Environment- Enviro-Cycle - cell phones

Periodically I will post information about great causes you can support, important awareness issues, and how you can make a difference related to the environment and animals.

In today's post the topic is deforestation due to illegal logging. I was saddened and angry that so much illegal activity continues to thrive. Consumer demand for exotic wood found in the rainforests is big business. According to one account I read, a single tree can be worth $10,000. The real cost is the effect on our environment as rainforests help to regulate climate. Yes, they also provide unique food sources and drugs, but what about the effects on the animals, endangering species and destroying their habitats? The changes eventually effect us as a species too. How can you make a difference? Buy sustainable wood, and only wood from a company that is transparent in it's sourcing and follows best environmental practices. To learn more about this issue and a company that works to thwart illegal logging, watch the video about Rainforest Connection. They can use your old cell phones to help combat the problem. Get involved - before you upgrade your phone as a trade in, consider donating your old cell phones to them HERE

PiBoIdMo 2014

Yep, I'm in. I signed up at the beginning of the month for the picture book idea month challenge, affectionately known as PiBoIdMo, where you pledge to come up with 30 picture book ideas in 30 days. And now that the end is at hand with 2 days to go, I can say that I've actually done it. And it was a great experience. Of course the ideas were the easy part. The real work begins with fleshing out those ideas into a viable book project.

http://taralazar.com
(designed by Vin Vogel)

 This event was started by Tara Lazar, and PiBoIdMo takes place every year in November. I certainly have enough to keep me busy for 2015, but I'll do the challenge again next November too. http://taralazar.com

Character Blog Tour

It's a blog tour! This is your opportunity to get to know some wonderful work by authors and illustrators focusing on the children's book market. If you follow the trail back and forward, your in for a real treat. Enjoy! Here's a taste from my novel.

What is the name of your character?

Elan. 

Where is the story set?

The Seven Tales of Omar, is a novel that takes place in Jerusalem, Petra, and Alexandria. 

What should we know about him?

The Seven Tales of Omar is a story from his journal.

What messes up his life?

He sets out on a journey and gets kidnapped!

What is the personal goal of your character?

To convince his captors to release him.

Is there more we can read about The Seven Tales of Omar?

It's still a work in progress, but I hope you can read it when it gets published. There's food, animals and travel, no surprise to those who know me. 

Meanwhile, subscribe to this blog for news! (see sign up box on the right). 

Thank you to Patricia Keeler for inviting me to join the tour. Read about her "scrappy" characters and her work in progress picture book WISH by visiting her blog  http://patriciakeeler.blogspot.com/





Now I'd like to introduce you Vicky! I LOVE her artwork. It's smart and funny.

Vicky Rubin is an author/illustrator who does wonderful, humorous artwork. She's at work on a new book, and you can read about it on the next stop of this blog tour CLICK HERE.

Both Vicky and my art will be on view at Dickens: A Celebration In Pictures, a selection of work from the original Dickens' bicentennial exhibit on view at the Poe Park Visitor Center in the Bronx February 3 - 21, 2015. Just in time for Dickens' birthday!
For further info visit http://cbig-nycexhibits.blogspot.com/

The Art Of - Writing

WORLD BUILDING
Tolkien did it masterfully. He's one of my favorite authors and I get lost in his storytelling. George R.R. Martin is the contemporary master. The world he's created is fantastic and as a writer I know I can learn a lot from his work.  I came across this interview with him and wanted to be sure you saw it. He talks about world building, and for his new book, he sought some of the best fantasy artists to illustrate it. Their work is also featured here too. Enjoy. INTERVIEW

Exhibit News

I will have recent nature watercolors on view at The Dobbs Ferry Woman's Clubhouse as part of their Beaux Arts Exhibition October 18-19, 2014. The reception is Sunday, Oct. 19 from 2-4pm. Award: Tomatillos took 2nd place in the watercolor category.

Exhibit News - Yonkers River Fest

I will be exhibiting on Saturday Sept. 6 at the Yonkers River Fest in the artists showcase area. Festivities start at noon, admission is FREE. For more information click HERE.

EXHIBIT NEWS

My work will be on view in the Art of the Heirloom exhibition at the National Heirloom Expo in CA September 9 - 11, 2014.

Heirloom Eggplants, watercolor Donna Miskend 2014