By: Julie Fortenberry,
on 11/8/2007
cover illustration by Geneviève Côté, profiled today at a wrung sponge
More profiles:
Linda Graves at Your Neighborhood Librarian
James Gurney at Charlotte's Library
Matt Tavares at Please Come Flying
By: Wendy in Editorial,
on 11/8/2007
Last week the children’s book podcast Just One More Book talked to Diane Greenseid about her contribution to the Robert’s Snow art fundraiser. Diane is the illustrator of Teeny Weeny Bop by Margaret Read MacDonald and Waynetta and the Cornstalk by Helen Ketteman, and she has a great blog, too. She painted her snowflake back in July—children’s book illustrators are always having to conjure up different seasons—and she discussed the process and showed her sketches in this fun entry. Listen to the podcast to hear her talk about Robert’s Snow, working under pressure, “singing colors,” and more.
We’ll be posting more about other Albert Whitman illustrators participating in Robert’s Snow as they’re profiled around the web. The auctions to buy these terrific snowflakes and raise money for cancer research begins November 19th.
By: Camille,
on 11/7/2007
Good Golly, Miss Molly,
There has never been so much to see and read around the web as there is this week.
The October Edge of the Forest is now online.
Monday, November 5
Tuesday, November 6
Wednesday, November 7
Thursday, November 8
Friday, November 9
Saturday, November 10
Sunday, November 11
MONDAY
Perry Moore at The Ya Ya Yas
Nick Abadzis at Chasing Ray
Carrie Jones at Hip Writer Mama
Phyllis Root at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Laura Amy Schlitz at Fuse Number 8
Kerry Madden at lectitans
Tom Sniegoski at Bildungsroman
Connie Willis at Finding Wonderland
TUESDAY
Lisa Ann Sandell at Chasing Ray
Perry Moore at Interactive Reader
Christopher Barzak at Shaken & Stirred
Autumn Cornwell at The Ya Ya Yas
Jon Scieszka at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Judy Blume at Not Your Mother's Book Club
Erik P. Kraft at Bookshelves of Doom
Clare Dunkle at Miss Erin
WEDNESDAY
Lisa Ann Sandell at Interactive Reader
Christopher Barzak at Chasing Ray
Julie Halpern at The Ya Ya Yas
Micol Ostow at Shaken & Stirred
Rick Yancey at Hip Writer Mama
Jane Yolen at Fuse Number 8
Shannon Hale at Bookshelves of Doom
Maureen Johnson at Bildungsroman
David Lubar at Writing & Ruminating
Sherman Alexie at Finding Wonderland
THURSDAY
David Mack at Chasing Ray
Paul Volponi at The Ya Ya Yas
Elizabeth Knox at Shaken & Stirred
Ellen Emerson White at A Chair, A Fireplace and A Tea Cozy
Jack Gantos at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
David Levithan at Not Your Mother's Book Club
Micol Ostow at Bildungsroman
Laura Amy Schlitz at Miss Erin
Kerry Madden at Hip Writer Mama
Sherman Alexie at Interactive Reader
FRIDAY
Loree Griffin Burns at Chasing Ray
Lily Archer at The Ya Ya Yas
Rick Riordan at Jen Robinson's Book Page
Gabrielle Zevin at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast
Dia Calhoun at lectitans
Shannon Hale at Miss Erin
Jane Yolen & Adam Stemple at Shaken & Stirred
Alan Gratz at Interactive Reader
Lisa Yee at Hip Writer Mama
SATURDAY
Blake Nelson at The Ya Ya Yas
By: David Elzey,
on 11/6/2007
I always seem to run into Julie Paschkis' work when I'm not looking for it. Which is to say there is something in her illustrations that draws me to them. It's a strange magnetism, a quiet attraction not unlike the way a whisper can pull you closer and cause you to pay more attention over the din that surrounds it. The most recent example was with Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal by Paul
By: web,
on 11/6/2007
For the third year, hundreds of children's book illustrators are contributing their time and talent to raise money for cancer research, by creating illustrated wooden snowflakes for auction. This year, bloggers are also getting into the action, by highlighting some of the wonderful pieces of art that have been donated and the artists that created them. 
I'm happy to introduce you to Steven James Petruccio. Steven is a watercolor artist and children's book illustrator; his work for children ranges from a popular series of Tonka truck books to several titles in the Smithsonian Oceanic Collection.
