​2017 was a great year for Alpha-Sketch! I exhibited at a large number of shows and meet a lot of wonderful people. Thanks so much for being a part of it. There are many new projects lined up for 2018 including:

• THE ALPHA-SKETCH CLASSROOM - a teacher's manual for incorporating Alpha-Sketch into the school curriculum
• A IS FOR ALPHA-SKETCH: ACTIVITY & COLORING BOOK - HOLIDAY EDITION
• A IS FOR ALPHA-SKETCH: ACTIVITY & COLORING BOOK V. 3
• a new untitled picture book
• presenting & vending at the SCIRA conference (South Carolina State Council of the International Reading Association) in Hilton Head, SC
• presenting & vending at the SCASL conference (South Carolina Association of School Librarians) in Greenville, SC
• exhibiting in competition at Artfields in Lake City, SC
• lots of school visits and more!

Right now, I'm immersed in formatting the teacher's manual. This is easily the largest book I've tackled at 200 pages. I'm also in the process of lining up shows, conferences, and conventions for the year. If you have a suggestion for a market that you feel is a good match for Alpha-Sketch, please get in touch. 

I hope your 2018 is off to a great start!

The commission list will be closing on Friday, December 15. That is the last day to order a custom drawing with delivery in time for Christmas. I've really enjoyed the requests people have made this year; there's a lot of STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI love out there (understandably). I won't be sharing any of the commissions until after the holidays. The mystery gifts will also be removed from the shop this Friday.

This Saturday I'll be set-up at the Holiday Flea at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe in Travelers Rest. I won't be bringing everything with me so if there's a certain something you want (especially along the framed art & t-shirt side), let me know and I'll bring it for you. Thanks! 

My newest picture book - O, SAY CAN U C? - is now available! For fans of L, M, N,...OH!, this book will be a great addition to your library. It's an alphabet book that explores 26 different aspects of AmericaO, CAY CAN U C? is as unique as you are. Like all of my work, this alphabet book is illustrated using the Alpha-Sketch technique. O, SAY CAN U C? explores 26 snippets of Americana, each as an Alpha-Sketch with an accompanying rhyming verse. The back of the book features "decoded" versions of the art that reveal the letters' locations.

Illustrations include:

• A...America
• B...Baseball
• C...Capitol 
• D...Declaration of Indpendence
• E...Eagle
• F...Founding Fathers
• G...Great Seal
• H...Home of the Brave
• I...Independence Day
• J...Jazz
• K...Martin Luther King, Jr. 
• L...Abraham Lincoln
• M...Moon Landing
• N...National Anthem
• O...Old Glory
• P...Pledge of Allegiance
• Q...Quarter
• R...Rushmore
• S...Statue of Liberty
• T...Harriet Tubman
• U...Uncle Sam
• V...Veterans
• W...White House
• X...X Marks the Spot
• Y...You
• Z...Zeal

O, SAY CAN U C? is a picture book that provides a fun, interactive experience for readers and art lovers of all ages. Copies can be ordered online at Amazon or the Alpha-Sketch store where the book shipped signed upon request. 

I'm happy to announce that two new Alpha-Sketch books have just been released: A IS FOR ALPHA-SKETCH: ACTIVITY & COLORING BOOK volumes 1 and 2! Each book is 124 pages long, sized 8.5" x 11", and contains 40 black and white images designed for coloring and letter hunting. The back of each image-containing page is left blank to avoid any potential bleed through of the next image. All images are also decoded in the back of the book to reveal the letters' locations. People have asked for something similar for a while. I'm happy that I made the time to make these happen for you. I think they will please long time supporters while serving as a great, giftable entry point to Alpha-Sketch. 

