Heath Make Good Market 2019
Come join ILLUSTORIA at Heath SF’s annual Make Good Market—an extraordinary event with over 30 talented vendors—artisan-makers and designers who will be on hand to share their craft, process, and goods with you. We are happy to be back at Heath, selling magazines (including discounted back issue bundles!) and hosting a DIY collage art activity that easily doubles as wrapping paper for your favorite gifts.
Find out more about Heath’s Make Good Market here.
It will be an amazing time to learn about the process and inspiration behind some of the makers whose work we most admire. Come celebrate creativity, select timeless, quality gifts of all price ranges, and make art with us. Then head to Tartine for a delicious bite to eat and to Playmountain East and Aesthetic Union for more goodness!
We hope to see you there!
McSWEENEY’S WILL NOW PUBLISH ILLUSTORIA!
Dear Reader,
I am overjoyed to announce that McSweeney’s, the award-winning, San Francisco-based independent publisher founded in 1998 by Dave Eggers, will take on Illustoria Magazine starting with our next issue! Please read our joint press release about this exciting news.
This is a dream come true for our indie magazine, to have the support of McSweeney’s under the leadership of Dave Eggers and executive director Amanda Uhle, and certainly feels like a match made in heaven as Illustoria and McSweeney’s both share an unwavering belief in the power of print, storytelling, art, creative expression, and youth voices. As a non-profit organization known for its award-winning literary journal, daily humor website, and courageous, design-minded publishing program, McSweeney’s champions ambitious and inspired new writing that pushes us to see beyond ourselves. I am delighted that McSweeney’s plans to expand circulation with a special focus on schools, libraries, and other organizations who serve under-resourced communities. In addition, you’ll see more opportunities for young writers and artists to be engaged.
This transition comes at an ideal juncture for me personally, as I find myself drawn to spending more time with my beautiful, growing family and on my own creative projects. It’s bittersweet for sure, but I couldn’t be more thrilled knowing that Illustoria will get to continue on in the good hands of an indie publishing house I have long admired and respected. It’s no surprise that when I was first developing Illustoria I found inspiration in indie mags such as Timothy McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern and The Believer; activity books enjoyed by kids and grownups such as The Goods; and Dave’s breadth of written work for kids and adults have always resonated and continue to touch a chord in me as a lit lover and, simply, as a human being.
While as the publisher and editor-in-chief (former!) I will sorely miss curating and creating Illustoria, I’m thrilled to pass the torch to McSweeney’s knowing that the publication is supported by such passionate visionaries and that our small but incredibly talented team—without whom Illustoria would not be what it is today—will continue their beautiful work on the magazine. Special thanks to my partner-in-crime Mark Rogero; and to our creative director, Elizabeth Haidle, and publishing assistant, Claire Astrow, who have both been with me on this wildly fulfilling journey almost since Day 1 and who will continue to do amazing things with Illustoria and beyond. It makes my heart skip a beat knowing that Illustoria will grow richer and more enticing with each issue, and that the legacy of this publication will become something greater than I ever imagined thanks to the massive creative energy and support of our new, fierce independent publisher.
My heartfelt thanks to all of you readers, parents, subscribers, contributors, staff, interns, advisors, friends, stockists, educators, librarians, and supporters, who have cheered for us along the way. Collectively, Illustoria has become bigger than the sum of its parts. It has become more than a magazine, it has become a community that I am so proud to be a part of.
Here’s to our new publisher, McSweeney’s, for being a believer, for embracing our community and getting Illustoria into the hands of more young readers, and for keeping print alive and thriving.
Please be sure to subscribe or renew your subscription to not miss a beat on all the inspiring creative output in store!
Warmest wishes,
Joanne
'Tis the Season of Giving
Don’t we all love giving as much as we do receiving? Now through Dec 10th, gift Illustoria and we will custom gift-wrap your magazine (or magazine bundle!) and hand-letter your gift message. At checkout, just type “WRAP” along with your gift message. Offer good for a limited time so don’t delay. Every issue of our magazine is packed with activities, interviews, original stories and art, DIY crafts, a recipe, playlist, book recommendations, music playlist, and more. Illustoria is a highly popular gift item for kids, parents, siblings, grandkids, teachers, librarians, artists, writers, makers, kid-lit lovers, and creative souls of all ages.
Happy Holidays!
The Pipers Sneak Peek
Art from The Pipers by Paul du Coudray and Beth Haidle
Did you know that Illustoria's very own creative director/art wizard Elizabeth Haidle and our longtime contributor and friend Paul du Coudray are collaborating on a project of otherworldly dimensions?
Art from The Pipers by Paul du Coudray and Beth Haidle
We're excited to share a few sneak peek images from The Pipers, a graphic-novel adaptation of a P.K. Dick short story from the 1950’s. Sci-fi lovers rejoice. Get updates on their progress, gain early access to their work, plus member perks and prizes at Studio Mascot. Far out ❕ 〰️
Art from The Pipers by Paul du Coudray and Beth Haidle
And don't miss out on Beth and Paul's gorgeous contributions to Illustoria. We're so honored to have their awe-inspiring artwork and insightful visual storytelling gracing the pages of our mag.
Call for Interns!
illustration by Paul du Coudray
As ILLUSTORIA continues to grow and flourish, we are on the look out for some helping hands! If you are a student living in the Bay Area, and have a love of (slash more like an obsession with) children's publishing, illustration and DIY culture, this might just be your dream internship.
