Last summer I was asked to illustrate a magazine cover. And it is finally out! Above is the 2011 Jan/Feb SCBWI Bulletin cover. YAY!! For those of you who aren't familiar with SCBWI it stands for The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. A fabulous international organization for anyone interested in publishing books or digital content for children, middle grade, and young adults.
Photos by my son, Jesse WatsonYeah, well try, "If you give a T-Rex raw meat and teach it how to enunciate with its lips..."
There are certain rules of etiquette that simply elude a young T-Rex. I mean honestly, how rude! To go for my jugular just because I was a little late with his ground round. I guess I should be glad he's not picky whether its fresh or month-old road kill. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.
Rexy was quite pleased with my progress on the cover art. Naturally, he wanted to put it in his mouth. You just can't turn your back on a T-Rex. Really. Trust me on this one.
The only stipulation for the cover art is that it has to have a kite somewhere in the image. Since my cover was a winter cover, I took my kite out in a blizzard and tried to fly the thing.
After throwing it up again, and again, and again it started to climb towards the heavens...
Orrrrrrrrrr not. I feel your pain, Charlie Brown.
18 comments:
richard it's so great to see you "out and about". the cover is so good and knowing the hisotry of its creation is really really cool!!! steven
Love the cover thanks for sharing it's creation.
As a member of SCBWI, I should be getting this in the mail soon, then I can REALLY examine it! Looks fantastic from here. You are such a pro!
congrats! the cover is fantastic and you are very talented. sorry about the kite though........ maybe next time. :-)
Illustrating is like theater. Lots and lots of work goes into the behind-the-scenes process that most people don't see or understand. It's the details that make the picture and the creative work behind the concept that make it look like the illustration just fell out of your head. Of course, I'm sure Rexy thinks its all about him!
I love the going for the jugular photo, Jesse really captured the real you.
I have been wondering what you have been up to- hoped you were busy in your studio- and appears you were- apparently flying kites with Trexs can get complicated!!
I love the madness in your rex's eyes :D And the third picture caught me by surprise - hilarious! There is certainly a knack to kite-flying; for best results stand on top of a windswept headland overlooking the Irish Sea :)
This is the most awesome cover ever! I loves T-Rex. He is perfect. Beyond perfect. He inspires an entire book in me. You RoCK! Molly
Wonderful!!!
Richard, I loved the cover! SOO great. Thanks for giving us the story behind it.
The cover is wonderful, but it doesn't compare to the fun photos on this post!!! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Thanks friends. Rexy says to say "Hi".
Rooooooaaaaaaar to Rex and hi to you too Richard!
Love the cover!.....It's Light and bright and funny and scary ......and really quite terrifying.....It's PERFECT!
A beautiful illustration. Wow! It is a beauty! Such a great Rexy creation and "Hi" to him too from rainy Vancouver!
And it is a delight to see your photos as well in this joyful post.
What fun! I love the cover, and adore the photos! My gang are partial to the one where you're stuck in T-Rex's jaws. Raar!
Thank you Roaring Robin.
I appreciate your kind comment, Mary Jane.
Hey Faithy, RAAAR back!
Awesome cover! It's right on my drawing table. I may even have to frame it-I love it so much! Thank you!!!
Thanks Michaele. Your work inspires me!
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