Stranger Danger

Someone is in danger.  Carmen the chipmunk and Sidney the red squirrel are looking up high in a tree.  And somebody else is looking at them. And then there's the raccoon in the background looking at everyone.  There's a lot of looking going on.  But very little eating...yet!

I think cat paws are pretty darn cute. But in this illustration, they're about to snag a tail.  But whose will it be?

And here's a real life squirrel who really is in danger.  Ha!  I added him just for the fun of it.

Danger is the theme for www.illustrationfriday.com this week.

Dumb Bunny

click to enlarge

This is a selection from my series of illustrations for Sidney the Unstoppable Squirrel.  It is one of my first illustrations for children's books.  I've grown a lot as an illustrator since then.  But it still remains one of my old favorites.  And oddly enough I don't think I've posted this one for Friday Fish Fry before.  The theme today is puzzled.  And that is exactly what dumb bunny is feeling.  He lost the map to the magic corn kernels after all.   He's a little long in the tooth and possibly pea brained.  Poor kid.  

I'll be back to my regular blogging schedule next week.   So be sure to check back on Monday for my funny bunny post and then a recipe for lucky rabbit feet stew on Wednesday.  O.K., I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with any new blog followers.  So no more bunny cotton tails/tales.  But only because the critters didn't chew our raspberries down to nubbins this year.  My husband was thinking all Fatal Attraction after that!    

Silent

I'm posting this oldie but goodie today for www.illustrationfriday.com This scene is one page of a two page spread. Here's the scoop...



Carmen knew exactly where to find the crazy red fox. His den was under the tallest oak tree in the forest. "This is the one," said Carmen. Sidney looked up and smiled. The oak's branches spread out like a giant maze towering over all the other trees in the forest. Sidney's smile spread from ear to ear thinking about all the fun he'd have climbing the wise old tree. "Wow!" said Carmen as she raised her eyes to see the tippity top. All of a sudden Carmen felt the odd sensation of prickles racing up and down her back. Out of the corner of her eye she could see a shadow creeping towards them. "Well hello my yummy little friends." It was the red fox!



Obviously the fox was silent in his stalking.

It's the launch of a new career!

I'm proud to present you with my Project Pig. It was published over at http://www.banjopigs.blogspot.com/ last week. And it actually fits today's http://www.illustrationfriday.com/ theme. You could say she is moving forward on the runway (launching) or as the title states launching a new line of banjo fashions. My illustration is a funny take on one of my favorite shows, Project Runway. My favorite part of the illo is the feet of the audience members on the lower left. A mixture of fashionable red shoes, hooves and paws. Everyone can come.

Sidney the Unstoppable Squirrel

I had a little surprise in the mail on Saturday. I received my manuscript back from Tanglewood Press. It was another rejection for poor unwanted Sidney the Squirrel! But the funny part was that I mailed it on 2-11-08. I haven't sent any storys to publishers since poor little old Sidney. And I can't believe that after 17 months of sitting in a slush pile, that determined little Squirrel found his way back to me. (I didn't really want him back) Here's a tidbit...Sidney could hear the cat's paws hit the ground faster and faster behind them. Then Carmen dove for the hole and Sidney was right behind. He squeezed inside just as an orange paw swiped his back side. With a sigh of relief they peered outside. A big orange face stared back at them. "Yuck, fish breath!" said Carmen shaking her head. And with a twitch of a whisker and a splash of smelly drool the cat left. "We won!" laughed Sidney.