Desert Inspiration

Working on a Victorian gothic piece for this weekend's SCBWI conference in Houston, but the images in my head are more influenced by the subtle textures and earth tones and blazing blue skies of the desert. Took a trip last weekend to Palm Springs with some high school friends that I rarely get to see, and it was a lovely time filled with desert hikes, swims in a saltwater pool, delicious food (still thinking about that tender porkbelly and buttermilk onion ring sloppy joe at the ACE hotel restaurant), and the wackiness that is Palm Springs.
Joshua Tree

Indian Canyons

Palm Springs

Alpine woods at the end of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Marilyn, larger than life

Squirrels Night Out

I just read last week's 7-imp post on David Ezra Stein's Ol' Mama Squirrel, which is going on my book wishlist straight-away. Love how he captured their fierce, chastising nature, even when dealing with creatures many times their size.

I recently drew several pages of squirrels, trying to figure out the look and personalities of some that are going into a story I'm writing. Thought these guys ended up looking like what might happen on squirrels night out.