If's Expired

Tanya and Mya's playdate would soon expire , but
there lasting friendship never would.
Good friends are a joy forever!

Taste The Raindow

The O'Leary twins always looked forward to St. Patrick's Day!!!
They got to eat all the cabbage and corn beef they wanted
which gave them the gassy lift they needed to taste the rainbow.
It's raining Shamrocks and Skittles Yall!
He he he he!!

They Draw and Cook

Hey Family,
I have to tell you all about this wonderful new site called, "Theydrawandcook.com"
It is a most wonderful site! They are looking for artist who can draw and of course cook i.e. the name.
I got a delicious email from Nate Padavick . He and Salli Swindell
of Studiosss.com run the delicious site!
He invited me to do a piece. I did my Geechee girl's Low Country Red Rice Recipe with some illustrations.
I have to tell yall it was fun, fun, fun!!! The most fun I've had in a while. This girl enjoys food and art.
What is more divine than food and art??? I love it! My blogger pal the very talented
and hilarious Michael Robertson of Sambaforrats.blogspot.com
did the most Fabulous work of art that you have got to see!
If you get the chance go and check it out. You won't be sorry!
It's an illustrator's and Foodie's dream come true! he he he he he!!!
Shrimp and grits Yall!

Remembering Renee

Alas our beloved Renee is finally at rest. Out of that pain
wreaked body and now at peace. I will always remember her
as being totally talented and told it as she saw it! I pray that God
will be bring healing to her family and friends and give us all
peace where she is concerned. I believe Renee is in a wonderful
new home and wouldn't returned if we all begged her too.
It's way to peaceful and beautiful. Rest in peace darling.
Love you
Nester

Old School

These are things that my childhood was made of.
Long games of Jacks and Pixie sticks. Hours of trying to fix
my paddle and ball. There was no time to be a couch potato
because we played hide and seek for hours on end. Stick
and Kick ball until the street lights came on. My daughter
and her cousins want to sit around and play video games all
day long on Saturdays, but they are in for some good ol'
Old school running around until your butt falls off kind of fun!
Yeah I know they'll hate me for the moment, but they will thank
me later the little Stinkers. Have a good one everyone!!

Playing with Collage

Well, thanks to all you fabulous dancers the snow that was promised
never ever came. Only a little rain and I actually welcomed it.
Your dancing feet worked like magic! he he he he! Thanks family.
This is a collage test piece that I am working on for a possible
project. I will be doing a collage style book in a couple
weeks and I just needed to get my feet wet. All my books
have been digital up until now. I adore being able to work
digitally and traditionally as an illustrator, but collage will always be
my first love.
It's fresh and free and organic. I plan to take this week off
from working on projects and do some free collage work.
I'll let you know how it all comes out. Have a great week family!

Bella, Eric, Ces and Peter Doing The Dance

My weather man tells me that Jersey will be getting hit once
again with SNOW. Now, I Have sent grass skirts and coconuts bras
to my family and friends to prevent this snow from coming.
Yes,we believe that there is a snow dance that will prevent snow
from coming! Oh, never heard of it?? This is because it's an
old family secret. Okay so it won't actually stop snow from coming, but
it's hilarious as heck! Here is an illustration I did showing Bella, Ces
Eric and Peter doing the dance! That's right people!! Shake what
Yo Mama's gave you! he he he he he!!! Now if it still snows like they
say it will, then you people haven't shaken it hard enough. You don't
want to see me shake it! Honestly, you don't.
Have great weekend!

What Nester DId on a Very Snowy Day

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No More Snow Please Lord

Gosh, Jersey is being hit with a nice storm. I've had my fill

of snow. I need spring. Stay safe and warm and very creative!

Picture Bookies

Hello All,

I am now part of a wonderful group of illustrators called

Picture Bookies. Ginger Nielson from Gingerpixel invited me

to be apart of the group. To all the wonderful artist over

at Picture Bookies, thanks for inviting me. I'm honored.

Have a good one everyone.

Presenting... Talluah by Tori Spelling Illustrated by Me!

Okay, here is the surprise that I have been

wanting to share with you. A few people emailed

me with well wishes already. Thanks so very much!

I had the most wonderful pleasure of working

on a fabulous new book with Simon & Schuster

and Tori Spelling! " Presenting... Talluah" will be

out in September 2010.

Tennis Anyone? With Pen and Ink

I did this little spot playing with Corel X. I love it! While I enjoy

working with the software, I still feel there is nothing like good

old pen and ink and watercolor. I plan to get back to doing some soon.

Have a good week everyone!

Happy Belated Valentines's Day!

For all you fabulous and wonderful people. Happy Belated Valentines from me to you.

No More Adrift

Who are these people??? Only more of my extended and growing family.

