Same day, different deadline.

I’m still single-tasking. Which, it turns out, is a good thing because I have a deadline that is a bit more concrete than the last one. Now, I have until November 10th to get my ducks in a row. Or witches, since they weigh the same as ducks and are, therefore, made of wood… something, something, “build a bridge out of her!” But anyway, I have a few weeks to wrap up this Salem dummy book and put the final touches on the handful of finished illustrations. All completely doable. I must say, it’s starting to look like a ‘real’ book. I guess I’ve turned that corner from where it’s just a pile of musings and to where it congeals into a story that will make sense to someone who isn’t me. And, despite my best efforts, it is very Decker-esque. It seems that I have a style. Here’s to hoping it evolves over time… if nothing else, my pen and ink work is improving book by book. That’s got to count for something.

The last week was all about putting some contrast on the wispy drawings of the dummy book. I think I mentioned that my sketches are very sketchy indeed and there are times when a few tiny lines tell enough of a story for my mind to recognize what I intend to do when it comes time to ink. But I know that my sketches don’t always translate in the minds of others, so I bought some crappy pens and big, black markers and started to clarify my rough images. It’s not as time consuming as making an actual pen and ink drawing, but it does seem to take a decent number of hours. Of course, I could be putting too much effort into it, I have very limited success with dummy books. But I know that my ideas can get a little “high concept” for the picture book world and I intend to do whatever is necessary to put my best foot forward. I think that’s part of a good collaboration, which this most definitely is, that feeling of trying to bring a little more than your best to the table. Landing a contract isn’t easy and I’m going to do everything in my power, short of illustrating the whole book, to increase our chances.

Other than that, little is going on. I’m still at war with the book lice but I’m finally winning. Between the freezing, microwaving and double pesticide bombings, I’ve gained the upper hand. I actually have some art supplies and books that are completely free of the little buggers. I don’t have time to go all total war on them, but if any still exist when after the 10th of November, they will rue the day. Rue it! I will admit, I’ve learned a lesson from this plague of teeny, harmless bugs; I need even less stuff than I ever thought possible. To my mind, there’s something quite nice about having a single book sitting there to read and a single project on my desk… and nothing else in sight. What can I say, I’m easily distracted. Well, not really, but I get faux distracted all the time. But to find myself with just a few sheets of paper, my pen & ink and countless hours at my disposal… it’s kind of humbling because, quite simply, that’s all it takes to find my happy place. It makes it much easier to ignore commercials for iPads, Lexususus and prescription medications.

The clock is ticking. Off to work.