Hello Blogger Family, Hope that you all are enjoying your summer! It's been raining here in Charlotte, NC for about 3 weeks now and I need some sunshine beautiful people. If there is anyone who can lend me some sun, please let me know as soon as possible as I think I am gettin' all pruney. Some good things are happening and I think that the rain is a good indicator for that. Last week I was interviewed by Rachel Awes, of Allididwaslisten and I just finished another awesome interview with Koosje Koene on her fantastic blog Koosjekoene.blogspot.nl Here is a little excerpt from her blog. Finally, my very first Online Character Design Workshop is ready to be launched. Below is a little sneak peek. It's a 4-week workshop starting Monday August 5. It ends on Saturday the 31st of August. There are limited seats, so be quick to enroll! Read all about it by clicking here Then another interview with Julie Danielson of Kirkus Reviews. and Seven Impossible Things before Breakfast!! Thank you Lord for the wonderful people that you have given me through Blogging. You beautiful souls have been such a bright spot in and through some very, very rough times. Thanks so much for your support and encouragement. It's such a blessing! Shalom to you all.

All I Did Was Listen Rachel Awes Shares My Art Work

Hello Bloggers, Hope that you all had a wonderful holiday and if you are still enjoying the holiday that it's filled with lots of good food, friends, and family. Rachel Awes of, allididwaslisten.blogspot.com invited me to share to how I listen with my brand of art. I really, really love Rachel's blog. She has been a great inspiration to me as an illustrator and artist. She is also a fantastic Artist and illustrator too. She is a great listener as well. Check out her blog for her new book named after her blog! YOU WILL LOVE IT A wonderful journal that will warm your heart and inspire you to just listen. Thank you Rachel for letting me share my art with you and your blogger. XOXOXOXOX

I really, really miss all of my blogger friends. Sending you all so much happiness and joy today. Have a blessed weekend beautiful people. Me Shalom

Hello Blogger Friends, It's been a while I know! Hope that all of your are enjoying your summer and that all is well with you and your families. Well it's wedding season and I have so many request for wedding invites and things. I just did this cute one for some close family friends. They have had a very hard time trying to find invites and special things that reflect who they are as couple. Actually it's been kinda painful for them and now it is my joy to present this wedding invite to the both of them and take away a bit of the pain! Congrats Kela and Jacob!! Tearfully Happy V

Arrrrrgggghhhh There Mates Thank you so much for your sweet and kind comments. I read all of them and I am so grateful that you fabulous people still take time out of your busy day to come a visit and leave such kind words and encouragement!!! This Pirate is up to she skivvies in work! Will be back soon. Arrrggghhh!

Unleash your Cereal Super Hero today! Stay Crunchy!

Hear this my friends, You are beautifully and wonderfully made! Have a great week!!

A few weeks ago, I was commissioned to create a handmade picture book for actress Kerry Washington, star of ABC's “Scandal”. It was an exciting project and it allowed me to work alongside some beautifully talented women: my sisters Coy LaVerne Brantley Curry and Moo Karen McLendon Gunter, along with my sister-friend, Editor Karen Procter. This beautiful project was for the community organization, Cool Culture (www.coolculture.org), which addresses the absence of low-income families in the audiences of New York's wonderful arts, cultural, and scientific institutions. Bevy Smith, (Host of Dinner With Bevy- www.dinnerwithbevy), graciously presented the book to Kerry Washington. To God Be All the Glory for the opportunities that HE presents. Our God IS AWESOME!!!

Hope that you are having a wonderfully creative day!!

Somewhere over the rainbow birds fly high Be very careful when you look up for they might just poop in your eye! My version..... Have a great week.

I had a baby! Yes indeed she was living in my head for well over nine months and she was born last night. Meet Efaytayoh. He he he he! This little character has been begging to come out and play. Glad to finally have her out of my head and on paper! Best to you all. V

If's "Shy"

Something to make you smile. Sending you hugs and well wishes for better days ahead! Hugs, Shalom

Musings and mine. Hope that you are having a wonderful week! Shalom

Sing,make a joyful noise!!

