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In my presentations I share my own experience and inspirations. I demonstrate with multi-media readings, photos and drawings where ideas come from and how they are developed and expressed in art and writing. I do a “what if” scenario drawing demonstration, creating a story line with a drawing and include extensive Q and A sessions for the children to interact with me and voice their own thoughts and ideas.

My books are about a Sonoran Desert tortoise that wants to be a sea turtle. Within the fantasy of a desert tortoise that can swim, the biology in my books is correct and based on the most current available science. Through the characters in my books I show how my own environmental concerns are expressed through art and writing. The Gray Whale brought back from the brink of extinction. The Vaquita, the smallest porpoise in the world and almost unknown, is now on the verge of extinction. The Bats, the primary pollinator of the giant saguaro, demonstrate co-dependency in the eco-system. Emily's birth on the beach and race from predators, gives insight into the life of sea turtles.

Process is central to what I try to relate in my program. I demonstrate how I use the story board for plot and idea development. I trace one on my own drawings from thumbnail sketch through stages of less than perfect studies to finished painting. I think it is very useful for children to see the very flawed often-unusable intermediate pieces it takes to get to a final finished painting, or story.

Biography    Schools Visited    Teacher Feedback    Student Art

I work primarily with grades K through 8 in assemblies. I am available for classroom work and other age levels on a case by case basis. If your school is within driving distance I will set up an art show as well. I invite teachers to use my this "what if" exercise (PDF download) available here in advance of my visit to engage the students in the kind of process I will present.

Fees & book sales:
My basic fee is $925.00 for 2 assemblies plus traveling expenses (when applicable). I do offer other types of presentations, classroom versus assembly or more than 2 sessions, and fees are negotiable. I also offer multiple school discounts wherein a district or group of schools can get a reduced rate for a number of presentations over sequential days.

I offer parents significant discounts on my books, $15.00 each (vs. $17.00 retail) or both for $25.00, including sales tax. I have a book sale flyer which is designed for schools to send home with students notifying parents of the assemblies and special book discount rates. There is a space on the flyer for parents to request a personalized inscription along with my signature on each book. I will provide the school's library with copies of each of my books and encourage teachers to read them to the students before I arrive.

For an additional fee, I can create a gallery of the students' art on my web site.