A Nomination for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Awards

Oh my, I've just received some really wonderful news, such uplifting and encouraging news.  I've been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Awards!  I am one of two candidates nominated from Iceland.  It's an award that honors the achievement of an author, illustrator or storyteller in children's literature from all over the world.  I could not possible be more honored.  I'm not sure I'm worthy of being in the company of such masters that have been nominated and/or received the awards.   But I sure am gonna enjoy this nomination and cherish this feeling of knowing I must be on the right track with my work.  And it's a good feeling.

Swedish author Astrid Lindgren (1907-2002) is without a doubt one of my heroes.  I grew up with her stories and now I love reading them for my own children.  Her characters were unique, strong, independent and fun.  But still  they were very real and dealt with real problems in their own unique and humorous ways.  And you get the feeling they were created with so much respect for children - respect for the characters and the readers.  Her stories will live forever.  

I couldn't resist using this image I found of Astrid Lindgren :)

If you want to learn more about the brilliant Astrid Lindgren, click here.  And if you haven't read anything by her, please, please, check out Pippi Longstocking, Emil of Lönneberga, Ronia the Robber's Daughter and The Brothers Lionheart just to name a few.  

Monster Train (Illustrakids)- Maurice Sendak Tribute Show

I was invited to participate in a show in Italy in honor of the late, great illustrator legend Maurice Sendak.  It's an honor to take part in a show that celebrates the author and illustrator I most admire.  70 illustrators from around the world have pieces in the show which is held at a beautiful little town  in Sardinia.  I used some collage in this piece, but wanted to keep the graphite effect I got with my pencil, so I painted it digitally.    My fellow Icelandic Illustrator hero, Erla María also has a piece in the show, you can see her awesome monster illustration here.  To find out more about the Monster Train exhibit, press here ( it would however be very helpful if you spoke Italian ;)   

Painting and preparing for Summer

I've said it before, but every time I get the opportunity to do a city-scape painting, I jump to the chance.  My husbands sister got married earlier this month and the family gave her and her hubby this painting.  I especially love doing a painting for someone I know and I really enjoyed making this one here called "Samferða", guess I'd translate it in English as "Together" which I think fits pretty well for the occasion. 

- Samferða -

This Winter was a bit too long for my taste.  I've thought like a million times since March that Summer was just around the corner.  Well, it never was....till now!  ...I think.  I was just browsing through some photos from last Summer, just to prepare myself for what is about to come, like;

...biking...

...hiking...

...hiking with chardonnay and mittens...

...kayaking...

...drawing...

...waking up in a tent...

 ...and of course jumping (I'm really the worst jumper).

A Boy and a Penguin

The other day I just wanted to play with drawing one character in a little series.  So this little fellow and his penguin friend were born.  I think I already like this little boy's company, so you might very well see him again :)

Town Festival Stamps Released

Twice in just two weeks I've had a really good reason to rush to the Post Office.  Yesterday the Iceland Post released the 2013 Town Festival Stamp series.  I couldn't be happier with how they turned out.  You can order them right here.

So forget about emails and start writing letters!

2013 - Town Festivals

Happy weekend!