Hey there! Just came by to let you know... IT'S HEREEEEEEEE! Yes now you can have your very own copy of Cedella Marely's, "Every Little Thing" illustrated by Me! Get the book from Amazon or Barnes and Noble for under $10.00. Makes a great gift for Birthday's, Babyshower, Rosh Hashanah, and Christmas.

I came by to say, "Hey, I care!!!" Okay nothing more to see here people. Move on to a wonderful week. Shalom.

Kimee really had a crush on her teacher Mr. Martinez. She loved those funky pants and shiny shoe and oh boy the way he could tell a story. Have a great weekend Everyone! Shalom

When negative thoughts,words and people come a buzzin' just keep thinking big. I have had some major blows over the last couple of weeks and some of them took the very wind out of me for minute, but I have learned that what doesn't kill me fattens me for this journey. It's not enough to survive, we must thrive and live. Sometimes what is meant to hurt and mame can quickly turn out to be what cause us to move forward and grow. Encouraging all of you to live your best life and keep reaching for your own dreams. Have a sweet weekend. Shalom

Hello Blogger Family, I know it's been a while since I've been here. Thanks so much for your wonderful and kind words and comments. On Sunday evening I had to put down my 15 year old cat named Kirby. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Kirby was my best friend and I miss him terribly today. I am lost for words and very sad. This is in memory of Kirby aka Dog boy. I love you man.

Hello Blogger Family, Thanks to my little brother Eric Barclay, I have had this little skit in my head for the last couple of days and had to get these ladies on to paper. Hope that you are having the best laughs today. Have a wonderful weekend oh and watch dem tooth fairies! Shalom

Hello Folks, Hope that all of you are enjoying this wonderful summer. It's been hot and humid and buggy and exciting. I wanted to share with you all a new book released just yesterday called, "Think Big". I am so excited about this one. I had fun working on it. Liz G. Scanton is the author of this wonderful book. She is about the sweetest person ever. Bloomsbury gave me all the creative freedom I wanted. Thanks so much for giving me some freedom and liberty on this project. I wanted to share some illustrations with you from the project. I will be posting some pieces for you to see. Hope this will brighten your day. Thanks to all of you beautiful people for you kind words and visits to this blog. Thanks for all your awesome energy. Shalom

Something I did a long time ago for a children's magazine. Happy Friday, Shalom

Have a swinging week everyone!

Hey Everyone, Hope that all of you good people are doing well. It's been a super long time since I've written or posted anything here. Life is moving at such a fast pace and I have been working and finishing up project after project. I wanted to personally thanks each and everyone of you Beautiful folks who come to visit my blog and leave such encouraging and sweet comments. Thank You all from the bottom of my heart. It is my joy to know and even speak to some of you. I'm going to be coming around to your blogs and leaving you all some love. Thanks for the support cause it means soooooo much! Beauty is just not a skin thing, it's a heart thing. You guys have beautiful hearts sho'nuf! Best to you all and hope that you are enjoying your summers! Shalom

Happy Father's Day! Have a great weekend. Shalom

Just something to make you smile! You look so much better when you do. Have a great week folks.

Cedella Marley has written and adapted another book to add to her growing list of children's books. This one is called, "Every Little Thing." It is the follow up to her previous children's book, "One Love." This book is loosely based on her father song, "Three Little Bird." I had the pleasure of doing the illustrations for this book as well. I wanted to show you a few spots, but the publishers would prefer I wait. I will keep you all posted. Have a great weekend.

One of my favorite movies is,"The Read Balloon." I really don't know why. It's just so sweet and and moving I guess. I just had to capture the moment with an illustration. You know how it is? All you dyslexic folks know what I'm takin' bout. Have a wonderfully sweet day! Shalom

IF's Hitched

They were the very best of friends so they decided to love each other's and grow old together. Didn't take long for them to get hitched.