Stephanie has been a part of my family for over 20 years now. She and

Nick got married a few years ago, but Nick has been in the U.S. Military

for much of their marriage and far away from Stephanie. Stephanie

got the greatest gift for Valentine's Day. Nick came home from his finial

tour and he is home safe and sound and now the two of them can finally start enjoying

married life together. Happy Valentine's Day Nick and Stephanie!

No more Adrift but together once again. God is Awesome!!!

I love you guys sooooo very much and tearfully overjoyed for you.

Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

V

Adrift

Happy weekend everyone!

Mud Flap Jack

Mud Flap Jack

Knew where all the local mud holes

where at!

His mama tried to keep him clean

at him often she would scream

"Jack you best come back here

as clean as when you left here!"

Jack had magic sneakers that stayed

clean no matter what he did!

Mud Flap Jack such a special little kid.

he he he he!!

Happy Week to all.

IF's Focused

Prof. Finklestein and his staff of excellent scientist were completely and utterly

blown away at Abby's focused and concentration. Before they knew anything

Abby was levitating above them and playing around with Einstein's theory!!

She was very focused.

Have a wonderful weekend.

V

She is a beautiful and wonderfully talented lady.

I love her for her classy style and creative use of words.

She is a modern day poet.

She is fresh. She is retro. She is style. She is grace.

She is Shell of Swan of Dreamers.

Happy Birthday Sweetie. I wish you much happiness

and all the joy one heart could hold. You are the bomb diggity!

And you know that!!

Hugs

V

Nessa's World( Watercolor Wednesdays)

My childhood was filled with Golden and Peterpan records on a portable record player. I could never find the little yellow inserts that went into the 45's so they wobbled while they played. I loved going to Toyland!!! All I had to do was say the magic words. Haluna, Haluna, fe fi fo to the land of toys I wish to go. And then the man on the record would ask, " Are you there yet???" he he he he! Pixie sticks and other treats, the circus and clowns and fairies! Hours of jacks with my sister Coy and paddle ball contest! Yes and hours of Star Trek, Lost in Space, Ultra Man, Petticoat Junction, The Addams Family, The Monsters, I Love Lucy, Hazel, Top Cat, Bugs Bunny

Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse, and the list goes on.

Gee those were the days!

Have a good one!

Drum City (sneak Peak)

Hello All,

I have some good news to tell you about. About 6 months ago I had the great pleasure of

illustrating a wonderful children's book written by a talented writer Thea Guidone.

This is Thea's first children's book called, " Drum City". Random House is the

publisher and the book is due out in stores on June 8, 2010. We are both so happy

and proud of how the books has come out. We just got copies of it a couple of

weeks ago. There is some tweaking that has to take place as far as color, but it's beautiful

just the same. I had such fun illustrating this book!!!! It's not all the time you get to

do what you want to do, but the art directors were so willing and so wonderful to

work with they made it easy to be creative and for this I am grateful. I can't wait for you

all to see it! It's just a fun book. I have another surprise coming in a couple of days.

I can't wait to share it with you. I'll keep you posted about "Drum City".

Clumsy Cindy Ceeder

Poor clumsy Cindy Ceeder,

couldn't keep those dainty feet beneath her.

She tripped and fall

and said, "Oh well I think I'll just rest here for a spell.

he he he he!!!

Happy Weekend Peeps!

Happy Birthday Mechelle

About ten years ago my father remarried after the death of my mom. She was only 56 years

young and died of colon cancer. My sister Coy and I wanted our dad to remarry as soon as possible. 6 months after mom's passing dad announced that we wanted to marry

Ms. Earlene Busby. I am proud to say that they have been married for 10 years now and

they love each other very, very much. She has become Mom , mom-in-law, and Grandmamma,

to our families. We didn't just get a mom, but also 3 sisters and 2 brothers.

Which are never ever referred to as step anything. he he he he!!!

It's amazing how we just took to each others.

It's like we have been family all along. It doesn't happen like that for many people, but

somehow and someway this just worked. I am now blessed to have 4 sisters that I LOVE and

Admire and Adore! Each with her own personality and story. This is a collage work that

I did for my beautiful baby sister Mechelle for her 40th birthday. She is in love with it!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful sister Chelle!

The Magic of Count De Mezzo

He didn't want to be prince or president. He didn't even want to be a Count.

He just wanted to share his joy of telling stories with wonderful puppetry.

Count De Mezzo kept the children entertained for hours.

Meet The Three Modern Bears. These little guys where created on canvas

board. I used bits and pieces of scrapbooking papers, clothing tags,buttons

and dollies. Basically anything and everything I could get my hands on.

I love doing stuff like this on a snowy winters day. They are already sold,

but more is on the way! Have a great week everyone

Man Up and Press On

Rodney Pinkney would let absolutely nothing get in his way of asking Miss Tasha Jenkins

to the school dance. Not even the huge volcano of a pimple sitting right by his nose!

