tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23031511400167178312024-03-11T21:51:11.139-07:00Claudia's Illustration BlogClaudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.comBlogger399125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-41381007071716930912018-08-09T13:23:00.004-07:002018-08-09T13:23:55.738-07:00Post Post Okay, it is painfully obvious that I don't write in my blog anymore. And although I tried to reinstate the practice last year, my follow through was lousy. It is a shame. I used to enjoy recording of my industry here, even if I didn't have a large audience of readers. And as I re-read some of the past entries, I am humbled that indeed, work did get done in my studio (and rest assured, still continues to do so!).<br />
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Different platforms of social media have won over. Please visit me on Instagram (claudia.mcgehee) or Facebook (Claudia McGehee Illustration) for more current postings! And thank you for stopping by, then and now.<br />
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<br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-441113485561156722017-10-11T13:18:00.003-07:002017-10-11T14:22:30.269-07:00Fall greetings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1LaCQG5kvS8ywPtFK5JFSO8BM2iwh0JYMOUZ6cZnMfYDrhnj8-NWf3rQIjdoYd1SKQnBnX9DSbfcrQkHf16puXftRbRjYdbrOJwwXrKykzQYWatQrX6iLcEh0OrTKP8IX-mg1skiNQ2j/s1600/Oaknoll+final+fall.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvMhUxJQMkMptm2-zL8g5bST9maVNZGPb6cLHmmA-CYaQN1BCGa0JxsVqiDxVsjbfvrL7WoNE-9N1lJ-Y6M47gcHK0ITY3gpROHlz0ZsFnfSjoZNG8uLjQ40Zo3QoqyuOMNzpvhhBuWQJ/s1600/Oaknoll+final+fall+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyVQ5JLC2oTOmaiajht37WWMfyF69Jq5CZ4XGrM9L0G0teEG3Hhmu9vFDevsRC0c51V4K6fBvQPKYydUz3SbgBW71iXmtbyYUrIx_arxtN4AKjcMZ38CtDjePB23q3PqCMDgj9mu1zTkB/s1600/Oaknoll+final+fall+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyVQ5JLC2oTOmaiajht37WWMfyF69Jq5CZ4XGrM9L0G0teEG3Hhmu9vFDevsRC0c51V4K6fBvQPKYydUz3SbgBW71iXmtbyYUrIx_arxtN4AKjcMZ38CtDjePB23q3PqCMDgj9mu1zTkB/s640/Oaknoll+final+fall+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-87920781552334444322017-09-21T13:19:00.002-07:002017-09-21T13:19:09.127-07:00Orchard Days<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbju62e2VGAYrjSKvlEhVGGOyA79ymECT-FMX1Mwc_z3t5C0RlGI77LooKTEODNFEw7IHXCz0tR1whZXdO9bGApbH7jtvgEWFHDvtVCkzXmnJ2OyHgkwghnV79q_3hKQvl9dbXxUDDhI_/s1600/Wilson%2527s+Orchard+for+etsy-.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="623" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbju62e2VGAYrjSKvlEhVGGOyA79ymECT-FMX1Mwc_z3t5C0RlGI77LooKTEODNFEw7IHXCz0tR1whZXdO9bGApbH7jtvgEWFHDvtVCkzXmnJ2OyHgkwghnV79q_3hKQvl9dbXxUDDhI_/s640/Wilson%2527s+Orchard+for+etsy-.jpg" width="640" /></a>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-20850313215593794862017-08-29T07:47:00.001-07:002017-08-29T07:47:17.732-07:00for Texas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKxv1OQawjtUAwCJwqt7YA5lPnBiDitabScftfC5Rz5hgTszYtYlHzz2NEqQeUZN3szZg-A7lPLOCpbpjSAC0TJDPUZoVCsTj5U_95nsBYmiyhzYZgoazCEtpTcseu92VcrNV4bvAXww3/s1600/yellow+rose.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKxv1OQawjtUAwCJwqt7YA5lPnBiDitabScftfC5Rz5hgTszYtYlHzz2NEqQeUZN3szZg-A7lPLOCpbpjSAC0TJDPUZoVCsTj5U_95nsBYmiyhzYZgoazCEtpTcseu92VcrNV4bvAXww3/s640/yellow+rose.jpg" width="640" /></a>Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-78445153723320519992017-08-02T11:43:00.002-07:002017-08-02T11:48:39.083-07:00What's in season?Life flies by like a shooting star through an inky night sky...<br />
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On this warm August afternoon, I am trying to keep to my "to do'" list, one being update my website! I caught up my content and decided to check out my neglected blog. Such a great place to write long, wax poetic, record observations, and share inspirations. I miss it. I'm re-dedicating to twice a week offerings, to see if posting adds to my production. The more mindful of belonging to a community of bloggers and readers, artists and learners, book lovers and creators, illustrators and writers, the more I may produce. At least I will once again have a more detailed record of my studio time. We shall see how this goes.<br />
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Back to the drawing board, today I am changing a summer scene into a fall one for a client who has a seasonal advertisement I update. It occurs to me that I like to illustrate subjects in nature best when they are currently in season. Being able to pick a coloring leaf or ripened blackberry to study makes the drawing more vibrant. Like eating fruit and veg during its real growing season just tastes better (we just had our first Iowa corn fest last night and the flavor was astounding). Not always is this practical- I've illustrated many a summer prairie for a deadline in January!- but when I can, it feels nice.<br />
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<br />
Summer....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUNb4pf7-94SEPHbhnymGz7UqeAePF-EnRH2srcFPGHysqztEHwAo5fPZRn4aL_pRCtnHSCmoWZLahNn2M05YoxKVDETA0DVTDFrgwcQdjMepU73O5MRYNT-nhiZmdYIZYt_Vyth5_Y3G/s1600/Oakknoll+tree+colored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1600" height="493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUNb4pf7-94SEPHbhnymGz7UqeAePF-EnRH2srcFPGHysqztEHwAo5fPZRn4aL_pRCtnHSCmoWZLahNn2M05YoxKVDETA0DVTDFrgwcQdjMepU73O5MRYNT-nhiZmdYIZYt_Vyth5_Y3G/s640/Oakknoll+tree+colored.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-84299072435610669962017-02-20T16:37:00.000-08:002017-08-02T11:49:14.925-07:00A creek story is born, word by word, picture by picture...<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Although the finished art and final story edits whizzed off to the
printers long ago, "Creekfinding", written by my pal Jacqueline
Briggs Martin, is just starting to hit the shelves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
Holding a book you've been part of creating for the first time makes me feel
like a proud parent. An entity that came together one element at a time- word
by word, picture by picture, page by page- is now whole. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
The magic of a picture book lies in its joint creation. From separate wells of
creativity, the author and illustrator create in a wondrously woven process.
