Food Fun

Here's a face that was made at dinner by the boys with some help from me and mommy. Mixed media; asparagus, bottle caps, grapes, tortilla.

Caveman, Part 2

Thinking the caveman idea through, it dawned upon me that the title might be the character's name. In this case, the caveman is called Peaches. Because he loves peaches. And it's absolutely the wrong thing to call a caveman. I'm finally writing this now, and think that it might be solid enough to move forward with and pitch to an editor.

Ideas and Covers

People often ask about how I get my ideas. I'm not too sure, they seem to come in all different ways. However, one thing I like to do is create covers for titles that I come up with. Many times I have a title for years before I am able to match a story to it. I like drawing cavemen, and have wanted to do a caveman book for a while. This title was rolling around in my head, trying to get put on some paper, so I decided to do a little sketch for it. It made me chuckle, and I'd love to see it on a bookshelf. Since I drew this, the idea has taken off in a different direction. I'll post that tom'w.

Goodnight Goon/The Runaway Mummy

Here's my two latest on view at the San Diego Comic-Con. Right down there to the left, under that Star Wars thingy...I kinda feel like I've got Yoda watching out for me.

What's Funnier, Part 2

So I re-drew the doctor image and added piles of research materials, made the man's condition worse (his hair!), and added a window with a dark sky to show that brave Dr. Ralph will work all night if he has to! I like them both, and both have their strong points, but I've never been able to figure out which one was funnier.

What's Funnier?

Today I'm going to post a drawing from a book that I never got off the ground. The idea is that this little dog, Ralph, can do anything. In this picture, he is a doctor, and trying to figure out this man's strange disease. After I drew this, I thought that I didn't go far enough, so I redrew it again. I will post that tom'w.

For Tim...

In honor of my editor Tim running around in San Diego at ComiCon, while I'm here in NY trying to get a book done for him, I am posting an all digital Cantina Band Member from Star Wars.

My boys like blocks...

So much for keeping this just about my work...We've been building block towers lately, and the boys were very proud of this one. In fact, it stayed up for two day, as opposed to the usual two hours. It was right in front of the couch, and made watching tv very difficult. Declan is on the left, he'll be five in October, and Gavin turned three in May.

Sketchbook...

Here's a small sketch of the house across the street from mine. I've been carrying a small sketchbook with me everyday for the last year, and have found it great fro my writing. The drawings aren't always fantastic, but I like this one. Quick and to the point.

Digital Art

Over the years, I've been messing around with all digital art. I'm happy with most results, I just don't always have a project that fits the style. One of these days I'll either go all digital, or scrap the computer all together. All I know is that after my 2010 title, I want to change my style drastically. The little moon is a scanned in tortilla.

Goodnight Goon

As "Goodnight Goon" approaches its 1st birthday, I'd like to thank everybody for making the book such a hit. It spent nine weeks on the NY Times Bestseller's List, eventually hitting #1 for two weeks. Thanks to the booksellers, everyone at Putnam, fans, friends, and family.---Mike

New Project

I turned in sketches today for an Eve Bunting book that I'm illustrating called "My Dog Jack is Fat." Here's Jack, trying to get some exercise.

Article on Children's Parodies

Publishers Weekly wrote an interesting article on children's book parodies. "The Runaway Mummy," which comes out August 20, is featured.

PW ARTICLE

It's odd to think that I may have created a genre.

Not So Evil Empire

This was taken at Book Expo America (BEA) on May 30. I took the picture, I am not one of the troopers.

1,300 Signed Books

On June 29, I signed 650 copies of "Goodnight Goon," and 650 copies of "The Runaway Mummy." These will be sold exclusively at Toys R Us. On July 10, I was able to use my hand again.

Welcome

Hello. Just a quick post to get this rolling. See you soon.---Mike