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SPECIAL EDITION

ILLUSTRATOR HIGHLIGHT

 

This year, East West Literary Agency was honored to have three of our talented illustrators featured in THE ORIGINAL ART show, sponsored by the Society of Illustrators:

 

Mehrdokht Amini

Illustration from A Moon for Moe and Mo

From A MOON FOR MOE AND MO, by Jane Breskin Zalben (Charlesbridge)

Iranian-British children’s book illustrator and Kate Greenaway Medal Nominee Mehrdokht Amini is a rising star of global magnitude. Her books have been published in Iran, Poland, Korea, Australia, the U.K., as well as the U.S. and, among other accolades, have been the recipient of the ALA Notable Book award, the PubWest Book Design Award (Gold), the Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year, and the Children’s Africana Best Book Award. As seen in this featured piece from A MOON FOR MOE AND MO, her work – universal, impactful, and authentic – is visually lush with color, detail, and rich texture. UK-based Mehrdokht particularly loves working with publishers who are interested in cultural diversity because it gives her an excellent opportunity to undertake a close study of different cultures and communities, gain a better understanding of those cultures, and appreciate people of different backgrounds to her own. This is the second year her work has been featured in the show. In 2017, her piece was from YO SOY MUSLIM, a Huffington Post Most Powerful Children’s Book of 2017.

Illustration from Yo Soy Muslim

From YO SOY MUSLIM, by Mark Gonzales (Salaam Reads)
 

More Art by Mehrdokht Amini

Mehrdokht Amini & the cover for A Moon for Moe and Mo

 

Chris Gorman

Illustration from One of a Kind

From ONE OF A KIND, by Chris Gorman (Nancy Paulsen Books)

Chris Gorman wears many hats. He’s a dad. He’s a husband. He’s a professional photographer. He’s a real-life rock-star. And, he’s an acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator. The drummer and founding member of the Grammy-nominated band Belly was featured in THE ORIGINAL ART 2018 with an illustration from ONE OF A KIND, a story inspired by his son, about a kid who loves to express himself in his very own unique way. Designed with bold, vibrant color construction full of energy and emotion, this “must have” (according to SLJ) was called out in the NYT and featured in Billboard. As in his picture book debut, INDI SURFS (inspired by his daughter)Chris alters black-and-white photographic images to make striking halftones with rich black shadows. Rock on!

 

More About Chris Gorman

Chris Gorman & the cover for One of a Kind

 

Dow Phumiruk

Illustration for Counting on Katherine

From COUNTING ON KATHERINE, by Helaine Becker (Christy Ottaviano Books)

Originally from Thailand, Dow Phumiruk is an author and illustrator of children’s books. Dow’s work has been enthusiastically received by the market – she’s gone out of the gate strong – and is already the winner of many prestigious awards, most noticeably the 2017 SCBWI Inaugural Narrative Art Award and the 2013 SCBWI Emerging Voices Award.  As an artist, Dow works digitally, but she finds it a treat to experiment with other media, too. Her favorite subjects are children (especially girls) and animals. She has at least two distinct styles, both colorful. One is cartoon-like and fun, while the other is more realistic and dramatic.  COUNTING ON KATHERINE – with its uncluttered clean, delicate and precise lines – is classic and crisp.  Here’s a fun fact:  Dow started her professional career as a pediatrician and she still teaches medical students.  

 

More Art by Dow Phumiruk

Dow Phumiruk & the cover for Counting on Katherine

 

 

Check out our previous Illustrator Highlights:

Luciana N. Powell (Nov. 18)

Shiho Pate (Oct. 18)

 

The Illustrator Highlight is a monthly publication featuring some of the artistic talent represented by East West Literary Agency.

DEBORAH WARREN, EAST WEST LITERARY AGENCY
dwarren@eastwestliteraryagency.com

East West Literary Agency, LLC specializes in children’s books of all genres, from concept, novelty and picture books through young adult literature and everything in between.
We represent both authors and illustrators.

More East/West Artists
 
 

Copyright © 2018 Mehrdokht Amini, Chris Gorman, and Dow Phumiruk. All rights reserved.
Mehrdokht Amini, Chris Gorman, and Dow Phumiruk are represented by East West Literary Agency.

Our mailing address is:
1158 26th Street, Suite 462
Santa Monica, CA 90403

This publication is edited by Ana Crespo.