Revolutionary Friends

Hardback advance of children's book I illustrated coming out this spring arrived yesterday.

it received a starred review in Booklist which was nice.

 *starred review* REVOLUTIONARY FRIENDS(Castrovilla/Kozjan/9781590788806) in Booklist (3/15 issue)  The full review is below: 

"In 1777, the 19-year-old Marquis de Lafayette defied his king’s orders and left France to fight for freedom in America. Though initially expecting little, Washington found the young French nobleman idealistic, courageous, and eager to learn everything he could from the general he idolized. Congress had refused to give Lafayette a command, but he proved his mettle at the Battle of Brandywine, where he rallied retreating troops and suffered a leg wound. The doctor was told by Washington to treat him as he would his son, “for I love him with the same affection.” The picture-book story rather abruptly ends there, though the next three pages continue the vivid account of Washington and Lafayette’s “revolutionary friendship” in an information-packed narrative, followed by detailed timelines of their lives. In addition, there are suggestions of places to visit, a source bibliography, and a glossary translating French words and phrases sprinkled through the text. Short passages from Lafayette’s letters and other writings appear in small, scroll-like boxes on some double-page spreads. Kozjan’s illustrations, lively ink drawings digitally enhanced with color and subtle shading will engage readers as they bring the period settings to life. This oversize, handsome package will introduce a little known aspect of the Revolutionary War history through pithy words and often dramatic pictures It respects its audience as well as the historically significant 
friendship it portrays." 

Lafayette and George Washington

These images are very small in the back of the book Revolutionary Friends so I don't think it can hurt posting them.

Revolutionary Friends

F and G's of the children's book  about the friendship of George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette  that I illustrated coming out this spring arrived yesterday.

Revolutionary Friends

Not out till next April but available for pre-order on Amazon, the next children's book I illustrated is  the story of the bond that was formed during  the American Revolution by George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette taking place mostly in the beautiful, rolling  but war ravaged landscapes and colonial homes of Pennsylvania.

Revolutionary Friends

Got a wonderful email from Mount Vernon on the artwork I just wrapped up on children's book about the friendship of Washington and Lafayette. Getting thumbs up from Mount Vernon and William Peter Blatty (for a future project)  in the same week isn't something I was expecting but a great way to end working on the book. I'll post more when it gets closer to publishing time but here is early, unfinished and not used illustration for the book.

Working Mummies

Here is the original line art for the  WORKING MUMMIES pg 13 thats the new banner. You can see where I added a few heads along the way.

VIva

Here is small portion of a spread from the American Revolution book. Not the absolute final but close.

This Side Up!

My box of Mummies  came! 

And also this review.

WORKING MUMMIES

Since today is the official release date I thought I would repost that I’ll be giving away 3 copies of my new picture book, WORKING MUMMIES ,written by Joan Horton from Farrar Straus and Giroux  ( and a nice surprise its a Amazon best picture books of the month selection ).

If you are interested,  email me a Mummy drawing, skill doesn't matter ( in fact it might work against you!:-)) 

and I won't post them unless I ask first or heck, feel free to  just a email a  picture  of yourself as a mummy, or even some creepy ol' picture of  a  someone else dressed up as a Mummy you found at a  garage sale if you are shy about drawing! 

I’ll pick 3 winners out of a cursed urn at the end of July.... 

send to  hypnotik_eye@me.com... 

winners books include a Mummy sketch from me,  but only one shambling creep will receive a watercoloured Mummy sketch..

and thanks to all the monstrous Mummy submissions so far!

Here is a small excerpt from a review from Kirkus..

With a palette dominated by saturated purples, greens, oranges and reds, a detailed, fantastical monster city comes to life. Alongside dragons, ghosts and one-eyed monsters, female mummies contribute their various talents to serve their bustling community.Sure to be a hit at Halloween, Mother’s Day, during a discussion about puns and when the popular question arises, “So what do you want to be when you grow up?” (Picture book. 4-7)

WORKING MUMMIES BOOK GIVEAWAY

 I’ll be giving away 3 copies of my new picture book, WORKING MUMMIES ,written by Joan Horton, which comes out July 17 from Farrar Straus and Giroux  ( and a nice surprise its a Amazon best picture books of the month selection ).
If you are interested,  email me a Mummy drawing, skill doesn't matter ( in fact it might work against you!:-)) 
and I won't post them unless I ask first or heck, feel free to  just a email a  picture  of yourself as a mummy, or even some creepy ol' picture of  a  someone else dressed up as a Mummy you found at a  garage sale if you are shy about drawing! 
I’ll pick 3 winners out of a cursed urn at the end of July.... 
send to  hypnotik_eye@me.com... 
winners books include a Mummy sketch from me,  but only one shambling creep will receive a watercoloured Mummy sketch..

Working Mummies

Its not out till July 17th but WORKING MUMMIES, my new picture book, has been picked as one of the best picture books of July from Amazon.

Coming in Spring from Farrar, Straus and Giroux.. Working Mummies!
Available for preorder here

Not out till next spring from Farrar, Straus, Giroux but I received a readers advance copy of Working Mummies by Joan Horton and illustrated by be me in the mail last week. Available for pre order on Amazon.

Working Mummies by Joan Horton is the next book I've illustrated thats coming out next year. I'm very excited about this book and thought I would give this tiny sneak peek. Go Mummies!

My copy of China's Fantasy Art Magazine arrived recently with a interview and spread of me. Beautifully produced magazine and an honour to be in it.

I'm in the final stages of completing the illustrations for my next children's book that I'm very excited about and look forward to posting stuff from it the future. I'll be starting another book soon which is going to be fun and challenging as well but here is alternative rough for a Sylvester page.

I'd like to share images from a upcoming interview of me from China's Fantasy Art Magazine. A real honor to do this, its a great magazine, and they did a great job with the layouts I think.

I received a advance copy of Oh, How Sylvester Can Pester! by Robert Kinerk and illustrated by me.
A fun book to work on and always a bit of surprise to see hold the final version in your hand. It won't be released till spring but these are some cell phone images.

A spread from DON"T CALL ME PRUNEFACE!