Pages: A Bookstore

Bring the little ones and join me for story time.
We'll read We Eat Food That's Fresh!,
sing along with the chef, and make our own chef hats to take home too!

Monday, July 12th, 10:30AM
at the new independent bookstore
Pages
904 Manhattan Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310-318-0900

See you there!


* * * Do you have children's books that you don't need? * * *

make room on your bookshelf
brighten a child's world
help a young man become an eagle scout

Ben Bravo, of Boy Scout Troop 65 is an Eagle Scout candidate. For a service project he is building a small library for a battered women and children's shelter in East Los Angeles called the House of Ruth. He's asking for new or gently used children's books for the ages of 0-10. Books written in English and Spanish are appreciated.

You can drop off your book donations at

Pages
904 Manhattan Ave Manhattan Bch., CA
until Monday, 7/12/2010, 11:30am

Chemers Gallery
17300 17th Street, Tustin CA
until 7/13/2010

Benjamin Franklin Award Winner 2010

I'm thrilled and announce that We Eat Food That's Fresh! published by Our Rainbow Press, is the 2010 Benjamin Franklin Award winner for the Children's Book & Audiobook Set category. "Named in honor of America's most cherished publisher/printer, the Benjamin Franklin Awards™ recognizes excellence in independent publishing. Publications, grouped by genre are judged on editorial and design merit by top practitioners in each field." Our Rainbow Press is a children's book publisher dedicated to enriching children's lives with quality books that promote self esteem, early reading and literacy, healthy living, and family values.

Click Here for more info and full read along video with companion song

A simply edible book that is rich in colorful fruits and vegetables. Inspires all ages to have a taste of something new! --Produce For Better Health Foundation

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

Facebook Event Page

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

"We Eat Food That's Fresh!" is officially released!

I am pleased to announce that, "We Eat Food That's Fresh!" has been officially released! I'm very excited about this project, not only because it's the first book that I've illustrated, but also because I care about what goes into little people's bodies & minds. We all know it's very important to encourage children eat healthy food, but it's a challenge with all the not-so-healthy choices available today. I feel "We Eat Food That's Fresh!" gives parents and educators a useful tool to impress upon children that healthy eating can be enjoyable and fun. With a catchy song, lively characters and over 60 different illustrated fruits and vegetables, the book holds children's interest, and keep the message, "...try something new!", echoing in their little heads.

Here is a podcast with a clip of the CD and a peek inside the book. Please be patient... it may take a moment to load.

A whimsical chef encourages children to try new foods. He stirs up their interest in fruits and vegetables in the garden, kitchen and while on an outing to the beach. It comes with a musical CD that will delight children with easy rhymes and repetitive verses. I'm sure this fun and persuasive chef will have kids tasting new fruits & veggies in no time!

Come, celebrate the release of "We Eat Food That's Fresh!"
at CHEMERS GALLERY
17300 17th Street, Tustin, CA 92780
Saturday, September 12th, 2009 from 4-6pm.
I'll be there along with author/song writer, Angela Russ Ayon

Everyone is welcome! RSVP appreciated.

714.731.5432 | | art@chemersgallery.com | | Facebook Event Page

Please don't be shy though, come even if you didn't RSVP

SO, WHO DO YOU KNOW who would like a book that encourages children to eat healthy fruits and vegetables?

Teachers - Librarians - Parents - Grandparents
Pediatricians - Nurses - Child Care Providers
Health & Fitness Professionals - Nutritionists - Chefs
People Who Eat

Please Spread the Word!
to share with your friends, click the envelope icon at the bottom of this post

We Eat Food That's Fresh
Author: Angela Russ-Ayon
Illustrator: Cathy June
Our Rainbow Press
ages 4-8
Hardback ISBN: 978-1-934214-06-0
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-934214-09-1

You Can order "We Eat Food That's Fresh!" online at:
Amazon.com
AbridgeClub.com
PBH Produce for Better Health Foundation
Kaplan Co

Also, encourage good manners with this soon to be released book by Angela Russ-Ayon, Illustrated by Irina Mirskaya:


Pre-oder "We Love the Company" on Amazon.com

More about "We Eat Food That's Fresh!"

Classroom Visits

I had such a great time sharing my new book, "We Eat Food That's Fresh", written by Angela Russ-Ayon, with two classrooms yesterday!

After reading the story and listening to the fun bouncy sing along song we had fun making art projects.

In Mrs. McMath's 1st grade class each student decorated their paper "I'm the Chef" hat and cut it out. With a little help and a little tape they were fit to size and ready to wear.

We all worked together to decorate an eight foot banner with our favorite fruits and vegetables using soft pastels, my favorite art medium ;)

Here's a picture of the colorful banner made by Mrs. McMath's talented 1st graders:


In Mrs Rios' kindergarden class we also worked together to make a mouth watering banner with loads of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, I left in a rush and forgot to take a picture.

Summer picnics must be on the students minds, because watermelons were definately a favorite in both classrooms!

Thank you Mrs. McMath & Mrs. Rios for sharing your students with me!

Click here for more about
"We Eat Food That's Fresh"

Thank you CHEMERS GALLERY for supplying paper for the banners!

1st Copy "We Eat Food that's Fresh!"

