HIPPITY HAPPITY NEW YEAR ~ 2008

~ CHEERS ~
Here's to a Magical New Year!

Meow

FAT cat. Will make a resolution. Not so many mice in 2008.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ SOAR

Fairies have often been known to soar in small flocks by day.

However, at night they tend to travel in a more solitary manner.

©Ginger Nielson 2007

The New LIST ~

Well, we know you were all NICE and not Naughty this year, but unless you want to be left out NEXT time around, you need to start being NICE all over again, because Santa is back at his north pole headquarters and he has already started his new list for 2008. As you can easily see, no one is on the Naughty side of his list, YET.

Wishing you Peace, Hope, Love and JOY~

Wishing you all here and there, near and far the spirit of Peace, Hope, Love, and JOY that comes with this season and the bright new beginning of a New Year.
©Ginger Nielson2007

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ HORIZON

Double page spread from the book I illustrated, SONG FOR A GIRAFFE (and just available on AMAZON.com,)
The blank spaces are where the text is now located. You may click on the image for a larger view. Blogger can only show much smaller images as this spread actually measures 22 inches wide.

Winter White

Just a few items I wanted to share with you all. Especially with y'all in the south.
Winter in NH this year has been a blast. A blast of cold air. A blast of snow, and snow and more snow. We can measure up to 30" on our deck where the picnic chairs and table are now completely buried. The sights are beautiful...and yes, it is still snowing.

When our mom is here with us for the winter, we usually put out her Norwegian flag along with our own American flag. That way people who live nearby know she is here. ( along with her favorite cat)

Stairs disappear....

Chairs fall victim as well....

And a walk in the woods will have to wait, but it is still quite beautiful and peaceful.
All is calm, all is bright!

PICNIC???

As I show this picture, it is still snowing sideways.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ BACKWARDS

As she looked BACKWARDS over her shoulder Paulette saw the stunned and surprised looks on her parents' faces. As she fell further and further into the foaming sea, she hollered BACKWARDS over the waves, " Don't worry! I'm sure I'll wash up somewhere!"

Finding no comfort in her words, her bereft parents furiously untangled their fishing nets and cast them into the sea in a desperate effort to snare their fast disappearing daughter. Alas, they unfurled them BACKWARDS, and Paulette disappeared beneath the waves.

However, she did wash up on shore, kiddies, and can be found (quite well and happy and also very very clean!) in another Illustration Friday theme...to be announced.

Sneak Peek at Song for A Giraffe

This is a book I recently illustrated
by Michael LaLumier and Kim Messinger.
It is now available for Pre-Order from
Amazon.com.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ EXCESS

©Ginger Nielson

TIME TO WINTERIZE ~

I decided to WINTERIZE... my My Website and the banner for this blog.

BACKGROUNDS ~

The Background is an integral part of any illustration. Sometimes it is simply a textured area and in other cases it needs to represent some particular area. When I was working on the newly released, "Song For A Giraffe," I did a ton of research on the African Savannah. Never having had the opportunity to visit the area, I needed to rely on National Geographic films, books, the library, Google and photos from family and friends who have actually visited there.

Accuracy is important even in a picture book. Below are some of the backgrounds created for the book. Keep in mind that it is a picture book and these are only an illustrator's interpretation.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ ZOO

From an interior spread for the book I just illustrated and now available from Stagger Lee Books "Song For A Giraffe"
It took almost a year to complete the illustrations for this book and this image is actually much larger as the giraffe and the text for this spread aren't included here. The research was one of the best parts of the whole experience. I learned so much!
©Ginger Nielson2007
PS... if you want to hear what the animals are singing, just go to my PROFILE section on this blog and play the Audio Clip.

HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING TO ALL

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ SUPERSTITIONS

Clothes worn inside out will bring good luck and
if you use the same pencil to take a test that you used for studying for the test, the pencil will remember the answers. So why not double your chances for an A+.


©GingerNielson2007

In the sketch you can see where I cut and pasted a different version of the child's head. I just felt like she should be concentrating a bit more, even with that special pencil in hand.

Why is this woman smiling?

The answer is easy! Michele Lallouz Fisher is the author of the book I recently illustrated. The Adventures of Cali. Michele was one of the authors attending the recent Miami International Book Fair. And in addition to being there to promote little Cali the caterpillar she was also featured on the local CBS newscast. You can learn much more about the book, Michele, her sweet and touching story and download several colorpages at The Adventures of Cali

Henry at home...

NH is a far cry from California, as you can see from Sherry Rogers recent post on her blog.

