Play N Worship Samples

Last August, I wrote this post about submitting a sample for a bible story assignment and not getting the job. But something good came out of it: a few months later, I got an assignment from another publisher to do this Play n Worship: Play-Along Bible Stories for Toddlers & twos. I got a box of samples of it last week. (In case you were wondering, I did not do the pink character that is on the front.)

Here is the back of the box, with samples of spreads I did the illustrations for.

Inside of the kit, it comes with a CD, DVD, and 10 storytime teaching trifolds.

Here is Noah's Ark!

I had fun AND learned alot from this one!

The Big Move

I have some big personal news: I will be moving from New York City to Ann Arbor, Michigan in August!

Why the move? My significant other got a post-doctorate position at the University of Michigan...which we've known since March. Even though it will only be for three years, it will be a big change for the both of us. It is much wanted. But scary. Yet exciting.

So for the next two months, you'll be hearing about our adventures. It is the reason I haven't been posting as much art as I've used to. This year has been jam packed for me- getting married, exhibiting in a big trade show, and now moving!

Goodies from Argentina!

I'm always amazed and happy when blog friends send me goodies in the mail. Here is a package from Zime when I was one of the lucky ones to participate in her RegalARTE giveaway. Its a pay-it-forward program in which I now will send handmade gifts to three of my blog readers. I better figure out what I am going to make!
Guess who lives in the houses?
ADORABLE!! Hand painted just for me...with a little chicken!! Ahhh! Thank you, Zime- I feel so special! Zime just recently opened an etsy shop where you will find many of her painted dolls. I promise to pay it forward and have a giveaway here soon!

Stuff I got for Inspiration

Its been a while since I posted! Wow, it was really interesting to hear everyone's situation in this economy from the last post. A positive outlook is the way to go. I hope each and everyone of you out there is surviving in this economy.

Thought I would share some of the goodies I got for inspiration. I finally got around to framing a few prints I got...here is what is on my dresser at the moment.
Above from left to right: Many faces of Mook by I love Grey Skies (etsy seller), Robot by Allan Sanders, and The Host by Ana Galvan (from Thumbtack Press.)

I also bought this book:
Ricehead's Revenge by YiYing Wang. Honestly I did not buy it for the art but for the fun story, and I like the fact that there is a list of characters in the beginning of the book:
Plus, they have a really cute website: www.Noodoll.com!

And last but not least, I went nuts over this card when I saw it over at Stickers and Stuff:
I bought it over at Ginko Papers (sorry, I believe it is sold out). It is from Hallmark Japan, illustrated by Yukiko Hatano.
This card has been sitting on my desk for quite a while now, hoping it will inspire me to do some pop up cards soon. Its so cute I can't stand it....

Thats it for now, hope that was some good eye candy for you!

Effects of The Bad Economy

This post was suppose to be about this new book I illustrated and designed that was suppose to be coming out in the Fall.

But it isn't.

These are the printer copies that I received, but it won't be coming out in Fall 09. If I am lucky, it might be on the Spring 2010 list. But it is uncertain for now.

For the past few weeks, I've been hearing more layoff news than ever before. Old colleagues, friends, many people I know are getting the pink slip. One of the biggest shockers is when I heard Nickelodeon Magazine is going to close down. I use to work there as a designer and it saddens me that many of the long time staff there will be losing their jobs.

Personally, I am surviving in this economy. But of course all the news around me worries me a little. I'm generally positive though, still churning out new art, still promoting myself, still keeping hope that there are still new businesses to be had.

How is the bad economy effecting you and your attitude for your business?

Website Update-Books Section

My website is long overdue for an update, especially in the books section. I finally updated the books I've done and a few that is soon to be released, many coming out in the Fall of this year. Please take a look!

Two new books (coming this Fall) listed on Amazon:
The Great Reindeer Rebellion, written by Lisa Trumbauer and illustrated by Jannie Ho (yours truly.) It is a companion to The Haunted Ghoul Bus with a similar format and embossed pages. I also got to design this book. Woohoo!

Light the Menorah, a cute interactive book, illustrated by Jannie Ho (me!). There are small pull tabs for the kids to "light" the candles of the menorah. I haven't received copies yet but it will be fun to see the interactive part of this book.

And last but not least, I finally got my own name as a website domain name:

www.JannieHo.com

For now, it will bring you to my Chicken Girl Design site. I'm not giving up being Chicken Girl just yet, but I had to renew the domain and have been giving some thought about the name and what I want to do with it in the future. Many of you expressed to me that it is a very catchy name and clever branding, but a part of me wants to be taken "seriously" too, and wonders if it hurts me in a certain way. I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter. That is it for now!

Surtex-Final Thoughts

Surtex was an incredible experience! I learned about what kind of industry was interested in my work, and discovering new companies I would of never known about. And I had alot of fun! Traffic was good for me as a first time exhibitor. The number of Surtex exhibitors was low compared to past years. I'd like to think this worked to my advantage though.

Being a freelancer, I don't get out of the house much, so one of the best part was getting to meet fellow artists and illustrators, (many which I've got to know through blogs.) One of the first people I met at set up day was fellow Illustration for Kids member Holli Conger- its so great to finally "meet" after years of knowing each other online. Also so many illustrators with blogs I finally got to see: Deb Melmon, Liz Goulet Dubois, Barbara Johansen Newman, Ellen Crimi-Trent and Kristin Sorra. It was also wonderful to see illustrators Mike Moran and Chris Reed walking the show. I'm a fan of their work and I'm quite flattered that they knew my work too! Meeting some fellow first time exhibitors was great too- hello to Eric Comstock of Comstock Design- they had some super cute alphabet art! Hope I didn't miss anyone- I talked with so many talented people in the span of 3 days.

I'm still struggling personally as to what kind of industry I want to work for. My number one passion is still children's books, but I'm definitely interested in exploring other streams of income as well.

Checked the stats on my website and found alot of people are coming through the Print & Pattern blog. Thanks Bowie for featuring me in your Surtex posts!

Getting back in the swing of things is very hard after a trade show. But I've got a few deadlines so I better get back to work. This is my report and I am sticking to it. I hope to attend again next year!