We are now currently looking to fill two positions:
-Sales and Marketing Internship
-Editorial and Publicity Internship
Details:
-unpaid internship, school credit available
-part-time with flexible hours, approximately 4–6 hours/week
-6-month minimum duration
Our deadline for applications is October 3, 2017. Please see below for job descriptions and further details. Questions? Email them to hello@illustoria.com
Illustration by Elizabeth Haidle.
Sales and Marketing Internship
We are looking for a part-time intern to support sales outreach and order fulfillment. The ideal candidate is meticulously organized and detail-oriented, with a passion for children’s literature, illustration and DIY culture. Strong communication and writing skills, ability to multi-task and meet deadlines is essential.
Qualifications & Skills:
-College student or recent graduate
-2+ years of experience in administrative work
-Strong communication skills
-Detail oriented, strong ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
-In-depth knowledge of Excel, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ (esp. Sheets)
-Basic knowledge of Squarespace and MailChimp
Responsibilities & Duties:
-Outreach to and cultivation of relationships with media, bloggers, potential stockists and partners
-Manage order fulfillment:
~Track & record magazine store orders + subscriptions in database
~Package for shipment
-Basic website & database maintenance
Please submit your resume, cover letter and 3 references to hello@illustoria.com.
Illustration by Elizabeth Haidle.
Editorial & Publicity Internship
We are looking for a part-time intern to support editorial content and social media outreach. The ideal candidate is passionate about children’s literature, illustration and DIY culture. Strong communication and writing skills, illustration and graphic design background, and ability to multi-task and meet deadlines is essential.
Qualifications & Skills:
-College student or recent graduate
-2+ years of experience in marketing + editorial work
-Strong communication skills
-Detail oriented, strong ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
-Strong background in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign
-Excellent writing skills
-In-depth knowledge of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+
Responsibilities & Duties:
-Write and coordinate weekly to bi-weekly engaging blog posts
-Social media outreach:
-support and create engaging social media content
-create engaging MailChimp newsletter
-monitor analytics on facebook + twitter
-Marketing + event support:
-assist in event planning
-promote events on social media + outreach to local media sources
-represent ILLUSTORIA at various promotional events
-Create and oversee marketing collateral such as posters, postcards, swag, etc.
-Potential to contribute editorial illustrations + stories
-Collaborate with team on growing media and partner relationships
Please submit your resume, cover letter, illustration/graphic design examples, website, and 3 references to hello@illustoria.com.
Announcing #5: THE MOTION ISSUE
We are thrilled to present issue #5 of ILLUSTORIA, The Motion Issue. This issue is currently at the printer and will be delivered in the coming weeks so be on the lookout!
The Motion issue is bursting with invigorating stories and comics that will get your brain humming and your feet gearing up for action. We asked writers, artists, and makers to explore motion in all different forms, and the result is a meditation in movement in the form of sea creatures at the aquarium, the gallop of horses, journeys into space and fantastical worlds, the capturing of motion through art and photography, and even the progressive, forward-movement of trailblazers and activists.
Start off the school year inspired and energized through interviews with writer/activist Kate Schatz and visionary artist Miriam Klein Stahl of the bestseller Rad Women Wordwide.
A spread from our interview with rad women Kate Schatz and Miriam Klein Stahl of Rad Women Worldwide and Rad American Women A-Z
Learn how to make your own Victorian-era animated thaumatrope with a DIY activity by our creative director, Elizabeth Haidle.
DIY Victorian-era thaumatrope activity
Become a color detective when you read a brief history of vermilion by pigment and watercolor expert Alexis Joseph of Case for Making and master watercolorist Lindsay Stripling.
A Brief History of Vermilion by Alexis Joseph and Lindsay Victoria Lee, for issue #5: Motion
Fall in love with heroes of art history through eye-opening comics on Eadweard Muybridge, Madeline L'Engle, and Henri Matisse, and enjoy so much more in the form of comics, illustrated stories, book recommendations, a playlist and recipe, coloring pages, and activities.
Photographing Motion: Eadweard Muybridge, by Marlowe Dobbe for issue #5: Motion
Spread from Literary Giants as Kids: Madeleine L'Engle, by Elizabeth Haidle for issue #5: Motion
So get moving and pre-order your copy of The Motion Issue on our shop page or at your local favorite shop, newsstand, or bookstore!
Heath Newsstand Launch Party
Photo courtesy Heath Newsstand
Get out your party hats and come celebrate with us on June 3rd, 2017 for the launch of Heath Newsstand, a new gorgeously curated space of printed publications at Heath Ceramics! From 10 AM–1 PM, we'll be hosting a craft table where kiddos & grownups alike can color, write, and make their very own books and zines. While you create, there will be delicious pastries provided by Tartine Manufactory and free juice samples from the Juice Shop truck. But wait there's more—we'll be giving away adorable limited-edition pins, stickers, temporary tattoos and postcards. What could be more delightful?
In addition to crafts, we'll be showing off our newly released Issue 4: The Grow Issue along with our past issues 1–3.
After you've crafted to your heart's content, stick around to meet contributors from other local publications:
2–4 PM: Meet the team behind the National Magazine Award-winning publication The California Sunday Magazine. Full of ambitious true features and cinematic photography from across California, the West, Asia, and Latin America. Chat with Leo Jung, Creative Director, and Jacqueline Bates, Photography Director. And, don’t miss the free samples from San Francisco-based Original Grahams, graham crackers with quite the underground following in the city.
