under?

Children's picture book.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Since Peter Ostrum has grown up and become a veterinarian, I think Hank would like to play himself.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Hank Finds an Egg and wants to return it to its home.

6) Who is publishing your book?

Peter Pauper Press

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

I walked around with the idea in my head for about 4 years before sketching or writing anything down.  My studio is small and I can only have one set up at a time, and I had an informal agreement with a publisher that made me nervous about tearing down the set they had (informally) approved for use in the book, so I put off exploring the story with a built set and photographs. I "write" stories by taking pictures and seeing how it makes sense to string them together.  After I built the forest set for Hank's story it took about a week for it it to take shape.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

'I am a Bunny' for its spirit, 'The Lonely Doll' for its photographic challenges

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

The characters I build are excellent muses.  I look at little Hank and see the world through his eyes.  This is the story Hank wanted to tell.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

I work only with natural light.

The Next Big Thing Global Blog Tour

The Next Big Thing got started in Australia to bring awareness to authors & illustrators and their current work. Thank you to the mega-talented Maggie Smith for tagging me!

I will answer some questions about my upcoming book, Ozzie and the Art Contest, which is coming out THIS JULY!, then pass the Q & A on to five other creators of children’s books.

1) What is the title of your next book?

Ozzie and the Art Contest

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?

I submitted to a contest that I thought was a sure thing and it wasn’t. I was amazed at how bummed and angry I was, so I wrote a story about it.

3) What genre does your book fall under?

Children’s picture book

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Ozzie – Rico Rodriquez

Miss Cattywhompus – Loretta Devine

Bernie (Bernadette) – Kelly Macdonald

Doorstop – Jack Black

Rasher – Jordan Nagai

Principal Polkadot – Tim Robbins

Bubs and Goldy – Bruce Willis and Katy Sagal

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Ozzie is a very good artist and badly wants to win the contest, but realizes that’s not really why he makes art.

6) Who is publishing your book?

Sleeping Bear Press

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

About a day. But there were many revisions in Peggy King Anderson’s writing class and many, many more required by my Adored Agent Anna Olswanger.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Hamster Huey and the Gooey Kablooie, by Mabel Syrup

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My late, great dog, Max, who could be described as having an indomitable spirit. Or a really hard head.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

Ozzie has spunk and doesn’t let little things like rules get him down – for long. He also has some pretty good friends who look out for him and no one can figure out how Miss Cattywhompus’ glasses stay on her nose.

Now, to pass on the love. The Next Big Thing World Tour stops off March 14 with these artists and writers:

Rebecca Dudley

Elizabeth Stanton

Deb Lund

Diane Thornton

Dan Richards

Remembering Joe

Vicki took a fantastic class in shadowbox making a few weeks ago at Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle. She made a box to honor her late dad, Joe Legman, who jumped out of the sky with the 101^st Airborne on D-Day. She had such a good time and the results were so wonderful (as you can see), she’s got plans for more. Stay tuned.

Detail of Joe

Vicki included a photo of Joe's regiment, his compass, a sketch he made of one of his buddies and the clicker the G.I.s used to identify each other in battle.

Prattering On

Speaking of Pratt, that’s where I’m teaching an Intro to Children’s Picture Book Illustration class this quarter. Next week will be our final class of the 6-week course. Our objective is to have to picture book dummy completed and ready to send off to an agent or publisher (hey, we dream big at Pratt!) and this bunch of talented artists are well on their way. It’s really been fun working with everybody – their energy and dedication is inspiring. I have been incredibly lucky to have some very generous friends come in to help me out as guest teachers. Big thanks to NancyArmo, Ben Clanton, Karen Lee Schmidt, Kevan Atteberry and Wendy Wahman! And a huge thanks to Rollin Thomas, who taught this class in the past and recommended me for the job while he recuperates in Spokane. Be well and create lots, Rollin!

Digger and Daisy

Sleeping Bear Press, the folks who are publishing Ozzie, asked me to illustrate an early reader book written by JudyYoung, whose work I love. After a few rounds of character studies and preliminary sketches, I am now rolling along on final art. Digger and Daisy will be out in September and my final art is due April 1, which is why I’m typing so fast right now. Here is the approved character sketch of our canine brother and sister. More on D & D later.

First Frogs!

On March 1 we heard our beloved Croakie and a couple of his friends out in the pond! Then the temperature dropped and they went back to bed. But spring is on its way!

Winter Gardening

Vicki insists that spring is on its way.