Song for A Giraffe

At long last the day is almost here. SONG FOR A GIRAFFE the book that took me a year to illustrated is due out this fall/winter. It changed my style a bit, expanded my view of illustration for children, and I learned a lot along the way.

©Ginger Nielson2007

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ THE BLUES

©Ginger Nielson2007
A variation on an illustration from the new book I illustrated. "Song For A Giraffe" by Michael LaLumiere and Kim Messinger should be out sometime this winter or early spring.

Just for Fun ~

Have you ever noticed how much we put our pets on a pedestal? Or how much we grow to look like them?

GIVE A HOOT!

At this year's Keene State College Children's Literature Festival (Oct.27th) "A Parliament of Owls" will be one of the main attractions. These owls have been painted by Children's Book Artists and donated to the college to bring the number to 100. This is to honor the school's mascot along with the 100th Anniversary of the College in 2009. All the donated works are to be framed and hung with the 100th framed work having the honor of a special ceremony to celebrate 100 owls and 100 years.

You can see my contribution here, and the names of all those who donated owls at theKeene State College Owl Project website.

Look at the list and you will see many of the artists whose work you already know and many more that are worth your getting to know.

On the lighter side of juggling

On a lighter note and in a more gentle tone, the Princess juggling team practices each afternoon. There is the possibility that the mouse will have to be replaced eventually.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ JUGGLE

Meet the Nasaley Brothers, Boris and Morris. Otherwise known as "LOS NARIZ GRANDE." Their balancing act is as good as it gets and they can juggle too! By the way, their mother, Doris, makes all their costumes. She doesn't watch the act, however. It makes her very nervous. Her daughter Dolores video tapes it for her, and if the act goes well, Doris will watch it later.©Ginger Nielson

Five Minutes to Spare

I had just finished an assignment and was ready to find the book I started reading two weeks ago, but I began to doodle and this is what happened in the space of five minutes. Quite a departure from what I usually do or am asked for, but I found it fun and very liberating.

The Snowflakes are online

The Snowflakes that have been painted and dontated by 200 artists are now on display at Robert's Snow

The bidding will begin in November and the snowflakes can be seen in person during October and November in Massachusetts.
At the Robert's Snow site you can find out all you need to know about the auction and view all the snowflakes online. Each is different, all are made with care and love, and hopefully they will all find a welcoming home.

Who's your Favorite Illustrator?

The Picture Bookies began a discussion a few days ago about the illustrators they admire, or who have influenced their work.
Head on over and check out their favorites, leave a comment with your own list of favorites. I wonder how many of us will name the same illustrators.

The topic is worth checking out because links are provided to the artists and illustrators mentioned. Who knows you just might find a new favorite.

The Adventures of Cali

Finally available at AMAZON THE ADVENTURES OF CALI, are also featured on a new website. Take a peek and look for more to come. Cali has some surprises in store for her young and young at heart readers. Suggested for children 5-8 it is a lovely story that children enjoy hearing over and over.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ ALPHABET

Generous, giant Giraffe greets gregarious grub-eater gleefully.

Not new, but certainly one of my favorite depictions of the letter :G:
©Ginger Nielson