Quill & Quire Cover

I’ve been a subscriber to Quill & Quire for a number of years now. So was delighted when AD Adrian Doran asked if I would illustrate the cover for the October KidLit Special.

A bit about the cover:

I took a little deep dive into the authors that were going to be featured in this issue, and in the process I was deeply moved and motivated by what I'd found. (The NFB film "Now is the Time" (a 50th anniversary retrospect on Robert Davidson's pole raising), and Khodi Dill's recent interview with Annick Press (where he compared a cypher to a building stormcloud), both really influenced the outcome of this piece.) 

I wanted the cover to have a lot of movement, to convey that flow state we all get when we're fully absorbed in an activity. The hardest part was narrowing down the colour scheme, and placing just the right hits of punchy colours in "just so" places. The art was cut from paper and assembled with tape and gluestick. I slid pieces of cardboard under the areas I wanted to raise, which pronounces their shadow when it comes to scanning or photographing the artwork. Some details were made with pencil crayon, and the patterned papers were hand-printed using acrylics. The only part added digitally was the eagle's eye. 

I'm pretty sure I entered the flow state while making this piece, and I'm really happy with how everything turned out.

The 3 books that inspired this piece:

‘Lessons in Fusion’ by Primrose Madayag Knazan

‘Welcome to the Cypher’ by Khodi Dill, art by Awuradwoa Afful

‘Jigging for Halibut with Tsinii ‘ by Robert Davidson and Sara Florence Davidson, art by Janine Gibbons

City Baby

Here’s a look inside my newest board book, City Baby.

City Baby is written by Laurie Elmquist, illustrated by me, and published by Orca Books.

“Bustling streets, lively squares and busy restaurants are baby’s playground when they are in the big city. So much to see and do as baby’s stroller navigates the crowded avenues or baby takes a break in a quiet park to blow bubbles and chase pigeons. Ashley Barron’s paper-collage illustrations are a joy to behold, bringing energy and life to this delightful board book. Rhyming verse from Laurie Elmquist takes the reader on a journey through a festive big city.” — Orca

Pretty Tricky: The Sneaky Ways Plants Survive

I have a new book out this fall with Owlkids.

Pretty Tricky (written by Etta Kaner and illustrated by me) is a nonfiction book about the sneaky techniques plants use to defend themselves, reproduce, or acquire food. 

From the copycat Boquila vine that changes shape to match its host plant, to the pungent carrion flower that lures pollinating flies with the scent of rotten meat, plants across the globe have adapted to survive all kinds of threatening fauna.

Here’s a look inside:

New Youtube Channel

Over the years, my partner Kevin and I have shot a handful of time-lapse videos that give viewers a glimpse into my art making process. But up until very recently, I didn’t have a place to clearly showcase them all together.

Well, now I do, thanks to my new Youtube Channel!

In addition to time-lapse videos, Kevin and I have been working on some kids craft tutorials. The following are the first two in an ongoing series. More to come soon!

New Book: My Ocean is Blue

I have a new book out this spring!

My Ocean is Blue is written by Darren Lebeuf, illustrated by yours truly, and published by Kids Can Press. Much like My Forest is Green, this book follows a child’s poetic exploration of their favourite place to be, and this time it’s the sunny seaside.

To learn more about this book visit: https://www.kidscanpress.com/products/my-ocean-blue

First & Best 2019

I was delighted to learn that two of my books were awarded Toronto Public Library’s First & Best 2019!

Love You Head to Toe and My Forest is Green are two of TPL’s top ten picks for the best Canadian children's books for building reading readiness in kids under five.

You can read more about it here: Ready for Reading

My Forest is Green

I couldn’t be happier with how this book turned out!

Written by Darren Lebeuf and published by Kids Can Press, My Forest is Green follows a young artist as he finds inspiration in his daily walks through a neighbouring urban forest.

It’s very much an art book as it touches on all kinds of arts and craft mediums: sponge painting, paper collage, watercolour, rock painting, snow sculpting, collecting leaves, to name a few. But it’s also a book that encourages us to slow down and appreciate nature through touch, sight and sound.

My Forest is Green has received starred reviews by Kirkus and Quill & Quire.

TD Canadian Children's Book Week

I’m so excited to be heading to beautiful British Columbia for TD Book Week!

From May 4th-11th, I’ll be presenting at 10 schools and libraries in and around the Vancouver area.

I’m really looking foreword to meeting you: Richmond Public Library, Stratford Hall, North Vancouver District Public Library, Ridgeway Elementary School, York House School, Lord Roberts Annex Elementary, Surrey Public Library, Southridge Junior School, West Point Grey Academy and Christianne’s Lyceum of Literature and Art!

If you want to learn more about this program, visit: www.bookweek.ca

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