One person's work does not exist without the others and yet, together a story
is born.. . I love how enthusiastic readers confirm a successful match!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Australian Children's Book of the Year Award Committee
annually honors author and illustrator jointly for one single
book: “The award [is] made to outstanding books of the Picture Book genre
in which the author and illustrator achieve artistic and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>literary unity..." </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I love this. “Literary Unity” is a good way to put what most
picture book teams aspire towards (and somewhat easier to achieve when you are
both author/illustrator!). If a picture book has a different author and
illustrator, the process is more complex, yet rich and rewarding. The words do
come first, but as smooth as a baton exchange in a foot race, the story then
transfers and expands from the words to the pictures. In the
end, good words and good pictures should tell a story that comes together
harmoniously over the finish line. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt;">A picture book manuscript may take years on and off to write, but
the illustrator lives quite intensely, immersed for many consecutive months
producing the pictures. The amount of detail to the story-line decided by an
illustrator (visual setting and character placements, pacing, actual page
lay-out ) is it’s own act of creation. I can attest that when the illustrations
are complete, the parental feeling about the story is as strong for the
illustrator as it is for the writer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So happy birthday to our book, word by word, picture by picture,
page by page.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7HErEhv1LyjHL8EHPlsbdpdAr0AJv9M0mirjPXRuuVCuObzul44FndgHTEKF6jmQBYfWYv3-C27nOaf-dldmefA7FDbyBvndP4fZi7gNsO4DF575v4ua36H_V-s0Vxov2OIiQN91I57M/s1600/Creekfinding+cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7HErEhv1LyjHL8EHPlsbdpdAr0AJv9M0mirjPXRuuVCuObzul44FndgHTEKF6jmQBYfWYv3-C27nOaf-dldmefA7FDbyBvndP4fZi7gNsO4DF575v4ua36H_V-s0Vxov2OIiQN91I57M/s400/Creekfinding+cover.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-84809252408217157022016-10-19T14:33:00.003-07:002016-10-19T14:33:22.484-07:00Early Bird<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FJPXPdrIHreBLbZCi1BO_Q39NJDIc1fcR4BizHYvjE0nu3bwCJAH1uU6F8nhLQ4gKTwEtGjVP3XojbvA8L0LmrafowjGg1-rmpnXTLt7311HPJI522sAPkwpQeTXfktuRQigN_yNrxzK/s1600/i+voted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FJPXPdrIHreBLbZCi1BO_Q39NJDIc1fcR4BizHYvjE0nu3bwCJAH1uU6F8nhLQ4gKTwEtGjVP3XojbvA8L0LmrafowjGg1-rmpnXTLt7311HPJI522sAPkwpQeTXfktuRQigN_yNrxzK/s640/i+voted.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-73418927784705875732016-10-10T09:23:00.006-07:002016-10-10T09:31:53.445-07:00A museum, an artist and an osprey<br />
Last summer, I was busy thinking up sketches for "Creekfinding", my latest picture book written by Jackie Briggs Martin, due out next spring. Jackie's first words told about a place in time, before written language, that formed her story's location.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style";">How does a
creek get lost? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style";">especially a creek
that started long ago,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style";">with a spring that burbled out of the
ground,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style";">and tumbled itself across a prairie
valley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
The words felt "epic" to me, hinting of the quiet geographic and geologic drama that unfolded slowly over millennia. My illustrative thoughts went cinematic; an aerial layout for this opening spread came to mind. I pictured immediately a grand bird's eye-view of this lush land. Maybe the viewer could be above the bird- what a vantage!<br />
<br />
What kind of bird would I use? One that would be appropriate habitat-wise for the setting. An eagle, perhaps? Eagles are certainly seen in this kind of area, but perhaps too predictable. An osprey, I had not drawn. They are magnificent. That's what I settled on, although I was not familiar their ways or plumage at all.<br />
<br />
I love natural history museums and we have such a good local one in the University of Iowa's Museum of Natural History. I've sung it's praises before, but it truly is the best place to research birds and animals, and that's where I go when I want authenticity on illustration detail. I emailed the collections person and she said they had several stuffed Osprey specimens and some "skins" (feathers and body shape preserved) that I could look at.<br />
<br />
I made an appointment at the museum and tucked my sketchbook under my arm. The museum staff was ready in the lab, with several Osprey specimens "flown in" from their archived perches, eager to meet me!<br />
<br />
It is a gift to look at a bird up close. Even when that individual is long gone (some of these specimens in the collections are over 100 years old), I still marvel at the privilege. Osprey are lovely, with speckled lighter heads and banks and banks of walnut brown body feathers nestled tightly together in impossible precision. The talons speak of their strength and beauty. Shiny amber eyes once detected the slightest movement from miles below. As I drew a few details and recorded some features, I felt I was adding to this creature's original story by my interpretation of his earthly remains. There would be lift to his wings again, spread to full span, and he would scan above the driftless valley, as he did long ago, in search of a tasty trout lunch.<br />
