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eBoy (“Godfathers of Pixel“) is a pixel art group founded in 1997 by Kai Vermehr, Steffen Sauerteig and Svend Smital.

Their complex illustrations have been made into posters, shirts, souvenirs, and displayed in gallery exhibitions.^[1] They were founded on May 2, 1997. “We started working with pixels because we loved the idea of making pictures only for the screen. It’s the best way to get really sharp and clean looking results. Also, handling pixels is fun and you are forced to simplify and abstract things, which is a big advantage of this technique.” ^[1] eBoy is based in Berlin (Germany) and Vancouver (Canada).

Their influences come from: “Pop culture… shopping, supermarkets, TV, toy commercials, LEGO, computer games, the news, magazines…”^[2] Kai grew up with Nintendo to inspire him, the rest of the eBoys lived in East Germany where video games did not exist.^[3] Their work makes intense use of popular culture and commercial icons, and their style is presented in three-dimensional isometric illustrations filled with robots, cars, guns and girls. Now, most of their designs are printed and not used solely for computer screens, allowing images to get more complex with details.^[1]“If we don’t work on other projects at the same time it takes about six to eight weeks to finish a very detailed cityscape, three eBoy’s working on it, nearly full time. But, if we have to do it in our spare time, which happens often, it could take years to finish a picture since we can’t spend so much time on it.”^[1] Their style has gained them a cult following among graphic designers worldwide,^[1] as well as a long list of commercial clients. Their latest project are plastic Peecol toys with Kidrobot, and a line of wooden toys are to be produced under their own label.

Source: Wikipedia

Visit Eboy’s web site here.

Check out Amazon for Eboy Posters

Happy 2012! I began the new year working on a poster for Virago Theatre Company’s upcoming production, A Taste of Honey.

According to Virago Theatre: A sensation in the late fifties and early sixties with its bold racial and sexual themes, and boasting huge successes in London, Paris and on Broadway, Delaney’s script is considered a masterpiece of character driven black comedy. A Taste of Honey is directed by Virago Artistic Director Laura Lundy-Paine and performed in San Francisco’s intimate Thick House Theater.

About the artwork and design: A combination of brush pen illustration and digitally altered photographs–a stained paper bag and the face of woman on a 1950s advertisement–coupled with clean, modernistic design atop beautifully chaotic “grime.” In short: A mixed “mess.”

I was thrilled to work on the poster for this year’s Oakland Youth Chorus’ Holiday Concert. The title, Peace-ing It Together: Peace, Love & Music posed an interesting challenge since it was a rush job and I had to come up with a concept quickly. I put my attention on the word Peace-ing and thought of a dove. Christmassy, yes?

Then I sketched out the dove and paired placed with a Treble Clef in its beak. This says “music,” right?

I played with a few drawing tools, comparing the various renditions in pencil, pen and chalk pastel. The chalk pastel won out. To give the artwork some extra oomph (plus, tie in with the young singers), I added a collage of digitally modified photos of the youth chorus on the wings and body of the dove. After some tweaking of the layout and type-speccing… Viola! A completed poster!

Be sure to check out OYC’s holiday concert this Saturday, December 10, 2011, 6 PM. Visit Oakland Youth Chorus’ site for more info.

It’s been a while, folks. In February, I traveled abroad on family business and since returning I’ve been occupied with playing catch up. Life is gradually returning to “normal.” For starters, I am involved in a fun spring event—the annual childrens book illustrator show at MOCHA (Museum of Childrean’s Art) in Oakland, Once Upon A Time. Come to the Artist Reception tomorrow, March 27, 2010, 2-4 pm. For location and more info, visit the museum online.

The following image is a pencil draft of a page in my picture book, Can You Catch A Coqui Frog? written by Vera Arita and illustrated by yours truly. If you’d like to see the actual finished illustration, then do come to the show which runs until May 7.

My clumsy sketch was made into a colorful image for Illustration Friday using Photoshop.

Last Friday, as soon as I found out the theme, I grabbed a ball-point pen and a piece of paper and started drawing the first thing I laid my eyes on: a little toy hen that resides at my desk. It was an experiment in expressing the theme using my left hand!