As I studied Steven's nonfiction work, I was struck by how his illustrations maintained a strongly realistic look while incorporating touches of warmth and playfulness. Those elements are also very apparent in his contribution to this year's auction, a piece entitled "Sea Star": 
Steven was kind enough to answer some questions for me:
Q: The books of yours I've seen have all been illustrated in watercolors. What draws you to that medium?
A: Early in my career I worked in acrylic on board, canvas or paper. I even used oil paints on gessoed paper for a series of books. I made the transition to watercolor after studying the medium and exploiting its ability to produce certain effects I found desirable. My early attempts at using watercolor were not that successful but I sought out artists whose work I admired and studied their technique in order to refine my own. Watercolor also gives me a greater flexibility of color. Most people think it's a difficult medium to control but it's really no harder to master than any other media. For book illustration, watercolor is a great medium to use because of the way it looks, the transparency of it gives any subject a lighter feeling.
Q: Are there other media you enjoy, or one you'd like to work in someday?
A: In my fine art works I move back and forth between acrylic on panel or canvas and watercolor. The subject usually dictates what medium to use. Everything depends on the overall feeling you want to achieve in the piece. I've used, and taught the use of, many media including pastel, colored pencil and marker and I'll often pick up whichever of these are nearby when caught in the moment of capturing a subject. I'm comfortable with everything. It all depends on the end result the artist wants.
Q: You've done some lovely pictures of sea life for the Smithsonian Oceanic Collection. Is that a special interest of yours?
A: Marine life paintings were never a particular interest of mine but after doing so many paintings and so much research beforehand , including snorkeling on reefs and visiting aquariums, this type of subject really intrigues me. There's so much that's mysterious about the ocean. It's exciting for me to be able to introduce a variety of ocean life to young audiences. When all is said and done, any good illustrator will absorb themselves in the subject to be able to present it in an interesting yet totally accurate way. That's the balancing act. Why not use a photograph? Well, the illustrator or painter can achieve compositions and effects that make even the most common story seem special.
Q: Is there an aspect of creating works especially for children that you find particularly satisfying?
A: When a young person hands me a book which I've illustrated, to autograph, and the cover is torn or scratched and you can tell it's been read over and over again... well, you just know your work is having a great effect on that person. They're interested in reading. They're involved in looking at art, and it's all on a level they can understand and relate to. To be able to present to young people art which I've really thought about in formal terms as well as interesting, story-telling terms is a privilege. I'm teaching them and entertaining them and it's all very accessible.
Q: You've won several awards for your work, including Parent's Choice awards. Is there one recognition in particular that you found especially gratifying?
A: There's a lot involved in winning any award. My greatest reward comes from the letters and reactions I get from young people who've seen my work. I'm in this business for them. The fact that people enjoy my work is what enables me to do what I do. I can win countless awards but, honestly, if no one outside of an award selection committee sees the book, would I really be successful at what I do?
Q: Is there a children's book you wish you had gotten to illustrate?
A: I was asked this question, recently, at a SCBWI conference at which I was speaking. My answer is the same now as it was then. The illustrator whose work interests and energizes me most is Charles Santore. I wish I could have been on the end of the phone being contacted to illustrate The Wizard of OZ and then have the vision and ability to bring the same power and technical expertise to it as he did. He created a classic!
Q: Your three snowflakes for "Robert's Snow" have all been quite different - a whimsical Humpty Dumpty in 2004, a lovely dove of peace in 2005 and the dolphins this year. Were there special influences on your design choices?
A: Each snowflake for Robert's Snow has been influenced by whatever I was feeling or motivated by at the time I was asked to create it. I've used stylizations and subject matter which I've illustrated over the past twenty years. Maybe next time it will be a TONKA truck! I want the buyer to have, not only an interesting snowflake shaped ornament, but a genuine work of art so I do spend time thinking of creative compositions to take up an unusual space in an interesting way. In the end my ultimate goal is to motivate someone to feel good about contributing to a most worthy cause. My family and friends have been affected by cancer so it has become a cause to which I contribute throughout the year. If my talents will bring someone joy when they look at my artwork and they can own it and feel great about buying it... then my creativity goes way beyond making pretty pictures. I thank everyone who created a snowflake and all who've purchased them... you're all part of the cure.