Moral of the story. In 2010 let absolutely nothing and nobody keep you from doing

what is in your heart to do. Man up and go for it!!!!! I'm cheering you on he he he he!!

Happy New Year To All

Happy New Year Everyone! Be safe and have good one!

A Nice Christmas Present (Corel Draw 11)

Hello Folks,

My beautiful, kind husband Ray is always wanting to by me something that I really don't want

for Christmas. Yeah I said ! What??

While I appreciate the very kind very kind jester, it can be rather frustrating to me.

Each year I try to help the brother out by telling him,

" Just get me a gift certificate and call it a day!" He sometimes, as Bug Bunny would say, " He just don't git it!" This year I'm gonna have to ambush the brother and do my own shopping. You know people, kinda direct him where he should go. So this is for all you wonderful people who have artist in your life and don't have a clue as to what to give 'em!!

1. Give them a gift certificate to their favorite art store. Like PearlPaint, or Jerry's Artist Supply, or Dick Blick! Yeah that's the ticket!!!

2. Corel as wonderful software for the artist in your life. I actually did this picture with Corel

Painter 11! And no, I ain't bein' paid by the company for this! If it's someone who is into animation purchase this wonderful animation software from Fablevisionlearning.com by artist

Peter H Reynolds. Very inexpensive and Fun! Great for the young artist.

3. Give them as a blank artist journal with some colorful pens. They will love you for it

I promise! So Ra.... I mean people save yourself the headache and try some of these things out

he he he!!

Happy Holidays

My Christmas Wish ( Hatch)

Wishing with all my heart, might and soul that you and yours will have the most blessed and happiest Holiday. And may good things be hatched in the New Year!!!

Here are some of my Holiday wishes for you.

1. That you will grow where you are planted. ( If you don't like where you are stop complaining about it and do something about it!) Stop giving all your power and authority to people who don't care about you. You care about you!!! You are valuable and precious. A promise!!!

2. That you will dream bigger than yourself! ( You can't share your dreams with everybody.

Sometimes you are already battling your own self doubt why bring someone else's negativity into the mix. Remember, you can't put a 18x24 vision in a 3x5 card mind! Get somewhere quite and dream as big as you want. Write it down or draw it out. If you don't have a vision for it you won't know how to handle it when it comes. Feel the joy of it. Feel the

moment and watch what happens! Dreams really do come true he he he!!

3. That you will have all the encouragement and support you need when you need it most. ( Who have you encouraged in the last 30 days? Heck, when was the last time you encouraged You he he he??? When we give even the smallest bit of encouragement to someone we get a bigger return. You get to make someone feel so special and this creates more good energy! Some of you will never ever know how much you have encouraged and supported me. I could just cry thinking about it. Your words have been like medicine to me. Giving me much laughter, healing and comfort. I wish you all the same. Hugs a plenty!

Happy Holidays

Peace

Crunchy

I love the crunchy sound snow makes under foot!

Happy Monday

Music

This is an illustrations from my new book, "Let Freedom Sing."

Music is a very large part of my life. I am both a singer and musician.

Music is such a powerful tool for artist. It can move you in so many

ways. It can create a mood for a story or illustration. Yes, music even

has charms to soothe the savage beast of illustration and inspirational

blockages! So the very next time you feel artistic constipation with inspirational

irregularity, take two music laxatives and call me in the morning.

Tootles! he he he!

Have a good one People!

Happy Tuesday!!

I came out to play with yall today for just one second cause I got a pile of work just waiting for me and honestly I'm happy for it! While I was taking a little break I did this little ditty!

Just playing around with some filters and different brushes. Okay that's enough! Got to run!

Have wonderful week everyone!!!! he he he!

Blur

Sinbad used Sasha as his secret weapon of choice. When the Sasha danced everything

became a total blur he he he he!!!

Where the Sweet Things Are

This weeks prompt for WAWE was ," Create a Wild Things scene or characters"

I love this book, but the movie left me feeling very sad. I prefer the book!

Have a sweet week everyone!

Work for National Geographic

Hello All,

I just wanted to share a little bit about what I've been working on and what's on my desk.

I have been doing work for National Geographic under Hamilton-Brown Publishing. It's been

pretty busy around here too and I'm happy for that!!! This is a piece I did for a children's

Phonic's book. There are a few pieces that I have done that I hope to share later on.

I so enjoy doing work like this. Sometimes it's a crazy deadline in front of me,

but I do love what I get to do every single day and that is create! It's joy! How many people

can say that they get to do what they love and get paid for it too??? GOD IS GOOD! he he he!!

Well it's time to go back to work. So I will be checking in on Yall a little later during the week.

Keep your heads up!

Have a sweet one Yall!

