On Monday February 13, 2012, we interviewed some of Joshua Creek Public School's keenest kids. We will be posting that video next week. While waiting in the hallway to be interviewed, a few students were kind enough to explain how to play Ninja Cowboy Bear the game. These grade one kids were super stars!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
:: I want my hat back ::
I Want My Hat Back by Jon KlassenMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is weird and wonderful tale about a bear looking for his hat. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous - beautiful palette and lovely textures!
Funny thing - the first time I read this book, the last two pages were stuck together. I did not see the epilogue with the squirrel. This accidental ending would have been stronger IMHO.
Regardless this is definitely in my top 3 Picture Book of 2011. Can't wait to see what Jon Klassen has in store for us next!
View all my reviews
Monday, January 23, 2012
:: happy year of the dragon ::
Kung Hei Fat Choi - Happy Chinese New Year!
I have always seen a dragon head in the Chinese character for dragon - hopefully now you do too ;)
May the Year of the Dragon bring you good fortunate and great health!
Friday, January 20, 2012
:: schools visits & frog kisses ::
Wow! I absolutely LOVE school visits! I love them almost as much as I love drawing! School visits are so inspirational! The kids have a special way of rejuvenating my passion for creating picture books. Their excitement and honesty motivate me to elevate my craft.
On Tuesday, David and I were very fortunate to be invited to speak to all four Grade One classes at Joshua Creek Public School. Being a slightly younger crowd, I had prepared a special new presentation just for them - which included some fun new artwork and also some of my own grade one drawings.
Below are three slides that I shared with them...
To make our presentations more engaging, I asked, "Does anyone know who these characters are?" "Could you please tell me more?" and naturally "Has anyone ever kissed a frog?"
Long story short, my informal poll has revealed "1 in 100 six year olds have indeed kissed a frog."
I've had many important teachers in my life, but none more influential than my Grade 1 teacher - Mrs. Combs was warm, patient, pretty and always smiling. She was my favourite teacher.
Mrs. Combs gave each of us a journal and our assignment was to draw or write about something daily. As you can see from the above illustration (circa February 1982), I enjoyed this assignment. This is a portrait of me proudly presenting my journal to her at the end of the week.
Wednesday, February 10, 1982 was the day I knew I wanted to became an artist. Mrs. Combs gave me a perfect score! There was a sticker, "C" check mark, a star and these four legendary words, "Good picture! Nice perspective!"
It was the most exciting day of my six years of existence! I mean, I did have pizza the day before, but this was one hundred times better than that! Words could not describe how happy I was. I wanted to write more. I wanted to draw more. I wanted to find out what the big word "perspective" meant. I felt complete utter joy!
Well later I found out that perspective was a system that helps show 3d objects in space. But more importantly, I discovered how amazing that a simple word of encouragement had such a profound impact on a six year old's life.
Thank you Mrs. Combs - you're still my favourite!
On Tuesday, David and I were very fortunate to be invited to speak to all four Grade One classes at Joshua Creek Public School. Being a slightly younger crowd, I had prepared a special new presentation just for them - which included some fun new artwork and also some of my own grade one drawings.
Below are three slides that I shared with them...
To make our presentations more engaging, I asked, "Does anyone know who these characters are?" "Could you please tell me more?" and naturally "Has anyone ever kissed a frog?"
Long story short, my informal poll has revealed "1 in 100 six year olds have indeed kissed a frog."
I've had many important teachers in my life, but none more influential than my Grade 1 teacher - Mrs. Combs was warm, patient, pretty and always smiling. She was my favourite teacher.
Mrs. Combs gave each of us a journal and our assignment was to draw or write about something daily. As you can see from the above illustration (circa February 1982), I enjoyed this assignment. This is a portrait of me proudly presenting my journal to her at the end of the week.
Wednesday, February 10, 1982 was the day I knew I wanted to became an artist. Mrs. Combs gave me a perfect score! There was a sticker, "C" check mark, a star and these four legendary words, "Good picture! Nice perspective!"
It was the most exciting day of my six years of existence! I mean, I did have pizza the day before, but this was one hundred times better than that! Words could not describe how happy I was. I wanted to write more. I wanted to draw more. I wanted to find out what the big word "perspective" meant. I felt complete utter joy!
Well later I found out that perspective was a system that helps show 3d objects in space. But more importantly, I discovered how amazing that a simple word of encouragement had such a profound impact on a six year old's life.
Thank you Mrs. Combs - you're still my favourite!
Monday, January 2, 2012
:: tombstones ::
Tombstones is my submission to the Threadless loves Death challenge. It was inspired by the exhibition Morbid Curiosity: The Richard Harris Collection.
Who is your favourite character: Ninja, Cowboy, or Bear?
Happy New Year! Happy New Video! Who is your favourite character: Ninja, Cowboy, or Bear?
We interviewed a Toronto Grade One Class and they tell us which character from our Ninja Cowboy Bear books was their favourite and why. This is my favourite part of being a childrens book author. Enjoy!
We interviewed a Toronto Grade One Class and they tell us which character from our Ninja Cowboy Bear books was their favourite and why. This is my favourite part of being a childrens book author. Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
:: jason kidd challenge ::
This week's Caricaturama Showdown 3000 challenge is NBA super star Mr. Jason Kidd! I really really wanted to incorporate the "Maverick M" on his forehead, but it proved too much...
Regardless, I am really enjoying drawing for fun again. I could seriously play with all these wonderful shapes and textures all day long.
Thanks for dropping by :)
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