Here’s the original sketch:

Note: I am not left-handed. Can you tell?

I decided to modify a version of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus around the time I quit pursuing publishing. That was close to ten years ago. I spent several years prior with a very strong focus on picture books but that gradually gave way to frustration.

The industry was changing. While I was repped at the time, I had a hard time with the change. Externally, things looked all right. Internally, I was at odds with myself. I painted my heart out—pouring all my feelings onto canvas. I took three years off. When I returned, I was able to look at the painting with a “fresh” set of eyes.

Finding Your Path in Kid Lit

Sometimes I’m approached by people who want to write and/or illustrate children’s and YA books. I might sound like a broken record but I always utter the initials: S C B W I. It stands for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

One  thing I did upon returning to children’s books was join the SCBWI. It has been instrumental in helping me reach my goals. I do the work, stayed focused, yada, yada. However, the SCBWI provides a ton of resources and has helped me make important connections. I can’t speak highly enough of it.

Check out the SCBWI here.

Here’s a picture book written by Vera Arita and illustrated by yours truly. This 24-page PB features a fun romp with animals in the Hawaiian islands. It’s due for release in Fall ‘09.

My first Illustration Friday for 2009

Here’s how Illustration Friday works: Every Friday, IF members receive a word prompt to illustrate. The above brush-pen image is my interpretation of the word “Contained.”

I sketched this last Friday using a ball-point pen. Today, I re-drew it in brush-pen, scanned it and added shading in Photoshop.

Monday, 8 AM.

Yesterday, while walking along Lincoln Avenue, I came upon this worn-out wooden knob. There was no apparent use for it other than it occupying a space atop a post, between two small Victorians. Whatever fence was previously attached to it was now completely gone. Probably torn away decades ago. I find the ratty condition of the wood quite charming–its shape and linear patterns, along with all the knicks and scratches, leading my eye into a richly-textured background.

 This week I’m playing around with my fisheye cam as much as I can. Is it the holidays or is it me? I feel like gobbling up all the eye-candy around me. The images I see today will surely show up in my paintings in one form or other. Perhaps I’ll shoot and post something everyday for five straight days. Then again. Perhaps not.

At our house, the BareNakedLadies holiday album gets lots and lots of play. But putting one’s Christmas lights to the BNL jingle bells tune?! THAT’S pure genius! Enjoy!

I came across this cartoon while browsing the net for updates of Obama’s historic win. I can’t remember the article or blog but in the comments section someone simply wrote: “This says it all” with a link to the cartoon. Perfect.

Loved it at first glance. Then I had an idea. So, I contacted the political cartoonist, Steve Sack, for permission to post his cartoon. He not only gave his blessings but he sent me the jpeg! (Thanks, Steve!)

Pinch me. I’ve not only posted the coolest election cartoon from the net but Senator Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the USA! He will be the first African-American. first Hawai’i born citizen to hold the country’s highest office.

I’m still savoring Election Night. Anyone else?

I volunteered for a huge GOTV phone-banking campaign at the Convention Center/Marrott Hotel in Downtown Oakland. When they announced Obama’s victory, close to a thousand people danced, shouted, cried and hugged one another. I phoned my family and they, too, were celebrating.

Oakland Mayor, Ron Dellums, who is African-American, gave an impassioned speech saying, “As a young person, I could not have conceived of this moment… But it’s here; this is the human family. You’ve elected a man who sees the world as it is.”

The room buzzed with a rambunctious, gleeful vibe. However, everyone quieted when Obama showed up on two monster-sized TV screens. We squeezed in closer, eager to hear his words. Obama did not behave the “victor.”  Rather, he exuded a serious, mindful demeanor—an acceptance that his winning encompasses everything: the wonderful, the worrisome and the ugly—the challenges facing America today. He didn’t fail to delight, however, with news of a puppy for Malia and Sasha. (How about a cute little mutt?)

I walked out of the convention center to music blasting from a nearby restaurant. People spilled onto the sidewalks and streets, dancing and shouting in jubilation. I drove away as the honking began. It started as a faint beep in the distance and grew louder and louder, bouncing from car to car until it came to me. Of course, I joined in. We tooted car horns in a “call and response,” all the way to the Oakalnd Tube, past the cops blockading access to Jack London Square. Yes we did!

