Courtney's Notebook

Christmas Card No. 8

2007-12-08T21:19:00.000-05:00

Need a hug?

Christmas Card No. 7

2007-12-07T09:46:00.000-05:00

Christmas Card No. 6

2007-12-06T12:05:00.000-05:00

festive elephant

Christmas Card No. 5

2007-12-06T12:02:00.000-05:00

(make up day for yesterday)
reindeer love

5 things

2007-12-04T12:37:00.000-05:00

For a break from the Christmas Cards, here is a list of five things. (I was tagged by the awesome Frizz)

1. I had a poem published in a school anthology when I was in middle school. My excitement turned to disappointment when I saw that a last line had been added. I wowed my english teacher by writing it on my first day of class. It was about little sisters and the opening line was something like, " brats, rats why do we love them so? " I have recently tried to recapture that writing mojo.

2. I'm not a very good cook. I have a few recipes I rock but trying something new just isn't my thing. (I can make decent pies though) This doesn't mean I don't try. My poor suffering husband.

3. I love learning. About new places, things, whatever. That's one reason I dig my day job as an afterschool enrichment teacher. The program is about creating things based on different places in the world. (I love doing the research)

4. I can eat my weight in chips and dip. Truly.

5. Most days you will find me in yoga pants and a tee but, one day, I really want to go to a fancy party one day so I can but a super frilly, fancy gown and be the belle of the ball.

Christmas Card No. 4

2007-12-04T11:28:00.000-05:00

Ferdinand hated Christmas.

Christmas Card No. 3

2007-12-03T14:51:00.000-05:00

Christmas Card # 2

2007-12-02T14:49:00.000-05:00

Christmas Card No. 1

2007-12-01T12:48:00.000-05:00

Santa wanted to try something a little different this christmas.

Illustration Friday "Zoo"

2007-11-29T14:28:00.001-05:00

Christmas at the Zoo.
This is my "official illustration for christmas" this year.
(not counting the 24 cards starting on saturday)

24 days of Christmas

2007-11-28T10:23:00.000-05:00

Every christmas I say I'm going to create original christmas cards to send out to friends and family. And every year, I fail. Except for this year!

I have drawn 24 original card illos to mail out and will also be posting one every day on this blog begining Decemeber 1st and lasting until Christmas Eve.

It is my way of saying thank you to all of the lovely people who have stopped by to say hi or give encouragement or even just lurk on my little site.

So, check in soon and see a bit of cheer comprised of 7 christmas trees, 4 snowmen, 4 santas, 4 ornaments, 3 reindeer, 3 birds, 2 pigs, 1 candy cane, 1 bear, 1 elf, 1 dog and 1 elephant.

2007-11-21T19:04:00.000-05:00

Sneak Peek

2007-11-20T09:04:00.001-05:00

Here is a snippet of something I've been working on for the shiny new re-design of the website. We're even changing the name. (5 elephants will still work though) I really want it to look different and be a reflection of my work without being boring.

So, it might be a while before we get it up. One thing I do know is that there will be lots of color. I tried the white out and it looks spectacular on other sites but just doesn't work for my own stuff.

Finally!

2007-11-16T18:45:00.000-05:00

I can finally share the big exciting, stupendous news!

Are you ready?

Are you sure?

IS it a big deal to anyone but me?

Probably not, but.........

I have an agent!!!!!!!!!!

James Proimos is his name and he reprsents the lovely Johanna Wright (who has a 2 book deal with Roaring Press-Go Johanna) and numerous other talented people.

Can you tell I'm excited?

Waiting

2007-11-16T10:51:00.001-05:00

So....I'm here. Just hanging out, wasting too much time reading blogs and checking my e-mail for the important paperwork so I can make my big annoucement.

I've also been checking SCBWI for the Winter Conference. The illustrator's intensive looks cool. I just really wish they could give us a full day on Sunday. I hate that you only get 2.5 days for close to 500 bucks. I am going to try and work it into the budget however.

Now I need to go do something productive. Adios.

In NY

2007-11-12T11:30:00.000-05:00

Another fun quiz for classic dames that I saw on a freinds myspace page.

Your Score: Carole Lombard
You scored 14% grit, 23% wit, 38% flair, and 38% class!
You're a little bit of a fruitcake, but you always act out in style. You have a good sense of humor, are game for almost anything, but you like to have nice things about you and are attracted to the high life. You're stylish and modern, but you've got a few rough edges that keep you from attaining true sophistication. Your leading men include William Powell, Fredric March, and Clark Gable. Watch out for small planes.
Link: The Classic Dames Test written by gidgetgoes on

We visited family in NY for the long weekend, now I'm off to meet Leeza for lunch.