<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;">https://mnh.uiowa.edu/</span><br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuhaJO4JMPwHzMC26dB1Tcvkgbqlu8AufwWH9ZZmhr4-3I-sy_seP-ewX__an3B6aoM1K17GNoLiEb5A66pJm0q0wPDbOqJsGgJVcgBWrKFv6MMkrv18NQFmY6xhlIP82PAcroB2NuiRW/s1600/IMG_1160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuhaJO4JMPwHzMC26dB1Tcvkgbqlu8AufwWH9ZZmhr4-3I-sy_seP-ewX__an3B6aoM1K17GNoLiEb5A66pJm0q0wPDbOqJsGgJVcgBWrKFv6MMkrv18NQFmY6xhlIP82PAcroB2NuiRW/s640/IMG_1160.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f6ebeED6Oo9__qJ482HAnOXpjVp9aCLLuLvaTpXZ5Zwh22VN0lpytjbonDSDJrNLi5RWbfnURFCXbKC_S2pm198gse8_legR0epjUhMmZlm8Q_8A4FXOnPQRgU9-57Oatqior5x_okKq/s1600/IMG_1157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f6ebeED6Oo9__qJ482HAnOXpjVp9aCLLuLvaTpXZ5Zwh22VN0lpytjbonDSDJrNLi5RWbfnURFCXbKC_S2pm198gse8_legR0epjUhMmZlm8Q_8A4FXOnPQRgU9-57Oatqior5x_okKq/s320/IMG_1157.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the University of Iowa's bird collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufNHPtGCWTTANMMObawp7gG6cudy4wOCACSRR14HF_SAQxOKfui7Wo2l5xRQl814VmWZ1M1lppxNAEXZi2BpRObTBa2Afz1SYNksfop6Qk3nquE4He8q9J0oVu1jP9mH_M_Nz38wk_X9z/s1600/IMG_1178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufNHPtGCWTTANMMObawp7gG6cudy4wOCACSRR14HF_SAQxOKfui7Wo2l5xRQl814VmWZ1M1lppxNAEXZi2BpRObTBa2Afz1SYNksfop6Qk3nquE4He8q9J0oVu1jP9mH_M_Nz38wk_X9z/s320/IMG_1178.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqbSLzDDrojmrNPNnMW7W26gDE_qBFI0ERI10RjjvlZKOqzovtLopQlQ6bRkyx6Scia3aJlXD6B3YlmzBS0Xnuk4qOko9c0WWhBEAfoY_wlM6zqNUwnUT25EB6p8Ju5AHNG3H4O8UJh4L/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqbSLzDDrojmrNPNnMW7W26gDE_qBFI0ERI10RjjvlZKOqzovtLopQlQ6bRkyx6Scia3aJlXD6B3YlmzBS0Xnuk4qOko9c0WWhBEAfoY_wlM6zqNUwnUT25EB6p8Ju5AHNG3H4O8UJh4L/s320/IMG_1155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-70525990742623499342016-07-29T15:37:00.002-07:002016-07-29T15:41:14.741-07:00Self portrait of a busy illustrator!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ60rtwc9ADoJovOiS0TZJG6r1PUAnDv_grfY31Sh-Bu7fTgEUEBFiOW5ghTJrWvG7F9D39fhyphenhyphenpJebqaMccIeSMudzWqW6tpgr1rm_tITyyolHIKzFSTeo58QjfGxBH13YATI-MdFZ2i0p/s1600/8462WYB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ60rtwc9ADoJovOiS0TZJG6r1PUAnDv_grfY31Sh-Bu7fTgEUEBFiOW5ghTJrWvG7F9D39fhyphenhyphenpJebqaMccIeSMudzWqW6tpgr1rm_tITyyolHIKzFSTeo58QjfGxBH13YATI-MdFZ2i0p/s640/8462WYB.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I AM still here! I compose blog posts in my head all the time, but getting thought to keyboard hard to commence. Life is full and I am working well, yet this year has driven my creative energies in many different directions. This photo was created at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art. An inviting space with a light table and simple instructions allowed me to create this piece, this Me, fragmented yet content! Maybe an artist needs to have her art-making time challenged in order to more appreciate her place. And perhaps it also helps her to get to another level of image making.<br />
Know that one of my favorite moments is realizing <br />
I have all day to make art.<br />
Another favorite moment is sharing art with others. <br />
Hopefully, these two favorites will intersect more often.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-28668055539886658112016-05-10T09:57:00.001-07:002016-05-10T09:57:11.755-07:00Happy New Year's, NatureA long absence here on my blog reflects a very hectic spring. A culmination of many good things- including three picture book contracts in two years- have left me a bit fractured to write. But while it seems like the endless marathon at times, projects do end. I love finishing up a long commitment and, like the light of dawn, new opportunities begin to become illuminated.<br />
<br />
I'll be picking up the studio and putting order back into a few areas of life. Meanwhile, cheers to the spring, nature's New Year!<br />
<br />
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<br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-3674789808316108112016-02-29T15:14:00.000-08:002016-02-29T15:18:10.292-08:00Snowflakes and sunThis month, while the snow fell outside, my drawing board transported me back to the July sun and a visit to the site of my on-going picture book project, "Creekfinding" (passionately written by my good pal Jackie Briggs Martin).<br />
<br />
It was hotter than heck on that mid-summer day. My husband and I stopped for quick directions to "Prairie Song Farm" in Allamakee County, IA. The farm is located in the tippy-top northeastern corner of the state, or the "The Driftless Area" as it is referred to, due to some unique geological characteristics. Dusty farm roads and sparkling creeks bordered the property's swaths of green prairie and field. Brook Creek, a small but significant waterway, snakes through the acreage. It is the subject of the book's story.<br />
<br />
When at all possible, it is golden to actually visit the places where your non-fiction book projects are set. Not only being able to take some solid reference photos, just standing and listening to the land is invaluable. It helps create a relationship between me and the subject matter. Because an illustrator lives with a book for many many months, forming a bond early is helpful! And turns the snowflakes outside into black-eyed Susans in my illustrations.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flora by the creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gFfuMDYFy6a3sozyFJwNWMVr9R0Uo93QpQrSdKJO4P40dXktO-4gfVgPZRZ6aH7haPLGOeaF-2c4Fq-DsVUAMsjoMJ_RiWZv-y5ioO3shRXEMT5yFdYnlaYiV_KLi1VcvPERNVF1bdIQ/s1600/IMG_9323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gFfuMDYFy6a3sozyFJwNWMVr9R0Uo93QpQrSdKJO4P40dXktO-4gfVgPZRZ6aH7haPLGOeaF-2c4Fq-DsVUAMsjoMJ_RiWZv-y5ioO3shRXEMT5yFdYnlaYiV_KLi1VcvPERNVF1bdIQ/s400/IMG_9323.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yours truly on the prairie</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cgu6eU8fvT5alea2G89_SnpAotYMk_KrVsNIfi7_4RIsWuvLpqsAvFQg5bPIzU4SXaN3K9Tp8mzYYt0YzJqEHqloIdf3LETTyDtn5E90aVB4D-Q7xFtG_56HsDEKPgn4LOfaB3X3dWCi/s1600/IMG_9148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cgu6eU8fvT5alea2G89_SnpAotYMk_KrVsNIfi7_4RIsWuvLpqsAvFQg5bPIzU4SXaN3K9Tp8mzYYt0YzJqEHqloIdf3LETTyDtn5E90aVB4D-Q7xFtG_56HsDEKPgn4LOfaB3X3dWCi/s320/IMG_9148.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bug's eye view, creek-side.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNr74e4VhPuhYXYEbZUzWBV7sAzIF-nVH8-7_A83AzkPJxtXZLcI0MjJMtHPEm2C_OUQzsYTnYYkFsYNRyVEkLAk8icC6pi4wOyuRWb5KhjkwzVAkKQ4YORSf4iSFuZ0LV-JUmULwcyLii/s1600/IMG_1202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNr74e4VhPuhYXYEbZUzWBV7sAzIF-nVH8-7_A83AzkPJxtXZLcI0MjJMtHPEm2C_OUQzsYTnYYkFsYNRyVEkLAk8icC6pi4wOyuRWb5KhjkwzVAkKQ4YORSf4iSFuZ0LV-JUmULwcyLii/s320/IMG_1202.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transferring impressions of the day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_416260547"></span><span id="goog_416260548"></span><br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-11929582903793755972016-02-03T17:31:00.004-08:002016-02-04T07:12:49.146-08:00Cozy: Illustrations of Comfort<div>
<br /></div>
I have a pop-up, one-evening-only exhibit at a local gallery venue this Friday. "First Friday" is sponsored by the University of Iowa Museum of Art. They invited me to present an informal little collection of works around a theme. I chose "Cozy", as many of my winter pieces embrace this feeling.<br />
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The Danish embrace a concept called “Hyyge” (pronounced “HU-ga”).
