Anik's Sketch-A-Day

Can't resist.

2012-01-09T22:49:00.004-05:00

A few more from my new lens:

an early morning New Years Day walk with my baby.

note: she's still in her pj's.

Happy New Years Everyone!

What we heard tonight...

2012-01-09T22:33:00.002-05:00

at the end of our driveway in the dark...

Click to hear.

And make sure your speakers are on!

We all know what he is. Do you?

We could tell exactly where he was sitting, but we couldn't see him. It was too dark.

My hubby's Christmas present!

2012-01-09T22:16:00.002-05:00

The lens, that is. Not the tiger.

Thank you, Santa!

Deadline...

2012-01-01T12:34:00.001-05:00

... I think I can... I think I can...

Cotuit Skiffs

2011-11-14T09:10:00.002-05:00

Summer on Cape Cod

Three Boys

2011-11-14T09:05:00.003-05:00

trying this again... somehow last post got eaten...

The May Fair

2011-05-15T06:44:00.002-05:00

St Mark's May Fair in my home town in New Canaan, Connecticut was up there with Christmas as one of the year's most anticipated events when I was growing up. Last weekend I went back with the kids and it was even better than I remembered. During this ride, Carys was down below waving madly with Nana and Grimpy. After the ride ended, I turned around to Solenn and she said, "Mom, I'm happy." Pure magic.

At my desk on a Sunday morning...

2011-05-03T09:03:00.001-05:00

This Saturday...

2011-04-07T20:20:00.006-05:00

I'm reading my new book at the New Canaan Library!

Quick Slow Mango! was released in January, and I'm thrilled to be sharing it with kids and grown-ups at the New Canaan library this Saturday.

I'm going to read the book. And then talk a bit about the illustration process, showing kids the steps along the way to making a book, and then I'll do a little demonstration of the way that I draw my illustrations. So if you've got a little free time on Saturday, come on by!

Saturday, April 9 1:30-2:30

New Canaan Library

151 Main Street, New Canaan, CT

p.s. My mom says she'll make Mango Muffins!

Owling

2011-04-03T08:48:00.007-05:00

A walk in the woods yesterday to see a mama owl in her nest.

Rock Climbing

2011-02-08T12:54:00.000-05:00

At the Bird Feeder

2011-02-02T22:14:00.000-05:00

Chess Tournament

2011-01-30T06:43:00.000-05:00

at the pta meeting...

2011-01-25T23:11:00.000-05:00

who'd've thunk I'd ever be at a pta meeting!

A Painting Class!

2011-01-20T19:15:00.001-05:00

Today I started a portrait painting class.
The first time I've done "real" painting in quite a few years-

with oil paint and everything.
maybe 9? 10? Years?? Is that possible?
The caps of my paints needed a wrench to open them...

Paperwhite

2011-01-08T11:33:00.000-05:00

The kids and I were inspired this winter by the book Paperwhiteby my friend Nancy Elizabeth Wallace.

So we "planted" some bulbs (i.e. stuck them in a bowl with some stones and water), and despite my very ungreen thumbs, this is what we got:

It was so easy and fun and fast. The kids love them. Every morning when we wake up there's something new and exciting to see.

The only thing is, they stink! Noone told us that part!

Here's Nancy's book:

Harry Potter book 5 and nail biting

2011-01-05T21:34:00.000-05:00

Early this morning

2011-01-04T10:29:00.000-05:00

Carys and I snuggled this morning with her unicorn pillow pet...

Ice Cream

2010-07-29T23:32:00.001-05:00

"I want some moke and some dat lobstah stuff."

This is what Carys said upon seeing a lobster billboard
the day after her first taste of lobster
at Waterman's Beach Lobster.

"Moke" is Carys for Milk.

This is her enjoying dessert ("ballila" ice cream)
after scarfing down half Glenn's lobster.

Can it get better than this?

2010-07-29T23:24:00.000-05:00

Blueberries

2010-07-25T21:54:00.000-05:00

We had a marvelous time in Maine.

