A tearsheet for analog folks like me who still like to print art and hold it in my hand!
March 20, 2026
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Random mom love.
I received this email which made my day, and I am sharing with permission. I am beyond touched that this mom took a moment of her busy day to reach out to me. How special! xoxo
Hi! My name is Hannah and I’m just a random mom who checked your book out at the library to read to her kids.
I just wanted to say this is such a beautiful book, it actually made me tear up! I had to take a moment to compose myself when reading it to my kiddos. I felt all the emotions!
Not only is it a beautiful story but the illustrations are beautiful as well.
It’s the sweetest book and I will recommend to all my friends and family with kids.
You should be so proud! 😊
Thank you,
Hannah DeYoung
| Tags: author, fan mail, Illustrator, picture books, shine | More: Uncategorized
October Fun!
October 28, 2024
It’s been quite an October with a successful book reading and signing at Barnes & Noble in Valley Forge, PA, AND my very first school visit as a picture book author and illustrator! What a treat to meet the third grade classes of South Hanover Elementary! My presentation focused on making “good mistakes.” Using my personal journey as an example, I shared the often crooked, never perfect path of trying new things, and particularly creating a picture book. I’m truly looking forward to more opportunities to discuss my craft and journey with more students!
Upcoming events: Friday, November 1, Children’s Book World, Haverford, PA Author Illustrator night! Saturday, November 23 Barnes & Noble Plymouth Meeting PA, reading and signing!
| Tags: agent, agented author illustrator, author, educational, HermanAgencyInc, Illustrator, picture book, picture books | More: Uncategorized
A dream come true!
February 05, 2024
Ever since I first stepped into Society of Illustrators as a student at Pratt, I dreamed that I would someday be accepted as a member. Well, that day is today! I was approved as an associate member and look forward to continuing to grow my career as a professional illustrator! This is a milestone for me and I am truly feeling blessed to be part of such an incredible organization! https://societyillustrators.org
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Off to New York!
January 29, 2024
So excited to be jumping on the train for the annual winter scbwi conference in NYC! There’s nothing like the energy of being surrounded by like-minded creatives, getting pumped about children’s publishing! Hope to see some old friends and make some new ones. I’m looking forward to gleaning knowledge from the pros and challenging myself in the new year and beyond.
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Remember to Play
October 29, 2023
I’ve been working with this manuscript for some time, but how to approach the imagery has escaped me for a while. I was playing with pastels for another project and I started a mash of watercolor (my go to) and pastels to suggest the city scape where a boy and his grandma are spending the day. This is only a beginning sketch and I realize the proportion isn’t even close, but I’m excited about what is starting to happen on the page. I like the very loose and soft suggestion of city with the pop of pastel on the figures. Sometimes when I’m just trying to get ‘er done, it’s hard to let myself to explore and have fun on the page. I’m really looking forward to developing this idea further!
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Thrilled to announce a new partnership!
May 31, 2021
I’m very excited to announce that I am now represented by Ronnie Ann Herman, of the Herman Agency, Inc. HERMAN AGENCY represents professional artists and authors with an emphasis on the children’s market. This includes picture books and middle grade books, educational books and supplementary materials, children’s toys, magazines, cartoons, licensed characters, as well as stationery, advertising, and editorial illustrations.
Thank you, Ronnie Ann for partnering with me on this children’s publishing adventure! Here’s to whatever wonderful things may come next!
| Tags: agent, agented author illustrator, author, educational, HermanAgencyInc, Illustrator, middle grade, picture books, represented | More: Uncategorized
Sketches?
October 04, 2017
I have become aware that many art directors are interested in seeing your sketches. I personally love to see artist sketches but for some reason I haven’t thought much about sharing my own. Too shy, perhaps? Too worried that an unfinished idea would reflect badly on me? Maybe it’s the perfectionist part of me that doesn’t want to show the process, only the finished effort. I have come to understand, however, that it is helpful to see how someone arrives at their answer. It kind of reminds me of when math teachers ask you to “show your work.” Sketches are a window into brainstorming, and show the purest forms of visual thought process.
I’m going to try to record these visual journeys, and assemble them for sharing. I hope you enjoy them!
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Picture Book Dummy
November 03, 2016
I recently completed a picture book dummy workshop conducted by Annie Ericsson, through SCBWI Eastern PA. All I’ve got to say is Wow! What a treat it was to have her insight and thoughtful critique! I am so grateful to have had the opportunity, and so excited to have finished with a fun story in dummy form. It’s an admittedly silly story, with a lot of heart, the I can’t wait to illustrate! Here’s a little post card teaser!
My critique group was essential in the process too! I LOVE you all!
Thank you, everyone for helping to move my project along!
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Looking forward to a great weekend at Highlights Foundation!
April 27, 2016
I am so excited to dive into the workshops at the Highlights Foundation for the annual SCBWI Eastern PA Poconos retreat. The faculty for the weekend..Ame Dyckman, Zachariah O’Hora, Meg Medina, Erzsi Deak, Sean McCarthy, Leila Sales, and Lauren Rille. I hope to get some great feedback on my portfolio and First Pages/First Looks submissions. There’s always more to learn and room to grow!
This is not my first time at Highlights, and I am looking forward to the yummy nibbles, the beautiful setting, and truly, all of the great people. Author/illustrators are a pretty nice group of people to hang with on a weekend! SCBWI folks are always enthusiastic and encouraging, and honest. We all can use a dose of that, right?
See you on the other side of what looks to be an awesome weekend!