Marco's Back!

My new book in the Marco Flamingo series has just 

been released.  It is available in bookstores, on-line, 

and at www.raventreepress.com.  Send me an email 

with any questions or for signed copies. I am available 

for school visits.  I'll be at the Rochester Children's 

Book Festival on Nov. 7, 2009.  More info on the 

Festival to come. 

 

My cat, Hunter, likes me to read to him.  Or does

he just like the movement of the pages turning?

Here, he is just too interested in the stick to care!

Palmyra Pirate Weekend

I spent a few hours on Sat. and Sun. Aug 8, 9 at the 

booth shared by Books, ETC.(Macedon) and Village 

Book Market (Palmyra) promoting Marco Flamingo 

and talking with all the little pirates. What a hoot 

watching the Pirate Puppy Parade!

I met two authors---always a treat.  

Michael Pealo wrote August Storm, a journey of 

an abused woman.  Michael is a licensed practical 

nurse in Marion, NY.  

JoAnn Meaker is a retired teacher in the gifted program

in Fairport.  Her book, Ontario, published by Arcadia, 

is an historical review of Ontario County. 

Michael and Me

My Illustrator's Group

We started the illustrator's group a few years ago

with a mission to support and encourage each 

other in our goals.  Donna Farrell created the

FLiES (art "for little eyes") web site.

Each of us created an illustration for the site.  

From this site there are links to individual 

websites/blogs.  Postcards will be created to 

send to publishing houses, editors and art directors.  

We made great progress this summer!

We meet once a month.  Below is a photo taken at 

our last meeting at Lori's house.  One of our members, 

McNevin, moved out of state last month and will be 

missed.  He will still stay in contact and be part of 

the group.

Donna, Karen, Roxane, Stephanie, Lori, and Me

McNevin

It is so important to network and be around other

illustrators.  I love seeing their work, risk taking,

and growth--great motivation for me.  Being with a 

group keeps one on task--eager to show and share 

something new at the next meeting.  Our members 

both write and illustrate, but the focus is promotion 

of our art for children's books.

The Best Place to Work and Relax!

I love to write and sketch at our cabin on Keuka Lake.  

We have friends who love to veg out there with us.  

The sound of the waves, wildflowers, swallows, 

mallards, and pines all contribute to renewal,  

reflection and peace.

Cricket and Max

The owl caught the most fish!

Look at Max with his toy-adorable-he's patiently 

waiting for me to play with him.

As I worked on the edit for Marco III, Cricket read

and played with her dog, Max.  My husband and 

Rick fished (catch and release).  No one wants to

clean fish.  There's little planning and no shopping for 

these get-aways.  The night before, Cricket and I decide 

what we have on hand to bring and don't even care if it 

will rain.  Any day is great at the lake!

Book, ETC. of Macedon, NY

I just discovered a book store in my neighborhood.  

It's been there two years!  Wonderful place--sells used

and out-of-print books and new books from local authors.

My book is on sale there; I'll also do a reading/presentation

on Oct.18.

  

John and "Books" the bookstore cat

John Cielinski, the owner, is a retired English teacher.

The book store has a cozy back room for small group

meetings and events.  Coffee and snacks are available.

Some of the events:  Meditation Thursday with Claire

Eirmann, Readers Theater, Sudoku, Chess and other 

games, Wayne Writers Guild sessions, Spanish night.

Lily in China

Wow, Lily awesome trip!

Patrick, Lily and Kathryn

I taught Lily's children, Kathryn and Patrick (now grown)

when I was an art teacher at Ganada.  Lily has remained 

a dear friend. Lily just got back from a month in China with

her children and other family members.  Her husband Paul

had to work.  I would have quit my job! 

Even though Lily was born in Taiwan, this was her first trip 

to China.  As a fiber artist (she makes beautiful quilts) 

I'm sure she was inspired by the gorgeous colors and patterns

of Chinese textiles.  Lily also loves pottery. She threw pots

before working over a potter's wheel threw out her back!

Here is the link to view the photos of their trip.

Home Garden Tour

My friend, Trish and I, toured ten private home gardens 

in Webster yesterday.  It was a perfect day to walk 

and enjoy the richness of nature.  Color, texture and 

sweet smells everywhere.  I took many pics to use as 

reference for Marco in the jungle. So many flowers can

look tropical, exotic or "jungle-like" with a little exaggeration.

Trish (with coral bag)

Me (love yellow and purple together)