Better in 2010

I'm really excited about children's book I am currently illustrating for Sylvan Dell Publishing, and written by Sherry North. It's called "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!"

When the folks at Sylvan Dell offered me the project, I skimmed the manuscript and admittedly I was a little disheartened. Having lost both my parents to cancer at a young age, I was not so sure I wanted this theme to creep back into my life in the form of a story about a little boy whose pet gets sick and has to endure chemotherapy treatments. I really had to think about it and pray about it and search my heart about whether this book was a good match for me. For those who don't know, children's books generally take anywhere from 6 months to a year to illustrate. They are all-consuming, at least for me, because I pour my heart and my passion into them. After sitting with my thoughts awhile, it began to become clear to me that the book was Divinely offered to me for a reason. I have great empathy for anyone going through such a difficult illness, whether they themselves or a loved one. I also sweetly love my dog, Sunshine, and could easily imagine how I would feel if I had to watch her endure treatments for cancer. It is my life experience, I believe, that is guiding me as lovingly I create each illustration for this book. I hope that the end result will touch many lives and help many children understand cancer and deal with their own treatments for the disease.

Here is a dramatic scene from the book Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!".

Sylvan Dell Publishing has been wonderful to work for. They have given me quite a bit of creative freedom in how I have chosen to illustrate the book. It has been fun mixing media - watercolor, gouache, oil pastel, pastel pencil, and touches of colored pencil - to achieve the look I want. I like how I've been able to bring a softness to the illustrations through the mix of media. It's like getting paid to try something new with my art!

In other news, if your New Year's resolution for 2010 is to a better illustrator, please read my latest column in the SCBWI-IL's e-newsletter The Prairie Wind, appropriately titled "Your New Year’s Resolution: Become a Better Illustrator". I lay out a few tips, accompanied by examples from my latest children's book "Little Black Ant on Park Street", written by Janet Halfmann and published by Soundprints Publishing.

Illustration Friday - "Confined"

"The ants were confined to their colony until springtime, when they emerged one by one in search for food to bring back to the queens." (click on the image to make it larger)

You can order my book "Little black Ant on Park Street" (Soundprints Publishing, 2010) at Amazon.com. You can see more samples from inside the book by clicking here. Or visit my website.

Yoga Coloring Book Winner!

Just after midnite today, I drew the winner of the "ABCs of Yoga for Kids" Coloring Book. The winner is...Kathleen W. of Katydid & Kid! Congratulations. I hope your little one loves coloring and learning the poses!

New Year's Giveaway!

To celebrate the new year and all of my loyal blog followers, I will be giving away a copy of my newly illustrated "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" coloring book. The book contains pages to color with poses for each letter of the alphabet. It is wonderful on its own or as part of the collection, which includes the hardcover book and the poster. All will be available through the publisher's website, or at Amazon.com.


But if you leave a comment on this post anytime now through January 4th, your name will be entered to win a free copy of the book. I will be giving away only one copy, but the drawing will be random and will take place on January 5th, and anyone can win! Good luck, and Happy New Year!

What I'm Up To Now...

My latest children's book project is a book I am working on for Sylvan Dell Publishing, titled "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too".

Below you can see the cover art. Champ and Cody are best friends, so I gave them both golden red hair. I used a combination of watercolors, gouache, oil pastels and pastel pencils for the art throughout the book:


And here was my pencil sketch for the cover. I wanted to show a deep, emotional connection and love between the main characters:


And here is a mock-up for the possible finished cover design by Sylvan Dell:


The book will be out sometime in 2010. The story is designed to help children with cancer understand and deal with their illness and treatments. But I also believe it is a great story for children dealing with the illness of a pet or a sibling or friend. I really think it is a great story, and I am honored to have been chosen for the project.

"Little Black Ant" just released!!

In the springtime, little black ant leaves the colony in search for food.

Black ants are gathering nectar from the aphids in the rose garden.

Ant communication!

Flying ants leaving the nest in search of mates.



"Little Black Ant on Park Street" is FINALLY here! Here is what is available now...check Amazon.com: The paperback is a LARGE paperback (11.5" x 8.5") .
Also available in micro hardcover (5 7/8" x 4 3/4"), with or without a plush toy. Not sure when the collector's edition hardcover will be released. Also check Borders and B&N.

