seanlmoore@shaw.ca

What's Up Bear?

2012-01-18T07:16:00.000-08:00

Here are some cover concepts for the new book.

Where's Bear Now...?

2012-01-16T18:45:00.000-08:00

I'll give you a hint....

Happy New Year!

New year, new adventure. I'm lucky enough to do a second book with Owlkids and Sophie and Bear are back.

This is where I've been hibernating the past 4 months and now we're just about done. Here are some images from the new book, "What's Up Bear?", hitting shelves Fall '12. Sophie and Bear are in NYC and learning the concept of opposites as they visit familiar NY landmarks.

I literally just completed the final art so I'll update with some color once we're ready for print. In the meantime, this is what I've been up to.

We went with a lot more spreads in this one. All of these have been revised so the color images won't match exactly.

The last two are title page concepts, one of which ended up as the night table photo in the first spread.

Check for it this fall!

Check for me in the next post!

Peace.

Chocolate Lilies, here we come!!

2011-09-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hello friends.

Well, since I last blogged I've been plugging away at this whole career thing - writing, drawing, writing...more drawing, etc.

Meanwhile Sophie and Bear are still going strong. Now "Where Are You Bear?" has been nominated for a Chocolate Lily Award, a nationally recognized, local (BC) book award program. Our book was recently shortlisted for the 2011/12 picture book category.

So congratulations to everyone involved at Owlkids, Frieda and all of the other nominees. Fingers crossed!

I'll have some new posts in the coming weeks, in the meantime...

Before there was this:

There were these:

Peace.

"In Case You Missed It" Vol. III

2011-06-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

May Fiction for Owl. Final Rough Text Layout, Final Art and Press Ready.

The Real Deal...

Peace.

Development, come and gone.....

2011-06-13T00:57:00.000-07:00

Here are some duds from days of development past.

Peace.

Building Fun!

2011-04-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's here! Go pick one up and enjoy.

Peace

Citrus Cell Animation Fesival

2011-04-23T00:40:00.000-07:00

What`s happenin`Everyone...

A couple of week ago some illustrations from some my published works were displayed at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens for the Citrus Cell Animation Film Festival in Jacksonville, Florida. The display was a mix of professional and amateur works, all with a narrative theme to correspond with the this year`s festival - Storytelling.

Here are some pics of the display.

Peace

Chirp 3hree!!!

2011-04-22T18:40:00.000-07:00

Hey All! I've had a blast working with Owlkids over the last few years and I'm back at it again. Next months issue of Chirp magazine will feature my latest short story and 4 page spread. My story is even featured in the website blurb this time. Here's a hint: "...read about a boy who loves blocks,..." - That's me!!!...well his name is actually Kevin, but you know what I'm sayin'.

The theme for the May issue is "Building Fun!" As a kid I was a huuuuuuge Lego fan (still am) so the idea for my story could not have come any easier. Check it out when it hits the shelves at your local book store next month.

Peace

My Bayview Celebrity Bash!!

2011-03-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

I've been pretty busy over the last couple of months. Got some updates for you about current work, future work and work I'm looking for....I'm starvin'!!

One of my goals this year was to get some more readings/events in . Up to now I've always had a great time doing them and each one is an important stepping stone. More importantly each one is a great learning experience.

Just recently I had the honor and great pleasure to visit Bayview Elementary here in the Van-city. The librarian did an amazing job with promotion for the event and preparing the teachers and students for the big day.

The kids were genuinely enthusiastic, excited and eager for my arrival - which was evident from the moment I got there as I was bombarded by a gaggle of students from the second I stepped on the school grounds. I truly felt like a celebrity! The librarian even broke out her alter ego "Super Y" to host the reading. She was great!

I had some talented help along the way. My helpers were page-flippers extraordinaire.*

A little demo for the little ones.

Who needs a press kit?

To top it all off I was hand delivered an amazing thank you gift from my new Bayview crew.

Thank You Bayview Elementary!!!

Peace

*For safety and legal reasons the identities of all children have been protected.

Interviews, Reviews and a little bit of News

2010-11-08T22:07:00.000-08:00

I recently did an interview for my new favorite blog, http://wordofmousebooks.wordpress.com. FYI - I reeeeaaaally need new picture.

There are reviews for both Yellow Blues and Where Are You Bear.

I'm all for constructive criticism, but It's great to read a review from someone who takes the books for what they are and just had fun with them - a real fan.

Here's a bonus review from www.kirkusreviews.com.

Oh, the news. I've got another short story with Owlkids on the way for Chirp Magazine. Keep your ears the grindstone - I don't know what that means, I've just always liked the way it sounded.

Peace.

I've got Yellow Blues....Literally.

2010-11-08T21:56:00.000-08:00

Since Yellow Blues was a product of Raincoast Publishing and Raincoast is no longer publishing the rights for my 3rd book Yellow Blues have been officially reverted to me. That means it's aaaalll mine...mmmuuuuuhahaa! (Happy belated Halloween.) Now that I own it, in the coming weeks I will be selling signed copies of Yellow Blues on my blog for a limited time in the coming weeks.

I GOT MiNE!! You get yours?

2010-11-08T21:44:00.000-08:00

I'm back! Finally. I know it's been a while, but I'm back and with good news. Where Are You Bear is out and waiting on a shelf near you to be picked up. The book that I illustrated for Owlkids earlier this year has hit the shelves and (if I do say so myself) it looks great. Kudos to Owlkids and Frieda Wishinsky for making me a part of this. The book has been getting great reviews including a nod from the Quill & Quire (my first...nod that is - I'm 1 for 3 with the Quill :( )

Go pick one up, and if you like it you'll be happy to know that Sophie and Bear will be back on the road for more adventure veeeeerry soon....but you didn't hear that from me. Bye4now!

Peace.

