Don’t Worry, Wuddles
September 26, 2023
Snow is coming, and the barnyard animals are preparing for the cold. Duckling has an excellent idea! Fleecy Wuddles the sheep has plenty of wool to keep everyone nice and toasty. Surely Wuddles doesn’t mind sharing? Soon there’s a goat in legwarmers, piglets in onesies, and more! But will this outpouring of generosity leave Wuddles himself out in the cold? Not to worry—Duckling has one final, absolutely heartwarming idea!
Dogs: A History of Our Best Friends
Just Released!
Of all the animals on the planet, dogs have the widest range of roles in our daily lives. They’re protectors, helpers, lifesavers—but most of all, they’re family.
And they’ve taken a fascinating journey to get to this point. Long ago, early wolves evolved from fierce predators into trusted partners. They became dogs! While we know dogs to be lovable and full of personality, they have also historically improved our lives in many practical ways, like guarding livestock to help humans form the first settlements, cleaning out infectious wounds, and finding food. Covering over 50,000 years of history, from cave-dwelling to the present day, Dogs chronicles fascinating scientific details and the history of how dogs learned to live cooperatively alongside humans.
Creative Process Videos
The Wisdom of Trees
Mary’s Monster
When You Need Wings
When You Need Wings
is now available!
The Making of When You Need Wings
I wanted to share a few of the wonderful muses I was lucky enough to spend time with while creating my book, DON’T WORRY, WUDDLES. As a kid, loved sitting in a barn sketching critters, so it was kind of a dream come true to create a book where that was my job! One of the zillion reasons I love my work. @simonkids
Sep 27
I`m falling deeper in love with clay with every vessel I make. I just tried a new brown stoneware for this vessel. If the build goes well, it feels like the vessel holds a personality. This one, inspired by a seedpod I drew, feels very feminine and whimsical. Can`t wait to fire and place her my garden. Come visit her and me on the Monadnock Art Tour, October 7-8. I`m # 44 on the map. (monadnockart.org/open-studio-tour)
Sep 24
It`s almost that time of year when I open up my studio for the Monadnock Art Tour! (October 7 -8) Can`t wait to welcome art and children`s book lovers to our studio, home and garden. It really is our favorite weekend of the year. I`ll have paintings, prints, books, notecards for sale and a garden full of sculptures to enjoy. Please visit @monadnockart for a map and info on the tour this year. I`m # 44 on the map (monadnockart.org/open-studio-tour)
Sep 22
I`m opening my Etsy shop for the next 3 week weeks. As I gear up for new book release and studio tour, I`ll have books, prints, cards, and art available. I know not everyone can make it to our open studio on Oct 7-8, so I want to make art and books available on my site. A link is in my bio!
Sep 21
Only one week until DON`T WORRY, WUDDLES releases. I can`t wait to share this book with little readers. I had a ball creating it. And if you`re in my area, I`ll be doing a signing at our wonderful indie bookstore, The Toadstool, in Peterborough on Sept 30th at 11 AM. @simonkids @toadstoolbooks. Here’s a sneak peek inside.
Sep 19
Hooray, author copies have arrived for DON`T WORRY, WUDDLES. And Pulina already loves ducky:) Can`t wait to share this book with young readers, releasing 9/26. And B&N is offering members a 25% discount for online preorders using the code PREORDER25 (see barnesandnoble.com for more info, runs until Friday 9/8). @barnesandnoble #BNPreorder
Sep 6
Sharing a little peek at one of my summer sketchbooks. I`ve been deep in painting for a deadline the last couple of months, but I`m learning that taking time to sketch something I love daily, even when pushing to finish a book, recharges me. So often we share only the end results of our labor, but sometimes the reality is that we are fighting against burn out and feeling overwhelmed by deadlines or just the craziness that life brings. It`s taken me years to learn that slowing down can actually help you work better and stay in touch with what I love about making a life from art. It`s not all sweeping inspiration, sometimes, it`s a quiet moment spent with a sketchbook that stokes my creative fire again.
Aug 31
Today is Mary Shelley`s birthday. I always take a moment to think about this amazing woman on the day of her birth. She was a pregnant, teenage runaway when she wrote Frankenstein. And her name didn`t appear on the first printings of her book because she was a woman. But she left us one of the most read books of all time. I have these pieces from my book, Mary`s Monster, hanging in my studio to remind myself everyday of her strength and the inspiration she has handed down to us over two centuries. So I celebrate her birthday every year with gratitude for what she left with her art.
Aug 30
I was sketching in Cotswolds recently and a little English Robin flitted down to where I sitting. Then we both sat quietly for awhile, soaking in the sun after a spring drenching, so I was able to get a couple of quick sketches done. I knew I wanted to sculpt him as soon as I got home.
Aug 27