Both books contain a variety of fun subjects. Here's what's inside:

VOLUME ONE

• Owl & Songbird in Tree
• Garden Gnome
• Acorn & Leaf
• Bull
• Tiki Glass
• Octopus
• Vase of Flowers
• UFO
• Weathervane
• Cactus
• Scottish Terrier
• Toucan
• Heart
• Unicorn
• Cowboy Boot
• Robot
• Rocketship
• Mouse & Cheese
• Tree
• Sun
• Moon
• Pineapple
• Eiffel Tower
• Chinese Lucky Cat
• Feather
• Snake
• Anchor
• Fortune Teller
• Peacock
• Instant Camera
• Pinata
• Fleur de Leis
• Sugar Skull
• Dreamcatcher
• Teepee
• Bicycle
• Beaver with Stump
• Camper
• Swans
• Stegosaurus & Brontosaurus

​
VOLUME TWO

• Goldfish & Bowl
• Balloons
• Arrows
• Chimpanzee
• Horse
• Bumblebee
• Compass & Protractor
• Macaw
• Tree & Tire Swing
• Tiki Mask
• Key
• Cardinal
• Apple with Worm & Pencil
• Peace Symbol & Heart
• Elephant
• Wildflowers
• Turtle
• Coconut Tree on Island
• Spider & Web
• Frankenstein's Monster
• Rainbow, Sun, & Clouds
• Deer
• Football & Helmet
• Clown
• Rooster
• Lion
• Joystick
• Squirrel
• Breakfast Plate & Utensils
• Mr. Toast & Toaster
• 1969 Dodge Charger
• Shark
• House
• Ladybug & Leaf
• VW Bus
• Steam Locomotive
• Frog on Lily Pad Eating Fly
• Stapler, Glue, & Paper Clip
• Cat
• ​Dragon

Both books are now available on Amazon. If you have any of my books, I would welcome an online review. It doesn't have to be in-depth at all. Online reviews help my books appear higher in search lists which helps sales which helps me make new books for you. Win-win.

You can also pick up these books along with L, M, N...OH!, I AM NOT A CAT PERSON!, THE LETTERS GO TO LUNCH, and FAMOUS FACES at one of my upcoming shows. TEACHER FRIENDS: The activity & coloring books contain a written permission that allows for photocopying for classroom use. I can't wait to get these books in your hands. Thanks!

Hey everyone! As we approach the holiday season, I'm re-opening the commission list. For those that are interested in getting a custom piece of art, here are the details and options: 

• 8.5"x11"....single character....your choice of ink/watercolor or digital...$50
• 8.5"x11".....two characters.....your choice of ink/watercolor or digital.....$80
• comic book sketch cover....one character.....$60 (if I provide the book); $50 (if you provide the book)

The subject matter is up to you. If you're interested in a comic book collage border on your piece, add $12 to the price. 

Shipping is an additional $6 per order. To save on shipping, you can choose to pick it up at one of my appearances. Just be sure to let me know when you order which show you're planning to attend so that I can bring the finished piece to you.

Send me a message when you're ready to get started with your commission and I'll give you information about payment options. I can take credit cards or Paypal. Turnaround time of completed artwork is currently 2 weeks from payment. 

Here are some examples:  

LOOK-C is my newest project to feature the Alpha-Sketch style. It is a word-building card game that features action cards (redraw, lucky 7, erase, steal), stacking, and challenging where players flip a card, racing to locate a certain letter first hidden among the art. The artwork in the game features the characters of the Chinese zodiac.

All art and design elements are complete. I am awaiting a final proof to approve. This game wouldn't have been possible without the support of the Alpha-Sketch fans. Thanks to all of the Kickstarter backers for making LOOK-C come to life! The game is scheduled to ship in August (hopefully before that). After all Kickstarter backers receive their copies, I will begin selling the game online and at appearances. I can't wait to share LOOK-C with you!.

Here's a look at a couple of pieces I recently created for the SpacePop show currently running at the ZaPow! art gallery in Asheville, NC. M IS FOR MST3K VS. METALUNA is made of ink, color pencil, and cut paper on bristol. G IS FOR GROOT is ink and crayon on wood. The show runs through July 4th and features lots of art inspired by space-themed pop culture. While ZaPow! is definitely worth a visit, the art can also be ordered by calling the gallery. 

The ZaPow! Gallery in Asheville, NC is currently partnering with their local chapter of GIRLS ON THE RUN for a show that highlights strong females. I completed these three pieces for the show based on a couple of heroines from STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS and MAD MAX: FURY ROAD. 

The show runs through May 2.