5–7 PM: Franchise will be presenting their newest issue and limited-edition print giveaways. It’s a global basketball print-only magazine full of vibrant photography, illustrations, interviews with designers and players, and covers locations from LA to Ghana. We’ll have beer from our friends at Fort Point Brewery along with bread and cheese from Tartine.
Photo courtesy Heath Newsstand
Heath Newsstand is a democratic space for the local community and visitors alike, with a wide range of topics to explore: international design publications, hard-to-find printed matter from far-off cultures, food and lifestyle magazines, and your favorite daily newspapers. There’s also a sweet selection of classic candy, snacks, cold drinks, cards from our favorite printers, and flowers from La Fleuriste. Plus, bags and accessories from Heath Sews, perfect for work and travel.
For more information about the event, check out: http://mailchi.mp/heathceramics/youre-invited-heath-newsstand-grand-opening?e=94d3664172
Photo courtesy Heath Newsstand
What: Heath Newsstand Launch Party -- ILLUSTORIA DIY bookmaking & crafts
When: June 3rd, 2017
Time: We'll be there 10–1 PM, but the festivities continue until 7 PM!
Where: Heath Ceramics, 2900 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
RSVP here.
Photo courtesy Heath Newsstand
See you there!
Women Who Draw, Write, and Inspire Us
Images left to right: Louise Bourgeois by Elizabeth Haidle (issue 2); sketchbook drawing by Lisa Brown (issue 3); watercolor portrait by Lindsay Stripling (issue 2); "Dream Before Building" by Lark Pien (issue 1); Beatrix Potter by Elizabeth Haidle (issue 3); Martha Graham by Marlowe Dobbe (issue 2); self-portrait by Nina Chakrabarti (issue 3); excerpt from El Deafo by Cece Bell (issue 1); "Hiroshima Mon Amour" by Britt Browne (issue 3)
Women's History Month is coming to a close, but we at Illustoria think every month should be women's history month! We are proud to pay homage to the courageous, intelligent, and rebellious women who have revolutionized their fields and empower us to dream big. Of recent, we've been thrilled to see collectives and movements such as Women Who Draw creating an inspiring platform for talented women illustrators. Today, we would like to take a moment to thank some of the amazing women who draw, write, and inspire us here at Illustoria.
artwork © Lisa Brown
cover art © Lisa Brown
artwork © Lisa Brown
Lisa Brown
Lisa Brown, the stupendous illustrator behind our Issue 3 cover, is a critically acclaimed illustrator, author, and cartoonist who resides in foggy San Francisco. She is the mastermind illustrator behind Emily's Blue Period by Cathleen Daly and 29 Myths on the Swinster Pharmacy by Lemony Snicket and has written and illustrated the fantastic Depressed. Repressed. Obsessed. 3 Panel Book Reviews as well as Vampire Boy's Goodnight, The Airport Book, and How to Be. (And this is all just for starters!) Brown also featured her sketchbook and mini-drawing activity in Issue 3, which we love to pieces. Stay tuned for more highlights of Brown this spring, in our super-exciting-filled-to-the-brim-with-inspiration Issue 4: The Grow Issue! You can find more of her amazing work at http://www.americanchickens.com/.
artwork © Cece Bell
images © Cece Bell
Cece Bell
If you haven't gotten your hands on the heart-melting and hilarious El Deafo by the genius Cece Bell, you might want to stop reading right now and run to the nearest book store immediately. El Deafo is a graphic novel memoir that tells the story of Bell's hearing loss and subsequent adventures with a clunky hearing-aid-turned-super-power. Alongside this Newbery Award Winner, Bell has published I Yam Donkey, Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover, and Chuck and Woodchuck amongst many others. We are so honored to have featured an interview with Cece in Issue 1 and a full length Q&A which you can read here. Check out more of Cece Bell's work on her website https://cecebell.wordpress.com.
artwork © Lark Pien; from "Dream Before Building" in Illustoria issue 1, The Beginnings Issue
artwork © Lark Pien
sketchbook art © Lark Pien
Lark Pien
Lark Pien is a Portland-based acclaimed illustrator and the amazing talent behind the Long Tail Kitty series (for which she won the Friends of LuLu Award) and Mr.Elephanter. Pien was the colorist of American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang and Sunny Side Up, two graphic novels for young readers that we could not recommend more highly. We are blown away by "Dream Before Building," a mini-comic she created for Issue 1, and cannot wait to share some new projects she's dreaming up for Illustoria. Find more of Pien's work at http://larkpien.blogspot.com/?view=classic.
artwork by © Elizabeth Haidle
artwork by © Elizabeth Haidle
artwork by © Elizabeth Haidle
Elizabeth Haidle
Have you ever met an artist so talented you want to simultaneously: do cart wheels, bake them a 10-layered Boston cream pie, and hold a radio outside their window à la John Cusack in Say Anything? That's how we feel about our genius, prolific, and awe-inspiring Creative Director Elizabeth Haidle. In addition to spinning up magic at Illustoria, Haidle is the creator of Literary Giants As Kids, a fantastic series you can find in each issue of Illustoria, and illustrator of the dreamy Mind Afire - The Visions of Nikola Tesla, written by Abigail Samoun. We absolutely cannot hold our excitement for the release of I, Parrot, her most recent (breathtaking) graphic novel written by Deb Olin Unferth, which she is currently putting the final touches on. We love the ever-busy Haidle, whose work you can find at http://www.docucomix.com/ and http://www.ehaidle.com/
Cloth Lullaby by Amy Novesky, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Iomogen by Amy Novesky, illustrated by Lisa Congdon
Me, Frida by Amy Novesky, illustrated by David Diaz
Georgia in Hawaii by Amy Novesky, illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Amy Novesky
Amy Novesky is an award-winning children's book author and editor whom we adore five trips to the moon and back. Most recently, she has written Cloth Lullaby, a gorgeous tale of the illustrious, world-famous artist Louise Bourgeois, with stunning illustrations by Isabelle Arsenault. She has also written critically acclaimed books including Georgia in Hawaii, Me, Frida, and Imogen. We are so excited to have featured a full length interview with Novesky which you can find in issue 3. To read more about Novesky's work, check out http://amy-novesky.squarespace.com/.
