A colorful peek inside A Universe of Rainbows–

A Universe of Rainbows: Multicolored Poems for a Multicolored World publishes, April 1, in celebration of National Poetry Month. Author Matt Forrest Esenwine and I are getting excited to be able to share the book, a journey around the world and beyond, exploring incredible phenomena and destinations, intriguing occurrences in nature and wildlife too, that all radiate the beautiful colors of the rainbow. I wanted to give you a sampling of some of the wonders to come - hope you enjoy!

You can preorder your copy at your local Bookseller or through the publisher’s website here: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802855718/a-universe-of-rainbows/

A Universe of Rainbows (Cover Reveal!)

I’m happy to share the cover for our next book, A Universe of Rainbows: Multicolored Poems for a Multicolored World, written by Matt Forrest Esenwine and published by Eerdmans Publishing Co. This collaboration is over a year in the making and you will not believe the content of the poetry, all very real subjects and locations, and I tried my best to capture and illustrate them in the book. These places are truly wondrous and beautiful - I couldn’t help getting a little emotional learning about them and gathering the reference imagery. Thanks so much, as always, to Holly Hoover for your inspired art direction and design. A Universe of Rainbows publishes, April 1, 2025. We can’t wait to share! To learn more, checkout the Eerdmans website here.

For a behind the scenes look at the process, I’m including some of the alternative sketch ideas we explored. I could see all of these being effective options, but I’m so happy with the final cover art. Hope you enjoy too!

Blow-me-down Brook

Blow-me-down Brook

Elegant and unassuming in the dimming day's luster,
like tarnished heirloom silver,
tucked in a drawer.
Your ancient, hidden stream shimmers through these hills.

Below, muddy trout bathe with snapping turtles and beavers.
Above, namesake gusty winds chase away our goldfinches,
and strip the last huddled trees bare.


While the first hints of winter may signal foreboding,
a foreseeable end.
Your meandering banks and shallows lasso the light,
flowing always, forward.

-JC

Homemade Pickles

When life hands you too many cucumbers, make homemade dill pickles! I learned this tasty lesson this past summer and wanted to share here– I had a blast at every stage of the process, from slicing and mixing up the ingredients, to always having a fun, fresh, garnish for our meals. These refrigerator pickles are fast and easy to make and taste amazing. I’m linking the recipe here: https://cookieandkate.com/best-pickles-recipe/

Enjoy!!💚

U.S. Brig Niagara

Tall ships, with their towering masts and sails, never fail to harness the wind and our collective imaginations. But of all the great ships I encountered growing up; in movies like the Goonies and Treasure Island, Lego Pirates and even ‘Old Ironsides’, it’s Brig Niagara I love the most. You can’t beat the comeback story with Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry besting the Royal Navy, “We met the enemy and they are ours..” The Niagara has a special place in my childhood memories as well (dad’s family is from  Erie, PA where the restored ship is docked and available for tours).

For the The Great Lakes Our Freshwater Treasure endsheets, I knew we had to include a representation of the Niagara with the imagery. Recently, I had the chance to dust off the original illustration and add more detail to the rigging and background. It turns out it was appropriate timing, the Battle of Lake Erie took place September 10, 1813. Thanks for your interest in the history and my work!

Baby Snapping Turtles

Not long after moving into the house, we were surprised to see large Snapping Turtles walking down the driveway and circling the yard, even inspecting the flowerbed by the deck! It was early May, and I was relieved the dogs knew to keep a safe distance - also relieved these stalwart “mamma” turtles didn’t stick around long after laying their eggs. Returning to the nearby brook, they move faster than you might expect. The incubation of the eggs, however, is surprisingly drawn out. We had forgotten about them.

Almost four months later, I was going out to water the garden, and happened to look down to find these little ones stirring in the grass! No bigger than quarters or half dollars, a second chapter had finally begun for 10-20 turtle hatchlings in the yard. I spent the next few days keeping watch on this tiny ‘armored division’ as each baby turtle instinctively converged on the brook. We had to assist a few stragglers, yes it was a group effort including HVAC service guys and our UPS delivery man, I think it’s just been too hot, but the turtles soon disappeared into the shaded brush leading down to the water. Apparently this magical process and journey has been playing out for almost 100 million years. It was our first experience - looking forward to many more. Nature is amazing.💚

I also wanted to share a great article on Snapping Turtles by Ted Levin for Audubon Magazine:

https://www.audubon.org/magazine/march-april-2012/the-staying-power-snapping-turtles

Sandhill Crane–

Toward the end of The Great Lakes Our Freshwater Treasure, we touch on environmental threats, reform, and the rejuvenation of wildlife on the Lakes. Along with Yellow Perch, Otters, and Piping Plovers, I wanted to be sure to include a Sandhill Crane, soaring upward with outstretched wings, majestic! The presence and scale of these great birds has long been a fascination, growing up in Florida, and seeing them on the Great Lakes as well. I’ll always remember this family of Sandhill Cranes (pictured below) near Sleeping Bear Dunes.

