tania howells

March 1 release date!

                                       Click for full size!

Well!   I found out last week that the release time of spring 2013 for Willow Finds A Way, is specifically March 1.  This is very exiting because somehow spring seemed distant, but now it is very soon!   Lo and behold, it is already available for pre-order on Amazon!  So I thought I would share some of my process with you.
Above is the page 4 you will find in the book.  It is the first page of the story, and the kids are in the classroom doing various things.  Kristabelle is up to her usual ways of being a bit bossy and full of herself.  Willow is off on page 5 doing a painting at an easel.

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My first rough sketch had Kristabelle in full on dictator mode!  Willow was standing to the side looking worried.  Jane is looking annoyed.  It was all a bit too dramatic!  

 

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Next we had Kristabelle as more of a smooth operator, charming her classmates with promises and fun games.  Everyone is paying attention and wants to be included.  This is closer to the final page.  Again Willow is off on page 5 doing something, but also paying close attention to what Kristabelle is up to.

In the end, it was decided that Kristabelle should not be manhandling anyone, but merely beckoning them with a prop.  Here , in the linework stage, it is a magnifying glass from the science table.  It later became a plant frond of some kind.  She is reaching to hold hands with Tianna, who is a cheerful participant in any of Kristabelle's plans.  We finally went ahead and I coloured it as above.  This all transpired after the entire book was finished, as pages 4 and 5 were the last to be written!

 

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Here is the full spread as you will see in the book!  I have to say, decisions were all made by my amazing editor and then designer, who are sharp as tacks and do not miss anything.  It was a pleasure and honour to work with them!  I tend to be slightly overwhelmed when it involves 32 pages of roughs, linework, final drawings, and without them, there would be no book at all.  No wait, without the lovely Lana Button, who wrote it, there would be no book at all!  What a team effort!  Hooray!

book of the month on TVO KIDS!

SO exiting!!  Willow's Whispers is book of the month in Gisele's Big backyard Bookclub!!

This won't mean much to you if you don't have a toddler and a TV and live in Ontario, but thanks to the wonders of the internet, you can watch Gisele, actually READING OUR BOOK!!!  This makes me feel just thrilled and delighted.  I grew up watching TV Ontario, Finch watches it now too and loves Gisele.

A few months ago I remember watching with Finch and wistfully thinking " Gee I wish Gisele would read Willow..." and dang, did it not come true?! It DID!!

Here is a link to the bookclub page and Willow is the main choice this month.

Hip Hip Hooray!!

 

Jan 16, 2013

I am kind of going crazy for this book right now. I have been waiting for it to come in at the library since the summer when I read an excerpt from it in my mum's Martha Stewart living magazine. I knew right away I would love it but decided to be frugal and just put in a library request and wait. Well it's clear now I shall have to order my own copy. I want to make nearly all the recipes! I am thrilled by the idea that I can make these things - ketchup and mayo? I guess I knew you could make them but... Now I see how easy it is and I am going nuts! Does that make sense? It's so liberating! It's magical! I grew up just thinking everything comes from the store full of sugar and salt. Same thing with the homemade deodorant- that changed my life. Sounds silly but it's absolutely true.

Trying more doodling-  These are super quick pencil sketches and then colors just blabbed on top, over multiplied layers and more layers.  It's fun because it gives me the impression I like from seeing layers in silkscreening.  I think I like the first one from yesterday...I am quite a bit more interested in all the patterns and shapes going on in the background and less in the girl...maybe I should forget the girl next time...I will try it and see.                                                                                                                     

This had a picture of a wonky bicycle next to the girl, that I took out, and originally said " The me I used to know- knitting socks, long solitary walks, books and bike rides, mangoes, observations, coffeespoons, night moons, poetry and sleep.  empty days, full now" The only reason I edited it was that I scanned it fast and the rest was cropped out.  It was some ramblings from  night when I was so exhausted but wanted to try and get something for myself done, wanted to get a few pages of quick sketches down so I could later scan them in and do this! Ha! goodnight.

I was exited to have the energy last night to do some doodling.  It occured to me the other night, after I had told my husband that I might just quit art altogether and go into something simple like being a receptionist or a secretary, once Finch is in school.  I do so love filing and getting offices in order ( I am not joking at all there!) and he, horrified, said I mustn't quit! ( thanks babe)  So it occured to me that IT IS ALL THERE.  All the ideas are still in my head, all the images and ideas I liked as a kid, still turn me on.  The colours, patterns, themes and objects.  I still like birds and tea cups and clouds and cakes.  So along came some ideas for drawings I wanted to try that have a lot of layering similar to what I like to do with watercolours.  I like what came out!

Here is a little painting I did for my friend Chandi to announce her return to work after Mat leave.  It goes with the other images she commissioned earlier on.  I had fun adding layers of pattern and colours here too.  Photoshop's nice because you don't have to wait for the paint to dry!

Okay now to get the lunch on and turn off my best friend,  the TV! 

Jan 7, 2013

Instagram is neat! It helps to jazz up the so so pics this old iPhone takes- blogging from the phone sure is convenient but I didn't like how large the images ended up being. Maybe doing it this way will encourage more posts.
The first picture I took earlier this evening when finch and I were having our supper. These early dark evenings require serious back up. I have candles, fairy lights and various other lamps to help me through dinner prep and mealtime.
Next...
Obligatory coffee pic! This is from a few Saturday's ago when I got to escape for lunch with my friend. The coffee girl did such a beautiful job!
I wish I had made a category for pictures of tea and coffee way back in bloggy beginning...I think I have a few ( too many ) on here.

woo hoo! I thought Finch deleted this!

Winter musings while playing in the snow and having nice strong coffee...

 

Have not blogged in ages! Some part of me loses momentum quite often...

New year resolutions? Haven't had a chance to come up with many but I have been thinking about life at 37. I really never pictured myself getting to this age and it's finally sunk in that I am a grown up. If that sounds silly, I know. I have known I am a grown up since I turned 30, but lately I finally felt in my bones that I can do what I want. No body else cares and it's expected anyway.One new years thought is that I am done with parenting books and "experts" who just help me to undermine my abilities. Being so tired leaves open a very tender spot that easily gets doubtful about every decision made, so I am going to avoid triggers as best I can. Look at this kid- I am doing great!
stripes and polka dots and bright colors- love them. Every day. Who cares if I look like a 9 year old on Halloween? That's my thing.
Coffee- saves the day every day- drink up. tea works a charm later on in the day.
Pinterest- pure awesome. Every time I feel bummed out, a good dig on pinterest and I feel inspired again.
Friends who think like me- no more asking advice from people I know think totally opposite to me- it only pokes my tender insecure spot and makes me feel bad for days. Who needs that?                                          Making stuff- got some ideas, starting to feel juices flowing again. It makes me feel better.  Need to do it or perish.  And in conjucntion, blog about it.  I felt that 2004 was my blogging zenith ( i know , ages ago!) and that the blog world is so saturated with stuff, who needs me?  But you know, its fun and it keeps me motivated so I willl try and find time to show you the nimbly little things I make here and there again.  If infact there are any "you s" still coming on by to visit!  I have always been more of a turtle than a hare.  Slow and steady wins the race.

:)

happy new year world.  lets get cracking.

xox