It loosely means an experience that gives us a feeling of social coziness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sitting in Iowa City’s Java House, with your
hands wrapped around a steaming hot latte and chatting with good friends, as it
gently snows outside? That’s hyyge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lounging back in soft comfy chairs at FilmScene,
watching the latest Oscar Shorts? Hyyge. Drinking wine and viewing an art show
on a chilly evening? That’s hyyge, too! Hyyge has to do with ordinary comforts
elevating our daily lives, in small but pleasurable ways. Often, winters
elements enhance hyyge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Cozy is hyyge’s English word cousin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Capturing scenes of Cozy is a fine challenge
for an illustrator. The colder season brings a unique sense to an illustrator’s
palette that highlights cozy elements of our world; soft natural light, fire-side
glow, plush fabrics, warm drinks and cuddly animals. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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The images presented at the exhibit have achieved a feeling of coziness
for many viewers. They were created for various applications in the commercial
art and published book world, and also for my own enjoyment. May they give you a
window into my sense of hyyge and coziness.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://uima.uiowa.edu/events/first-friday-february-2016/">https://uima.uiowa.edu/events/first-friday-february-2016/</a></div>
</div>
Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-77155184144948772372016-01-31T15:11:00.002-08:002016-02-07T13:09:13.558-08:00The Tale of January<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm closing a door on January today. I always look forward to it's promise of new starts. This year however,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> it </span>was a tough month, as I worked through a
book deadline, had to get a tooth crowned and also succumbed to some respiratory nastiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a freelancer, you would think it's an easy decision to languish in bed and nurse a cold. No boss to check in with, right? I'm the boss! True enough,
but it is also true that I am solely responsible for work completed. When
I’m sick, the work still has to get done. It is more common to find me down in the studio, stooped over the
keyboard, coughing and sneezing, with a mug of Throat-Coat in hand, rather than snuggled under the covers! Being sick
is no fun at all, but the show must go on.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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One of my favorite Beatrix Potter titles, “The Tailor of
Gloucester”, published in 1902, takes a fantasy of many a freelancer, and runs with it. It's the story of a poor tailor who eeks a humble living, then finally
receives a grand commission- a fancy waistcoat for the wedding of the Mayor of
Gloucester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon after the commission, the tailor
falls ill and becomes bed-ridden. He is too sick to sew. It looks like the coat will not be finished
for the mayor. But, all is not lost in Beatrix Potter's world of animal friends around every corner. The mice that live in the tailor's studio take pity on him, and
while the tailor lies sick in bed, they take it upon themselves to finish the waistcoat. A happy ending, as the tailor expects to be ruined by the unfinished work,
but instead, upon returning to his shop after he recovers, discovers the coat,
exquisitely completed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, how I wish I could train mice to finish up projects for
me in times of illness! And I certainly know a few cats (and squirrels) that owe me, too!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjij9GtgUYC_tNQYIyeJ19t0qnRmUnRLxVHWxXKxEnc7Ry-AL_Vl6Jf5WteOPBQ4W0H3ACcIJtMfubW8vZ7FxMNUHMxyih3GP_bvsfhJrL5KYovo6pcZ2PafC_s42Wcf7v2zYKnVY_df9Nw/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjij9GtgUYC_tNQYIyeJ19t0qnRmUnRLxVHWxXKxEnc7Ry-AL_Vl6Jf5WteOPBQ4W0H3ACcIJtMfubW8vZ7FxMNUHMxyih3GP_bvsfhJrL5KYovo6pcZ2PafC_s42Wcf7v2zYKnVY_df9Nw/s400/IMG_1106.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tailor becomes ill...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mice, who the tailor has been kind to, set about and finish the sick tailor's work</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mice do a splendid job and the tailor goes on to be successful ever after.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My drawing board, with its permanent kleenex fixture</td></tr>
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Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-91037958736904164252016-01-05T07:54:00.003-08:002016-02-07T13:08:25.842-08:00Hunting for BruegelAs the sun fell across our yard late yesterday afternoon, the bare tree limbs and sky color made me think of a long-ago love, Pieter Bruegel the Elder. An early morning college art history class on Northern European painters was worth getting up for, especially to view the works of Bruegel.<br />
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"Hunters in the Snow" (1565) was one of six paintings Bruegel was commissioned to paint with a distinct seasonal theme*. This is early winter. I love the vantage we see from the hill crest. I love the tired dogs, the color of the sky, the woman crossing the bridge with her load of sticks. I especially love the soaring bird that leads my eye like an arrow to the village scene below. As one art historian put it, "It is a landscape warmed by the human inhabitants." It is indeed a meaningful visual record of life in winter, particularly for those of us who experience this snowy, cold season. I am warmed by the fact that one painter's work calls to this Iowan (and many others!) 451 years later.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8T32_HGsRLa4M8ulMUko4XnPGfQrNdlwYU5J3kbtygrJPixt5owzIrnOlXMo_vAWlcEV-dHprm3-zF5N6N4jK15980EtRZ1B-KX3Uwh0VzZpstz_K7tKvsR2LRgrQbJXfZYttHH8dh6sv/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYkASMpEvEsQJXV8I3EPpFFsk_PBhKgtpOPpcrWHJDWIen_7l7sb3Lzd4DUNgvFiXUvTwbDfdz5HpmfsMfTtlsML15400uzSIGw90svhy9bSkk5Tv6OhC90YKRfWHi25q1cdEE-qpgtwM/s1600/IMG_0909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8T32_HGsRLa4M8ulMUko4XnPGfQrNdlwYU5J3kbtygrJPixt5owzIrnOlXMo_vAWlcEV-dHprm3-zF5N6N4jK15980EtRZ1B-KX3Uwh0VzZpstz_K7tKvsR2LRgrQbJXfZYttHH8dh6sv/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8T32_HGsRLa4M8ulMUko4XnPGfQrNdlwYU5J3kbtygrJPixt5owzIrnOlXMo_vAWlcEV-dHprm3-zF5N6N4jK15980EtRZ1B-KX3Uwh0VzZpstz_K7tKvsR2LRgrQbJXfZYttHH8dh6sv/s640/unnamed.