IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE ONE

New album cover I finished last month for Cultures of Soul. This is an amazing underground, Atlanta disco record by Tommy Stewart. Can't wait to get my copy of this on wax.

I've done a few covers for these guys now and funnily enough a pattern is starting to emerge, last time it was Ancient Astronauts, this time the book of Genesis re-thought, lots of interesting myths and theories with a disco back beat.

Here are the labels I designed for this 2 record set.

I will be doing a giveaway or two when these couple records come out, so stay tuned. And apologies to people who won posters on the last giveaway, they are finally going out this week. Promise!

UGGH AUTHOR PHOTOS!

I always cringe when I'm asked for an author photo, especially since it's for kids picture books and you don't want a photo that looks too creepy or sinister. I usually go for pics of me where I'm not smiling, have sunglasses on and look quasi-criminal.

Thankfully my wife Lydia is a good photographer and after taking about 100 photos we go this one, and I like it as much as I'm able.

The best part is that the background is made of spreads from my new book before they got sent off to the publisher.

ANCHORS ASTRAY

Need to catch up on posting some recent work, here is a job for the Improper Bostonian about a young persons experience on a cruise. I've never been on a cruise, so I learned about many cruise things. Like those towel animal things. And that you can buy a book on how to make those animals, but its only for sale on the ship!
 Below is a spot that shows those creepy little towel animal things.

SWAP ME

Cards are inevitably the bits and pieces of new ideas kicking around my brain that are born as a result of the impending deadline of a holiday. Or sometimes they are just a picture of life at that moment.
This is Lydia's Mother's Day card.

SWAP ME is how AWESOME comes out when Lydia types with her Blackberry. It has now replaced the word itself when something is truly awesome.

I love that Oskar made her a "really hard maze, with lava balls in it" which is, come to think of it, an apt description of parenthood.

PET MISHAPS

Still recovering from the PA One Book tour. Lots of amazing memories and photos to sort through. Also, just gettting back into the swing of working in the studio. This is a detail for a job for Cottage Life about Pet Mishaps on your family vacation.

ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS

I've been on the road a bit lately with the PA One Book tour and I'm posting most of those adventures over at the Stop Snoring, Bernard! blog. But I did manage to make this album cover for Cultures of Soul Records that will be out soon.

It's a collection of some left field underground Boston based disco from Evan's Pyramid.

Andre Evans is basically the man behind the group and he is interested in Ancient Astronauts theory. Which is pretty interesting stuff, you can read more of it on Wikipedia here.

If you like your disco underground, dirt and cosmic you will dig this comp. When I get a couple copies on wax I will be giving one away so stay tuned.

PET PROJECT F&G

As if yesterday wasn't awesome enough. This came in the mail from Simon and Schuster.
The F&G's for The Pet Project written by Ann Wheeler. This will be out by this time next year. Can't wait!

STARTED MY NEW JOB TODAY

Thought I would get a new business card that reflects my new position.

BOOKMOBILE!

One of my lifelong dreams was fulfilled last week thanks to the Lancaster Librarians. Getting behind the wheel of a Bookmobile! I thought it was to be a quiet civilized lunch until this rolled up.

For me, when the bookmobile rolled up to my school, it was better than when Santa showed up...and way better than Officer Friendly. Although the Hot Dots were pretty cool. Anyone remember those? Little orange reflective dots to put on your shoes and clothes to help drivers see you on the way home?

Noticing the PA address system and pleading that one of the librarians use it.

I was hoping that one of them would Shssh! someone in the parking lot.

Behind the wheel!

After a Hunger Games discussion and a delicious lunch.

Adamstown Library 

Ms. Jan commands the crowd.

Huge thanks to the Lancaster Librarian's for a great day!

PA ONE BOOK TEE VEE INTERVIEW

This is a short piece skillfully edited by Randy Flaum at the York Dispatch but even his magic couldn't hide the fact that I was sick as a dog and was just getting my voice back.
That's the DayQuill talking, slow and syrupy.