Laters..

Sick Day-Goings On

2007-11-07T13:34:00.000-05:00

I recently fought a battle with the flu that has left me racked with sparatic coughing fits. It gets so bad the strangers give me the evil eye for spreading the plague. I'm no longer contagious, just a victim to my own lapse in taking my asthma medication.

Besides that, I'm doing fine.

No final word on the big news yet, but when it comes, you guys will be the third to know.

The hubby and I are planning a major re-tooling on the ole-website. It needs a bit of freshening up. We're planning big changes-we'll see how it turns out.

I sent out a small, directed batch of postcards (using my hansel and gretel image) so I'll be glued to site meter for a few days.

I'm also germinating story ideas. When I first started out, I wanted to be a writer. Surprising huh? The illustration thing came secondary but turned into my passion. Now, I have the chance to write and illustrate my own ideas and am coming up with squat. I'm trying to just keep my mind open and hope something cool will float in.

Illustration Friday "Trick or Treat"

2007-10-31T12:58:00.000-05:00

Here is my hansel and gretel piece for the gals over at groupsoup. It has candy, a wicked witch and kids, perfect for halloween. Talk about the ultimate trick or treat expierence.

Have a look at the other entries here.

P.S. I can't divulge my bit of news yet but I can tell ya'll that it has been e-mailed and previewed but is not finalized yet. As soon as I have the final paperwork, I'll fill everyone in. I can tell you it's not a book though. (i wish!)

Guess What?

2007-10-28T16:32:00.000-05:00

I might have big news to tell you. Maybe it is really exciting news. Maybe it is something cool and possibly wonderful that can help catapolt my career and cause me to do a crazy monkey dance.

Maybe I'll be able to tell you by the end of the week......maybe.

Status

2007-10-25T10:34:00.000-05:00

I've ben working on my Hansel and Gretel piece for the Soup. Above is a little snippet. I think we are going to see some exceptional work come out of this, so be sure and check it out on Halloween. I'm also sketching monsters for Penelope's Monster Mash. I haven't fallen in love with anything yet.

I've really been enjoying Dan Santat's tales from his crazy four days in New York and Leezy's first installment from the Rutger's conference. I'll be going to the SCBWI Mid-Atlantic fall conference this Saturday, I'll try to have notes posted next week.

Pud Update

2007-10-19T10:21:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that the tubes went swimmingly. The pud impressed the nurses with her bravery, she didn't cry or yell once.

Thanks so much for all of the well wishes. :)

Pumpkins

2007-10-16T10:25:00.000-05:00

are everywhere. I'm lovin' it.

Tommorow, my little pumpkin is geeting tubes put into her ears. It is the second time for us but it doesn't make me any less nervous. Just thinking positive thoughts and looking forward to the relief I will feel when the doctor comes to get me and tell me everything is a-ok.

Re-Do

2007-10-15T16:39:00.000-05:00

of Rapunzel based on feedback from the girls. I might add the title later.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

2007-10-12T10:13:00.001-05:00

Above is a pic I took of the Pud at the playground during unseasonably, miserably hot weather. It is finally turning cooler here. I am so happy. FALL is my absolutely favoritest season ever. ( and I do mean it with all caps)
I want to soak in the crisp air, golden leaves and blue skies every day.

Tonight is the opening for a group show at the Del Ray Artisans in Alexandria. It is on the subject of magic and my pursuing witch piece will be up there. Costumes are encouraged so I think it will be oodles of fun. If you are in the area, drop me an e-mail and I can say Hello.

Here are two pieces I am currently working on. Both are re-do's and hopefully both will become portfolio worthy. I'm also working on ideas for the new group blog assignment suggested by yours truly. It's due in 19 days, I better get busy.

Illustrators

2007-10-09T10:39:00.000-05:00

Here are two books that I have purchased recently for the Pud (and the superb illos)

One Monster After Another by Mercer Mayer. I have read his Little Monster series before and thought they were okay. However the illos on this book literally blew me away. So many beautiful details and such creature design. Absolutely beautiful. He is quite the prolific and immensely talented illustrator. You can see his site here.

I found this book when I was searching for another paperback for the Pud one day. The text is beautifully sweet without being cloying and the illustrations are some of the most beautiful, rockwell-esqe paintings I have seen in a long time. When I went searching for Leuyen Pham's site, I realized that I have been a fan for a while. I love her work! Fun and beautiful, folks it doesn't get much better than this.