HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2011

Halloween past

Halloween

is around the corner I thought I would post a couple of my favorite

2007

2009

2010

drawings I did for this holiday over the years.

Just random shots I took of pumpkins

SFC October Issue 2011

The October issue of

"Stories for Children Magazine "

 is out!

You can find some wonderful stories written and illustrated by talented people like

myself ;)  

"Mystery of the Grinning Skull"

 (10-12)

By: Andrew MacRae

illustrated by: Stephen Macquignon

Pen & Ink
buy a copy to see the color version

Academy Salute to John Hubley

On the evening of Monday October 10, I was sitting in the Academy Theater. Enjoying a salute to John Hubley animated films from (1914-1977)

What a treat! His work is inspirational.

John Canemaker did a fabulous job Hosting the event

John Canemaker, Emily Hubley, and Michael Sporn

program part 1

The Ragtime bear, par John Hubley by jedall

I did not have a ticket and the show was sold out. I just did not think I would need to order one in advance. I had it all planed out leave work by 6:00 get to the theater no later than 6:30 buy a ticket show starts at 7:00 Done! Easy, it was easy until I got an email from my friend Patti asking if I was going? Moreover, do I have a ticket because are friend Michael told her it looks like the show is filling up fast.

program part 2

(Spit take) Wha? Noooo!



program part 3



   Therefore, this is when I became concerned Patti suggested ordering a ticket now and pick it up at the theater. Good idea but I do not carry any credit cards with me, so I text my gal asked her if she would call and order it for me; was text back telling me that ticket sales for phone order closed at noon it was 3:00.


  She suggested I call Michael and see if he can be any help another quick email and Michael responded by giving me a phone # to call to see if they were sold out and he wished me luck. I called, They were, but said if I can get there early enough and get on the waiting list usually the first 15-20 people get in.

Now my day job is being a massage therapist I could not leave any earlier then 6:00 because of an appointment that finished up at 5:45 so…

I am feeling like I will not get in. Nevertheless, I go to the theater expecting a line out the door and 21 people on the waiting list, that is not the case no line at all I thought I was in the wrong building. Went to the ticket sales table asked if they had any available seats for sale for the show, they said no. However, do you want to be on the waiting list? I looked at the list only about 8-10 people on the list so I said “Why not!” then waited in the lobby. While waiting I saw Heidi Michael’s wife and my friend.
 Michael must of told her what I said to him she asked if I had any luck getting a ticket? I said no I am on a short waiting list. She said to me let me talk to Michael maybe he can pull a few strings (just so everyone knows it is really cool to be friends with one of the most powerful men in animation).

(BTW Heidi pulled the strings)

She went to talk to Michael I waited and then my ship came in a man went to the ticket table and said he had an extra ticket is there a waiting list? One of the women behind the table got up and started calling out the names on the list one by one she called and no one answered except one.

me in the second row taking to a very nice woman,
Heidi one row in front of me
and John Canemaker to the left of Heidi
and Michael taking the picture 

That's ME!

  I felt like Charley and that I just got “The Golden Ticket”, I pulled out my wallet to pay for the ticket he declined my money and told me to enjoy the show. Within a few minutes, someone is calling out my name Heidi is smiling at me as my escort led me to privet get together. I ate a little something and then went with the rest of the guest from the party into the theater before the rest of the ticket holders.
    Did I say how cool it is to know one of the most important men in animation?

More John Hubley Films Link
Micheal's splog link 1, Link 2

Eastern Oklahoma Author Fest 2011

Over the weekend was the East Oklahoma Author Fest 2011.

  I have to be honest I have no idea how successful it was but it is always great to see the books you illustrate on display. It takes time and energy to make sure you complete the work in a timely fashion but in the end when I see them on displayed it brings a smile to my face.
 I do not clock hours when I work I just do not want to know how many hours it takes to illustrate one picture book. Except on a few occasions that I was paying attention to the time like with “Libby the Odd Squirrel” were I spent four hours inking fur on one illustration and “The Giving Meadow” I spent at least four hours on inking the snake scales for just one snake, that was not including the rest of the scene. In addition, I have no idea at all the hours I spent drawing feathers on birds and fluffy stuff that came off the cattails in “Ferdinand Frog’s Flight”. However, you do it. And I will keep doing it repeatedly as long as people enjoy what I do.

What a great display!

In this photo is “The Marshmallow Man”, “Libby the Odd Squirrel”, “The Giving Meadow”, and also “A New Job  for Dilly” I did not illustrate this one but it sits on my shelf proudly it was written By Rena Jones  who wrote
 “The Marshmallow Man”.

On this display you can see “Why Am I Me?” and "Ferdinand Frog’s Flight” the latest books I finished in 2011.

 I count five in total, some I have already mentioned. But I also see “Colors” this was the second book I did for 4RV Publishing back in 2008 still one of my top favorites and “Would a Kangaraffe Make You Laffe?”, and “I Fish Could Drive”.  When I look at this body of work, I see how I improved with every story. It is important to keep pushing yourself to be better.

I can also see a book that my friend Diana who illustrated “Priscilla Holmes, Ace Detective” she is an amazing talent and I am grateful for her friendship.

.

This is Vivian Zable, President and owner of 4RV Publishing, she also write well and is a stickler for proper grammar.  Thankfully, someone cares.  This picture of her is one of the best I have ever seen. It is also funny that in the three and a half years that I worked for them we never spoke by phone I have only heard her voice once on a blog radio interview so that is kind of funny.

A moving interview

A moving interview with one of the most important people I will most likely will never meet.
NPR Fresh Air's
Terry Gross

interviews

Maurice Sendak
 about his life and his newest picture book
“Bumble-Ardy”
Shhh & listen

"The Pig Wants To Party"

 (I am a little choked up)  

I always learn something new from this man.  

Mr. Sendak you will most likely never read this but I wanted to say
 *Thank You!*
 for being in my life.