Vegetable Book

Last May (2009) I was in a course at the University of Illinois called "Art in the Elementary Grades."  It was a mandatory course for all education majors, SO I asked why is it not mandatory for Music Education majors!? They let me into the class and it was nothing but awesomeness and fun!

For my final project I had to write and illustrate a book in the style of Eric Carle who wrote the Hungry Caterpillar and many other great children's books. He paints papers and cuts those out into shapes to make his illustrations.  I too had to paint large sheets of paper, and cut it up into illustrations for my book. (It was a project more about the illustrating than the writing!) The funny part of all this is that many of my class mates thought this project was bogus, and complained about it. I on the other hand was so psyched about it I even worked on it at home and had it turned into what actually looks like a book!

I picked the theme of Michelle Obama's vegetable garden and what grows when.
I will post a few of the illustrations I did by cutting out previously painted sheets of paper.  Please note the asparagus, the celery and Michelle's Jacket is all from the same paper.

For the full story you will have to see the book in person. I am trying to figure out how to get it up online for sale.  I will keep you posted.

I would love to illustrate another book some time using the same process.  I liked the illustrating part more than the writing part. We'll see!