Friday, July 19, 2013

Graphic novel!

Looking over my past few posts, I realized I haven't talked too much about my graphic novel... which is strange, because I'm working on it ALL. THE. TIME. I am SUPER excited about this project- it really is a dream come true. It's a middle-grade graphic novel about roller derby. Right now I'm at the inking stage, which means (in my working habits), I'm going from my rough page layouts:


to finished black and white art.

Color, text, and word balloons will come in at a later stage.

I promise to do a more complete breakdown of my process at some point. But right now I'm in "the zone", and days when I can't sit and draw all day, I feel like this:


In the meantime, if you're interested in process, check out this fantastic free ebook on the making of the graphic novel Templar by Jordan Mechner, LeUyen Pham, and Alex Puvilland. I've been a big big fan of LeUyen's picture books for a while, and I can't wait to see her work in graphic novel format!

Monday, July 1, 2013

PEST IN SHOW!

Two weeks ago, I had my first book signing for my newest picture book, PEST IN SHOW!


It was held at Green Bean Books, one of my very favorite bookstores in Portland. I mean, look at this little fairy hidey-hole in the backyard!


Can I admit something to you, internet? I was actually TERRIFIED of this book event. I love reading. I love being the center of attention (ha ha). So why was I terrified?? 

Because at this event, I had to...

SING.

That's right, PEST IN SHOW is a MUSICAL, so I had to belt a few tunes in front of an audience. Yikes. 

To help take the edge off (and to take some of the spotlight off of my singing), I decided to bring along some musical instruments and some dress-up clothes for the kids to play around with during the reading.


(This is me pre-show. The sunglasses are hiding the terror in my eyes.)


But you know what? Once people started arriving and the reading actually started... it was totally fun! And the singing that I had worried about for an entire week- I was kind of sad when it was over. Maybe I am a diva in disguise.


Toe-tapping fun on the patio.

So, thank you, Green Bean Books, for hosting me once again! And thanks to all who made it out that day!