Book #4.5

2010-02-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

This winter I was again given the opportunity to work with a Owlkids, a Canadian Children's publishing icon. But rather than doing another short story, this time I was teamed up with Frieda Wishinsky, a Canadian Children's literary icon. What a great way to find out that Owl also publishes more than just the magazines and activity books of my childhood.

So I just wrapped up illustrating "Where Are You Bear?" : A Canadian ABC Adventure.

Watch for it this Fall.

Peace.

MIA...again

2010-02-14T00:10:00.000-08:00

Welcome back!

New posts for a new year this week. For real!

Peace.

Worth The Wait...

2009-11-20T22:49:00.000-08:00

Three books late, but worth the wait! Up to this point I've only done presentations, readings, signings and the odd workshop. But on Nov. 17, 2009, Doggy Bag (book # 4) was officially launched by Benjamin Brown Books.

Considering the parody in Doggy Bag and the subject matter of the book the event could not have been held in a more ironic venue. Thanks to the staff at The Pet Shop Boys.

One guess on who was the actual star of the show...

Big ups and thank you to everyone who came out for the event, in meant a lot. A special thank you to Tonya and Meghan and putting this thing together.

Peace

In Case You Missed It...

2009-11-20T22:44:00.000-08:00

Hey All,

Here's the piece I did for chirp this summer from the October issue.

Say hello to Kenny Kazoo and the Gang!

Peace

Coming in October '09

2009-09-25T22:34:00.000-07:00

And as promised:

Pick 'em up!

Peace

Man Vs. Boy - The Boy Bot Battle Begins

2009-09-20T04:59:00.000-07:00

A little Spy Vs. Spy for the '09 via '52 and '87...?

Big-ups to Osamu Tezuka, Akira Kitamura and Keiji Inafune, the creators and designer of Astro Boy and Megaman respectively.

Peace.

Inspired By True Events...

2009-09-17T23:27:00.000-07:00

In the wake of an over hyped movie premiere and the rekindling of my infatuation with my favorite video game hero...EVER, here are some roughs of a self assigned project that I've been working on this week.

It's almost like freelance, except I'm not getting paid...soooo almost exactly like freelance(har!)

anyway...

Peace.

The Z-Files: Chapter 6ix

2009-09-13T14:57:00.000-07:00

Zeke's little sis' was in the house a while back and in celebration of her encore performance this weekend, here are some pics.

She came...

She saw...

She conquered....

P.S.

Vera aka Gordon Shumway

(Great drawing by Dave Perillo)

OKbye.

NOW it's for real!

2009-09-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Doggy Bag is printing as you read!

We've finished all the editorial hoopla (though VERY necessary - word to Tonya), including the jacket and final layout. Now DB is in the hands of the printer. The book is still very much on schedule for the October pub date. Can't wait!

I'm really pleased with the way the book turned out and my new publisher Benjamin Brown Books is the BOMB!

The cover, along with a preview in on the sight. Please feel free to TAKE A PEEK.

Here are some outtakes from Doggy Bag and though he is in some of the outtakes, guess who made the cut again?

A speaking role at that!

Peace

In Case You Missed It: The Troll of Mossy Log

2009-09-03T01:29:00.000-07:00

Here are the original and final color images of the project I did for chikaDEE back in June.

I was asked to change the BG colors to match the magazine palette (which made editorial sense), but of course I'm more drawn to the OGs. You be the judge.

I had no idea whether or not I was allowed to post the finished piece with the text or not so I chose not to.

Peace

Random Smoores...

2009-08-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

Here is some random concept work I did for a couple of friends working on a series pitch. You can check out some other work by one of them HERE. Both of them are amazing artists (and good peeps)so as brief as it was, I was all over working with them on this. The concept is great, original and really funny--should make for a cool series. Good luck boys!

Peace

Cover Schemes

2009-07-29T14:49:00.000-07:00

From back in the day. These are some original cover takes for my first two books. Though "Always" worked out, years later I'm still not completely happy with the final cover choice for "Veggies" and would have rather gone in this direction or close, but C'est La Vie.

Peace.

Octoberfest a la Me

2009-07-24T01:40:00.000-07:00

Not only is Doggy Bag out in October but I got the call to do some more work for Owlkids. This time the theme is outer space. Keep and eye (or two) and check your local book stores for the October issue of Chirp Magazine.

Meet Kenny, Zoe and Zapp.

Read all about them in October.

Peace

Doggone Done!

2009-07-24T01:17:00.000-07:00

I'm back! Finally, I can get outside and get some fresh air-- "Doggy Bag" is done. Just putting the finishing touches on the cover and the end pages and we are ready to roll. The book is still very much on schedule for the October pub date. Here are some images from "Doggy Bag."

This is just a mock cover I did for some promotional materials. The finished cover is completely different. I can post that when it's ready for print.

This spread needed a lot of work before I could finish it. I was able to space things out much better when I started coloring. You'll notice how tight a squeeze it is between some of the bushes and the houses. The foreground elements, though I liked the idea, were a little overbearing. I'm much happier with the finished product.

I haven't posted any images of the star of the show (book), which I would normally do. You'll have to pick up "Doggy Bag" to see him.

Peace

chickaDEE-DEE-DEE

2009-06-15T23:22:00.000-07:00

I stopped at a book store on my way home the other day to see if I could spot the chickaDEE issue I mentioned earlier.

Found it!

I also found a bonus surprise...

Veggies, still kickin'!!

Peace

Character Design Blog Interview - Me

2009-06-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

A while back I did an interview for the Character Design Blog. The blog features a number of interviews of well known to little known designers across the globe. I discovered it by fluke and it has become a great resource to see what my peers are up to independently and in the industry. My interview was recently posted and now my peers and others can see what I'm all about.

Here's the link to my interview: My CDB Interview

Check it out!

