K.C. Snider Art

COFFEE CLATTER and more...

KC Snider — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:13:08 GMT

Just got back from the Redmond Chamber of Commerce Friday Coffee Clatter. What fun! I had 10 of my books and 2 triptychs of original illustrations from "The Golden Pathway" and "The Town of Masquerade" on display. High Desert Society of the Arts was hosting the Clatter today which allowed us to show the business community who we are and what we do. I sold 2 books after wards and got some people very interested in Guardian Angel Publishing.. Other members brought examples of their art work and some of them sold work too. I think we made a good impression!

I spent my 2 minutes showing the books from the 2 kids who were the Winner and Runner Up from the 4th Grade Writing Contest. Most of the Chamber Members knew nothing about this project. We explained how Kai Strand helped judge the writing and I judged the illustrations this year. This is the contest shared by HDSA and the Writer's Guild. We generated a lot of buzz among the Members with this.

Four of us took on various brief little speeches to say how we help the community in various art-related endeavors. It opened some eyes when they realized we are not an artists' group but an ART group. We used this platform to ask for members willing to help us go forward with with more community involvement and the importance of all forms of art to the education of our children. We now have a lot of interest!

Just Completed...

KC Snider — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:28:06 GMT

Reception at the Redmond Public Library was held for the Winners and Runners Up of the Redmond Schools Children's 4th Grade Writing Contest on Saturday March 10. Kai Strand and myself were judges; Kai judged the written stories and I judged the illustrations. It was very hard to choose. We had over 200 entries that had to be paired down to 27 Finalist and the Winner and Runner Up.

The Winner was Aryana Foster from Central Christian School and her illustrated book "The Mystery of the Missing Clown." The Runner Up was Aspen Geisen from Tom McCall Elementary and his his illustrated book "Monkey Madness." Both got their books published, had a book signing (I have 1 of each), and now several copies are available at the Redmond Library for check out. I have been involved in this for about 4 years when Kathy Duffy started it all. My has it grown! It has been quite the adventure and is now handled by Central Oregon Writer's Guild. The contest is sponsored, in part, by Central Oregon Writers Guild, High Desert Society of the Arts, and the Rotary Club of Redmond.

From left to right, back row KC Snider and Kai Strand
Front row left to right is Aspen Geisen and Aryana Foster

Just Completed...

KC Snider — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 23:57:59 GMT

I had a one-woman show last week at the Regional Lions Club Convention held at Eagle Crest. I was invited to show and sell my illustrated books from Guardian Angel Publishing and some of my Western fine art original paintings. I sold a print and over $300 worth of books. Some of the books were donated to S.M.A.R.T. (Start Making a Reader Today) to go to the Terrebonne Community School (K-8th grade).

Sharon and I had a great free dinner and got to hear the main speaker. Kim Meeder who started the Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. She rescues abused horses and pairs them with troubled and abused children at no cost. She is a very inspirational speaker and there was not a dry eye in the whole convention hall.

She has a couple of books out about her experiences in starting and running this ranch. She invited me to come out and perhaps look at doing portraits of a couple of her rescued horses. Looking forward to that! She has quite a Christian ministry and it is done in a very subtle and loving way.

Coming Up...

KC Snider — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:50:48 GMT

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!

Current Exhibit...

KC Snider — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:47:19 GMT

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.

AWARD...

KC Snider — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:44:24 GMT

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.

Coming Up on My Calendar...

KC Snider — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:11:32 GMT

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.

COMING SOON....

KC Snider — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:04:13 GMT

"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

Just Released...

KC Snider — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:48:39 GMT

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

Children's Illustrated Books - Library Show

KC Snider — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 00:09:07 GMT

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.]

Just Out...

KC Snider — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 21:47:00 GMT

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

What will Astronaut Jenna find on her exploration?

What has caused Princess Jenna such distress?

What does Jungle Jenna hear howling?

COMING SOON...

KC Snider — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 21:36:00 GMT

"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

The "rootin'tootin-est"
High "falootin-est"
Rough-and-tumble cowboy
in the Whole Wide World!

Recent Literary Event

KC Snider — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 01:46:00 GMT

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.

