We Love the Company

A new children's book/CD has been released to teach good manners. A much needed subject, don't you think?

I am tickled to announce illustrator, Irina Mirskaya will be attending our book signing with her new book We love the Company along with myself, illustrator of We Eat Food That's Fresh! and Angela Russ-Ayon, the talented songwriter, and author of both books.

Chemers Gallery
17300 17th Street, Tustin
Saturday, September 12th, 4-6

Please join us!

Angela Russ-Ayon, owner of AbridgeClub.com and, is a nationally recognized, award-winning singer-songwriter, children's book author, trainer, keynote speaker, performer, and producer of interactive & educational children’s media. Her specialty is engaging young children in interactive song and dance using fine & gross motor activities that promote imaginative play and bridge educational gaps. During production, she works closely with colleagues and professionals in the field of child development and physical fitness. The time she spends in front of children either performing, participating in city programs, in preschools, and in school districts gives her the perfect hands-on testing grounds for her music.


Irina Mirskaya, A native of Russia, Irina Mirskaya has always been fascinated with art. When she paints, Irina says, she lives in a fantasy world of fairy tales and childhood memories. Irina enjoys both digital imaging and conventional painting with watercolor, gouache, dyes and pen and ink. Irina is working in a field of design and illustration. Her experience includes working as a designer/stylist in the textile industry, teaching art at Otis College and publishing greeting cards. Irina is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. We Love the Company is the first childen's book she has illustrated.


MORE ABOUT THE EVENT HERE

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Book Signing & Sneak Preview at Chemers Gallery

Book Signing
&
Sneak Preview



CHEMERS GALLERY
17300 17th St., Tustin, CA
Saturday, September 12, 2009, 4-6 pm

WHO's signing WHAT book?

I am happy to say, Chemers Gallery has invited author Angela Russ-Ayon & illustrator, Cathy June (that's me), to celebrate the release of our new book "We Eat Food That's Fresh!" on September 12th. We'll have a reading, lots of books, and reFRESHments!

WHAT's the SNEAK PREVIEW all about?

December 5th, 2009 Chemers Gallery will have its18th Annual Children's Book Illustration Show & Signing. Normally, the books for this event are available to pre-order in early October, but if you come on September 12th, you'll get an early peak at them! There will be dozens of children's books to choose from.

Every December, Chemers Gallery is transformed from a beautiful contemporary art gallery to a magical land of make believe, filled with original illustrations from picture books. It's a place where children and adults alike can wonder and imagine and dream.
Works by five different illustrators are exhibited each year and their books are available. This year, the event will benefit Saint Joseph Ballet in Santa Ana. Even if you can't come December 5th, signed and dedicated books can be pre-ordered, starting September 12th.

Beth Krommes chats with visitor, Patti Lui at the
2008 Children's Book Illustration Show
CLICK HERE to see more pics

Above: 2007 Children's Book Illustration Show

Pictured: Linda Zielinski, Joe Cepeda, Stacia Deutsch, Laura Huliska-Beith, Raul Colon, Mordicai Gerstein, Noah CLICK HERE for more pics

MORE DETAILS ON THE CHEMERS GALLERY BLOG

My comments about the 2008 show

Appreciation for Children's Books 7 Illustration is Thriving

This is the 7th year that I've been involved with the Chemers Gallery Children's Book Illustration Show in Tustin, CA. I have to say, the enthusiasm of our community is amazing! Visitors came from all over LA and Orange County. It's always a popular event, in fact we have customers ask as early as July if we've chosen the illustrators for the December show yet. I look forward to this event too. The illustrations are new, exciting and inspiring every year. It's always such a pleasure to meet the artists and observe as they happily meet their peers & fans and how they admire one another's original artwork with awe. Art buyers eagerly anticipate this time of year too, and are tickled to find treasured illustrations that speak to them and become part of their collections.

Melissa Sweet signing for a delighted fan (photo by yours truly)
Beth Krommes, Holly Meade, Elisa Kleven & Zachary Pullen were also present

At the opening Saturday, I couldn't help but notice, more than ever, what a grand celebration this event is for so many different kinds of people. It is a celebration of the craft of storytelling through illustration, a celebration of children's literature, a celebration of the love of reading, learning, and exploring our world. It is a celebration that is enjoyed by children and their parents and/or grandparents, together. Educators, librarians, children's book enthusiasts, art collectors, artists and writers all love viewing the original art, reading the stories, and listening to the artists as they share their insights. And, of course, giant piles of big, fat delicious cookies and Ronald McDonald magic tricks help add to the fun too!

Ronald McDonald entertaining visitors. (photo by Jennifer Geisert)

The impression I come away with is that even with all the razzle-dazzle of modern media, a love and appreciation for a good old fashioned "hold in your hand" children's book, and hand drawn illustrations are alive and well!

More about the Show

More pictures