Batten and Hatch

The day before Hurricane Irene was set to blow through New York, we found two more Black Swallowtail caterpillars on the anise plant in the yard, and brought them inside. They were named Batten and Hatch.
As the rain came down in fits and spurts and heavy winds whipped the trees outside, Batten, the largest one, went calmly about turning into a chrysalis while Hatch watched, and I drew. Here's our hurricane day:

Japanese Prints

I've been drawing some Japanese prints lately in the sketchbook for a extracurricular project. The pictures bled between the pages a bit, as the sketchbook and I received a good soaking in a downpour. It was a week before we both dried out and one of us ended up all warped and wrinkly.

(I Heart) We Heart Books Online

Here's an old picture to celebrate a nice new review. This was the view of my desk while I was working on a page of The Secret Plan, and my helpful cat model, Holly.


Here is a wonderful review of The Secret Plan by We Heart Books Online from Melbourne, Australia:

"Bedtime always gets in the way of the fun stuff!

Milo, a baby elephant and his kitten friends Henry, Harriet and Hildy love to play but mum saying 'Bedtime' always ruins their games. 'Bedtime! Had to be stopped!'

They need a plan - a secret plan to overcome bedtime and play all night. They try hiding, going undercover, blending in and sneaking out but are foiled by clever mum at every turn. Then they remember a certain pair of furry monster feet and Milo quietly makes a break for the attic to meet up with the kittens. 'It was the perfect late-night no-bedtime-ever hideout'

After some play and a late night feast however everyone starts to get a little drowsy - perhaps it's not such a good idea to stay up late after all?

Time to hatch a new secret plan - after a little rest!

This beautiful playful picture book is the perfect bedtime read. It's funny and engaging as well as ending on the best note of everyone falling asleep dreaming of the day ahead.

Julia Sarcone-Roach's amazing acrylic illustrations are vivid and intricate. She includes cross sections of the house showing the characters moving around carrying out their various plans and the delightful end papers are blue prints of the town house - designed by 'House by Mouse'.

There are many picture books about children avoiding bedtime but none as clever and funny as this one. The illustrations are warm and snug, enveloping you like a big quilt. The illustrations and the text fit perfectly making this a comforting bedtime story that I have no doubt will become a classic."

Thank you, We Heart Books Online, for the kind and thoughtful review!

Butterfly Birthday

There's a little spot of garden that I help keep up with some neighbors. Recently, our parsley had been mysteriously disappearing.

After several days of patience, the parsley thief was caught in the act.



It was a Black Swallowtail caterpillar (also known as a "Parsley Worm" or "BS cat" to those hip to caterpillar slang.) This is the caterpillar stage of the Black Swallowtail Butterfly. Here are a few sketchbook drawings of our BS cat (named Lieutenant Pinkerton) who ate a small forest of parsley before turning into a chrysalis inside a pickle jar in the studio.






And here is the Lieutenant right after turning into a butterfly:


(Photo thanks to Adam Kesner.)

Both male and female Black Swallowtails look identical as caterpillars, and it isn't until they reach the butterfly state that their sex is revealed. The deep blue spots on the wings reveal that the Lieutenant was a lady!

Moments after this photo was taken, she was released and fluttered off into Greenwood Cemetery.