While I've been waiting for feedback on my manuscript from a few readers, I have been toying with ideas for the book's cover. I got out a pile of beautiful reference books to inspire me while I did a couple of sketches of a concept I'd had rattling around in my head for a while. The following day I scanned my best black and white drawing and painted it in watercolour to see how it might look. I have another version in my mind's eye that I want to get on to paper and hope there will be still more ideas to come before making the final decision as to what my book will look like. I'd intended working on it today but the day evaporated before I had time to get to it. So I'm off to cook dinner instead!
I was delighted to spot this baby goanna in my back garden the other day.
That thing would scare me to death if it were in my garden! I'd never go outside again! The book is so exciting Wendy! I have such admiration for you in this project you're doing!
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DeleteHa ha! You'd get used to them Katherine! I really enjoy spotting the local reptile life - small lizards and geckos are commonly seen and are totally harmless. These goannas aren't seen so frequently so it's a treat to spot one in the garden. It would only bite if you tried to pick it up - which I never do! They are great for keeping down slugs and snails which is great as I hate using baits.Can't say I'm so enamoured of snakes though, but thankfully it is very rare to come across serpents in suburbia! In fact, I barely see a snake from one decade to the next even out in the countryside.
Thanks for the enthusiasm about my book! Love your latest WIP!
I would of had a heart attack if I saw this creature! UGH!!!
ReplyDeleteWendy...What a NICE look at your work area and creative thoughts!
Have a GREAT Spring Day = )
Thanks so much Sue! Having grown up with these creatures around the place they have never seemed scary to me - and knowing they're not venomous helps too.
ReplyDeleteI confess that this is not my usual work area. My art room was too messy to support such a coherent spread of material - so I high-jacked the dining table!
Your drawings look fascinating. Good luck with the book.
ReplyDeleteThank you Loree! I love your latest photos!
DeleteLooks like you have a lot there to inspire you! The iguana is so cute and I'm sure they are very helpful in the garden. Is your book another children's book or something different? I scrolled down to see if you had mentioned it and if I missed something but didn't see a post about it. I think that is great that you are doing books.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joan, this one is a non-fiction book for adults about my year of creative challenges in 2012. I will post the blurb as it gets closer to completion. I am trying to come up with ideas for a cover at the moment.
DeleteHaving good ideas is half the way, I am curious about your book, the subject and what it will look like , hope you will show us ! Like Sue I would probably have had an attack of something if I has seen this animal in my garden !
ReplyDeleteHi Jane, I'm writing a non-fiction book for adults based on my year of creative challenges. I keep hoping that I'm within weeks of finishing it rather than months but somehow there is always more to add and change. Do you have any visitors to your garden? I remember seeing fireflies when staying near Florence a few years ago. Very magical! - and much prettier than our goannas I must admit!
DeleteLooks like you have plenty of material to inspire you Wendy! I can't wait to see your book, it will be wonderful I'm sure!! You have worked hard:)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Karen. I hope you're right about the book! Love your latest painting of the chocolate!
DeleteI think it is wonderful that you have the skills to both write and illustrate a book.
ReplyDeleteI am in genuine awe and am looking forward to seeing the finished painting.
Fascinating creature you have there. I wonder if he changes color to blend in with his surroundings. Nature continues to amaze me with its variety.
Thanks Julie. As far as I'm aware the goannas aren't chameleons but they do seem to blend into the foliage and soil very well because of their markings. We do find little geckos around the garden that are much smaller and are able to make significant changes to their colouring. I'm in genuine awe of your amazing painting talents!
DeleteIt looks like an incredible brainstorming session Wendy. I can hardly wait to have more details about your book and happy you're in the finishing stages! I always dreamed of designing a book cover, you are incredible to have also written the book, wow!
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine what the mom of the baby looks like, I would be scared!
Thanks so much for your interest Celia!
DeleteThe goanna's mum isn't a great deal bigger. They only move at a fast waddling pace and will scuttle into the undergrowth rather than try to menace anyone.
I hope you are feeling much better now!
I think you are the artists with the most-est. You are incredibly creative and energetic. Plus you are a gentle soul who cares for the world around her. I know it will come through on your endeavor! Looking forward to more!
ReplyDeleteOh Kaethe, you are too kind!! I really appreciate your vote of confidence!
DeleteMy socks are still off after seeing your latest rose!
Dear Wendy - what an awesome task you have not only in writing your book but illustrating it as well. I hope you are having a lovely fall day...spring is warm here today with a nice breeze. I will be emailing you soon. Hugs Debbie
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Debbie! I'm very pleased to hear you are getting some warm weather - may it continue for you! We've been getting lots of lovely rain!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy for sharing the first ideas for your book cover. Your work space looks inspiring! Looking forward to see your book. Good luck with drawing, painting and writing. A beautiful photo of the baby Goanna. Have a lovely Mother's day!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Hilje! Glad you liked the goanna. I am planning to post a little lizard soon!