Laurel Snyder
Laurel Snyder is a prolific, critically acclaimed children's author who makes us want to smile for days. She is the author of numerous, joyfully fun-to-read novels for children of which some of our favorites include Orphan Island and Bigger than a Bread Box. She has also written the gorgeous picture books Swan, the Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova and the adorable Charlie and Mouse. You can find Snyder in issue 2, with her biographical piece "Martha Graham In Motion," illustrated by fantastic artist Marlowe Dobbe, about the revolutionary Martha Graham, the Mother of Modern Dance. Check out http://laurelsnyder.com/ for more work by this beloved author.
art © Lindsay Stripling for "The Best Invisible Thing" in Illustoria Issue 2
art © Lindsay Stripling
art © Lindsay Stripling
Lindsay Stripling
A phenomenal woman artist whom we couldn't admire more, Lindsay Stripling works from her studio in the Outer Sunset of San Francisco. We fell in love with her paintings the first time we laid eyes on them for their dreamy palettes, mystical settings, and ethereal subjects. Her folk and fairy tale-inspired narratives lead us into inner worlds that are rich and boundless. We're thrilled to announce that Lindsay's gorgeous artwork will grace the cover of our upcoming issue 4: The Grow Issue--so be on the lookout. Find more of Lindsay's work here: https://www.lindsaystripling.com/
Ruth Kneass laying with the meticulously sculpted pieces of her Bay Tower mobile. © Ruth Kneass
Blonde Driftwood © Ruth Kneass
Nine pieces in collage; a search-and-find activity in issue 3
© Ruth Kneass
Ruth Kneass
Driftwood artist and mobile sculptor Ruth Kneass creates stunning works of art that take years of patience, time, and skill to produce. She shares the story of her mother's influence and her inspiration growing up to be an artist in Illustoria issue 3. A true appreciator of beauty and nature, Ruth infuses her art and life with a feminine love, care, determination, wisdom, and strength that we find simultaneously awe-inspiring and reassuring. You'll find a treat in issue 3, where she disassembled one of her precious driftwood mobiles to create the most gorgeous search-and-find activity we've ever seen! Find more of Ruth's work here: http://www.kneassboatworks.com/
self-portrait © Nina Chakrabarti
art © Nina Chakrabarti; from Nina's upcoming title My Collection of Collections: A Sticker Book
Nina Chakrabarti
We had the chance to interview talented illustrator and activity book creator Nina Chakrabarti and learn all about her inspiration growing up between Calcutta, India and the UK. Born to an English mother and an Indian father, Nina's vivid childhood memories of bright colored saris and streets clamoring with the sounds of trams, trains, and rickety rickshaws; Chinatown and Brick Lane in London; and museums and nature all inspire the joyful work she produces today. In issue 3, she talks about her process creating books such as Hello Nature, My Wonderful World of Fashion, and her upcoming title, My Collection of Collections that will equally inspire young artists and grownup ones. Fun fact: Nina doesn't keep sketchbooks but rather "scribbles on loose scraps of paper, post-its, and newspapers that eventually get tucked away in a box, put up on a wall, or thrown away"! We love her passion for life and her eclectic style, which encourages us to get outside, observe, and appreciate all the diversity our wonderful world has to offer. Find her work here: http://ninachakrabarti.com/
These are just a few of the many amazing women whom we've had the chance to collaborate with over the course of our first three issues. At Illustoria, we are dedicated to increasing the visibility of female creatives by continually supporting and showcasing their work. Additionally, we are committed to promoting women's empowerment in the pages of our mag with stories of both world-famous and lesser-known female leaders from Beatrix Potter to Lee Bontecou. We hope that the stories in Illustoria and the artists behind them will inspire you and the next generation of strong, creative women for years to come.
THE CANVAS ISSUE is IN
Cover art by Herve Tullet, from his book Mix It Up!, published by Chronicle Books; Cover design by Elizabeth Haidle
We are so thrilled to announce that Issue 2 has arrived and is getting ready to ship to our dear readers! (Stockists: Please contact us to place your order!) The Canvas Issue is overflowing with vibrant, gorgeous art by some of our favorite artists and writers. From the awesome cover art and interview feature with Press Here author Hervé Tullet to a Q&A with Tony DiTerlizzi of The Spiderwick Chronicles and The Search for WondLa series, a biographical story on Martha Graham by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Marlowe Dobbe, a comic on Georgia O'Keeffe by Todd Webb, a non-fiction piece, "Beyond the Canvas," by our very own Elizabeth Haidle of Docu-Comix featuring artists Lee Bontecou, Frank Stella, Diego Rivera, Louise Bourgeois, and Christo & Jeanne-Claude and so so much more.... It's an embarrassment of riches to be sure!