After months of all work-no play, I dragged myself to the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators LA Conference, Aug 1-4, 2008. I came back feeling renewed, refreshed and rarin’ to go!

Here are some conference notes and impressions, from A to Z:

Aspire. Aspire to reach your goals and dreams in kid lit. In her closing speech, Newbery-winning author, Susan Patron, recalled what it was like to sit in the audience. She attended conferences as a “writer disguised as a librarian.” She had me thinking: What are my true aspirations? We’re served heaps of wisdom during the conference, but certain words and phrases stick with us, help us turn a corner. Susan gave a quote about “the clear-eyed truth”: Writing can be compared to “hanging by a thread sprung out of your own guts.” Wow. To which she added: “If you use your very guts to spit out the very finest book you can, call Sue Patron.” It’s a deal.

Books. Read a lot of Books. Read Books in the genre(s) you write. I steered clear of the SCBWI bookstore until the third day of the conference. When I got there, I was like a chocaholic at a chocolate factory! I ended up shlepping a fair number of books home but that’s okay. I have enough books to keep me happily reading through fall. (I need another book shelf though.)

Craft. Workshops focused on the craft of writing in all genres–humor, mass market, graphic novels and more. From Mac McCool, I learned about France’s long-standing tradition in “Comix Albums.” I also heard that Japanese manga is quickly turned-around because it is produced by whole studios of artists. Graphic novel works by individuals take longer. Maus by Art Speigelman took 10 years to produce. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi took 5 years.

Dig. As in “Dig in.” Best-selling author Margaret Peterson Haddix’s words. Margaret shared her journey as a writer, signifying the importance of focus.

Editors. Editors have similar concerns as writers, according to a panel of editors at the Pro-Track Luncheon. They worry about how their email sounds–whether they’ve offended an author, etc. Sure. Rolling up your sleeves and meeting deadlines is important. But prompt, friendly emails will earn you extra points.

Fresh. Fresh take on topics. Fresh illustration styles. What editors and agents want.

Gala, Golden Kite Awards & Giggles.

Paint-the-Town-Red Gala… What a Blast! SCBWI sure knows how to throw a party! Plenty of food and drink, great DJ, dancing, plus a costume contest! I dressed in red as an “Artist.” (I got carried away with the red make-up!). I ran into fun-loving fellow Blueboarders, Cindy and Christy…

I met my statuesque crit friend, Laura, from the Poet’s Garage.

For my “outfit,” I fashioned a fake bag with two reddish paintings of “LA town.” Each side featured an LA image–the “Hollywood letters” and the palm trees of Sunset Blvd. I included the SCBWI kite, of course.

Golden Kite Awards presentations and luncheon. Enjoyed the conversation and camaraderie. Heard some wonderful speeches by the winners. I loved Bay Area author/illustrator Yuyi Morales‘ animated finale. Here’s a photo snapped with her after she signed her Golden Kite Award-winning picture book, Little Night.

Now about the Giggles… Executive Director of SCBWI, Lin Oliver, is a sharp, funny and cool-headed MC. She co-writes the humorous Hank Zipzer series with Henry Winkler. So, we had no idea Lin had a “problem” with giggling, until she told us (and even better–demonstrated). Lin’s teachers would actually send her out of the classroom for giggling (!)

This happened during the last conference session: A woman interrupts Lin at the podium. The lady has something important to say, so she walks up to Lin, chitchats and returns to her seat. Lin says into the mic: “You want me to announce what?!” Turns out the woman lost a shoe ornament! Lin asks the lady stand. The lady’s face is beet red and I’m thinking: All this for a shoe ornament? Well, I’m not alone. Lin starts to…

Giggle. The crowd giggles. Even Steve Mooser, President of the SCBWI, is wiping his eyes and giggling. It was pure fun watching Lin Oliver’s giggling girl in action. So glad the giggling girl made it to the conference.

Lin Oliver signs a copy of her Hank Zipzer book :-).

