Family Reunion Plus Crayons

At the Strong Family Reunion 2010 this year there was a fun surprise: butcher paper on all of the tables.  With crayons!  I was very much pleased so I drew this:

It's a slime monster named Cooper trying to make friends with a bug named Brianna.  I got some help on the names from my cousin's daughter.  I think that makes her my first cousin, once removed.  Or maybe she's my second cousin?  I have no idea how any of that works.

I hope this all repeats at next year's reunion.

You Know You Want One

Okay folks.  The time is at hand.  My BFA Final Show is near.  The show is going to include a whole bunch of children's illustrations, some plush toys and even a picture book dummy of a story I'm writing.  The show goes up mid July in the HFAC (Fine Arts Building) on BYU campus.  The opening reception is July 20 (that's a Tuesday.)

I've been working on an illo for the invitations that I'm going to send out soon.  This is what I've got so far:

The name of the show is:  Monsters Make Me Happy (an art show for kids).  The name was Tiff's idea.  I love it.

So if any of you out there would like a copy of this image (in color) for your very own to keep and cherish forever, then please send me an email with your mailing address in it.  (My email address is bign.strong@gmail.com).  In about two weeks you will receive a postcard invite to my awesome show.  Then all of your wildest dreams will come true.

BYU Alumni Show

Right now on BYU (Provo) campus there is a cool illustration art show.  It features Illustration alumni from the past 30 years.  There are over 150 pieces in the show and the variety of style and subject matter is great.  The show is up in the HFAC (Harris Fine Arts Center) through mid July.  So, check it out.

So guess who's in the show.  It's me!  Funny right?  I just walked about 3 days ago and I haven't even finished my BFA project yet (so, technically I'm not really graduated) but I got in anyhow.  I'm in an art show with Brett Helquist.  How awesome is that?

Will Strong and the Purple Crayon

We ate at the Crayon Restaurant again recently.  Tiff requested an elephant playing badminton with a mouse.  And so:

PS: did any of you folks know that badminton is spelled with an 'n'?  I sure didn't until about two minutes ago.

New Longboard!

But not for me.

My nephew Ethan just turned 7 years old and the only thing he wanted in this big, wide world was a longboard of his very own.  He had lots of fun a few months back riding mine up and down the sidewalk (on his knees.)  So, when I called him up to wish him a happy birthday and also to tell him that we would be visiting his family soon he made sure that I brought my paints along for the ride.

Ethan originally wanted a dragon on his deck, but we later found out that he pretty much wanted anything with fire.  So I suggested Mario.  And Ethan embellished by telling me that he wanted Mario throwing a fire ball and jumping on his skateboard and flames on the wheels of Mario's board.  (He also wanted some other characters and the castle all with fire but they got cut in favor of getting finished before leaving the state.)

Ethan even helped me paint some:

A badly stitched together Photoshop composite.

Now the two boards are friends.

Look Ma, I made a fan art.  And I still fit into my old scout shirt.

A Job For BYU

I just finished up a job for LDS Philanthropies (located on BYU campus.)  It was a fun job.  Really nice people.  These are some of the illos for the job.

What Do T-Rex Kids Want to Be When They Grow Up?

Another sketch of the main character in my current Picture Book project.  Obviously, T-Rex kids want to be the only thing cooler than being an actual T-Rex:  a T-Rex with cardboard wings and horns.  Like So:

These quick Photoshop sketches are fun.  No pressure.

Fun With Kids and Books

On Saturday I'll be hanging out at the Provo City Public Library with a bunch of cool children's authors and illustrators (local and otherwise.)  There will be fun times for all.  Bring the kids.

Press Release Type Information Follows:


Saturday, May 15, 2010, 12 Noon - 5:00 pm at the Provo City Library
Featuring Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm, dynamic sister-and-brother superduo, author and illustrator of Babymouse.

Also including a host of activities for children and their families, with children's crafts, games, giveaways and prizes; visits from favorite characters like Clifford, Wild Thing, and Curious George; author presentations and signings, puppet shows, and a visit from the world-famous Infernal Twister, balloon-tying extraordinaire!

Food, beverages, and candy will be available for purchase.

EVERY child that attends gets a FREE book!

Also featuring local favorite authors and illustrators: Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, Brandon Sanderson, Mette Ivie Harrison, Clint Johnson, Dene Low, Randall Wright, Carla Morris, Kristyn Crow, Sharlee Glenn, Wendy Toliver, Kristin Chandler, Sara Zarr, Emily Wing Smith, Mike Knudson, Ann Dee Ellis, Maryn Roos, Guy Francis, Nathan Hale, Sherry Meidell, Julie Olson, J. Scott Savage, and Ann Bowen!