Something new in the studio

My daughter Grace went to China this past summer to study mandarin. She wove it out of bamboo—the inside part of the bamboo is lighter and the outside of the bamboo is different shades of green.


There are handles near the top. The Chinese use these baskets in their field work - to carry weeds, rocks and other heavy items.

Catching up...

I read somewhere that if you're going to have a blog, you should make a post at least once a week. It's been ten months since my last one. I'm going to make a big effort to post more frequently...I started a fan page on Facebook that's strictly for my children's book work so I'm hoping to share other creative pursuits and fun happenings in (but mostly outside) my studio.

It's been a busy year:

#1 I finished a picture book, Miss Mingo Weathers the Storm.


In this third book about the flamingo Kindergarten teacher, Miss Mingo, she and her class are hiking up a hill. Facts about how animals react and/or can predict different kinds of weather are integrated throughout the story.

#2 I finished the interior illustrations for EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank, written by Sally Warner. The cover art for this third chapter book (plus the first two in the new EllRay series) was done by artist Brian Biggs.

(March 2012)

(May 2011)

(September 2011)

#3 In March we got a second dog: Wilbur



#4 Mabel turned two years in July


(The doggies are getting along nicely)



#5 We went to Maine for two weeks.

#6 I learned to crochet. I think it's more difficult than knitting but I like the way if feels to make a stitch with a crochet hook—much more than with two knitting needles.

Fun art projects

It's always amazing to see how others interpret your work. Students often do art projects to accompany books they are reading. Since Miles to Go is made with mixed media, the library in my town came up with a way for students to experiment with different materials. They were given a cut out of Miles to embellish with printed papers, pencils, markers, fabrics, buttons and lots more. Check out the Ninja Miles.


Miss Loven's kindergarten class from Woodinville, WA, created this project to go with Miss Mingo and the Fire Drill. I love the pipe cleaner neck and movable legs.

No one came on halloween...

I wonder why.

Studio tour

Visiting an artist's studio is a special treat. I love to see the materials and tools artists use, where they sit to create their art, and the views from their studio windows. But, best of all are the treasures, keepsakes, and inspirations that decorate their work spaces. This past summer, I got to go to the studios of painter Billie Spillie, children's book illustrator, Clare Beaton, and folk artist, Julie Arkell.


Billie Spillie is an American painter who now lives and works in the Dordogne countryside in South West France. Her home and studio are tucked away, on a hidden lane.


Her work is playful and contemporary. It fills the walls of the home she shares with her husband.



Her studio space is in a loft overlooking the home's main living space.






Clare Beaton lives in Islington in London. She publishes children's books mostly for Barefoot Books, using felt and a range of vintage buttons, braid and fabrics. The pictures are all hand-stitched. Clare says, "I am always looking for more items to recycle and give a new lease of life in my work."


Her studio is on the top floor of her home. It's full of light and color and lots of things you want to touch.



There's a bookcase filled with the books she's published to date.


Almost one entire wall stores her fabrics...


and she has plenty of thread.


I wanted to take this pin cushion home with me.



Julie Arkell is a contemporary folk artist working in papier-mache and mixed media. She lives and works out of her home in Islington, London, not far from Clare Beaton. I've followed her work for several years and had a fabulous time at her workshop this past summer at Les Soeurs Anglaises in France.


The steps leading up to her studio are decorated with vintage toys and shoes.




Her studio looks like one giant shadow box that has a gazillion different-sized compartments. Each one is filled with treasure. I wanted to look into every "window" but that would have taken all day.






Here are some papier-mache doll figures she's working on.




Below are some of my favorite pieces.




The knitting store, Loop, down the road has a wonderful collection of her work.