Redmond Merchants Association is planning an art walk on February 10, 2012 from 5pm to 8pm.  HDSA artists and others will be participating.  It is called Walk the HeART Beat.  I hope to be back at Arnold's Restaurant on the corner of 6th St. and Evergreen in the old Redmond Hotel again. When I was there in December, we definitely sold books and brought a lot of new traffic into this recently opened new business...and I like their food and prices!

I currently have several presentations of illustrations from the children's books I illustrate for Guardian Angel Publishing on display at the lobby of Home Federal Bank in Redmond, OR on the corner of 6th St. and Highland..  The exhibit lasts through February 2012.

Just received this announcement this morning.  Donna McDine's children's book, "The Golden Pathway" about the Underground Railroad received the Silver award from Lrterary Classics.  Here is the Press Release (in part):

Literary Classics Announces Youth Media International Book Award Winners

Rapid City, SD, October 21, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Literary Classics announced its 2011 selection of top books for children and young adults today. Award recipients were selected from entries received throughout the world. The Literary Classics selection committee is proud to recognize the following titles in children's and young adult literature which exemplify the criteria set forth by the Literary Classics Awards committee.

A partial list of the 2011 award recipients follows:

Picture Book - Early Reader

- Silver Award Recipient
The Golden Pathway
Written by Donna M. McDine, illustrated by K.C. Snider

Literary Classics, an organization dedicated to furthering excellence in literature, takes great pride in its role to help promote classic literature which appeals to youth, while educating and encouraging positive values in the impressionable young minds of future generations. Judging is based upon the criteria set forth by Literary Classics' highly selective awards committee which honors books promoting character, vision, creativity and learning, through content which possesses key elements found in well-crafted literature.

Snowflake Boutique is coming to the Deschutes County Fairgrounds Nov. 4th from 1pm to 8pm and 5th from 9am to 4pm.  I will be the only one with books for sale.  I also will be doing illustrations LIVE!

Art of Christmas will be 2.5 weeks later opening at 12 noon to 6pm Friday Nov. 25th for 9 days until Saturday Dec. 3 from 11am to 5pm.  Days and times are posted on my web site.

"The Town of Masquerade"            by Jack Samuels
                                                                                                        with art by KC Snider


"Benjamin Jay was a Bully" by Emma Glover and art by KC Snider
                              

The Milk Horse, by Cat Luce, illustrated by KC Snider
 
                                 

A Pocketful of Manners, by Marilee Crow, illustrated by KC Snider

                       

                                               

"God Loves You Whoever You Are" by Colleen Reece & Julie Reece DeMarco illustrated by KC Snider
 
                                              
                                             

Here is the Press Release for the show I am doing during Redmond Library's Summer Reading Program....

"Redmond Public Library                         

827 NW Deschutes Ave.

Summer Reading Program

Showing June 1 through July 30 2011

Local Children’s Books Illustrators, KC Snider & Sharon Bean

Meet the Central Oregon authors and illustrators of popular illustrated children’s books. Hear their stories, get your books signed, ask questions, and enjoy the display.

Activities:              Saturday June 18^th

Book Readings:   10:30am 11:30am and 1:00pm to 4:30pm

Book Signings:     1:00pm to 4:30pm by authors and illustrators

Reception:            2:30pm to 4:30pm for the illustrators and authors

Location:              Main floor of the library.

Featuring:

“I Can’t See, But… I Can Imagine” author Patricia Wilson, illustrator Sharon Bean (self-published)

“The Weaver” author Kai Strand, illustrator (front cover) KC Snider (Guardian Angel Publishing)

Other children's books illustrated by KC Snider will also be available for sale and some of the illustrations will be part of the exhibit.

The library display will have the original art and information about illustrations for children’s books; a history of types of illustrations, an explanation of how illustrations are determined, researched, and edited; plus other interesting facts."

....I have 28 framed pieces hanging in the library.  Each one has 3 of my favorite illustrations from each book under glass and matted.   I will try to get some examples photographed to put on here soon. The only exception to the 3-per-frame style are the covers of the 'tween books which are stand-alone.  Every piece has an accompanying tag with the book title and author's name. ( I tried to hang so the books are grouped by author.)  Each tag has a different explanation about illustrating, working with various authors and my Publisher, and about the story.  Sharon Watkinds, my publicist, came up with creating the tags.  Fred printed them out, but since he is still recuperating from surgery, another friend helped cut and glue the tags to foam core.

We wanted this to be a learning experiencing that would not give the story away, but perhaps draw some more questions from the patrons.  We stepped in today and the volunteers and workers at the library are excited over the display.  They say several people have told them how great it is and how surprised they were.  We are looking forward to the Reception with book signings and readings.

 

“The Weaver”

Kai Strand, Author                      KC Snider, Illustrator

This is a ‘Tween chapter book for ages 9-12. In this case, KC illustrated the cover only.  This is a wrap-around cover that starts on the back and wraps the picture around to the front.  When only a cover is involved, it must grab a reader’s attention and give an idea of what the book is about in one single picture.  KC took pictures of many old homes and buildings around St. Louis, Missouri while there for her reception at the Children’s Illustrated Books Museum.  She also strategized with Kai about including the elf-gnome as a pivotal piece of the story.

                                                             [In this area is a stamp-sized picture of
                                                                                                                           the Guardian Angel logo.]

"WHAT IS THAT THING?"  by author Kevin McNamee and illustrated by KC Snider
This lively and imaginative story was released in March 2011!

"THE MILK HORSE"  by author Catherine Luce and illustrated by KC Snider.



The story of a little girl, a loyal horse, and the Heroes both become.


Meet "COWBOY JAMES"  by author Mary Jean Kelso and illustrated by KC Snider

On Saturday March 5, I attended a reception at the Deschutes County Library in Redmond, Oregon for 25 finalists of the 4^th grade illustrated story project. This is becoming an annual event and is now sponsored by the Central Oregon Writer’s Guild. All the 4^th graders in the Redmond School District are given the opportunity to join in this competition.

Local authors and illustrators help set the guidelines, instruct the students and teachers on what is expected, and judge the entrants. Of course, I was the illustrator judge. It took a few hours to go through all the entries to say the least!

The Winner, Caleb, wrote Mystery Island where dragons live. The Runner Up, Megan, wrote Popeye the Pumpkin a story about a lonely pumpkin and his friendship with a pony. She also added some pages at the end about her characters and the scene where the story takes place.

Caleb and Megan read their stories aloud to the audience. There were goodies and lemonade for all. Copies of the stories were signed by Caleb and Megan for those who wanted a copy of their books. With sponsorship help, the Writer’s Guild was able to get both books bound, copied, and made ready for library use. Copies will be kept in the library for anyone who wants to check them out.