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Updated: 9.8.2008
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BETH KROMMES
Artist's Statement, Children's Book Illustration
Having always thought of myself as a fine artist, I am surprised to find myself in the world of children's books. I took a few illustration courses while a painting major at Syracuse University, but never truly warmed to it. The reality of making a living lead me through a series of art-related jobs to editorial illustration for books and magazines, and eventually to children's books. I've been lucky to illustrate for many talented authors whose poetic manuscripts have inspired me. I never suspected how much I would enjoy this work.
My first editorial illustrations were wood engravings. I soon switched to scratchboard, which has the same look but is faster. To add color to my illustrations, I developed a technique of photocopying the scratchboard onto acid-free paper, mounting the paper onto a stable board, and adding watercolor. All my children's books have been done with this technique. My first book, Grandmother Winter, was published in 1999. The House in the Night, my sixth, was released by Houghton Mifflin in the spring of 2008.
The experience of reading picture books to my children--seeing what kinds of books they liked and what details in a picture drew their attention--has been a tremendous help to me as a children's book illustrator. Now that the girls are older, they and my husband are my best editors. I thank them for their support and encouragement.
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10 Hills Avenue, Concord, New Hampshire 03301
phone: (603) 225-2515 |
fax:(603) 225-7791
| email: art@mcgowanfineart.com
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