Monday, May 30, 2011

Slam Bang: The Robot issue is now available!

The new volume of Slam Bang is out. You can order a copy here:

https://www.createspace.com/3607656

This is the issue I created the 3 page comic Iron Giant Chef for.

Also, news for Slam Bang fans from Allen Freeman, architect of Fanatic Press: "Dan Burke takes over as editor/publisher of Slam Bang. Dan has been publishing fanzines since he was 12. His online websites are www.customcolorcomics.com and www.attackearth.com.

Dan is an experienced pulisher and will continue to produce Slam Bang as the lowest level er ....I mean highest level..possible. SLAM BANG issue #47.
Deadline November 2011. THEME: "BAD GIRLS! Femme Fatales."




Sunday, May 22, 2011

Claire's Night and Day: 2011

Christina and Carole at the Toledo Lucas Children's Library taken by Mary Kay Carson

The photo above are Carole Gerber and I at the Toledo Children's Library by the framed Little Red Bat painting hanging there! We had the unveiling last year.

The Claire's Day festivities were once again a wonderful experience this year. I met a lot of great authors, illustrators, and participants at the various events this year and last year. (Thanks to Mary Kay Carson who drove up with me-having someone to talk to on road trips keeps me awake!)

On Friday, I had a wonderful school visit at Fairfield Elementary School. I hope the kids enjoyed it as much as I did. I expanded my slide show and did some drawing for them on a big pad of paper. Sharpies are unforgiving so I hope they liked the art anyway... Sometimes your brain says" What does a panda look like anyway?!" even when you have opainted and drawn many of them.
 
Here are the pieces unveiled at Claire's Night this year. Sorry it is not a better image of all of them.
 

This year's new illustrations being added to the collection.
Art by fom left to right: Wendy Popko, Ralph Masiello, Karen and Darrin Brege (speaking), Leslie Helakoski, and Claire Ewart

The biggest part of the Claire's Day itself of course are the CARE awards. From the site:

"A highlight of the day is the C.A.R.E. (Claire’s Awards for Reading Excellence) Awards which are given to children nominated by their principals and teachers as being the most improved readers at their grade level.  The C.A.R.E. Awards program has grown from recognizing 27 children for their efforts the first year, to giving out over 300 awards this past year"

It is a great program and I am glad to be a part of the festivities. I wish I had photos from the day of the event, but I am a poor archivist and did not take any. Maybe I can find some since there were photographers there. Here is an article about the event:


Carole and I also did a presentation on our book coming out in September: Annie Jump Cannon, Astronomer.



There was also a tribute to Wil Clay, an amazing illustrator/author who passed away from cancer in January. I really enjoyed being introduced to his work last year at my first Claire's day and was sad to hear of his passing. I had bought a couple of his books with hopes that I could get him to sign them this year. His paintings in the children's library are incredible!

It was a treat to meet his daughter who came up with her husband in rememberance to celebrate her father's life and his contribution to Claire's Day. Check out some of his work on his site: http://wilclay.com/fine_arts_paintings.htm

Monday, May 9, 2011

Habitat Spy Book Signing Saturday May 14th

My mom found these great binoculars online at a party supply. I added the cool stickers.
Great for junior naturalists! Get a pair of them when you purchase a copy of Habitat Spy (until they run out).

More Signing info:

1356 South Fort Thomas Avenue

Fort Thomas, KY 41075
Phone 859.781.0602 FAX 859.781.0728 e-mail bluemarble@fuse.net
website http://www.bluemarblebooks.com/
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125195514223818&pending#!/event.php?eid=125195514223818

Monday, May 2, 2011

Giant Squid

All this rain made me think of sea beasts. Here is a giant squid I illustrated for a Weekly Reader science magazine. Release the kracken anyone?