Erik Brooks's Blog, page 87
August 8, 2013
Harts Pass No. 164
I've been sitting on this idea for a while now... but its so true. Sometimes hiking is hard :)[ But don't tell that to your kids! ]
August 7, 2013
The 2013 Mazama Festival of Books!
No stage-time participation for me at the Festival this year, but I did get to design the poster :) It's a fantastic roster all around, and there are even MORE authors for your 2013 listening pleasure. On the "younger" book side, YA author Dia Calhoun and picture book illustrator/paper artist Nikki McClure take the stage on Sunday morning. For a complete schedule and for ALL of the relevant details, check out the 2013 Mazama Festival of Books at the new Methow Arts website.
August 1, 2013
Harts Pass No. 163
It's still a little unclear to me, but in response to Governor Inslee's recent ATV safety legislation -- which requires registration, helmets, and a 16 year old age-limit for drivers -- I believe that the Okanogan County Commissioners tried to grandfather in a whole mess of county roads that would therefore circumvent the 35 mph speed limit clause. While new legislation would otherwise have these roads off-limits to ATV use the 11th hour petition by the commission somehow makes them legal...While I'm NOT really sure that this will alter the character of Methow Valley roads and towns, it DOES smack of really poor politicking by the County Commissioners. Both Winthrop and Twisp recently denied petitions from a county ATV club to allow ATVs on city streets -- and yet mere days and weeks later the Commissioners have crafted and implemented a end-around to both city council decisions. For a relatively conservative group that would seem to support "get the government out of my life" ideals -- they have all but ignored the idea of local control -- and ought to have stayed out of it.
At least the 18th annual Methow Valley Chamber Music Festival will be music to our ears!
July 26, 2013
Harts Pass No. 162
Three (plus) years in and I'm still pretty much a novice cartoonist. Its such a compact medium -- but I'm still in awe of its ability to hold its own when unfolding a plot, a joke, or a play on words. My own ever-changing efforts could certainly benefit from more time spent writing or an extra experiment with expressions or compositions, but its I hope that you enjoy it for chuckle or two nonetheless!
July 19, 2013
Gator Sketches!
I'm finally getting close on a new ms revision. Gators Galore! Hey, that sounds like a title -- but not for this particular book, actually... Cheers to summer color :)
July 18, 2013
Harts Pass No. 161
A forest fire about 45 miles from home meant that electricity for the entire upper valley was off for about 12 hours on Monday afternoon into Tuesday morning. A definite reality of living off the beaten path... and Thor really does think he's funny!
July 17, 2013
Sketches: Jazz Night at Twisp River Suites
I'm not necessarily sayin' that Harvey rocks the 'bone like a skinny mountain goat, or that D. Wolfe (in the house), jams the bass like a soulful beaver, but Suites proprietor "Rat Pack" Marver can definitely belt it out, and not-pictured Weidig kept things cool and breezy on on the guitar. A quick little sketch from a fine little evening. Keep an ear to the ground for future events in the lounge at the Suites. The music alone was worth it and there was food!
July 14, 2013
A new review for Who Has This Tail?
A new review of Who Has This Tail? From the "Reading Chair" review section of Young Children: The Journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. - July 2013
In this guessing game, the author presents readers with a picture of an animal tail and asks, "Who has this tail?" Children will have fun examining all the hind-side extremities and quessing whose it could be. Turning the page reveals the answer, with a picture of the full animal and a description of how the tail is used. In these small science lessons, animals use their tails for balance, warning enemies, pushing and steering through water, flicking flies, stinging prey, and attracting a mate.
Hulbert has thoughtfully curated the array of animals. Appearances range from the plain-looking horse and gerbil tails, to the geometrically striking scorpion and shark tails, to the flamboyant peacock tail. Brooks captures little-known details, such as the fleshy underside of the spider monkey's tail that helps it grasp tree branches. Brooks's use of negative space (blank white space in the background) on pages that showcase tails adds drama to the guessing game. This excellent companion to Who Has These Feet? is a good reminder for young scientists to ask about the purpose and use of what they find in nature.
July 11, 2013
Harts Pass No. 160
When you get right down to it, with SO many things happening -- summer is exhausting! A quiet night or two in a tent sound pretty good.
July 4, 2013
Harts Pass No. 159 - Happy 4th of July!
Wishing I had more time for the indulgence of a good summer action movie -- and closer proximity to a theater, it suddenly occurred to me that super heroes and super cool animals kind of inspired each other in some sort of endless loop... I'll get to The Wolverine SOME time this summer. I promise.Happy 4th of July!
