About

This blog is a celebration of novel, novel characters!

I love reading novels, and as an artist I know a great exercise to stretch one's illustration skills is to portray characters from a description in a book. This blog is a challenge to myself to do just that so I'll be posting illustrations from whatever book I'm currently reading. Feel free to add comments and send me your fan art for these great titles too!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Rachael from "Redneck Debutante" & "Cowgirl Down" by Jenny Hammerle


I recently read the first two books of Jenny Hammerle’s Redneck Debutant series as it was the ACFW Bookclub pick for last month.  It had been a while for me since reading any books geared towards teens, and in a high school setting no less.  Once I got over feeling old, reading about characters half my age, I really enjoyed the series and was really into it by the end of book 2!

The stories follow Racheal, a young girl from an affluent family who has to make a major lifestyle change when her father falls into legal trouble.  Along with her mother and brother, she moves to her aunt’s farm in a much more rural part of Florida than she’s ever known.

Rachael has a great personality and she seems pretty mature for her age.  I know I didn’t have half her confidence at her age!  She makes mistakes and gets into trouble a few times, but she’s such a sweet girl you can’t help but adore her.  My favorite thing about her is how she embraces her new surroundings finding new hobbies that she enjoys and making new friends.  I love the scene in the first book when she meets Travis, a neighbor boy close to her age.  Shortly after her arrival she decides to explore and happens upon an all too inviting body of water.  Take a dip?  Sure!  In her underwear… why not?  Enter Travis!

I loved the humor, romance & drama of the story.  It was fun to read as an adult and I can only imagine that it might be even more fun for teens who can relate to the current high school scene.  If you’ve a mind to check it out, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

Visit Jenny's website at:  http://jennyhammerle.com/

-Monica


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

The Silmarillion Project

Check out this great artwork I recently discovered by an artist named Dresden Codak!  I love what he's been doing with his blog by creating at least one drawing for every chapter of Tolkien's Silmarillion.  I confess, I've never read it, but I'd certainly like to.  These drawings really get me excited about it.

I love that Dresden has been embracing his own artistic style and vision for the book.  Since Peter Jackson's movie versions are so predominant it would be easy to do drawings in the style of the movies, but instead Dresden has created a whole new look to the Tolkien world.  To see all of his art to date, check out his website:

http://silmarillionproject.tumblr.com/


 

Every chapter of J.R.R. Tolkien's Silmarillion, as illustrated by Dresden Codak author Aaron Diaz

Great stuff!

-Monica



Reading & Illustrating update

Ack!  I went too long without posting again.  Sorry about that!  I, of course, have various excuses, but I won't bore you with them.  On to the fun stuff!

A new children's book I worked on is now out!  The book was written by a friend and illustrated by me!  It will also soon be available in print.  If you're interested, checkout the kindle version on amazon:


I've recently finished reading the following books & will post on them as soon as I finish some pretty art to go along with the reviews.


Redneck Debutante & Cowgirl Down by Jenny Hammerle
The Rebels of Cordovia by Linda Weaver Clarke
Swept to Sea by Heather Manning

Currently, I'm reading Wounded Tiger by Martin T Bennett & Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg, what are you reading?

I'm finding it is so hard to keep up with reading all the books I want to!  Since I've started this blog my to-be-read stack has grown exponentially.  It's a happy quandary.

I hope everyone had a Happy & Blessed Mother's Day!

-Monica