DeleteHello Wendy!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Michael Perchard! Do you remember me?!?!
Okay Mate! I am so sorry I have been so late in replying to comments and writing comments! Not sure what is going on with my use of time but I am back and trying to catch up with blogging!
Love your table set up! Great idea to get fresh ideas! I love brainstorming! Great technique! When I taught elementary and middle school students we brainstormed constantly! Great way to get ideas and think outside the box! I love making lists and images of ideas that "make sense" then make lists and images of ideas that "make No sense!" Usually the ideas that appear to at first make no sense are the ones that turn out to be the most creative and exciting! Good luck! I am still amazed at your many skills Wendy! Imagine writer, book illustrator, and painter! Good on you Wendy! I am eager to see your final cover and hear more about your book! I can only imagine the work involved in writing a book! Yippee for you Mate!
I love the little goanna! Such a very cool looking little creature! Thank you so very much for posting the photo of this wonderful guy! Our climate doesn't call for "lizard" type creatures. Matter of fact I am going to google goannas! So curious about them thanks to you! Our spring season will bring many varied snakes, mostly small, all types of salamanders, frogs, toads, wide range of turtles, hosts of insects, birds, and so much more. I will be on the look out! Especially for our tiny humming birds! They are so tough to photograph!
So keep on working hard Wendy! I know your book and its cover are going to be "wicked awesome!"
G'Day My Author Illustrator Artist Buddy!
Michael Goanna Guy!
Haha! It's always lovely to hear from you Michael no matter how much time passes. I too find that it can take a while before I reply to comments - the days pass so fast!
DeleteI liked hearing about your brainstorming techniques when you were teaching - I bet the kids loved it!
I just had to google salamanders - I think they actually look quite goanna-ish - only a bit slimier. Do you find them near bodies of water?
I would like to see photos of any of your local wildlife. Do you get bears near where you are? I have a bear phobia - even though they are nice looking creatures - I don't like the thought of being near an animal that might like to eat me!
I would very much love to see a photo of a hummingbird if you are lucky enough to catch one off guard - they are the last word when it comes to exotic birds in my book! Aren't they able to fly backwards?
I posted two short follow-up comments on your past two posts Michael. Thanks for your lovely long comment, I love hearing from you!!
Your hummingbird loving but bear fearing art cobber!
Wendy
Hey Bear Fearing Art Cobber! (And I don't blame you!)
DeleteOkay buddy, so now I am on a mission to photo some of our native wildlife! I may have to go back into my files for this task! I just put up our humming bird feeder and some fuchsia flowering plants for my tiny little humming bird buddies! Yes, they do fly backwards and hover somewhat like helicopters! Very loud noise from their wings! Last year I I had one little fella "hovering" about a foot away from my face! Eye ball to eye ball! I was scared! This guy had such a mean look about it! I sort of backed off! Imagine a bird only an inch or so in size terrorizing me! So I am on a careful and brave humming bird photo mission! Brave on Michael!
The are bears in my area of Massachusetts. Not many though! Last year there were a few sightings in my town and not too far away also! Black Bear! Only once did we come in contact with one! Excited and nervous at same time! No chance to take photo! Another time just kind of backed off! Whew! I agree with you about fearing bears! I did read your follow up comments! Thanks Mate! I love the photo of your daughter drawing! Talented like her artistic mom! I will comment on your blog ASAP!
Oh, Happy Australian National Sorry Day? Next week?
Your also hummingbird loving and bear fearing art cobber!
Michael (Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!)
Oooh, that's a bit disturbing to hear that bears roam into your neck of the woods. Do black bears attack people?
DeleteYour hummingbird experience sounds amazing - I hope they hover long enough for you to get some good shots!
Wendy
Wow you have so much going on no wonder you haven't painted those chrysanthemums yet! All the best with the book and illustrations !
ReplyDeleteI love how you said that 'your day evaporated ' so you went off to cook dinner instead . That is exactly what I do...... :-D
Thanks Helen, Glad to hear I'm not the only one that has days go AWOL on them! LOVE your chrysanthemums!!
DeleteHi Wendy I have enjoyed taking a look at your recent postings. Look forward to reading your book! Speak soon Barbara x
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara! Nice to see you here! Enjoyed our walk the other day!
DeleteI love the pictures of the table. It looks like the center of creativity. And the pot of tulips compliments all the research perfectly. How exciting. And the old dinner conundrum. I'm glad I only make it every other night. On the not dinner night I can keep on painting, reading, having fun! Can't wait to see the book.
ReplyDeleteXOXOXOXO Barbara
Thanks Barbara! Yes, I love it when someone else is on dinner duty. Now that my daughters are at university they have to do one night a week each - although, it doesn't always work out that way!
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