Another Experiment

A little sparkle to the day

Just got a note from Igrid Law, the brilliant author of Savvy, that the cover of Savvy was voted  "favorite book jacket of 2008" by Publisher's Weekly!  It always adds a little sparkle to the day when there's fun news like this.  

Just as a heads up, I'm currently working on the jacket art for the sequel to Savvy.  Hopefully it will compliment the awesome story once agian.

Later!

Dooooodle

Isn't doodling just the best thing ever?  

FABLEHAVEN 4

In an attempt to help get the word out about book 4 in the Fablehaven series, I thought I'd post the cover.  Though there are a lot of dragons in the book, we went with this huge hydra on the cover.  It was a blast to paint!  I think it releases in March.  

P is for Pirate

It's about time I posted something, huh?

Did this as I was exploring a new set of characters for a pirate story.  Done in Photoshop.  

Later!

A Good Look

Be Glad your Nose is on your Face

Here's a plug for my latest book I did with Jack Prelutsky.  It officially was released in bookstores today (though I think it has been out in some for a week or so).  

My illustrations aside, this truly is a great book.  Jack's poems are fantastic.  Much of his greatest poetry can be found here.  One of my favorites is The Frummick and the Frelly.  

One thing that most don't know; while Jack and I were doing a joint presentation in Seattle last year, I got up and drew a picture based on what the children there described.  While I was up scribbling away, Jack sat back and wrote a short poem about the weird looking creature.  You can find The Zubble on page 92. 

Here's a link to order on Amazon.

Enjoy! 

AL

FARWORLD

I want to give a shout out for J. Scott Savage's new release FAR WORLD. 

I was privileged to illustrate the jacket art and interiors.  This is definitely going to be a series to keep tabs on as there will be 5 books in all.  

  

Snorer

 

Pete

 

Football Is Coming!

Though a fan of most sports, I would have to say football season is my favorite.  And living near Seattle for most of my life, I proudly proclaim my allegiance to the Seahawks.  I consider myself one of  the many "12th men", even if most of my contribution comes from my own TV room.  

First preseason game is coming up in about a week!  

 

Choir Boy

I thought this choir boy had a cool look. . . . 
 

Gramps

Who wouldn't want a trunk instead of a nose?!

Trunkboy

What if we were born with elephant trunks instead of noses??  

Lil' Study

Sneak Peak

Like I promised, here are a few spreads from BE GLAD YOUR NOSE IS ON YOUR FACE.  The 200 pager I worked on with Jack Prelutsky.  

  

The OK

I received the ok to post some of the work I did for BE GLAD YOUR NOSE IS ON YOUR FACE!  I should post it shortly.  In the mean time here are a few sketches I've doodled out this last week.  

Later! 

Ol' Monkey Breath

Uncle Bill

Be Glad your Nose is on your Face

It's been a while since I last posted, and as many notice, I'm really not very consistent with my posts or comments.  But this last month I have a valid excuse.  For the last 5 weeks I've been literally consumed by one book.  BE GLAD YOUR NOSE IS ON YOUR FACE.  It's about a 200 page book with 113 poems by the poet laureate Jack Prelutsky.  Yes, the very same who authored, THE WIZARD.  In this wonderful compilation,  I illustrated all 113 poems; some with simple spot art and others with full spread paintings.  Even though the time frame was wild and crazy, this was an awesome book to work on.  I think the release date is set for this October. It also comes with a CD of Jack reading some of the poems along with games and activities inside. 

As soon as I can get the ok, I'll post some previews.

Later!       

Goosebumps on Today Show

Last year I started working on a new series of GOOSEBUMPS books. You know, the scary kids books that get boys to read!  The renowned and bestselling author R.L. Stine has come out with GOOSEBUMPS HORRORLAND.  For about ten months I've had the privlege of painting 12 new covers for some of the old GOOSEBUMPS titles along with those for HORRORLAND.  This morning on the Today Show, First Lady, Laura Bush hosted R.L. Stine as they talked about the series.   I'd been given a tip that they might print some large posters to display in the background of my covers, but in the end they just showed a few snapshots, but heck, my artwork on national television . . .?! I'll take it! Check out the clip here.

humm. . . .

Stigma

Captain P

Some Random Sketches

Little Fairy

A little something I started quite a while ago. I pulled it out to mess around with while taking a break from real work. Sometimes I have to paint on something that doesn't have any direction, and just see what comes out.

Later!

Quick Sketch

Yet Another Pirate

Nightmare Academy interior

One of the interior illos I did for Dean Lorey's NIGHTMARE ACADEMY.  I'm currently working on the interiors for book 2.  It is a great read, anyone who liked the first book will love the second. 

Later!