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuD7n4LpP5A8ThktRJONTzweQaaqtZuMGyu9ij5bgcDnSKxNPg5sQr4gaaN-wD97QXoXuw8DXnFoPvdJZEegOSMPE5bVDZ964UnDA8pCcXKnNSRs4cRF_HbokKKjBMpU9cuoFFK_HbwjH/s1600/IMG_0937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuD7n4LpP5A8ThktRJONTzweQaaqtZuMGyu9ij5bgcDnSKxNPg5sQr4gaaN-wD97QXoXuw8DXnFoPvdJZEegOSMPE5bVDZ964UnDA8pCcXKnNSRs4cRF_HbokKKjBMpU9cuoFFK_HbwjH/s400/IMG_0937.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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*Five of the six seasonal paintings survive- a late spring piece is missing (isn't that wonderfully tantalizing?! Maybe it will one day be discovered, secreted in some country barn, under the hay bales, in perfect condition...)Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-30178810858659157582016-01-01T12:07:00.003-08:002016-01-01T12:07:50.947-08:00A New Year, Post Haste!<br />
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I found myself a very busy illustrator the last three months and hope that 2016 unfolds at a more manageable speed. Today, some focused attention on home and work, blanketed by family love, and a snowy scene outside the windows.<br />
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To the next twelve months! May they be full of activity and inspiration, with time for rest and contemplation.Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-29608518917846729232015-08-31T10:24:00.000-07:002016-01-05T14:39:14.394-08:00Once upon a time...the art of reading a picture bookThis summer I read aloud "My Wilderness" to many groups of children. It is always the last part of my children's program presented at each sitting. This simple act, of reading my own picture book to a living, breathing audience, makes a great and personal impact. In one neat and tidy seven minute interlude, it boils down why I write and create books for children. It's me, the book, the child, and imagination. Period. In fact, I don't believe a book is fully alive until the author reads it aloud herself to kids. The act of reading, and being read to, has to be one of the top most human experiences.<br />
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Reading out loud however is not as easy as I assumed. Here's some practical advice on reading to kids as a picture book author.<br />
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<b>1. The Established Storytime Hour</b><br />
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Many storytimes I read at are scheduled, weekly event slots in book stores or libraries. This is great for good attendance, but these audiences tend to be a wide age-range. Scanning the crowd a few minutes before reading helps me to define the medium age and if I'll need to paraphrase some of my text. I want everyone to get something from the reading if I can. I don't want to dumb-down my work but when the group is mostly wriggly toddlers, it pays to keep it short and sweet and let the pictures do most of the talking.<br />
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<b>2. Let's get physical! </b><br />
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I had eyes like an eagle until a few years ago, but now I succomb to wearing glasses when reading. I realized at one of my first storytimes how difficult it is to read out loud while holding a book for the audience to see, especially wearing bi-focals. The words tend to blur out at this side-ways on angle! I felt like a flamingo bird trying to bend my neck to ensure the book could be seen but I could still read! I've now memorized more of the longer stretches of text, which helped improve my timing and expression and frees me from having to look at the book as much. It is also note-worthy to say practicing reading aloud is beneficial.<br />
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<b>3. Props to you</b><br />
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I've alway been on the shy side regarding public presentations, so I enjoy a good prop or two to hide behind! Revelent objects to share help me and the story gain connection with the kids before I read. For "My Wilderness", a "real" Squirlie (the beloved stuffed animal in the story that I have a replica of), accompanies me to help illuminate my words and my research process.<br />
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<b>4. Know Thy Own Work</b><br />
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Every picture book is different of course, but assessing what particular book you've created in audible terms is worth contemplating before reading (even before writing!). "My Wilderness" is historical fiction, rather long (about 1000 words) for a picture book, but narrative in flow, with several "suspense" page turns. I now anticipate what I've indentified as the "good spots" of the book at each reading. The kids always love the question-answer page turns, where Rocky "sees" potential dangers that turn out for the best. Kids also predicably love the "naked" page, where the characters run out <i>sans clothes</i> to bathe in snow! I also get a surprising reaction when I read the page about a pair of ladie's boots Rocky had to wear out of necessity. One young man defended Rocky quite indignantly at one reading, calling out to me "Well, they were the ONLY boots he had!!!".<br />
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I loved that moment. Rocky had made a friend in the front row.<br />
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<b>4. Relax!</b><br />
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There can be an awful lot going on in a 20 minute program for kids; potty breaks, melt downs, severe cases of the wiggles, complete and utter boredom, even parental indiscretions (cell phone use or talking!). All can distract from the cozy reading experience I had in mind. Go with the flow. I'm always amazed at what kids will pipe up and share about the story afterward that remind me that my young audience is used to absorbing through white noise. Just do your job and have fun even if it gets rowdy!<br />
