IF - Late

Here is my Illustration Friday entry of a late night star gazer,  Chandler, who loves to ride horses.  The sky's the limit, Chandler!

Chandler Star Gazing

12 x 9

Pastel

Sneak Preview - We Eat Food That's Fresh

Here is a sneak preview of the soon to be released book that I illustrated, "We Eat Food That's Fresh", by Angela Russ-Ayon, published by Our Rainbow Press. It comes with a CD for children to play and sing along with, so I've included a short clip of the song. Children and educators can enjoy the CD with or without the book. Below are a few pictures from inside the book.

"A whimsical chef introduces young children to fun food experiences that stir up their interest in fruits and vegetables. Join them as they pick from the garden, prepare in the kitchen, and relax by the shore. The chef wants the children to try something new, and they just might, before he's through.

Easy rhymes and repetitive verses are combined with deliciously colorful pastel illustrations. This picture book comes with a companion song, audio book, and instrumental on CD. Ages 4-8."

Hardback ISBN: 978-1-934214-06-0 Paperback ISBN: 978-1-934214-09-1

"You might just want to try something NEW. Blended BERRIES and APPLES. Make a smoothie too." "You might just want to try something NEW. PAPAYA, MANGO, GUAVA. Taste one or two!"

"We Eat Food That's Fresh" will be released late 2008 or early 2009. I'll keep you posted!

IF GARDEN

This is my entry for ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY this week.

Princess Charlotte, loves to read. She likes to read all kinds of stories about girls in other lands and books about animals, dinosaurs, and insects. Keep reading Princess Charlotte!

Princess Charlotte
pastel

GREEN THINGS GROWING
Oh, the green things growing, the green things growing,
The faint sweet smell of the green things growing!
I should like to live, whether I smile or grieve,
Just to watch the happy life of my green things growing...

~ Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

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

This illustration was done for an SCBWI Westside Illustrator's exercise. All members were given the text to a story about an arctic fox to illustrate. Then we brought them to the meeting to share. It was very interesting to see the many different ways the story was illustrated. No, sorry, the little arctic fox didn't catch the fish.

The original is 10x9 pastel.