I am not a morning person.... in winter

For those of you who are.... bless you. I however am a person who likes breakfast at a reasonable hour.... around 10:30 after I have had a couple of hours to ease into my day. Sadly, the world doesn't work that way. So I am FORCED by entities beyond my my control (read my wife) to get up and move forward. Back to the literal drawing board. Take care keep us in your prayers for an adoption. That is the real reason for this blog after all. The bonus is that people get to see within my personality. Scarey right. I know.

What can I say..... busy Illustrating

I wish I could say that I have not had the time to update the blog. That would be a lie. I could have made more time for it. However, I have been trying to put together some illustrations for another book that I have been contracted to illustrate. Needless to say, I have been bringing words to visual life one brush stroke at a time. My wife wonders how I do it. What is the secret to taking someones outlandish thoughts, put them together in my imagination, and then bring them to life on a page? Well, to put it simply, I rely heavily on sketch pads, and let the weird parts of my brain work. Sometimes, I have a very fixed set of parameters to work with. Such as my most recent effort in "Fay and the Skating Eggs". I had photos of the principles to work with and a specific set of events to work off of. So that part was easy. The next part was making the illustrations match the story. That part not so easy. Thank heaven for layering and computer art programs. If I had to do it paint to canvas..... very ugly. Let's just say that I already go through enough reams of paper and packages of pencils working out the initial layout and sketching to make my wife doubt my sanity. I just don't do things perfect the first time. I know shocking.... who would have guessed. There are those who do and do it well, my driving cap off to all of you. I don't. Mine is a very painful trial-and-error-until-I-get-what-I-want process. The thing that I like most about Illustrating is that you get to know the characters you draw in a profound way. Now I know I am not the only one who this happens to but I will be the first one to admit it. ON some really late nights after putting 12-15 hours into a single illustration those characters follow me into my dreams and there I get even more ideas on how to make the work better. On other times it is just plain weirdness. So why do I do it? Not such an easy answer to that one. I like the feeling of having done something creative. Sinfully and selfishly, I like to see the author's face when they see the work and have their mouths drop. More than that I like to see the look in children's faces when they read or hear the words and then point to the picture and smile. I do love that more than anything else. So back to the the proverbial and for me the literal drawing board. Let me know what you all think. P.S. I am going to be setting up a website for 'Fay and the Skating eggs' as soon as I can get around to it. You will be able to get the book there.

Feel good about yourself

Great news! The book is now published and it looks great. My wife now tells me that I should send out some copies of my artwork to various publishing houses to see if they would like me to work on any of their books. But as I am doing that I am working on my brothers book. His comes first in this seeing as he is my benefactor/patron on this adventure. Let me tell you that is is a great undertaking. I like challenge but this one will be epic and yet fun at the same time. On the home front, everyone is getting over this nasty cold bug that swept through our home like a tsunami. The first wave was bad but it is the receding tide that reveals the devastation left in it's wake. Now is the time for disinfection of the house, catching up on neglected housework, and lots and lots of laundry. I will be working on the illustrations in between loads of sheets. My heart goes out to you all on Martin Luther King Jr. day. I hope that all goes well and stays that way. Let me know if any of you want to see more of the book and I will let you know where you can buy it. It is worth the money, just for the smiles. Until later.

Introducing 'Fay and the Skating Eggs' A TRUE Story

Working with the new wonderful childrens author Vicky Johnson I have been privileged to have been asked to illustrate a beloved family story of Fay and the Skating Eggs. It has been a labor of love and challenges. Here are some samples from the book I recently Illustrated and is now being published. It was a great experience bringing this family story about a young girls adventure when she mixes eggs, skates, and obedience. It is a wonderful story for all ages. I hope everyone who reads it will enjoy it as much as I did working on it.

Book is ready... edits are done.

If you are wondering why I put in this comic it is because that is exactly how I feel having to go back and rework an illustration. It is a pain. I am learning this program a lot better. But as I learn the program I have to go back and fix the earlier mistakes and missteps I made in the earlier illustrations so that they won't look bad next to the newer and better done pictures. So as go over each picture I have to make sure that they are all up to spec. But it is frustrating going over something you had thought you had done. But it is worth it. Now I am on my way to get it printed up and published. The other thing I am looking at doing is putting up a kindle version so that I can tap into that market. Kindle is going to color but the majority is in black and white so I don't know. At least the drawings are finalized and everything is done wording wise. Now is the worst time though... the hated hurry up then wait and see. Check back with you later.

Final touch-ups and edits

Now I am just doing some final touch-ups on the illustrations and getting the final edit of the book done. I hope Grammy likes it when she sees it. This book has been a learning experience. Until later.

The book is almost done

The book I am illustrating for my wife's grandmother is almost over. Good news more info to follow.

Do I believe in Santa?..... Yes... and here's why!

