Spring Things

Yes, it is time for the spring mailers. This is one I am thinking of sending. I like the way the colors are so brilliant in RGB, but am always a bit saddened by the conversion to CMYK for printing. I try to use colors these days that convert more easily but every once in a while I want a color that doesn't quite have the ZING I want.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ CELEBRATE

Time to celebrate... in song...





at the fair...




and just way out wonderful! This last image is in Picture Book on Page 56. I was really disappointed, however in the color quality and the way they cut off the bottom of the image. So at least here you can see the full image.

Working late... and something is taking shape

I am working on a dummy for a story I wrote... I love the story and hope to do it justice with the sketches and a few finishes.
I will share bits and pieces mainly to make sure I keep going. This story has been getting shoved under that ever growing pile of sketches and moleskines for the past year and needs a designated place on my drawing table.
For purposes of explanation, these two are riding to town late in the day.
That space on the left is the text area for this two page spread.

©Ginger Nielson 2009

WINSTON WEDNESDAY ~ Chapter IV

So, what was it that caused the giant commotion and unearthly roaring.

OF COURSE IT WAS THE DRAGON!!!

"If you are back for more china, you are too late," Winston tried to explain.

But before those words were barely out of his mouth the huge beast roared a smelly, hot, smoky roar right at Winston and Roxxanne.

"I don't know what you could want now...." the cook began, but before she could finish, the dragon roared again...and then began to hiccup so loudly that the castle walls began to shake.

With another ROARRRRR at the three astounded individuals the dragon turned and vanished down the stairs to the cellars and caves below the castle.

"Should we follow it?" Winston wondered aloud.

"You can't be serious, " said the cook.

But Winston was serious and he chased after the dragon as fast as his little beagle/bassett legs would allow.

Be sure to stayed tuned each Wednesday for more. And here is a side note: Is it just me, or does that dragon look like it was laughing?

TWO Reviews

I have been fortunate enough to work with Brettell Hone on a beautiful book about African animals that might otherwise go unnoticed. The result is MY AFRICAN BEDTIME RHYMES, and I am pleased to share these two reviews and a few images from the book.


The following book review was published in the STAR a South African newspaper. The publisher, SHAMWARI publishing, is located in South Africa and that is where the author has lived most of his life.

My African Bedtime Rhymes
by Brettell Hone & Ginger Nielson
Shamwari Publishing


Don't forget the children! If, like many parents in these difficult times, you're cutting down on presents for yourselves, remember that the next generation can be educated and entertained at the same time.

Marvellous illustrations complement the intriguing rhymes, the latter having a depth to them that will bring inquiry from the little ones and a smile of recognition from adults.

Read Krish the Fish and Guy the Sly Fly, and you'll pick up all sorts of bonus lessons on fate, on health, on perceptions of beauty, and on survival.

Other rhymed stories are Mvu the Hippo, Orlando the Wood Owl and Kwena the Crocodile, each of them adding an extra dimension to our multicultural world.



And then there is this one from the United Kingdom.
Gazelle Book Services Limited.
White Cross Mills, Hightown, LANCASTER LA1 4XS, United Kingdom.
Telephone: +44(0)1524 68765
Fax: +44(0)1524 63232
Email: sales@gazellebooks.co.uk
Web: www.gazellebooks.co.uk

MULTICULTURAL & BLACK STUDIES
FORTHCOMING TITLES
MY AFRICAN BEDTIME RHYMES [Brettell Hone] My African Bedtime Rhymes is a collection of entertaining African animal rhymes, beautifully illustrated by well-known children's book illustrator, Ginger Nielson. The rhymes are designed to introduce a selection of familiar and less familiar African creatures to children by enriching the descriptions of the animal's habitats and typical behaviour in a manner that is both educational and enchanting. The language of the rhymes is deliberately challenging and should encourage the enhancement of vocabulary in the children while at the same time, entertaining parents or grand-parents.



When people order the book and aren't nearby for me to sign a copy, I can send this bookplate which I will sign for the person to whom the book is being given. This isn't my original idea, it belongs to SHERRY ROGERS, and I thank her for the idea!

Sneak Peek at When Wishes Come True

©GingerNielson 2009-all rights reserved
This is a sneak peek at the book I just finished illustrating, by Barbara B Slater. Hopefully it will be available this Spring. The story, WHEN WISHES COME TRUE, is a beautiful one that I enjoyed illustrating. It was also my first all black and white chapter book.
There is a certain challenge in illustrating in all B&W. Some tones and textures need to be carefully thought out and rendered because color is not an option. Subtle shadings can be a challenge when you are normally asked to illustrate in color. Add to this the challenge of creating digital images with the same care and attention you would if you were using traditional media.

WINSTON WEDNESDAY ~ Chapter IV

Upon entering the castle the cook took Winston and Roxxanne directly to the huge kitchen...the scene of the crime.
Pieces of golden china and fragile crystal were strewn across the marbled floor.
"Oh how terrible," Roxxanne was shaken by the horrible destruction.

"Yes," added Winston, "terrible indeed!"

"TERRIBLE YOU SAY!!!!! TERRIBLE INDEED~" a shrill yet booming voice echoed through the great expanse of the kitchen.


There in front of the tragic trio stood the Queen. Queen Mellameen, to be exact, and she was not in a good mood.
"What in the BIG WIDE WORLD of my PERSONAL QUEENDOM happened here?" she demanded.

"Oh, your majesty, " stammered the cook, " I am so sorry about all this mess." She took a deep breath and began to explain to the queen how the huge beast (dragon) had burst into the kitchen while she was preparing the Queen's birthday dinner, and had gobbled up all the fine china and crystal.

"And, your Majesty, I am sorry to say he has also eaten your beautiful soup tureen, ladle and all."

"What???? YOU'VE LOST MY ROYAL GOLDEN BOWL? Surely for this your head will roll!"

As you can see the queen did not take the news lightly and as Winston and Roxxanne and the cook stood shuddering at this last exclamation from the angry monarch, another more terrifying noise was heard.

©Ginger Nielson- all rights reserved

(Stay tuned kiddies,...... and if you want to see previous chapters, just scroll down in the blog for any Wednesday. OR check the Wowzio panel to the right of this post and see the other chapters as a thumbnail.)