THE ILLUSTRATOR DISCOVERY - OLA LIOLA!

As mentioned in previous postings, I was really working the craigslist angle.  Casting digital nets in the internet sea was producing responses but I was just not able to catch that fish that I felt could express my Magic Reindeer.  

My brother in law is a talented landscape artist who was using ETSY to post and sell his artwork online.  As I was navigating through that site to look at his paintings, my eye was caught by a drawing of an owl.  This owl was curiously yet sharply drawn with captivating detail.  Equally captivating was the vivid colors used to create this visual beauty.  

I clicked on this owl and studied it a bit more with child-like curiosity.  I then  followed the links to the artists' site and saw more animals of equal grace, sharpness, color and exactness.  Wolves, dogs, peacocks and many more.  It did not take long for me to visualize this style in the form of ... a reindeer!

The style of this work was captivating.  I spent a good amount of time looking at each work, admiring  the amazing detail and splendor of each one.  It seemed the art took on a quality of craftsmanship to it as well, much like a Faberge Egg.  I could not think of anything more than how this artistic style would be such a great match to express the emotions of the book I wanted to create.  

Fortunately, there was a 'contact' link on the page.  I began my dialogue with this artist who was going by the name, 'OLA', by sending an email that read, " I have been looking for an artist to illustrate a children's book" and continuing by asking, "would you be interested?"

The response was, "yes"!  With that response, I began the process of telling this story, which is similar to selling this story of a magic reindeer.  This is not an easy task by way of email.  I had no idea who this person was, what country they were from, did they even speak english?   It is difficult to tell a story not knowing who your audience is, what they look like, not seeing any reaction as you tell your story, almost feeling like Helen Keller I suppose.  

I am happy to say we got off to a great start and the story must be a good one because OLA seemed interested by it.  

Visit Ola at:  http://www.olaliola.com

-JH Kindt

To purchase this book, click the following link:

Magic Reindeer Milk

THE ILLUSTRATOR SEARCH

THE ILLUSTRATOR SEARCH

I’m often asked how I found the illustrator for this book.  This was much more a process than a task.  It would have been far easier to learn how to draw than it was to arrive at a great illustrator for “Magic Reindeer Milk”.  While having no regrets of how it worked out, it is an interesting story nonetheless.  

I began this process by selecting metropolitan areas and placing ads on craigslist that read something like, “Children’s book author seeks an illustrator for an upcoming book.”  This occurred in several rounds.  I was impressed by the large number of responses.  Many had great portfolios and talents.  After finding one of interest, I began the creation and negotiating process.

The artist I reached back to after admiring her work was known as Kate Pane.  Kate had replied to my craigslist posting with interest.  Kate Pane, for those who are not familiar with her work has a very creative style that emphasizes ethereal cloud-like images and as fate would have it, she had a series in her portfolio that was centered around a carousel.  At the time Kate and I were conversing about working on this book together, she was at the precipice of being discovered. 

I am very happy to say that Kate’s enormous talent exploded on the New York art scene at and around the time we had discussed the possibility of working together.  I am really happy to see the talents of one very deserving person recognized.  Artists especially bare their souls through their work and when you see Kate’s work, you can tell she has a good soul. 

So I have an eye for talent.  That eye does not get a book illustrated so it was back to work posting ads on craigslist and hoping that the right talent would come along.  The right talent did come along and you will have to keep tuned-in to the blog to find out how that happened. 

- JH Kindt

click this link in order to purchase this book:

Magic Reindeer Milk

Why write a children's book?

People ask me all the time why I've done this book.  It is near and dear to my heart as I told this story time and time again to my sweet girls when they refused to go to sleep.  We've all been there.  Asking to be read one more story and you're an hour-deep past bedtime.

My penchant was always telling my girls great stories that were SO good, they kept asking for more.  The point was the stories were supposed to get them to fall asleep.  Enter:  'reindeer milk'.

The first time I told this story to my oldest daughter, she asked if I had some 'magic reindeer milk'.  At that moment in time all synapsis in my wee brain fired simultaneously.  My mom gave me milk when I had trouble going to sleep, [it always worked], I could give Emmy milk too but she could not stand it.

"Why, yes Emmy ... we DO have some reindeer milk, but I thought you hated milk?"

"I do daddy, but I want to try it."

Upon returning to her room with a cup of milk I saw her toss it back as if it were a shot of Patron and she were a sailor on leave.   If that was not impressive enough, the real spectacle was seeing her instantly slip under her covers, close her eyes and fall asleep as I stood there.

It was that at moment, my fellow parents and lovers of successful bedtime missions, I knew I hit the jackpot of good ideas.  Necessity is the mother of invention and you can't invent nuthin' if you are reading 20 books to your kid every night.  Do not get me wrong, I love that time with my kids but as parents, we KNOW when bedtime is BEDTIME!

That is the first of forthcoming soapboxes I shall deliver you.  I hope you enjoy the book but more importantly, I hope your child enjoys 'reindeer milk'.

-J H Kindt

click this link in order to purchase this book:

Magic Reindeer Milk