A little bit about "Schlafplatz gesucht!" over on SSP

The lovely people from Sunshine Smile Publications made a wonderful announcement for my soon to be released book "Schlafplatz gesucht!" (published by Bohem Press). Stop by their site to read and enjoy it!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway of a signed copy of "Wee Granny's Magic Bag" ending 1st November 2011!!

"Wee Granny's Magic Bag" - Giveaway

In all the fuzz about the Frankfurt Book Fair I nearly forgot announcing a new giveaway. This time it is a signed copy of "Wee Granny's Magic Bag" along with some postcards you are able to win, if you are lucky ;-)!
To win this giveaway you can either leave a comment on this blog post or like my facebook page! Doing both will of course double your chances! The winner will be randomly chosen and announced on the 1st of November 2011.

"Wee Granny's Magic Bag" is a lovely story written by Elizabeth McKay. It tells a story about Emily and Harry and their Granny. Granny's bag is magic and contains the most astonishing things like a red old-fashioned telephone box.
I illustrated this book traditionally in watercolour and ink. I already posted about how I got commissioned with this book earlier here on the blog. In the process of making the illustrations I completely forgot to take process pictures, so sorry for having not much to share on this end. I did manage to get this done for a book I recently finished, so there will be more insightful posts on how I create my art soon.

Another wonderful thing arrived the other day... my copy of the "They Draw & Cook" book. My "Monsters favourite Pumkin Soup" illustration is in it among great art from wonderful artists such as Silvia Sponza, Jannie Ho and many many others. It's a fantastic book and I will try to cook all the recipes in there. One of my favourite recipes from the book is Jennifer A. Bells Vegetarian Meatballs but honestly all of them are amazing and it is an honour to be part of this great book! (note: This book will not be included in the giveaway!)

Jennifer A. Bells illustrated recipe

My own illustration among 107 other artits

So good luck with the giveaway of "Wee Granny's Magic Bag" everyone!

Back from the Frankfurt Book Fair 2011

The Frankfurt Book Fair was busy as every year but this time around, it was my second time attending the fair, I felt not as overwhelmed and swamped by all the impressions. It was exhausting though nonetheless and in the midst of all the busy running around and meeting people I nearly forgot to take pictures, so I don't have as many as I wished I had to share with you.

Apart from meeting the editors I worked with during this year, I also met some new ones and even took the chance of showing my portfolio in open hours some of the publishers held. It was all worth it as I landed a new book deal for next year and some other projects are in the making but it's just too early to talk about that now. I can only recommend taking the time and waiting in the cue to talk to the editors. Even if they feel your art might not fit the profile of their publishing house, they give you great feedback and somtimes hints who might just be your client. It is also a good way to make a nice and professional impression. Some of them even recognized my logo, so they got a face to the work they had already seen somewhere.

This year I even found the time to stop by the illustrators café and I saw my illustration up on the wall in the illustrators exhibition held this year for the very first time.

But the most amazing thing to happen at this Frankfurt Book Fair was getting my advance copy of the book I wrote, illustrated and even designed "Schlafplatz gesucht!". The print turned out so lovely and I am very pleased with the result. I don't know how many times I had to walk past the stand of my publisher and peek at "my book". It will be released in January 2012 by Bohem Press but the copies arrived just in time for the fair so my publisher had the chance to already present it there. Wooohoo, so exciting!

Getting Dressed Winner Announcement

Thanks to everyone who participated in my giveaway here on my blog and over on facebook! The winner has been chosen randomly and it is......... Sandra Dieckmann! I will be in touch with you Sandra about your mail address.

There will be another giveaway here very very soon, so don`t be too dissappointed!