Friday, May 9, 2008 - What's Cooking in Picture Kitchen Studio
New book coming October 2008 from Dragonfly Publishing
A Very Dragon
Christmas
written by Terri Branson
illustrated by Kim Sponaugle
To get their stockings filled for Christmas,
three young dragons devise a way to lure Santa Claus into their cave.
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Monday, January 7, 2008 - Illustrator Kim Sponaugle's Picture Kitchen Studio
Friday, January 4, 2008 - Kim Sponaugle's Picture Kitchen Studio
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Fresh Baked Imagination
with every delightful illustration!
When Kim was 8 years old her grandmom entered her picture in a "color the bunny" contest. She won, and the prize? A paint-by-numbers set - it must have been Providence! Soon bored with the numbers, she began to paint and scribble on any available surface she could find!
That was quite a while back, but her love of drawing and painting has only grown stronger. Kim graduated from the Art Institute of Philadelphia and was hired by D.C. Cook Publishing as an associate designer BIL children's curriculum. She has sketched hundreds of children as a cartoon pastel artist, mural artist and has illustrated thirteen children's books with new titles to be released in 2008.
When she is not working at the Picture Kitchen Studio drawing board,she enjoys spending time with her husband Jerry and son Josh. She also has to keep an eye on their squirrel-crazed westie Casey!
Welcome to
Picture Kitchen Studio!
Just Released from Dragonfly Publishing
Autumn Joy's first assignment as an angel is to guard Forrest,
a rambunctious and disobedient ten-year-old boy!
"Angel's First Job is the story of Autumn Joy, a recent graduate of Angel School, and her mischievous human, Forrest. The story takes you through various close calls in Forrest's life as he does all of the dangerous things that little boys do. The watercolors by Kim Sponaugle are outstanding and give warmth to this sweet story of God's care. Flying through this picture book with little angel Autumn Joy is, well, pure joy!" ~ Robin Khoury, Children's Bible Teacher and author of "Answers for New Christians" (03/2008)
Purchase Now
STUBBY'S DESTINY - Latest book
I have just completed the artwork for Stubby's Destiny written by Dixie Phillips
Take a peek at a few illustrations.
 
Stubby's Destiny is planned to be released Fall, 2008
Whether it's pastel illustrations........
Or Watercolor illustrations........
Picture Kitchen Studio
is always whipping up something special!
email Kim at Picture Kitchen Studio
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Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - It's really black and white...Pen & Ink
Here are a few black line art samples from the latest book just completed along with illustrations from 3 other books. It's the first time I have incorporated washes.Black line art has a great clarity to it. It cuts away from all the distractions in full-color work. Though I love working in color there is something refreshing about working with line and values.I am aiming to bring more drama to my sketches with wash contrasts - If you like working in pen and ink you might want to try sketch and wash pencils along with it. I think I was getting more caught up in the washes than in the ink work!
It's really black and white..
Illustrations from Mike Duffy and His Adventures With the World's Smallest Person
Llumina Press 2008
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Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - Expressing emotion in art
A friendly face
I love illustrations that express feelings. Do you ever feel angry, lonely or surprised as you turn the page of a well-loved children's book? Do you feel as if you are the main character? This is good. Sometimes in an illustraton, the way a character is rendered, it's features, the technique that the artist uses (soft pastels, pencils ,watercolors etc.) can make you feel the desired affect. It could be generated by the color choices and atmosphere created by the artist and sometimes it's just surprising accidents! Whatever way it comes to be, an illustration that moves you, is a delight to read and look at over and over.
F U N L O V I N G !
I want to make the viewer feel something with my work.......I believe a big part of art is "heart"... it should make you feel something along with what it expresses in the text. Make you laugh, cry, look at things in a different way. It should communicate, even illuminate the words from a story.
C O N T E N T
W O N D E R
Maybe that is one of the reasons why we love books, music and the arts - they make us feel again and make us aware of wonder, contentment, excitement and warmth like hugging your lovable, worn out ol' bear!
Here are some illustrators that express emotion in a wonderful way:
Satomi Ichikawa
R.W. Alley
Doron Ben-Ami
Juana Martinez Neal
Julia Noonan
Maria Woods
Angela Swan
You can find these and other illustrators at www.childrens illustrators.com and www.picturebook.com .
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Saturday, December 8, 2007 - Tips to help you find the right illustrator for your book.
Tips to help you
find the right illustrator
So let's say that you really don't know where to begin to find an artist to illustrate your childen's book. You have already decided that you are going to self publish, so you now need to have an idea of the style that would suit your book. Whether you hire an artist directly or the publisher provides one for you, it's good to have a solid idea of the "feel" you are looking for. You can find several websites such as www.Picturebook.com or www.Childrensillustrator.com that can be very helpful. You can brouse through pages of artists, viewing their illustrations and build a file of what you like. This file can give the artist a good idea of the style and feel you are looking for. You can email some artists directly for information regarding a quote. Here is a list of things to remember:
1. Have a budget idea for your project even while you are asking for a quote.
2. Hire a professional or someone who has some experience in book illustration. - If you are new to book publishing, it's best to work with an experienced illustrator- ultimately, it can be less stressful and with the right match you will find it is worth every penny!
3. Contact authors the artist has worked with, if you can - this is a great way to see if it has been a good experience for them and will be for you.
4. A contract is important. Always request a contract, it protects and clarifies both the author and artists obligations to the project.
5. Be flexible, willing to negotiate. Most artists are fair folks and are willing to work with you if the price is reasonable if not there are many other fish in the sea!
6. Ask if the artist would be willing to sketch a main character. See if they are a match - many artists that are interested in your project will be willing to do this for you - for free.
7. Keep an open mind regarding creativity. The artist needs some "artistic" room to illuminate your words, be patient, wonderful things can happen!
8. Share your ideas, but leave room for artistic license. There is a balance between the word and image and it's up to the artist to work with you to find it.
9. Avoid calling the artist "my illustrator." Remember the book's completion is a team effort and to make your book the best it can be - there needs to be mutal respect.:)
10. Take your time when searching. Do not let passion for your book project to cause you to make hasty and "costly" decisions.
Enjoy watching it all come together!
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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!!!
"Benny & Marshmallow - A Day of Mischief," Elisabeth Matulewicz, Ithaca Press
"Angel Eyes" author Dixie Phillips, Guardian Angel Publishing 2008
"Stubby's Journey" by Dixie Phillips, Guardian Angel Publishing 2008
"The Gift of Love" Elisabeth Matulewicz, Llumina Press 2008
"A Very Dragon Christmas" Terri Branson, Dragonfly Publishing, 2008
"The Little Crane" by Atheen, Keene Publishing 2008
(My services are also available to Self-publishing Authors)
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About Me
Highlighting the illustration work of Kim Sponaugle, her latest books available, links, contact information and illustrator's blog.
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