It’s been a while, folks. In February, I traveled abroad on family business and since returning I’ve been occupied with playing catch up. Life is gradually returning to “normal.” For starters, I am involved in a fun spring event—the annual childrens book illustrator show at MOCHA (Museum of Childrean’s Art) in Oakland, Once Upon A Time. Come to the Artist Reception tomorrow, March 27, 2010, 2-4 pm. For location and more info, visit the museum online.

The following image is a pencil draft of a page in my picture book, Can You Catch A Coqui Frog? written by Vera Arita and illustrated by yours truly. If you’d like to see the actual finished illustration, then do come to the show which runs until May 7.

My clumsy sketch was made into a colorful image for Illustration Friday using Photoshop.

Last Friday, as soon as I found out the theme, I grabbed a ball-point pen and a piece of paper and started drawing the first thing I laid my eyes on: a little toy hen that resides at my desk. It was an experiment in expressing the theme using my left hand!

Here’s the original sketch:

Note: I am not left-handed. Can you tell?

Aloha!

I’m thrilled to share that I received an early copy of my picture book, CAN YOU CATCH A COQUI FROG (BeachHouse Publishing), written by Vera Arita, and illustrated by yours truly.

Here’s a little taste of the book (from the cover copy):

Can you catch a coqui frog as he’s sitting on a log?
Can you hear him in the night with a croak so high and bright?
Can you see him hop all day in his happy little way?
Can you catch a frog?

These questions and more are posed in a sing-song rhyme that introduces children to some of Hawai‘i’s unique animals—from the tiny yet notorious coqui frog to monk seals to the friendly household gecko.

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I decided to modify a version of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus around the time I quit pursuing publishing. That was close to ten years ago. I spent several years prior with a very strong focus on picture books but that gradually gave way to frustration.

The industry was changing. While I was repped at the time, I had a hard time with the change. Externally, things looked all right. Internally, I was at odds with myself. I painted my heart out—pouring all my feelings onto canvas. I took three years off. When I returned, I was able to look at the painting with a “fresh” set of eyes.

Finding Your Path in Kid Lit

Sometimes I’m approached by people who want to write and/or illustrate children’s and YA books. I might sound like a broken record but I always utter the initials: S C B W I. It stands for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

One  thing I did upon returning to children’s books was join the SCBWI. It has been instrumental in helping me reach my goals. I do the work, stay focused, yada, yada. However, the SCBWI provides a ton of resources and helps me make important connections—even now that I’m published. I can’t speak highly enough of it.

Check out the SCBWI here.

Edited to Add: I’m attending the national SCBWI Summer Conference in LA in a few days. Can’t wait! Perhaps I’ll see some of you there? Cheers!

Here’s a picture book written by Vera Arita and illustrated by yours truly. This 24-page PB features a fun romp with animals in the Hawaiian islands. It’s due for release in Fall ‘09.

My first Illustration Friday for 2009

Here’s how Illustration Friday works: Every Friday, IF members receive a word prompt to illustrate. The above brush-pen image is my interpretation of the word “Contained.”

I sketched this last Friday using a ball-point pen. Today, I re-drew it in brush-pen, scanned it and added shading in Photoshop.