Split page: take two!

I have decided to re work the split page that I had worked on previously. The previous pages are pretty and the colors are ideal, but balance was not resonating with me. I need more from it. I want my illustrations to bring a sense of happiness and whimsy when they thumb through the pictures. I want parents to come back to this book for night time reading. So, back to the sketching stage I go. I have been sketching a little here and there. Inspiration has been a little slow lately. So, I finally started putting down a discernible sketch of Andy, Lilly, and Benny. Here are some stages as I prepare this new set of art for the end of my book. I feel that a split page in full illustration should be a must for the picture book dummy. It is a great example of what the art for the entire book will be in full illustration. So, here I go. Onward to my ideal split page!!!!
Still aspiring and my dreams are huge!!!!

let's make it a bit more balanced!

first page is a go for color and song lyrics!

song lyrics added and second page is beginning to take form!

starting to apply color. First layer.

adding some depth to the characters and background.

And then there was weather, humidity, and spring cleaning.

The weather is as unpredictable as my inspiration. We are currently on tornado watch in Missouri. The storm clouds dull the sun's light and the humidity thrives within the heat. My husband and I are tackling the spring cleaning and clearing the muck from within. It amazes me how paper can collect in that mess drawer I try so hard to avoid. Currently, I am cleaning my office. I have a few paint spots on my desk from previous artistic pursuits. My sketching pencil grows shorter and shorter with every sharpening. My eraser is sticky and pliable. The sketches and illustrations are littered about the shelves and desk.
It is time to put the sketch book away for today. what an odd feeling. This book has become a part of me. It is a representation of thought and dreams manifested into illustrations and rough drawings depicting scenes from a story I yearn to share.

 Have you ever wanted something so much that the want burns in your heart? My aspirations yell for recognition. A desire to accomplish this task consumes me. My downtime is consumed with thoughts, phrases, and stories to tell. I am a visual person and see a story in my mind. The colors allow me to convey what is a vivid representation of my thoughts. I aspire to share my stories. I aspire to get them out there to share with many.  With high aspirations, work to achieve these dreams must accompany it in more than thought. Due diligence must be paid.I pay this debt to the art of story writing and illustration by taking time to make all of these thoughts and dreams visible on paper. I attend a critique group to learn from those who have aspired longer that I have. My work is a piece of me. It is imperfect, for art is subjective. It is your audience that you must entertain. My audience is the 3-7 year olds.  Each illustration must be submitted to the harshest critiques; my children. I ask them to tell me what is happening in my picture. If they can describe the message I am trying to convey, then my task has been completed accurately.  I am an aspiring children's book author and illustrator with a story. I actually have a couple to share, but first this one. This week, I will be refining my work and hope to send it to my copy editor of awesome for some wisdom and assessment. That is the goal and the road I chose to follow. As Andy is perfected, Abernathy has started to develop. It will be a young adult book about earth healers. But first, Andy needs his adventure!