Kalman, Bearden & Rockwell

Forgive me, I've been lax with blogging and social media stuff lately. It might not be a bad thing. Instead, I've been letting inspiration hit me in the real world by going to museums and galleries, visiting book stores, reading, writing, and spending time with my children.

A sampling of some of my favorites by: Maira Kalman, Romare Bearden and Norman Rockwell.

On the book making front: I've begun painting art for Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama– looks like I'll be doing the holidays in my studio all summer... Also, something I've discovered is that I like doing research, as I try my hand at non-fiction writing for children (I can't say much about the project at this early stage– just that I'm inspired!) Stay tuned.

South Orange Show

For the entire month of March in South Orange, N.J., the Book Maker's Dozen has a show of prints at Sparkhouse Studio. At the wild opening event there were workshops, book readings, interactive drawings– and in spite of the torrential downpour– a crowd of more than 250 people. Those South Orangers know how to party! I am pleased to say the show with 26 images from many beloved picture books remains up in their gallery this whole month. Two of my prints, Coney Island (from next year's B is for Brooklyn) and Map of New York (from Greetings from the 50 States) are included at just 100 bucks a pop.

Sparkhouse

Toys * Books * Awesomeness

15 Scotland Road

South Orange, NJ

Book Maker's Dozen Etsy

Cheers to my Gal Peers!

Yesterday marked International Women's Day– Hooray! All month long, as we march toward spring, we celebrate the accomplishments of women past and present. Above is an image from my upcoming book, EVERY DAY DRESS UP (10/'11 Knopf). Appropriately costumed, Elizabeth Cady Stanton leads the way for Eleanor Roosevelt, Sonia Sotomayor - and women all over - to have equal rights and representation. Happy Women's History month to all you lovely ladies!

Picture Book Art Opening

Wow, that was some winter! It was truly not fun feeling trapped at home with endless snowstorms and the bitter cold outdoors. But now that the groundhog's predictions might just be coming true, this Friday is a perfect opportunity to venture out! Powerhouse Arena is having a show of The Dozen's art (not just prints this time!) and the opening is this Friday night. Hope to see you there. Personally, I'm looking forward to kicking back and sipping wine surrounded by great art and illustrators alike. Bring it!

Friday, March 4th

6 - 8 PM

Powerhouse Arena

37 Main Street, DUMBO

The Pink Debate

I'll admit it, I like pink. It happens to be a flattering color for me to wear. And I don't really have a problem dressing my daughter in pink. Especially since we get so many nifty hand-me-downs. Who I am to refuse free clothes?

Yet with my daughter about to turn 3, I have mixed feelings about the seemingly inevitable princess dress-up phase.

I'm looking forward to working through some of these conflicting feelings by reading Cinderella Ate My Daughter, which was reviewed in this Sunday's Times.

It seems there are many things to question. One thing that struck me is that pre-2000 there were no mass-produced Disney princess outfits for dress-up. That is, until a brilliant marketer capitalized on the natural gender identification age, and turned it into a multi-billion dollar industry.

For those mothers (or aunts or grandmothers or family friends!) who might be looking for an alternative to the panoply of princess dress-up books out there, my next book Every-Day Dress-Up might be just the solution.

I offer girls a chance to learn about real women who have done great things with their lives. The heroine dons outfits of such icons as: Frida Kahlo, Marie Curry, Eleanor Roosevelt and Julia Child, every day of the week.

There's probably no way to avoid the 'princessification' of girls entirely. But, why not give our impressionable daughters some alternatives?

Every-Day Dress-Up (Knopf) comes out this Fall. More to come!

Chocolate Coins & Christmas Trees

Ho Ho Oiy! It's that time of year. Both Hanukkah and Christmas are celebrated in our home. This means double the preparations, more shopping than I care to do, extended enthusiasm for each ritual, but - at least for the kids - twice the fun!

I'm working on a book at the moment about a family that celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas in one home. So far, I have just written the manuscript, although I have been inspired by this festive season as I move into the sketch phase.

When my son's Kindergarten teacher suggested that parents come into the class to share a holiday book or special family tradition, I thought it might be interesting to 'test my story out'.

So, today I visited Isaiah's class to read, "Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama". We talked about family's who celebrate both (75% based on a rough show of hands!), and then his classmates drew their own interpretations. Here are some of my favorites.

Now that I'm freshly inspired by the awesomeness that is unique to Kindergarten art, it's time to crack down and begin sketches of my own...

In the mean time, I wish you a very happy holidays– whatever it is you celebrate!

