Thursday, January 11, 2007 - Kim Sponaugle's Art Blog
A cozy chair, a cup of coffee and some imagination......
A n I l l u s t r a t o r ' s I n s i g h t
We don't make It more beautiful,
we make it clearer
By Kim Sponaugle
In John Piper's book "Life as a Vapor" he has a wonderful meditation on imagination. This would stir some interest in most creative people as it did mine. I think artistics may suppose that imagination and creativities ultimate goal is beauty itself. That what we make or create is the end all. This devotion challenged me to think beyond that idea. God's world shouts his creativity and beauty. Our imaginations take what we see and experience and communicate it to others through the written page, the swish of a paint brush, the gracious movement of the dancer or lovely tones of a gifted singer.
We don't make God's world more beautiful, we make it clearer. God has given us imagination, and that is the tool used to magnify what is already there. In art, we take design concepts such as pattern, unity, contrast, etc, that are seen in nature and express creatively to others our impressions of it. It's already beautiful, already lovely.
I believe as an artist, that I have a responsibility to truthfully use my imagination to communicate in a way that is not boring and common. I guess the challenge is "Will I pursue imaginative ideas?" (things that say what no one has ever said before) or will I go for the easier expression. I think the hard work and struggle in writing, art or music is to clarify the truth of the natural world and the spiritual, clearly, to God's glory. This pursuit pleases Him. He has designed his people to do just that. May he make the desire for beauty and his glory clearer to my heart and yours.
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The Book Shelf
Grandma Kathy Has Cancer
Written by Colleen Buckley
Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
Cancer is a very frightening and mysterious disease from which children are often sheltered because parents are uncertain as to how to deal with it. This book draws upon real life episodes between a grandmother and her granddaughter to help children better understand what happens when family members are afflicted with cancer. The message it conveys is one of hope, love, and caring.
$11.50
Paperback, 8.5x8.5
ISBN: 978-159858-422-6
24 pages
Purchase Online Now
The Adventures of Beatrice: Beatrice's New Clothes
Written by Pam Halter
Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
Christianbook.com Price: $5.49
Concordia Publishing House
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 32
Publication Date: 2001
ISBN-10: 057007116X
13: 978-0570071167
Synopsis:
The Adventures of Beatrice teaches little girls to see God in life's difficulties. Let's see what happens to her today! Beatrice is sad. The children at school laughed at her, and it hurts. God takes care of her every need, just like the lilies in the field. But her mother has a surprise to help Beatrice. Beatrice has a special message at the end of this book about Jesus. Watch for it!
The Adventures of Beatrice: Beatrice Loses Her Doll
Written by Pam Halter
Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
Christianbook.com Price: $5.49
Concordia Publishing House
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 32
Publication Date: 2001
ISBN: 0570071178
ISBN-13: 9780570071174
Synopsis:
The Adventures of Beatrice teaches little girls to see God in life's difficulties. Let's see what happens to her today. Beatrice has looked everywhere! Under her bed. In the closet. In the toy box. Dolly is missing! Where could Dolly be? As Beatrice searches, she remembers how Jesus, the Good Shepherd, loves and protects her. Beatice has a special message at the end of this book about Jesus. Watch for it!
Anna Banana Books
Written by Nancy Gorrell
Illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
Christianbook.com Price: $5.49
Christian Focus Publication
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 96
Publication Date: 2007
ISBN: 1845501829
ISBN-13: 13: 9781845501822
Synopsis:
In this one book, you'll find three stories with black and white illustrations throughout. In each is a situation children will have to deal with--forgiveness, trust and gratitude.
The first story is a lesson in forgiveness. Anna is terribly annoyed with Corey Redmond! That pesky boy calls her Anna Banana and Anna does not like it one teeny-weeny bit! He even snatches Rose from Anna's loving arms and throws the doll in the air and whacks her on the floor. There is no way that Anna is going to invite HIM to her birthday party! But Anna has to learn a lesson about forgiveness.