If you haven't taken a look at my website in a while, check it out. I am always changing it and adding fun new art stuff!

Just Because...

For all of you freelance artists out there whose studio companion has 4 legs and a waggly tail, this is for you...

And the ants go marching...

Hey!! Just wanted to give you another sneak preview from my latest book "Little Black Ant on Park Street". This is just a "detail" of one of the spreads in the book. Still waiting...I think it will be out in December. I'll let you know when I know!

That Spooooooky Feeling!

©KathleenRietz
Those of you who have been following my blog for a while have probably seen this before, but it is time to bring it out again! Have a Happy Halloween!!

Birthday Cupcakes!

My friends know I also love being creative in the kitchen. Here are the birthday cupcakes I baked for my sister tonite. MMmmmm!

Illustration Friday - "Flying"

Flying... (I can't really write too much about this project yet....sshhh...)



But...here are some Sunday school learning materials I illustrated for LifeWay Christian Resources:

Little Black Ant on Park Street

After several delays, the new release date for my illustrated book "Little Black Ant on Park Street" (Soundprints Publishing) is December 2009. I took these photos of the spreads with a pocket camera, and will repost them when I get actually high quality scans. But I was so excited I just had to show you now! It was hard to choose only 2 spreads from the book, but I cannot give away the story. So until December, this will have to satisfy!

Meet Sunshine!

Every artist needs an assistant. This is Sunshine. She is my happy girl. :)

So Much News to Share!

"The ABCs of Yoga For Kids", illustrated by me and written by Teresa Anne Power, just won a second award this year! The book took home a bronze award in the 2009 Moonbeam Children's Books Awards in the Body-Mind-Spirit/Self Esteem category.


The accompanying "The ABCs of Yoga For Kids" Coloring Book is due out next month. Here is a sneak peek from the book:

(You can also download free coloring pages HERE!) While you are visiting the site, order the book and the NEW poster as a gift for the holidays this year!

Lastly, I have just signed a contract with Sylvan Dell Publishing to illustrate a new children's book. The book deals with a very important cause, and I am honored to have been chosen such a task. I cannot reveal too much right now, but I am super-excited, and will reveal more as the book evolves. Meanwhile, check out Sylvan Dell Publishing and their other great books.

"God & Dog" by WJ Francsico

This is so sweet, I just had to post it. I saw it over at my friend Phyllis Harris's blog.

Illustrations Friday - "Pattern"

Have a great weekend everyone!

Autumn Color!

©KathleenRietz
How can you NOT be inspired by all of the beautiful colors of autumn?? I know I am!

Looking for Advice on Hiring an Artist's Agent?

Before you do, check out my latest article for the column "Illustrator Tips", featured in The Prairie Wind, the online newsletter of the SCBWI-IL.

Now for an update: I am currently illustrating "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids Coloring Book" for author and yoga instructor Teresa Ann Power. This coloring book features yoga poses with corresponding letters of the alphabet, and is meant to accompany the new poster and the original, award winning hardcover book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". Teresa and I have had a great time working together and watching the success of the book grow! Check out this review in The US Review of Books.

Baaaaaah!

©KathleenRietz
Another addition to my black line art portfolio.

Farm Animals

©KathleenRietz
I have completed 5 children's books this year: 2 trade publications and 3 readers. I am about to begin illustrating a coloring book, which will accompany the successful book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids", which was released this past March. I decided to begin adding black line art images to my portfolio a while back, and hope to pick up more work illustrating coloring books. It's a nice change of pace, since there are no colors to be concerned with, but rather I can focus on line weight and have fun just drawing. Right now I am working on a series of farm animals. I have added several new updates to my website, mainly in my illustration portfolios, so be sure to check it out.

"The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" poster

Because of the success of the book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids", this accompanying poster is being released. I believe it will be sold through the official website, as well as Amazon.com. It is meant to be used as a fun poster for kids to hang on their walls, as well as an instructional tool for yoga studios.

Watch for more info on an upcoming "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" coloring book as well.

Remember...

© Kathleen Rietz
As you celebrate Independence Day 2009, please remember our soldiers and their families who miss them.

Illustration Friday - "Shaky"

©KathleenRietz
Wow! Millie's summer read was so scary, it made both her and her Chihuahua, Bobo, shaky!

