Blogging Again

It's been so long since I've posted anything on this blog I think that I've almost forgotten how to do it. I have avoided this blog for the past several years and I would have probably deleted it a number of years ago but I couldn't find the "kill button." But, here I am, after a 15 hiatus, getting back into the blogging spirit by attempting to make another post.

I have no idea as to whether or not if anybody cares about this blog. So, I might just be talking to myself. BUT!, there is a reason for me to post something here.

Years ago I dreamed of the possibility of bringing one of the many children's stories that I've told over the years to publication. Recently one significant event happened that lead me to finally make a serious attempt at getting a book published. Back in April, Marylynn and I became grandparents. If you happen to be one of my Facebook friends, this is no revelation to you. I've posted a number of photos there. One of the request that my daughter, the mother of our grandson, Max, made that I put together a book for his nursery. This is me and Max hanging out.

A few years ago I began work on getting some illustrations done. A couple of months ago I finally went back to try and finish the project. Well, I've finally completed my illustrations for the book and now I'm in the process of trying to land a book publishing agent. After reading the requirements for submission, I noticed that they ask for a link to my webpage. Thus the reason for trying to breath life back into this blog. Perhaps this will satisfy an agent's or publisher's need for a way to check out my artistic skills.

Here now is the first illustration for my children's story, Sully Wants to Be a Rabbit. This is Sully and he is one unhappy skunk. What do you think?

Sully

I finally did some work the other day on the first page of the children's book that I have a dream of someday publishing.

I may be getting the "cart before the horse." Perhaps I should write the story before illustrating it, but I've actually told the story so many times to groups of children that I have it pretty well figured out in my head.

The story is about Sully, a skunk, that is not happy being a skunk (Would you be?). Instead, Sully wants to be a rabbit, and the rabbits help him do it.

I've drawn this little fellow a hundred different ways. I am pretty pleased with this version. What do you think?

(Not a Copy & Share illustration)

Super Skunk

Just a little nonsense with this time. I'm working on other stuff all the time, but I don't have anything ready to post. So, during a quiet moment I dreamed this concept up.

It's a bird! It's a plane! What's that smell? It's Super Skunk! The bane of villains, and of, well... most everybody else too.

Thank you Super Skunk—for flying away.

Copy & Share If You Dare

Stinkers

Here's a crazy little doodle that I think some of you might find a reason to use.

Maybe you've been a bit of a stinker lately. I don't know, maybe you didn't send Grandma a birthday card—God forbid. But if you have been a bad little blogger, and you're in the mood to share to the details with the world, then please feel free to Copy & Share If You Dare this doodle to help you highlight you're walk on the smelly side of life. Please tell me when you do because I want to come and read the sordid details. Your state of embarrassment somehow makes me feel better.

I've had a lot of practice drawing skunks. One of my dreams is to write and illustrate a children's book. Over the years I've made up several stories that I've had a number of opportunities to share with children. Most of my stories aren't written down anywhere—they just rattle around in my head. One of my favorite stories is about a skunk named Sully. Some day soon I am going to start on that project. Someday... Soon...

(If you're not up on my request for my Copy & Share If You Dare doodles, then please take time to read the instructions in the right column. Thanks.)