Art For Japan

Talented sisters Alice and Meg Hunt have enlisted the help of artists from around the world to raise money for Japan's relief efforts. All of the donated artwork will be (or is already) up for auction on eBay, and 100% of the profits are going to AmeriCares Foundation, Inc.

The piece I contributed, an ink drawing of San & Moro from Princess Mononoke, is now up for auction! Please take a gander and bid, if you desire, and be sure to check out the other excellent offerings available!

The piece was inked with a Pentel Pocket Brush Pen on watercolor paper and measures 9"x12". Perfect for framing, or sticking in a drawer and forgetting about forever, save for the lingering warmth that comes from knowing you contributed to a good cause. Or a combination of both!

101 Reasons to Shop

Remember just a few days ago when I said I was often secretly working on things I couldn't share? Well this was a big one!

101 Reasons to Shop was written by Jessica Waldorf, designed by Mary Austin Speaker, published by Harper Collins, and illustrated by yours truly!

As you may know, I'm a closet fashion geek, so spending months immersed in images of couture and runway shows was a fitting use of my time. I spent many a sleepless night working on this project. It's my first book and it was a wonderful and exciting challenge! I'm so thrilled that it is out there in the real world now! Kate Spade even tweeted about it!

You can sneak a peak at the book at the Harper Collins website! I will eventually (and with the author's permission) post some images here as well.

Thanks to everyone who supported and encouraged me throughout this process. Special thanks to Jessica Waldorf, Stephanie Meyers, Danielle Corsetto, George Baier IV, and of course my amazing husband, Christopher Hastings; I couldn't have done this without you!

Machine Of Death

You may have heard recently of a little science-fiction anthology climbing the Amazon bestseller charts to #1. The book, Machine Of Death, was the pet project of two very good friends of mine, Messrs. David Malki(!) & Ryan North (it was also co-edited by a Mr. Matt Bennardo, who I do not have the pleasure of knowing, but whose last name almost rhymes with mine).

In any case, David and Ryan reached out to some writers and artists with this idea of creating stories and illustrations based around a machine of death: a mechanism which tests your blood and then churns out a slip of paper telling you the cause of your eventual demise.

The premise may sound bleak (and I suppose it is), but don't let that fool you! Thar's pathos and love and humor in them pages!

Particularly dear to my heart is, of course, the story I illustrated: NOT WAVING BUT DROWNING by Erin McKean.

The story is available, read by Ms. McKean, as the first episode of the Machine Of Death Podcast! I highly recommend giving it a listen. I'm about to! And if you're interested, please consider buying a copy of Machine Of Death from Amazon or Topatoco! Let's keep this success story going!

The Piece!

It just occurred to me that I never posted a picture of the piece I did for New Moon! How silly!!

Here it is! (Sans frame)

And here's a lovely shot of it on the wall, next to Scott C.'s Dog Amongst Dogs, taken by Steve Talkowski (AKA Sketchbot).

The piece is still available on the myplasticheart website (cough, cough!), though I'm not sure for how long. EDIT: This piece has sold!

Thanks again to John Wong, who curated the show, and to Kano for suggesting me!

There goes another t-shirt!

You know the story, friends! You can go here to vote! The previous design is still up for voting as well :)

Childhood Farewell

Hello, friends! I have a new t-shirt design up for voting at Design By Humans! Please show your support and vote! :)

(http://www.designbyhumans.com/vote/detail/31801)

It's here!!

Fat Chunk Volume One: Robots is here!!

Please help spread the word about this great anthology! Edited by Jamie Smart (http://www.bohdate.com/) and published by Slave Labor Graphics, Fat Chunk features 80 artists including moi!

The Diamond order code is MAR083402. Please tell your local comic shop to stock our sweet little comic baby :)

Big internet happ'nins!

FIRST! Lasagna Children has a new design and it is up and running!!

SECOND! My Scary Go Round guest strip ran yesterday!

THIRD! Baby Dracula shirts are now up for sale on Dr. McNinja.com! (They will also be available at MoCCA, with any luck. More on that later!)