Illustration Friday - "Unfold"

©KathleenRietz

All Finished!

I just completed all of the interior spreads for the new children's book "Little Black Ant on Park Street", for the Smithsonian's Backyard Books series. Now I am just waiting to see if there are any revisions...as an illustrator, you always hope there are no revisions, but with 14 paintings, there are bound to be some. This was a 10 month long project, and I am so glad to be finished. The book is dedicated to my mom, whose presence I felt with me along the book's journey. You can watch for the book's release this fall. I will have more updates on my blog as I get more information on upcoming dates.

Here is the cover.


And here is a photo I took of the entire painting I made for the cover.

Tulips as BIG as my Head!

It is finally springtime in Chicago! I picked these tulips today to brighten up my studio. Wanted to share them with you.... Who wouldn't be inspired to make great art with these colors all around them?

Today's School Visit for Literacy Week

I was invited by Timber Trails Elementary School in Hoffman Estates, IL, to read and demonstrate yoga poses from my latest illustrated book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". We had a great time! The book was a big hit. I was later informed that one little girl went home and immediately told her mom "We have to order this book, Mom!"

"The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" wins silver medal!

I am delighted to announce that my latest illustrated children's book "The ABC's of Yoga for Kids" has been awarded a silver medal in the category of Yoga/Pilates by Living Now Book Awards. Yay!

I will be reading from "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" and demonstrating yoga poses with a group of first graders at a local school here in Illinois this Wednesday as the school celebrates Literacy Week.

My current book illustration project, "Little Black Ant at Park Street", should wrap up by the end of May, and I am looking forward to getting back to new projects and blogging again. I miss you all!

Now Available at AMAZON!

"The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" is now available at Amazon.com!
Meanwhile, the book's author, Teresa Anne Power, is getting ready for another book signing, this time at Mystic Books in Venice, CA. She has been promoting the book locally at yoga studios and book stores.

I am looking forward to promoting the book here in Illinois as soon as I finish illustrating a book I am currently working on ("Little Black Ant at Park Street", Soundprints, 2009). I hope to make "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" available through yoga studios, health food shops, and book stores here in Illinois and nationally. If you know of any venues that would be interested in carrying the book, please email me. I can get books shipped out to you right away!

Also, if you have bought the book and would like for me to post your story or a photo of your child or yoga class using the book, please email me with your information as well! I have already received a few photos and many stories from parents whose kids love the book. I plan to post updates in the future.

Illustration Friday - "Fleeting"

© Kathleen Rietz
Childhood is fleeting - hold fast to your memories and don't let go.

Book Signing in Pacific Palisades

Book author Teresa Anne Power and me at the John Thomas Dye school in Pacific Palisades. It went very well! We sold lots of books and the kids had a blast!

The Time Has Come!

Hi Everyone! The time has finally come - I will be flying out to California in just a few short days to attend two book signings for my new illustrated children's book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". One of the signings is at 6:30 Friday evening at Village Books in Pacific Palisades. They will be hosting a kids' pajama party and author Teresa Power and I will be demonstrating yoga poses with the kids and reading from the book. This event is open to the public, so come on out! I would love to meet you!

If you are unable to attend the signing, but would still like to order a book and have it signed, you may click the book icon in the upper right corner of my blog and order the book now. I will be signing books for orders placed this week. (Pls specify who you want the book dedicated to in the referral box when you place your order.)

Kate at the Easel

...where I am happiest.

Illustration Friday - "Intricate"

©KathleenRietz
Since I am still busy illustrating my second children's book of 2009, I thought I would post something different for Illustration Friday. I used to have time to pursue other creative outlets, and really enjoyed making mosaics. I still have a basement full of beautiful glass, and some day I hope to get back to mosaics. For me it was very therapeutic....I could make whatever I wanted and no one could tell me if it was right or wrong. I always thought I would sell my creations, but I gave most of them away as gifts. This mirror still hangs in my kitchen.

By the way, to read an update on my school visit for the book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" later this month, click here. (You can also order the book by clicking on the book icon in the upper right hand corner of this blog page.)

Update ~ Book Signing

Here is a link to more details about the book signing I will be participating in later this month in Pacific Palisades, CA, with book author Teresa Ann Power. I hope to see some of you there. Get your signed copy of "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids"!

In this photo, Teresa demonstrates yoga poses to children.