The Saga of a Bikers Debut

2010-07-09T21:16:00.000-05:00

Is he up for the challenge?

Only time will tell.

He puts on a hopeful face.

He is confident.

Saga part II

2010-07-09T21:15:00.000-05:00

Or is he?

A quick prayer.

And he forges on.

The sister withholds her confidence.

Saga part III

2010-07-09T21:14:00.001-05:00

He shows a promising start.

It takes a steady hand.

Will he make Uncle Dennis proud?!

Can he do it?
Stay tuned...

Saga part IV

2010-07-09T21:13:00.000-05:00

He receives some pointers from the neighbor kid.

And the sister.

Ready once more.

And he's off!

Saga part V

2010-07-09T21:12:00.000-05:00

Additional pointers from the sister.

He thinks he can!

He can!!

Saga part VI

2010-07-09T21:11:00.000-05:00

Saga part VII

2010-07-09T21:10:00.004-05:00

He did it!! A true biker kid!

The ConEd truck better watch out!
(Don't ask!)

And there he goes!!!

Saga part VIII

2010-07-09T21:09:00.003-05:00

The sister wonders if he'll make it back.

And he does!
A round trip!

The crowd goes wild!

And jumps for joy!

Saga part IX

2010-07-09T21:08:00.004-05:00

Yayy, biker kid!

Saga part X

2010-07-09T21:07:00.006-05:00

Congratulations, my boy!

love,
Mom

An artist at work...

2010-06-23T21:07:00.003-05:00

Today Carys and I dropped the big kids off at zoo camp and went to draw the gorillas...

Happy summer, Everyone!

2010-06-22T21:49:00.000-05:00

We're ready to get mucky!

a few more... call me crazy!

2010-04-29T20:07:00.001-05:00

kids drawing. waiting at swim class.

2010-04-29T20:04:00.000-05:00

A resolution?

2010-03-29T20:14:00.000-05:00

Maybe I could try to post my sketches a little more often?!

I don't sound all that resolved though, do I? What with all the question marks...

The girls are getting bigger now. This was the big sister painting. See the tongue stuck out in concentration.

And the baby really isn't a baby anymore. Sniff.

These are the finished paintings for my new book...

2010-01-29T15:26:00.002-05:00

and their most dangerous threat.

-- Post From My iPhone

What my desk looks like right now...

2010-01-21T20:46:00.001-05:00

I'm in the middle of painting the finishes for my new Kidogo book. When i'm painting I have a hard time thinking about anything else. My brain doesn't like transitions.

-- Post From My iPhone

Wuhoo, Grace!

2010-01-21T20:17:00.003-05:00

My friend Grace Lin just won a Newbery Honor award for her book, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon! I am so thrilled for her. Yay, Grace!! If you haven't already, go read her book, everyone. She is a wonderful and amazing author and illustrator. I'm so proud of her.

2009-12-09T09:56:00.000-05:00

Sent from my iPhone

Today we climbed trees

2009-07-30T22:32:00.001-05:00

On my desk right now

2009-07-28T16:30:00.000-05:00

Amazing Monty
In Progress

iPhone brushes

2009-07-27T11:43:00.001-05:00

I just heard about this app that lets you draw and paint right on your iPhone screen. With you fingers. It's pretty cool. This is my first attempt. I painted both the pencil and the baby right on my little phone. Crazy, huh?!

-- Post From My iPhone

my secret dream job

2009-05-05T19:00:00.009-05:00

So my sister Kirsten is getting married in June and two amazing photographers are taking pictures of her wedding. Christine and Andy are not only wonderful photographers, they are really fun to hang out with and, what's even more, and so so cool, they let me take pictures with them when they were doing their engagement session for Kirsten and Dennis. I got to practice my dream job for a day and see them in action and follow them around and pretend to be like them. And I think I even learned some things.

Christine and Andy's website is bellophoto.net and the fantastic pictures they took for Kirsten's engagement session are here.

These are some of the pictures I took when they let me tag along...

Thanks guys!!

