Advanced Copy of Down East Book!

Had an unexpected ring at the doorbell today from UPS, and this is what I found!

Down East in the Ocean--in stores this May!

Back jacket

This is my second book and I'm really excited about it and happy with how it turned out! I can't wait until it's published in May. This book was so much fun to do, was a fast turnaround, but well worth the late nights and hard work. 

An extra fun aspect for me is that Down East in the Ocean was written by Connie & Peter Roop. They are the authors of many, many, books...including one in particular that I grew up with and simply adored, Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie. 

Fun fact: First publication was the year I was born!

Pretty cool how life will give you a little wink and a nudge like that every once in a while.

March 2011: "My Maine" book release party!

Our launch party and first book signing event for My Maine was a huge success! It was held at the Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine, and we had a terrific turnout.

Thank you to everyone who attended--all the kids and "big kids" had a blast. The adventurous second floor was all ours for everyone to play and enjoy pizza, juice boxes and Maine whoopie pies. Mmmm, delish.

It's juice box time for Tyler and Dani :)

We had a wonderfully long line of guests purchasing books and prints from the book.

Suzanne and I were thrilled by all the support from everyone who attended. We had a fabulous evening, and can't wait for the next My Maine signing event. There are plans for more upcoming signings very soon--check back on the blog soon for dates of events!

Suzanne Buzby-Hersey (author) and me (illustrator)

It Runs in the Family

Check out this blog article featuring my sister of many talents! Primarily a photographer, Dani dabbles in everything creative and produces beautiful works of art. She's working on a website, too, which is still under construction at the moment, but be sure to visit again soon to see more of her amazing photography!

Click here for the full article on the Road to the Farm Blog:
http://roadtothefarm.blogspot.com
&
http://danifazioart.wordpress.com/

Book Release Party-Hope to see you there!

Guest Illustrator at MHS Event

I've been invited to participate as a guest illustrator at the Maine Historical Society's annual birthday celebration of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I'll be there for an hour or two illustrating a few scenes from a couple of his poems on a large easel for kids and families to watch the process! The drawings will then be displayed during the duration of the event while we all enjoy some other fun crafts, a reading, and of course, some birthday cake in honor of Mr. Longfellow.


My children's book, My Maine, will be on sale at the event and is also currently being sold in the Maine Historical Society's wonderful museum store. 


It will be a fun day, all are invited and the event is free! Hope to see you there! 

Longfellow was born in Portland, Maine, and studied at Bowdoin College. He was an American poet and educator whose works include "Paul Revere's Ride", The Song of Hiawatha, and "Evangeline". 

Life's Healthy Pleasures marketing

For the past few weeks I've been working on some online marketing for a great client, Life's Healthy Pleasures. I had designed the logo and branding for the company over a year ago. Now I'm helping to set up some new ways of getting the name and product out there via Facebook, a website and PDF email newsletters. If you have a moment, enjoy yummy food (that's even good for you!) and have a Facebook account, you should click below and "Like" it!

Maine Cottage Shout Out!

My friends at Maine Cottage Furniture, where I worked for 2 years before diving in full time with my art career, has blogged about me and My Maine! Books are available to purchase in several local stores already; Maine Cottage Furniture in Yarmouth, Wyler's in Portland's Old Port (where I work part time), Border's by the Maine Mall, to name a few. Purchases may also be made through the publisher Little Beach Books, and of course, from myself directly. We are officially launching the book on Feb 13th, and they will be sold in numerous book stores and online after that!

Check out the wonderful words from Maine Cottage HERE. Thanks, you guys!

Downeast in the Ocean--sneak peek!

The second children's book that I've illustrated, Downeast in the Ocean, will be available in May this year. Here are a few illustrations from the book! All are done in pen and ink pointallism, with washes of watercolor.

Beckett

I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Beckett B. Michaud (who longingly, patiently, stared at the back of my head from the easel while I worked on My Maine and Downeast in the Ocean, begging to be finished)! He was a commissioned piece for a lovely friend and was then given as a Christmas gift. This was my first pet portrait and hopefully the first of many. Working out of my element in terms of scale and medium was a fun change of pace. It was rewarding to get to unveil it to the client myself and receive such a genuinely happy response. It was a nice treat.

If you are interested in a portrait commission, please contact me for more information

"Beckett" Oil on canvas. Approximately 24" x 26" 
*Yellows look a bit over saturated here, will try to update with a better image soon.

Advanced copy of My Maine!

The first copy of my first book arrived!! 

...And I think my own expression probably matched the book's cover image pretty close when I got this! I'm so excited to have an advanced copy of My Maine, what a huge sigh of relief getting to actually hold it in my hands! I'm very happy with the way it turned out and so proud to have a book out there with my name on it. 

We're expecting the rest to be in around December 15th (-ish). The book launch will take place in February 2011 during school vacation week sometime, more details will be posted as I gather them. So until Feb., if you'd like to purchase a copy (which I'm sure you do!) please contact me directly--just in time for the holidays everybody!