Here are a few pages from the packed 64-page issue.... Please enjoy! : )
Excerpt from "Beyond the Canvas: Artists Who Reinvented the Rectangle" by Elizabeth Haidle
Excerpt from "Mix, Splash, Muddle" by Julia Breckenreid
DIY twig mobile by our very own Claire Astrow!
Excerpt from our interview with Tony DiTerlizzi
Excerpt from "Georgia In the Desert" by Todd Webb, a comic that draws from O'Keeffe's own writing.
Purchase your copy here or ask for issue 2 at your fave local bookstore. xox
Hervé Tullet & ILLUSTORIA at Bank Street Book Store
Hervé Tullet is known for his interactive picture books that engage readers in an experience that is always new and spontaneous. photo © Andrey Klemeshov
Illustoria is thrilled to be pairing up with Hervé Tullet to celebrate the release of issue 2 at Bank Street Book Store in New York City! Hervé is the internationally bestselling author behind Press Here, Mix It Up!, Let's Play!, Art Workshops for Children, and many more titles equally loved by grownups and kids.
Hervé Tullet painting at one of his many art workshops for kids around the globe.
I'll be on hand sharing some of my favorite pieces from Issue 2: The Canvas Issue. (Cover to be revealed shortly so stay tuned!) photo © Melissa Kaseman
Hervé will talk about his unique approach to storytelling, staying innovative, and what we can all learn from making art with kids. I'll be interviewing Hervé about his process and inspiration, his favorite medium, what music he listens to while he paints, and how to create stories that appeal across generations. I'm also excited to share highlights from issue 2: The Canvas Issue.
So calling all artists, writers, parents, kids, teachers, and librarians: Come join us for an afternoon of inspiration and fun, pick up a copy of the newly released issue 2 and any number of awesome Tullet books that may be missing from your home collection, and enjoy coloring, crafts, light snacks, and swag! For more information about the event, go to the Bank Street Book Store events page and RSVP here.
HERVE TULLET + ILLUSTORIA
Bank Street Book Store
2780 Broadway
New York City
When: Saturday / November 19th / 1–2 pm
ILLUSTORIA + Public - Supply in The Great Giveaway
School is officially back in swing, and the autumn breeze is in the air. What better time to add some extra *umph* to your school and office supplies armory? Alas, but how? Funny you ask! We are excited to announce our participation in Public - Supply’s The Great Giveaway!
The lucky winner of the giveaway will receive:
- All eleven gorgeous shades of Public - Supply’s new embossed notebook collection
- Public - Supply's classic hex pencil set
- A one-year subscription to ILLUSTORIA
- Kanken No.2 backpack from Fjallraven
- “Support Your Local Library” iPad pouch from Izola
- This Is Ground Italian leather Mod Tablet 3 with Pancho Insert and 2 cord tacos
- One-of-a kind ceramic pencil holder by Brooklyn ceramicist Ivy Weinglass
Enter to win this drool-worthy prize here.
The Great Giveaway celebrates the launch of Public - Supply’s new 5" x 8" embossed notebook collection. We are lucky enough to have previewed the notebooks and they are as lovely to the touch and enticing to fill with thoughts, daydreams, and doodles as you might imagine.
And did you know that Public - Supply donates 25% of profits from every sale to a teacher in a high-need public school classroom, to help fund a creativity-driven project? Check out their site to see some of the latest cool happenings and a full list of the classrooms funded so far. As arts education continues to be cut in the public schools, Public - Supply’s commitment to teachers and students is something we couldn't be more passionate about standing behind.
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win all these goodies!
"Support Your Local Library" iPad pouch from Izola, P - S pencil set, and beautiful custom pencil holder by Ivy Weinglass.
We love love love this message and pouch...and our local library, of course!
Kids and parents will be fighting over who gets dibs on this uber cool Fjallraven Kanken No.2 backpack.
This is Ground’s Mod Tablet 3 is perfect for traveling grownups and kids.
Last but not least, a full-year's subscription to ILLUSTORIA!!
Don't miss your chance to win this dream pack. Enter now and good luck!
ILLUSTORIA Shortlisted for the Stack Awards 2016!
We are proud to announce that ILLUSTORIA has been shortlisted for Best Use of Illustration for the Stack Awards 2016! We’re honored to be among an impressive list of indie publications who are putting out gorgeous, inspiring, creative work. Thanks to all the judges at Stack for considering us, and for uncovering and curating beautiful indie mags to share with the world. What an amazing excuse to come out to London to meet fellow magazine publishers who are passionate about visual storytelling, print, and the power of this unique medium that we are so committed to. Here's the full list of the shortlisted publications in the Best Use of Illustration category:
ILLUSTORIA representing for the U.S.! If you haven't had a chance to get your hands on our premiere issue, do so now and discover for yourself just how much we rely on beautiful illustrations and a talented array of artists working in various styles and medium to produce ILLUSTORIA, which true to our name is devoted to illustrated storytelling and the celebration of artists, writers, makers, and creativity for all.
The award winners will be announced on November 29th so cross your fingers and wish us luck!
ILLUSTORIA interview on APEX - KPFA 94.1
Thanks to Melissa Hung for the recent interview with me about Illustoria, which ran on APEX Express on KPFA 94.1. If you missed it, you can still listen to the archived show here (37:00). Melissa, co-founder of Hyphen and a writer, journalist, curator and educator, asks insightful questions about why I chose to launch a print magazine and how we at Illustoria are approaching the need for more diverse representation in storytelling for kids. Tune in to learn about my inspiration behind the magazine, our editorial approach to the stories, art, interviews, and activities in each issue, and how Illustoria hopes to stand out in today's challenging but exciting landscape of print publishing.
