Walk On The Mountain

Sharawy Lake House

Announcing: "Pip: A Very Special Little Caterpillar"

(Order from Rebecca Macri Books)

My latest project was illustrating a children's book, Pip: A Very Special Little Caterpillar. Written by Rebecca Macri, this beautifully written story features Pip, a very special little caterpillar, who is based on New Castle, PA's own local hero, Phillip Macri (Rebecca's brother-in-law). It is a children's story of hope, perserverance, and the vastness of a mother's love. Pip the caterpillar learns to face his challenges and his fears with a can-do attitude, hard work and a belief in his own potential, as he realizes that the greatest gift a mother can give to her child is her love.

This 10 x 10, 48-page hard cover book with dust jacket and full color illustrations is a gift to be shared with every mother and child regardless of age.

Pip: A Very Special Little Caterpillar is now available for $16.95 plus tax from Rebecca Macri Books . It will also be distributed by Warren Publishing, Inc., nationwide in selected bookstores and gift shops.

Here is a sample of my illustrations for the book. It was a departure from my usual classical style of realistic painting in oils; these were done with acrylics on paper, and gave me a chance to let my imagination run wild! It was fun gathering pictures of butterflies and caterpillars and sythesizing them into the characters of Pip and his family, and creating the tiny world they inhabited. Immediately below is the cover illustration, showing Pip in his cocoon.

I enjoyed this experience very much. If you like the illustrations and need an artist to complete your book, please contact me here.

Dr. Mohamed Sharawy: Biographical Portrait Commission

In the summer of 2009, I was commissioned by the Sharawy family to do a biographical portrait of Dr. Mohamed Sharawy, Head of the Oral Science Department of the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. The portrait, which includes scenes from his long career as a professor and international speaker, was presented to Dr. Sharawy at his retirement party in September 2009. It hangs at the college in his honor. Close-ups of some of the details are below.

Dr. Mohamed Sharawy

Operating Room Detail

Pyramids Representing Dr. Sharawy's birthplace in Egypt

I enjoy commissions and am currently available. If you would be interested, contact me through my profile information.

At the Renaissance Fair

At the Renaissance Fair Oil on Canvas

My sister, Patricia Boocks, sent me her photo of these charming street performers at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. This is my translation in oils, based on her photo. My usual approach is to start with a preliminary underpainting in burnt umber and then to fine-tune it and correct any problems before I start applying my glazes. I learned this traditional method from Maryland artist Bob Browne when I studied with him in the early '90's. Below you can see the underpainting, and if you compare the two photos you can see changes that were made during the progress of the work.

If you would like to know more about my technique, I would be happy to answer questions! Please leave your comments below - let me hear from you! And, if you like what you see here, please subscribe to my blog and receive my updates automatically.

New Commission - "Sarah and Louie"

This is my granddaughter Sarah and her horse Louie, taking home the Grand Championship at a horse show in Florida in 2008.

I am currently available for commissions!