Friday, January 31, 2014

N is for Nuts, or is it Not

      After painting mushrooms for letter M I have decided to to take a look back at my text for ABC Healthy.  As I have mentioned in my previous post I want my book to have a natural feel.  I believe the vision I originally had for the book still exists, but as I paint new ideas come to mind.  I have changed my text and some of my choices for food for different letters while I have been working.  As I move on to letter N I am questioning whether or not I should use nuts.  With all of the peanut and nut allergy concerns will I be criticized for using nuts for my N?  In my family we love nuts.  They are a healthy fat full of protein.  I do respect people with nut allergies.  Am I looking to far into what I will be criticized for?  In order to keep moving forward I am going to paint nuts and decide later.  I have been working in order from A to Z and do not want to break my creative juices.  I can always decide later to change the text and to paint something different for letter N.  For now, "Never leave the house without Nuts the perfect N snack.  They are filled with fiber, protein, and healthy fats." - Julianne Stokes

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

   It has been a little over a year since my interest in becoming an author and illustrator became a reality.  I have always had the idea in the back of my mind, but it was when I took my son to see a visiting illustrator at the local library that the idea became a possibility.  John Maders displayed a fun energetic love of illustrating.  I thought to myself, "I want that passion!"
   And so it began.  I took Manders' recommendation to read Writer's Digest, Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market. I then did what I have done as an artist in the past and turned to my sketchbook.  Sketchbooks are great because we can write words and draw pictures allowing our minds to flow freely. I want my children's books use words and pictures to express the natural world.
   I came up with the idea that we need to have a series of children's books about healthy eating.  My first book is a work in progress.  I am using watercolor to paint healthy food for each letter of the Alphabet.  My book is called ABC Healthy.