Typhoon Haiyan Art Benefit and Auction

A few weeks ago I sent this 3D assemblage, "Possibilities," to Savannah, Georgia, to my friend Ryan Sanchez. There's a story behind the art and I'll share that soon soon enough, but this post is about bigger things.

Ryan, an amazingly talented illustrator and an esteemed professor, has been working very hard to organize the Typhoon Haiyan Art Benefit and Auction, the proceeds of which will benefit victims of the awful typhoon which ravaged the Philippines in early November. My work is one of a hundred that he has been rounding up internationally, and be advised, I am in extremely good company.

The show is happening on Friday, January 10 from 6-11pm at 201 W Broughton Street in an empty storefront in the heart of the historic downtown area of Savannah. If you're from Savannah, you might know the space as the old Clipper Trading Company. It is 12,700 square feet of awesome space for displaying art.

Bidder sign-in will start at 6pm. Bidding ends at 10pm. $10 cash donation suggested at the door. Cash, checks, and all major credit cards will be accepted.

Live music will be performed by Jon Waits of Waits and Company.

There will be food by John and Amber Kent Roell of Brasserie 529, and Seth Musler of Betty Bombers and Butterhead Greens, and wine provided by Johnny Ganems.

Oh man, I wish I could be there! If you're close enough the trip, go for me, okay?

If you would like to make donations outside of this event, Ryan suggests donating directly to the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), the organization who will be receiving all of the proceeds from this event.

Here's a peek at how the event crystalized, from Ryan's perspective:

Everyday for the past 2 weeks, packages have been coming to my house. The postal service, UPS, and FedEx have definitely been through a work out. Every time I open one, I am amazed and humbled by the shear talent you all have. I can't thank you all enough for the tremendous show of support you have given me and this cause. You are truly amazing and caring people. I am so honored to call you friends. Happy holidays everyone.

Click here to be routed to the invitation on Facebook.

Isabella in the Savannah Morning News

This past Sunday (December 1), The Savannah Morning News included Isabella's Shoe Studio in the following article by Linda Sickler, called "Put books by authors with Savannah ties under your tree this year."

"Isabella's Shoe Studio" by Violet Lemay. $12.95, duopress. Available at Shop SCAD, Ex Librirs, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

Savannah College of Art and Design professor Violet Lemay is the art director of duopress and an award-winning children's book illustrator.

Her latest juvenile nonfiction book, released in September, is a whimsical introduction to the process of design. Children don't just read the book, they're encouraged to doodle and create their own art.

"'Isabella's Shoe Studio' is a Doodle Storybook about 8-year-old Isabella, a budding artist with a charitable heart, who dreams of becoming a famous shoe designer," Lemay says.

"The daughter of a hat designer and the granddaughter of a dress designer, Isabella's bent toward art and design is in her DNA," she says. "Through a series of fun interactive activities, Isabella encourages young readers to try their hand at drawing and design, while teaching them about artistic inspiration."

Lemay moved to Saratoga Springs, NY in August 2012, but she still teaches classes online for SCAD. "To date, I have illustrated 18 books for children, with more on the way, mostly for duopress, my favorite publisher, for whom I now act as art director, "Lemay says.

An award-winning illustrator, Lemay's other children's books include "Beach Doodles" (which she co-illustrated with SCAD alumna Paige Garrison), "Doodle Chicago," "Doodle New York," "My Foodie ABC" and "New York Baby."

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"'Isabella's Shoe Studio' is unique, fun, educational and adorable," Lemay says. "While most other books for children about fashion are filled with illustrations of designs for grown-ups, 'Isabella's Shoe Studio' is very down to earth, focusing on fun but practical shoes for little girls.

"The shoes are merely a vehicle to teach about artistic inspiration and the process of design.

For example, Isabella asks readers to look at the night sky and at their breakfast table to find inspirations for new shoe designs."*
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To see the complete article, click here.

Violet's of Saratoga

My family moved from Savannah, Georgia to Saratoga Springs, New York, just over a year ago. The move happened quickly—my husband Fred took a job offer up here—and we were excited to migrate north, but it was a huge decision. Despite being in the middle of a busy season of making art for duopress (including Chicago Baby, which I painted all throughout the move), he flew me up to Saratoga Springs to show me around, so that we could decide together whether or not to leave our long-time home of Savannah.

