Children

Book Release: Jeannie Houdini, A Hamsters Tale

Please help me welcome JEANNIE HOUDINI: A HAMSTER’S TALE as my newest illustrated book released today! Written by Mary-Ann Stouck, published by Gryphon Press.

Twins Martina and Mateo wanted a hamster as a pet but find caring for Jeannie a chore. Their younger sister, Sophia, loves Jeannie and sets out to solve the mystery of why Jeannie continues to escape from her cage. This endearing and engaging story of a growing friendship is also instructive about the needs of small animal companions, often referred to as pocket pets. “. . . With an interesting layout of full and partial illustrations, this sweet picture book entertains, especially on the pages that depict Sophia hunting the missing hamster down. A friendship between Sophia and the mischievous pet is inevitable as she discovers the commonalities between Jeannie’s small world and her own miniature playhouse. Interesting subplots available for discussion include sibling rivalry, the historic vaudeville performer, and responsible pet ownership.

A helpful section at the end of the book answers questions about how to care for and adopt hamsters as pets. Evans paints the children with light-brown skin and straight or wavy black hair; their names suggest Latinx heritage. A fine educational tool for children who think they may be ready to give love and attention to a pet. (online resources) (Picture book. 3-6)” ~Kirkus

Read the whole Kirkus review HERE.

Purchase on Amazon HERE

View Teacher and parent resources, coloring pages and lesson plans HERE

The Evolution of an Illustration

Most people I encounter don’t understand the hours of work that go into each Illustration. For some strange reason, they have the impression that illustrators simply sit down and about twenty minutes later—out pops a completed painting. Unfortunately, this is far from realistic. When I speak in schools I liken the illustration process to that of the writing process. I always begin with research. I’ll use my newest painting as an example: The Frog Catcher.

I began with frog research. What do these slimy creatures look like? What is their proper anatomy? Which way do their legs bend? Only by understanding the true anatomy and what makes a frog…well a frog, can I then stylize and warp it to my own unique ends. Then I move to sketches, a basic rough draft that I know will change as it becomes more and more finished.

 

Since this particular character did not yet have a story in which he belonged I moved to a color comp next to try to get a feel for who he was, and what in the world he was doing with all these frogs.

I loved his little determined expression and all the crazy frogs, but I wasn’t sure where this character was going yet so I showed him to my mentor EB Lewis. EB liked him too and suggested I find a home for him. Where is he now? Where is he going? What is he doing with all those frogs? So, I went to work again. I liken this to the editing process when writing. More research, more sketches, and quite a few hours later I discovered my frog catcher lived in the bayou and was planning to have frog legs for dinner! I worked up the sketch for a background and created another color painting.

 

I liked the depth in the background and the additions of the dog and bucket but I felt that something was still missing. If this little guy was hunting around in the Bayou all day there’s no way he’d be so clean! EB also suggested that I bring the boat into the foreground more, give the ground more interest, and add some more dramatic lighting. Back to the drawing board for more research, more sketches, some trial color comps (more editing) until I arrived here:

 

I knew I was close, but still no banana, everything had turned muddy—my colors, my background vs foreground, my water. Yuck, bad painting day, everyone is allowed one once in a while. Back to the drawing board for the fourth time—or painting table in this case! Until I finally ended here…

 

muddy child catching frogs

Mud only where it belongs, a definite foreground, middle ground and background, emotion, narrative and interaction. In short, a story for my crazy character. And all told it only took about forty hours of work!

Frog legs anyone?

Release of “Friends in Fur Coats”

I’m so excited to announce the release of Friends in Fur Coats

Written by Claire Buchwald and Sarah Buchlaw
Illustrated by yours truly! (Rebecca Evans)
Published by The Gryphon Press

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, Noah finds out from his animal friends why fur belongs on animals, not people. Sitting on his bed with his cat Mango and his furry toy animals, Noah asks, “Why do you get to have fur coats, but I don’t?” In his dream that night, Noah’s animals offer a variety of answers. He learns how vital each animal’s coat is to its survival and happiness.

Friends in Fur Coats

 

Available now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Books-a-million

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