Drawing on Imagination: The Art of Children's Illustration

This is my vision for the Illustration Friday subject this week - a brigade of peace makers, starting with one..."Peace"6.5 x 6.5pastel on paperThis is another illustration that I used the process of scanning the original sketch. I then edited it in Photoshop, changing the pencil lines to black and blue. I also filled in the darkest areas with blue to avoid white paper showing through (below).

My Illustration Friday entry for this week... Elf with Hammer5x7pastel on paperThis little elf has so much to do to get ready for Christmas. If he only new where he left his nails!I've been experimenting with scanned pencil drawings. This sketch was scanned, edited to darken the lines and clean it up a bit. Then I printed it on art paper and added the color with pan pastels, soft pastels and

Illustration FridayThe chef say's, "Fresh fruits & veggies are good fuel for your body." I think he's right!9 x 19 PastelRight now my chef is all dressed up in his best black frame to be on display in the dining area of New Seasons Market, Vancouver WA for their grand opening in November. This illustration was made for the children's book, We Eat Food That's Fresh!, by Angela Russ-Ayon, Our

Kids... Come join me for OODLES of fun at Kazoodles, the kid powered toy store!It all starts here...Wednesday, October 19, 20113:00 pm13503 SE Mill Plain Blvd. #B-3 Vancouver, WA 98684 360-823-0123 Reading (and sing along): We Eat Food That's Fresh! a book and music CD about a fun chef and lots of kids having fun while tasting all types of fruits and vegetables.Exhibit:

This is my Illustration Friday entry for this week:Two Strange Beings | 9x12 | pastel"One evening, while he was lying there alone... he saw two strange beings creep out of the tall bracken near him." This illustration is the result of a fun SCBWI Westside Illustrators project. I was assigned the above quote from a children's book without knowing the origin.Would anyone care to guess what

Here's my Illustration Friday entry for this week.For a child, it only takes a few toys to spark a world of imagination.pastel on paperIn the spirit of March being Art & Music in the Schools Month, I'm compiling a list of the people/organizations that work behind the scenes to make it happen. If you have a group in your area that brings art, music, drama lessons to the public schools, please

I know I'm not the only one who has wonderful memories of art & music lessons in school. They always brought a bright spot to the week breaking up the routine. But, lessons in the arts do so much more than foster good feelings about school or just keep kids occupied. Studies have repeatedly shown how important art education is to improving a child's performance in all subjects.I'd like to praise

... if she would just row that boat in reverse and take him back to solid ground!No Turning Back Nowdigital illustrationI've been enjoying this little girl and giraffe team since they appeared in my Sketchbook Project 2011. This illustration was a little bit of an experiment exploring the use of Photoshop to fill in the color of a hand drawn sketch.

A giraffe in a boat, and a stubborn little girl with plans...guess who surrenders?Tea Party4x6This is one entry in my sketchbook forThe Sketchbook Project: 2011To see my complete sketchbook CLICK HERE.

This is my contribution to The Sketchbook Project: 2011. My chosen theme is "Inside/Outside", which is great since I've been exploring dwellings in my illustrations as well as my fine art paintings. That seems to me my thing lately - tree houses, playhouses, windows, doors, interiors, etc, so it was a fun project for me. Of course, I had a gazillion more ideas that never made it to the sketchbook

I recently worked on a project for a book cover, so I thought I'd share a little of the process with you.At first, all I could think about was, "Fifteen years of the author's life has been devoted to the the research and writing of this book and I only have a few weeks illustrate the cover. I'd better make this illustration count!"The provocative, heavily researched book, Trumping the Red Queen

Children's Gift Book Signing EventDecember 19, 1-3 pmBorders429 South Associated RoadBrea, CA 92821714.672.0120Cathy June | Merrily Kutner | Irina Mirskaya Angela WatermanMeet four children's book authors and illustratorsand have books personalized for you and the kids you love.Lots of free activities and fun giveaways too!~ Hope to see you there! ~

Irina Mirskaya, illustrator of We Love the Company and I will be at theOrange CountyChildren's Book FestivalOrange Coast College, Costa Mesa, CASunday, October 3rd, 1:30 - 3:00 CM School Supply booth #19 Come by and say hello! http://www.kidsbookfestival.com/

My sister said the other day that I'm a hopeless romantic. It's true... a bit idealistic too. That's probably why I love this short video so much.Bet you can't help but smile when you watch "Validation." Brilliant work!"Validation" is a fable about the magic of free parking. Starring TJ Thyne & Vicki Davis. Writer/Director/Composer - Kurt Kuenne. Winner - Best Narrative Short, Cleveland Int'l

Bring the little ones and join me for story time. We'll read We Eat Food That's Fresh!,sing along with the chef, and make our own chef hats to take home too! Monday, July 12th, 10:30AM at the new independent bookstorePages904 Manhattan AvenueManhattan Beach, CA 90266310-318-0900See you there!Do you have any books for ages 0-10 that you don't need?make room on your bookshelf brighten a

I'm thrilled and announce that We Eat Food That's Fresh! published by Our Rainbow Press, is the 2010 Benjamin Franklin Award winner for the Children's Book & Audiobook Set category. "Named in honor of America's most cherished publisher/printer, the Benjamin Franklin Awards™ recognizes excellence in independent publishing. Publications, grouped by genre are judged on editorial and design merit by

I'm am continually amazed at the advancement of technology, and then astounded all over again at the innovative uses of it by creative and determined people. Check out this video of The Elements ebook for iPad. School research projects will never be the same!

Come visit me and join the festivities!AnaheimCertified Farmers' Market& Craft FairThursday, April 1st, 12n - 7p Noon-7pm Family Karoake2-7pm Trackless Train! 4-6pm Free Activities includeEaster Bunny, Easter Egg Dying,Coloring Contest, Karaoke and more!12N-7PM I'll be there to read & signWe Eat Food That's Fresh!with activity ideas to encourage children to eat fresh fruits & veggiesCLICK HERE