These last 2 aren't Kirsten and Dennis! I'm posting them for Christine to see because they're 2 of my summertime kid shots. Christine... the one at the bottom is the photo Kirsten was talking about of my boy and his cousin...

Book 3: Amazing Monty!

2009-05-04T23:18:00.000-05:00

I just finished sketches for the third Monty book!! Yay!
Here's a little peek...

Amazing Monty! written by Johanna Hurwitz
will follow Mostly Monty and Mighty Monty.

My Puppy

2009-04-20T19:46:00.004-05:00

My puppy Zephyr died last month and I think my heart is broken.

Interruptions

2009-04-09T06:44:00.000-05:00

I was doing this...

When in came this...

p.s. Found this blogging app for my iPhone. Maybe I'll update my blog more!
-- Post From My iPhone

Mighty Monty is out!

2008-11-13T09:35:00.001-05:00

Yay!!

Zephyr

2008-11-13T09:34:00.001-05:00

A few kids on the playgound...

2008-11-13T09:33:00.000-05:00

I was drawing on the playground - all the kids from school and a couple of girls came around and were "babysitting" the baby for me. It was very cute.

2008-09-23T10:23:00.002-05:00

Plimouth Plantation

2008-09-23T10:07:00.000-05:00

Meant to post this over the summer...

In the background is a goat standing on the roof of a goat house.

MetroNorth to GrandCentral

2008-09-23T09:57:00.000-05:00

playing on the beach

2008-08-06T06:45:00.000-05:00

The big brother is a master drip castler.

The Fringe

2008-07-27T22:47:00.001-05:00

My friends Jim and Michael are in The Fringe!
That's a big fancy schmancy theater festival in New York.
Their play is called Extraordinary Rendition and I was treated to a little sneak preview one deep dark night when I took some photos for their website and publicity.
It's edgy and intense. And you can go see it in August.
Check out http://www.extraordinaryrenditionplay.com/

My Summer Vacation

2008-07-26T00:06:00.000-05:00

(so far)

2008-07-26T00:05:00.000-05:00

The last of the zoo sketches.

2008-07-21T21:50:00.003-05:00

... for now.
polar bear

I love how his big feet stick out like a little sleeping baby's.
I don't think you'd want to give him a pacifier.
tiger
I did all these earlier this summer. Noel went to camp at the Bronx Zoo for a week and I stuck around a little bit on a few days to draw. Haven't been able to do that in a while and it was rejuvenating.

More zoo sketches.

2008-07-21T21:49:00.001-05:00

African wild dog
We spent some time living in East Africa back in the day, and actually saw these guys in the wild while on a trip to Zimbabwe. They are very rare and quite spectacular in the wild. The ones we saw had pups. And there were a couple of researchers out trying to dart them. Fun stuff.
I found them tricky to draw though. They don't stay still too much and they have a very odd shape. Not like regular doggy dogs.
lemurs
Would love to go to Madagascar.

How do you get to...

2008-07-21T21:45:00.000-05:00

... be an illustrator for the exhibits at the Bronx Zoo?
If anyone knows how you get to do that, let me know.
That's my dream job of the moment...
Grizzly
Chinchilla
Chinchilla
Gorilla
(left arm is folded so left hand tucks up under her head. Right hand is holding right foot. And left foot is back behind right leg where you can't see it - of course for all you Bronx Zoo recruiters out there, I would neaten this up a bit in the final drawing.)

an earlier sketch

2008-05-22T12:58:00.000-05:00

for that same illustration.
Noel posed for me!

what's on my desk right now...

2008-05-22T12:57:00.001-05:00

finishes for Mighty Monty. Coming soon (Candlwick, this fall)!
Unfortunately Amazon's got me down as Anek.

More from the Y

2008-04-25T19:45:00.001-05:00

The sketch on the bottom left is the big sister peeking through the doors into the big gym watching a dance class. I was worried about her getting bonked in the head if someone opened the door.

