ICON 6

sketches from ICON6 illustrator's conference.

I can not recommend ICON enough.  This year's program included speakers from the fashion, fine art, book, and commercial worlds; as well as timely information on contracts, orphan works and PLUS.  I came home ready to work and thinking I need to spend way more time/effort improving my skills...so... to the drawing board.

GRANDMOTHER won the Colorado Book Award for Children's Literature

I am so pleased that GRANDMOTHER HAVE THE ANGELS COME? Has been awarded a Colorado Book Award for Children's Literature!  Not only did Denise and I both recieve a beautiful plaque and generous check, we also get book stickers!  I love book stickers!! Yay!

2010 Américas Book Award

GRANDMOTHER HAVE THE ANGELS COME? has been selected a 2010 Américas Book Award commended title. The award winners and commended titles are selected for their 1) distinctive literary quality; 2) cultural contextualization; 3) exceptional integration of text, illustration and design; and 4) potential for classroom use. Yay!!

The Américas Award is given in recognition of U.S. works of fiction, poetry, folklore, or selected non-fiction (from picture books to works for young adults) published in the previous year in English or Spanish that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States. By combining both and linking the Americas, the award reaches beyond geographic borders, as well as multicultural-international boundaries, focusing instead upon cultural heritages within the hemisphere. The award is sponsored by the national Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP), a United States Department of Education National Resource Center.



Here's Rene Colato Lainez Blog with full details and a list of the winners: http://labloga.blogspot.com/2010/06/2010-americas-book-award.html

GRANDMOTHER HAVE THE ANGELS COME? Wins CAL Award

GRANDMOTHER HAVE THE ANGELS COME? has won in its catagory at the Colorado Author's League (CAL) Awards.  The judge's comments:  "The topic of aging can be difficult to explain to a young child but is discussed here with sensitivity and great tenderness. The illustrations create a visual experience with the use of bold vibrant colors swirling across the pages. The love felt between the grandmother and her

granddaughter are well expressed not only in the text but visually through the illustrations. The text is rich in descriptive phrases that enhance the imagination and call up memories of a loved one: "...see your beauty reflected in the dewdrop on a flower", "savor flavors long on my tongue ", "stroke your cheeks in the light and in the darkness". This is a joyful book that reaffirms the beauty in living a long life and the love between generations."  Denise and I are both thrilled!   

Hope Haiti

Here's a video showing the organization that the 'tree of life' silent auction will support.  Please remember Haiti and please be generous with your bids.

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN WISCONSIN

I found out recently that 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN WISCONSIN is going into its SIXTH printing.  Woo Hoo!!  I'm totally excited.  I just wanted to send a special shout out to all my friends, family, and beloved cheeseheads in the great badger state and elsewhere for supporting and buying the book.  THANK YOU!

Tree of Life Silent Auction to Benefit Children in Haiti

Here's the image I'll be sending in for the benefit auction hosted by Ridge Art in Oak Park Il.  We were asked to create a piece if art depicting "The Tree of Life" a popular motif in Haitian art.  The Tree of Life exhibit and auction features the work of twenty children’s illustrators, each interpreting the theme in her or his unique, child-friendly style. The art will be sold at silent auction during the Oak Park Arts District’s annual “What’s Blooming” art walk on Friday, May 21, and Saturday, May 22, at Ridge Art, 21 Harrison Street, Oak Park. The exhibit and auction hours are Friday, 6-10 pm, and Saturday, 12-8 pm. All proceeds from the auction will go directly to the Art Creation Foundation for Children in Jacmel, Haiti.


Ridge Art specializes in Haitian Art. The owner, Laurie Beasley, travels to Haiti twice a year to purchase art for her gallery. She has stocked the gallery with new steel drum metal pieces depicting “The Tree of Life” to complement the auction and exhibit.
Ridge Art - Hours & Location:

Thursdays and Fridays from 12:00 p.m. – 6 p.m., Saturdays from 12:00 noon – 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and by appointment. The gallery stays open until 9 p.m. the third Friday of every month while it participates in Third Friday Art Walks in the Oak Park Arts District. The gallery is located one block north of the Austin I-290 exit (Austin & Harrison) and is accessible by public transportation from the Austin exit of the Forest Park Blue Line.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Laurie Beasley at 708-601-9071
Owner
Ridge Art
21 Harrison Street (in “Oak Park’s Arts District”)
Oak Park, IL 60304
708-848-4062
Toll-free 1-888-269-0693

ridgeart@comcast.net

www.ridgeart.com