Steven's snowflake is included in Auction #2, which will be held from November 26th-30th. There are three auctions in total, running from November 19th to December 7th. This is a wonderful opportunity to acquire original art at reasonable prices (starting bids range from $50 to $150.)
For complete schedules of all the blog posts about "Robert's Snow" illustrators, and to see snowflakes that were completed too late to be included in this blogging project, see the blog Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. And see another piece of Steven's art here.
By: Elaine Magliaro,
on 11/5/2007
Here are some photographs my husband and I took at the Robert's Snow Artists' Reception that was held on Sunday at the Danforth Museum of Art in Framinghman, Massachusetts. I'm sorry I didn't get pictures of all the artists at the reception.
Rebecca Doughty standing near her snowflake
Judith isn't standing under mistletoe.
Grace, Anna Alter, and I decided to take a picture 
Here is "Free Fall" by Brian Lies.
Here's a lovely snowflake by Kristina Swarner 
Snowflakes under Glass
Austin (Grace's cousin), Ki-Ki (Grace's younger sister),.jpg?picon=597)
By: Cloudscome,
on 11/5/2007
Compiled by Trisha at Miss Rumphius Effect: As you know if you've been visiting any children's book blogs for the past few weeks, Robert's Snow is an online auction that benefits Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Over 200 children's book illustrators have created art on individual snowflake-shaped wooden templates. The snowflakes will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to cancer research. You can
By: Elaine Magliaro,
on 11/5/2007
It’s hard to believe it but our week #4 of Blogging for a Cure is here! I want to take this opportunity to thank Jules and Eisha, the fine ladies of 7-Imp for spearheading this effort to promote Robert’s Snow: for Cancer’s Cure, a series of online auctions that will raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and cancer research. Please visit the Robert’s Snow website to learn more about this unique fundraiser, which was co-founded by Grace Lin and her late husband Robert Mercer.
Jules coordinated the efforts of dozens of bloggers who will be posting features about the picture book illustrators who created snowflakes for Robert’s Snow 2007. She also organized the master schedule for our postings. In addition, I would like to thank Tricia Stohr-Hunt of The Miss Rumphius Effect and Jen Robinson of Jen Robinson’s Book Page for providing participating bloggers with weekly schedules to post at our blogs.
NOTE: I have linked to the blogs that will be posting features about the Robert’s Snow artists this week—not to the specific posts. Jules and Eisha of 7-Imp have created a special page that includes a list with links to all the Blogging for a Cure posts. Their list is updated every day.
Monday, November 5
Anna Alter at The Longstockings
Laura Huliska Beith at Just One More Book!!
Cece Bell at Jo's Journal
Denise Ortakales at cynthialord’s Journal
Tuesday, November 6
Carol Heyer at The Shady Glade
Joe Kulka at ChatRabbit
Steven James Petruccio at Blog From the Windowsill
Carol Schwartz at Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup
Wednesday, November 7
Jeff Ebbeler at Sam Riddleburger's blog
Scott Magoon at Just One More Book!!
Connie McLennan at The Shady Glade
Julie Paschkis at the excelsior file
Thursday, November 8
Genevieve Cote at a wrung sponge
Linda Graves at Your Neighborhood Librarian
James Gurney at Charlotte's Library
Matt Tavares at Please Come Flying
Friday, November 9
Susan Kathleen Hartung at Wild Rose Reader
Mary Peterson at Brooklyn Arden
Annette Simon at Check It Out and Deo Writer
Melanie Watt at Whimsy Books
Saturday, November 10
R.W. Alley at at Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup
Jeannie Brett at cynthialord’s Journal
Daniel Mahoney at Paradise Found and Great Solutions to Team Challenges
Amy Young at Kate's Book Blog
Sunday, November 11
Tim Coffey at The Silver Lining
Elizabeth Dulemba at sruble's world
Chris Gall at Through the Studio Door
Amy Schimler at Please Come Flying
These are the Robert’s Snow artists who have already been featured at Wild Rose Reader.
By: Julie Fortenberry,
on 11/5/2007
via the Blue Rose Girls
By: Barbara O'Connor,
on 11/5/2007
The schedule for week 4 of the Robert's Snow fundraiser is in the sidebar to the right.
