See, I Can Read Book Cover

This is the cover to my upcoming first Children's Book. See, I Can Read Too! by Tameka Rogers-Colbert. I'm super excited about this and it has kept me busy day and night! LOL! I will keep everyone updated on when it's coming out and where it will be available for purchase!

Thanks guys!!

Sketchy sketch

I drew one of these characters for a book I'm working on. And I wondered what their family would look like. Voi' la!!

Some of the feet and hands are cuh-razy!!

Best Illustrated Children's Books of 2009

Link to an article about the Best Illustrated Books of 2009 from the New York Times Book Review. Time to hit the Library!!!!

ENJOY!!!

Wisdom Wednesday

I thought that SCBWI was going to be my only resource for corresponding with other Children's Book Illustrators. How wrong I was and how happy that makes me. I recently came across verlakay.com which led me to the Children's Writers & Illustrators Message Board or how it is more affectionately known, the Blueboards. Here's a link to the forums. I have just joined and have yet to introduce myself. From what I've seen the community looks to be friendly and supportive. I'm looking forward to participating and learning with the members!! Come join me!

Currently listening to: Erykah Badu/New Amerykah Part Two(Return of the Ankh)

LOVE IT!!! In a world of cookie cutter artists, I love it when an artist grows and lets you grow with them. Erykah is one of my favorite musical artists. Sometimes she takes me down paths that make me wonder what am I doing here? But I trust her vision enough to keep up with her. I may not always LOVE where she takes me, but I am always better for having taken the journey. The only other artist who has taken me on a longer journey is Meshell N'Degeocello.

Sang Miss Patti!

I am finding that I am watching a lot of kids programming trying to pick up on more current styles and influences. In the process I ended up on YouTube looking for some of the influences from my youth. While this clip from Sesame Street is still out of my age range. It has one of my favorite singers featured, Patti Labelle.

You always hear the phrase that someone sings so great they could sing the phone book and it would sound good. Well , Patti is one of those people!! Proof in Point Patti singing the A,B,C's!! I love how she manages to take it to the church at the end. Only thing they are missing is Bert and Ernie doing some soulclaps!! LOL!

Vector Journey

Heya folks!!!

It has been a while! Luckily it's because I am busy working on my first childrens' book!! I am excited and hopefully all goes well! I'll keep you in the loop as things progress!!

On another note! I got a call the other evening from my rep asking if I had any vector artwork. Of course I have vector artwork, but guess what...none of it was of kids or animals or anything relevant to the children's industry. So I worked hard to whip something up quickly. (Remember those from college!!?) LOL!

Anyways, Once I was done I was kinda pleased with what I had. I think my style in this medium could use refinement and development but I am strongly considering adding a portion of my portfolio to the vector arena. I think it highlights a very different aspect of my illustration style. Take a gander and let me know what ya think!!!

I will definitely need to dip into my imagination to come up with new vector work!!! (OK..I know it's stretching it a bit!)

I will probably use Illustration Friday to develop my kids vector portfolio. So look forward to seeing a new vector image from me weekly! I'll probably gear them specifically to the Educational market.

Thanks guys!
-Wilson