Saratoga Springs' bustling, historic down-town is actually a lot like Savannah, minus the heat and that special Southern je ne sais qois. (Fred blames humidity. I think the likes of Flannery O'Connor and Tennessee Williams would argue that the issue is more complex than weather, but what do I know.) The South has its charms, but this small northern town is absolutely lovely. You'll never guess the name of the first shop that caught my eye as soon as we rolled in: "Violet's of Saratoga!" I saw Violet's, and knew I was home.

I also knew that once Isabella's Shoe Studio was in print, I would see about getting it into Violet's.  Violet's is a chic, up-scale ladies' boutique with an amazing staff, featuring an array of to-die-for shoes as well as everything fashion. Between the name and the content, it seemed a match made in heaven.

Shop owner Laura Farrar couldn't have been more gracious. She embraced Isabella with open arms, and features a stack of books in a place of honor on the counter.

If you're in the area, check out Violet's and of Saratoga. The shop is right down town at 494 Broadway, and there is a parking lot adjacent to the store, right off the street. Tomorrow is SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY—a good excuse to get out support a wonderful, local small business! 

Click here to see Violet's of Saratoga's website.

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If you look closely you can see Yours Truly in the top photo, and again in this interior shot. (Yes, I am bundled up to my eyeballs in a gigantic woman-eating parka. I've been up here over a year but am still not quite used to the cold.)

SUNY Adirondack

I spent a lovely Saturday morning and afternoon at SUNY Adirondack yesterday, selling copies of a variety of duopress books, including Isabella's Shoe Studio.

The event—a conference sponsored by the Iroquois Reading Council and SUNY Plattsburgh at Queensbury—featured sessions all day long for grad student educators, focusing on vocabulary. 

As for me, I sat in the airy, sunlit hall at a table full of books with a handful of other local authors and illustrators who were doing the same, including Dale Christopher, Lisa Potocar, and Arthur Gonzalez. Great company, to be sure.

Between sessions we chatted it up with the attendees, who browsed the books on the tables as they ate cookies and drank tea. (There was delicious food available throughout the entire event. So nice!) 

duopress books are fun, interactive, AND educational, so they are always a big hit with educators, and Saturday was no exception. I sold every copy that I had of Yummy Food Doodles, Doodle America, Doodle New York, New York Baby, and Isabella's Shoe Studio! I even sold the single copies of Doodle Washington DC, Doodle Texas, and Chicago Baby that I brought along, just in case. It was a great day.

A very special thanks to Bonnie Yanklowitz (that's Bonnie in the photo), who took me under her wing at the Glens Falls Chronicle Book Fair last November, and again this year. Bonnie and Mary Anne Flanders, co-chairs of the Iroquois Reading Council (our local chapter of the New York State Reading Association) were extremely gracious to me—as was a dashing silver-haired gentleman who was so busy helping people all day that I never caught his name. (Stan, perhaps?) The Iroquois Reading Council is a lovely group full of smart, friendly people who love to read and who volunteer their time to promote literacy. What's not to like about that?

Click here to become a fan of the Iroquois Reading Council on Facebook.

Bella Gets Dressed

Late last spring I was commissioned by Highlights High-Five to make four images for a sweet little story called Bella Gets Dressed. The art was published in the September 2013 issue. If you'd like to see the other three illos, click here to be redirected to my website.

Art Director, Kelley Cunningham

Modern Woman

Last month I made an illustration for USA Today's MODERN WOMAN magazine, which is out today in the fall/winter 2013 issue. On the very last page, the essay "Let's Get Real" (by Allison Weiss Entrekin) discusses reality vs. the images we project via social media. Very interesting topic, excellently written.

Art direction by Erin Aulov.

Isabella's Shoe Studio Photo Contest!

Here is your chance to win a hand-made felt Isabella doll, and/or other cool stuff. Look at all of these little Isabellas—one of them is calling your name!

This contest is soooooooo easy!

Follow this link and click the Isabella doll. A larger, 2-page PDF will appear on your screen. Print the paper Isabella doll (front and back), and cut her out. For a more durable doll, print on card stock. Use a glue stick or double-sided tape to attach the front and back pieces together.

Carry your paper Isabella around town with you, and take her photo! My friend Vikki sent this cool pagoda shot all the way from China. Go, Vikki!

Post your favorite photo on Isabella Shoe Studio's Facebook page to have your name entered for a chance to win fun prizes.

Contest ends on December 31, 2013, so don't delay! You know Christmas will come and go before you can say "Isabella's Shoe Studio."

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Isabella is the cute and funny star of Isabella's Shoe Studio (duopress 2013), an adorable Doodle Storybook™. Isabella dreams of becoming a famous shoe designer. The book is full of clever educational activities that teach kids about the processes of design and artistic inspiration.