Bearplane.

A gift for a friend. Watercolor and oil pastel on 16 x 20 block.

I still hesitate to draw or paint from life or photograph. Working from imagination, with all the freedom and endless possibilities, just seems so much safer.

I'll try and get over that.

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commission for Nora

This was a be-lated Christmas gift for Nora's girlfriend, Trish. Nora and Trish are two fine young ladies of whom I am extremely fond. Hopefully Elín and I can visit them in Seattle this summer.

About the piece: 16" x 20" watercolor block. The island is called Ometepe, and it consists of two volcanoes. It's in Nicaragua, where Trish lived for a time.

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Elementary schools...

are kinda surreal when you enter them as an adult for the first time.

I did a school visit to promote/share The Woodcutter and The Most Beautiful Tree at Great Lakes Elementary in the West Ottawa School District.  It was a particularly January-y morning, and I slipped on the ice in the driveway and banged-up a knee and a palm.  I figured the tone had pretty much been set for the day.

I was so wrong.  The school visit was awesome.  The teachers were super-helpful and supportive, and the kids were just amazing.  They joined-in during the reading and asked some really good questions.  I talked a little bit about my process of writing, illustrating, and publishing; then, we did a mini PowerPoint presentation of some other art/illustration, and a little drawing exercise together.  It was a riot.  A BIG thanks to my sister, Ms. (Selina) Johnston for inviting me to her school and a shout-out to the teachers and kids (mostly 4th grade...maybe a 3rd grade class as well) at Great Lakes Elementary!!!  You guys were awesome guinea pigs.

I was pretty upbeat walking back to the car, only to find I'd left the headlights on.  Sooooo, I had to get a jump to get out of the school parking lot.  Awesome :-)

Pics from the day to follow.

Well...THAT was fun!

I want to say a big "THANK YOU!" to friends, family, and members of the West Michigan community that made it out on Saturday to Herman's Boy for the book signing.  I had a great time and even got to do a little reading for the folks hanging out in the store.

NOTE:  It behooves author/illustrators of children's books to show a little chest-flesh when signing books.

So...THIS happened.

I was on a local TV station this morning talking about the book and the upcoming signing at Herman's Boy.  The program is called eightWest, and here I am with the two hosts: Matt Kirkwood and Rachel Ruiz.  It was a fun, nervous few minutes.

NOW, I'm gonna hit the cross country trails for some skiing.  It's a beautiful January day in Michigan: overcast, snowy, and still.  ...And soon to be filled with screams of terror and bitter cries of frustration (I'm not very good, yet).

The Death Star...I mean...my website, is fully operational.

Thanks solely to the efforts of one man, Mr. Andrew Blossom, you can now purchase The Woodcutter and The Most Beautiful Tree by Robb N. Johnston on the inter-tubes.  GO HERE(!)

YAY ANDREW! omgbbq

!!First book signing!!

I'll be selling, signing, and reading copies of The Woodcutter and The Most Beautiful Tree.

The skinny:

Where?!:  Herman's Boy (220 Old Northland Dr. Rockford, MI 49341)
When?!:  Saturday, January 15th.  9am - noonish.  Reading at 11:30am or thereabouts.
Who?!:  YOU!!!  Please come out and scope the book, if you've not already.  Or just say hi and munch on a bageldog.

Hope to see you there!!!

<3

-Robb N. Johnston