.jpg?picon=507)
By: Gail Maki Wilson,
on 11/4/2007
Where to find this week's Illustrators. (Be sure to come back here this Sunday for an Up Close and Personal interview with Chris Gall!)
Monday, November 5
Tuesday, November 6
Wednesday, November 7
Thursday, November 8
Friday, November 9
Saturday, November 10
Sunday, November 11
By: Linda S. Wingerter,
on 11/4/2007
It’s hard to believe it but week #4 of Blogging for a Cure will begin tomorrow. I want to take this opportunity to thank Jules and Eisha, the fine ladies of 7-Imp for spearheading this effort to promote Robert’s Snow: for Cancer’s Cure, a series of online auctions that will raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and cancer research. Please visit the Robert’s Snow website to learn more about this unique fundraiser, which was co-founded by Grace Lin and her late husband Robert Mercer.
Alissa with Her 2007 Snowflake
Florence & Wendell Minor
COMING SOON TO WILD ROSE READER
November 9: Susan Kathleen Hartung
November 15: Mary Newell DePalma
November 18: Wade Zahares
By: Mary Lee,
on 11/4/2007
...MsMac! That lucky lady who won all the piles of books at the Kitlitosphere Conference (and also agreed to host Conference #2), and who has won chocolates from Robin Brande has now won Matt Phelan's Raffle Doodle! ENOUGH, ALREADY! Give the others a chance!
I was going to take pictures of the whole process to document the fairness of it all, but I left my camera at school. You'll have to take my word for it. She won it, fair and square. (Using my new JacketFlap hat must have conjured up her good mojo from the conference.)
.jpg?picon=848)
By: Sara Lewis Holmes,
on 11/4/2007
Here's the schedule for Week 4, which starts Monday. As previously, this early schedule links to the participating blogs, instead of to the individual posts. You can find links to the posts themselves, and any last-minute updates, each morning at 7-Imp. Jules and Eisha have also set up a special page at 7-Imp containing a comprehensive list of links to the profiles posted so far.
Monday, November 5
Tuesday, November 6
Wednesday, November 7
Thursday, November 8
Friday, November 9
Sunday, November 11
Please take time to visit all of these blogs, and read about these fabulous illustrators. Think about bidding for a snowflake in the Robert's Snow auction. Each snowflake makes a unique gift (for yourself or for someone else), and supports an important cause.
By: Tricia,
on 11/4/2007
By: Susan Thomsen,
on 11/4/2007
Following all the Robert's Snow posts in the blogosphere has become a great way to learn more about illustration and the way artists work. To explain a bit for those new to the endeavor, Robert's Snow is an online charity auction to raise funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. More than 200 children's book illustrators have decorated wooden snowflakes that are being auctioned off.
In support, a number of children's book blogs are featuring individual artists involved in the project. Masterminded by the indefatigable Julie Danielson at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, Blogging for a Cure started in mid-October, and continues for the next several weeks. To see all the snowflakes in one place and to find out how to bid, visit the official site of Robert's Snow for Cancer's Cure.
This week's schedule of blog features follows after the jump. Many thanks to Jen Robinson's Book Page for providing the links.
Today, Sunday, November 4th
Monday, November 5th
Tuesday, November 6th
Wednesday, November 7th
Thursday, November 8th
Friday, November 9th
Saturday, November 10th
By: Barbara O'Connor,
on 11/4/2007
Today I am honored to feature a good friend and brilliant artist, Robin Brickman. Robin is one of the generous artists participating in the Robert's Snow project to raise money for Dana Farber cancer research. Her beautiful snowflake will be included in the online auction.
(There are many more artists participating in this event, so please check them out.)
Robin has been illustrating children's books for over 20 years. She is perhaps best known for her breathtakingly beautiful and detailed cut-paper collages of nature books for children.
Her books have been recognized with many awards, including a Reading Rainbow selection, IRA Teachers Choice, the Giverny Award for best children's science book.
Her books include A Log's Life (Simon and Schuster), Beaks, and One Night in the Coral Sea (Charlesbridge).
She has a new book coming out in February 2008 that is magnificent:
And now, an interview with Robin:
How did you get involved with the Robert's Snow project?
