A Collaborative Children’s Book

Front Cover

Something I’ve long wanted to do, this year brought a fun project to fruition! I’ve always admired the illustrations in children’s books and thought it would be so much fun to create one but, as I’ve always got more ideas than time, I had never attempted it. Until a visit with my granddaughter, who lives four hours away. She is one of the most amazing little ladies that I know and has a passion for drawing and painting. She paints almost daily as the piles of creations make evident. As I was flipping through the pages of colorful creations it finally came to me that she & I could make a fun collage book using her artwork. Being on the autism spectrum, and non-verbal at 4 years old, she continues to improve her communication skills with the help of her parents, therapists, family & friends. It’s so amazing to watch her progress in communication, along with seeing what things interest her the most. So this book was custom made, just for her!

I purchased a blank 8.5 x 11″ white board book, brought dozens of her paintings home and then…nothing. Fear of failure can certainly stop creativity in it’s track and I was hesitant to begin. I ended up bringing all the supplies with me when I took a short vacation. As the days passed and I relaxed and enjoyed a break from the routine, the creativity burst forth. I’d made a list of notes, things she was interested in, things she did, how she acted, what she loved and what we loved about her. I had to narrow it down to fit on the available pages. In hind site I would have, perhaps, ordered them differently but honestly I just started the cutting and pasting process randomly so things landed where they landed. And that’s okay! By the time I returned home I had all the collage elements finished. Then on to the next hurdle…lettering.

Although I’ve practiced lettering I’m just not always pleased with my own. I decided to take the route of using stickers, which I wasn’t 100% sure of but felt like I’d like it better than my own handwriting. Plus stickers could be removed…lettering, not so much! Is it all as neat and well spaced as I’d have liked? Perhaps not. But the imperfection brings some personality to the pages, and that I like! Here are the pages as they read in the book:

Back Cover

This was a fun, love-filled project! I have a few more blank books! Perhaps there will be sequels, or stories from my other grands. Who knows where it will lead!

Your randomly creative friend,

Lynne

Altered Book/Art Journal

As part of my “Creative Every Day” challenge for this year I’ve been working in an old book that was cut down and had a hole punched through the edge so it can be clasp shut with a chain.

Here are a few of the first projects I’ve done in it:

Opening Page

Pen, pencil, colored pencil

Front cover art

I also did a two-page spread of this lovely lady and her funk and funky hair:

Beginning design, ink & colored pencil

Design finished, ready for color!

Color added & complete

I have done a few other things since then but I’ll save them for another post. Have any of you been following the “Creative Every Day” challenge? What have you worked on?

Lynne

Coloring Book Updates

It seems like a long time ago when I first posted about a project I was working on that would become my first color book. I found out last week that it is now available for pre-sale on Amazon, at a $2 discount! Click on the image below to go directly to the book page on Amazon:

 

Although it says the publication date is February 2016 I’ve been told by my publisher that it should be released within the next two months. I’m excited! I’m working with a gallery to perhaps have a weekend event with a related class or two available as well as a “book signing” party. Details will be announced as they become available.

In the meantime I’ve already started drawings for a second book! Details on that later. 🙂

Happy coloring!

Lynne