Peace

AEP Awards

2009-06-02T18:15:00.000-07:00

I've never been nominated for anything in my life and the last award I won was my Jr. Basketball MVP in grade 11. 15 years later, I've got another shot at the podium!

"Tonight We Will Be...", the piece that I did for Chirp last October has been nominated as a finalist for a 2009 Distinguished Achievement Award by the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP - check the link for info) . The category is Periodical/Design/Illustration/Pre-School. This is who it's up against:

“Below the Snow”
Your Big Backyard
12/1/2008
National Wildlife Federation

“Keeee-runch!”
Nick Jr. Magazine
11/1/2008
Nickelodeon

“Tonight We Will Be...”
Chirp Magazine
10/1/2008
Owlkids

Good Luck to Owl and I guess me. The winners will be announced on June 12. Cross your fingers and make a wish on your Jeromes!

Peace

This Month on the Blog....

2009-06-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hey All,

I know I've kept everyone out of the loop for some time - three months to be exact. I've been working my but off to find and complete some freelance work.

Chirp came a callin' again for me to do a piece in there Oct'09 issue. I'm just finishing up the rough art for that, so keep your eyes peeled.

I also received a surprise call from another member of the Owl family - chickaDEE. They asked me to illustrate a short piece written by comedian Sean Cullen and I gladly obliged. The piece will appear in this month's 30th Birthday issue of chickaDEE.
Here's the cover:

Check your local book shelves ASAP.

I had to get in touch with my fantasy side, but couldn't help but stay true to my other work. Though I did have to compromise when it came to the color palette(which in truth works better for the piece)...You'll see.

I'll post some more artwork once I see that it's out

Peace

The Boys of Seville - We're on the Guest List

2009-03-03T23:26:00.000-08:00

Here's what I came up with. I think after this one I'm gonna ease up on the Alphabet thing for a minute though--even I'm getting sick of it!

I went away from the albino heads and gave them the classic animal mask to add a little more flavor. I think it's what made the finished piece work for me. Hope it works for you!

Peace.

Y is for Yellow...Just not in this post.

2009-03-02T12:09:00.000-08:00

Two chimps and two men in yellow later, I came up with these. Not sure which takes I like better or if I'm absolutely satisfied with either, so I just posted both.

OR

This may not make sense to the Seinfeld-impaired.

Believe it or not I didn't even realize that I had drawn a banana-shaped head until after the piece was done--suits the subject matter well if I do say so myself. Crazy how the mind works!...Or maybe just how mine works...which would make me crazy...

Peace.

Up Next...

2009-02-27T00:58:00.000-08:00

This one doesn't read very well at this stage, but it was fun and I've definitely improved on it since. I think.

This do-diddle (I don't doodle) started as a joke--which in hindsight I probably shouldn't mention considering it was just Zeke and I here when I did it...Anyway, though I was in the middle of working on Curiosity I thought it might be interesting to see what I could come up with for Dave Seville's boys. I'm actually happy with what I came up with--which I don't say too often. Hopefully you like it too.

Eeww! The only reason this drawing is here is to show how much better things got. Trust me!

A is for almost there. Still needs a lil' suin'. I eventually came up with two different Curiosity drawings--I'm deciding which one to finish and post.

Brought to you by the letters "A","S","T" and "C".

I gotta sleep! Peace.

The Z-Files: Chapter 5ive

2009-02-25T00:20:00.000-08:00

This is Zeke's Lil' Sis' Vera! Or half sister....? Same blood lines either way. Welcome home (not my home - though she is welcome to visit.)

FYi, prepare yourselves, there may be another Basset in my future....I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'.

Peace

Alpha-Bizz

2009-02-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

I've spotted this design concept (Alphabet) on some other artists blogs. I figure it's right up my alley, so why not?

Peace

Something New

2009-02-21T01:54:00.000-08:00

Trying to find different ways of coloring for my next books. So I thought I'd test it out on my boy Double-R. Doing this was actually kind of fun, it made me think about painting this for real. Fat chance! But it is something I'll try someday.

What'dya think?

Peace

"How Ri¢h can you get?"

2009-02-21T01:27:00.000-08:00

I've been playing around with this on and off. I've never been a huge fan, but I watched it nonetheless and I've always had an unexplained fascination with Harvey Toons.

Peace

Tecumseh 500!

2009-02-11T19:54:00.000-08:00

No I have not joined Nascar, or for that matter started watching it either.

Tecumseh Elementary is the school I visited last week for an Author reading. The reading was part of their "Read To Succeed" program, to promote reading awareness at home and to raise money for the “Rinconada del Sol”("Corner of the Sun") community in Lima Peru. I read in front of two separate groups - the Juniors (K - 3) and the Seniors (4 - 6). The groups consisted of 200 and 300 little faces respectively.

It's amazing how much easier it is to read, talk and answer questions in a gym filled with 300 kids than it is in a room of 20 adults. The kids were great and they had some great questions. I think, and hope, that I sparked some interest as far as my profession goes - They truly made me feel like a celebrity. One of the kids even told me that he had a cousin who does exactly what I do.

These events are always the best, especially when the kids participate and are really interested in and appreciative of what's happening.

Thank you to Ms. Wai, the rest of the Tecumseh staff and of course BIG UPS to the students. You guys were my best group EVER! - all 500plus of you.

Considering the subject matter, I hope there aren't any typos in this post...!

Peace

MegaSimpson

2009-02-06T08:49:00.000-08:00

Of all the crap that I've collected in my 32 years, most of which has accumulated in years 20 on up, this is one of my prized possessions.

As much as I used to love the serious stuff in the comic world, I was equally as intrigued by the satirical, i.e. What The--?! , Spider-Ham, Groo the Wanderer (I will do a Sergio Aragones post - the best moustache in cartoons), etc. Most of which, with the exception of Groo weren't really all that funny. I guess I've just always had an appreciation for parody.

