Flying to Neverland with Peter Pan

I have a new book out!
...and yes there is glitter on the cover.

http://www.blueapplebooks.com/books/flying-to-neverland-with-peter-pan

Stuff I'm Thankful for

The list is long and by no means exhaustive, but sincere.  Of course the things not on there, but at the very top are parents, sisters, brothers, cousins, grandparents, friends, love, and unconditional love. So I love You every bit as much as I do scotch tape and space heaters.

THis was a sort of stream of consiousness for "things I am thankful for". It is already giving me hives that I have left  vital things out. What are they?

The monsters that live under my desk

moonshadow

Jewel is the one on the right

That's What I'd Do by Jewel

 Tomorrow, September 20, my new book comes out.  Written by singer/songwriter Jewel, it is a a song.  With pictures.
This is a new style for me.  And in fact I have never really had a book that pushed me out of the reality sphere. I guess poetry can do that for a gal. I loved it.

read it, look at it, sing it. cheers.

Southern Utah

A couple of landscapes from traveling this summer.  I don't usually do this sort of thing. Always good to try something new.

And a beautiful Blue Moon it was...

A Pirate or a Pilot

Breakfast with Jules and Julia Child

I just love this gal's blog.

http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=2371

Wild Thing, you make my heart sing

 "Oh, Please don't go. We'll eat you up we love you so."

Maurice Sendak elevated children's books to something beyond practical primers, tools or instruments to teach morality.  How do I thank someone that etched some of the first and best graphic words and images into my brain?

I guess by saying thankyou, Maurice Sendak.

Minette's Feast

Minette's Feast is Out!

I am really excited about this book!

It is written by Susanna Reich. Her skilled prose give sizzle to every morsel of this book. I love her words so much I can literally imagine Susanna cooking and sauteeing them over a stove.

Tamar Brazis and Chad Beckerman at Abrams make beautiful books! The care detail and  design make this book a work of art. 

Although I feel like I have a lot I can say about this book, I have no idea where to begin. Here are some answers to some VERY good questions on Anamaria Anderson's blog Books together

Here are a couple of my  favorite spreads:

 (by the way the above image is so very much like me in Japan. I definitely felt a kinship with Julia)

 

 (this and one other image are inspired by the Parisian artist: Theophile Steinlen.)

About Julia:

Isn't she incomparable, formidable, non?

Who else sucked the marrow of life out of the bone quite like she did? 

About the book:

Buy it. Read it. Check it out. Feed it Grapes.

Bookstore of my choice:

Feel free to support my favorite bookstore, Whistlestop books. Drop them an email, and Jeff will sort you out. At least with books.

Book Page Interview

Check out this Book Page Interview about my new book Minette's Feast which comes out May 1.
http://bookpage.com/meet/meet-amy-bates.  Go to the link to see the whole interview!

News! People Magazine!

"That's What I'd Do" written by Jewel, my new book due out in September. It will come with a CD of lovely song, sung by Jewel, that goes along with the book.

Here is a link to an article about it on People's website
http://celebritybabies.people.com/2012/03/26/jewel-to-debut-first-childrens-book-thats-what-id-do/

A Rainy Saturday and Bunny Paints

I used to work in an office doing educational software type things. I was lucky enough to work with some great people like Guy Francis, Jim Madsen, Hala Wittwer and Maryn Roos. I remember we were talking about weather it is worth it to buy expensive paints and paper and brushes, or if it is really a matter of talent period. Do you need the special Bob Ross brush to paint foliage?

I don't really know the answer

Today was a great rainy do nothing day. The kids have been wanting to paint, so we did. I did these 2 minute head studies with cheap-o Crayola bunny paints and crappy brushes on 11x17 printer paper.

Ok I will say this, confidence is the best thing you can spend your money on. There is something so refreshing about breaking out of the mold not agonizing or noodling a drawing. Just laying it down in 2 minutes flat.

(Not that these are genius or that I prove the rule....ach I don't know what I am saying. Just have fun.)

Spring is for the Optimists

Its true I really couldn't. I did try. I'll let you know if anything comes to mind.

amy

Two different scanners and some butterflies

So here are two different scans of the same image. Done on two different scanners. One is a a big sweet scanner and one is my little Cannon scanner. I'm not saying which is which, but I am curious which one people like better. Also I would love to know what scanners you are using and if you have any recommendations on worthwhile scanners.

Thanks!
amyjunebates

tweedle dee

This is a bit of fun for an upcoming book. We ended up not using this one, but I really like it anyway, so here it is.

Drawing is the thing I like best.

THe Old Woman WHo Lives in a Shoe

Things have been pretty busy, and I haven't been able to do much outside of the jobs that I can't talk about.

Here is one from the archives. The Old Woman's face is one of my favorite things I've ever drawn.

happy January.