Last week was “Read Across America” week. Children’s book authors and illustrators, like me, get lots of invitations to visit schools. I visited 4 different area schools.
I like to leave a work of art as a gift for each school. I draw their mascot and frame it for the library. On Monday I presented at Blue Ball Elementary. Their mascot is a really cute Bassett Hound. On Tuesday I visited Brecknock, home of the Bulldogs.
Wednesday was New Holland Elementary, home of the Spartan Hawks. That’s a red-tailed hawk wearing a Spartan Helmet. He actually has a name, “Tails.”
Here’s the version of Tails I found online. I skipped the cape.
So far, so good. Fun to draw. Friday I was scheduled to visit Brandywine Heights Elementary School in Topton ,PA. Their mascot is a bullet. Some parents once asked if a bullet mascot makes sense at an elementary school. Other parents prevailed and the bullet remains the school mascot.
These wrestling trophies show the historic “Bullet Man.” Recently, the bullet man has replaced with a graphic design version of a red, white and blue bullet.
I chose not to draw an angry bullet for my elementary school friends. I took the Brecknock Bulldog, flipped him and added a discreet bullet dog tag. The kids were delighted with my “Bullet, the Bulldog.” I told my teacher hosts they are welcome to use my drawing any time they like.
Illustration Concentration 