PA Has Arrived!

The wait is over; the Pennsylvania Activity Book has arrived! It has become tradition for Andrew, Erik and I to challenge our coloring abilities while dinning on snack foods and watching a few flicks. The main movie of this evening was one that holds a special place in my heart… Rocky Balboa. We all thought this film was a great fit for it takes place in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.








-Everyone adds a touch of creativity in addition to coloring the Activity Book pages. Andrew never fails in amazing me with his added creations and stories.

Goldfish on Canvas.

Julia, Goliath and Spike are on canvas! Deborah Becker with State Farm Insurance fell in love with my Goldfish Trio illustration. She requested that I would produce a large scale 24'x36' canvas print for her office in downtown Eau Claire, WI. I've had very good luck with my 3D images reproduced on canvas but I've never printed an image at such a large scale. The final printed result turned out absolutely marvelous and proudly hangs in Deb's office accompanied by my April Rain print.


-Before delivering the Goldfish Trio canvas to Deb I snapped a quick photo of the print with it's inspiration.


-Julia and Spike up close. The Goldfish Trio recently celebrated their ninth birthday!

Menomonie Library Art Show

Through the month of February I have a collection of work on display at the Menomonie Public Library. Both character models and prints are viewable. Check out the article on the Volume One website

Coloring Book Weekend!

Andrew, Erik and I had another coloring book party! I'm not talking one night of Michigan, Vista Fleet, Colorado and Wisconsin Activity Book fun. No, I'm talking a whole weekend of Movies and Coloring! I however didn't join them in the coloring frenzy because I was busy inking the newest Activity Book... Pennsylvania! It's ironic that PA was the next book in the Adventure series because just this fall Erik and I visited Pennsylvania for the Highlights Illustrators Party. Little did I know the trip would be great research for the project. The PA pages certainly have the most technical and historic illustrations of any of the books to date.


-That's Me Inking.


-Work In Progress.


-Erik's Colored Whooping Crane Page.


-Andrew's Page With Added Extra Detail!








-Benjamin Franklin


-Betsy Ross


-Groundhogs Day


-Woolly Mammoth


-Ruffed Grouse

Gift of Chickens.

This holiday season Erik and I decided to purchase a flock of chickens from Heifer International in my families honor. Heifer is an absolutely wonderful organization that delivers livestock animals you purchase to needy families all across the world. The people who receive the animals are then trained how to care for them and market the goods which the livestock produce. The people who receive our chickens can then feed themselves, their family and sell the eggs to produce income. Heifer has many different choices of animals to purchase from Ox, Geese, Rabbits, Pigs, Honey Bees, Water Buffalos, etc. Take a look at Heifer International's website for more information.

As a symbol of our gift, I sculpted a small chicken out of polymer clay and painted it with acrylics. Three eggs are shown on this piece representing Faith, Hope and Love which is engraved onto the base of the sculpture. I'm new to working with polymer clay and had fun creating the feather wing texture.

Sophie's Garden.

I created a small garden sculpture using parts from the Sophie Spider Spins set. This piece was then sent to my Art Director at Highlights High Five Magazine as a Thank You gift.

Big Dot Christmas Invitation.

I was asked this year to create the Big Dot of Happiness' Christmas party invites. The theme of the party is survivor. When hearing this theme the first thing I thought of was Eye of the Tiger by the band Survivor. Low and behold the Tiger, Jungle, Christmas invite.