Peter H. Reynolds' The Word Collector Book Launch

I had so much fun celebrating Peter H. Reynolds' The Word Collector at Blue Bunny Books/The Dot Central in Dedham! I love this beautiful new book. Thank you to Peter for surprising me with The Little Book of Hygge ("hygge" is a word I learned while assisting with this project).

Here's Peter sharing a little love with the crowd.

If you want a sense of "hygge", visit The Blue Bunny. I feel so grateful to share the journey with the wonderful people there.

My Guest Post for the "24 Carrot Writing" Blog: Creating an Oz-Inspired Illustration

I recently had the delight of contributing a guest post to the wonderful 24 Carrot Writing Blog! Visit my post there — From Start to Finish: Creating an Oz-Inspired Illustration — to get a peek behind the curtain of one of my paintings. I discuss my illustration process in preparing for an NJSCBWI illustrators' intensive with Maria Middleton, Art Director for Random House Children's Books. I hope you'll enjoy seeing some of the steps I take when approaching an assignment!

It was an honor to contribute to 24 Carrot Writing's August Illustrator Bonanza. While you're there, I recommend also reading the great posts by illustrators Milanka Reardon, Brook Gideon, and Matthew Cordell. And of course, check out 24 Carrot Writing's awesome posts on writing — you may be inspired to become a 24 Carrot Writer yourself!

NESCBWI Challenge Piece

Here is my NESCBWI17 Conference challenge piece! Looking forward to the conference tomorrow. 

Speed Painting — Return to Oz's Billina

I have been wanting to make fan art for this clever little hen for a while! I love the character of Billina from the movie Return to Oz and the original Ozma of Oz book by L. Frank Baum.   

See how I made it—here's a speed painting recorded in Procreate:

White-eyed Vireo Practice Piece

Practicing painting, just for fun! 

I was inspired to paint this bird (a White-eyed Vireo) after my friend Tammy Hill Parks sent me a beautiful photo taken by Jerry Vanbebber (scroll down to see the photo). Tammy and Mr. Vanbebber are both members of the Oklahoma Ornithological Society, and you can view more beautiful photos at their public Facebook group.

Here's that gorgeous photo I mentioned. It was great to have such a perfect reference photo to work from!

Photo Credit: Jerry Vanbebber

Peter H. Reynolds' HAPPY DREAMER Release!

I'm thrilled to announce that Peter H. Reynolds' HAPPY DREAMER (Scholastic) is now released.

I was honored to be able to assist Peter during parts of this book's creation, and it was incredible to get a behind-the-scenes sneak peek. This book is one of those titles where each page looks more delightful than the last—I find it impossible to pick a favorite spread.

Here's the book trailer, which is stunning (IMHO):

Visited The Blue Bunny bookstore in Dedham MA to celebrate at the launch party. Couldn't be happier for Peter! I hope this book reaches far and wide, inspiring happy dreamers wherever they may be.

InkTober - Quick Doodle with Procreate

Just a little doodle today. Working with iPad Pro, still getting up to speed with Procreate. Enjoying DizzyTara’s ink brushes, available on Gumroad. 

InkTober: Transport

I've been super busy, but I really wanted to create something for InkTober today. The prompt was: "Transport." I know this is simple and rough, but I think it's fitting that I made it while being transported home on the train!

InkTober—Drawlloween Prompt: "8 Legs and 1,000 Eggs"

I've been working on other projects, and I've fallen a bit behind on InkTober—but here is a quick doodle, inspired by the Drawlloween prompt "8 Legs, 1,000 Eggs." The eggs are hidden somewhere in this girl's house! Fortunately, she and this spider are destined to be good friends.

InkTober: Hungry

Another InkTober drawing completed! The prompt for today was "Hungry."

This is a bizarre drawing, but I enjoyed making it. I'm really drawing from my childhood memories this week! Anyone know what this is? 

InkTober: Jack Pumpkinhead

Tonight, I decided to create a portrait of a character I really loved as a kid—Jack Pumpkinhead from The Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum, originally illustrated by John R. Neill. I decided to incorporate the October 3rd "Mug" prompt from Emily Wayne Illustration, too. 

I'm really enjoying trying some different styles this week!

InkTober (Noisy) and Drawlloween (Carnival Creeps)

Had fun creating this drawing for October 2nd! I combined the InkTober prompt (“Noisy”) with the Drawlloween2016 prompt (“Carnival Creeps”). Looking forward to tomorrow's prompts. . .

Participating in InkTober This Month! Kick-Off Drawing: FAST

I'm excited to participate in InkTober this month! Started by illustrator Jake Parker in 2009, InkTober is a challenge to create one ink drawing a day for the entire month of October. Search #InkTober on social media to see all the amazing ink illustrations being created around the world. This has become one of my favorite events in the fall!

There is an official (and optional) prompt list one can follow on the InkTober site. The prompt for October 1st is "FAST." Here is my ink drawing:

Already looking forward to tomorrow's drawing!

Fabulous Workshop for FASHION REBELS by Carlyn Cerniglia Beccia

I had an awesome time attending Carlyn Cerniglia Beccia's workshop/signing for FASHION REBELS (Aladdin, Simon & Schuster) at Barnes & Noble, Burlington, MA. This book is wonderful—a perfect combination of fascinating information and gorgeous illustrations. The women featured in this book include Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette, Josephine Baker, Audrey Hepburn and more (including modern-day rebels like Ellen Degeneres and Michelle Obama). 

I was delighted that there is also a section on Frida Kahlo, one of my favorite artists and fashion inspirations. I may just use Carlyn's instructions to create my own "Frida-Style Flower Crown".

Carlyn was kind enough to pause for a photo with me. Note our fashionable animal prints here!

Julia Anne Young and Carlyn Cerniglia Beccia

Learn more about Carlyn Cerniglia Beccia.

Celebrating THE WATER PRINCESS

This weekend I had the opportunity to celebrate the launch of The Water Princess (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers) at The Blue Bunny in Dedham, MA. Congratulations to Georgie Badiel (whose story inspired this beautiful book), author Susan Verde, and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds. 

Susan Verde, Julia Anne Young, Georgie Badiel, Peter H. Reynolds

Georgie Badiel shares her story and why this book means so much to her.

Work in Progress: Boardwalk Scene

Part of a larger illustration I’m now revising based on helpful feedback from my critique groups. Thankful for their insights!

Launch Party for Judy Moody and the Bucket List

Had fun celebrating the latest release in the Judy Moody series—Judy Moody and the Bucket List, written by Megan McDonald and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (Candlewick Press). This book is a great reminder to reflect on your life and think about what you want to experience and accomplish before you. . . well. . . kick the bucket!

Peter did a drawing demonstration for Judy Moody fans at this Blue Bunny event.

Peter H. Reynolds drawing Judy Moody

New Painting: Afternoon in the Woods

Finished a new painting. Honestly, creating this made me wish I spent more time outside! 

Video! Creating the NESCBWI 2016 Spring Conference Logo

This year I had the great honor of illustrating the NESCBWI 2016 Spring Conference Logo (the New England Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). It was an amazing journey creating this, and I loved working with Heather Kelly and Josh Funk from the NESCBWI team.

Heather asked me to create a video sharing some of my process for creating the logo, which was screened during the conference. I had a great time creating this video with my talented sister, Amy Young.