Founder/Publisher Joanne Chan talks to APEX about her inspiration to start a print magazine for kids and grownups. Photo by Melissa Kaseman
Show your love with #loveillustoria
It's been such a joy to see readers of all ages enjoying their first issue of Illustoria. Whether you're reading our mag on the couch or in a hammock, with your kids or alone during morning coffee, snap a pic and share it with us! Tag us with the hashtag #loveillustoria to show your love, and see who else is behind our mag.
Creator Crush – Illustrator Edition
The First Warm Spring Day. Copyright © Phoebe Wahl 2015.
When I’m not painting, snacking, watching reruns of Curb Your Enthusiasm, or having the time of my life at Illustoria magazine, I spend my days surrounded by children’s books. Specifically, at Mr. Mopps’ Children’s Books, one of the finest bookstore establishments in the Bay Area (if not America, the World, Universe, etc). As an artist and lover of beautiful things, my favorite picture books often tend to be the ones with jaw dropping-ly cool illustrations (that is unless it’s The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak). So it’s with great joy that I share my current illustrator favorites with you. I’ve also included some really awesome up-and-coming artists who haven’t published a children’s book yet, but I really hope they one day do. I hope this list inspires you to visit your local bookstore and support these stellar artists.
1. Phoebe Wahl
Phoebe Wahl is my all time favorite illustrator at the moment. Working in various mix media from collage to watercolor and color pencil, all of Wahl’s creation are lush, whimsical, and filled with a love nature. The artist grew up in Washington and graduated from RISD in 2013 before plunging into the illustrator world. Her very first children’s book, Sonya’s Chicken’s is so wonderful-- I recommend it to everyone who comes into Mr.Mopps’. It tells the story of a young girl named Sonya who takes enormous pride in caring for her chickens. When one of her hens is killed by a neighborhood fox, Sonya learns an important lesson about the cycle of life and how to cope with loss. With gorgeously textured collage materials, rich colors, and folk inspired images, Sonya’s Chickens is a truly mesmerizing, heart warming tale you’ll want to reread again and again. It’s no wonder this book was the recipient of the Ezra Jack Keats award for new illustrators! I’m greatly anticipating Wahl’s next children’s book and whatever spectacular creation she spins up next. You can check out her work at http://www.phoebewahl.com/
Cover of Sonya's Chickens. Copyright © Phoebe Wahl. Published August 2015.
Interior page of Sonya's Chickens. Copyright © Phoebe Wahl. Published 2015.
2. Isabelle Arsenault
Isabelle Arsenault is a Canadian illustrator who has worked on over ten children’s books, each more wonderful than the next. Most recently, she illustrated Cloth Lullaby a tale of the life of world famous contemporary artist Louise Bourgeois, written by talented local author Amy Novesky. What I find stunning about Arsenault’s work is how she seamlessly integrates watercolor and pencil line work to create immersive, often extremely pattern-filled scenes.
Cover of Cloth Lullaby. Copyright © Words by Amy Novesky, Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault. Published 2016.
Interior page of Cloth Lullaby. Copyright © Isabelle Arsenault. Published 2016.
Though her style has a sense of innocence and child-like wonder to it, Arsenault isn’t afraid of depicting a darker side. In her graphic novel Jane, the Fox, and Me Arsenault dramatic compositions and devilish character portrayal illustrate the anxiety and angst that we all go through as early teens. More of her work can be found at http://www.isabellearsenault.com/
Interior page of Jane, the Fox, and Me. Copyright © Isabelle Arsenault. Published 2013.
3. Esme Shapiro
Esme Shapiro’s work is delightful, fresh, and filled with curiosity. Similarly to Phoebe Wahl, Shapiro is a RISD grad who just published her first children’s book, Ooko. In this amusing tale, a fox named Ooko who has it all, except for a very best friend. So it goes off an adventure to find a companion but instead gets mistaken as an old lady’s dog. Filled with whimsy, flora, and fauna, Ooka is an easy favorite. Shapiro has many many more imaginative, Maria Kalman-esque pieces on her website http://esmeshapiro.com/
Cover of Ooko. Copyright © Esmé Shapiro. Published 2016.
Page of Ooko. Copyright © Esmé Shapiro. Published 2016.
4. Joohee Yoon
Joohee Yoon is a printmaker whose work never fails to amuse and inspire me. She has illustrated two children’s books, The Tiger Who Would Be King and Beastly Verse, as well as House Plant an art book about plants that outgrow their owners. You might also recognize her work as being a frequent feature in the New Yorker and New York Times. With wonderful overlapping colors and wonderful oversized cartoon characters, Yoon’s work overflows with vivacity and humor. If you’re as big of a fan as screen printing as I am, (or even if you’re not!) her illustrations will tickle you in all the right places. You can check out more of her striking work on her website http://jooheeyoon.com/index.html
Living Things interior spread. Copyright © JooHee Yoon.
Interior page of The Tiger Who Would Be King. Copyright © JooHee Yoon. Published 2015.
Interior Page of Beastly Verse. Copyright © JooHee Yoon. Published 2015.
