Our second exploratory workshop for picture book writing! Tuesday, September 27th, 6:30 to 8 PM online CDT. About this event...
Want to write a picture book? Something that just bursts with creativity? Get your creative juices flowing with this fun and interactive workshop. Find out about the craft of picture book writing and explore techniques on how to create a unique story with exciting characters that are personal to you. Lead by your fearless author and editor, Nina B. Want to write a picture book? Something that just bursts with creativity? Get your creative juices flowing with this fun and interactive workshop. Find out about the craft of picture book writing and explore techniques on how to create a unique story with exciting characters that are personal to you. Lead by your fearless author and editor, Nina B. Workshop attendees will automatically be entered to win one of two free manuscript critiques by our managing editor, Nina Bricko, an editoral letter and notes on your personal manuscript valued at $150. Sign up for the four week class.
Nina B. is the children’s book imprint Editor and Audiobook Producer for Flying Ketchup Press and producer of The Story Tree (thestorytree.org), a podcast for kids. She has an MFA in Creative Writing for Children through YA from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. Her written work has been published in journals and art subscriptions and performed live. In another life, she worked as an Associate Editor for Amazon Crossing (the translation imprint of Amazon Publishing) and as a Production Manager. She is also an English Professor at Madison College, a retired Environmental Educator, and a mom to two awesome kids.
New Audio Book from Flying Ketchup Kids!
Meet Chuck, a creative but messy boy. Chuck is stuck inside on a rainy day. In his room, he imagines his art becomes a train to The Colorful Places. With his friends Lion, Hippo, and Giraffe, he finds that colors are something more than he thought possible and that imagination can take you anywhere. More than a concept book of colors, this adventure book created by classroom art teacher Danielle D. Williams is for young children exploring the concept of color. Find it in soft or hardcover at all your online retailers or request it from your book store or library.
What is Studio Practice like & What's your advice to illustrators?
The more illustration projects I take on, I developed a style that I was comfortable with and I believe to be a reflection of me. I prefer to work in all sorts of media. I like mixed media art mostly because I'm a texture gal! I love texture in art because, to me, it makes it so much more dynamic. I like to use textures in my paintings and digital art, but not so much in my drawings.
So on a typical workday, I designate so many hours to work on a project or a part of a project. I usually set a goal to get so far or complete the project altogether. I get my music playing and a cup of tea or decaf coffee and go at full speed. I'm terrible at taking breaks because I get so excited about my work that I just want to keep the creativity going. When I am working on a project, I try to play music from different genres to help me stay focused. I really like alternative rock, Christian music, and positive hip hop.
What I find to be most challenging about illustrating is translating the images in my head onto a visual scene. Sometimes my first, second, and third attempts just don't get it quite right. However, I keep at. It also helps to step back and look at different types of art to help me find solutions to my problems. My advice to an artist who is faced with this challenge is to look at different art. If you are working on a painting or illustration, step back for a while, visit a museum and look at sculptures or installation pieces. I know it sounds strange, but it really can help you think outside of the box.
Do you have a favorite book(s) from your childhood? What inspired you to make art growing up?
I have several childhood favorites when it comes to books, however, one that I've cherished the most is "Thumbelina," retold and illustrated by Fred Crump Jr. In this book, the story is illustrated in an ethnic format, and the pictures are very colorful. I've been inspired by Fred Crump Jr's illustrations for many years now.
I started drawing pictures when I was in elementary school, during a time when I was going through treatments for childhood cancer. We used art as a form of therapy to help me express my feelings, and I've been drawing ever since. I got started in illustration shortly after graduating from MassArt. Although my undergrad is in animation, I find that the styles aren't too different. One drawing style is way more repetitive and action-packed. And although animation tells a story with a bunch of drawings in movement, I wouldn't say that it is more diverse than illustrating because illustrations can tell stories as well.
Being an independent Author & Digital Illustrator has been no easy feat. But, with a bit of diligence and dedication, I’ve managed to produce original work I’m proud of, as well as collaborate with local Kansas City artist & writer Polly Alice McCann and our book "Apple the Cat" we created for the local nonprofit Reconciliation Services. I work hard to bring my clients’ visions to life in my own unique style — combining traditional hand drawing with multimedia in my illustrations. Check out my website butterfieldbooks.com
DANIELLE D. WILLIAMS has a BFA in Animation from Massachusetts College of Art & Design. She has also taught art as a Continuing Education Instructor for the Kansas City Art Institute and private schools in Massachusetts and Kansas. In 2016, Danielle completed her Master’s in Teaching and Learning; now, she's an author-illustrator who writes books for the very young, with an emphasis on kinetic learning and imagination. She wants to help young people know art and imagination are both fun and healing skills for life.
Flying Ketchup Press ® founded in 2018 to champion new and diverse voices in short fiction and poetry. Our dream is to share worlds of wonder and delight. At flying ketchup kids, our mission is to produce books with a brilliant new spin on learning and reading, a fantastical twist in story, and characters who light up our imaginations. From concept books to folk traditions, we want to connect diverse writers to young audiences.
