Summer'ish Things

I may have co-opted my nieces’ and nephew’s markers… I’m back at final art for a 2023 picture book, after some time off spent with visiting family. I’ve mostly been glued to my drafting table since, but a few things:

* When the kids were visiting, we watched the new adaptation of The Mysterious Benedict Society. It’s an absolute gem of a show and we were waiting expectantly each week for a new episode. Also, there’s the matter of the delightfully anachronistic costume and set design. Think if Wes Anderson made a kid’s show and you’d be conjuring up about the right look.

* I’m finally getting around to reading All Creatures Great and Small. I’m also about a halfway through A Horse and His Boy, which awkwardly enough has sat unread on my bookshelf since the third grade. Guilt over this fact finally won out, which is a good thing, as it’s an awfully charming read.

* Most of what I’m listening to right now, on repeat. Be forewarned, it’s the auditory equivalent of dumping a couple of shots of espresso and a pack of pixy stixs into a blender.

Anne's School Days

Anne’s School Days is officially out! As you can probably guess by the cover, there’s a whole lot of Gilbert Blythe in this one. The third installment in this Anne of Green Gables inspired series, it was an absolute delight to illustrate. Kallie George’s adaptation is pitch perfect, capturing the spirit of the original in a way that’s wonderfully accessible to younger readers. And it’s such a joy to work with the amazing team at Tundra Books for Young Readers.

Here’s a snapshot of the interior art, as I was painting it last July. That summer, my uncle was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. I dedicated the artwork to him and my aunt, and was able to share the dedication with him before he passed away this spring. Quiet, gentle and incredibly selfless, I’m profoundly grateful to have had him in my life.

Cozy Up, Redux

Doing some more making with this faux patchwork design, from my Cozy Up fabric line.

I needed some instant gratification sewing, so whipped up Simplicity 1080. This is my second time sewing, so I ended up making a few modifications:

• I made my own own bias tape for the neckline and next time around, would bind the armholes similarly. Both times I’ve found the armholes a little fussy and they haven’t finished up as cleanly as I’d like. I also raised the armholes, as they had been low on the first dress I made. That’s not typically an adjustment I have to make, so probably worth bearing in mind, if you choose to sew.

• I dropped the front darts about an inch and a half, so they sit closer to the natural waistline. As the pattern is drafted, the darts create more of an empire waist.

• I skipped the front pockets completely — it’s a fun feature, but I wanted something more basic. I also shortened the back ties by a couple inches.

• In sewing again, I’d probably add an extra inch to the bottom of the dress, for hemming purposes. I’m 5’5 and had just enough to do a shallow hem, but would like something deeper for the future.

Overall though, this pattern is a great basic and easy enough that you can probably make it in a day. And now I have my eye on making a few more, to carry me through the summer.

Travails and Travels

I’ve really needed a laugh lately (who doesn’t), so watching “Travel Man” has been a much needed antidote. Speaking of Richard Ayoade, the internet informs me that he has not one, but two children’s books in the works. I may need a paper bag to breathe into, after reading that news.

Other sources of entertainment:

* The Vast of Night - The first few minutes feel disjointed, but hang in there. When this film takes off, it really takes off. Aliens, the Southwest, 1950’s nostalgia, low-budget: this one really ticked all the boxes for me. And with all of the news about UFOs as of late, you can consider this a primer for when our Alien Overlords arrive (joking… I think).

* The Lady Vanishes - The story of a missing Australian woman, Marion Barter, and her family’s search for answers. It’s a puzzling tale, with scores of twists and turns, criss-crossing the world. I hit refresh daily on my podcast app, always hoping for an update.

*The Last Place on Earth - I’m reading this one, based on my Dad’s recommendation. The story of the race for the South Pole, it’s utterly gripping and frequently maddening. What I’d originally anticipated to be merely a historical account is frequently a deep dive into the psyche and virtues of two polar explorers, Roald Amundsen and Robert Scott. It’s given me a lot of food for thought, in terms of how to approach adversity and struggles.

"When the sky is full of zeros and ones..."

A few weeks back, I was listening to a live Andrew Bird show from 2007. According to this article, I’m apparently not the only person with entertainment nostalgia. Anyhow, listening to Masterfade, got me sketching this.

All Creatures Great and Small

I’m working on final art for a book due soon, but I had to squeeze in some time to draw some All Creatures Great and Small art. It’s a show that’s rocketed into my top five series of all time, ever. It’s kind and quiet, witty and thoughtful. All the Fair Isle knits you could ever hope to see and the Yorkshire Dales — really what more can you ask for in a television show?

Also Nicholas Ralph (a.k.a, James Herriot) reminded me overwhelmingly of my maternal grandfather as a young man, both in looks and mannerisms. And that was an added bonus that brought a smile with each new episode.

Wearing of the Green