Chicken Lost

I thought it would be fun to post my Chicken Little illustration for www.illustrationfriday.com this week.  The theme is journey.  I don't have it on my website anymore.  It has traveled all the way to my saved files.

So where are they now?  Well, Chicken little grew up to be Gold and Plump.  Henny Penny has a line of clothing stores.  Rooster Cogburn, A.K.A. Cocky Locky was arrested for street fighting.  Ducky Daddles forgot to migrate.  Go figure.  Goosey Loosey, well, we won't go there.  And Turkey Lurkey ended up in prison with Cocky Locky for stalking. 

Of course I could just be feeding you a line of gobbly goop. 

The end.

Beloved Beasts

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May the spirit of the season fill your hearts with joy.  And may your beloved beasts always bless your life.  They are our constant companions.  And most faithful friends.  Their gift to us is  unconditional love.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Let them eat figs!

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What is the secret ingredient in this family recipe?  Well, our feathered friend would like you to think it's figs.  But we know better.

Don't tell anyone.  But secret is the theme over at www.illustrationfriday.com this week.

Would you prefer a wing or a breast?

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What is more synonymous with wings than chickens?  You can find plenty of wings and things over at www.illustrationfriday.com this week.  Of course my illustrated chicken would prefer you eat the figs.  I still really like this illustration.  I like the kookiness of the chicken and the yummyness of the olives and figs.  I'm patting myself on the back right now.  Which is o.k. because usually I'm apologizing for my illustration friday choices.  But not today.  Let them eat figs!

Explore Your Inner Cheeken

I thought that my doomed hiking poultry illustration would be the best choice for the www.illustrationfriday.com theme explore.  Turkey Lurkey, Goosey Loosey, Ducky Daddles, Cocky Locky, Henny Penny and Chicken Licken are all out looking for the King.  They have the misguided idea that he can keep the sky from falling.  As if.  I wonder if the king is a peacock?

Something to cluck about...

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I just found out yesterday that the book I illustrated for author Ivan Jensen can now be found on the Barnes and Noble website.  Click here for a direct link.  That is pretty exciting news for us both. And www.illustrationfriday.com has the perfect theme today for my shout out.  Book!  So I'm posting one of my favorite illustration spreads to celebrate.  

Mary Rode to Bethlehem on Me was so much fun to illustrate because the story is bursting with animal characters.  And a very famous family.  On the flip side it was also a very difficult book to illustrate.  See all that hay?  Well, it was on almost every page.  But a manger without hay.  No way!

The book includes a musical score of the poem like story.  And an accompanying CD of music can be purchased. Perfect for Christmas! 

P.S.  I have a new illustrated recipe over at TDAC.  It is for a special Summer breakfast.  And is chipmunk approved.  Here's the link Summer Breakfast

A Vocal Suggestion

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I thought my nervous chicken illustration would be appropriate for vocal.  The theme over at www.illustrationfriday.com  The chicken is sweating and uttering,"Let them eat figs!" Poor little tasty chicken. Her days are numbered.  One interesting fact about this recipe is that 36 strangers shared it on facebook.  I always wonder if they are sharing it because the recipe looks delicious or they think my illustration is a hoot.  Or a cluck in this case. 

And I also picked it as a follow up to my latest contribution over at http://theydrawandcook.com/recipes/maui-luau-sandwich-by-sharon-wagner   I figured it would take till pigs fly for a win.  If you don't understand what that means you'll need to check out the link!   

The Messenger...

I just finished this illustration for a national scbwi contest.  And it happily fits the theme over at Fridays are Hawaiian shirt day  Everyone knows the old fable of Chicken Little.  I call my illustration Chicken Licken Good.  For shame.  And Chicken Little and his poultry friends have a message.  What do you think that could be?  Hmmm.  THE SKY IS FALLING OF COURSE!  Here's the passage I used...

So they went along and went along until they met Turkey Lurkey
“Good morning, Goosey Loosey, Ducky Daddles, Cocky Locky, Henny Penny,
and Chicken Licken,” said Turkey Lurkey, “where are you going?”
“Oh, Turkey Lurkey, the sky is falling and we are going to tell the King!”
“How do you know the sky is falling?” asked Turkey Lurkey.
“Ducky Daddles told me,” said Goosey Loosey.
“Cocky Locky told me,” said Ducky Daddles.
“Henny Penny told me,” said Cocky Locky.
“Chicken Licken told me,” said Henny Penny
“I saw it with my own eyes, I heard it with my own ears,
and a piece of it fell on my tail!” said Chicken Licken.
“Then I will go with you,” said Turkey Lurkey, “and we will tell the King!”

Wish me luck!  And I have a message for all of you.  Merry Christmas!

Mysterious...

This illustration is mysterious http://www.illustrationfriday.com/ because it is just part of a larger piece. I'm working on my first book with author Ivan Jensen. You'll be able to find these characters and more on pages 3-4. But what makes this book even more mysterious is that it is a work in progress. So even I don't know how it turns out!

And if you want to see another new illustration visit http://www.isaacgracelily.blogspot.com/ Aaron had a really fun challenge for his artist followers. He posted some fun kids art and challenged adult artists to do their own version. It's really a hoot so check it out. Look for the hilariously scary bunny and you'll see mine!

Do you know where your eggs come from?

"BAAAAAAH! The best eggs come from my farm. BAAAAAH HUMBUG. Oops... wrong BAAAAH."

"Here's my kind of cool red barn. I wish I could look out the windows, Really BAAAAAD."

"Here's the chickens. They're not really my friends." The sheep admitted this fact rather sheepishly.

"This dude collects the eggs. Then I have no dog be gone idea where they go." Blog Editor's note: Father in law (not the sheep's)

Now a desperate blogger housewife has farm fresh eggs in her fridge. Sheep not included. P.S. Please check out http://www.theydrawandcook.blogspot.com/ for my illustrated recipe.(using eggs!) More on that next week...