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With every reading, I learn something about myself, my work and children as readers. It has opened my eyes to how stories are absorbed. It makes me hungry to create more stories. It makes me hungry to hear them, too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-sKjdjZDTs-sS_nEadqOrxSkJbCi08TbB3eETk8abi6u-uueAcmpgHMbxVfhbKTjXSHevJ6UsdsEh-ecdObbrV-CB5pE0t-3q-fp3xqD0qSFmPnN50XjzmfAvLq7lZkk_3-QzV7zhNCn/s1600/IMG_9832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-sKjdjZDTs-sS_nEadqOrxSkJbCi08TbB3eETk8abi6u-uueAcmpgHMbxVfhbKTjXSHevJ6UsdsEh-ecdObbrV-CB5pE0t-3q-fp3xqD0qSFmPnN50XjzmfAvLq7lZkk_3-QzV7zhNCn/s400/IMG_9832.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From "My Wilderness".</td></tr>
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<br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-62893246362214508422015-06-15T14:36:00.000-07:002015-06-15T14:37:25.052-07:00My Wilderness takes a tour!If you're in Seattle or around the Anchorage area, please stop by one of the venues listed below. I'd love to meet you!<br />
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<br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-51666381222591801882015-06-09T12:32:00.002-07:002016-02-04T07:16:09.958-08:00Growing booksCrazy summer days... not my favorite studio time. I'm distracted by my garden and the in-and-out vacation schedules. But work continues to flow and deadlines get accomplished along with staking up iris and sowing sunflowers and seeing new places and connecting with family.<br />
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Sometimes, publishing timing gets a little crazy, too. I have one book I'm currently promoting (<b>My Wilderness, An Alaska Adventure</b>/ Sasquatch), one book at the printers (<b>North Woods Girl</b>/ by Aimée Bissonette, Minnesota Historic Society Press) but poised for fall release, and another book (<b>Creekfinding</b>/ by Jackie Briggs Martin, University of Minnesota) to work on. That's three book-kids that need different sorts of attention any given day!<br />
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<b>North Woods Girl</b> is pretty quiet right now. What's done is done, on my part. I can't wait for people to see and read it. The subject is lovingly written and demonstrates the bonding power of nature, a continual theme through my own art work. I'm proud of this one.<br />
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<b>Creekfinding</b> is in the early stages of sketching. Such a heady time, as I try and express this fine story of environmental restoration through my illustration. At sketch stage, I often feel lost and agitated, then suddenly seeing the light and having the pages start to feel cohesive. It is both exciting and frustrating, as most creative processes feel.<br />
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<b>My Wilderness</b> continues to journey forth. I'll be visiting the Seattle area and Alaska later this month and do some signings and readings. It's nice to see Rocky's story being appreciated.<br />
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And so, on this sunny June day, sometimes by combining my passions, by illustrating out on the screened-in porch (nearly in the garden!), with a quick breaks pulling weeds, everything gets done eventually!<br />
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<br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-43100224418223954062015-05-28T13:21:00.000-07:002015-05-28T13:24:48.077-07:00Heavenly Picnic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rochester Cemetery</div>
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One recent sunny May morning, </div>
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at the Rochester Cemetery, Cedar County, Iowa, </div>
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just me and three good friends, a variety of native prairie and</div>
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oak savannah plants, </div>
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a few very old Iowans, </div>
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a picnic, a million gnats, bird call,</div>
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and Enchantment.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHVi7qgF24SDRmAOabzSXUn9X1k2NG7hkjlLBhIBFydDnK3ApUjBCBojs9eOjrTe2vL6qBQO0Tf_7-r-8s-_Z2OWPscAQQY9CLZNf5MmHfAc2GJZvB2ty7D-XmFPteM5ZDOXjUs3zkTZi/s1600/IMG_7953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHVi7qgF24SDRmAOabzSXUn9X1k2NG7hkjlLBhIBFydDnK3ApUjBCBojs9eOjrTe2vL6qBQO0Tf_7-r-8s-_Z2OWPscAQQY9CLZNf5MmHfAc2GJZvB2ty7D-XmFPteM5ZDOXjUs3zkTZi/s200/IMG_7953.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earth to earth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeU_y5Hm-0JRRyjflXtF3U7s8eDAYtRlOo9wi0DxzizjheyvFzjXGD7Xr-8PODBTGe7j8hyphenhyphen9ew7w6EVc0VUh7g0nJMYEUI6JuHI2eSPHOf4Yc5HEAQxkyVDJkH8U7biV1J0VqeilLsiKK/s1600/IMG_7954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeU_y5Hm-0JRRyjflXtF3U7s8eDAYtRlOo9wi0DxzizjheyvFzjXGD7Xr-8PODBTGe7j8hyphenhyphen9ew7w6EVc0VUh7g0nJMYEUI6JuHI2eSPHOf4Yc5HEAQxkyVDJkH8U7biV1J0VqeilLsiKK/s320/IMG_7954.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pushing up, well, you know...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKW06omedkIO6C0ajfgPOsIBc1pFnelc1wHHxabYfnG2WL5CsnxF5sjgIl3uPv3XOZHmJUGIFCEChNAY0xrftQb-f8y5oUy428Eu1jjj75fGOoeekOKL5-4L5jxFnqTLcYZCxkiuP6GsB/s1600/IMG_7956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKW06omedkIO6C0ajfgPOsIBc1pFnelc1wHHxabYfnG2WL5CsnxF5sjgIl3uPv3XOZHmJUGIFCEChNAY0xrftQb-f8y5oUy428Eu1jjj75fGOoeekOKL5-4L5jxFnqTLcYZCxkiuP6GsB/s320/IMG_7956.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wild geranium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiOtPUGSeEaP38IAvNzj0TJ68mfCu1TUI3aWLg8ZvOiRtLd2jGfiryVXalLBtcTSqiBjkrA_V1kl2O_ImGmTOe-hcQemOBYFWWRjqdwPl-4MINL3Xrvpc7H2_BFIkzNCRwz1zuu745nQr/s1600/IMG_7960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiOtPUGSeEaP38IAvNzj0TJ68mfCu1TUI3aWLg8ZvOiRtLd2jGfiryVXalLBtcTSqiBjkrA_V1kl2O_ImGmTOe-hcQemOBYFWWRjqdwPl-4MINL3Xrvpc7H2_BFIkzNCRwz1zuu745nQr/s200/IMG_7960.