Sketches from Japan

Did everyone have a good Christmas? I got a big ol' pink scarf from my Mom. I'd never where pink on my own, but now that I have it I think it's pretty awesome. :)

While in Japan, I started a new sketchbook. These are all done straight with the hi-tec C 03mm pen. I love that pen. There's more, but these are the best ones. I need to draw more! It clarifies my writing and helps me visualize things more easily. I noticed that there's an economy of storytelling in comics that I love, and want to carry over into my writing too, if I can. We'll see how it goes.

Anyway, click the thumbnails to see the full image:

Have a great New Year's, everyone!!!!

Amulet is in stores!

One month before the official release in Jan. '08, Kazu's all-ages graphic novel Amulet is out in bookstores and on amazon.com. Two years of writing, drawing, and painting bound together in beautiful full color, it makes a wonderful and affordable gift.

Hardcover
Paperback

Someone started a thread over at the Flight Forums about the book. It's a good place to go if you want to discuss it and see some reader reviews.

I helped paint some of the pages, and was Kazu's sounding board for story ideas etc. I'm so so sooooo proud of him and the book! It turned out beautifully, and best of all -- the story is awesome! There's magic, monsters, robots, strong characters, and a touching story of the heart for the whole family.

Miskit's my favorite character in Amulet, but they're all awesome. I love the villain too, he looks so cool. I want to do a fan art...

Back from Japan

Wow. What an awesome, life-changing trip! I can't even begin to express how awesome a trip it was. I miss the place already, but it's good to be back. All I have are my photos, and little commentaries contained within:

tons of photos from our trip to Japan

If you don't know how to use flickr, here are more direct links to the "detail view":

week one
week two part 1
week two part 2

It's a beautiful country, the peak of modern living, and full of some of the kindest, least cynical, hard-working people I've ever met. It was a breath of fresh air. There was so much visual stimulus, I ended up drawing again. I'll scan in my sketch book soon, it's actually pretty small. But it's the most I've drawn in a while, and it felt great! Comics are deeply ingrained in their culture, and they're everywhere. I urge every cartoonist to visit Japan at least once in their lives, just to see what it's like.

Countless thanks to Ray Goto and Savannah College of Art and Design for inviting my husband to go there to teach, and for allowing me to tag along. It was the best trip ever!