Lately, it's been hard to sneak in quality life drawing while teaching in my ILL 699 Character Design Class, but I'm happy to post some of my recent favorites. Also just a reminder check out the ABFFE Holiday Auction. It opens November 26th.
My Yarn Children's Book at Dial (2015) officially has a new title. It's now called Knit Together and I couldn't be more pleased with the new title. Below are my first preliminary thumbnails for the cover. I'll have previews of the interior art before the end of the year.
Also just a reminder, I have a Santiago Stays book signing at Barnes & Noble Emeryville this Friday at 4pm. Hope a few of my bay area friends can make it out!
Here are the final sketches and one of my color studies for the 826 Valencia mailer. One of the designers there will be putting fun hand lettering on all the books. I'll post the final artwork soon.
Here is the latest Horn Book review for Maria Had A Little Llama. Woo hoo!
Maria and her llama smile out at us from the cover of this bilingual picture book, a riff on “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Maria’s tale, told in English and Spanish, is set in the Peruvian Alps. The bold ink and gouache illustrations include plentiful cultural clues: the market, the village, the traditional headwear, and the musical instruments all help to place readers in the setting. The text mirrors the traditional tale (“He followed her to school one day. / Un dia le siguio a la escuela”), and the limited amount of text allows both languages to appear on the same page or spread. Maria and her llama, though, are the stars of this book. Their personalities and their affection for each other shine through. As if to confirm it, the last spread opens to a scene of children, llamas, and local Peruvian musicians playing and waving as they encircle our two stars dancing in the center. This is a scene young children will return to again and again. jim st. clair
Exciting News! Santiago Stays was featured In Cesar Milan's (The Dog Whisper's) Magazine, Cesar's Way, as a must buy book. In addition, Santiago Stays is on display nationally at Barnes and Noble. I also have a few book signings scheduled at Barnes and Noble in November. All I can say is, "Good boy, Santiago! "
I am working on a picture book with Candlewick called Loro Mango. After getting my roughs approved and feedback, I'm now beginning the tight sketches. Here are some character sketches.
I had so much fun creating these cat samples. For once, I HAD to watch adorable videos of cats. All in the name of research, of course.
Here is a little sneak peek of the finishes from my book about Yarn (Dial 2015). I started writing this very personal story 3 years ago, and it was finally picked up this year by Dial (my same publisher from Let's Go, Hugo!) More soon.
I just got back from Scholar Share Children's Book Festival in Sacramento where I read Let's Go, Hugo! and drew for the kids.
I'll be having a book reading for Santiago Stays at Books Inc this upcoming Saturday September 6th at 11am.
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| Thanks to everyone who came out to the Green Apple last month! |
Thank you so much to the wonderful people at Woodward Library in Fresno specifically Krista Riggs for coordinating the event. It was a wonderful crowd, and I was delighted to share Let's Go, Hugo! with such a receptive group. We even had a little crowd participation. I gave the crowd a sneak peek of Maria Had A Little Llama/Maria Tenía Una Llamita and my mom read with me in Spanish.
In other news, I am putting together many great events for the fall. I'll be having a solo show at Tr!ckster Gallery, showing a few pieces at Studio Gallery, and scheduled book signings with some of my favorite indie book stores. I'll be posting information closer to the dates.
Lastly, I'm finally starting the final artwork for my Yarn Story (Dial 2015). Previews soon!
Hugo is very excited about this upcoming Library Event in Fresno, CA at Woodward Library. http://www.fresnolibrary.org
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Here are a few pieces for Studio Gallery's upcoming Waterfront Show.
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I'm delighted to say that I will be a doing a presentation for my local SCBWI on July 27. Enclosed is a link with more details and how to register:
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=ztqkjicab&oeidk=a07e7oqp9dx4455e571&oseq=a021b1gy3g8xnm
Also here are more 5 minute sketches from the Character Design class I teach. One of the models was dressed as a teenager, and she ended up looking like a little Lolita.
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Here are a few sketches of 3 to 7min poses from the Summer ILL 699 Character Design Class. Our model this week Kindly allowed me to dress him like Harry Potter.
I'm delighted to say I have copies for all three of my 2013 books! Santiago Stays and Maria Had A Little Llama come out in September and August. Book signings and events soon!
On a side note, I will be giving a 90 minute presentation for the local SCBWI on July 27th in Oakland. More details soon.
Congratulations! I have your Hugo book and love it! I'll have to pick this one up too:) I love that you author and illustrate your books. It is such an inspiration. I can't wait to learn more:)
Congratulations! I have your Hugo book and love it! I'll have to pick this one up too:) I love that you author and illustrate your books. It is such an inspiration. I can't wait to learn more:)
Thank you Heather! I really appreciate it.