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare lovely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdQy89DHMhtABGZV1QTdxlYJ2_hyz_-bgwEbuWNHAkzf9wxpceQCVGcH-9LqW9Ni3HlPe4cCUDVsAEIjAX2Y3CvVewm9FzXfINnju0ClMJfMBC4Us9g2tCKveFfjNy_xJe8fY1X3iSBmE/s1600/IMG_7964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdQy89DHMhtABGZV1QTdxlYJ2_hyz_-bgwEbuWNHAkzf9wxpceQCVGcH-9LqW9Ni3HlPe4cCUDVsAEIjAX2Y3CvVewm9FzXfINnju0ClMJfMBC4Us9g2tCKveFfjNy_xJe8fY1X3iSBmE/s320/IMG_7964.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find out this one's name!! Camo-moth...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-MCWAhni_PYB13HV18vpLwsvuBlUGErQo9dY3CtXd7XMHtlepXkPaI-_3zKcnc-CseaHtMz7LpXAUq3uwsHTJibVIPsHTLmOPkQ97_T47GCgyliK7hd7QRH0EwdgtitDjsbzQYzXIJdt/s1600/IMG_7977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-MCWAhni_PYB13HV18vpLwsvuBlUGErQo9dY3CtXd7XMHtlepXkPaI-_3zKcnc-CseaHtMz7LpXAUq3uwsHTJibVIPsHTLmOPkQ97_T47GCgyliK7hd7QRH0EwdgtitDjsbzQYzXIJdt/s320/IMG_7977.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Elysium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtZzdnIA7uyxo66Es3kF3fJU9xix0VHoKTtN-1DQl2k7Dbw7Mb_yjBaAHN17COj71_AG7R30O8jsei9wYyTd4zC15j8-xxOblU-XwWFFKZ5fbo1wGH_palc5Cu3U3m0GvdRflwA7nxXWf/s1600/IMG_7980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtZzdnIA7uyxo66Es3kF3fJU9xix0VHoKTtN-1DQl2k7Dbw7Mb_yjBaAHN17COj71_AG7R30O8jsei9wYyTd4zC15j8-xxOblU-XwWFFKZ5fbo1wGH_palc5Cu3U3m0GvdRflwA7nxXWf/s320/IMG_7980.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To the picnic spot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ5I5JkM27RbFnJDk6cYJqA2jvYD580E2ZhxHoePZ_ceKzpFERaZSsSdQa9X-Fs_-UQKqtFOiuvwrdhEea39NQxFpS3Sae7Igw7Cm19K1uW2iYQb-k8iiztEDQexihAQ0XwptTbBnN8qV/s1600/IMG_7994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ5I5JkM27RbFnJDk6cYJqA2jvYD580E2ZhxHoePZ_ceKzpFERaZSsSdQa9X-Fs_-UQKqtFOiuvwrdhEea39NQxFpS3Sae7Igw7Cm19K1uW2iYQb-k8iiztEDQexihAQ0XwptTbBnN8qV/s320/IMG_7994.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cemetery salad (a spinach, snap peas, avocado, red pepper, roasted pecan nut conglomeration),<br />
Heavenly Olive Bread, Rhubarb pie, Prosecco...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxMiXoArBFpqIfF8RYiH6mwZ3GV4Xcq2uTrfc_1pjhSiDg3p2I4UdbTf-H6sXpg5eEIXuaYvDso-WPSl3NqedRaCr1j_czp2Q7tlWHO0Abh7p6MzmrwzptMQf9Qu8se-OdahWFi3sb-C2/s1600/IMG_7997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxMiXoArBFpqIfF8RYiH6mwZ3GV4Xcq2uTrfc_1pjhSiDg3p2I4UdbTf-H6sXpg5eEIXuaYvDso-WPSl3NqedRaCr1j_czp2Q7tlWHO0Abh7p6MzmrwzptMQf9Qu8se-OdahWFi3sb-C2/s320/IMG_7997.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pie with Dairy Queen, eaten in the CRV to escape the bugs! (coffee too; it was cozy!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoTjpU4uimGXeUNdxA_ThLQC9i_noMvljw4mPcfrFww02ItiW8KeK8WNwUXOpbupAjX3wHbQxYjD8xxmyNLWND3-ae4qF0ATMn-qo8hfKSDfz5fjGxAsdz1D8jIxaxZCcfKdJNt3G1Lbm/s1600/IMG_8006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoTjpU4uimGXeUNdxA_ThLQC9i_noMvljw4mPcfrFww02ItiW8KeK8WNwUXOpbupAjX3wHbQxYjD8xxmyNLWND3-ae4qF0ATMn-qo8hfKSDfz5fjGxAsdz1D8jIxaxZCcfKdJNt3G1Lbm/s320/IMG_8006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three friends- Jackie Martin, Me and Anne Ylvisaker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jYVSWICoPl1ATHTWaNFEhgpsP5NkqYDZUonvRrVhgqKfY7945cC7BzIikOsyMgngfBsyEvpFPCuaCil2fA_XTdbZZAhCd57v2alJ550EQxz9i6bjjjE8z7LW_0qbMBLt1rnOCrp_Tj6B/s1600/IMG_8007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jYVSWICoPl1ATHTWaNFEhgpsP5NkqYDZUonvRrVhgqKfY7945cC7BzIikOsyMgngfBsyEvpFPCuaCil2fA_XTdbZZAhCd57v2alJ550EQxz9i6bjjjE8z7LW_0qbMBLt1rnOCrp_Tj6B/s320/IMG_8007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So long, good-bye</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-56490402526255885572015-05-08T13:05:00.002-07:002015-05-08T13:05:34.638-07:00Happy Childrens' Book Week!<div class="MsoNormal">
Often after programs, I’m asked about my favorite picture
books. Oh, there are so many that stand out! Every year, I pick my own
winners and bestow a personal Caldecott. The titles I grew up with I have loved
the longest and have a special place on my book shelves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In general, I am prone to love picture
books that involve nature, and of these, books that show nature big and people
smaller really win my heart. I also like underdog stories, a plot that involves
a triumphant return. And Virginia Lee Burton’s “The Little House” hits this
mark for me. Burton both wrote and illustrated “The Little House”, first
published in 1942. It won the Caldecott that next year. “The Little House”
continues to turn up on Top 100 Best Picture Books Ever list. I still look to
it for inspiration. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As part of Children’s Book Week, here’s a few lines on “The
Little House” and why I love it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The Little House” is about well, a happy little house, built
with love on a beautiful spot in the country. She sees the seasons come and go
in a happy rhythm of life. Time passes. Children grow up. Owners grow old. The
countryside around her changes until the once distant city now engulfs the
Little House. There she remains for a long while, unnoticed and unloved by the
throngs of people that rush by. At last, she is recognized and rescued by a
family member who moves her out to a new spot in the country. A happy ever
after ending.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The things I love about this book? Certainly, as a conservationalist, the cautionary message of
urban sprawl resonates. Since we moved to Iowa City 22 years ago, our city has
grown and changed, and not all for the good. Not that growth is all bad, it’s
just that the instigators need to keep mindful of not only what we gain with
every new build, but what we loose. And we’ve lost of lot of natural habitat to
new development. Native birds and animals are really pinched to find large
enough areas to live and prosper. Iowans truly see our wildlife and lands as a
special part of our region’s identity. We should consider this before another
meadow is plowed under for condos. The Little House reminds us to cherish open
space, to learn and grow in. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for every developer and
builder in Johnson County (and beyond!) to keep a copy of “The Little House” on
their bed-time nightstands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love the sense of the cycle of life in “The Little House”.
