Ronald Himler Rafael Lopez Kelly Murphy Kristina Swarner Lee White
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Our 18th Annual Children's Book Illustrators Show & Signing was a huge success, and we couldn't have done it without our five talented illustrators, our wonderful volunteers from The Wooden Floor, and YOU, our fantastic clients! This year's show was the busiest we've ever had - take a look for yourself!
The 18th Annual Children's Book Illustrators Show & Signing
Illustrators busy pre-signing over 600 books before the doors opened
Our dedicated volunteers on the left
Have you ever seen such a crowd?
Karen and Julia
Lee White and Rafael Lopez
Ronald Himler's presentation
Rafael Lopez doing his demo
The Whole Gang
The After-Party With the Illustrators, The Wooden Floor, Chemers Gallery and the Clients who Purchased Original Illustrations
Renate, Rafael and Joan
Volunteers from The Wooden Floor
Kelly, Antoine, Lisa, Lee and Kristina
Jennifer, Mike, Cathy, Mark, Jennifer, Liz and Riley
Kelly and Antoine
Cathy and Mary
Lisa, Lee and Kristina
If you missed the big event, don't worry! The artwork will be on display until December 19th, and there are still loads of signed books you can pick up for that special gift to a friend, relative or yourself. If you pre-ordered books, they are ready for you!
At last, I have the opportunity to add my 2 cents about our illustrators and our upcoming fabulous book signing / illustration art show. Each year we say, “how can we possibly have as good illustrators as last year” but each year we have another stellar group.Which illustrations are my faves? you ask…Well, I’ll be so happy to share with you!
Let’s start with Lee White simply because his name occurs last in the alphabet. Lee’s sense of humor just makes me smile! So, I have chosen this view of Doc Sawyer checking Brewster with a stethoscope while the family crowds around offering their professional diagnoses. Don’t you just love that eye hanging out in the smack-dab-middle of the illustration!?Lee’s faces in Brewster the Rooster are so expressive, I know exactly what each character is thinking.
I love the textural quality of Lee’s mixed media illustrations. His use of bold bright colors really pulls me into to the whimsy of his illustrations that coordinate seamlessly with the text of the book.
Don’t think Lee’s a one trick pony. His editorial and personal work is quite serious and intriguing. We hope to have this work on a regular basis throughout the year.
Contrasting Lee’s whimsy with Ron Himler’s handling of topics often not discussed with children or discussed on a superficial basis is where I would like to go next. This illustration from Always With You of a young orphaned Vietnamese girl, Kim, who is rescued by American soldiers is so moving and powerful. Ron’s use of grays with only spot color highlights the feeling of despair this young girl must feel. The fact that only Kim is in color not only serves to show that she is the central figure, it also shows the good she senses from the soldiers.
Every time I see this piece, my heart skips a beat. And, the way we framed it – whoa - only adds to the entire feeling of this picture. I guess you’ll just have to come to the gallery to see it for yourself. No sneak preview here!
My favorite illustration of Kelly Murphy’s comes from an out of print book we don’t even have. But, I do have to tell you, I saw Fiona’s Luck years ago and it is the reason I contacted Kelly to participate in our show. The muted colors Kelly used in this illustration give the feeling of days gone by and the cold dank Ireland environs. Yet, there is something warm and inviting about this illustration…Fiona’s kind face & the rounded figures Kelly uses to illustrate her characters.
Kelly’s technique is quite unique when you examine the illustration closely. She has created impressions in the paper by outlining from tracing paper. Then she deftly paints the illustration, skillfully layering colors to create her beautiful look.
Kristina Swarner’s work is enchanting and mostly very small in size, but definitely not content or technique. Even so, I cannot resist her monumental illustration that was done for Scholastic News. Kristina sent us a picture of the illustration asking if we might like to have it for the show. My answer was an affirmative… that would be YES! Then seeing it in person, OMG. The sense of wonder created by this illustration makes my imagination soar.
It appears that Kristina has used a variety of techniques that we will all have to grill her on when we meet her on December 5th. What I can tell you is that there is every color in the rainbow masterfully placed to enhance every color in the scene. I would love to stroll through this flowered forest. And, look at the face on the charming child. You’ve got to love it!
