Imagine a Story 2013 - Conference in Montreal

Yes Oui Canscaip, the Quebec Chapter of CANSCAIP (The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers) is proud to present Imagine a Story 2013 - A day of workshops for those interested in writing, illustrating and performing for children. Featuring presentations from several specialists in Canadian children's publishing as well as some outstanding Canadian writers, illustrators and performers: Marie-Louise Gay, Suana Verelst, BelleBrute, Monique Polak, Alan Silberberg, Rachna Gilmore, Anita Daher, Amanda Kellock and Jennifer Gasoi. Registration for Yes Oui CANSCAIP's Imagine a Story conference is now open! You'll save $10 if you take advantage of our Early Bird Special and register by March 25th!

 

So if you are interested save the date: May 25th 2013 and visit www.yesouicanscaip.ca for more details and registration form. The organizing comittee, Carol-Ann Hoyte, Joyce Scharf and me would love to see you there! This is an event you won't want to miss!

 

Looking back at 2012

It's almost the end of January 2013 and I'm feeling really great about the year ahead on many levels especially my personal creativity because 2012 was a very inspiring year, especially in November. Sonia Di Maulo and I launched the printed version of The Apple in the Orchard and I attended two very special literary events in Montreal. I believe it is important for every creative individual to attend artistic events in their community and support other artists no matter what their craft. It makes us feel connected and helps us get motivated to succeed in our own creative goals...

The 2012 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award Gala & Ceremony

I attended (for the first time) The TD Children's Literature Award Ceremony at The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on November 6th. My friend Suana Verelst who was a French-Language finalist for illustrating La Saison Des Pluies written by Mario Brassard shared first prize with him. It was very exciting to see her win and the gala and ceremony were quite impressive. For more info about Suana and this award please visit her blog post at www.suanaverelst.com

The Apple in The Orchard Book Launch at Quinn Farm

Sonia Di Maulo and family at our first book launch at Quinn Farm on November 10th

My friend Stella and her mom, Catherine came out to our launch at Quinn Farm. 

It was a really red day all-around

Many thanks also to friends and family who attended, 

The Apple in the Orchard workshop at Thrivability Montreal 

and to the other book launch that took place at 

Kaffein coffee shop on Bishop Street in Montreal.

theappleintheorchard.ca

The Salon du Livre de Montreal

I also attended (for the first time) The Salon du Livre de Montreal at Place Bonaventure on November 16th. It was quite amazing to see how big this event is which reflects how important literature is to Montrealers/Quebecers. I was very happy to visit my friend Yayo (Diego Herrera) at the Pleine Lune stand promoting his book, Signore Tamborini et Autres Fictions written and illustrated by him. I wish him success - it is quite a little jem filled with his poetic and anecdotal illustrations accompanied by his own poetry. Signore Tamborini

At the Salon du Livre I also went to see one of my favorite illustrators, Helene Desputeaux who's career I have followed for many years. She is the original creator of Caillou, and after a long and unfortunate legal adventure, she was able to reclaim her beloved and affectionate Caillou and is now a very successful, self-made illustrator-writer-entrepreneur working with her husband, Michel Aubin. It was very touching to meet her in person and she has such a cheerful and welcoming personality which is similar to the what is expressed in her Caillou books. She even gave me a little bisou in her signature:) www.desputeauxaubin.com

Coming soon...news about another special literary event taking place in Montreal this May which I am helping organize. In the meantime, keep warm and pursue your creativity! 

My online shop is now open

I have opened an ETSY shop called kalimerisse which is now open for business here. I am presently selling digital prints of 3 original illustrations I created for The Apple in the Orchard and for a limited time these prints are on sale for only 10$. Looking forward to adding more of my work in 2013.

You can now hold it in your hands

I am very happy to announce that The Apple in the Orchard is now available in printed format at http://theappleintheorchard.ca/store/

It was a challenge to create the illustrations for this beautiful story but it was also a very rewarding journey. I discovered that I had a lot to offer but that I also had a lot to learn. Inspired by Brave Apple's courage to make a leap, I learned more about myself. I evolved in so many ways by learning and developing new ways of working and I was able to define the personal illustration style I was searching for which I used for this book. This has given me a lot of confidence and I am also grateful that I had the opportunity to learn so much more about book design and publishing from current resources and advanced training.

This experience also gave me the privelege of collaborating with an incredible person, Sonia Di Maulo. Sonia's enthusiasm for the book was also my inspiration and my lifeline for completing this project. I congratulate her on her courage to assume all the hard work and challenges involved in self-publishing. I believe her story will be welcomed, loved and remembered by many.

Please note that 3 of the illustrations from The Apple in the Orchard will be available for you to purchase as limited edition, archival digital prints at my new online shop, coming soon. Look for the link that will say SHOP on the top right side bar of this website as of November 10th, 2012.

Back in the groove and inspired by Tomie (again)

After a very busy summer going here and there, I am happy to say that the coolness of autumn has calmed me down and I am back in the studio working. As I browsed my favorite art blogs for inspiration, I just had to share this interview of one of my favorite illustrators, Tomie DePaola by Lee Wind from the SCBWI blog. Tomie Depaola has just won the SCBWI Lifetime Achievement Award and this is the 1st part in a 3 part series of interviews so stay tuned if you'd like to see the other two. In this interview Tomie confirms many things I have discovered myself in recent years as an illustrator. It's so inspiring when you hear that other artist's have common thoughts and experiences as you. Congratulations Tomie !

http://scbwi.blogspot.ca/2012/10/tomie-depaola-wins-society-of.html