Just Because...

For all of you freelance artists out there whose studio companion has 4 legs and a waggly tail, this is for you...

And the ants go marching...

Hey!! Just wanted to give you another sneak preview from my latest book "Little Black Ant on Park Street". This is just a "detail" of one of the spreads in the book. Still waiting...I think it will be out in December. I'll let you know when I know!

That Spooooooky Feeling!

©KathleenRietz
Those of you who have been following my blog for a while have probably seen this before, but it is time to bring it out again! Have a Happy Halloween!!

Birthday Cupcakes!

My friends know I also love being creative in the kitchen. Here are the birthday cupcakes I baked for my sister tonite. MMmmmm!

Illustration Friday - "Flying"

Flying... (I can't really write too much about this project yet....sshhh...)



But...here are some Sunday school learning materials I illustrated for LifeWay Christian Resources:

Little Black Ant on Park Street

After several delays, the new release date for my illustrated book "Little Black Ant on Park Street" (Soundprints Publishing) is December 2009. I took these photos of the spreads with a pocket camera, and will repost them when I get actually high quality scans. But I was so excited I just had to show you now! It was hard to choose only 2 spreads from the book, but I cannot give away the story. So until December, this will have to satisfy!

Meet Sunshine!

Every artist needs an assistant. This is Sunshine. She is my happy girl. :)

So Much News to Share!

"The ABCs of Yoga For Kids", illustrated by me and written by Teresa Anne Power, just won a second award this year! The book took home a bronze award in the 2009 Moonbeam Children's Books Awards in the Body-Mind-Spirit/Self Esteem category.


The accompanying "The ABCs of Yoga For Kids" Coloring Book is due out next month. Here is a sneak peek from the book:

(You can also download free coloring pages HERE!) While you are visiting the site, order the book and the NEW poster as a gift for the holidays this year!

Lastly, I have just signed a contract with Sylvan Dell Publishing to illustrate a new children's book. The book deals with a very important cause, and I am honored to have been chosen such a task. I cannot reveal too much right now, but I am super-excited, and will reveal more as the book evolves. Meanwhile, check out Sylvan Dell Publishing and their other great books.

"God & Dog" by WJ Francsico

This is so sweet, I just had to post it. I saw it over at my friend Phyllis Harris's blog.

Illustrations Friday - "Pattern"

Have a great weekend everyone!

Autumn Color!

©KathleenRietz
How can you NOT be inspired by all of the beautiful colors of autumn?? I know I am!

Looking for Advice on Hiring an Artist's Agent?

Before you do, check out my latest article for the column "Illustrator Tips", featured in The Prairie Wind, the online newsletter of the SCBWI-IL.

Now for an update: I am currently illustrating "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids Coloring Book" for author and yoga instructor Teresa Ann Power. This coloring book features yoga poses with corresponding letters of the alphabet, and is meant to accompany the new poster and the original, award winning hardcover book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". Teresa and I have had a great time working together and watching the success of the book grow! Check out this review in The US Review of Books.

Baaaaaah!

©KathleenRietz
Another addition to my black line art portfolio.

Farm Animals

©KathleenRietz
I have completed 5 children's books this year: 2 trade publications and 3 readers. I am about to begin illustrating a coloring book, which will accompany the successful book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids", which was released this past March. I decided to begin adding black line art images to my portfolio a while back, and hope to pick up more work illustrating coloring books. It's a nice change of pace, since there are no colors to be concerned with, but rather I can focus on line weight and have fun just drawing. Right now I am working on a series of farm animals. I have added several new updates to my website, mainly in my illustration portfolios, so be sure to check it out.

Friends Forever

©Kathleen Rietz
I oftentimes use kids and their pets as a theme in my illustrations. I guess you can figure out where my heart is...

"The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" poster

Because of the success of the book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids", this accompanying poster is being released. I believe it will be sold through the official website, as well as Amazon.com. It is meant to be used as a fun poster for kids to hang on their walls, as well as an instructional tool for yoga studios.

Watch for more info on an upcoming "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" coloring book as well.

Illustrations Friday - "Idle"

©KathleenRietz
In yoga, this pose is known as the "Do Nothing" pose. It is so good to allow oneself to be idle and let go of life's pressures now and then.

This illustration is from my latest book for children, "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids", which is doing exceptionally well and is up for several awards! You can order the book by clicking on the little book icon at the top right corner of this blog. I just received news today that I will be illustrating an accompanying "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" Coloring Book. I am very excited to be working once again with the book's author, Teresa Ann Power.

Remember...

© Kathleen Rietz
As you celebrate Independence Day 2009, please remember our soldiers and their families who miss them.

Illustration Friday - "Shaky"

©KathleenRietz
Wow! Millie's summer read was so scary, it made both her and her Chihuahua, Bobo, shaky!

New Coloring Pages!

I recently decided to add a new web page to my website. The new page is devoted to black line art for coloring book pages, text books, and story book illustration. Here is a sample.
© Kathleen Rietz
You can see the my other new black line illustrations by clicking here.

Illustration Friday - "Worn"

©KathleenRietz
I hate when that happens..

Illustration Friday - "Unfold"

©KathleenRietz

Yoga is Yummy!

I was recently approached by the perky Polly over at Yoga is Yummy to design a logo for her blog and upcoming yoga DVD. Polly had seen my illustrated book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" as thought I would be the perfect artist to design her logo. Well, Polly and I clicked right away like kindred spirits. She was so fun to work with and I ended up falling in love with her blog. I only wish she lived in my town so that I could visit her classes. Fortunately, she has a section on her blog devoted to short yoga videos, so if you are into yoga, be sure to check them out. I also love her recipes and simplified lifestyle in a world that seems to be whizzing constantly by. Polly is calm. : ) Yet perky.

Here Polly is featured in the logo I designed for her.

And here is her post about my logo. So many nice compliments from her readers. Be sure to scroll past the comments to get to the "meat".

Thanks, Polly. You are a real peach!

All Finished!

I just completed all of the interior spreads for the new children's book "Little Black Ant on Park Street", for the Smithsonian's Backyard Books series. Now I am just waiting to see if there are any revisions...as an illustrator, you always hope there are no revisions, but with 14 paintings, there are bound to be some. This was a 10 month long project, and I am so glad to be finished. The book is dedicated to my mom, whose presence I felt with me along the book's journey. You can watch for the book's release this fall. I will have more updates on my blog as I get more information on upcoming dates.

Here is the cover.


And here is a photo I took of the entire painting I made for the cover.

Tulips as BIG as my Head!

It is finally springtime in Chicago! I picked these tulips today to brighten up my studio. Wanted to share them with you.... Who wouldn't be inspired to make great art with these colors all around them?