Become friends with Corey and Anna as they become friends with one another and with God. In this book you'll also read "Fright in the Night," a story where Anna learns a lesson about trust, and "Cool Jewel" a story about gratitude. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.
Corey's Story
Corey's Story
Description
Corey Redmond is pretty good at getting into mischief. Anna Frieling will tell you that! But there are other things that Corey is good at - such as soccer. He's definitely one of the best in the school... but how will he cope when someone better comes along?
Evan, his new rival shows a lot of promise - in fact he's brilliant. His skill and fancy footwork mean that Corey is no longer the number one player - and this is kind of hard for Corey to take.
Read and find about how Corey copes with victory and disappointment on the soccer pitch - as well as how he tackles some bullies and a trip to hospital.
Purchase Corey's Story Online Here
Jamie's Dream
Jamie's Dream
by
Susan Berger & Christopher Corbin
Illustrations: Kim Sponaugle
eBook ISBN 13: 978-1-933090-40-5, 1-933090-40-5
Jamie had the best dream last night. Now he wants to buy it for his mom. Jamie is having a great day. He has French toast for breakfast; gets a gold star in spelling; wishes on a puffball; meets a unicorn; finds Dreams R Us, and buys his mom a dream. 14 illustrations , 1265 word storybook
Click here to order Jamie's Dream
New baby Album Coming February 2008!!
Baby Storybook Album written by Marcia Trimble
Images Press
A baby album featuring an abandoned rocking
horse named Q, who finds a new home in baby Curley's
nursery where he waits for Curley to grow big enough to
rock 'n ride. Includes places to insert photographs of a
child, who then enters Curley's story.
Audience: Ages 0-5.
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Illustrations by Kim Sponaugle
Poster Illustration "Kisses for Kai" a fundraiser to help baby Kai
From "Angel Eyes" by Dixie Phillips, Guardian Angel Publishing 2008
Illustration from "Curley and Q and Me, Too!"
From the Book "Benny & Marshmellow-A Day of Mischief" Ithaca Press 07'
Illustration from "Grandma Kathy Has Cancer" - 2007
Illustration spread from the book entitled "New Clothes" Concordia Publishing, 2001.
Looking for Dolly! from " Beatrice Loses Her Doll," Concordia Publishing, 2001
I
At the Movies! from "Grandma Kathy Has Cancer" 2007
Grandma's costumes from the book "Grandma Kathy Has Cancer."
Cover Illustration for "An Angel's First Job" - Dragonfly Publishing, coming 2008
All illustration work on this site is © Kim Sponaugle 2007, 2008
B i o g r a p h y
 Kim Sponaugle
Kim Sponaugle was born in New Jersey and is a graduate of The Art Institute of Philadelphia. Upon graduation, she was hired as an associate curriculum designer for Cook Publications in Elgin, IL. It was while she was designing children's products and hiring artists that she discovered that she really wanted to be at the drawing board.
Kim has designed and illustrated book covers, mural art, children's curriculum and in 2001, illustrated a series of two children's books for Concordia Publishing entitled, "The Adventures of Beatrice - Beatrice Loses Her Doll" and "New Clothes" with long time friend and author Pam Halter.
Teaching K-8th grade art and workshops to encourage author/illustrator teams at writer's conferences has been a way Kim can "break away from the board" and encourage other folks to pursue illustrating for children.
In 2007, Kim has enjoyed the opportunity to illustrate Corey's Story, Tickleland, Jamie's Dream, Mike Duffy's Adventures With The Worlds Smallest Person, Grandma Kathy Has Cancer along with art for children's magazines.
Books Coming 2008!!!
"Stubby's Journey" by Dixie Phillips, Guardian Angel Publishing 2008
"The Little Crane" by Atheen, Keene Publishing 2008
"Randy Kazandy! Where Are Your Glasses! " by Rhonda Fischer,
Whim Publishing,2008
"A Smile for the King" by Mike Yoist, Xilibris, 2008
"Tales of Henry" by Lily Westwater, Halo Publishing, 2008
"Semour the Semi" by Scott Spoonmore, 2009
(My services are also available to Self-publishing Authors)
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