We had the incredible honour of having our illustrations from Star Wars Epic Yarns: A New Hope selected for The Original Art exhibition curated by the Society of Illustrators, showcasing illustrations from the year’s best children’s books published in the U.S.
The jury saw fit to include us in the exhibition with the likes of Sophie Blackall, Eric Carle, Emma Chichester Clark, Mike Curato, Tony DiTerlizzi, Oliver Jeffers, Jon Klassen, Nikki McClure, Julie Morstad, Jerry Pinkney, Chris Raschka, Sergio Ruzzier, Peter Sis, Hervé Tullet and Mo Willems. Here’s the complete list of exhibitors. There were so many kidlit legends in the show that we had to pinch ourselves that we were there!
Holman headed to New York City from Vancouver, while Jack had the much shorter trip from Ithaca. Here’s a visual tour of what we got up to in the Big Apple.
After getting off the red-eye, Holman headed straight to The Museum of American Illustration at 63rd and Lexington to set up the Epic Yarns display. Not only did we have a backlit print in the show, but we were also asked to display two felt figures. Here’s Holman setting up the figures:
Here’s the display after it was set up:
We decided to take in the exhibition before the crowds arrived for the reception, which proved to be a prescient move. Here’s Jack checking out the exhibition in a quiet moment:
Before the reception, we met up with our agent, Emily Van Beek of Folio Jr. We had worked with Emily by phone and email, but had never met her. Meeting up in NYC was an opportunity that we couldn’t miss! Emily is an absolute dynamo and we couldn’t be happier to have her represent us.
The reception for The Original Art show was definitely overly warm and loud, but there was an incredible atmosphere: artists, editors, agents, and other guests all enjoying the best in children’s illustration:
We had the chance to meet many incredible authors / illustrators, including Sara Gillingham, who’s also from Vancouver. Not only was she in the show, but we had another connection: Sara is the original Cozy Classics book designer who helped our books look so beautiful!
Here’s Holman with Kelly Light, author of one of his kids’ favorites books, Louise Loves Art:
Holman also ran into Jon Klassen:
After the reception, we went to a dinner / drinks event hosted by Chronicle Books, where Hervé Tullet signed books for Jack:
Before leaving NYC, we visited HarperCollins‘ new offices near the Financial District, and met with editors there to discuss future book projects:
It was amazing to see such beautiful, thoughtful, and exuberant children’s artwork at The Original Art exhibition (check out the show until December 23, 2015 if you’re in NYC!). The whole trip was very inspiring, and we can’t wait to get back to making kids books!