Sketching at the Y

2008-04-17T20:48:00.000-05:00

This seems to be the place where I get a chance to draw these days.
These were done with a ball point pen.

Home with the Flu

2008-04-14T22:54:00.000-05:00

This was from a few weeks ago. Ironically she was the only one in the house who wasn't sick. But she looked so warm and cuddly on the couch all cuddled up with us.

Childhood

2008-04-14T22:51:00.000-05:00

Why do babies have pockets?

2008-03-27T21:11:00.001-05:00

And while we're on the subject...
What is glitter-glue for?
Is it a glue or a paint?
Big sister loves it - for painting.
But then why is it called glue?

Have I mentioned this one?

2008-01-26T09:52:00.002-05:00

The Bedtime Review Board loves How To be A Baby . . . By Me, The Big Sister.

Sally LLoyd-Jones and Sue Heap. It's wonderful.

Baby in Hat

2007-12-18T13:45:00.000-05:00

Had 2 seconds to sketch while big sister was at swim class. Didn't get to finish hand. Big sister already crying that she didn't know where her mommy was by the time I got into the locker room. Poor girl.

A show!

2007-12-10T21:40:00.000-05:00

Kidogo will be making an appearance on Friday night, December 14, in Northampton Massachusetts.
5-8 booksigning and opening at the Old Courthouse Gallery at 99 Main Street.
The other illustrious artists participating are Alissa Imre Geis, Anna Alter, Grace Lin, Kelly Murphy, and possibly Meghan McCarthy (although she may have had to bow out).

And some gratuitous baby photos...

2007-12-10T21:21:00.000-05:00

We're going to the zoo-oo-oo..

2007-12-10T21:13:00.000-05:00

My boy and I went to the zoo on Sunday for a class. It was called Winter Wonderland, and the kids learned about adaptations that animals have for living in the cold.

We visited the Grizzlies. Did you know they only hibernate if their foodsource becomes scarce in the winter? If they have plenty of food, they don't hibernate.

This was another boy in the class.

Emily Brown

2007-11-16T12:41:00.000-05:00

The Bettime Review Board (that is... me and the kids) loves this book.
You have to read it. It's fantastic and cute! And it looks like there might be a sequel too.

Couldn't find a website for Cressida, but Neal Layton's is, fairly obviously, at http://www.neallayton.com/.

2007-11-16T12:30:00.000-05:00

Phyllis Harris was kind enough to remind me about my baby sketches again!
I must be lazy. I guess if there's noone making me do it, I just won't. Wow.
Anyway. I like these much better. And they even look like her. Yes, she's that cute.
I think 10 minutes isn't enought time to draw. It's just enough time to start getting warmed up.
But I like drawing without the pressure of having to post it regardless of how crummy it is... I couldn't take the pressure!

BabyDay 9

2007-11-04T20:56:00.000-05:00

all righty. I think I've just about had enough of this baby obligation thing. I think it's less fun for me to draw, knowing that whatever I draw needs to go out on my blog. Maybe it makes me freeze up. So if it's not fun, I'm not gonna do it any more. Maybe I'll still post some baby sketches... but only if I feel like it. So there.

baby hands

2007-11-04T20:52:00.000-05:00

BabyDay 8

2007-11-04T20:51:00.000-05:00

From yesterday.

BabyDay 7

2007-11-02T18:50:00.000-05:00

These were ok I guess. They are from yesterday. Didn't quite get around to it today - although maybe I still will.
I am exhausted. The big brother was home all week on vacation and we had some fun times, but now I'm tired.

The funniest thing about babies is that their features just seem so malleable. Look at her mouth. It's just squishy. Also... they are bald. At least mine are.

This is what the big kids were up to yesterday when I was doing my sketch-a-day...

Sometimes after you get going it's hard to stop. When I finished my sketches I was tired and the kids were hungry. We had "breakfast for dinner" (waffles).

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T14:27:00.000-05:00

Joel Stewart

2007-10-31T14:23:00.000-05:00

The kids and I found this book the other day.
We love it. It's by Joel Stewart.
We found his website and his blog...

