Editorial illustration for the newly-launched backcountry ski magazine, Ascent. You can check out the online version of the magazine here.
Author: SJD
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My First SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Conference
I attended my first-ever conference for the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) this past weekend, and all-in-all had a great time! My favorite talk was by illustrator/author Pat Cummings who was every bit as funny as she was informative. But the highlight for me was meeting illustrator Henry Cole for a critique of a children’s book I’m currently working on. His enthusiasm for my book along with his insights on improving it were worth the trip alone.
My portfolio display at the SCBWI conference. 
I was there! 
A couple of sketches from the event. -
Urban Sketchers at the Miller School of Albermarle
Joined the Urban Sketchers for the plein air event at the Miller School of Albermarle. It was a gorgeous day of sitting in the sun and the grass! Here’s hoping we get a few more days like this one before winter sets in. You can see photos of other artists at the event here.
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Kid Hercules Comes Alive!
Click for larger view! Here it is! I’ve been waiting for this moment for quite awhile- the moment when I could bring Kid Hercules to life! During the course of my 365 challenge, a friend of mine suggested I do a walk cycle, and then animate it later. The second gif shows the untouched scans from my sketchbook. As you can see, I wasn’t able to properly align my “frames” since I drew them in a Moleskine. Even after cleaning things up a bit in Photoshop, Kid Hercules is still a little jittery, but it was super fun to do and I’m oddly proud to see my character come to life after working on him for such a long time.
Click for larger view! Feel free to drop by the official Kid Hercules website for more!
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Curse of the Beercation
Latest work for Utah Adventure Journal for an article called “Curse of the Beercation.” According to the article, microbrewery tours and early morning kayaking don’t really mesh well together. Who knew?Below is the sketch that got approved along with an alternate idea for a zombie-themed illustration featuring drunken hipsters on a microbrewery tour.
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New Web Site For Kid Hercules
Announcing the all-new, official Kid Hercules web site! Featuring daily drawings from my 365 challenge, a brief synopsis of my upcoming series, and a few action-packed illustrations of the world’s strongest kid in full, blazing color! Check out all the awesomeness at www.kidhercules.com.
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Urban Sketching On Water Street
Did some sketching from the Water Street parking garage with the Urban Sketchers this weekend. I’ve been wanting to go there for awhile now and was so happy that it got picked. Parking garages are a great place to get good city views, provided the security people don’t have a problem with it. The top image was done with a Pentel Pocket Brush, and then colored digitally at home. The bottom image was a quick 20-minute sketch with watercolor.
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Carter’s Mountain Orchard Peaches
Did a little sketching with the Urban Sketchers this last weekend. We went to Carter’s Mountain Orchard, sketching tourists and freshly picked peaches. It’s been over a month since I joined up with them, and boy did I feel rusty!
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Da Agony of Da Outdoorsy Feet
Recent illustration for Utah Adventure Journal for an article on uncomfortable outdoor footwear. I had no idea rock climbing was so hard on the feet!
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Coal Ash Ponds Map: Blue Ridge Outdoors
Map highlighting coal plants that pose a threat to local drinking water in and around the Blue Ridge Mountains. I was happy to learn that I don’t live near any coal ash ponds, but am quite sad to see just how many of these power plants pose a significant or higher hazard rating. I’m not sure how it works for the coal industry, but I generally want my clients to be healthy and happy and to feel good about the work I do for them. Remember kids: A living customer is a paying customer!