Frog Princess

In honor of National Tell a Fairy Tale Day, I thought I would post this canvas of Phoebe opening the door to see her suitors lined up to see her. I have been working on new sketches and characters based on this painting. Phoebe has had a makeover, and the story is really coming along. I am putting together a dummy for this fairy tale. My version’s working title is called Phoebe’e Big Day.

I even dusted off my printing press and am working on a collage style for this story that incorporates monoprints…so far so good, but not ready to show you! 🙂 I am including a small sketch of the “new Phoebe,” (the one without text) and I will show more very soon.

Calling All Pipers…

11 pipers piping

This piece is quite long and I do not have an oversized scanner, so my camera is doing its best to show all eleven pipers. I may have to photograph each piper individually so you can see the characters and lines and details. But here is this to give you the general idea! Note that there is always one SYLVIA in every crowd. (See day SEVEN). 🙂

Noteworthy Dish at the local Doodle Diner

Join us at the diner to hear the latest news about some of our local locos. Order yourself a slice of our “signature” (shameless pun intended) apple pie and let’s dig in!

Headline: Mother Goose Makes Her Mark

First, our lovely Candace has jumped in with both feet. Her amazing illustrations can now be seen at www.childrensillustrators.com. Yep, big news, indeed.

Headline: LicoriceGirl Finishes Ant Art!

Next we will give you the dish on miss Kathleen Rietz, or Kate, as we call her here in our busy kitchen. Miss Kate has been slightly MIA as of late, but we are happy to have her back!! The reason for her absence has been more than excusable. The art for her most recently illustrated book, Little Black Ant on Park Street, is now officially complete! Great job, Kate! We are mucho proud of you. Look for the release of this book later this summer.

Headline: Super Cool Dad Designs Custom Curtains

News about David is big. And we mean big. Nope, he hasn’t eaten his wife out of house and home, yet! But….drum roll, please…wait. First, pull up a high chair and grab the bibs and crayons, because in the not-so-distant future, Pickledog is going to need this when they visit the diner! Yahoo. They just found out not too long ago, so they still have some planning, dreaming, nesting to do. But this is big news! David, be sure to fill us in as we get closer to the due date!

Headline: Sketched Out ROCKS Out!

What about our poet-extraordinairre? You know, the clever Linda Silvestri. (aka SketchedOut) Well, her brain and her pencil have been working overtime, keeping us in stitches with her lively chartacters and her ever-present wit. Linda is also celebrating the fact that she joined SCBWI and is considering taking the ultimate plunge–Summer 2009 SCBWI Conference in LA. If you are reading this and have ever attended the Summer Conference, let her know what is in store.

The first scoop on Roberta (aka Mouse in the House) is sa-Weet!!! She has been featured in a Podcast on Just One More Book. Woohoo! go Roberta! The second scoop on Roberta is bittersweet. Roberta just returned from her father’s funeral. Please email her over the next little while so she knows you are thinking of her during this difficult time. Her outlook is great, and she knows things happen for a reason. We are sure to see wonderful things from her, as always. Her creativity, sensitivity, and productivity will be in full force. We love you, Roberta!

Headline: Princesstomato's Bird Lady Reaps and Sows

Last but not least, yours truly, Teri Skrdla (aka Princesstomato) is pleased to report that my most recent book project has been awarded a grant from the state of South Dakota Arts Council. I am honored to have the endorsement of this great state, and I must confess that I am starting to see a mac in my future! Opinions on that are most welcome. The above illustration is a sample of possible final art for what is page 25 in the dummy. Let’s have a round of bread pudding for all our Doodle Diner visitors! It’s on the house!!

Thanks for stopping by the Doodle Diner. Come back soon!