While Drawing In Her Treehouse: Illustrator Roxane Stoner

It's the second week of the blog tour. Thanks to all those that are hopping along with us! 

 Today I'm very excited to have Roxane Stoner with me on the blog. She's one of the illustrators of It's NOT Just A Dog! I have had such fun collaborating with her. She has a sensitivity to line and color that really resonates with me.

Short Bio:Since Roxane was very young she has been on a quest for the sake of art. It has taken her many places. She was born and raised on the French Riviera and came to the United States over thirty years ago. She lived in Eagle River, Alaska, for 15 years. Here she enjoyed the wide open spaces and the tranquility gave her grounding peace, a "living meditation." She now lives in a century old home in Tacoma, Washington.

If you'd like to connect with Roxane you can find her here:
Website
Google+
Facebook
Tacoma Arts Studio Tour
Contemporary Quilt Art Association
The Sketchbook Project
The Pilgrim Studio
1. Tell us about how you became an artist. Did you always like to draw? 
I don't remember a starting point when I became obsessed with observing this beautiful world around me and wanting to capture my feelings down on a piece of paper. I have always been with a pencil in my hand and the happiest when creating something with my hands.

Marc Chagall

Hundertwasser

2. Name two artists that inspire you.
Marc Chagall and Hundertwasser


3. When and how did you know you wanted to illustrate a children's book?

It has always been in the back of my mind but the opportunity had not presented itself before Sandra Moreano asked me to help her illustrating Pam Torres' "It's Not Just A Dog".

4. Describe your illustrating style and how it has evolved.

I am not sure to have a style per say as you would hope to accommodate the need of various projects but I would say that pen and ink, gouache, watercolors would be my choice of mediums.

Want to win
a signed illustration,
click here.

5. Tell us about the process you used to create the illustrations for this project?It was a joint venture with Sandra Moreano and Pam Torres to develop what "Madison" and the other protagonists from the book should look like. We met many times and tried different approaches. Once established it was pretty easy to come up with images and execute them. 

Vernacular Protection
by Roxane Stoner

6. Books are a collaboration between the writer, illustrator, editor and formatter. What should writers understand about artists? What does an illustrator need to know about the story?
The writers are putting so much trust in the illustrator to find the perfect look for their characters. In order to have a good experience they should give clear messages on what they have in mind in order to be happy with the outlook. Pam Torres was very helpful on pointing out what she didn't want and then letting us free to run with the project with only enough feedback and guidance to keep us inspired. We also kept the communication going throughout to better understand each other.

7. What time of day is your favorite time to work?
I don't have a set time. When I have that special "need", I work. Luckily that feeling is always there.

8. Describe your workspace.
The attic of a 120 years old house is my Studio. It is set up as a fiber art and drawing studio. I have a small balcony where I look over Commencement Bay on one side and huge black locust trees in front which give me the feel of being in a tree house amongst the birds.
9. What did you find most challenging about this project?
Trying to contain all the ideas in manageable formats.

10. What do you hope to do in the future?

I would love to do it again of course. I would also like to perfect my technique in order to be more versatile. Also I would like to be more articulate with words in order to illustrate my images with them, kind of building a book in reverse.

Thanks Roxane! 







If you haven't stopped by the blog tour here are the stops.


June Blog Tour Schedule and Links

Week One

2- Randomly Reading

3- R-Cubed’s Reads and Reviews

4- Book Dreaming

5- Ordinary Girlz Book Reviews

6- The Write Game

7- Indigo Quill

Week Two

9- Always In The Middle

10-I Am A Reader

11-Beach Bound Books

12- Mommies Reviews

13- Susan Kaye Quinn

      The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia

Week Three

16- Rockin’ Book Reviews

The Write Path

17- The Owl’s Skull

18- Literary Rambles

19- Social Cafe Magazine

20- This Kid Reviews Books

Week Four

23- That’s Another Story

24- Pretty Opinionated

25- The Reader’s Perch

26- That’s Another Story

27- Reads 4 Tweens

Week Five

30- Tales Between The Pages

July 1st- Buried In Books

MMGM NW Authors: Animals Welcome by Peg Kehret

About The Book: A moving memoir from an award-winning author. 
     A mother cat and her kittens, shot with a pellet gun. A poacher illegally stalking a bear. Peg Kehret tells these true stories and more as she invites readers into her life on a small wildlife sanctuary.
     Vividly showing the joys of animal rescue while providing facts about the animals and birds she encounters, Kehret also shares the tragedy of her husband's sudden death, and the pain of losing Pete, the shelter cat who co-authored three of her books. Written with honesty, heart, and humor,Animals Welcome is a personal glimpse into the life of an author who loves animals, and the philosophy by which she lives. —Goodreads

First Line: Most of my books include an animal. I've written about elephants, bears, llamas, dogs, cats, chimpanzees, a rabbit, a pig, a 'possum, a horse, a pony, and a monkey.