Heroes. “Kids need heroes,” said prolific author, Bruce Coville, in his opening talk, “That’s how they create themselves.” Indeed, the writer creates heroes through story. How’s that for noble responsiblity?

Inspiration. This was freely distributed in large doses for four days straight.

Jobs. Aside from performing the self-imposed job of writing, having a “daytime job” and interests beyond writing is a plus, according to editors and agents. Being well-rounded is good. Of course, having a job also helps pay the bills!

Knowledge. Top reason for attending the conference, right? You go for the knowledge, but stay for the motivation. This conference didn’t disappoint.

Love. Beyond the love of writing and love of books. In her Golden Kite acceptance speech, Sara Pennypacker quoted E.B. White: “Each book is a love letter to humanity,” with which she asked, “So, if it’s written in love, then why hold back?”

Marketing & Media. Industry pros shared thoughts and insights on media and market trends that might impact children’s publishing. There was mention of cross-platform publishing, purchase of “properties” as opposed to manuscripts, Kindle and e-books. Note to Self: Learn more about the new media proposals and deals. Keep informed.

Network. The conference offers a chance to meet industry pros and make connections. Meeting fellow writers and illustrators is always a joy. Be it new friends, old friends. Here are Christa, Laura, Stephanie and Cooper–having fun at the Gala.

I also ran into a few folks from the Blueboards, the children’s lit message board at www.VerlaKay.com : Cynthea Liu (with her cute baby girl), Jay (who signed his book!), Linda Joy Singleton, Stephblake24, AngelaF (congrats on winning the costume contest!) and the incomparable Verla Kay, herself!

Open. As in having an Open Mind. Judging from the panel discussions on career and market trends, the value of keeping an open mind while staying true to one’s aspirations cannot be over-emphasized. Learn. Watch trends. Respond to editorial feedback. Agent and editors alike say, “Keep open.”

Plan. Agent, Micheal Bournet of Dystel and Goderich Literary Management, uttered this word to a room full of right-brainers. Michael advises that we create a plan (using our left brain!) and follow that plan to success. His workshop, titled “Building a Career for the Long Haul,” offered a lot of practical gems.

Quirky. Quirky is hot. “Emerging” author & quirky illustrator, Adam Rex, gave an entertaining and informative presentation. Several agents and editors expressed interest in quirky themes or styles. But here’s a caveat: Quirky ought to be your style. (See Voice.) Be yourself. That’s the underlying message. The marketplace caters to a variety of perspectives. Find an agent, editor or house that matches your style.

Remembrance. The 2008 SCBWI Summer Conference is dedicated to the memory of author, Sue Alexander (1934-2008). Her influence, talent and dedication, as the first member helped grow SCBWI into the world-wide organization it is today.

Senses. Bruce Coville, in his opening speech, said: “Bring the reader inside the story through the senses.” He suggested that we note how many senses we’re engaging in our MS.

Today. Today’s stories for today’s kids. What tickles their interest? What worries or concerns them? Today’s market: Brush up on market trends but also look deeper. This message echoed throughout the speeches and talks.

Universal. As in Universal theme. My goal with a certain MS based on a personal story. My conference consultation was just what I wanted: an honest evaluation of my piece. My author consultant gave helpful feedback. I was so pleased to get affirmation of the Universal theme(s) in my story. Yay! Now, on to revision no. 99! (just kidding…I mean no. 98. )

Voice. Veteran editor, Krista Marino moderated a panel of emerging editors and said that every editor has their own Voice. Something to keep in mind. Lin Oliver had this question for the panelists: “Plot or Voice?” All agreed that Voice was the “correct” or “best” answer. Gretchen Hirsch said she wanted “page turners.” However, Nancy Consecu maintained that while she can help a writer improve Plot, she can’t “make” a writer have Voice.

Write. Write up to kids. In her closing speech, Susan Patron quoted E.B. White (he was quoted a lot): “Anyone who writes down to children is simply wasting his [or her] time. You have to write up, not down. Children are demanding…”

Xtras. (This spelling is a stretch but…) “Xtras” can’t be beat! The Century Plaza Hyatt was great and close to a mall with a first-rate food court, grocery store and great selection of restaurants. On Sunday, Brazilian eatery had samba dancing (for everyone) just outside its doors. My writing pal and I couldn’t resist. We danced a bit of samba, working up an appetite for Pan Asian food at the newly opened restaurant, Rock Sugar.

