Merrellart

Each panel of this story has been completely redrawn and repainted.  Each panel a small water color.  This is the first book I will have on Amazon in both print and digital.  It received the Sue Alexander 2012 Scholarship Award –which was all expenses at a 3 day writers conference in Encino, CA.

The new cover.

Page by page I go over each panel and touch up the art work.  This finished version is better than the original.  It is a 32 page children’s book.  This book is slated for Amazon in both print and ebook formats.

The last page in the book.

This drawing for an earlier book illustrates my state now.  I’m not painting, but rather dredging my subconscious for the drawings that will be just right for my graphic book in the works  (now partially on paper and partially in my head).

A hastily improvised family reunion happened mid-June.  Six of the seven living siblings gathered and were hosted at Tony’s and Dorothy’s.  We kept it simple.  We ate, then sat and talked.  When talk lagged, we ate something else.  Tony barbequed steaks and Alaska salmon among many other things.  In all a perfect recipe for any gathering.  Love to the family.

I have finished my book of family stories: printed, bound, and distributed to family members.  I now let several stories from inside begin to surface.  I’ll play with each and whichever coalesces first will be my next working project.

The back yard of our farm in Montana.  It is one of the images I selected for the cover of the book of stories about our family.  The siblings commissioned this painting for our parent’s 50th wedding anniversary.  Painting now owned by my brother, Shan.

Tweaked my the photos using iphoto, then inserted all into the finished text.  The bindery required PDF files to print the 184 pages.  A first time and steep learning curve for the whole process.  The book is finished and only a couple of minor technical glitches.  The book is for family members and a few friends.  This is a big accomplishment for me.

All the text for “GILL,” my life stories book has been written, proofed, and edited.  Photos have been selected and sized; the black and white illustrations done.  I begin combining text and pictures to the final PDF format for the printer.

Spring is coming.  I have all the writing done for the family book.  Only need to finish the illustrations.  The photos have been matched to the relevant stories.

Musician after Picasso / ACEO

Checked with the printer of my life stories book for the family for details and other advice.  I’ve selected photos for some stories.  I’ll review other stories to add B & W illustrations.  I’m nearing the end of the process and am anxious that all go well to the finish.