This friends this is ugly truth that the government has been suppressing. Currently I am working on a book for EVA FAY ANDERSON. The story was given to me and I am illustrating it. It takes lots of time and patience. Don't even get me started about the hours it takes to bring a true well known family childrens story to life. Oh my heavens, it is the hardest work I have ever done artistically. What makes it harder is the fact that everyone on this side of the Isrealson family knows the story and have their own thoughts on how it should look. I hope I don't disappoint anyone. I am putting a lot of effort and time into bringing the story to life. And maybe, just maybe, it will warm the heart and bring a smile to a woman who is very dear to me. Wish me luck.

Fruitcake... the root of all evil?

I'm just going to come right out and say it. Fruitcake is a very questionable as food. Yes, it is a holiday tradition. Yes, William and Kate had it for their wedding cake. And yes, it is scientifically proven that fruitcake can, will, and currently does have a shelf life of no less than 3,000 years. Was it used in some castles in Europe..... only one for sure and that was in Bavaria.

And that was done by a person named 'Mad' King Ludwig. OK, down to non-sarcastic issues. DonNel is gearing up for the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert Series this week. Two internationally renowned performers—Jane Seymour, beloved British actress, artist and author, and Nathan Gunn, much sought-after American baritone—will take the stage with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square December 15-18. This should be lots of fun. What is very interesting is that in the past they usually they print 5% more tickets than they have seats. Because of last year they are not doing that anymore. Something about everyone who had a ticket actually showed up. My advice is if you have a ticket... get there early.... if you don't have a ticket and want to try a standby ticket.... good luck... get there early. Show up late and you get nothing but cold. As for the tree... it is decorated..... outside..... well I am a wimp and it is cold outside

..... my true excuse.... I have been making danish pastries and giving them away to neighbors and ward members. I have not even eaten one. But I have been told by my wife that I am not allowed to leave them lying around the kitchen when she is home. Something about Cherry-cheese danish missing and no witnesses. I am now moving on to croissants.... may the patron saint of pastry have mercy on my soul. Let me know what you all think. Best to all.

Orginal blogging and twittering

Back in the day we actually had to use this novel concept called verbal communication. Which by the way I invented last week. All goes well at the house. Morgan is at he cousins birthday party and we are trying to get Christmas up and running. Namely finishing the living room decorations and putting away boxes. I have much to be thankful for. Blessed more than I can express. Sometimes, It is hard to realize the blessings when they are here. I guess that is what memory is for. Perspective is something we only have when life lets us take a breath and see where we came from, just before we get the second wind to take us where we need to go. This year so far has been a rocky one. But I prefer rocky to open plains without end or climbing the sand dunes. Those of you who have tried to climb a sand dune know what I mean. Until later.

Birthmothers For Adoption: Hopeful Adoptive Couples

Birthmothers For Adoption: Hopeful Adoptive Couples: Adoptive couples - If you would like your link or button added to this page, please contact birthmothers4adoption@gmail.com so that it can b...

It is true. I sometimes get the two mixed up. Good news however, We are now all over the flu. Now the disinfecting can begin. Let me tell you I hate cleaning up and doing laundry. But that is the way of things. I just wish that it could have happened all at once and not just one person at a time. That friends is a royal pain in the butt. For this who might have missed it: DonNel looked great at the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. She was standing on the front row second person in next to the Mens section. It is so fun for me to say that my wife is in the Choir. Let me tell you she brings that spirit with her wherever she goes. She is such an inspiration to me and our daughter. And yes, getting cool hard to get tickets to sold out events are a bonus. As for the Adoption prospects: I am keeping my heart guarded but hopeful. Nothing to talk about but then again miracles go sorta unannounced. If anyone has any leads about an adoption prospect just let me know and I will see where it leads. My best to all of you out there.

Pies... Pies... Everywhere

I have to say that gearing up for this Thanksgiving is going to be interesting. Let's just say that there will be pie. And that pie will be rich and flavorful. Add to that the buttery flaky crust. Well friends, it's gonna be fun.But I get ahead of myself. (Drum roll!) Thanksgiving.... the ultimate of all food related holidays...there will be slow cooked turkey wrapped in bacon, butter rolls, raspberry freezer jam, yams and apples, green beans , hand mashed potatoes with smooth turkey gravy, a relish tray, jello salad, green salad, and deserts that will cause a tingling in your arm and a clenching in your chest..... just to remind you of your own mortality. Plus a few bits of this and that that can help you see the light at the end of the tunnel. Keep me posted on what goes on in your world.

And so I cracked some ribs....

Let me tell you sometimes chiropractors have a rough touch. I can't even lie about how it happened. I wish I had a better story or that i was doing something fun when I cracked them. How embarrassing! But never fear... in three weeks I should be fine. Until then I just can't sleep in my right side. More reasons to snuggle with my wife! Now I just need to figure out how to breath easier. So that is what is happening in my world. Let me know what happening in yours.

My Dad..... Veteran U.S. Army

I remember those that serve. Those that protect us. Those that defend us. Those who stand on the wall, stare down the darkness, and say 'Not on my watch.' Those at home. Those abroad. Those in harms way. Those that risk their lives so that I can have a life. They have my gratitude.