Its Official!! Book Release DAUGHTERS OF TWO NATIONS!!

Very excited to present the biography DAUGHTERS OF TWO NATIONS written by Peggy Caravantes and illustrated by me, about nine amazing Native American women from various periods in U.S. history.

Illustrated in Prismacolor colored pencil.

Book Release : October 15, 2013

 

 

 

Amazon Link

Barnes and Noble

 

First copies of DAUGHTERS arrive! w Carolyn Dee Flores

 

I am extremely proud to be associated with such a beautifully written book.
 These nine women are important, dignified, and ground-breaking.
 Many thanks to Mountain Press, Gwen McKenna (editor) and Peggy Caravantes.

Carolyn Dee Flores

Froggie Original Artwork goes to NY - ABFFE Art Auction

 Colored Pencil Artwork from SING FROGGIE/CANTA RANA by Carolyn Dee Flores

 

Tonight, I am prepping original artwork from the book "Canta, Rana, canta/Sing, Froggie Sing" for shipping to ABFFE's art auction at BookExpo America in New York City, May 29, 2013! It's such an honor to be asked.

ABFFE stands for American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression. The 19th annual Children's Book Auction at BookExpo America will be hosted by Jack Gantos and Lauren Myracle.

 

Colored Pencil Spread from SING FROGGIE/CANTA RANA by Carolyn Dee Flores

You may preview the art here. Support Freedom of Expression!

 

Preview Art: http://abffesilentauction.wordpress.com/preview-art/

Auction Site: http://abffesilentauction.wordpress.com/

ABFFE: http://www.abffe.org/

Have a creative week,
Carolyn Dee Flores
www.carolynflores.com

"Froggie" Drawing To Be Included in Mazza Museum of Picture Book Art Permanent Collection

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!The Mazza Museum for International Art From Picture Books in Findlay, Ohio - has requested a piece of original artwork from my picture book "Sing, Froggie, Sing/Canta, Rana, canta" published by Arte Público/Piñata  - to be added to their permanent museum collection!!

 This is an unbelievably big moment for me in my career. The list of illustrators included in the Mazza collection is mind-boggling! So humbled and honored. Here is a picture of the studio as I prep artwork for shipping tomorrow!

Prepping Froggie Drawing For Trip to Mazza Museum!

Link to the Mazza Museum for Picture Book Art: http://www.findlay.edu/offices/academic/mazzamuseum/Pages/default.aspx

Wonderstruck and terribly proud of this first book,

Carolyn Dee Flores

www.carolynflores.com

Illustrator Laura-Susan Thomas - Babybug Magazine Cover

"Babybug" Magazine (one of the Cricket magazine group) did a fantastic article on my close friend Laura-Susan Thomas  -illustrator/former Disney Imagineer/ and cover artist of this month's "Babybug" issue. Take a look at her cool studio! AND her sketches!

Here is the article: http://babybugmag.wordpress.com/

Fun!

Carolyn Dee Flores

www.carolynflores.com

The Movie "Bless Me, Ultima"

I was treated to a sneak preview of the movie "Bless Me, Ultima" this evening at the Siverado Theaters in San Antonio, Texas. The movie is based upon the critically acclaimed novel written 40 years ago by Rudolfo Anaya, screenplay by Carl Franklin.

   "Bless Me, Ultima" is narrated by  Alfred Molina and stars Luke Ganalon as a young boy growing up during in New Mexico during WWII, who forms a bond with an elderly curandera or medicine woman.

I'm sure you will hear plenty about the beauty in this film: the story, the emotional resonance, the wonderful acting. And it's hard not to be mesmerized by  Luke Ganalon as seven year old "Antonio."

But, what blew me away was the cinematography! The artistic direction in this film is gorgeous! The scene of a pueblo church bell ringing on a hill (shot from behind shrubbery) where the sky separates into  a stormy white, gray, and blue, is done with such subtlety - that it virtually went unnoticed. Everyone  in the theater was too engrossed in the story.

I haven't seen a film like this in many, many years. I wanted to wake up there and smell the dirt. A moving, passionate, authentic, gem-of-a-movie. Go see it if you can.

"Bless Me, Ultima" opens in select theaters around the country this weekend.

Create something great,

Carolyn Dee Flores

www.carolynflores.com

What I Learned about Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney

I told my mother last week, "You know, I almost stole something once - a textbook from back in the fifth grade."

My mother gasped.

I said, "Don't worry. I didn't do it."

But, I remember. I was very tempted. By the illustrations!

It was KALEIDOSCOPE, a Houghton Mifflin Reader.

Is this not the best cover ever?!

 Recently, I found a copy of KALEIDOSCOPE in a used bookstore. I bought it, brought it home, and laid it carefully on my drawing board.

And then ...

I began to peruse the credits.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that all of these groovy textbook and section illustrations were the early work of none other than acclaimed Caldecott Medalist - Jerry Pinkney of "The Lion & The Mouse" fame.

I was so affected by those pictures. Some things stay with you.

 Jerry Pinkney has illustrated over one  hundred books, received five Caldecott honors, the Caldecott Medal for "The Lion & The Mouse,"  five Coretta Scott King Awards, four Coretta Scott King Honor Awards, and five New York Times "Best Illustrated Books."

And, of course, now, the fantastic "YOU WERE MY HERO IN FIFTH GRADE" AWARD from me!

Jerry Pinkney Signing My Book 2011

Jerry Pinkney Signs My iPad

Illustrate away,

Carolyn Dee Flores

www.carolynflores.com

"I saw the angel in the marble…" Michelangelo

Last week I was working intensely on deadline to deliver the black and white drawings for an upcoming picture book I am illustrating - DALE, DALE, DALE/ HIT IT, HIT IT, HIT IT (written by Rene Saldaña Jr.) to my publisher.

As usual, I'd prepped. I'd paced. I'd thumbnailed. I was having a blast! But, I needed a little extra push when it came to spread #10 -  a drawing which included lots of toy marbles.

Partially exhausted, I felt I had not fully captured the magical essence of "marbles."

I remembered the enigma of little boys who carried around bags of marbles at recess when I was little. I internet-hunted marbles and learned about "shooters," "pee-wees," "steelies," and "agates." I stared at the small velvet pouch of vintage marbles that my mother bought me when I first got this book contract, and then - I poured the marbles onto my desk.

They rolled … everywhere.

I grabbed a small empty photo frame and corralled them.

I thought to myself, "These are beautiful. I have two more beautiful marbles in my jewelry box I will add to this collection."

I added two more marbles.

Hours later, I couldn't help thinking, "I'm sure there is one more marble in this house."

I stopped drawing and looked around. Now where?

 If I could find it, what a great sign that would be!

I looked down at my little marble corral and saw it.

One more marble.

Engraved around the edges of the wooden frame were these words:

"I saw the angel in the MARBLE and I carved until I set him free." Michelangelo

I had forgotten. Trust that you have the skills to listen. The book will draw itself. As with all art, a book becomes what it wants to become.

What an exciting process!

Happy GroundHog Day!

Carolyn Dee Flores/Illustrator

www.carolynflores.com

The Cover of CANTA, RANA, CANTA / SING,FROGGIE,SING

Officially announcing the cover of my new book - CANTA,RANA,CANTA/SING,FROGGIE,SING!

Carolyn Dee