BabyDay 6

2007-10-31T14:19:00.000-05:00

This was probably just 2 minutes. We were at the library and everyone started getting hungry and crabby.
But here's another quick sketch to make up for that... this was a cute little girl we saw at the library.
Having trouble scanning these so the sketch on the other side doesn't show through.

BabyDays 4 & 5

2007-10-30T19:15:00.000-05:00

This was yesterday. Blech.

Today. Finally a relief from the awfulness. Keep your fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Storm King

2007-10-29T14:31:00.000-05:00

so... I didn't get my baby drawing done yesterday. Went to Storm King yesterday with the kids. And we all l o v e d it. It's a giant sculpture park an hour or so north of new york city.

Anyone who hasn't been there should go. It's especially beautiful now with the leaves changing. But it closes for the winter after Nov 15. So go soon! Or wait till spring.

Did my baby sketch for today, but haven't scanned it. And we're going to The Blaze tonight and swim class right now, so I might have to wait to post it tomorrow. We'll see...

I know you're all waiting on the edge of your seats.

baby day 3

2007-10-27T08:40:00.000-05:00

ok. this is a little better.

baby day2

2007-10-26T11:58:00.000-05:00

wow. this is not much better. I think I might regret my promise to post these up here...

a baby a day

2007-10-25T11:11:00.000-05:00

ok. I did these crummy baby sketches. They are not so good. They don't capture anything about the real baby that was there. I am going to punish myself with an assignment. I promise I will do at least 10 minutes of baby drawing a day. And I promise I will post them online - whether they are crummy or not. We'll see how long it takes me to get better...

at the playground

2007-10-23T13:45:00.000-05:00

I just can't resist...

2007-10-19T09:44:00.000-05:00

putting this one up here.

my birthday is cake

2007-10-19T01:24:00.000-05:00

Whenever anyone asks my daughter when her birthday is she says, "My birthday is cake." I don't know what she thinks that means, but it is so cute that I don't have the heart to explain what the real answer to the question should be.

If I don't tell her, who will? I hope no one will. How long will it last?!

a sloth

2007-10-18T13:30:00.000-05:00

so... way back when I only had 2 kids. Yes, back in May, we went to Costa Rica for an aniversary trip. We stayed in an ecolodge, and while we were there a sloth passed through. This is him.

weird arms

2007-10-18T13:25:00.000-05:00

His arms and his legs twist around in ways you wouldn't think possible. He's got 2 or 3 more vertebrae in his neck than most mammals. Weird, huh?
In case this sketch is hard to read, You're seeing him from behind. That funny little bump is his tail. His front left arm is reaching back and across himself. His front right arm is in shadow on the other side of his back legs.

the sloth in pictures

2007-10-18T13:16:00.000-05:00

This is the sloth in person. His (her?) fur is all green from the algae that grows in it. And I believe there are certain species of moth that only live in the fur of the sloth.

2007-10-18T13:12:00.000-05:00

2007-10-18T13:11:00.000-05:00

Glenn watching the sloth.

2007-10-18T13:10:00.000-05:00

This is me sketching the sloth, six months pregnant (me, not the sloth). He didn't seem to be worried about people at all. He made several attempts to get past the lodge, until one of the guides pulled hi branch close enough that he could actually reach the railing of the deck. Then he crossed to the other side and disappeared.

coati

2007-10-18T13:04:00.000-05:00

The coatimundi was my favorite guy of the costa rican rain forsest. Isn't he cute? I didn't get a good chance to sketch him though.

baby toes

2007-10-15T13:20:00.000-05:00

I drew a lot of hands and feet in school, but none looked quite like these!

the girls

2007-10-14T21:04:00.000-05:00

Drawing at the Craft Table

2007-10-11T19:29:00.000-05:00

I was with the kids at a playdate the other day and drew this of Solenn while they were cutting and pasting away at the craft table.
Marker on Construction Paper.

Carys Mason McGrory . july 16, 2007

2007-10-09T20:15:00.001-05:00