Tim Bowers' secret, super high-tech drying system
Because of the sprint to publication, these paintings were done at super-human speed. Instead of cutting corners on quality, I went into my 24 hours a day, seven days a week schedule (taking food and sometimes sleep breaks). My family is not too excited about the schedule but we make it work. The artwork was created with oil paints on canvas, which typically dry very slowly. I add a drying medium but still, it takes time. To speed up the drying process, I created a secret (until now), super, high-tech drying system to help finish the job. (It’s amazing what you can do with a hair dryer and some masking tape) -T.B.
[...] An update on the newest White House resident, Bo the Portuguese Water Dog. Today Sleeping Bear Press released First Dog by J. Patrick Lewis and Beth Zappitello, illustrated by Tim Bowers, which stars a Portuguese Water Dog that travels the world looking for a home and, you guessed it, ends up on the steps of 1600 Pennsyvlania Avenue. How did the creative minds behind this book manage to choose the right breed of dog and publish the book the very week of Bo’s arrival? All I’m saying is that it involved a hair dryer. [...]
J. Patrick here to pick up that thread: Beth and I worked feverishly on our revisions, finishing them in about two to three weeks, to the satisfaction of our publisher and editor. Sleeping Bear Press knew that the time factor was cricital. Their decision to print the book in the U.S. rather than China saved weeks in the process. But in the end, it was all Tim, painting day and night, who got us on schedule. Hooray for the illustrator!