IF-Talk

Shhh!  No talking in the library!!!

Illustration Friday-Tiny

Puppy Party Selfie...for illustration Friday

Princess and Dragon

Hello Everyone!  It has been such a long time...over a year!  I have been posting more over on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bethannemarescaillustrations...check it out!

So, my first book, "Megan Owlet" was published last spring...which has been a fabulous experience!  It is so exciting and rewarding to see your words and pictures in a book that others enjoy!

So, hopefully I will be getting back to more painting and posting here!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hello Everyone!  It has been such a long time!!  I am so happy to let you all know that my book, Megan Owlet, will be out in April and I am so excited!  I spent most of last summer painting and painting and painting the illustrations for the book.  It was hard work  but so much fun at the same time!!  It is now available on amazon and Barnes and Noble for pre-orders!!  I am so thankful to Sky Pony Press and my fabulous editor, Julie Matysik for her endless kindess and patience with all of my "newbie" questions!!  You can check out the book here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1632204045/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_AmEnub1N3DEDT.

So anyway...here's my submission for Illustration Friday's word "toy"...Dragon and his best buddy, Hedgehog love their new skateboards!!!

IF-Space

Meet my friend the Space Teen!  He's got his space phone and fuzzy bunny feet...not to mention a very cool ride!

Thanks for stopping by!

Book News!!!

Hello Everyone!

  I wanted to share some very exciting news....the children's book I have been writing and revising and drawing and sketching and re-sketching over the past few years is going to be published!!!  Woo-hoo!!  I am so excited, I can't wait to get started on painting the finished pictures!!!  Also, I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to my agent, Teresa Kietlinski at Prospect Agency for guiding and encouraging me every step of the way!!!

Here's a sneak peek at the main character, Megan Owlet...

IF-Reflect

As we move on to the new year, it is a good time to reflect on the past year.  My husband and I always go over our top 10 moments of the year...some of ours this year were ...our family skiing day with our cousins, my 8 year old's game winning hit in a baseball playoff game where the coach carried him off the field while the team chanted his name, and a super fun beach day where the waves were huge and out of the ocean scrambled a baby seal to rest on the sand right next to us!  It was a good year!  Now, on to the next!!  May it be filled with many more wonderful moments like these!!!

Happy New Year!!

IF- Spirit

This crew is filled with the Christmas spirit!  

Happy Holidays to you all!

If-Refrain

Sasha could not refrain from trying on her party dress one more time!!

IF-Underwater

Here's my submission for Illustration Friday's word, underwater.

Enjoy!

IF- Together

"Looks like we're in this together."

Here's my If submission for this week.  I used a charcoal sketch pencil to outline...for a change of pace...

Have a good week!

Illustration Friday-Lush

I cannot explain how good it feels to be back doing Illustration Friday!  It has been a long time!  This, I originally sketched for IF's word jungle, but didn't have time to paint it.  SO, when I saw this week's word, lush, I made sure I had time to paint it and get it on my blog!  

As for me, I am back teaching kindergarten part-time, still working on my book...interest in my the dummy...so keep your fingers crossed for me!  Hopefully I will get back to painting regularly now that summer is over and the kids are back at school!  Thanks for stopping by!

IF-Jungle Sketch

Monkey's first attempt at the vine swing!

Here's a sketch for the topic jungle over at IF this week.  I had every intention of finishing this and painting it before now...but the summer sun this week was quite a distraction!  Oh well...I'll post it when it is complete!!  Thanks for visiting! 

IF-Robot

(Click for larger image)

Miriam just loved Saturdays.  She'd get up just as the sun was rising and head out to the country straight to the farmer's market.    

Hi there!  I loved Illustration Friday's theme, robot, this week...can you tell?  I tried to be a little different this week, as I usually like to use some white space in my background... So, using color to fill the page was a bit tricky in spots!   I hope you like it, too!

Thanks for visiting!

IF-Travel

Here's my submission for IF's word of the week, travel.  In my opinion this must be one of the coolest ways to get around...if only I could!  I did this recently for a friend whose daughter loves Mary Poppins!  I am working on another submission for IF, but this just fit so well...stay tuned!

Thanks for visiting!

Illustration Friday - Protest

(Click on picture to see larger image)

Here's my submission for IF's word of the week, protest!  This little pup certainly does not want his bath! I had fun with this one, although I m disppointed in the scan...the greens in my original are mush greener...oh well!  Thanks for stopping by!

IF-Surveillance

(Click on image for closer view!)

Well, it is finally summer!  I am home with the kids which means pool, beach, relaxation and hopefully more time to write and paint!  I'd like to introduce to you our adorable dog Sprinkles!  She is such a curious dog...especially when it comes to bees!  Here she is keeping a very close watch on this one! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Little Flower Fairy

Here's a little painting I just completed for a custom order through my etsy shop.  I love how it came out ...to me this is super sweet!