Don Simpson, formerly of Kitchen Sink Press created and published the first Megaton Man comic in 1984. Megaton Man aka The Man of Molecules, a parody of numerous super-hero icons including the Steel one himself, was a mild mannered, poorly disguised reporter by the name of Trent Phloog who had the uncanny ability to go Nuclear when he uttered the word "Overkill".

"Dandy Don" Simpson doin' his thing.

The best thing about Simpson's artwork is appreciation for the comic book world. He clearly loved what he was doing and in his parody showed a great deal of respect for the super-hero genre from the writing right down to his inking (of which he did both for the Megaton Man series).

I wasn't introduced to Megaton Man or Don Simpson for that matter until the 1988 when I spotted the third and final issue of "The Return of Megaton Man" limited series. I remember picking up a post card type flyer at the front desk of some random comic shop bank in TO (I think it was called Planet Earth Comics)my big brother had taken me to. I can't remember whether it was in the back of the issue or the flyer where I spotted the images of all 10 covers of the original series, but I do remember knowing immediately I had to have them.

I spent the next 11 years hunting down the collection (which had little to no monetary value), by checking every comic shop I stumbled upon. Until finally in 1999, my crusade ended with the a gift. Someone had found me the last issue I needed, #2(above) -- and then my dog Penny proceeded to destroy issues 3 and 7, which needless to say were later replaced.

Simpson was also responsible for Border Worlds, Bizarre Heroes and a 1991 6 issue adaption of King Kong.

Thank you Mr. Simpson!

Peace

YEESSZZZZ!!!

2009-02-05T18:06:00.000-08:00

Finally it's here. For all those Basset impaired.

Happens more often than one might think.

Peace

Exibit Mc"B"

2009-02-04T18:00:00.000-08:00

Some more of Ronny's crew.

I'm much more satisfied with this McCheese rough than the other take.

Kat-alog

2009-02-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some Kat poses from KVK. I apologize for the quality on the pose sheet. Those are colored copies of my the OGs, which are currently in the possession of their legal guardian.

The singles are scanned originals.

I was able to stay really loose with Kat because he often stands up on his two hind legs in the show. This meant I had the freedom to treat his front legs like arms.

I may end up re-drawing some of the poses from the sheet (first image). Not only so I have my own OGs but to strengthen and clean up some of the poses.

Peace

Let's Read

2009-02-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

For those of you who missed out, this is the piece I did last summer for the October '08 issue of Chirp Magazine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARVEY!!

I actually did this and used your name(kind of) as a gift to you Liz and Aliyah as a belated wedding / life present -- I'm sure you figured out my gift was my trip. So now it's your Birthday present too. Enjoy!

Peace

Happy Belated to the other BIG Z!!!

2009-02-03T07:29:00.000-08:00

It was a certain 3 and half footers born day on Monday. I was hoping for his birthday gift to be ready by then, but I'm still waiting. Just a little sumthin' for his brand new collar ( NO, it's not bejeweled - EWW!!) I'll be sure to post a pic when it arrives.

Soooooo, technically in dog years I already went through the terrible twos. Does this mean I have to do it all over again?

Knock on wood.

Peace

The Z-Files: Chapter 4our

2009-02-01T20:51:00.001-08:00

A Day In The Life Of Ezekiel Moore...

"The Babysitters"

When Pops goes away, Zeke gets to play.
That means it's time to visit with Auntie Christine and Uncle Ted.

There he gets to eat in the kitchen.

He gets to take souvenirs from the kitchen.

They go for long walks on the beach.

A run in the park.

Well, more a like a 30 - 40 yard dash. Good enough.

They take funny pictures.

Then Zeke gets to relax for a quiet evening at his home away from home. And though he's enjoyed his day immensely, as the day comes to an end he stares his sitters down, wondering when it's time to go to his real home.

Life is tough. Unless your name is Ezekiel "Zeke" Moore.

Peace

McBlog - Exhibit Mc"A"

2009-01-31T06:01:00.000-08:00

McDonaldland, where burgers grow on greenery. Where a man is felon for being a little bit of a glutton -- probably because the burgers he's snatching with ill intentions have eyes and mouths, which would make his over exuberant acts of hunger homicide.

The mayor is a giant, high cheek boned (bun cheeks nonetheless) cheeseburger and the long arm of the law of this corrupt little villa is an even bigger, who's choice of weapon was a whistle. Not to mention his outfit would suggest he was previously employed by The Queen.

Then there's Ro-Mac's feathered friend, who would rather have been a pilot than a bird....what?! Lest not be forgotten the long-wobbly-legged, googly eyed (for which corrective lenses are apparently not the solution) Rastas, who....well I'm still not sure what they're story is.

Last but not least, "Lickety-Split...Barbatrick!". Was Grimace the long lost cousin of the famed form-changing family or a just a first crack at another pear-shaped purple predator?

And with that, my latest theme, the McDonaldland gang. Enjoy.

I was much more satisfied with my last take on Mayor McCheese, but I figured I'd throw this one in and give it some playing time before I send it into the abyss of forgotten whackness.

Flatfoot here was done in Vermillion, my new favorite col-erase pencil. Just the right glide to it.

Once I play around with the designs some more and happy with them I'm eventually going to try some new coloring techniques I've been messing in Photoshop. Some Little Golden Book throwback type bizz.
That's coming soon, but I'll have some more McDrawings before then.

Come back soon.

Peace

KVK on YTV

2009-01-30T09:15:00.000-08:00

So up until around August of last year ('08) I was working back at Studio B, Character Designing for a show called "Kid vs. Kat". The pilot premiered back in November on YTV. It has now begun it's regular on-air run. The next episode is Jan. 31 @ 8:30am.

