Sous Ses Ailes

I believe that the year 2011 will be very pivotal. I also believe that this year we'll see the things we've been waiting and asking for fulfilled. And that this year will be a year of advancement for many people. It will be an exciting time!

It's been awhile since I posted in the blog; again I'm trying to find the extra time while steering away from wasting it, but I have important news to share. Side note: Forgive my wandering thoughts; even when I'm in the middle of a project or cleaning up and I see something else that needs to be done I immediately switch gears and start a new task. I'll do my best to complete each train of thought before I begin a new one this time.

For starters, I'll be completing the entire first volume updates in a few weeks! Once that is finished, the site will go stagnant....meaning I will not be updating much until we begin to take preorders for Vol 2. We'll keep selling the first book so keep that in mind! We will be updating on the Facebook page until we begin to post the initial pages of the next volume, but we'll let you know when it's ready. I'll still be updating the blog, though, so just check back.

About Volume 2, we're working steadily on it and will post some of the content later this year. I don't anticipate posting this book online when completed like the first version, at least not for a while. I may just have the first scene up or maybe the first chapter at best while we take preorders. I'm hesitant to show much, I hope you understand, but I will definitely give you news and nuggets along the way. I have to admit I'm definitely looking forward to finishing this!! A few months back I said it would be in a smaller format than the original version (standard 7.5 x 5) but actually it will be just the same size as the original (8.25 x 6). Artwise the size works better and will allow me to do more detail work without reducing to a pulp afterward.
Moving on, I need to share interesting news before I talk about the main topic:

EVQ Ministries and Comix35 have partnered to hold a Christian Comics Seminar in Lac-Brome, Quebec, Canada in April. Maybe some of you know that we'll be teaching there with four other comic artists. The seminar will be bilingual and Shaina will be translating my English to French. I'll be teaching two courses: Manga Style Illustration and Storytelling on Saturday (with lunch break included) and Producing Finished Art on Sunday.  I've begun to compile what I need and hope that you will prayerfully consider this opportunity to take comic classes and meet us. There will also be singing/prayer time and down time to get to know each other at breakfast, lunch, dinner and afterwards. We'll also take time to help students complete their comic projects coorporately and one-on-one. It's really exciting~! I helped teach a seminar in August 2005 for Comix35 which really was a highlight. It seems like it wasn't too long ago, strange as it sounds, and I managed to find my original notes from that seminar. I remember vacationing in the Poconos with my sister's family a week before the training event, and whenever we went to a pool or relaxed at the cottage I had my notes with me...but at least I got everything accomplished!  I'll be incorporating what I worked on back then into the new courses for this year. Please join us!

More news: Shaina will be designing a sister site in French! She'll take what is on the original Shelter site and create something for Francophone.  She's also thinking about including a French podcast of the blog (she has a nice voice you'll love to hear even if you can't understand the language). And I'm wondering if I should actually have an English podcast to keep you up to date on topics Shelter related. I don't know; probably not. I guess I dislike my recorded voice--especially on my cellphone;;;  Btw, if you ever call me and get my voicemail, don't be surprised how depressing I sound even when I try to act perky (and to think I used to sing....!) But I do know there are worse things in the world like not begin able to speak at all.

I'll be posting your fanart soon on our new Facebook page! I have to retrieve them from disks and a backup. I hope I can find all of them....T.T  If you haven't already, please join our group and Like us :) You'll get recent updates as we help spread the Word. XD

At last we come to the main reason for this post: Sous Ses Ailes, pronounced "Soo-sez-ell", which is the french title for Shelter of Wings! :D I'm really excited about this book, not only because I've learned so much over the last few years, but it is written for the French population, namely the province of Quebec, specific to their culture. Shaina is doing a marvelous job of interpreting and adapting the material while relating it to the French Canadians--her own people group.  It's heartbreaking to hear and read about the spiritual dryness of the land; so barren and sadly desolate. There are so few believers there, much less than those of other nations who we strive to evangelize. Shaina and I have been called through a union/partnership by the name JinLi, but that's a story for another time.  We now have a new name and new mandate with a territory to claim for Jesus! Please pray for our efforts, along with those who have received the same calling.

Thanks for keeping up with this blog...be sure to check our Facebook page for updates and news.
Oh, and you'll find our work in this month's edition of Clubhouse magazine through Focus on the Family :) We have 3 illustrations, one a double-page spread! Hm, since we were featured in the October issue as well, I just might think about subscribing...

God bless!