My Brother Pal Peter Bresse is having a wonderful show in Dallas, Texas at

the 4th Wall Gallery on November 7th. I will not be able to be there, but I would

really love to share in the evening with him. Peter is an awesome illustrator! I love

his retro style fashion illustrations. The delicious black line and spots of color. From

robots to fabulously painted Mod models Peter brings it in his own style.

I have been following Peter's blog for a long time. You should really see his old stuff.

Wonderful robots that I have always adored! Peter I wish you all the very best

and lots of fun and SALES! We are all so very proud of you! YOU ROCK DUDE!!!!

"Hey Mom, I want to be a Show Girl!"

Oh Yeah, I know it's a bit shameful, but yes, yours truly has always, always had a thing for

the cute little blinged out costumes, feathers, and makeup. I wanted to be a Show Girl!!!

I can only imagine what I put my poor parents through using their good sheets and

wax flowers trying to pull it off he he he! Here's wishing you a very happy and safe Halloweeny!

FAST

Is it me or is Halloweeny coming up really fast this year???

Have a safe one!!!

Not Making the Cut

Well Friends, it is said," In each ones life some rain must fall." I ended up with hurricane with

this little project. My wonderful Agent and friend

Lori Norwicki of Painted-Words.com was working on getting me this possible job with a well know book publisher, which shall remain nameless.

I really wanted this job very badly. Well, while the editors loved the

artwork, the art director didn't! He or she felt is was to commercial. It took me a couple of days to pull it together. A few pep talks from my brother Eric and sister Bella and I let it go.

I remember when disappointing situation like this would have devastated me and left me

feeling like such a failure. The fact is sometime we just don't make the cut and it not because we are not talented or capable. It just didn't work for them. Why am I sharing this information?? Just being real, we live in a real world with real people. In this business of

children's book illustration, fashion, editoral, crafting or the like, someone is going to have

an opinion about our work. Some will like it and some will not and just because they don't

doesn't make you any less talented or gifted. If I only told you about the good things and how

I got this or that job I would not be who I am. The Vanessa Brantley-Newton

who blogs here is the same Vaness Brantley-Newton who speaks to many of you on the

phone, via email, and facebook and through comments on your blogs. I share the good, the bad, and the ugly with yall he he he! Hey, as my very geechee Mama would say, " Chil' what don't kill ya sure will fatten you and when life gives you lemons, dam it, make lemonade!" I thought I would share the illustrations with you as well. Other project have come and will come and I am so very grateful for them. I hope that this will encourage those of you who feel like you've failed or didn't make the cut in some way. I would say to you, keep doing your best work. Enjoy the process of creation, laugh at yourself, pick yourself up and dust yourself off and try again.

Breakthrough is just around the corner.

Peace

Frozen

Eric knew something was up when he and his family came home to find

their freezer in the middle of the kitchen floor. Yup, the "Frozen", veggies

decided to put on a show. With all the falling down, they had managed to move

the freezer away from the wall. That lazy lima bean and his french string bean

partner were rehearsing their frozen follies right there in the freezer.

Moral of the story, there is none. he he he he!!!

Okay, back to my rock. Have a wonderful week everyone.

Gotta Get Gone Again!!!

Hey Everyone, I've got to get gone for a minute, but I'll be right back to hangout

and play. I have to do some work! Now behave yourselves till I get back now

you hear??? he he he! Have a wonderfully creative week Yall!!

Flying

Camille and Brown got away just in time. She hadn't done her homework

or chores. She placed the balloon up to her mother's bedroom window and

got all the hot air she and Brown needed to take a balloon ride for the day.

he he he!

It's Friendship, Friendship!

This is a prompt from WW "Younger Frankenstein".

Frankie and Mo would remain best friends throughout their lifetime. And even though

they didn't fit in with everyone else they love each others and they

loved themselves! I love you just the way you are my friends!

Remember Lucy and Ethel singing the,"Friendship" song???

Okay to the tune of that he he he! Here we go!!!

If you're ever need a brain call my name,

If you're ever chased by a crowd scream real loud

If they ever run you down and tell us to leave this town

(Well still have)

FRIENDSHIP, FRIENDSHIP!!!!

That's the prefect planship!

When the village idiots are after you.

I'll still be true blue!

alotta lotta lotta boo boo boo!

he he he!

Thanks Everyone for making my 46th birthday such a treat!

he he he!

A Happy Germy Birthday to Me!!!!

If you know who this green woman is, then you and I are children of the 60's!

I wanted this green, shiny, beautiful, glowing, alien goddess, from the "Lost in Space"

series to be my friend and live with me forever. Athena was her name! She was

the most beautiful green girl I had ever seen and she might have even had a few

alien germs, but I liked her just the same. So since it's my 46th birthday

I took some need time and recreated her for If's Germs. Thanks to all my family,

blog Peeps and friends who have wished me a Happy Birthday! I love yall so much!!!!

Now make sure you wash your hands after reading this post he he he!