The show was great to work on. I had previously worked with one of the directors back in the Mimi days and I got a chance to work with a number of other familiar faces, along with some new ones.

It took a bit to get back into it because, where animation is concerned, I had only been freelancing on development projects for the ladder of the last 2 or 3 years and focusing mainly on my books. But oddly enough it was fun getting back into the mix and the daily grind. Following the lead of the other CD, Steve Wolfhard, who was on characters for George, Ricky Sprocket, and KVK Development before this gig, made my 9 to 5(ish) re-insertion much easier. Thanks Wolfy!

Although I use a tablet for coloring, it was my first time drawing on a Cintiq. The mere idea and concept behind the Cintiq(basically, going paperless) is everything I vowed to stay away from. Fear not tree huggers, I'm not referring to the green side of it, I'm talking about the "Old school to New school" thing. It took me a while to get the hang of it and I actually spent my first few weeks drawing on paper, scanning and re-drawing the designs on the Cintiq. Needless to say, that didn't last.

Here are some poses I did of Coop for the storyboard artists and animators to reference. It gave me a chance to ease my way back into it while Wolfy started the first few episodes.

It was a challenge and sometimes limiting to do dynamic poses while making them flash friendly, but I still enjoyed it.

I'll post some more KVK smoores later.

Peace

All images in this post copyrighted.

Postin' post-its of Frankendoodles!

2009-01-29T01:27:00.000-08:00

For those who know me or have seen my work area, I was born to post-it. Here are some random doodles. I'll have some more substance by week's end, promise.

My battle with Post-it-itus continues...

Posed to be...

2009-01-23T16:09:00.000-08:00

As much as I love posing -- the best part of designing a character -- I'm never happy with first takes. But these particulars drawings I had a lot of fun with. I'm not at liberty to say what they're for, but no harm in sharing the sketches.

Peace

Sugary Cereal Makes The World Go Round

2009-01-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

These are the men responsible for my tooth decay...and let's not forget that pitcher with the happy face and sneakers -- Oh Yeeeeah!

Peace.

Enough with the GOJ already!

2009-01-23T11:22:00.000-08:00

Some people, especially artists, doodle when they're bored. Myself, I watch Dragon's Den (BBC) and color on occasion.

Did this one on a friends Mac...A sign of things to come? Stay tooned (No, that's not a spelling error Mom/Kim)

Peace.

Rabbits Gotta Eat To

2008-11-12T14:14:00.000-08:00

Did the Rabbit not realise that he was taller, faster and probably stronger than the punk kids that kept jacking his cereal? What a wuss!

Here are a few more oldies but goodies.

Do the Cuckoo Bird Stomp!

I Smurfed It!

2008-11-12T13:25:00.000-08:00

Either Mario and Luigi have retired in Vancouver despite the highly coveted retirement paridise Victoria, or after 27 years I've discovered the elusive Smurf Village.

Is it me or have they down-sized a touch?

FYI, that is not Azriel.

Smurf out!

What's For Breakfast?

2008-11-11T23:30:00.000-08:00

I've always considered myself somewhat of a cereal connoisseur. That would be of course if you consider all of the tooth decaying morning diets of boxed candy the only cereal worth eating. And I did.

In the midst of working on books 5,6, and 7 I've developed a nasty case of nostalgia and become re-obsessed with the sugary sustinence that is kid's cereal. Here are some designs I've been messing around with.

While researching a had a number of revelations, like the fact that our boy Sugar juiced more than Canseco and Cappy used to rock an entourage while wielding a pirate size pocket knife.

Cappy's Crew

Peace (Also a cereal brand..Google it).

Chi-Town Stand Up!

2008-11-11T23:28:00.001-08:00

Let the pop culture begin.

Peace.

OOOooooBaaaaaMa-Blog...

2008-11-11T23:04:00.000-08:00

Our home and native...wait, wrong song.

I am no patriot and about as far from American as you can get. I don't follow, nor do I fully understand politics or the politicians that come with it.

But to be able to say that in my lifetime, not only have I seen a number of African-American men run for president, some with more success than others(Jesse Jackson), but that I lived to see a man of color elected President of the United States, judging by how glued I was to the screen and for it all to come full circle with Rev. Jackson breaking down - It meant more to me than I would have imagined.

Whether you're black, white, purple or green, Nov. 4, 2008 should mean something to everyone.

Congratulations to Mr. Obama - Mr. President Elect.

Ma'Man!

Long time, no artwork!

2008-10-22T16:42:00.000-07:00

It's been a minute since I actually put some artwork up on this mug. So, here ya' go. It's older stuff, but I've never really displayed it in any way.

Here are some designs a did a while ago for someone's series pitch that never came to fruition.

These were my first attempts at building designs in PS from the OGs.
I've improved on the technique since, but I had a lot of fun with these.

The idea wasn't the most original - over the top manly heroes, dogs in masks and capes...

In the end, I had some fun with the line work. The coloring I did for myself and my portfolio, years after the pitch fell through.

Working on some new ideas that should be ready to post soon, even if it's just line work. Stay tuned.

Peace.

The Z-Files: Chapter 3hree

2008-10-22T02:37:00.000-07:00

Every dog owner thinks second to none

That their four-legged friend is "Thee" # 1

I'm not one to argue, since I think the same

I too am victim to these childish games

"My dog's a champion. Top breed family lines."

This delusion has withstood the true test of time

Every argument silly, obtuse and obsurd

So I'm here to clear it all up in six words

Not the words that your reading, last line of the blog

Proof there is only one #1 dog

Clear as day on his collar, the mystery unfurled

Zeke's tag clearly states "The Best Dog In The World."

In the immortal dialogue bubble words of Garfield: HAR! HAR! HAR!

