“It could be what you call a magical place, which it is”

My brother is doing a school project where they choose a stuffed animal to donate to a children’s hospital and write and illustrate a story to go along with it.  He asked me to illustrate for me and boy did I jump on that!

My mom complains that my brother is boring, that he doesn’t have any creativity, that all he does is play video games and feed off the imagination of others.  But she doesn’t know him, he’s brilliant.  Lazy, but with a stunning imagination.  He’s just afraid to show it, which is reasonable.  Our mom is a harsh critic and is quick to call things weird or only tell us how to make it better.  While that is important, children also need encouragement.  Her personality has dogged me for quite a while…

But, gosh!  When my brother sent me the first chapter, I was amazed and thrilled.  I’m debating whether or not to put it up here, but it’s one of the most darling things I’ve read in a while.  I can’t wait for the rest!

Pencil on coffee wash on bristol board.

“The Three Ravens”

I recently got into watching “The Storyteller” and I heard one German fairy tale called the Three Ravens. In it, a witch wants to claim a kingdom’s throne and so she turns the King’s three sons into ravens, who can only be turned back if their sister stays silent for three years, three months, and three days.

What a melancholy little story with a cute ending!

Anyway, I wanted to make everything organic and alive.  I wanted to make the princess’s dress look like it was grown in a pumpkin patch, not sewn by human (or elven!) hands.

Pencil on coffee wash on bristol board.