Birds on my mind and on my board...

I am starting the final art for the bird picture book I am working on. It will be celebrating bird habitats all across the US. Here's a sketch for the Black Oystercatcher, the profiled bird in our "Pacific Coastline" section.

If you are in the area...Iowa City Landscaping is located at 520 Hwy 1 W, Iowa City (319) 337-8351

CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK

It's Children's Book Week! Go read a book to your favorite child (even if that's you!) To read more about the history of this week long celebration, go to the Children's Book Council site:

www.bookweekonline.com

Bee a scratchboarder!

To those who are interested in the materials I use:

British made Essdee brand scratchboard is the best- it's thicker than the student grade stuff out there and more responsive to scratching.

I color my work with Windsor and Newton watercolors, and Dr. Marten dyes.

There are specific tools for scratchboard, but I prefer Exacto blades #16; they keep sharp a long time.

Happy scratching!

MAY DAY

Happy May day! We got a couple of baskets delivered today by the sweet little girls up the lane. Complete with popcorn and candy. I think I will go pick some violets at break time.