What Others Are Saying: "Each chapter is a new adventure with a cat or dog that comes into Kehret’s life, and young readers who love animals will enjoy these chatty anecdotes."—Kirkus 

"This book is a collection of heartwarming snapshots centered on animals from feral cats, black bears to peacocks. You just never know who is going to show up when the welcome mat is out and all animals are welcome."—Layla Morgan Wilde
What I Thought: This was a delightful read and would make a fun read-aloud for children. I was amazed at the adventures that the author has had with all kinds of animals. Her writing is clear and concise and her story telling is exceptional. My favorite was sad but so full of hope and promise that I found it inspiring. In the chapter entitled  "My Life Changed Forever," Kehret relates the loss of her husband Carl and how she found purpose and joy once again through her first foster cat. "I still miss Carl and always will, but his workshop is no longer a sad, empty space,"writes Kehret about the workshop turned—Home For Wayward Cats...Strays Welcome!

About The Author: Peg Kehret
Website
Blog
Facebook

Who: Peg Kehret has always loved to write. As a child, she wanted to be either a writer or a veterinarian; now she includes animals in most of her books. She grew up in Austin, Minnesota, and had a happy and normal childhood except for a bout with polio which paralyzed her from the neck down and hospitalized her for nine months. However, she made nearly a complete recovery. She graduated from Austin High School and attended the University of Minnesota for one year.
She married Carl Kehret in 1955, and moved to California two years later. They adopted two children, Bob and Anne. As a young mother, Peg completed one more year of college. In 1970, Peg and Carl moved to Washington State where she still lives.

What: Kehret has published 47 books, the majority being children's books. She has won awards in just about every state. Here are just a few:

Later this week join me for an interview with NW author Katherine Schlick Noe author of Something To Hold. The book is based on her own experiences on an Indian Reservation in Oregon. Read the review, here.

If you haven't checked out other MMGM reviewers, you are really missing out on some great books to put on your TBR list for 2013! 

Do You Have A Pet Emergency Supply Kit?

National Animal Disaster-

Preparedness Day  

May 12, 2012. 

 Are You Ready?

Whenever there are national disasters, there are animals that are effected. We often think about being prepare ourselves but what about your dog or cat. What happens if you have to leave your home in a hurry, will you have the things you need to take care of your pet?

If you're not sure what to do the folks over at Pet Camp have some great suggestions. The following list of supplies is from their website. 

Prepare a Pet Emergency Supply Kit 

Just like you need to prepare an emergency supply kit for yourself, you will also need one for your pet. Make sure you use plastic zipper bags to store items and then place them into a larger waterproof container. Here are items to include in your kit:

• Food & Water: Keep at least 3 days’ worth. If your pet eats canned food get some cans with tops that don’t need a can opener. Make sure you rotate this food and water every few months so that it’s ready for use in case you actually need it. 
• Food & Water Bowls: Include something light and easy to clean. 
• Medicine & Medical Records: If your pet is on regular medicines, keep an extra supply in your kit. Put a copy of your pet's most recent medical records in your kit should you need to have your pet stay elsewhere. 
• First Aid Kit: Include the basics like: cotton bandages, bandage tape and scissors, antibiotic ointment, latex gloves, tweezers, saline solution, and a basic pet first aid book.
• Leash & Collar: Keep an extra leash and collar in your kit. If you have an extra set of ID tags put them on the spare collar. Ensuring that your pet is microchipped will assist in identification if you and your pet are separated.
• Crate or Carrying Case: Have a crate or carrying case for your pet. If your kit is small and you have a smaller pet, consider adding an all-cotton pillow case so that you have something to contain your pet. You may want to consider a crate on wheels or a pet stroller to make evacuation easier.
• Cleaning supplies: Depending on your type of pet, you may also need litter and a litter box, paper towels and plastic trash bags. Consider using aluminum roasting pans because they are light and can be thrown away. Include some liquid dish soap and disinfectant. 

Being prepared isn't only for national disasters or catastrophic events. Often it's small local events that can mean you have to leave your home. Thinking about your pets before it happens will ensure that their welfare will be taken care of. Fires, water mains bursting, chemical or gas leaks can all force you to make a quick exit. 

Bankok Flood Emergency

Have you had to leave your home in a hurry? What other things should pet guardians be aware of?