CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-06-13 22:05:25 (12 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

Sharing some new doodles.

2013-06-02 19:29:59 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

New blog post about what was happening here for the month of May.

2013-06-02 18:06:07 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Major Manners (illustrated by me) just won a Benjamin Franklin Gold Award for Interior Design (Illustration and Design). It also received a silver in the audio book category.

2013-05-16 18:29:34 (4 comments, 5 reshares, 32 +1s)

Time to share some new doodles. This batch has a monster/creature theme.

2013-05-07 16:49:47 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 0 +1s)

Featured on the More Tentacles blog.

2013-04-24 21:04:43 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Join us tomorrow night on Twitter at #kidlitart from 9-10 pm est. Topic: The "do's and don'ts" (aka proper etiquette) of conferences and workshops.

2013-04-17 19:52:56 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

My new website is now online:

2013-04-16 16:31:51 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Remember #kilitart returns 4/18 @ 9pmEST! Topic: Catching up: Current projects? News? New goals? FAQs here: http://bit.ly/17jaH1k

2013-04-11 22:44:10 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 28 +1s)

Just posting some doodles since it has been a while from last batch of sketches.

2013-03-28 21:00:14 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 9 +1s)

New postcard is ready for the printer.

2013-03-24 23:07:56 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Finally a new blog post!

2013-03-12 20:57:39 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

A resourceful website that helps you premix colors. Great for traditional painters.

2013-03-07 21:32:41 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 19 +1s)

Having some fun.

2013-03-05 23:38:41 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 20 +1s)

I decided to take a break this afternoon to work on some pieces for myself. This is what came out of the break. I am trying to keep things on the loose side and used Photoshop instead of Painter.

2013-02-09 17:11:42 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Recent blog post:

2013-02-08 23:06:41 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

It is official, I have a literary agent! I have signed with Sadler-Cavarette Children's Literary. They may be new but big things are happening with them. Now the work really begins!

2013-02-08 03:36:21 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 37 +1s)

Just sharing some recent doodles.

2013-02-03 15:52:30 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

If you are looking to kill time before the Superbowl, you can read an interview I did at Kathy Temean's blog:

2013-01-24 13:55:50 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 3 +1s)

Have you ever felt like doodling but was not sure what you wanted to sketch? Check out this idea generator:

2013-01-20 19:37:40 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

The website for the spring NESCBWI conference is now up.

2013-01-17 16:03:01 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 33 +1s)

Some recent doodles.

2013-01-17 14:32:41 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Keep doodling!

2013-01-15 14:57:36 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 13 +1s)

Fine Art Photography of a World War I Dogfight

I created these fantasy matte paintings with 100% photographic stock.

I first sketched the scene that I wanted to create on paper. From this sketch I created concept art to help me with the element selection. Then I started to look around for the elements to use in the matte painting. Whenever I found something I felt was a potential fit I would photograph it or search for a photo in my (constantly expanding) photography library. Sometimes it would take weeks before I managed to collect all the required elements. Once I had all the elements together it could take another 160+ hours to put it all together. I used Photoshop and also have a Wacom Cintiq which makes the concept art much easier. (Yes I know I could create some elements in software like Maya, Cinema4D, DAZ etc but I wanted to make sure it is all photographic content)
... more »

2013-01-05 14:49:37 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

I thought I would share a figurative drawing that I have worked on the past few Friday evenings.

2013-01-05 14:48:44 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 18 +1s)

I thought I would share a figurative drawing that I have worked on the past few Friday evenings.

2013-01-02 13:11:31 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

My latest blog posting:

2012-12-27 21:43:15 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

2012-12-27 21:37:33 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

You can view my work at Smiling Otis Studio

2012-12-27 21:33:35 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Thanks for adding me to the group. I play clawhammer, well, attempt to play, on a Bart Reiter White Laydie in a trio called Flipping Jenny. I also switch to the standup bass and guitar on a few tunes as well.

2012-12-21 21:45:36 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

2012-12-20 18:50:07 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

With Christmas only 5 days away, there are children who will not have anything to open during this time of year. Go to your nearest Toys For Tots, Giving Trees, local shelters, etc., pick a name, and wrap gift for that child. It could brighten the day of someone in need of a little sunshine.

2012-12-16 21:11:51 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 23 +1s)

Had some drawing fun yesterday. We were invited to a Christmas party where we made a card that was not signed but in an envelope, and put into a pile. We each drew numbers and selected a card in which we had to guess who did the artwork. We got to keep the card we selected and the artist signed their card. This is what I did for the exchange.

2012-12-10 13:16:33 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Thanks for adding me to your group.

2012-12-07 15:06:43 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 15 +1s)

While working on several story ideas, I did manage to sketch a little the last few weeks.

2012-12-03 14:45:03 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

My latest ramblings on my blog:
http://smilingotis.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-over-thinking-self-doubt-attaining.html

2012-11-29 12:50:30 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 18 +1s)

A color doodle in Pianter

2012-11-22 17:22:27 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

I received an email from Jennifer Carson some time ago, asking if she could use my little tiger doodle as a model for a stuffed animal. Today she sent me progress photos of it. I was blown away! She did a terrific job of turning him/her into reality. Thanks Jennifer!

2012-11-22 13:25:46 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

I am thankful to have so many things to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving.

2012-11-21 23:54:35 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

2012-11-21 19:43:10 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Raise your hand if you are having a hard time concentrating today. That is what I thought, me too.

2012-11-17 01:14:05 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

"Major Manners" was a finalist, in the "Best New Children's Picture Book" category at the 10th Annual USA Best Book Awards. 

2012-11-08 16:23:07 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 24 +1s)

Just having some fun in Painter this morning.

2012-11-08 13:24:54 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Some new doodles from the week.

2012-11-06 12:39:17 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

If you are looking for something to do this Sunday, from 4-6, and live near the Northampton, Massachusetts area, come out to The 23rd Annual Children's Book Illustration Exhibit at the R. Michelson Galleries. I will have a piece on display with some of the big names in children's book illustration. Yes, little old me rubbing elbows with the big guns. Stop by and say "hi".

2012-10-31 01:44:06 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 21 +1s)

A Halloween themed header that is on my Facebook page.

2012-10-25 14:40:50 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Debbie Ohi, illustrator of the wonderful "I'm Bored", interviewed me about "Major Manners Nite Nite Soldier" for our Pixel Shavings blog.

2012-10-25 14:30:51 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

2012-10-18 00:35:57 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Just sharing some new doodles a day early.

2012-10-12 22:45:21 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

2012-10-11 12:31:04 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 21 +1s)

Sharing some doodles from the past week.