"The Bird Cage Holder" Chinese Myth. Original watercolor ACEO.

ACEO. 2.5x3.5" original watercolor painting. "The Bird Cage Holder" Part of Chinese stories and myths. I needed to 'zone out' today. Managed to paint this. Based on a wonderful Chinese character in a Chinese New Year celebration. Currently listed on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290926280532

"Momma's Boarding House" magazine Illustration

Another FMAM magazine illustration for a story that was about a woman that runs a boarding house, and she is always trying to save money to keep it afloat but there is also death associated with the people she deals with.

I found this one difficult to come up with something. I started off with totally different images to the final.

The editor really liked this one, so was worth it. I rather like it, too.
It wasn't an easy one to think of something to show for that particular story.

~Jillian
www.JillianCrider.com

"A Deadly Pate" - Ruthe Furie - book cover

Well, since I posted my previous book covers, this is the final one of series of 3, done just over a month ago. Again keeping in the murder mystery theme.

Jillian
www.jilliancrider.com

Compliments on my illustration (see previous post).

I get very flattered by compliments re my art. Sometimes it surprizes me a little, as caught of guard, and also wonder at finding that my art IS appreciated and admired ... something I've always dreampt of.

Two things this week. One re the sketch I did for 'Futures' magazine - the one I put up earlier with the skeleton - the author had a write up in a magazine published. In part it said...
"I’m forwarding a letter that Sarah posted to the short mystery Fiction society list.

My story, "Baby's Breath", appears in the current issue. I really like the illustration Jillian Crider made for the story; I feel so flattered to have someone do an actual PICTURE for my tale! I have also been having great fun reading the rest of the issue. FMAM is really great - so many stories, along with puzzles and cartoons! Even better news: I visited my local Barnes and Noble here in Lexington, and there it was (FMAM at last)! I will be directing all my friends there! :)"

The site for this magazine is: http://wwwfuturesforstorylovers.com
Even more exciting was getting my copy of it in the mail today with those 2 illustrations in it! :)
Next post will have the 2nd flattering happening.

Jillian
http://www.JillianCrider.com

"Inside a Snail's Shell"

Sometimes things in life get SO exciting that you almost need bricks on your head to stop you from jumping up and down!
The child's book I illustrated 'Inside a Snail's Shell' maybe didn't win child's book of the year 2003 in the EPPIE awards (one of only 5 finalists) ... BUT a hard copy arrived this week in my 'snail' :) mail - it was just SO fabulous to see it in print!

What's more, now it has just been released, there is already one buyer (NO!!!! ... NOT me!!! :) ) - and they want a SIGNED copy - as they consider this book good enough to win the 'Caldicott'!!!

Is it JUST me? Or do others get such great things happening to them?
Jillian
http://www.JillianCrider.com