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I have been freelancing in the commercial art industry for nearly two decades as a product developer, designer and illustrator. Works include children's books, greeting cards, dinnerware, giftware, ornaments, tins, contemporary home decor and clothing.
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To help launch the August release of my new picture book "Prairie Storms", written by
Darcy Pattison and published by
Sylvan Dell Publishing, I will be making available FREE coloring pages drawn by me! Each coloring page features a month with a scene which coordinates with a scene from the book. Just click the image, then either download the coloring page, or drag and drop it to your desk top. Be sure to print the image in a "landscape" format on your printer. The image size is 8.5" X 11". I would love to see your child's finished, colored page when they have finished coloring it.
This week I am featuring the coloring page for the month of August: an earless lizard searches for shelter as the sky crackles with heat lightning.
By:
Kathleen Rietz,
on 5/25/2011
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Thank you to Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Arlington Hts., IL, for hosting last night's event. It was a great success! If you would like to schedule a school visit or book signing for any of my books, please drop me an email.
Here I am explaining how a story becomes a book. The original art for the cover of "Champ's Story" is framed and displayed on my table along with copies of the book.
Here I am with local authors Michael Bellito and Jackie Pilossoph, who were also signing their books.
Another shot of the original art and the book cover.
By:
Kathleen Rietz,
on 5/23/2011
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Tomorrow I will be signing copies of the award-winning "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!" at Barnes & Noble in Arlington Hts., IL, from 7 to 8:30pm. Click
HERE for more info.
As always, if you have bought a copy of "Champ's Story" and would like me to sign a bookplate for you to affix inside the cover, contact me and let me know. I will sign one and send it right out to you.
By:
Kathleen Rietz,
on 5/16/2011
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To help launch the August release of my new picture book "Prairie Storms", written by
Darcy Pattison and published by
Sylvan Dell Publishing, I will be making available FREE coloring pages drawn by me! Each coloring page features a month with a scene which coordinates with a scene from the book. Just click the image, then either download the coloring page, or drag and drop it to your desk top. Be sure to print the image in a "landscape" format on your printer. The image size is 8.5" X 11". I would love to see your child's finished, colored page when they have finished coloring it.
By:
Kathleen Rietz,
on 4/5/2011
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I was interviewed by writer Karin Cameron over at her blog, "Karin Won't Stop Talking". Go take a look and find out how I got my start as an artist and children's illustrator, and what advice I can give to others in the biz. Be sure to leave a comment and tell Karin you stopped by. She is a marvelous host and an awesome writer.
Here is a rough sketch I made for the upcoming book "Prairie Storms", due out in August 2011!
I just added this sweet new print to the
Licoricegirl Shop on Etsy.
Actress Mariel Hemmingway recommends the highly successful book I illustrated, "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". This book has now won 7 awards. I wonder if she'd like my autograph...?
Read more at Midwest Book Review.Order your copy of The ABCs of Yoga for Kids.
The doe and her fawn heeded the warning of the violent lightning and explosive thunder that a destructive thunderstorm was on its way.
This illustration is from the children's book I just illustrated, called "Prairie Storms", written by Darcy Pattison and published by Sylvan Dell. The book is scheduled for release in August.
A swarm of winged ants! From the book "Little Black Ant on Park Street". You can order the book from Amazon
here. Thank you for visiting my blog.
By:
Kathleen Rietz,
on 1/20/2011
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You can now join the "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!" fan page on Facebook. Just click HERE, and the click the "Like" button at the top of the fan page. Post your stories about the book, photos of your child reading the book, your own stories about how cancer has touched the life of you, your child or a pet. I hope you enjoy this new way to interact with the publisher, author Sherry North, illustrator (me), and other fans of the book.
By:
Kathleen Rietz,
on 1/17/2011
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Two different illustrations for the topic "Chicken".
The first illustration is for the current children's book I am illustrating for Sylvan Dell, titled "Prairie Storms" (2011). It is a prairie chicken, also known as a prairie grouse.
The second is a coloring page I created, called"Chicken Dance".