Just Released...

KC Snider — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 02:00:00 GMT

THE WEAVER by Kai Strand and illustrated cover by KC Snider

Kai is a new author to Guardian Angel Publishing. She lives in Bend not far from me. Sharon (my publicist) and I went to her book signing recently. This is a great story for young readers in the middle ages 9 to 12 years.

"In a town of Word Weavers, Mary suffers through her third year of Novice Word Weaving. Mary thinks her troubles are over when she meets a gnome-elf who grants her a wish. But instead of weaving a better story, she is weaving strange yarn charms to accompany her still pathetic tales."

... Also Just Released...

FREDERICO THE MOUSE VIOLINIST by Mayra Calvani and illustrations by KC Snider

Considerable historical research went into this story and the illustrations to make sure references were accurate. Activities for young readers include a brief bio on Antonio Stradivari, matching violin parts to their correct names, a glossary of terms, and a "seek and find" word game.

Frederico is a tiny mouse with a big name and a bigger dream; he wants to become a violinist. He watches the famous Antonio Stradivari make his one of a kind violins each day. Each night, he sneaks into the workshop to practice. But, of course, these violins are far too big for him. Unbeknown to little Frederico, Stradivari sees him trying to play and begins to craft a very special mouse-sized device.

...And The Long Awaited Story of...

This is a tale of a distracted female, stork, that is.
Who flew 'round the globe until low and behold,
A very strange egg caught her eye....

Amazon Review of A Star in the Night

KC Snider — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 03:45:00 GMT

A STAR IN THE NIGHT by Jennifer Gladen and illustrations by KC Snider

A touching tale with a great Christmas message, December 1, 2010 Five Star Review from Amazon.com.

While on his way home from Mr. Renetti's bakery on Christmas Eve, young David has three encounters that will change him and his view of Christmas forever.

Though part of the Wings of Faith line from Guardian Angel Publishing, I wouldn't say that I found this to be an overly religious book. Yes, it includes a Bible verse and David drops in at the local church and stands beside the manger scene, but I also believe that children of other faiths and their families would appreciate the message this book relays - the importance of thinking of others. I'm not sure this is what the author intended, but this is how I honestly felt about it.

Whether Christmas to you means the birth of Christ or Santa Claus slipping down chimneys leaving gifts, the reality is that both celebrations have at their heart a message of thinking of others, spreading peace, and sharing. That's what A Star in the Night is all about. A young boy experiences these three encounters where he is forced to make a choice to put another person's needs ahead of his own desires. Isn't that the type of message we seek to share with our children no matter what faith we believe in?

I am a huge fan of K. C. Snider's artwork. I find her winter scenes are some of the finest examples of her work. Looking at the front cover of A Star in the Night, I knew she illustrated the book without looking at the credit. If K.C. only illustrated books set during the winter, I would still be very happy; though I have to admit to being particularly fond of the picture that shows David inside the church.

I highly recommend A Star in the Night by Jennifer Gladen if you are looking for a children's book that will encourage your children to think of others during the Christmas season-and hopefully all year round.

Nancy Lepri Says:

I LOVE this cover and bet the inside is just as lovely!
2

ccgevry Says:

It really is.
3

Beverly Says:

What a lovely story. The cover is gorgeous. I’ve noticed several of K C’s books and her artwork is impressive.
4

V.R. Leavitt Says:
Wonderful!! Sounds like the perfect book for the season, regardless of your faith.

BE THERE BEDTIME STORIES

KC Snider — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 01:47:00 GMT

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/12/prweb4841194.htm

If you go to the above link you will see the press release- GAP books are mentioned, as well as displayed in the samples and side bars. Spread the word.

New Website Enables Families to Be There for the Holidays

IRVINE, CA, December 1, 2010 - Webcam bedtime stories is an innovative new technology being added to the list of family-friendly media, this Christmas. ALISON SANSONE is Creator of BE THERE BEDTIME STORIES, a new website that combines e-books and video of a family storyteller.

“We believe this broadens the scope of users and the value to families as a fun and new alternative to existing multi-media products on the market.”