Our leaves are almost all down and even the ones you see in this picture of our home are now on the ground.  This was taken only a week ago so that Henry could share his new home picture with old friends in Tennessee.  Those were the folks who created a loving foster home for Henry until we were able to find out about him and adopt him.  Today was his first appointment with the groomer here in town.   The groomers are wonderful people who also have a terrific Doggie Day Care for pet owners who need to work.   Henry was so proud of his nicely trimmed nails and his bright blue bandanna.  And CLEAN is just so good!

A Day in the Life....

Mrs. Cappezzio's family lived on a shoestring budget.

©Ginger Nielson2007

Small City

©Ginger Nielson2007

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ SCALE

©GingerNielson2007

Cards of Comfort and Joy

My friend Amy Moreno posted a wonderful idea on her blog. This holiday season, why not send a card to a recovering American soldier at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Send words of comfort and joy to:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001


Pass the word along to your friendly bloggers.

What I'm working on...

This is the sketch for a project I am currently pursuing.  At 20" x 8" it will take a while to finish.

Frosted Leaves

This morning when I was out early with Henry the hound.... we had had a heavy frost and the leaves were ringed with sparkly frost. If it happens tomorrow I'll get some photos, but for now here is an interpretation. The actual sight is really beautiful.

Hats and Caps

The image I uploaded earlier wouldn't show up for viewers, so I reloaded with a different icon to make sure it could be seen. Sorry for any trouble anyone may have had in viewing.

Song for A Giraffe

I received the first few copies of the book I illustrated for Stagger Lee Books in the mail today. I was delighted to see that the colors transmitted with very little change from my originals to the printed copies. The book will be available in 2008, but I will share a few images with you from time to time until then.

Henry ~

Here's Henry!

After a long wait for the transport from Tennessee to New Hampshire, Henry has arrived and has already made himself at home.

My Thanks to Elizabeth O Brien

The presentation of snowflakes for Robert's Snow is now nearing the time when bids can be made. I was surprised today to see not only my snowflake, but a funny character from my blog on Elizabeth OBrien's blog. Elizabeth is a NYC librarian with a wonderful curriculum for her students. You must visit her site and see all that they have accomplished in the past month. Find out all about 'Spoons Across America.' You will love her interesting site and you'll fall in love with the children as they taste and taste and taste!

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ TRICK OR TREAT

A friendly word of advice. If you are going to play a trick on someone, be sure you don't also become the treat!

Finished from earlier sketch

This is most likely my last post for a while. I started a new assignment that will keep me quite busy, along with introducing Henry into our home these will be joy filled days. I love to work at my chosen craft, and I already love Henry. I may pop in now and then for some needed "dog whispering" advice.

MONSTER MASH ~ SKETCH

This is the beginning sketch for my entry in the 2007 Monster Mash, hosted by Penelope Illustration. To enter go to her Monster Mash site.

Sing Along with the Trinity Kids

Here's a site that will have you and your kiddies singing and clapping along. Words and music are provided by the Trinity Kids link.
And while you just listen to the songs, here's a coloring page to get you in the mood for the next season!

From the Sketchbook

It's that Time of Year Again

©Ginger Nielson 2007

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ GROW

Something special happens when love grows.©Ginger Nielson 2007

HENRY ~

Henry... is a Beagle. Henry is currently being fostered in Tennessee. Henry is coming to New Hampshire. Henry is coming to our house to stay FOREVER! In about 8 days we will meet up with the transport that will be bringing a number of rescued dogs to their new owners up here in Northern New England.Visit their site at:Patriot Labs All Breed Rescue to find out more about the wonderful volunteers that work to find loving homes for rescued dogs.

Our first Beagle, ,Winston the Wonderhound, is the subject of the online story I try to update when I can. He was a wonderful adoptee from an animal shelter in NJ. We have missed him as you can imagine and it has taken us a long time to finally decide on bringing a new doggie into our home. Henry is not interested in hunting...neither are we, we just want to welcome him into our home and let him enjoy the beautiful lakes, woods, and mountains with us.

Our decision to adopt a rescued dog was an easy one for us. There are so many deserving pets out there that need good homes. If you are looking for a pet for yourself or your children, investigate your local or regional animal shelter and find the perfect match.

Sherry Roger's Snowflake

My goodness the flakes are truly falling. But as they 'fall' they also lift spirits and promote not only cancer awareness but help to fund research that can wipe out the disease. Sherry Rogers a member of the Picture Bookies has painted a beautiful snowflake for Robert's Snow. Visit her blogsite to find out more about her flake, her life as an illustrator, and all the other flakes that will be auctioned off during November.

Leaf Peepers

We can always anticipate when the leaves will be at their best up here in northern New England.... right about the middle of October.
For all those of you who miss the fall colors, and those who enjoy them right in this neck of the woods, here are a few examples of some of the bright colors we are being treated to this fall. True Autumn fires.