Buy a copy of my children's book "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!" or "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" from Amazon and I will send you a FREE SIGNED book plate that you can affix inside the book for gift-giving. Just leave me a comment or send me a message, including the address you want the book plate sent to, and I will sign and send the book plate right out to you!
If you order any of the books I have illustrated (click the links on the right margin of this blog), I will personally sign a book plate and drop it in the mail to you in time for the holidays. I am working on book plate designs for "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids", "Little Black Ant on Park Street", and "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!", and will post examples after the weekend.
The earless lizard - definitely a modern day relative to the prehistoric dinosaurs.
I painted this illustration for an upcoming children's book, "Prairie Storms", coming in 2011 by Sylvan Dell Publishing.
Also, I just got word that my last illustrated book "Champ’s Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!" (written by Sherry North and published by Sylvan Dell) has been selected as a 2011 Teachers’ Choice Award for the Family winner!
This is the spread I created for the month of September in the upcoming picture book "Prairie Storms", by Sylvan Dell Publishing. The book is due for release in 2011. I am enjoying illustrating this book IMMENSELY!
After an especially eventful day for Champ and Cody, the pair was spent and ready for sleep.
(Illustration taken from the book I illustrated, "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!", available on Amazon.)
Finally! I have been wanting to show you the cover of the latest book I am illustrating for Sylvan Dell, titled "Prairie Storms". Here it is! Ta-daaaaa! It is due to be released in summer of 2011. I am currently illustrating the inside spreads. It has been such an interesting project to research. This past weekend I went on a photo excursion at the Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary near my home to photograph prairie plants, trees, the sky, etc. Each of the 12 spreads inside "Prairie Storms" will feature a different month, different animal, and different storm.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, Lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
This is my best selling print ever! Now you can buy a variety of items featuring my original Halloween art design at my Etsy shop online.
There are also fine art autumn giclees available of my watercolor art. Go take a look.
Since the release of my latest book "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!" last week, the response has been overwhelming. Check out this review I found today on Amazon.com. It made my day!
________
This review is from: Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too! (Hardcover)
I do wish there were more books of this ilk and this quality available for children.
For adults, "cancer" has become one of the most terrifying words in our language. Most adults have some understanding of this disease, and after the initial shock of the diagnosis, can rely on knowledge, maturity and practiced emotions to deal with it...on some level at least. Children on the other hand know from a very early age that fear is involved but so often do not know why. They not only have fear of something they know is "not good," but they also have a fear of the unknown, which is indeed just as traumatic.
The author, Sherry North has used the story of a young boy and his beloved pet dog to inform the younger set just what it is they are dealing with when cancer; either of a family member, loved one, friend or pet, enters their life.
Cody and his pet Champ are preparing for an agility show and Champ is running through her paces. While petting Champ, Cody discovers a lump on her side. Cody makes a good choice in telling Champ she needs to see a doctor. Cody knows there is something wrong.
The author and illustrator, Kathleen Rietz then take us upon a journey; a journey of a victim of cancer. From the visit to the doctor's office, testing and on to the diagnosis of cancer and the treatment, the reader follows step by step. The child learns what to expect and when to expect it. The young boy shows the typical emotions of a child in this situation; shares his thoughts with his friends, and above all, becomes Champ's caregiver. You can see the care and love radiating out form the illustrations and words.
The author has used straight forward simply language to tell a complex story. Her tone is matter of fact but extremely tender, loving and understanding throughout the entire work. There is nothing scary or heart wrenchingly sad about the story; it just explains in a very understandable way what a child might well face. Information will quite often take away a lot of fear and the author certainly supplies quite a lot of good and valid facts in a relatively short book. Truthfully, I was amazed at just how much information she was able to pack into so few pages.
The last four pages of the book are sort of a "cancer fact primer" for adults to use in teaching children of this subject. Facts are given so that the reader can understand just what cancer is, how it is treated, fa
"Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!" has been released and is available at Amazon.com. Watch for exciting interviews, reviews, and more info to be posted soon!
Hot in Chicago this weekend... :)
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Hey Kathleen that's wonderful news. The books look great congrats!