Samba on a Sunday! Photo by Laura Elliott.

YOUth. We were reminded to keep in touch our youthful audience, as well as, listen to our own “inner youth”!

Zest. Zesty! My mind was fed. Now, my heart is aflutter with renewed Zest for kid lit. Happy writing! Happy illustrating!

Happy spring! I have LOTS to share. Here’s some stuff (and it’s only Tuesday!):

Nowadays, I’m painting away in my studio for a picture book project. It’s a whimsical, Hawaiiana picture book written by another author. The above image is a reference photo of a black spiny sea urchin shown in the picture book. This cool looking creature lives in tide pools and coral reefs around the Hawaiian islands. Another illos project I’m working on calls for humorous line-art for a niche market book written by a doctor in NYC. More about these projects when they’re done :-)!

Spring cleaning. Whether or not you’re currently obsessing or soon-to-be obsessing with stuff from spring cleaning, watch this eye-opening film: The Story of Stuff. This animated film introduces a whole new paradigm shift on “stuff”–how we deal with it in our daily lives, locally and globally. Ever wonder where all the stuff we use comes from? Where does it go? Think you have a good idea? Watch the film. The story is told in a humorous, educational way. I highly recommend it. Check out a few teasers here and here.

While the film depicts some brute, and perhaps shocking, realities of modern living, it offers a message of hope (thankfully) by the end of the film. The Story of Stuff site suggests how we can make a difference, listing action steps, resources and organizations.

After May Day, then what? Asian Pacific Heritage Month that’s what! So…it’s only fitting that PBS is showing the award-winning film, Na Kamalei, The Men of Hula, directed by my hula sister, Lisette Marie Flannery, under her film production company, Lehua Films.

The film documents Halau Na Kamalei, under the direction of Kumu Hula, Robert Cazimero, as they practice and compete in the premiere hula competition, The Merrie Monarch. FWIW, Na Lei Hulu is hula cousins of sorts with Na Kamalei. My kumu studied hula under Kumu Robert for many years, competing and performing with the group at wide range of venues, including Merrie Monarch and Madison Square Gardens in NY.

Also check PBS for info about the filmmaker, the film and show times in your area. In the Bay Area, the film is running today, Tuesday, May 6 and Saturday, May 10 on KQED, channel 9.

Stay tuned for more stuff as the week unfolds. Thanks for visiting!

This major doodad consists of a bunch of little doodads. That’s about all I know of this so-called Victorian Strobe. I found it on a 2007 holiday gift blog. Go there and discover exactly how useless this doodad is or stay here, prop your feet up and peruse my happenings…

Group Show at MOCHA
Children’s Book Illustrators Then and Now at Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) will show from April 5 to May 31. View an original image from my book, THE SLEEPING GIANT, and a self-portrait I created when I was a teen.

Meet the Artists on Saturday, April 5, 2-4 PM. Come on down to Oaktown!

From the City of Oakland’s Calendar: Popular annual exhibit features the current work of children’s book illustrators alongside works created by the artists when they were children. See stories illuminated by some of today’s most innovative and exciting illustrators – and see what they were creating way back when!

Wicked Lovely Art Contest
Wicked Lovely author, Melissa Marr, held an art contest. The deadline for submissions was set for Winter Solstice when I submitted my illustration of characters, Sasha and Donia. I’m not sure of the status of winners but a selection of art from the contest can be viewed at Melissa’s site. Lots of teen talent there! Scroll down to peek at adult artwork, including mine.

I’ve Been Listed…
…by author, Kim Norman. on her new Visiting Authors by State site. Now, if you or your nearest school want an author/illustrator to visit with the students for the day (wink, wink), you can search from a list of CA authors. Thanks, Kim!

