published 11/16/09

Visit with natural science and children’s book illustrator Tess Feltes during the Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour this weekend, where she will have signed copies of her latest book, “Singing Crickets” (2009, Millbrook Press) featured in her open studio.

A simple, fact-filled picture book, Singing Crickets follows the life cycle of crickets, as a mama cricket lays her eggs in the late fall, the babies hatch in the spring, and they grow throughout the summer to sing during the warm summer nights.

Having many botanical and entomology books and journals to her credit, Feltes was delighted to have the opportunity to combine accuracy with a more colorful and whimsical approach. She will be joined by fourteen other artists at eight locations along a self-guided studio trail this weekend during the Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour. Along with featuring her original drawings, paintings and prints, Feltes will be on hand to explain the creative process of taking sketches and scribbles to finished illustrations.

Watch for tour signs with numbers and balloons to guide you as you follow the map to each home studio. All of the artists will be available to discuss their work and answer any questions you may have. The tour is free and open to the public. Work will be for sale and custom orders are welcomed.

Studios are open Friday, November 20 from 5-8pm, Saturday, November 21 from 10am-5pm and Sunday, November 22 from 10am-5pm.

Visit www.portsmouthartstour.com to download a brochure and tour map.