Connie Arnold, writer, has given Gunther the Underwater Elephant another thumbs up *:)

You can read her review here: Connie Arnold, Children's Author

Winter Fun

Why elephants don't ski

    At least there is a bit of warmth waiting at the end of the run.  (Click on Image to enlarge.)

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ CLUMSY

Yes, Harold was always CLUMSY.... He should have known four skis are hard to control.

©GingerNielson

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ FAST

I completed this illustration this week for part of a series I am working on. It seems to fit the subject rather nicely. Others in the series may pop up from time to time.

©Ginger Nielson 2009

For some added fun, here are some of the MANY pumpkins on display at the Keene, NH pumpkin festival.

If you want to see more of the pumpkin festival (which is HUGE) go to Youtube.com and type in Keene NH Pumpkin Festival. You will be amazed at the THOUSANDS!!! of pumpkins on display.

An image from a current project

©Ginger Nielson 2009

Asleep on an island in the middle of the sea.... or is it an island?

Continuing with the Fold out book

Sometimes we may take on a project that expands in ways we didn't realize beforehand.

At any rate, I will continue with my revision of the original story about the little elephant. As a fold out the number of illustrations has MushROOMEd from 34 pages (including the front and back covers) to around 44 with all the flaps and fold outs. It is fun, and I know I will be happy with the end result.

It is also a LOT of work.

On the bright side, if there is one, *:) work is so slow right now that I have time to give this project my full attention and as I do things are looking better.

Here are some examples of the older version and the newer version. It is a bit softer, more tuned to the youngest market and hopefully more interactive with the fold out surprises I have introduced.

This is the older half finished version.

This is the newer sketch

And this is the newer finished painting.

All images © Ginger Nielson

Although you may not see much difference ... the changes are there. Lighter water with more sparkle and different ears that look more like a real baby elephant's ears. Also I simplified the background. This is actually only one half of a full page spread.

Tentacle TANGO

Okay now... If you really want the TANGO, go to this YouTube link and see one of my all time favorites! Al Pacino dancing to Por Una Cabeza. It is a delight!

A stretch to enable this interpretation....

The tentacle tango is to be avoided at all costs, no matter how beautiful and enticing the music may be.

IF-SHAKY ~ Happy Fourth of July !!

(note: I did a bit of research on the gait of an elephant as it walks. From what I have been able to observe, the legs on one side extend in either direction while the legs on the other side meet in the center. Although the gait varies a little, this is as close as I could come to an accurate representation of the "walk.")

We rode along with the festive parade

and carried our huge flag proudly.

Our ride was admittedly shaky but

our friends in the crowd cheered loudly.

A Great Day for A Kite

©Ginger Nielson

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ INSTINCT

A mother elephant's instinct leads her deep into the jungle as she desperately searches for her missing baby.

Revisiting Old Friends

Somethng new and something old but renewed.

©Ginger Nielson 2007

Monday surprises....

I received my first copies of the FLAX art and Design catlog today with my illustration on the cover. That was such a neat surprise. Next thing I knew, my new copy of the update to Painter had arrived...Painter X. I am really excited about trying out whats new and experimenting with all the wonderful brushes.

©GingerNielson2006