The process takes place entirely on the BE THERE BEDTIME STORIES website in three steps: 1) select a children’s book from the bookstore, 2) read the story in front of a webcam as it displays on the computer screen, 3) the child receives an email with the link to view the e-book on the website with video of the storyteller positioned on each page.

The beta website went live in September of this year with over one hundred published children’s books available in the online bookstore. There are one hundred more titles in production with the interface, from five different publishers so far, including ten original works to be published by BE THERE BEDTIME STORIES.

The business model for BE THERE BEDTIME STORIES was inspired by her own problem of living far from her only two nieces, who live in Chicago. SANSONE was working in video production at the time, in Orange County, California. “I was unable to be a part of their development - unable to be recognized when I would visit once a year,” SANSONE explains her frustration. “Bedtime stories seemed a convenient and entertaining activity that would solve that problem.”

SANSONE explains the findings of the initial two months of testing. “The effects exceeded my expectations. When I visited my nieces for the first time after four story recordings, they instantly latched onto me from the moment I walked in the door.”

An additional finding from the beta launch is children were excited to read a story back to family members, regardless of their reading level. “We believe this broadens the scope of users and the value to families as a fun and new alternative to existing multi-media products on the market,” SANSONE concludes.

SANSONE expects grandparents and military families] to see the value of a recorded bedtime story over live or real-time webcam services as a way to utilize more family members for childhood development, and to preserve those family memories for future generations. The stories are priced at $11.99 for unlimited children and there is currently a Buy One Get One Free holiday special. Live storytelling and Mobile App delivery are options scheduled for subsequent development.

ALSO SEE:
Guardian Angel Publishing, Sylvan Dell Publishing, Illumination Arts Publishing and Lobster Press are the initial four publishers to license works for sale in the BE THERE BEDTIME STORIES online bookstore.

Lynda S. Burch, Publisher http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com
www.guardian-angel-kids.com GAP's online interactive ezine for kids!
http://guardianangelfamily.blogspot.com
www.lyndasburch.com www.lyndalaporte.com

__._,_.___

COMING SOON.......

KC Snider — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 01:02:00 GMT

STILTS THE STORK a rhyming story by Dixie Phillips and illustrated by KC Snider.
This is a joy ride for people of ALL ages! It is a story about a dittzy stork who wants to be a mother. She finds what she seeks on the .........

Frederico, the Mouse Violinist and The Golden Pathway are complete.

KC Snider — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:56:00 GMT

NOW AVAILABLE...

The illustrations for "Frederico, the Mouse Violinist" by Mayra Calvani are done! It was quite a project because Mayra and I wanted the illustrations to be historically correct which meant a lot of research on violins and bows from the 18th century, during Stradivarius' time. This book is being published in the new hardback version and in the usual soft back version. This is wonderful beautiful book as a Christmas gift.

"The Golden Pathway" by Donna McDine is done and released in both hard bound and soft bound versions. This is another challenging book to illustrate because the material could be upsetting and controversial. Since this book is geared at 9-11 year olds, again we want it to be historically accurate, but not upsetting. Donna and I have both done research about the underground railroad. I've had to think about what life would be like in the US South in the mid-19th century for both black slaves and white farmers and their families. Very interesting challenge!

Here are illustrations from "Frederico..." and from "The Golden Pathway:"

Frederico adjusts the violin pegs

David blocking out the screams in "The Golden Pathway."

A Star in the Night

KC Snider — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:42:00 GMT

A cute and heart-felt story by Jennifer Gladen illustrated by KC Snider. This newest illustrated children's book is out just in time for Christmas. A young boy discovers the true meaning of Christmas.

I will be selling copies of this new Holiday adventure at our 4th Annual Art of Christmas Sales Show in the Urban Building at 432 SW 6th St. in downtown Redmond, OR. It can also be purchased from Amazon.com, Borders, B&N. However, I will be personally signing any copies sold at the show.

I Don't Want a Haricut

KC Snider — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:13:00 GMT

COMING SOON...

From author Lea Schizas and illustrator KC Snider, a book for the younger crowd, "I Don't Want A Haircut!" This picture book tells the story of a very imaginative young man named Harry and his first haircut.