Making Trains at the BPL

Stand clear of the closing doors! This Saturday at the BPL I'll be leading a hands-on workshop for kids making subway trains. I'll read from my illustrated book My Subway Ride, as well as Christoph Niemann's new book Subway, to get your 8-10 year olds in the mood to create– using color, subway maps, metro cards & buttons. I tried this project out with my son and he loved it (see above)! Join me tomorrow at 2:30 for this FREE afternoon of fun. (And while you're there, be sure to check out the Drawn In Brooklyn exhibition. It's up through January, but time flies...!)

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Brooklyn Public Library

Grand Army Plaza, 2nd floor

2:30 PM

FREE

Book Maker's Dozen

It's a great time to shop early for the holidays!

13 children's book makers - who also happen to be friends - have gotten together to form the BOOK MAKER'S DOZEN. You can find us at Etsy selling archival prints from our children's books for just $100 each. Affordable art from some of your favorite books make terrific gifts for loved ones, children's rooms, or as well-deserved treats for oneself!

Who are the book makers, you might be asking yourselves? None other than...

Sophie Blackall

Sean Qualls

Brian Floca

Dan Yaccarino

John Bemelmans Marciano

Brett Helquist

John Rocco

Peter Brown

Boris Kulikov

Aileen Leijten

Sergio Ruzzier

David Gordon

and myself, Selina Alko

There will be not one - but TWO - opportunities to meet members of the Book Maker's Dozen and buy prints in person.

PowerHouse Arena is having 2 holiday party events!

1) December 2nd from 7 - 9 PM; A panel discussion cocktail party where 13 of us will talk about our work, answer questions, and sign books. Join us for some wine and inspiration!

2) December 5 from 4 - 5 PM; Another holiday party where rumor has it Santa may make an appearance. So be sure to bring your little ones!

PowerHouse Arena

37 Main Street

DUMBO, Brooklyn

Author Costume Photo Shoot

Halloween was perfect timing this year. The kids had to dress-up anyway AND I needed an author photo for my Dress-Up book. How apropos!

Ginger is still young enough that I can impose my ideas on her. Lucky for her, being Frida Khalo is a pretty cool idea. Frida's a character in my book, Every-Day Dress-Up (Knopf, 2011). Or I should say, my main character dresses-up as Frida. And her sister dresses-up as Georgia O'Keefe (That's me! That's right, I made myself look 40 years older for this photo-shoot. I am not vain!) Oh and Diego Rivera is, well, he's not really in the book. But I thought it would be only fair to include Isaiah. The thing is, he wasn't so into it. His idea of a real Halloween costume is something super scary. After this photo shoot he coined himself, "The Mysterious Freak", wearing blood red clothes with plastic spiders all over... but, I digress. For the sake of getting a 'cute author photo' I had to dress-up my kids appropriately, darn-it.

In the end, I chose the top photo of me & Ginger; Two Female Artists– since it IS a book about girls dressing-up (& their role-models). Anyway, I think Isaiah already had his turn in the spotlight as the protagonist in, "I'm Your Peanut Butter Big Brother". It's only fair, after all.

Dress-Up! & Fall Line-Up!

I'm rushing out the door to deliver art for my latest book, EVERY-DAY DRESS-UP!...

Dress-Up is about a girl who used to only play princess until she discovers real, great women from History, and decides to dress-up as a different Heroine every day of the week!

Sparking some ideas for alternative Halloween costumes? Personally, I'm looking forward to dressing up my Ginger as Frida Kahlo. EVERY-DAY DRESS-UP! comes out in the Fall 2011.

Before I leave, here's what's going on THIS Fall:

Saturday (tomorrow!) October 16 at The Brooklyn Public Library is FAMILY DAY. From 10:30 - 3 in the main lobby there will be book readings, music, activities and a chance to meet your favorite Brooklyn children's book illustrators. I'll be there signing books + some new prints too!

This Thursday, October 21 I'll be taking part in a multicultural literacy conference with Reach Out & Read at the Scholastic in SOHO. From 8:30 - 11:30 am join Pat Cummings, R. Gregory Christie and myself as we talk about diversity in picture books. It is free and open to the public.

Next Sunday, October 24 is GHOULS & GOURDS at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. This great festival has a spooky book barn and I'll be there again this year signing books all day long. Come on by to say, "boo!"

November 20 at 2:30 pm at the Brooklyn Public Library I'll be leading a TRANSPORTATION WORKSHOP. Bring your little ones for this free afternoon making subway cars from recycled materials. I'll be reading My Subway Ride to get your kids in the mood to make trains!