Thursday, July 22, 2010

Up, Up and Away


I've done a few things in the past, from theatrical set designer and muralist  to Montessori teacher... but always in the background I pursued illustration. Not always as diligently I wanted to... but always trying to learn more and hone my skills.
Now that I have the ability to work at my craft full time, I'm trying to step up the promotional send outs to one every other month. Hopefully the persistence and crossed fingers pays off in the end! So that's what I've devoted this year to.... holding up my hand, waving my flag, Ill even dance if need be..... OK I have two left feet so that won't work!

This is the next one in the lineup! Up, up and away!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Back When We Were New

After reading Kate's insightful post I got to thinking about how we all came to be here as a group.  The
PICTURE BOOKIES GROUP
was started by three artists who had a vision of a lifetime of creating art for children's books. Sherry Rogers, Ginger Nielson and Amy Moreno got together and formed the core of a group that has now grown to 12 talented and dedicated children's book Illustrators.  It was just about this time in 2006 that the group created a website with images, interviews and bio pages for the core and 5 more artists.

Since that time we have changed a bit, grown some, and seen successes on many levels.  The group that inhabits this space today is a team of individuals who are still dedicated to their craft. The goal is the same, to inspire and motivate children to love and read books for life.  The illustrations we create are meant to expand the pleasure of the journey and enrich the written word with treasures for the mind.

Weather creating in a traditional, digital, or something of a hybird media,  each artist brings a special gift to the children who read and enjoy our books.  So today ~

So today ~    HAPPY BIRTHDAY PICTURE BOOKIES


Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Your Stand-out Moment

Hi Picture Bookies! This morning, as I work on my 4th picture book in less than 2 years, I am thinking back on my other books and my career as a children's book illustrator, and my favorite "stand-out" moments. As you may relate, illustrating a children's book is not a job as much as a journey. As artists, we give ourselves as we give our art, and lend our talents to a story in a way that is unique from any other artist.

So as I am reminiscing, certain "stand-out" moments come to mind, moments I am proud of or made me especially happy to be a picture book illustrator.

One of those moments was when I finished "The ABCs of yoga for Kids" and flew to CA for 2 book signings and a school visit. I was so proud! I felt as though I had accomplished something. Kids have been amazingly receptive to the book, and it has won 6 awards now. Every time I have ever handed the book to a child - even a child who is not old enough to read - I see them delight in trying out the poses they see illustrated in my book. they love pretending that they are frogs, dolphins, warriors...and I feel my job is done! You see, I grew up in a chaotic environment, and my "safe place" was found in the pages of my favorite children's book illustrations. Even before I could read, the pictures inside books sucked me in. I remember "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Patchwork Elephant" were two books that deeply engaged me and helped the world make sense to me. I don't know that "The ABCs of yoga for Kids" has the same exact meaning for kids that my favorite books meant to me as a kid, but in this age of video games, electronic over-stimulation and texting, I think that any book that can evoke a kid play an active role in "pretending" is accomplishing something grand! I am so grateful I was chosen to be a part of that experience.

The other "stand-out" moments for me have been choosing the people to whom I want to dedicate my books. That is an important decision, I think, a chance to publicly thank and acknowledge the people who have propelled me toward where I am today, played an important part in my past or my present, or offered support and guidance. I dedicated "Little Black Ant on Park Street" to my mother, who gave me a love for art, nature and God. I would not be the artist I am today if not for her influence.

What are your "stand-out" moments as a children's book illustrator?

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Sneak Peek to my next book!

Here is a sneak peek inside my next book, Stork Musters& Critter Clusters...

A cloud of grasshoppers rode noisy choppers.

This is book 2 in a set of 3 of the Critter Series.
Book 1 was released in January, Lemur Troops & Critter Groups, can
be purchased via 4RV Publishing's site, Amazon or Barnes and Noble.com.

If you use Facebook to keep in touch with what your friends are doing,
I would like to invite you to stop by my fan page, Nikki Boetger Illustrations!

Enjoy!!!