You are always greater than you think you are. What doesn't kill you makes you fat for the journey. Keep your heads up and run to your destiny. Positive ramblings from a under my rock. Have a great week people!

Character study Have a wonderful weekend.

Hello Friends,
Yeah I know, I've been missing in action. I'm still here
under my pile of work, but I came out just to share
another piece that didn't make it into a book.
I did this piece for the new, Billie Holiday book
that will be coming out this fall. Sometime certain
pieces just don't make the cut. While this one didn't
I still adore it. Hope you like it. Have a wonderful
week everyone!

Mr. & Lady Cover Art

Hello Wonderful people!
I know it's been a while, but I'm up to
my neck in work right now. It's been
super busy around my little studio which is
a good thing. I have been working on a wonderful
book about the late Billie Holiday and her sweet
dog named, "Mister". I am finished with the
inside art, but we have been working on the
cover art over the past couple of weeks.
It's not as simple as just drawing something
and passing it in and everyone saying" It's beautiful
let's use that. It's perfect!" Nope, I presented this cover
and it didn't make the cut. They had something else
in mind for the cover and I will keep that under wraps
for now. The book is due out this fall. I will keep you
posted. I wanted to share with you the artwork.
Hope that you all are having a wonderfully creative
week!
Shalom

Magic Trash at the Smithsonian

Hello All,
The Smithsonian Magazine for Kids featured, "Magic Trash"
way back in Dec 2011. "Magic Trash" also made Michigan's Notable Book List.

"Think Big" is one of the newest picture books that
I've been working on with Bloomsbury Books.
Award winning writer Liz Garton Scanlon is the amazing
author of the book. Liz encourages kids and parents to
of course, "Think Big", but about what? About art of course!!
The arts are slowly disappearing from our schools.
It's so important that we get our kids making all kinds of art.
Through dance, paint, music and yes even food. Come along
as Liz and I take you and your kid on a wonderful journey
through the arts! Due in store in early July 2012.

TDAC Entry for Kraft

Hello Hungry People.
I am such a big, big fan of, "They Draw and Cook!"
I adore the site and all that fabulous artwork and food.
Did I mention the food?? The recipes are awesome.
Kraft foods asked "TDAC to host a contest. I just entered.
Read all about the contest on their site.
Okay good people, it's back to my hole.
Hugs to you all.
Me.

Back to the Lab

Inspired by all things retro and mid century,
I played around and came up these.
I'm still under my rock, but took sometime
to do a few doodles just for fun.
When I finally open my Etsy Store
I will be selling these a prints.
Okay, back to the lab to do some
work.
Have great week people!

Wishing you the sweetest weekend ever!
Thanks beautiful people for stopping by
and leaving such nice words. I promise to
stop by and visit you all as soon as I crawl
out from under my rock.
Have a sweet day!

It's amazing what a song can do.
Sing
Sing a song,
make it simple
to last your whole life long
don't worry that it's not good enough
for anyone else to hear
just sing
sing a song
Have a great week folks,
Shalom

The Best Kind of Oreo

The best part of life is having good friends and good friends that
become family, is even better.
My sister Coy and I always wanted a baby brother.
My Mom gave birth to a stillborn baby boy.
We named him Allan. Allan would have been
35. No one will ever take Allan's place, but
we have been blessed to have a wonderful
addition to our family. He came when we
where all in our 40's. He was raised by his own
wonderful family. Now adopted by us,
we get to have him as our very own brother.
This is the best kind of Oreo!
Love you guys

Just Passing Through

Hello Wonderful people! I know it's been a super long time.
I have been working and not doing much blogging at all.
Just came through to remove the cobwebs and put up
something new. Sending all of you a BIG 'OL SLOPPY hug
until I get back. Hugs all around!
Peace out,
me