Hello Blogger Family, It's been a while, but I have taken to blogging again. We will see if it sticks cause I have a pile of work on my desk, but I miss my friends so much. Hope that all of had a wonderful Holiday and Christmas. I have already celebrated the New Year, but for those of you who are waiting..... Well,... Happy New Year to you!!! May it bring your hearts much joy and happiness and lots of creativity energy! I have been doing lots and lots of books and things, but I haven't written and illustrated anything of my own in a long while. I was playing with some China Markers that I purchased and I really had fun doing so. It was nice to put pencil to paper again. I have been working digitally and hardly ever get to do that. I am working out a new style and different approach to my work. I am also working on my writing again. Kinda like a journey to me. Well, I put china marker to paper and this little girl came out. She is Lil V or Vanessa. A version of my 4 year old self. I hope to share stories of my childhood in a humorous way to excite and inspire children. I would love to hear your thoughts if you are willing? Wishing you All a very Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holiday and Merry Christmas!!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

It's nice to clean your office cause you might find surprises like this one! Have a wonderful day! Peace.

I have a monster. He's a good guy. He has friend and she loves him very much.

I can't go a day without a little music. Music is like air to me. I need it. Hope that you are having a wonderful day? By the way, what are you listening too right now? Just wondering...

Character development for a new picture book. More to come!

An interview with Deborah Kalb

Hello Everyone! Lots going on here and there. I won the Jane Addams Peace Award and went to NYC to receive the beautiful award. Debbie Levy and I received the award for our book, "We Shall Over Come"published by Disney -Hyperion and Jump At The Sun Press. We had an awesome beautiful day. I also got the pleasure and joy of seeing Ludwigs Bemelmens's Madeline and that was awesome! It's on it's way to Eric Carle Museum. If you are in the area please check it out! It was beautiful.

Friday was a most important day for me and Debbie Levy as we were both presented with the Jane Addams Peace Award for our book "We Shall Over Come", published by Disney-Hyperion and Jump At Sun Press. It was indeed an honor and if you know me, you know I cried. Like a baby. I only wished that my Mother, Father and the rest of my family could have been there. We were hosted so beautifully by the committee and you could literally feel the love in the room. I will never forget their kindness and sweet words to me. Marianne Baker, YOU ARE THE BOMB DIGGITY LADY, thank you Ann, Heather my hostess, Pat and everyone for making the day so very beautiful and special. Tearfully thank you all from the bottom of my heart. A very special thank you to my Sister Coy LaVerne Brantley Curry who wrote my acceptance speech! You are the wind beneath my wings girl. This could not have happened with out your love. Tearfully me. Love you!

Peg Legged Piggy #inktober Hey, have a great day everyone! Friday's coming!!

Just in time for Thanksgiving! The family will love it

I'm not into horror and stuff, but I find Vampires hilarious! This is my Halloween Collection for 2014. Will be in stores 2015. Have a great week.

Hello Fellow Bloggers, Here is my little contribution to #inktober! He's got a story, but I can't share now. He's locked me in the closet and taken over my computer. HELP!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Get your dance on!

Hey Look Ma! I made it to Design Inspiration! Jeff Andrews is the Bomb!

The fabulous Jeff Andrews of Design Inspiration did a fabulous interview with me and of course I wanted to share it with my blogger family! Please check it out when you have a moment and please leave a comment cause we like your comments. Thanks beautiful people! Designinspiration.blogspot.com

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone! L'Shanah Tovah to you and yours!

Hello Bloggers, I wanted to share with you a new book that I am working on. It's the story of Harriet Powers the famous quilter. Harriet was a slave, but she became famous by creating her storybook quilts that hang in museums today. The book is called, "Sewing Stories". This is the opening illustration for the story. Harriet is laid on handmade quilt by her mother in between the rows of a corn field. I can only images what her mother was feeling. Having to lay her baby down in a field with snakes and bugs while she picked corn and cotton. Unnerving to say the very least. Here are just a few of Harriet's fine quilts.

I have no hair, but she does. It's called, " Good Hair Day". A collaged piece that I have been working on and finally finished. Hope you like it! Hope you're having a good hair day too!

Happy Monday Beautiful Bloggers! Have a great day!

Sketching is something that I really need to embrace. Sketching is very hard for me sometimes. I'm really trying to enjoy the process.

Morning Blogger Friends, Just doing some sketching and trying to get back into blogging a bit. Hope that you are having a wonderful day! Fresh start to the week! May it be full of giggles and surprises!

Hope that your weekend is MAGICAL!! "ABRACADABRA" Do you know what it means?? "Abracadabra" is a hebrew word meaning, It is so or make it so. So, Abracadabra and have a wonderful weekend people!

Hello Beautiful People!

Hello Friends, Hope that you all are doing well. Summer is just about over, but I hope you all had fun. I would love to know what you did over the summer? I have been working all summer long. Work is a good thing. I'm not complaining. Here is a new character that I am working on. I don't know who she is or what her name is. Maybe you could tell me? Anyway, thank so much everyone for your kind comments Sending you ALL hugs!

I wanted to thank you all for your comment on the last post. It's so nice to hear from you all. My desk is full, but I miss you all so much! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hope that you all are well and living well. Have a beautiful weekend everyone!

Hello Bloggers, I have been missing in action and I really am sorry about that. I'm up to my armpits in work and taking care of family and honestly Blogging has taken a back seat for the moment, but I wanted to come by and tell you that I just finished my first Golden book called, " I Can Do It"! It's about about a little girl that tries to dress her self and do everything by herself or at least she tries. Right now you can find it here. I hope that you are doing well these day. Can't believe how fast the Summer has flown by. Wishing you all smiles and happiness. Best to you.

Just Posting

Lots Going On in My Studio

Hello Blogger Friends, Hope that you all have been doing well. It's been super busy for me with family and work. I feel bad because I haven't really been around. Sometimes life happens so fast that the things you love to do get passed over. I miss you all so very much and I long to come back and start blogging again. I am making time to do so. Wish me luck. Sending you all best wishes and creative thoughts today and everyday. Shalom

Carol Baldwin post, "Where are the People of Color in Children's Literature? An Answer from Vanessa Newton As a member of SCBWI, I follow topics of interest through LinkedIn. Recently the question, "Where are the People of Color in Children's Literature?" generated many comments. When I read a personal response from a Charlotte, NC illustrator, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, I asked her permission to post it here.

Author Carol Baldwin asked if she could post some of my comments from a recent SCBWI chat on Linkedin.com. When you get a chance please run over to her site and read it. Please leave a comment or two if you are so inclined. Have a great day.

Happy Mother's Day!