I am a member of PBAA http://www.picturebookartists.org/, an internet children's illustration group. The snowflake project was announced by Grace Lin on that group's website, when it first started in 2005. I had already been interested in a fund-raiser involving my art, but I wanted to contribute to one that would have higher or national visibility. As the story behind Robert's Snow became known I was truly moved to be able to contribute. I'd like to mention that the snowflake I made for the 2005 auction was created in memory of Mathias Jessup Bartels, who died suddenly at the age of 17. Purchasing that snowflake became a focus for many people who knew and loved Mathias. It was given to his parents and the contribution of the purchase price went to Dana Farber for cancer research.
How did ten-year-old Robin answer the question: What do you want to be when you grow up?
I was going to be a lot of different things, like a veterinarian or interior designer, but I kept coming back to art. I considered art conservation in college, and although I have a great deal of patience for fine and careful work, I did not excell at the math and chemistry needed for that profession. All these years later, however, I bet I could do it.
What are some of your earliest memories of creating art?
I have always loved making things with my hands: sewing and other fiber arts, jewelry, paper-making, bookbinding, stained glass, callligraphy, and illumination. All of these interests came into play when I started to illustrate stories and science.
Tell us a bit about your college experience?
I did decide on a major combining botany and art, something I continue to do even now!
Your road to children's book publication in six (or ten or a hundred) easy steps?
I don't know of any sure fire road to pubishing success other than developing a solid portfolio that is truly your own style and one that will impress your professional peers. There are wonderful books and groups available for information that did not exist when I started out. However, there are so many people trying to get going in this profession, sometimes it helps to not know how hard or unlikely it is. Finding what resources work for oneself, is trial and error.
Any particular inspirations, heroes or mentors?
What helped me was joining WMIG http://www.wmig.org/, twenty years ago. The monthly meetings, at one another's studios, are a mixture of critique and inspiration. I created my 3-D technique in part to impress that very skilled group of illustrators.
Will you share with us the story behind your most recent published book?
My next book is WINGS! It is a sequel to BEAKS! Sneed Collard has written a wonderful set, and these two books are a part of that.
Anything in the works at the moment?
I am working on a few book ideas of my own and being both author and illustrator is my next goal.
Anything you've learned along the way that you can share with newbies?
Persistence and optimism is key! When things don't work out, find the right people in your life to help you get going again.
By: Beckyb,
on 11/4/2007
Nancy Wallace is the illustrator I have chosen to focus on for the Robert's Snow fundraiser. She is an illustrator I HIGHLY admire, and I go back to her books over and over for story hours here in our library!
hospitalized children, at Yale-New Haven Hospital as a Child Life Specialist and Child Life Coordinator. We used the creative arts – art, music, puppetry, PLAY and expressive media to encourage children to express their thoughts, feelings, fears… and their imagination.*****Nancy has kindly offered to give away a signed copy of one of her books!!! She is giving 
away Snow! If you are interested in being included in the giveaway - just leave a comment below AND link to this on your blog (if you have one). I will notify winners within two weeks!!
Some of her other books include:
By: Elaine Magliaro,
on 11/2/2007
Florence and Wendell Minor
The Final Cover Art for Ghost Ship 
Garrison Keillor, of Prairie Home Companion fame, has said:
I’ve been a fan of Wendell Minor’s work for years without being aware of it, admiring his book covers and never quite remembering his name. Then he did a cover for me and suddenly he became unforgettable.
I quote from David McCullough’s introduction for Wendell Minor: Art for the Written Word:
Wendell Minor is an exceptionally gifted, almost imaginably prolific American artist…. In the world of publishing there is no one quite like him. Indeed, his value to the world of books can hardly be overstated.
Wendell’s paintings have a special quality. They seem imbued with a quiet stillness that draws one into his art and makes one feel as if she/he is there in a particular locale at a particular time:
An Illustration from America The Beautiful
Wendell has a true commitment to his art and to portraying areas of our nation in all their majesty and humble beauty. Many of his books have been designated as Notable Trade Books for Children in the Field of Social Studies and as Notable Science Trade Books for Children.
Interview with Wendell Minor
Elaine: You are a most prolific artist. You have done the cover art for more than 2,000 adult books. You must spend many hours each day in your studio. Could you tell us what a typical work day is like for you?
The Gorgeous Cindercat
Elaine: Would you share with us your inspiration for your 2007 snowflake?