5. Sally Nixon
Sally Nixon, an illustrator working from Little Rock, Arkansas is one of the raddest artists around. Though she hasn’t come out with any children’s books yet (I hope she will soon!), she’s an honorable mention on this list because she’s without a doubt my creator crush. Nixon lovingly depicts the mundane moments in an average girl’s life, like eating late night snacks of chocolate cake, brushing your teeth in the shower, scrolling through instagram, or simply sitting on the toilet. By giving these often overlooked moments extra attention with delicate marker coloring and detailed penmanship, Nixon makes the everyday special. Her illustrations have a feeling of voyeurism, as if for spectators to see what women do when no one’s watching. At the same time, the contemplative boredom Nixon depicts makes her characters so relatable and well loved. Visit her website at http://sally-nixon.squarespace.com/.
Copyright © Sally Nixon.
Copyright © Sally Nixon.
Copyright © Sally Nixon.
Claire Astrow is a publishing assistant at Illustoria and a recent grad from UC Berkeley as an Art Practice major. Check out her bio here and her illustrated work at claireastrow.com.
ILLUSTORIA Launch Party
Come join us to celebrate the launch of ILLUSTORIA!
Get your hands on our first issue! Meet the staff, color and craft, clink some glasses. Free goodie bags for first 50 kids, so come early. Enjoy snacks, a free photo booth, a chance to win a raffle prize, plus readings by Illustoria's art director, Elizabeth Haidle, and a fave local author, Amy Novesky. We look forward to growing our community of artists, writers, makers, educators, librarians, retailers, and friends--so come join!
When: Saturday, September 17, 2016 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (PDT) / activities + bubbles + snacks throughout / talks + readings at 3pm / raffle prize drawing at 4pm
Where: Minted Local - 222 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
Please RSVP to let us know you will be coming.
Many thanks to our amazing event sponsors, Minted & Sakura of America:
FAQs
Can I invite friends?
Yes! We encourage you to spread the news to all your creative friends and their creative kids.
What activities can we expect for kids?
There will be coloring and crafts, a tattoo station, a free photo booth, and readings from our premiere issue.
Will we be able to purchase issue 1?
Yes! We'll be selling our first issue and you can also purchase a discounted subscription to the magazine.
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
Minted Local is just a 1-minute walk from the White House Garage lot and a 4-minute walk from the Montgomery Street BART station.
Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Contact hello@illustoria.com with any questions or to RSVP for a large party.
Jules of 7-Imp reviews ILLUSTORIA on Kirkus
Read the full feature on Illustoria on Kirkus Reviews.
I have admired Julie Danielson from afar for a very long time. Many of you likely know her as "Jules" from her amazing blog Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, which is a goldmine of inspiring, eye-opening interviews with today's most beloved children's books authors and illustrators about their work and the creative process. I was so excited (and a little nervous) to hear that she was interested in reviewing Illustoria on Kirkus Reviews, and simply overjoyed to know that she gives Illustoria her thumbs up. Jules gets right to the heart of why I started the magazine, and how utterly gratifying it is to share a love of books and reading with kids. Read the review, and read Illustoria!
We Heart Sakura
Who doesn't love a maze?! But with a selection of colorful Gelly Roll Pens at our side, doodling and writing takes on another level of playful pleasure. Photo © Melissa Kaseman
When Michaela Yee at Sakura of America heard about us through a Facebook post, she connected with us right away. Aside from the fact that we have an amazing friend (Patricia Wakida of Wasabi Press) in common--one of those connectors of people who attracts artistic, talented, energetic, generous souls into her life--we both knew right away that Sakura and ILLUSTORIA were going to get along like playground pals at recess.
Mark working on the Archidoodle activity for issue 1, with his trusty Micron Pens of course.
While Sakura as a company is nearing its centennial and ILLUSTORIA is just a newborn pup, we have a lot in common. We believe in quality materials, access to artistic expression for all, and keeping creativity alive in both grownups and little ones. I must admit, as the new kid on the block I was already smitten with everything that Sakura represented. Art supplies are one of those pleasures that need not be guilty! Micron Pens are a staple in our house, with my architect-maker husband constantly sketching with his number 01s and 02s and on up the spectrum. The Pigma Sensei Pens are never far out of reach of my 10-year-old comic artist in the making, and my youngest can't get enough of his collection of Gelly Roll Pens.
Paper and ink are so important to me as a reader and as a publisher. I made sure to test out our uncoated interior stock for maximum drawability before we hit the press. The Gelly Roll Pens truly glide smooth as jelly on the pages of our mag, and the ink dries beautifully too--so no unsightly smudging when you flip the page! Photo © Melissa Kaseman
We pretty much as a family tote them around to every and all long car rides and dinners out. I personally use a selection of all the above to capture my wandering thoughts and doodles. There's really something so satisfying about putting not just pen to paper but really lovely ink that glides oh-so smoothly and beautifully. The words and illustrations somehow look more intelligent and attractive on the page. Really, it does!
A selection of colorful Gelly Roll Pens on our table beckons the creative (and silly!) spirit in all of us.
For Sakura, then, to see this new fledgling indie press and believe in us from the start--with no track record to show of but a lot of heart, enthusiasm, a dedicated team of contributors and a mission to inspire artistic expression, they proved to me that they are true supporters of the creativity cause. Their motto celebrates the "Power To Express" and we at ILLUSTORIA couldn't agree more. May we all tap into our own artistic expression and find the tools that work best for us individually, for our own daily creative practices.
A very hearty thanks to our issue 1 sponsor, Sakura of America, for your support of us and your dedication to creative expression in all ages!
Creator Crush: Cece Bell!
When the book EL DEAFO begins, Cece is 4. When it ends, she is about 10 or 11. Cece used these photos to help "age" the bunny version of herself as the book progresses. Photos and art © Cece Bell.
