Monday, 21 September 2015

meet Challenge member: Jolanda Jarman

Jolanda Jarman

1. Your name, location
Jolanda Jarman, Sydney

2. Describe your family
 My husband and two daughters aged 10 and 2 are usually asleep or at school/work while I work on my challenge pieces so I enjoy showing them the finished product and seeing their reactions before I share it online. They are super supportive, though  I’m sure they would like me to show as much enthusiasm for cooking as I do for art.
Week 25 2014: AFRICA


3. Describe your work
I have started referring to my work as ‘constructed’ illustrations as I build my images up using a combination of moveable parts and collage, pens and pastels. I start by creating the paper doll then create the background scene while she sits assembled on my shelf. The fun comes when I attach the doll to the page , there is definitely a little playing involved in finding the perfect position. I use photoshop to fill in some of the backgrounds .

4. What is your career goal?
While I’m not entirely sure where my work fits in the art world I do look forward to finding out. My short term goal is to enter some pieces into art shows  and set up a redbubble account to sell prints.
Week 26 2014: LAND


5. Describe your art background
Last year I completed the Diploma in Visual Arts (full time) at Nepean Tafe. I loved every minute of it.

In drawing class I struggled with the easels, charcoal and tonal work of traditional drawing… until the week I approached a drawing assignment a little differently. Our brief was to ‘create a drawing from photos we’d taken on a recent museum excursion’. I came into class with a box full of craft materials and created my first ‘moving parts’ drawing  of a cassowary cut from my photos. My class mates enjoyed a good laugh and I was further encouraged by my teacher who validated to me that what I saw as good fun was in fact art.
Week 12 2014: RAIN


6. What do you love about the Challenge? What have you learned?
I had been missing the structure of art school when I decided to try the challenge. I am thankful to the group for accepting and welcoming my collage style. It has given me focus and drive to develop my work into something people might look forward to seeing each week. I’ve learned to use Photoshop a little better since starting.

7. What is your favourite illustration you have done for the challenge so far?
 My favourite illustration so far is Week 24 ‘Calendar'.
Week 24 2015: CALENDAR


8. Tell us something that we don’t know about you
I have started a tradition in my family of making elaborate Christmas pinatas. It started as a bit of fun but  5 years later I don’t think my family would let me in if I turned up without one.

Follow Jolanda online:

Redbubble: http://www.redbubble.com/people/JolandaJarman    

Wednesday, 16 September 2015

nicky's picks - week 36: DANCE


I love it when it is my turn to choose the picks of the week, and what a fabulous week it was too!

With all the images that filled my Facebook newsfeed this week, I really thought I could feel the rhythm and hear the music...

Here are the selection of illustrations that touched my heart this week....

Nicky x

Anne L-y So

Aska Theillustrator

Cara King

Dana Haigh

Danny Zemp

Ian McLean

Izabela Ward

Janet Murphy

Jess Rackyleft

Jo Dickson-Undercliffe

Joanne Stead

Karen Zvorc

Kate Bartholomew

Leonie Cheetham

Linda Graham D'Agostino

Lou Endicott


Marie Charrois

Marie Laure Fontan

Marisa Morea

Melissa Tan


Peter Hinton

Rachele Rebetez

Ramona Davey





Sophia Tsorbaris

Vicktoria Takacs

  
Allison Smallwood

 
Joyee Neogi
  
Samantha Cohen


Monday, 14 September 2015

two birds on a wire - Heidi and Coral's book launch


Two Birds on a Wire - written by Coral Vass, illustrated by Heidi Cooper Smith

'Two Birds on a Wire' has officially flown the nest and was launched with simultaneous Book Launches in Melbourne and Brisbane on Saturday 12th September.

The creators of this children's book are 52-week Illustration Challenge Members Coral Vass and Heidi Cooper Smith.




Brisbane Launch:

In Brisbane, Heidi was introduced by awarding winning author Aleesah Darlison.

Aleesah Dalison and Heidi Cooper Smith

Heidi reading her book


Heidi signing at the Brisbane Book Launch

Craft activity at Brisbane launch

Melbourne Launch:



Nicky Johnston (that's me) spoke at the Melbourne Launch, introducing the book to a gathered crowd. Farrell's Bookshop was a wonderful location and the two volunteer actors from the audience certainly stole the show in their re-enactment of the story.

Nicky (me) introducing Coral and her book to the audience at Farrell's Bookshop
Coral reading her story

The actors stole the show.

Craft activity at the Melbourne launch

It is always so fabulous to have fellow authors and illustrators supporting each other, and it was an opportunity for fellow Challenge members to catch up.

Coral Vass and Serena Geddes

Nicky Johnston and Coral Vass

Coral Vass and Kayleen West

Nicky (me), Coral, Serena and Kelly
Congratulations to both Coral and Heidi and a fabulous collaboration of creative talent. And to think that the 52-week Illustration Challenge was the place that found you two joining forces.....so exciting.


Follow Coral online:
Website: http://coralvass.com/

Follow Heidi online:
Website: http://heidicoopersmith.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiCooperSmithArtist


Read some reviews and interviews here:

Coral interview:
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2015/09/10-quirky-questions-with-author-coral.html

Heidi interview:
http://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/two-birds-on-wire-balancing-with-heidi.html

Book Review:
http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2015/09/review-two-birds-on-wire.html 

meet Challenge member: Margaret Dewar

Margaret Dewar 

1. Your name, location
Marg Dewar, I live in the Yarra Ranges at Mount Evelyn, Victoria Australia. I have countryside all around me  and I am not too far from the city.

2. Describe your family
I have a wonderful husband Robin, an IT specialist, grown-up daughters, stepchildren and quite a few beautiful grandchildren.
Week 19 2015: EAT by Margaret Dewar

3. Describe your work
I am an illustrator of real estate with the odd logo design, business cards, portrait and caricature sketches and occasional children’s book illustration. And I love working.

4. What is your career goal?
My Goal is to create books with my illustrations, mostly aimed at children. I just need some good stories to go with them.
Week 21 2015: STRIPES by Margaret Dewar


5. Describe your art background
Since I can first remember I have always loved doing art so I studied Commercial Art at Swinburne Technical College many years ago. There was a time after that where I did no art at all for more than 15 years. But the art urge became too great and I started out by illustrating in ink the old buildings around where I lived at the time and these got published in the local paper. Then I got asked by real estate agents to illustrate houses for sale and that became my career. About 20 years ago I started using a computer to produce architectural illustrations in colour. I also did illustrations for educational magazines and a couple of books.
Week 12 2014: NUMBERS by Margaret Dewar

6. What do you love about the Challenge? What have you learned?
I love the encouragement that fellow artists give those who post their art. I have benefitted by seeing how others portray the themes and have been greatly inspired. There is definitely a great sense of friendship also. It’s like being on the “Inspiration Express”.

7. What is your favourite illustration you have done for the challenge so far? 
Very hard to pick but the one I enjoyed the most was week 22 on Childhood, many good memories.
Week 22 2015: CHILDHOOD by Margaret Dewar


8. Tell us something that we don’t know about you
I am always disorganized so I need deadlines to perform, I always have them with my work and without them I flounder. The gentle deadlines of the challenge are keeping me on track and I am creating so many things that would have otherwise not been done.
Week 10 2015: Night by Margaret Dewar


Follow me online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/JS-Illustrators/214196821926401