Here it is.. it finally arrived! I can't tell you how excited I am. My first copy of "We Eat Food That's Fresh". The book will be released for purchase soon and I'll be sure to keep you posted when it's available! You can pre-order it on Amazon.com LEFT: "We Eat Food That's Fresh!" and happy illustrator (me) It's all about a whimsical chef who encourages children to try new foods. He stirs up their interest in fruits and vegetables in the garden, kitchen and while on an outing to the beach. It comes with a musical CD that will delight children with easy rhymes and repetitive verses. I'm sure this fun and persuasive chef will have them tasting new fruits & veggies in no time! Mmmm... yummy! Makes me want to eat something fresh right now! 

 

Click the image below  for more info and a video of the full book and companion song.

 

 We Eat Food That's Fresh Author: Angela Russ-Ayon Illustrator: Cathy June Our Rainbow Press ages 4-8 Hardback ISBN: 978-1-934214-06-0 Paperback ISBN: 978-1-934214-09-1 Soon to be released" Pre-order "We Eat Food That's Fresh!" on Amazon.com also encourage good manners with this soon to be released book: Pre-oder "We Love the Company" on Amazon.com

More about "We Eat Food That's Fresh!"

Picture Bookies Showcase

Good news for illustrators of children's books! Picture Bookies Showcase is now accepting submissions of illustrations to post on their blog. This is a great way for illustrators to get some web exposure and there is no cost. See Sherry Rogers' blog for all the details and get those illos out there!

The blog is sponsered by a small group of children's book illustrators:

• Ginger Nielson
• Sherry L Rogers
• Amy Cullings Moreno
• Kathleen Rietz
• Paige Keiser
• Bron Smith
• Kristi Valiant
• Gina Pfleegor

IF - Resolve

Let's resolve to take more time to
smell the flowers in 2009.

"Tickled"
pastel on paper
8 x 10

Some "smell the flowers" moments from 2008 for me are:

• Reading a story to a child.

• Sighting a pair of Blue Birds in our back yard for the first time in 25 years of living here.

• Soaking up the sights & sounds & smells of the California Coastal Redwoods, taking a million pictures as if I could capture some of it's grandeur in my little Canon.

• Receiving a long distance "Happy Birthday song" on my voice mail from a grandchild. That was August - I still can't delete it :)

• A summer evening walk by the beach with my one and only.

• Spending the afternoon at the Discovery Science Center with the grandchildren and watching them explore with wonder and excitement. Spending the evening collapsed on the couch!
  

• Waking up early one December morn to find a fresh cut Christmas tree adorned with lights that my husband had set up during the night to surprise me.

• Playing Secret Santa and "Kris Kringling" a friend with a six year old.
  

• Serving (at least) 20 cups of hot cocoa to my 2 year old granddaughter made in her Elmo kitchen. She drank every last make believe drop, then we made some more for Elmo.

• A big pot of soup on a cold rainy day.

I'd love to hear about your "smell the flowers"
moments in 2008.
Your comments are always welcome!

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

My Current Book Project

I'm very happy to say that my first picture book is going off to the publisher this week! Soon, I'll have a better image of the cover to post... the color is off on this one.

The working title is "We Eat Food That's Fresh" by Angela Russ, published by Our Rainbow Press. It is a book for preschool and elementary age children to encourage healthy habits.

More info to come!

As a child I loved to draw, sew and make things. Later photography, portraiture and gardening became favorite activities as well. In about 1995 I discovered soft pastels as a wonderful medium for portraits, landscapes and still life. It is still my medium of choice sometimes used with gouache, ink and digital manipulation in illustration.

I became interested in children’s book illustration once I began working at Chemers Gallery where I was surrounded and inspired by not only fine art, but also exceptional original children’s book illustration, some of the best in the industry. Some of my (many) favorite illustrators are David Christiana, Mary Grandpre, Matt Faulkner, and Mary Newell DePalma. I love using the skills I’ve learned from drawing portraits, and landscapes in pastels to “tell a story” with pictures.

Looking back I've always been influenced and encouraged by family members. I watched my father practice sign painting, calligraphy, photography, and oil painting when I was a child. Also, my sister, Crista Forest, is an accomplished wildlife artist. I was fortunate to raise six creative children, whom I’ve learned so much from, especially my two oldest sons, who are professional illustrators.

My husband and I live in California and are now enjoying our nine grandchildren who provide endless inspiration for children’s illustration.

Cathy June Arneson

My Fine Art

My Photography

PORTFOLIO

"Pants"
9 x 13
Pastel on Paper

"A Gift for Princess"
pastel on sanded paper
9 x 12

"Big New Friend"
pastel on textured foamcore
13 x 9

Princess Charlotte

pastel on textured foamcore
9x12

"Two Scoops Deluxe"
pastel on paper
9 x 11.5

SPLASH!
pastel on sanded paper
7 x 7

Illustration by Cathy June
from the book, "We Eat Food that's Fresh" by Angela Russ-Ayon
(c)2009 Our Rainbow Press
pastel on paper

"Really Into It"
pastel on paper

"Two Creatures in the Night"

pastel
9 x 12

"How the Camel Got His Hump"

pastel on paper
17 x 11

"Hungry Blue Fox"
pastel on paper
10x9

"Blue Fox meets Goose"
pastel on paper
9.5 x 6.5

"Princess Alexa and Friends"
pastel on paper
12 x 9

"The Little Red Hen"
pastel on paper
10.5 x 13

"The Little Red Hen"

She's a busy little hen, hard working, generous, and always ready to try new things. You've gotta love her. But, don't think she won't notice if you neglect your share of the chores around the farm. This is the cover illustration for my dummy book; my version of "The Little Red Hen".