CWILL pronounced CWILL

2008-10-22T01:42:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I was putting my bizz on display for the annual CWILL Fall Harvest at the VPL. It was a good chance to promote YBs in a more informal way. There were lots of kids, parents, teachers and some random folks showing good support for local talent in the publishing world.

I wasn't sure how to go about setting up my table and I was sweating a bit on how to verbally promote my book in 9o sec. or less. Yikes! Luckily no one that went up to the podium before me actually stuck to the time limit so it really eased the pressure.

Can you believe that I couldn't find yellow boots anywhere in the city?! Talk about parody.

I put the poster together the night before - felt like I was in Junior High and getting ready for the science fair. With all the frustration of cutting pasting and glue that wouldn't stick. The coloring sheets were fun to make. Shout out to the boys at Six Cents Press for the dope buttons.

Everything went pretty well and I think that my first CWILL experience was an overall success. It was great meeting other writers and illustrators and getting a chance to see how other minds work and wander. I got a chance to meet some fellow CWILL event first timers and some vets like Meomi - the minds behind the 2010 Olympic mascots.

Someone did snatch my Raincoast Spring catalog though...weird. Maybe they thought it was a copy of the book. I guess the fact that it is titled Raincoast Books and not Yellow Blues wasn't as dead a giveaway as one might think....? Enjoy!

Next event in a couple weeks at Hycroft Manor, apparently I get 2 minutes this time. I'll keep you posted.

Peace

Confirmed!

2008-10-06T23:26:00.000-07:00

The shelves at Chapters are stocked with Chirp so check it out if you get a chance.

I went in to check the other day and took some pics of the evidence.

Pages 18 to 21 are especially intriguing - I'm just sayin'. I'm pretty happy with the way the piece turned out. Though the colours are a little wonky as expected - you never know from pencil to print. I'm just picky like that though. Hope you like it kids.

Chirp!

WOrD Up!

2008-10-06T22:51:00.000-07:00

Last last Sunday, Sept. 28th was "Word On The Street" Van-City. There were reps from different publishing houses, magazines and various literary organizations all there to take the VPL hostage for the day.

There was even a stage for readings, performances and some poetry from local poetitians(? - i just made that up, ill right?) You can see all of the tents in these pics and of course Dimiter was holding it down for Simply Read Books - straight hustlin'.

Amongst the madness was a pile of Veggies waiting to be picked! I picked up a board book for myself (something I'm thinking of taking a crack at) along with some freebies from the comic folks in the Word Under The Street room. I did show a some support and purchased a comic from a friend of mine.

I didn't participate this year in any way but it was still cool to go and check it out.

Word.

The Z-Files: Chapter 2wo

2008-10-01T01:31:00.000-07:00

For those who never had the opportunity to see puppy pics of Zeke, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but your life is incomplete.
But chin-up, here is a pic of Z-dog from the original batch to help get your life back on track.

20 months strong, he has quadrupled in size - at least. Weighing in at just over 50 Lbeez and livin' life to the fullest.

Little does young Zekiel know that on the opposite side of the country his chocolate sprinkled cousin resides in the good hands of the Pensa-Bowen crew('sup Vicky?)...

Meet Zeke's lil' cous Mowgli. Welcome home. Paws dipped in chocolate, you might just be the cutest dog on the east coast.

peace..shhh!

The Z-Files: Chapter 1ne

2008-10-01T01:07:00.001-07:00

Once upon a time there was a pup named Zeke.

Long-eared, saggy and speckled was he

He whimpered, he moaned and he bayed all day

Pushing his luck with his chances to stay

Lucky for him as the evidence shows

9000 pictures prove he did not go

50 pounds later and heavy his sent

Now he's my roomate, but doesn't pay rent

Obsessed with reflections, his own more than most

Lucky for me he can't access this post

'Cause if he could see what you see on this blog

He would give a new meaning to seeing 'I' dog!

How do say "Peace" in dog?

Chirp is on the shelves, I think.

2008-10-01T00:38:00.000-07:00

I got word that I will be recieving my copies of the October issue of Chirp. Owl got it last week, so you should be getting it this week...I think.

Smaller stores/venders can be up to two months behind from what I'm told. So your best bet for updated Chirp Mag stock is Chapters/Indigo.

Take your time, peruse, take it all in, and whatever you do don't turn directly to page 18! I'm just sayin'.

This is what the cover looks like. GO GIT IT!!

Peace

New Blues Reviews!

2008-10-01T00:30:00.000-07:00

Here is review from the Times Colonist based in Victoria, BC.

Yellow Blues By Sean L. Moore; Raincoast Books; 30 pages; $19.95

"About fashion, being cool and fighting with parents, Moore's story plays with the double meanings in colour words -- the mood-meanings. Moore also plays with the primary/intermediate division in youth books: Although accompanied by full-page illustration, this text is a bit more sophisticated than is the picture book norm. A preschooler learning colours may not understand how it is that "pink's the new black,"but here intermediate's the new primary, and it works well for an amusing read."

Say word(reviewer didn't say that)

seanYe is fo' the Owlkids

2008-08-11T15:11:00.000-07:00

By no means was I a dedicated TV Ontario watcher, but I was certainly an Owl TV watcher. Why wouldn't a subscribed Owl magazine reader be? But truth be told there was one reason and one reason only to catch Owl TV regularly - The Mighty Mites.
Ordinary kids who were secretly extraordinary. Pre-Honey I Shrunk the Kids, the Mighty Mites would explore nature up close and personal by shrinking down to the size of a..well, mite.

Imagine my excitement when Owlkids, the magazine that spawned such ingenius children's programming called on your boy S-Dot to contribute in the October '08 issue of Chirp Magazine. Needless to say I accepted.
The theme of the Issue is "Let's Pretend" and I had to come up with a 4-page short story and illustrated spread based on that theme.