After previewing the books and then seeing the art in person, the one illustration that gives such a different impression in the real form is this Yosemite scene from Rafael Lopez’s book Our California. I’ve never been to Yosemite and I’m not a camper (unless it’s at the Ritz Carlton), but this illustration is simply wonderful.
The vertical format is unusual but accentuates what I imagine to be the grandeur and majesty that is Yosemite. The colors, in the real life illustraion, almost glow and jump off the contrast of the night sky.
The illustration is acrylic painted on thin plywood. You can see the grain of the plywood through the paint along with textures worked in that remind me of American woodblock tradition. Besides, I just want to squeeze the squirrel’s cheek!
Plan to meet the artists, view over 200 original illustrations, select from over 40 book titles. You can click on the names of the illustrators above to see their work if you can't wait until Saturday. But, of course, they really come to life in person! See you Saturday, December 5th 1-5pm! Enjoy the illustrator lectures/demonstrations from 2-4pm to learn more about their work.
We are so thankful for you, our loyal clients. Have a safe and wonderful holiday!
From all of us at Chemers Gallery
Corn from Yum! MmMm! Que Rico! Rafael Lopez
Holiday Hours: Thurs, November 26: CLOSED Fri, November 27: 10:00am-6:00pm Sat, November 28: 10:00am-5:00pm
Don't forget, Saturday, November 28th is the last day to pre-order your signed and dedicated books!! Hurry in to make sure you get all the books you want! You can still purchase books the day of the show, but we can't guarantee to have everything.
EVENT DETAILS * BOOK LIST * JENNIFER'S PICKS 2009 Children's Book Illustration Show & Signing Opening Reception December 5th, 1-5 pm Show continues through December 19th
How can I pick a favorite?Each artist for this year's show has so many imaginative and beautiful illustrations, over 200 in total! This is going to be tough, but I'll do the best I can.
Ronald Himler, watercolor/gouache, from, Bee My Valentine
I chose this illustration because it's a lively, happy piece with so much movement. Ronald Himler's traditional style captures the gestures and expressions of children at play. This illustration is unframed, so you can choose whatever you'd like from our huge selection of frame samples. In the story,Bee My Valentine, all the children in the classroom decide to play music to cheer up their classmate, George, who didn't get enough valentines.
Who wouldn't love to spend some time wandering in Raphael Lopez's playful, and colorful paintings? I love the "out there" concept and bold composition of this illustration, created in vibrant color and rich texture. This piece is in an exquisite hand carved wood frame with a purple linen liner to compliment the vivid colors. In Book Fiesta you can read books anywhere; at the library, in the car, even in a hot air balloon with a giraffe!
Is this adorable or what? Kelly Muphy's illustrations are so full of character, painted in rich layers of color. This picture, with Matilda dressed for stardom, reminds me of every little girls dream; to be the star of the show! For this piece, we've selected an antique gold frame with a dainty leaf pattern all around, a white linen mat, and a touch of red fillet to finish it off. Matilda joyfully dances everywhere she goes, day and night inDancing Matilda.
There's a child like quality to Kristina Swarner's mixed media works that steals our hearts away. In this illustration, I like the way Kristina cleverly created a pattern in the girl's dress, making her one with the colorful field of flowers. It has a gold hand-made frame with a delicate corner design, and a soft off-white linen, which compliments the art perfectly.
As you can guess, Lee White's illustrations are whimsical and humorous. This one make me smile every time I see it! Maybe, because my son rides a unicycle, maybe because it's ridiculous, or maybe because it's just plain funny. It's frame fits it just right, with tiny gold swirls all around to mimic the movement of the wheel. Ducks Don't Wear Socks is full of delightful silliness that everyone seems to enjoy.
So, those are my picks. That was not easy! I suggest you come in and see these amazing works up close. Then decide which ones are your favorites!
...or browse our website. As always, your comments are welcome.
Illustrators busy pre-signing over 600 books before the doors opened
Our dedicated volunteers on the left
Have you ever seen such a crowd?
Karen and Julia
Lee White and Rafael Lopez
Ronald Himler's presentation
Rafael Lopez doing his demo
The Whole Gang
Renate, Rafael and Joan
Volunteers from The Wooden Floor
Kelly, Antoine, Lisa, Lee and Kristina
Jennifer, Mike, Cathy, Mark, Jennifer, Liz and Riley
Kelly and Antoine
Cathy and Mary
Lisa, Lee and Kristina