Soup’s On!
Last month, I was fortunate to be interviewed by children’s book author Jama Rattigan on her blog, Alphabet Soup. Jama asked a lot of good questions, posted a ton of pics and she even squeezed in my mom’s recipe for lumpia. Check out the fun here.

"The significance of Amelia Jones's Body Art/Performing the Subject cannot be overstated. Body Art is a book that is long overdue, and one that I suspect will drastically change the field of feminist art history, particularly as it concerns the performative art production of seventies artists." —Performing Arts Journal

"If art history traditionally has been a male-dominated enterprise, O'Dell and Jones renegotiate its gender. The stories these two writers tell, and the images they reproduce, suggest that their revisionary critical practices are not justified but revelatory." —Henry Sayre in Art Journal

"Insightfully self-reflexive and critical re-reading of modernism and postmodernism." —Saul Ostrow, Bomb

"In her latest book, Body Art/Performing the Subject, Amelia Jones locates her critical project with particular reference to the work of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Simone de Beauvoir and Judith Butler, and thus joins the increasing number of feminist philosophers, film theorists and art historians exploring notions of performativity, embodied subjectivity, situated knowledges and the phenemenological intersubjectivity of the interpretive act. Jones's book represents a particularly powerful enunciation of the reconception of the subjectivity of the artist and the historian calling into question both the production and interpretation of art as moments of active negotiation of 'body/self' boundaries and limits." —Art History

This weekend an “earth-shaking” literature event is taking place: Reading the World X, a conference dedicated to multicultural literature education, held in San Francisco, CA at USF. I say earth-shaking because my lovely neighboring city of San Francisco, is rumbling with the footsteps of attendees from all over CA and other states, who have gathered together to celebrate, educate and share with one another—a wealth of voices in multicultural literature. Guest speakers include: Ashley Bryan, Naomi Shihab Nye, Alma Flor Ada, Leslie Tryon, Laurence Yep, Sarah Ellis, Peter Sís, Rita Williams Garcia, Jack Zipes and Doris Orgel.

I’m honored to participate as a presenter my first year at this event. Today, I’m putting on a workshop titled From Hawaiian Talk Story to Printed Page. I’ll be leaving shortly and will update this post with stories, updates and hopefully, pictures. Stay tuned…

The above image is from the picture book, Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei by Peter Sís, which graced this year’s Reading the World X posters and promotional materials.

Peter Sís tells an evoctive, multi-layered tale of growing up behind the Iron Curtain in Czechoslovakia in his picture book, The Wall. I couldn’t put this book down even after it turned dark and I had to read with just the inside car lights on. (I brought the picture book along on an errand, hoping to squeeze it into my day–which I did!)

In the car’s dim lighting, I learned how the seemingly innocuous, yet twisted schooling of the boy, mounted up to a lifestyle of paranoia and fear. He hears of a relative being thrown into prison for planning to defect to the West. His parents no longer speak freely in front of him and his sister for fear of being ratted on by them. However, the boy’s internal walls, erected and reinforced by Soviet society, begin to crumble long before the Berlin wall does, thanks to his love of drawing and hunger for artistic expression.

Sís captures the flavor of youth’s innocence amid sordid world views through stunning pen and ink illustrations, graced with sensitive, carefully-placed color washes. Read this book and relish the visuals, but take time to read the timelines at the beginning and end of the book. Much more than a memoir, it summons a fresh take on Communism and the Cold War. Other reviews on The Wall can be found here (must sign into the NY Times) and here.

I look forward to hearing Mr. Sís speak, along with other children’s literature luminaries, at Reading The World X, a multicultural literature conference held next month at USF–it promises to be an enriching event. I’ll be an attendee, as well as, presenting insights on Hawaiian storytelling. Stay tuned!

When my son was a toddler, he’d get super excited when we included peas in his meal. He called them “balls” and he’d throw them around the kitchen. He would also shake, rattle and roll–practically blast off–in his high chair whenever he played with…I mean ate…his food. This illo (a mix of ink and colored pencil) was a drawn a while ago when he was 1.5 years old. He is now 15. You do the math.

Cheers! May you soar with your dreams (and soar in your dreams) in 2008!