Along came Marcus...and of course the star of the story, Jerome.

Marcus

Every night before bed Marcus tugs on Jeromes lonely ear, for he has only one, and in the blink of an eye(or the tug of an ear) they are travelling where most of us have only dreamed of dreaming of.
As you can see I took a different approach with the final art stage. I cleaned the rough scans in PSCS with solid, vector looking self trace lines.

Jerome

But I still colored outside of the lines to maintain the style of my books. Although I would consider coloring one of my next books this way, I'm not quite sold on the technique as yet. I like drawing and the look of a final line drawing too much.

Here are some images of the possible layout of the final piece. Mark October down on your calenders.

What about Peace? Peeeeeeaaace!

Chapter One for Three

2008-08-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

A month or two after it's pud date I had heard of Chapters sightings around town. Something I was well aware of but had never seen, EVER!

Unlike Duthie, Oscars, KidsBooks, Hagar, Mables Fables and so on, although the first two books were immediatly in the Chapters system and available on-line they were never actually sold in store. So I was very excited to find out that Yellow Blues had made the jump from digital to physical.

When i finally got a chance to check it out and see it live and in person it was everything I had imagined. Third shelf from the top, face out(which is huge), 10 or 12 copies with the spine sticking out slightly further out than the surrounding books (good call T) and the laminate cover shining in all of it's glory. So my plan was to return in a week or so and take a few pics for my own records and for the blog. Unfortunately by the time a returned two weeks later, the face out copies had been turned in and placed in their rightfully alphabetical place.

Camera-less at the moment, I asked a Chapters employee at my local store if she would take a few shots for me with a store camera and ask the manager if she could email them to me. They were very helpful and I even offered to sign some copies while I was there - hence the signed by author sticker. The pictures don't show it but I promise those are Chapters shelves.

You'll also notice that YBs has been stickered by Canadian Family Magazine(red sticker), which is apparently something they rarely do.

Peace

Planets and Tikis and Islands, OH MY!

2008-08-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

Wassuuuuuup?

I've always had this fascination with Tiki Culture. From the history of it to how it's been portrayed by different artists and in different cartoons. One of my favorite satirical portrayals is in Episode 2 of the original "George of the Jungle" series entitled "Ungawa, the Gorilla God". George takes on a giant Gorilla to save his friends. The whole fight is set up like a wrestling match and the ring announcer is one of the jungle's natives in his traditional garb and mask but with a 50's ring announcer, New York accent - "In dis corner, standing 6 fut and weighing in at two-hunned 'n' fitty pounds, George a da Jungle!"

Anyway, here is some art from a pitch that I submitted to the "B" for development back in April. Initially it seemed to attract a little bit of attention, get some laughs and start some chatter around the studio. But in the end they decided they weren't interested in pushing it to the networks. C'est la vie!

The unnofficial title for now is "Planet Iki Island". A dimwitted astronaut crash lands his ship back on earth, but believes that the island he's landed on is an uncharted planet. He sets up camp and destroys all hopes of the islands inhabitants leading a normal Tiki-life ever again. Blast off!

The upside is now I can go ahead and shop it around. Anyone interested in making an actual cartoon?

Rice and Peas!

Blues Reviews

2008-08-07T22:57:00.000-07:00

Here are some reviews of "Yellow Blues". To read the full reviews you can check the links. This first one by Devon Greyson for the Canadian Review of Materials isn't actually as friendly as the excerpt may sound, so I just picked one of the few good parts. You gotta take the good with the bad and vice versa I guess.

"Moore's animation background shines in his spunky main character and whimsical bits of action hidden in the pictures."
-Canadian Review of Materials

"Yellow Blues is funny and imaginative by Vancouver author and illustrator Sean Moore. The cover is inviting and the title is mysterious. The text was very easy to read and some words had special designs which added to the story. This book would be good for a three to eight year old child. I will give Yellow Blues four blue stars." -Kidswwwrite

"Moore, a former character designer for animated television shows, is clearly an accomplished artist. His bold vibrantyl coloured scenes and expressive cartoon personalities have style and visual appeal [...]"
-Quill and Quire

All in all I've been getting some really good feedback from kids to adults. I think the most interesting thing is how the differently the book is interpreted from person to person - be it child to adult, adult to adult or even child to child. Some people seem to relate to Jane and her experience and others well...not so much. All I can ask is that any review is in some way constructive and it can all only help me in the long run. So a sincere thank you to everyone who read it, even those who "Hated it!!", like Ms. G.

Peace

I Can't Live Without My CBC Radio One

2008-08-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

Another one I meant to post months ago, had to get the audio from CBC though - and there's the fact that i haven't touched the blog since(tee hee!)

On Saturday, Dec. 15, myself and fellow Studio B-ite Chris Mizzoni were interviewed during a live taping of the CBC Radio show North By Northwest hosted by Sheryl MacKay. The show was essentially for the launch of a CD created by CBC Radio for the BC Library program Books for BC Babies. The CD is called "Dances & Dreams" and it showcases BC's finest musicians from around the world, singing children's dance songs and lullabies from their childhoods. Books for BC Babies is a program run by the public libraries that gives all new mothers in BC a book bag with a board book and a CD, as well as library information that encourages the parents to read, play and sing to their babies and toddlers so they develop a life-long love of learning and will do better in school. The show was taped at the main branch of VPL, downtown and this year they decided to introduce some Canadian Children's Authors as part of the program.

I had worked and now again work with Chris at Studio B. His book, "Clancy at the Puck", Chris' first, was published by Raincoast Books as well and released in September 2007. We both did a quick 15 minute interview with the host Sheryl MacKay which included a short reading of an exert from our respective books.

