By Jennifer Davick
My cover shoot of Trisha Yearwood for @bhg Better Homes and Gardens has hit the newsstands. Trisha Yearwood, country icon and host of the Food Network Show, Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, is the first personality to appear on the full run of newsstand and subscriber copies since the August 2011 cover featuring First Lady Michelle Obama.

In March 2013, we traveled to Tifton, Georgia for a southern picnic with Trisha’s relatives, including her sister Beth and her uncle Wilson. In the article, Trisha opens up about cooking for her husband, country music star Garth Brooks, and the importance of keeping family traditions alive. The spread also includes recipes passed down from Trisha’s family, like “Daddy’s Biscuits” and “His ‘N’ Hers” deviled eggs, representing Trisha and Garth’s favorite versions from their childhoods.

Our incredible photo team included: Senior Deputy Food and Entertaining Editor at Better Homes and Gardens Nancy Wall Hopkins @nancyBHG, food stylist Jill Lust, prop stylist Sarah Cave and producer Chadwick Boyd.

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This month, CGI studio Blue Sky created a gigantic 3D animation as part of The Los Angeles Natural History Museum's Centennial Celebration. The introductory presentation of the brand new Otis Booth Pavilion, a six-story, $13 million dollar entrance featuring the museum's famous fin-whale skeleton hanging overhead, was projected onto three sides of a curtain covering the Pavilion before finally revealing the structure in dramatic fashion. The entire presentation was captured from a number of different angles which can be seen in the clips below. For more on the entire project, take a look at this LA Times article.




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Jennifer LaRue Huget teams up with Chris Sickels, the creative force behind Red Nose Studio, for a delightfully subversive tale, THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME (Schwartz & Wade Books / On sale June 25, 2013 / Ages 4–8).

New York Times Best Illustrated artist Chris Sickels spent 15 months creating the art for Jennifer LaRue’s Huget ode to childhood adventure. His clever use of found objects like candy wrappers, erasers, magazines, spoon handles, and fuse boxes are the perfect match for this protagonist’s elaborate scheming and creative spirit. Each spread of art is a photograph of an elaborately handcrafted set, making for a truly one-of-a-kind look for this offbeat guide to running away and, ultimately, coming home.

Big brother being a pain? Baby sister getting all the attention? Mom making you eat your vegetables? Whatever your reason is, there’s only one thing to do. Run away! Huget’s knowing text blends perfectly with Red Nose Studio’s inventive art to provide the perfect plan:

1. You need a really good reason: ―Like maybe your parents are going gaga over your little sister and practically ignoring you.‖

2. Next, you need to pack. ―Forget about tying a bandana to a stick. That’s so old school. Plus, you’ll need something way bigger.‖

3. Say goodbye to your pets. ―It’s not their fault your family’s so mean.‖

4. Leave a note. ―Try to imagine your parents’ faces when they read it. . . . If they look really sad, you’ll know your note is perfect.‖

5. Make a big exit. ―Stomp your feet and make lots of noise.‖

And so the journey begins, and our red-haired hero finds himself on the run, with a world of decisions to make. Ultimately, though, readers will see that there really is no place like home. Coming to a close with a heartfelt reunion between mother and son, this tale presents an engaging journey inside a creative kid’s imagination.

JENNIFER LARUE HUGET was way too big a fraidy-cat to run away from home, but her own kids were far braver. Each one made it all the way to the end of the driveway before turning around. Jennifer is the author of Thanks a LOT, Emily Post!, which Booklist called ―refreshingly offbeat‖ in a starred review; How to Clean Your Room in 10 Easy Steps; and, most recently, The Best Birthday Party Ever. She lives in Connecticut. Learn more at JenniferLaRueHuget.com.

RED NOSE STUDIO (aka Chris Sickels) once tried to fashion a raft out of driftwood to float way down a dribbling creak that ran near his house—he was back home by four o’clock. Red Nose Studio illustrated Here Comes the Garbage Barge! by Jonah Winter, a New York Times Bes Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year, called ―eye-popping‖ by Kirkus Reviews in a starred review. Visit the illustrator at RedNoseStudio.com.

SUPERMAN: FROM HERE TO THERE takes a look at the history of Superman through his earliest comic book and multimedia incarnations (leading up to the current film version), and spotlights the classic Curt Swan comic characterization that forms the foundation of the public’s perception of this most iconic of comic book creations!

ARLEN SCHUMER is one of the foremost historians of comic book art—his book The Silver Age of Comic Book Art won the Independent Publishers Award for Best Popular Culture Book of 2003. A member of The Society of Illustrators, he creates comic book-style illustrations for advertising and editorial usage, which can be seen along with his other works at http://arlenschumer.com

HANK WEISINGER is a psychologist and author of several books, and the son of Mort Weisinger, the controversial editor of the Superman line of comic books form 1940-70. He’s currently working on a book, I Flew with Superman.

JOE LATINO is one of the premier Superman comic book and memorabilia collectors, and an expert in Superman original art. His focus in his many Superman trade magazine articles has been to reveal the science fiction origins of the comic book character.

By Gary LaCoste

Last year I had the pleasure of working with CarrotNewYork, educational marketing specialist, and designer Mabel Zorzano, on an extensive project for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

After the MyPyramid food icon was replaced by MyPlate, USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) needed to update their classroom materials that engaged elementary-aged children in nutrition education.

With direction by the USDA, CarrotNewYork developed a yummy curriculum for grades 1 through 6. I created all the artwork for the poster and teacher's guides. Since content was being changed and revised as I was finishing up the character art and spots I created the final art without outlines so Mabel could easily resize the art to fit the layouts without worrying about different line weights.

Along with creating all the kids and spot art for the teacher's guides and poster I drew about 50 food items, which were used throughout the curriculum. The types of foods and serving sizes needed to be as realistic as possible in terms of rendering and color while still being cartoony to match the character art. I was able to have a bit more leeway with some black and white food characters for the teacher's guide.

The USDA launched the Serving Up MyPlate program in late 2012 to the great enthusiasm of teachers and students. CarrotNewYork and Mabel Zorzano did an outstanding job developing and organizing this multifaceted program. I was proud to be part of the team.

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Bob Coscarelli shot a feature for Lonny Magazine of a breathtaking renovation in a remote Italian hill town (population: 8).  Civita di Bagnoregio was established some 2,500 years ago and the only way to arrive into town is by walking a quarter mile up the footbridge. The town’s isolated hilltop location kept Civita’s architecture intact.

Bob first visited Civita di Bagnoregio on a trip to Rome in 2009. “As the bridge continues upward to the town, the pitch increases to a steep 45 degrees. When we finally reached the arched tuff entrance, we were mesmerized. We continued through the city square, bell tower and alleyways often not seeing another soul anywhere. It was such a tranquil place.”

Three years later Bob met architect and designer, Patrizio Fradiani, while shooting his portrait. Patrizio was born in Rome but now calls Chicago home. Much to Bob’s delight, Patrizio was thinking of buying and renovating a vacation home in Civita di Bagnoregio. After renovations were complete, they arranged a 3-day shoot.

“Needless to say, it was very sweet to meet Patrizio at the foot of the familiar bridge at Civita with my equipment years later.”

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"I just love it when an assignment that is 'right up my alley' presents itself. Like this one where I shot Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill for Broward Health/ Beber Silverstein & Partners. A professional athlete, a gym, and some great light were all I needed to come away with some great shots for this campaign." ~Eileen Escarda