California color

Coming from Vermont in mid-winter, our eyes were used to a limited palette of white, brown, and the green of pine trees.  Though most of the week it looked mostly like this:

There was sometimes a little color to be found between the clouds (look closely for the rainbow):

These guys didn't seem to mind the rain at all:

Things are blooming in California, and when we did see color it was amazing:

I guess I was feeling a little color deprived, because I started to look for it everywhere.  There was lots to be found at Britex in San Francisco:

More color could be found in the murals and street art in The Mission in San Francisco. We hit the jackpot on 24th Street. It was hard to capture it all from a moving car, so next time, I think we'll take the tour by foot.

And when the sun finally did come out, it looked like this:

What a beautiful place to visit, and a sight for sore eyes during this very long winter.

Phone covers

I have used my cuckoo ideas to design some phone covers.  I started with sketches and finished these up in photoshop.  What a fun project this has been.

cuckoo for cuckoo clocks

cuckoo clocks

up up and away

New York

I just returned from New York.  What a beautiful time of year to be in the city.
Decorations are everywhere.

Though I couldn't figure out the good camera I brought, my phone managed to catch the mood and some cool window displays.
These Yetis were interesting:

and there were some very beautiful dresses:

The New York Public Library Lions dressed up for the occasion:

There is a wonderful exhibit of children's books inside: The ABC of It: Why Children's Books Matter.  If you can check it out, do. You will find lots about the history and significance of children's books.  There is some original art, like these pieces by Ashley Bryan:

This background of the working relationship between Tenniel and Carroll on Alice in Wonderland was interesting.:

I got to see my wonderful editor for Ten on the Sled and If It's Snowy and You Know It Clap Your Paws.  Polar Bear joined her friend Puffin in her new home in the city:

I left Emerson at his new home at Henry Holt with Christy Ottaviano. I know she will take great care of him.

New York is a great town for walking and people watching.  We had some delicious food, and enjoyed a great meal with my writing mentor, editor Elizabeth Law. The next night, we had a delicious Italian meal in Chelsea, and I am sure we saw Blondie (Debbie Harry) leaving the restaurant when we were going in. Unfortunately, I didn't catch that on film.

Now I am back home in my studio, where it a lot quieter and colder, but I love it here for very different reasons.