Hey, I made a virtual snowflake! I went to one of the best online artsy crafty sites around–it’s fun and relaxing, sophisticated yet simple to use. It allows redo’s, previews, downloading and saving as a photoshop or .eps file. My snowflake was modified in photoshop using the gradient tool (in the background layer) which I tweaked with the sponge filter.

Create your own snowflake here.

Love things that sparkle? I know I’m not the only one who does. The holidays bring out the sparkle bug in all of us. Think of all the people who flock to view those overly-decorated blinking homes on display during the holidays. On a recent trip to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, we (my family and I) saw a gigantic whirligig sculpture from a distance–a landmark for The American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM).

Trekking toward the whirligig, we came upon a mirrored tree marvel (top photo). It was comprised of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of mosaic mirrors with colored plastic and glass embellishments along its trunk, base and “branches.” Hanging delicately off the tree branches were dangly mirrors of assorted shapes and sizes which caught the afternoon sun at the perfect angle, setting off a mini light show that bounced and danced off the sidewalk, the street and us!

We entered the museum, turbo-charged for more delightful discoveries. (AVAM is incredible. A must-see next time you’re in the Baltimore-Washington DC area.)

Check out the cool up-close, lovely details. The name of the sculptor TBA (as soon as I find out).

Here’s to home-grown shiny and festive. Promise not to send PETA after my father-in-law? Paul grew up hunting the wilds of Chesapeake Bay (pre-suburbia) and this deer head, a gift from his brother, hangs in the family room. Paul’s decorating-diva spirit definitely got the best of the deer–the lights, beer cans and a blinking doodad on its nose–so not Martha Stewart!

Paul strung up even more colored lights along with his hand-crafted contraption of pine cones and beer cans placed on a retro beer-tab chain hung along the walls and ceilings of the room. Can you imagine him on reality TV: Straight Former Hunter-Chemist with a “Queer Eye?” Not! Well, at least, he can express bright, shiny and festive!

Hello,

I'm happy to announce that my first picture book, THE MAGIC VIOLIN, is now available on Amazon. They haven't uploaded the cover art yet, but it should go up pretty soon.

Cheers!

Mayra

I read some interesting news last week. I’m adding the links so you can read the whole story if you wish.

"KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Tom Wayne has amassed thousands of books in a warehouse during the 10 years he has run his used book store, Prospero's Books." Thus begins this article by DAVID TWIDDY, Associated Press Writer for Yahoo News.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070528/ap_on_re_us/book_burning

What is the world coming to when a man is forced to burn thousands of books as an act of protest because nobody wants them? I only wish he would have asked me!

Another news which quite surprised me, in a positive way, is the new business agreement between Booksurge and some of the top NY publishers. Some publishers like Harper Collins have made an agreement with Booksurge to have some of their current and back-list titles available in POD form. This might change the outlook of many people about the POD stigma. It seems that finally some of the top houses are realizing the pros of using print on demand, like saving storage/warehouse costs and having old titles available and making money instead of keeping them ‘out of print’. Read the full story here:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1009383&highlight=

Lastly, another interesting thing I read last week has to do with Amazon reviews. It appears that Amazon will not be posting unlimited reviews by reviewers and readers as it is doing now. Instead, only three reviews per book will be displayed, and the reader will have to go to another link in order to read more reviews. Who will select these reviews? What will the criteria be? Could their decision have to do with all the controversy about the fraudulent reader reviews? It seems some authors, adopting fake names or even impersonating real people, have been posting rave reviews of their own books, while at the same time posting harsh reviews of their competitors’ books. Read the article, "Amazon Reviews are a Farce" here: http://weblogs.java.net/blog/monsonhaefel/archive/2003/11/amazoncom_revie.html (this link was passed on to me by SF author M.D. Benoit).

It amazes me what some people will do to promote their books-lie, cheat, assume a fake personality. Is this what book promotion has come to? Keeping this in mind, I’m not surprised why ‘legitimate’ reviewers from newspapers and other print publications have lately offered so much criticism to online bloggers and reviewers. Giving freedom to people to post reviews is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately, some people will always abuse that freedom and transform it into something ugly. In the end, the good people always suffer because of a few black sheep.