Wendell: My 2007 snowflake is from my book Nibble Nibble. It was an honor, and a joy to re-illustrate this Margaret Wise Brown classic, and the image on the snowflake is from the dedication page piece from the book – a rabbit holding a daisy.
Wendell's 2007 Snowflake
Two Illustrations from Nibble Nibble
Click here to read my review of Nibble Nibble.
Visit Wendell Minor’s fabulous website! It includes animations of some of his picture books, including Nibble Nibble and Buzz Aldrin’s Reaching for the Moon.
Each time you comment at one of my Blogging for a Cure posts about a Robert’s Snow artist, I’ll put your name in a hat. If you comment at all six posts, your name will go into the hat six times! The drawing will take place on November 19th, the day bidding begins on the first of three Robert’s Snow 2007 auctions.
I also have several consolation prizes for commenters who don’t win the “big” prize: five small prints of the Robert’s Snow mouse(mice).
Here is a link to my Blogging for a Cure article about Robert's Snow artist Scott Bakal.
Here is a link to my Blogging for a Cure article about Robert's Snow artist Alissa Imre Geis.
By: Julie Fortenberry,
on 11/2/2007
By: David Elzey,
on 11/1/2007
Lucky Bird, indeed, and some lucky bird out there is going to own their very own copy of Bird on a snowflake! Yes, today I have the great fortune of presenting Jeremy Tankard's snowflake for Robert's Snow, made even more special by the fact that Jeremy generously donated his time to answer some questions and provide artwork from his sketchbook! To see any of the illustrations in a larger (or
By: Elaine Magliaro,
on 11/1/2007
WHERE: The Danforth Museum of Art in Framingham, Massachusetts
Sy Montgomery, an award-winning author of nonfiction books for adults and children, will be the featured speaker in the Conversations with…Author/Illustrator Series sponsored by The Foundation for Children’s Books on Tuesday, November 6th. The event will be held in Vanderslice Hall on the campus of Boston College. Time: 7:30 p.m.
The Horn Book Magazine presents “reviews of the best new seasonal books” in Holiday High Notes.
Thanks go to Liz B. for the link to Susan Taylor Brown’s fabulous post Poetry Friday Roundup of All the Roundups 2006 & 2007.
By: Gina MarySol Ruiz,
on 11/1/2007
I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween. This is the 18th day of the Robert's Snow Blogging for a Cure internet blizzard and I am so proud to be a part of it.
Tonight, us Aztec dancers and Latinos will be celebrating Dia de Los Muertos (see post below to find out where I'm dancing). Dia de los muertos is a very special day for us danzantes (the proper term for an Aztec dancer). On this night, we honor our ancestors, the people we loved who have died. We believe that they have moved on to another world and on this night, they come and visit the earth and the families they left behind. For danzantes, each dance is a prayer. The steps of the dance all tell stories and thank the Creator for what we have in this life.
Our costumes symbols show our family line of all who have come before us so we are literally dancing and praying with our ancestors. They are with us in the dance. The copal smoke that burns during the ceremony sends our prayers up to the sky. The night is filled with magic, we build altars of fruit and flowers, we make our departed ones favorites foods, sugar skulls are lovingly created and placed on altars along with the muertitos made of paper machier. I bake, like so many other women the traditional pan de muertos. Music and poetry and stories fills the air. I think that Victoria Jamieson's whimsical and beautiful snowflake Jerry Performs Carmen fits right in with el dia de los muertos as does this whole battle against the cancer that has taken so many of our loved ones to Mictlan - the land of the dead.
Victoria's snowflake shows an ice skating, ice dancing really pig performing Carmen. You all know we love pigs here at AmoXcalli and Cuentecitos. Carmen just happens to be one of my favorite operas. The fact that I'm featuring the night before Day of the Dead and Jerry is dancing on ice skates strikes me as uncannily coincidental. I think Jerry is dancing his own prayer for a cure.
I had the great pleasure of chatting with Victoria Jamieson via email and found out some really neat and interesting things about this very talented, gracious and lovely artist. I hope you find her snowflake as wonderful as I do.
Here's a little bit about Victoria.
I was born in Havertown, Pennsylvania, and my family moved to Tampa, Floria when I was twelve. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of
Design in 2000, I'm now settled in Brooklyn, New York, where I work as a
freelance illustrator, as well as a designer at Greenwillow Books. My first
published illustrations will be in bookstores in February, in "The Gollywhopper
Games", by Jody Feldman (Greenwillow Books).
