Picture Book Illustrators

Jazzy!

It all started innocently enough with a new idea... (which I got while watching TV of all places). But it turned out really Jazzy!

Now I've finally got some samples of that new inspiration that I mentioned last week.
What are styles? They're like music I think. That'd be a good analogy.

Most of my artwork is quieter and more subtle... woodwinds, violins & violas... an acoustic guitar.

But this new line idea came out all saxophones and trumpets. It's very brassy and unpredictable and Jazzy. Mostly it's the black line that's so strong and works against the bright colors and patterns. The line looks great just all by itself. It occurred to me I ought to try some displaced cubist color blocks behind the line too.

I'll still keep my quiet and charming illustrations... but it's good to improvise and go really wild sometime. Loosening up is hard to do and good for an artist I think.

Jazz is very appropriate for this style, since it's really a reflection of illustration styles from the 1950's.

I think lots of today's styles hearken back directly to the 50's. I'm amazed when I see old 1950's movies on TV that the clothing and hairstyles and glasses all seem so contemporary. It also makes it hard to find a pair of round eyeglass frames in a world of all square styles.

Old times!

When June posted her 20 yr. old art not long ago, it made me think of my old pieces.

Then yesterday, Liz emailed me to tell me about a book festival in Rhode Island, and one of the authors is Andrew Clements.

Well, it turns out that he wrote the very first book I illustrated. And, you know what? This cover is still one of my favorites.

On my own blog, Cats and Jammers Studio, I've been talking a lot about Ugly Betty--the new TV show on ABC that has more than a small Fellini air about it. I love that show. And that is because of the attention to detail.

Thinking about detail inspired me to pull out this old cover, which was fun to do simply because of the "stuff."

It also makes me want to work in this medium again: watercolor and pencil and pastels. For a change anyway.
Ah, we are so fickle, aren't we?

A box of Cookies

It's nice to finally get a box full of the book one has put so much effort into creating.

Of course we illustrators, being the shut-ins that we are, usually have to throw our own parties to celebrate.
SO here's to celebrating my new book, 'One Smart Cookie' on this blog. Maybe, just maybe, more than 6 people will read about it... and who knows, maybe something will come of it.

I know one of the main problems anyone involved in making books has to deal with is trying to get anyone to notice you exist. It's harder than it sounds.

Here's some other fun spots I've done recently... silly ladies having a teaparty and a painting pig.

There's an animation to go along with this pig. Just paste this link into your browser or try Googling the term 'Squealy Scholar' and you'll find links to the animation. Its got music, narration and the folks at Highlights have animated the drawings to make it move.

http://www.highlightskids.com/Stories/AudioStories/Sept06_squealyScholar.asp

I have a special affection for pigs... since that was my nickname as a child (called by my brothers and the neighbor kids), even though I wasn't really fat at all. I was famed for my ferocious fighting hooves... which could NOT be bested in any battle. But I digress... oh the stories I could tell.

Happy Birthday!!

In honor of my youngest son's 10th birthday today, I thought I would post the last page of the next Bones book, written by David Adler and due out either in the Fall '06 or the Spring'07. It is a bit of a leap for me; it's the first book I have done entirely on the computer. I realize that it is pretty simple by the standards of you computer whizz kids, but it needed to look simple--like the other four that have been painted by conventional means. So here it is. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BENJAMIN NEWMAN!!!

I'm Posting! introducing JACK...

Hi - I'm Jack. I'm the star of Maryann's new book, "Jack's Talent." Actually I'm not suppose to be released to the public till 2007, when my book is published...but ...I'm tired if being locked in that art file. It has been about one year since I was a thought in Maryann's head...now I'm real. It all started at a school visit when during Q/A, Maryann got the idea for this book. Well, she tells me that I was the quickest idea-to-book she ever had!...I was dummyed up (I hate that word!) and sold within a few months. She tells me, THAT never happens! Well, my artwork is due Jun 1...only the cover to go. (Why would she leave the most important page for last?..she's not as bright as she looks!) The publisher is Farrar Straus and my book won't be released until Sept 07!...So looks like I will be stuck in another file until then. Looking forward to sharing my story!

Studio-itis

Studio-itis

Definition: A malady peculiar to the creative arts where the practitioner becomes so enamoured and wrapt up in their creations and studio that the world outside becomes more distant and less appealing by degrees. Worst case scenarios might involve living in the studio for all practical purposes, working excessive hours and a in many cases a pronounced fear of venturing outside the studio into the real world.

Okay... let me be the first to admit... I got it. Anyone else? Time to fess up... I know you're out there and not watching olympic ice curling, though that too has it's fascination.

I recently watched the DVD 'My Architect' about the famed architect Louis Kahn. Apparently studio-itis is a frequent malady of architects too. Louis Kahn had a really bad case. Missing holidays, reluctant to ever go home, calling his associates up at 3am, even having children with numerous unwed female studio mates.
Eventually he even scratched his address off his passport... no one knows why. But my guess would be that his only address was his office.

Studio-itis.... got to be careful you don't catch it. But wait... what the heck else is there to do all day long when you don't have a real office to go to? I say studio-itis is a good thing.

I understand Norman Rockwell even worked on Christmas day.

Welcome to our Pro Blog

This is the blog for the group of professional children's books authors and illusrtators by the name of Picture Book Illustrators. Our members will be posting their little hearts out when not meeting their tight dealines or not working on their latest manuscripts. Our common love: illustrating and writing books for kids. Check us out to see what we are up to and what we are day dreaming about.