To see and learn more, please check out the book, The Great Lakes Our Freshwater Treasure here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/668979/the-great-lakes-by-barb-rosenstock-illustrated-by-jamey-christoph/

Lake Superior and Pictured Rocks–

In publishing, we’re encouraged to ‘write about what we know about’- I’m a firm believer in illustrating from experience too. With The Great Lakes Our Freshwater Treasure, it was a privilege to be able to tap into all the good times and memories we’ve had on the Lakes. On one page, we show geological features formed along the coastline over thousands of years, “great dunes and limestone cliffs”. I immediately thought of this glorious day, when Brad, the boys, and I explored Lake Superior and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in a rented 18’ pontoon boat. As you can see, I used my own reference photos where possible in the book. With illustration, we’re able to share our personal experiences, and in this case, some pretty amazing, awe-inspiring places. I hope you enjoy and are able to get up to Lake Superior to see these wondrous sites too! Just a warning, even in June, the water’s far too cold for swimming - learned that the hard way!

New Chapter–

We moved into this new little house over the weekend! So very grateful for our realtor, Heidi Ruth for her guidance and expertise, and to the previous owners, Steve and Mary, who lovingly cared for this place and absolutely had a hand in making this new chapter possible. Thank you for sharing your dream with us–

First project, potted geraniums by the front door like mom always had.

The Great Lakes Our Fresh Water Treasure

A thriving Great Lakes ecosystem–

Great Lakes' interconnected waterways and landmarks–

Niagara Falls–

Out this week! The Great Lakes Our Fresh Water Treasure, written by Barb Rosenstock and published by Knopf. Thank you Sarah Hokanson, Michelle Frey, and Lindgren & Smith for this dream job and most special book. So proud of our collaboration and the opportunity to share about this natural wonder - making these illustrations was the next best thing to driving up M-22 with the windows down, the oldies playing, alongside some of the most pristine coastline you’ll ever see! Please check out the book and plan a visit!

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/.../the-great-lakes.../

Top of the World, Cornish, NH

Signal Hills–

Last week, we took the dogs up to Signal Hill, one of the higher hiking trails in the area. The Lebanon, New Hampshire city website says, “Signal Hill is a part of the old chain of signal hills and mountains that date back to the Revolutionary War days when signal fires were lit atop the hills to indicate that the Redcoats were coming.” The beauty of the landscape and knowledge of this cool history, makes it a new fav spot! I thought it would be fun to feature the scene on our 2023 holiday cards. Hope you enjoy!

The Wall Street Journal–

A sweet story and collaboration with Viet Thanh Nguyen and the Wall Street Journal, in the weekend edition, available today! Many thanks to Art Director, Maria Amador, and Lindgren & Smith—

Sneak peek at a fav illustration from an exciting new picture book, coming in spring ‘24!

Grafton Pond–

A running start bellyflop is a thing of beauty (wait for it!)

J + B ♡

Photos by Dr. Zeba Kahlid and Jeremy Daugherty

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Brad and I have big news to share, we got married! It was all very last minute and I initially thought we would just be going down to the courthouse - but standing there together and having our relationship recognized ‘officially’, with prayer and a blessing, felt pretty damn good! It’s been quite an adventure and this was and will always be our wonderful and meaningful milestone. We’re so very grateful to Brad’s parents, Allen and JoAnn, for all your love and support over the years and to Brad’s fellow doctors at Summa; faculty, graduating residents, and Chaplain Shannon Blower, for the very special ceremony and celebration. We’ll never forget the sweet memories made this day–

President's Day 2023

You probably noticed we really get into the U.S. Presidents around here, especially today! The illustration of President Lincoln on the homepage (and detail above) were among the first spreads created for Giving Thanks, in 2021. Like with other historic figures in our books, it took me a couple tries to get his likeness, but when the lines came together it felt right, almost spiritual. Sparkling, wise, a little mischievous and rugged, perhaps our greatest president (who hailed from the most humble circumstances imaginable by the way, a little cabin in the wilds of Kentucky) was looking on approvingly.

Around this same time, I was invited to speak to a class of freshmen at Cleveland Institute of Art on character design. I focused the presentation and a related exercise on picture books and specifically looking to historic personalities and faces for inspiration. I know it can be a dry subject, but I tried to make it fun and suggested Lincoln’s distinctive, weathered face and features could be recast as a Captain Ahab (students reminded me Lincoln was also a pretty effective vampire hunter!) What other characters and scenarios could get his iconic treatment? I wanted to share the students drawings here today, as well. Most of the class seemed enthusiastic for the challenge, hope you enjoy too!

Almighty Physician–

Around this time of the year, I’m always in need of a little sunshine and hope. Just wanted to share my drawing of the sun today! Thomas Jefferson apparently had similar feelings, he referred to the sun as being his "Almighty Physician“.

I made an assignment (and demo) for my students, using Adobe Illustrator, to create your own personalized sun.. If you’re interested, check it out here.

Christmas Eve 2022

Paper Nativity ornament made for American Greetings, many thanks to art director Tom Page. I sent out a small stack of these to family last week - apologies if you didn’t receive one. I could only find 6 samples out there, scouring Walmarts in northeast Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and New England. Hope they bring them back next year! Gallery pics courtesy Walmart.com.