Will actual printed books be here in the future?

Illustrations from my new e-book

Down load the book here:

http://utales.com/books/wiggly-tiggly-tell-me-a-tale

I recently published my first two children's books. Not in the traditional way though. They are e-books. The books I believe of the future. With the advent of the Kindle, the Nook and iPads I believe the face of the publishing world is about the change or already has begun the evolution of change.

I have been drawing and illustrating for many years. Not quite sure how to put the two together and turn it into a children's book. That was until recently. I had a gentleman contact me from Utales, an online book company. They have started an e-book site devoted solely to kids books. He had seen my illustrations and invited me to be one of their first authors for this new site. So I set about creating a book to submit, the story unfolding as if magic. I was so excited to see it come to life on the screen.

The next generation will grow up reading with their parents on the i-Pad, Nook, Kindle or computer. It will be what is the normal for them. It is also a great opportunity for the illustrator/author who has for years struggled to have their voice heard. As they can directly create and publish their works without the politics of the print publishing world. We have seen self publishing begin to take a bite out of that already. I for one still enjoy the holding of the printed book, relishing the turning of the actual pages.

Is it possible with the industry of e-books and self publishing that we can remain within the best of both worlds? I think we can. So if you have wee ones in your life, or you wish to check out my book. Visit Utales and enjoy some spectacular kid's reads. Step into the future of reading. Have fun!

Visit the site here: http://utales.com/books/wiggly-tiggly-tell-me-a-tale

Art for Art's Sake

2011 Phoenix Art-40 Art Submissions

Given the opportunity to purchase good art, some from already famous and accomplished artists. Or maybe an up and comer. Would you just buy a piece just because the art speaks to you? Phoenix Art, a wonderful local art supply store here in Doylestown has an annual art show that allows you to do just that. It's called 40 Art. All the pieces are smaller than 5x7 and all pieces are priced at the unbelievable price of $40. Many genres are available photography, mixed media, pen/ink, paiting, collage, scultpture. If it's art and under the 5x7 size, it's there. Obviously you can see that this is a show by artist for the pure love of creating, no one's getting rich here.

The most inetersting part of the show is that all work is shown annonymously until purchased for the $40 dollar price. So you may luck out spending $40 on a piece by a famous local artist, a great investment. The opening night is very interesting to watch. The line will start an hour or two before the opening. Everyone is kept behind the magic curtain and the line will wind it's way throughout the store and out the door. At 7 o'clock the curtain is dropped and everyone jockeys for their view. It sounds like an auction as people yell for the attendant to mark their purchases. Sometimes it feel's like you've won the lottery. I have shown several times in this show, but I value all the pieces I have purchased over the years. Some I remember the artists names, some famous, some not yet. But ultimately I love to pass them as I walk down my hall way and smile. Because I appreciate them for their beauty. For the artist that spoke to me that night through them.

So if you want to enjoy a special experience. Join us at Pheonix Art in Doylestown, Friday July 15th from 7 to 9 pm. Let someone's art speak to you and buy art for art's sake, just because you like it. By the way check back after the 15th and I'll reveal my entries for this year. Till then... no peeking.

For more info on the show go to the shops website at http://www.phoenixartstuff.com/html/calendar.htm

Amazing How Surprises Happen When You Let Your Guard Down

Winner & Official Poster of the 44th Annual Santa Paula Citrus Festival 2011

Have you ever really wished for something or wanted it really bad? Well recently I created a piece of artwork for an illustration class. The assignment was to create a poster for a festival. Create an original piece using Adobe Illustrator to help with the illustrating. Not wanting to just create something for the class only, I decided to research festivals online. I came across a citrus festival in California, Santa Paula to be exact. This festival had a long standing history in the California Citrus Community for many years. Actually Santa Paula is known as the "Citrus Capital of the World" for it's expansive lemon and orange groves. Tens of thousands of visitors come to this annual festival each year.

As I researched the festival I discovered that they even had an annual contest to find a winning design for the festival's poster. I was impressed with the past winning artists and chose that as my project destination.

Knowing the feel and look I wanted I began my research and design activities and put in countless hours completing my piece. In the end I was happy with what I had done. I submitted it to my teacher and was pleased with the A, I received. The last thing I had to do was send the image to California before the judging deadline and await the results. I had actually forgotten about it for a while. Then a few weeks ago I went on to their website to see if I could find the results. I saw an artists named for the poster and it wasn't me. I was a bit disappointed, but was still happy with myself and the job I had done.

A few weeks went by and I received a letter from the festival committee. I opened it thinking it would say thank you for entering, but the winner was... blah blah blah. To my happy surprise it was actually a congratulations, you have won letter. My poster had been chosen out of all the entries to be the official one used for the 44th annual Santa Paula Citrus Festival. Woohoo, mission accomplished. I was totally surprised, a very happy surprise at that. Here I had viewed last years web page with the 43rd annual winner listed. Old news as they would say. I am very honored to be in the company of the past winning artists.

So I let my expectations and guard down thinking I had been defeated and instead had gotten a very happy surprise when I didn't expect a certain outcome. Maybe if I begin to let my guard down a bit more I'll receive more good stuff. How about you? Has this ever happened to you? Let me know your story.

If you happen to be in Santa Paula California this month between July 15th to the 17th. Pop on by the festival and have  some fun. Keep your eyes open and maybe you'll see the winning poster too.

For more info on the festival go to http://www.santapaulafestival.org/