Everything is circular. Beginnings lead to endings that lead to beginnings
again. What is old can be new. A gentle sense of the impermanence of things
also part of the Little House cycle. It reminds us that we come and go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Burton does a brilliant job of using the four seasons as
structure in her book. The seasons are human kind’s original organizer. Before
we had iPhones and Blackberries to help us out, we looked to nature to say
“Hey, it’s time to harvest our food, or gather wood, or plant the beans, or
move” So simple and connected! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lastly, Burton’s illustration style has always talked to me,
as a visual artist and writer. I admire the strong sense graphic design in her
work. The round, sturdy compositions include the words as part of the whole
visual image. I also like how she personifies the Little House in a subtle, not
an overly sweet and cartoony way. The Little House’s contented look comes from
her upturned window eyes and her front porch smile. Her sadness comes from her
broken out window eyes and her sagging porch. There is an easy lesson in
empathy here. The Little House's gaze still warms me after all these years.</div>
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Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-82829084076394199462015-05-07T15:16:00.002-07:002015-05-07T15:16:43.784-07:00Spread the Word...Keep Garlic Mustard from spreading!<br />
<br />
Just a little public service announcement, illustrated of course. Garlic mustard is an invasive that's choking out a lot of native plants. It's flowering right now, so if you see a stand, pull the plants up by the roots and dispose of in your regular garbage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhWiqsVXqI78evgHQFVFsK9ySusP4hmWLgVYD3VfibY6cb0hQFn3NTrcz97yv7iIvinmpmN_nwJ1-ed6ZRuO5EZqln9as6gUThC0cIr_4LTCTMK0VY6jDRIXyEI6sTAgaz9lCe0V29kLT/s1600/Garlic+mustard+PSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhWiqsVXqI78evgHQFVFsK9ySusP4hmWLgVYD3VfibY6cb0hQFn3NTrcz97yv7iIvinmpmN_nwJ1-ed6ZRuO5EZqln9as6gUThC0cIr_4LTCTMK0VY6jDRIXyEI6sTAgaz9lCe0V29kLT/s400/Garlic+mustard+PSA.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-37426973271734903552015-05-04T12:50:00.001-07:002015-05-04T12:51:08.563-07:00Nature, Tabled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A fine article the loss of our natural connection to nature. I love the illustration.</div>
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/02/opinion/our-bleak-exile-of-nature.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=Moth-Visible&module=inside-nyt-region&region=inside-nyt-region&WT.nav=inside-nyt-region&_r=1">http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/02/opinion/our-bleak-exile-of-nature.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=Moth-Visible&module=inside-nyt-region&region=inside-nyt-region&WT.nav=inside-nyt-region&_r=1</a></div>
Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-50430930706248512822015-04-24T07:45:00.001-07:002015-04-24T07:45:36.020-07:00Post HasteApril is flying by and the world is slowly greening outside my studio doors. I long to take up my sketch pad and draw SPRING with abandon for a few days, but duties and deadlines call.<br />
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Meanwhile, here is a quick post to pass on a sweet review written by a little girl for the San Francisco Book Review about "My Wilderness". Honest and lively and gets to a few cherished details I hoped kids would connect with. Thank you Liesel for the 5 stars!<br />
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There are these two people, a father and his son, but I don’t remember their names. They want to go to an island called Fox Island. It is in Alaska. No one else lives there. There is a storm coming, and then the son is afraid that they are going to tip in the blackness because they are in a boat. But, they get to the island safely. On the island they do a lot of things, like have snow baths outside, naked! That sounds pretty cold! The boy meets a lot of animals and the dad paints. He likes it there, but then he has to go back to his home. I like the pictures, especially the animals that the boy plays with. He sees porcupines, foxes, bald eagles, and even whales! My favorite picture is of the boy playing in the snow, but I like the father in the storm picture, too, because he doesn’t look the same. I like to think about living in Alaska with this boy because it looks like he has so much fun.</div>
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Reviewed by Liesel, Age 4</div>
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Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-16552896051983034132015-04-07T08:54:00.002-07:002015-04-07T08:54:53.134-07:00Book Launched!It seems like a book has many births. One from the studio, as manuscript and art are truely finalized. One, as it gets shipped off to the printers. Another, when you finally hold the advance copy in your hand. One, the official "Street Date", when it hits bookstores and online shopping sites. But the best is a book's public birthday, usually marked in the author's home or library or other gathering space.<br />
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In Iowa City, we are lucky enough to have one of the best Indie bookstore's in the country. Prairie Lights is an icon. It holds significant personal connections for our community and the general international writing and book-loving family. I was delighted "My Wilderness" could have it's birthday book launch there last weekend, and overwhelmed by the enthusiastic audience that showed up! I enjoyed giving a program on my research; it feels like a gift to myself to share some of the details of the book making journey. Otherwise, so much get boxed away without others ever knowing what goes into a book based on non-fiction topics.<br />
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So thank you for those that joined me at Prairie Lights. I love that Rocky's story is getting out there and connecting with you! I've also had some wonderful emails from parents. They express a connection and maybe a longing for what the Kent's experienced on Fox Island those may decades ago. And that is the purpose of Story.<br />
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<br />Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2303151140016717831.post-28456240546024769542015-03-23T13:48:00.001-07:002015-03-23T14:08:24.375-07:00The building of picture books...My good friend Jennifer Black Reinhardt writes for a blog that celebrates picture books. She included a nice interview about "My Wilderness". I am grateful so many enjoyed learning about scratchboard and the research behind this latest project. Here's the link to the story, and to a very inspirational blog!<br />
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<a href="http://picturebookbuilders.com/2015/03/scratching-a-story-book-give-away-my-wilderness-by-claudia-mcgehee/">http://picturebookbuilders.com/2015/03/scratching-a-story-book-give-away-my-wilderness-by-claudia-mcgehee/</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My books and their friends...</td></tr>
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Claudiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12052488335133029707noreply@blogger.com0