It took me a little while after graduation to realize that I wanted to be a
children's book illustrator. I traveled around for a bit, working as a portrait
artist onboard a Carnival Cruise ship. If you want to practice drawing facial
expressions, drawing portraits for 8 hours a day is a good way to do it!
Later on, I went to Australia to study Museum Studies, but characters and story
ideas kept following me! Actually, a trip to a "Sheep Fashion Show" in Sydney
planted the seed for "Bea Rocks the Flock", to be published by Bloomsbury in 2009.
Now I am happily pursuing other stories that have been nesting in my brain over
the years. I absolutely love illustrating children's books. It's exciting for me
to develop characters and their environments in my head, and then to create a
tangible record of my imaginings in a painting.
Thank you so much for contacting me to be part of the Robert's Snow blog-a-thon!
It's such a beautiful project, and I'm honored to participate along with so many
of my heroes (ie, children's book illustrators!) Like many others, I'm sure, I
first heard about Robert's Snow through the Blue Rose Girls blog, and Grace Lin's
blog. I'm not a scientist or a doctor, so this was a good way to use the skills I
actually do have to help in the fight against cancer.
The inspiration for my snowflake mainly came from the fact that I L-O-V-E ice
skating, to a degree that sometimes seems at odds with my daily life. After years
of staring wistfully at the Olympic skaters on TV (not to mention such fine
cinematic events as "Ice Princess" and "The Cutting Edge), I took my first ice
skating lessons last winter. Like Jerry on my snowflake, I did not let my very
evident lack of skill interfere with my excitement for each class. I can relate
to someone like Jerry, who does not let something like "talent" stand in the way
of his passion! I am proud to report, after 12 weeks of lessons, I am now able to
spin & even do a little jump (although I think it is called, literally, the Bunny
Hop).
My first self-authored children's book will be published by Bloomsbury in 2009.
It features a sheep, Bea, who is also not content with the hand life has dealt
her. I enjoy creating characters who I can relate to-- like Bea, I have had my
share of sometimes scary adventures, bad haircuts, and questionable fashion
advice. I look forward to creating many more characters throughout my career!
**********************************************************************
I don't know about you but I can't wait to read Bea Rocks the Flock!
To find out more about Victoria Jamieson, check out her website here.
By: Julie Fortenberry,
on 10/31/2007
Thursday, November 1
Karen Lee at sruble's world
Diana Magnuson at A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy
Melissa Iwai at Brooklyn Arden
Victoria Jamieson at AmoXcalli and Cuentecitos
Molly Idle at The Shady Glade
Meghan McCarthy at A Fuse #8 Production
Wednesday, October 31
Shawna Tenney at Kate's Book Blog
Adam Rex at Booktopia and Welcome to my Tweendom
Mo Willems at MotherReader
Rolandas Kiaulevicius at a wrung sponge
By: Cloudscome,
on 10/31/2007
I'm taking a break from costume parades and Halloween parties to highlight another children's book illustrator with a snowflake in the Robert's Snow auction for Dana Farber cancer research. Today's featured artist here is Rolandas Kiaulevicius. Please take a moment to visit his home page, linked above in his name. This man's art just blows me away! It breath-takingly beautiful. His range of
Really nice profile, David. You expressed the Julie Paschkis Experience very well.
David,Julie definitely has a distinctive style of illustrating books for children. I love her work. Thanks for this feature on one of the talented Robert's Snow artists.
Gosh, I seem to be saying the same thing over and over again--What a stunning snowflake! I will definatly be on the lookout for the books you mention.
Ditto to what Eisha said, David. This is so well-written. And that is one of the most beautiful snowflakes -- if not, THE most beautiful one -- I've seen thus far. Thank you.
Thanks for this nice feature, David. Julie's work is new to me, and I absolutely love it. Must get some of her books :).
This snowflake is exquisite, and I really like how you summed up Julie, too!
Ooops -- that last comment was attributed to the wrong web site. Can you delete? Sorry!Just wanted to say what an exquisite snowflake and perfect profile this is...
I love how many different ways this style of illustration can be used. Colorful and detailed and really cool!
I find her everywhere too - I just filled out the application for ALA's We The People bookshelf, and guess who supplied the incidental illustrations!