I first heard the adorable name "Cece Bell" spoken of while working as an editor at Lucasfilm. At the time, I was co-editing Tom Angleberger’s Origami Yoda series. I’ll never forget Tom visiting our offices and gifting me an origami R2-D2 that he folded himself. There were many perks of working at Lucasfilm, and receiving an origami Star Wars character by Tom in all his stookiness was most definitely, geekishly one of them. But I had no idea that I would soon meet Tom’s wife, Cece Bell, and be blown away by her own amazing work as a children’s book author and illustrator. I met Cece only briefly at a BEA in New York a couple years ago, where she was signing galleys of her book El Deafo. The booth was crowded with Cece fans and the galleys were quickly disappearing, but I was fortunate to snatch one up.
Illustration © 2014 by Cece Bell; Design by Caitlin Keegan and Chad W. Beckerman. Published by Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams.
When I returned home to California, I couldn't wait to get El Deafo into the hands of my eight-year-old daughter. As I predicted, she gulped down the book in one sitting—meaning she did come up for air several times to point out some particularly hilarious excerpt from the book. (“Mom—look down your shirt and spell ‘attic’!”) The rest of the time she stayed quietly and contemplatively behind closed doors, unwilling to pull her eyes from the page—just as her mom did (sometimes teary-eyed with sadness sometimes teary-eyed with laughter) on that plane ride back to Oakland. When months later she and I discovered El Deafo in all its full-color, award-winning glory at the bookstore, we were overjoyed by its brilliance. It didn't occur to us that we had been missing anything at all in the uncolored proof.
When Cece's character can't hear anything, the speech balloons are empty. Art © Cece Bell.
El Deafo is a phenomenal graphic novel memoir based on Cece’s childhood experiences with hearing loss and hearing aids. It also chronicles her quest to find true friendship. The graphic novel format is a perfect medium for Cece's story, where pictures and words (in some cases, the lack of words) powerfully demonstrate what her character is experiencing.
The elaborate Phonic Ear hearing aid and microphone set-up had Cece feeling like a superhero with superpowers! But most of the time she just felt like a confused kid. Was she deaf? And what did that mean? Art © Cece Bell.
Read Cece’s firsthand account on the making of El Deafo in our premiere issue and learn about her creative process as an artist and writer. In the meantime, here's an extended version of our Q&A with Cece.
Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?
I grew up in a little city called Salem, in the southwestern part of Virginia. Now I live in an old church just a half-an-hour away, but more in the mountains (and therefore, in the boonies!).
What were you like as a kid?
I was driven to do well and pushed myself hard. I wanted people to think of me as “that smart girl in our class” instead of as “that deaf girl in our class.” I loved making people laugh, especially my older siblings. My sense of humor veered toward the absurdist...and the naughty!
What were some of your favorite childhood books?
Our Animal Friends of Maple Hill Farm by the Provensens
The Meanest Squirrel I Ever Met by Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Ed Emberley’s drawing books
Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad series
Judy Blume's books
Beverly Cleary's books
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
When did you know you wanted to be an artist and writer?
I started to figure the art stuff out in college. I had always loved drawing, but never really saw a career in it until I saw other kids making a go of it. As to the writing, no one would hire me to illustrate their children’s books, so I realized I had to write my own books and make my own path.
Who or what inspires you?
My husband, author/illustrator Tom Angleberger, is a huge source of inspiration. He's so encouraging...and he's so good, which triggers my competitive reflexes to be better and to make more stuff.
When do you feel your most creative?
In the morning, when the house is quiet and nothing has happened yet.
Do you have a favorite type of pen, or brush, or paper for drawing with?
I like lots of media and have to admit that I love drawing on my Wacom Cintiq. I love to draw LINES so simple pen-and-ink is a favorite. Gouache! Watercolors! But no oil paints, ick. If I could make a book with illustrations made of felt and colored thread, I'd do it. Love that stuff.
What advice would you share with young aspiring artists?
If you aren't enjoying it, don't do it!
Thank you, Cece, for your words of wisdom and for sharing El Deafo with us!
Who We Are: Genny McAuley
illustration by Agnes Lee
Name: Genny McAuley
Location: San Francisco, California
Profession: Book Peddler at Chronicle Books & florist
Genny with Grumpy Cat
Favorite artist/illustrator: Jon Stich & Oliver Jeffers
Best book you've read in the past year: The Keepers of the House by Shirley Ann Grau
Kids' book you could read every night: Weird Parents by Audrey Wood or Bears on Chairs by Shirley Parenteau
Best memory of being a kid: Going on road trips with my family. One time, we all went camping in Yosemite and after the first night, my mom and I decided we were too cold/the ground was no fun to sleep on so we left the boys in the woods and drove to my grandmother's house for the rest of the long weekend. I like camping now, but it was fun to fly by the seat of our pants and surprise my grandma with a visit from her girls!
Favorite weekend activity: Weeding the garden with my 18-month old nephew
Song currently on repeat: (this is embarassing) "Sorry" by Justin Beiber and (this isn't so embarassing) "Standing In the Shadow of Love" by The Four Tops
Genny dressed as an 80s hip hop cat (duh)
Favorite meal: A giant nicoise salad and chocolate coconut ice cream for dessert
Last time you made something with your hands: Yesterday! I put together many bouquets and hand-wrote notes for their recipients
Fun fact about you: My left eyebrow was born turning down at the end--it's grown up that way, too, and everything turned out all right!