Illustrated Envelopes Giveaway (and Letters to Klaus)

At the lovely gallery Illustration Cupboard, I had the chance to see an exhibit of beautiful illustrated envelopes sent to Klaus Flugge, founder and publisher of Andersen Press.  These envelopes were decorated by picture book artists that worked with Mr. Flugge, and were displayed in his office for years.  Now, 100 of these envelopes have been compiled and published in the lovely book, Letters to Klaus.  Publisher's Weekly wrote a nice piece on the story behind the book.

The gallery also had on display a series of envelopes made especially for this exhibit, all addressed to Illustration Cupboard, including one by Anita Jeram, one of my favorite illustrators.  I purchased a copy of the book, signed by David Mckee, who had been at the gallery celebrating the book launch.  And here is his envelope made especially for the exhibit.  Cool, right?

So I had the idea of making my own illustrated envelopes for a giveaway.  To enter, just leave a comment and a way for me to reach you (so you can provide me with your address.)  This giveaway is open to anyone, here in the US or overseas, and the winner gets one envelope addressed and mailed to them.  There are two envelopes, so there'll be two winners, yay!

Bunny and Bubbles

Ducks and Scarf

This giveaway is open until midnight, Saturday, August 3rd. Winners will be selected randomly from the posts and announced on Sunday, August 4th.  

Talking About Art Supplies

Well, hello there!  It's been ages, I know.  I had big hopes of keeping to a schedule, adding new content to my blog on a consistent basis, but here I am, 4 months after my last post... tsk, tsk, tsk.

But wait, I have a good excuse!  I was working very hard on my second picture book, which I'm happy to say is DONE (and art was delivered on time, yay!) *happy, happy dance*  Aaaand, the book has a new title, ready?

Ladies and Gentlemen, keep your eyes open for... SLEEPOVER WITH BEATRICE AND BEAR! Coming 2014 from Nancy Paulsen Books and yours truly.

On my last post about working on book 2, I said that I would be talking next about my favorite art supplies.  This sounds like a great way to get back into blogging mode!

My favorite watercolor paper lately is Fabriano Artistico Extra White, 140 lbs, hot pressed.  I use blocks - they're more expensive than sheets, but easier to store and do not require stretching.  That beautiful watercolor pan set was a gift from my parents (Sennelier artist watercolors) and it's been put to great use!  I also use tube Winsor & Newton artist watercolors.  Pen nibs and holders, as well as a selection of brushes, and Winsor and Newton Black India Ink.  In a jar, a selection of Prismacolor color pencils (there are a lot more that I keep in clay pots by my window).

My studio is a corner near a window (see the clay pots with pencils?)  It can get a bit messy and crowded, but it's home!

This is where I worked on both Little Dog Lost and Sleepover With Beatrice and Bear, and while I do most of the inking and painting there, I also use the kitchen table and any other surface available for drawing and sketching, cutting paper, using the light box, etc.

Welcome to my world!