I'm in the middle of home renovations which have left me scannerless for a bit and occasionally offline and unable to post some new images which is a drag. The upside is the renos are looking good despite Igor, my cat, continually peeing on the workmen's tools. I'm continually shifting stuff from room to room depending on what is getting done opting not to get some type of outdoor storage pod.
I did just finish a picture book coming out next year from Hyperion called "Don't Call Me Pruneface!" by Janet Reed Ahearn. Janet wrote a fantastic story and I'll post some images when I'm able too.

I've never actually looked at the original illustrations for 101 Dalmations by Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone until I picked up a used paperback last week and was surprised at the tone of them compared to the Disney movie version I'm familiar with. Very dark, shadowy and evoking a more expressionistic, Victorian vibe, I really like them.
Janet and Anne were twins who always illustrated together passing the work between them which I always find interesting. As well as books they were involved in British kids television of the 50's and 60's.

A collection of the Oz comics from 1905. Another beautiful edition from Sunday Press at their original size. They really don't make 'em like they used to.

A quick scrawl to say that The Happy Undertaker will make His print debut in the excellent art and poetry magazine Carousel Number 24 and 25. There should be some Graveyard updates before then.....

Here are some images from Frank Jupo's 1946 children's book The Wishing Shoe.








Over at Pappys's Golden Age comics there is a nice Christmas comic book story by Jupo.

Click on image to read

Jamaica Rum pamphlet by Santos.

An interesting book in the Beginner Books series illustrated by Ward Brackett.

Morning bike ride sketch

More interior images from Julia Gillian and the Quest for Joy written by Alison and McGhee and published by Scholastic last month. I illustrated roughly 70 images for this wonderful book.

This is an old one

Lately my daily bike ride has always included a visit from this fellow making it necessary to wear a baseball hat. I"ve seen him attack other joggers so i don't feel singled out. Still he seems to attack me
with a particular gusto. I've tried to take pictures but they've come out blurry so here is a quick sketch.

the fellow who installed our dishwasher
today

I recently picked up an iphone and being someone who never used his old cellphone very much
I have to say I am enjoying it.
I loaded up the Brushes app and below are my first two go's at it. Its a lot of fun and frustrating but neat little tool.



Church and sunset in Gravenhurst.

Garage sale time in these parts...
heres some of Saturdays treasures...

The Forgotten Little Train illustrated by Al Fabry





Morning Noises illustrated by Alain Gree.
I often still eagerly await the arrival of the mailman.


And the the always incredible Bill Peet's Merle the High Flying Squirrel

Gravenhurst

Sketches from a 4 day cruise to from South Beach Miami to Key West and Nassau for
wife's, dad's 80th birthday. My first time in any of those places and enjoyed them all.
More sketches to come.