Getting ready for my First Children's book

I am so close to getting Willa's book published. It has been an exciting time watching as the story developed. Thank you all the people who believed in me and my project. Here are a few illustrations. Jessica of Booklogix suggested that I should try another font that Andy so I put in Bradley Hand ITC in a couple of the illustrations. What do you think?

Here is the Bradley Hand

and here the Andy

Now here are a few examples of pages. The ovals are educational fun facts. 

I am still playing with the cover art.  Here is one I like. Opinions are welcome.

Great Egret at the Amphitheater

It is nesting time on Jekyll. Sadly, the herons and egrets are not nesting in great numbers this year. Is it the fact that it is hot or the fact we have had very little rain? All good questions. We will see. We still have another month.

In the meantime, here is a Great Egret trying to get some attention.

Detail

Red-cockaded Woodpecker for Dad

My father was a forester for a 50 year career and a conservationist. The last part of his life, he gave back to the pine woods he loved so much. He fought hard to get a workable Red-cockaded Woodpecker Conservation Plan for his profession society. The experience taught me that this work is not easy. Everyone has their own idea of how it should work. However in the end, it will be good for the birds and the environment.

Here is a multi-plate colored and embossed etching I did of a Red-cockaded Woodpecker. It mats out to 20" x 30"

Happy Fathers Day. Dad.

First things first

I have drawn all my life. I wanted to be a printmaker before I knew about printmaking. All I knew was I wanted a big wheel that I could get on and go round and round on. Walked into my drawing class, there was the etching press with a wheel I could get on and go round and round on. No, I didn’t try it. My drawing teacher Mr. Clifford would have killed me. I did ask, “What does that do?” He told me, “Etchings” “Where do I sign up?” I asked. It turned out there was no etching class but I found a way.

I was hooked so hooked that I never stopped looking for ways to do printmaking. I found printmakers who needed someone to edition for them. I signed on. I worked for five different printmakers by editioning their etchings. I also worked with a few artists to help them produce etching for their portfolios. With art, there are always trends and etchings were next replaced with the next trend. I had to shift with it. I moved on to my own printmaking.
My etchings and monotypes allow me to explore textures and designs in nature. Birds are a big part of my art. In order to study birds, natural textures and designs, I left my studio to explore birds and nature. It was a wake-up call. There are fewer birds. I create my art but I am also creating programs and projects on Jekyll Island to help bring awareness of our birds and their plight. As I post my monotypes and etchings if you see something you like comment on it.
The monies for your purchase of my art will enable the continuation of my work with the conservation of birds. Then my art will work for the birds.