The live taping invited Parents and their children to participate. They got to listen to some live music and Chris and I yapping. Everyone enjoyed the event as a whole and it was a great experience. I messed up a bit on my reading, but overall I was suprisingly comfortable surrounded by microphones and a room full of parents. The interview was nice and laidback. Take a listen if you've got the time.

Go get Chris' book, "Clancy at the Puck" - it's a good one.

Sorry about the name spelling in the video title Sheryl, but you sound great!

Peace

Still Standing

2008-08-04T14:40:00.000-07:00

I wrote this back in January when all the Raincoast bizz went down but never got around to publishing it. So if ya' don't know, now ya' know.

"One day your cruisin' in ya seven
Next day your sweatin' forgetin' your lies
Alibis ain't matchin' up, bull*#@! catchin' up
Hit with the rico, they repo your vehicle
Everything was all good just a week ago..."

- Shawn Carter "Dead Presidents (Pt 1)"

Yes it's true. Come Spring, Raincoast Publishing will be no more. But it's all good! Yellow Blues is still a go and will be released as scheduled along with the rest of the Spring titles. The down side being that a re-printing and paperback printing are up in the air.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2008/01/08/raincoast-cut-publish.html?ref=rss
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/291881

All that said, I'm gonna keep on keepin' on like Curtis Mayfield. Book #4 is already completely done and ready for edit. It will most likely be published with Simply Read as originally planned. Raincoast didn't have much interest in it anyway. It's call "Western S'ghetti" - for now (word to my big cous'-in-law, Alison). Keep your ears to the grindstone.

I want to thank my family and friends for their concern once they heard Raincoast's announcement. I promise, As long as I can draw and write, I will get my work out there.

Peace.

BLOGGER If Ya' Heard Me!

2008-08-04T13:20:00.000-07:00

I'm back!....Hello?...Anyone?...Bueller...Anyone?...

Updates coming this week - 8 months in the making(whoops!). Including Tikis, Spaceships, Owls and a not so little 50lb Basset named Zeke.

Stay tuned.

Peace

One Small Room, Me and Whole Lotta Sales Reps...

2007-11-27T20:51:00.000-08:00

Raincoast held a Sales Conference at the Listel Hotel yesterday, here in the Van. This is where they present some of the titles for the upcoming catalog to the Reps from across the country. It's customary for one of the featured authors to be invited to the lunch-in with the Reps before reconveining for the second half of the conference.

This time around I was invited to mingle with the Reps and join in the festivities. Yellow Blues is the lead Children's Picture Book title for the Spring '08 catalog. I got a sneak peak at the catalog cover layout when I went to pick up my advance copy. I was pleasantly suprised by the honor and a little embarassed - that's a lot of pressure. But everyone at Raincoast is fairly confident that Yellow Blues was the right choice and they seem excited in anticipation of the books success. Again, amazing to hear, but whoa!

The lunch itself turned out to be a lot of fun. After i finished sweating in my Air Force Ones(2 perr), everyone in the room was really welcoming and I even got a few laughs. Good food, good people.

Peace

Yellow Blues is here!!

2007-10-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it. It's finally here. It actually didn't take that long at all for the proofs to come back from the printer, and they are technically only proofs. But I'm really happy with the way that they turned out. Apparently it's unheard of for Raincoast to have finished books this early and ready for the sales conference in November. Having finished, ready for edit artwork going in definitly worked to our advantage.

The colors still aren't quite what I'd hoped for, but I'm crazy picky and I've been looking at these illustrations since last year at this time. Overall the book looks great. There's even some glossy laminate bizz goin' on! Unfortunatly that includes a full color bio photo of Zeke and I. But I'm not gonna cry - word to BB8. JEN'S A FOOL!

I actually like the pic(Mine and Zeke's that is - Jen's is whack!). No one is really looking at me anyway with Mr. Permanent-Cute-Sad-Face in the frame!

Peace

Morge Jorge

2007-08-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

JORGE de la SELVA

2007-08-12T01:47:00.000-07:00

First, I would like to give credit where credit is due. Studio B Productions, here in the Van-City, is currently in post with George of the Jungle. I was originally approached by the B to design for the upcoming series. Unable to commit at the time of the offer, I decided to play around with some ideas just for fun. By no means is this set of designs meant to undermine or ride on the coat tails of the B. That said, this is what I came up with...

The most difficult thing in re-vamping Georgy boy seemed to be drawing his pompadour and still making him look like George. The supporting cast was a lot of fun too.

Three down, the world to go!

2007-07-27T23:58:00.000-07:00

These are the respective covers for my first three children's books. "Always Run Up The Stairs" and "Veggies Smeggies" were both published with Simply Read Books in 2004 and 2006 respectively. My third book will be published with Raincoast Books, due in Spring 2008.

ARUTS was my first crack at the Kids Books thing. I enjoyed it so much that I haven't been able to stop.

Veggies was my sophmore effort. I was really determined to strengthen my writing and come big with the illustrations and colors.

The illustrations were recieved well, the writing, not so hot so. But aside from an unfriendly review, every parent and child I know who owns it likes it. That's what matters to me in the end. Although I do respect the fact that I have a lot of growing to do as an Author/Illustrator. Time will tell, and I'm only just getting started. Philippa Sheppard is my idol!

Here's a preliminary drawing for "Yellow Blues"...I hope Ms. Sheppard likes it.

Word to Marty Taras!

2007-07-26T21:32:00.000-07:00

Just tryin' to keep up Mr. Taras. Meet BH '07.

Pink Panther 40th

2007-07-25T22:39:00.001-07:00

In 1964 this predominately pink predator was brought to life by Friz Freleng and David DePatie. In 1997, we second year students at Sheridan College were asked to bring that same character to life via diving board jump and a 3/4 walk cycle . As you might imagine, I developed quite the disdain for our pink compadre. Ironically enough in 2004 "Double P" turned 40 years young and I was called upon to bring him into the 21st century.