Mars Explorers NEW

I saw a NOVA documentary the other day on the Mars Rover, which reminded me I had these space characters waiting to find a story. That will come one day. In the mean time, here is a new piece.

Here was the piece I did last year.

Journey to the West

Chess match! Monkey King vs. Monk Pig!

(Inspired by 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West.)

I Caught A Cold...

Chinese medicine is really bitter. I thank Brooke Boynton Hughes for mailed delicious chocolate to the rescue.

Scrap Watercolor Art

Space-kid concept on scrap watercolor paper while I wait for other art pieces to dry off.

Friday Morning (Happy Halloween!)

Puffin's friend dressed up as Puffin's deepest fear. Happy halloween, everyone!

Thursday Morning (Ready to Travel!)

One more puffin illustration prior to my trip to Hong Kong tonight. Whoop whoop squawk!

Wednesday Morning

The puffin's motto: No muffin, no discussion.

Tuesday Morning

Everything's negotiable, except this banana muffin. Puffin loves muffin!

Monday Morning

Puffin wishes everyone a fine Monday morning.

Story, Story

A horse-related history story in the brewing process this week. =)

Back to Exercise

First real exercise since my July minor injury. Brain and body are giving me mixed-messages.

Dream Come True: My Creative Journey

My work was first published in the Hong Kong newspaper when I was two.

"Fish", Age 2.
First published work. Milestone!

Over the years, I continued to submit work to the newspaper. I get to draw AND receive presents from the newspaper? Bliss!

"Children's Library", Age 5.
I was a library fan since childhood.

"Underwater Tunnel", Age 5.
The idea that cars could travel in a tunnel below water fascinated me.

With both parents as art majors and educators, my sister and I enjoyed participating in art activities. This 4-panel comic was for a Hong Kong school competition. I won third place for the primary school category. My lovely sister won first place for the high school category!

Civic Education Comic Competition, Age 10.

The creative journey continued when I moved to Los Angeles at age 11. Here is a snapshot of my comic for the middle school's publication.

Middle School's Publication "In Our Own Words", Age 13.

And in college, I was an editorial and comic illustrator for the college newspaper.

My comic column "The Leaf", Age 21.

In late 2011, I decided to pursue my dream as a full-time author-illustrator. Today, I am very excited to announce that my first written and illustrated picture book, MY LITTLE SISTER AND ME, will be published by HarperCollins!

An in-process art piece for my first book
"My Little Sister and Me", Age ♥.

A wholehearted thank you to my agent Joanna Volpe, my editor Nancy Inteli, my art director Martha Rago and Dana Fritts, and to everyone who supported and believed in me! Special thanks to my Dad, my Mom, and my big sister Denise! I love you all!

Publisher's Weekly Annoucement

I am very excited to see the announcement of Publisher's Weekly Rights Report yesterday! Even more excited that super good friend Brooke Boynton Hughes is on the same report! Yaaaay!!!

My debut written and illustrated picture book, My Little Sister and Me, will be published by HarperCollins! Publication set for summer 2016! I will share more thoughts very soon! :D

Banned Books Week

Celebrate the freedom to read‬ during Banned Books Week! =)

www.bannedbooksweek.org

Doodle with a China Marker

I was drawing and talking via Google Hangout with good friends, one of whom was the talented Katie Kath Boyd. Here is our dialogue exchange:

Katie: You should try using a China marker.

Me: Good idea! But how do I sharpen it?

Katie: You sharpen it.

Me: Oh.

----

I don't even know why I asked that question. It seemed logical at the time, but Katie provided an equally logical answer. Yup, yup.

Here is an quick illustration using a sharpened China marker. =)

Is Winter Here Yet?

It's still a boiling hot LA summer. Naturally, I am drawing kids in winter clothes to balance it out.

Medium Exploration

Thick-black-strokes exploration continues... Working on a softer palette this time. :)

Medium Exploration

I am exploring a thicker black stroke today.

There was a time I worried if publishing professionals will be confused over my periodic switches in medium, but I soon discovered as a professional illustrator, this is what I should be doing. I should be exploring different options on a constant level.

As Maurice Sendak once said, "If you only have one style, then you're going to do the same book over and over, which is, of course, pretty dull.  Lots of styles permit you to walk in and out of books."

SCBWI Conference Journal

"Become a collector. Not just of things, but of experiences." ~Judy Schachner

SCBWI Conference Journal

"Put your characters through scenes, dialogues, situations.  Observe their responses." ~Megan McDonald & Mary Lee Donovan