Carol Baicker-McKee

I went to the library with my daughter today and I was quite surprised that she didn't mind returning her favourite Toopy and Binoo CD. Maybe it's because I told her that we're going to borrow new ones and she can choose them. Anyway, I came upon a book that my daughter seemed quite fond of and I really liked because of its 3D illustrations using mixed media of fabric, clay, wood, and other materials.

Carol Baicker-McKee's website is under construction right now so I'm unable to provide more pictures but I'll add to this post later on. I'm hoping to get a hold of her other books that she's illustrated including Cheep! Cheep!

Anyway, my daughter seems to like this book so much that I am thinking of recreating little stuffed animals of these characters for her....we'll see if that happens as I have so many art/craft ideas that are never materialized right now.

Apparently, Baicker-McKee also holds a PHD in a clinical child psychology and has written a few parenting books with strategies for preschooler days. This might be worth a look at since my daughter will soon be creeping up to that age.

Beth Krommes

Everyday I've been meaning to make a post but never get a chance (I'm backlogged on a lot of entries that might never get posted). This week is busy as I'm working at a camp for the March Break. It was fun but becoming a mom makes me feel more and more that I've outgrown my camp counsellor days.

Anyway, I wanted to share Beth Krommes' illustrations. The last time I visited the library, I picked up the book Swirl by Swirl by Joyce Sidman illustrated by Beth Krommes. Her illustrations really astound me for its detail and outlines that make each drawing stand out. (Illustration courtesy of http://www.bethkrommes.com)

from Swirl by Swirl

from The House in the Night

Originally I thought it was drawn from pen but it was done with scratchboard. The only time I've seen scratchboard art was through kids' scratchboard art projects.

This takes scratchboard to a whole other level. Apparently, Beth Krommes developed a way to photocopy the scratchboard and adds colour to it after. I'm hoping to use this technique in future art work. :)

Catherine Rayner

I need to blog even if it's a random post about my week (although the reason I started this blog was to keep it more streamlined)...

Some more children's books I came across this week where the drawings are so interesting...

 Sylvia and Bird by Catherine Rayner

I love the layering of colours painted on the dragon creating an interesting texture and is coupled by the simplicity of the backgrounds. The story is also a sweet story with a theme about friends.

 

  Images are from Catherine Rayner's website.

Another book with her illustrations is Posy. I very much enjoyed the illustrations but I do like the story of Sylvia and Bird better.

I'll post more about the other two books I found later on :)

children's illustrations

I went to the library today and picked up a couple of interesting children's books with fabulous illustrations. One that really stood out to me was Wave by Suzy Lee.

The story is told through the pictures which are well worth more than a thousand words. I love the paint and drawing technique and the story of a little girl at the beach which reminds me of my little one during last summer's beach days. I hope to incorporate some of this inspiration into my future paintings.

Another two books worth noting:

                                                     Box of Tricks by Katie Cleminson

                                                           Art by Patrick McDonnell