death, taxes, and peach sangria

Released today! Check out my illustration for the cover of Death, Taxes, and Peach Sangria by Diane Kelly, the latest in the Tara Holloway series.

myth

My more modern take on this week's Illustration Friday topic of "Myth". Medusa always wanted a cool cape!

eating well magazine

How can you make a cream sauce without cream? Eating Well Magazine has the answer in their January/February 2013 issue and they asked me to illustrate the steps. Here is their recipe:

Cream Sauce Without the Cream

 Ingredients:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup finely chopped onion

2/3 cup long or medium grain white rice

5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 cup dry white wine

1/4 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground pepper

Procedure:

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, for 2 more minutes. Add broth and wine, bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until the rice is soft and the liquid is reduced, about 25 minutes. Cool slightly.

2. Transfer mixture to a blender and puree, in batches if necessary, until smooth. The consistency should be similar to a pourable sauce; add more broth or water as needed. Season with salt and pepper.

january bliss

The holiday rush is over, the decorations are all put away, the New Year's Eve confetti has been swept up, have a glass of wine and savor the moment! This illo can be seen in this month's issue of Ideal Home magazine.

edge

My illo for this week's Illustration Friday topic of "edge". I've been dying to draw a retro high waisted bikini, so here was my chance! Have a great week!

bewitched, bothered, and biscotti

Just released! You can see my latest book cover illo on the novel "Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti" part of the Magical Bakery Mystery series by Bailey Cates. Luscious cakes, cupcakes, biscotti and magic... mmmmm...

Here's a brief plot synopsis: "Katie Lightfoot – new witch and owner of Savannah's most enchanting bakery – is still getting used to casting spells, brewing potions, and mastering her magical powers. But that doesn't mean she can't find time to enjoy a picnic with firefighter Declan McCarthy... until she stumbles upon a corpse... When Katie learns the killer was after more than the man's life, she and her Aunt Lucy leave the baked goods on the rack to cool and set off in hot pursuit of a killer."

just draw it!

Last October my friend and fellow illustrator Koosje Koene offered her first online drawing course ‘JustDrawIt!’, and it was a huge success! She's offering it again, starting January 14.

If your New Year's resolution is to be more creative, taking this course is the perfect way to kick off 2013!

JustDrawIt!’ is a six week course in which the participants will get weekly updates with tutorials, step-by-step instructions, video's, photos, and lots of practical tips on drawing techniques and illustrating. Unlike many other online courses, each participant will be provided with my feedback on exercises and assignments they do. Apart from that, the course is full of unique content, practical tips, tricks and fun!

Take a look at her online video here and register here!

happy new year!

Happy 2013 everyone!!! I wish you a joyful New Year! I'm looking forward to 2013 bringing new inspiration through love, family, friendship, cooking and most of all travel (Italy – I'm talking to you)!

I don't really make resolutions for the new year but this year I am going to strive to be more organized and pare down my "stuff". As an artist I find it really easy to save things I think I might need for a future project, and even just little things that appeal to me visually but serve no other purpose. This is starting to lead me down a road of, dare I say, clutter! It's time to clean house and make space for a clear mind and spirit!

A note about today's illo, this is my January Facebook banner! It uses art that I created for Ideal Home magazine. They just love a retro look and so do I! (See a closer look on my page.)