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Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Talent Behind the Art - KC Snider

KC Snider is one of the talented people who helps bring the world of picture books to life. Here is what she had to say;

When did you start to seriously illustrate?
My friend, Mary Jean Kelso, asked me to illustrate a children’s story called The Christmas Angel in preparation for self-publishing. So I took my time and finally finished the project in 2005. Unbeknownst to me, Mary decided to submit the story (now illustrated) to Guardian Angel Publishing and surprised me with the announcement that it had been accepted. Shortly thereafter, Lynda Burch, the publisher, asked me if I would like to illustrate another story, The Magic Violin. Thus began a great relationship with Guardian Angel Publishing and an opportunity for me to use my illustrating skills that I had meant to pursue many years earlier.

What is your favorite media to draw in (oils, pastels etc)?
a. For my illustrations, I work primarily in gouache, ink and colored pencil.
b. For my fine art pieces, I can work in all media.

Tell us about the process of illustrating for a publishing company?
a. The publisher sends me a manuscript. Right now I only work for Guardian Angel Publishing which is keeping me plenty busy.
b. I read the manuscript and decide if I would like to do the illustrations. (So far I haven’t turned down a story!)
c. The publisher then informs the writer and sends a contract for us both to sign.
d. The publisher tells me the timeline for each book.

Generally how long does it take to illustrate a book?
About 30-45 days. The fewer words, the more illustrations and therefore more time.

Do you have total freedom in what you draw, or are there guidelines?
I have total freedom usually. I do sometimes discuss ideas with the publisher. And I get ideas from the authors before I start, but I have the final say.

Any advice to give struggling artists/illustrators?
Work constantly, study other artists’ work and never give up.

Anything else you'd like to add?
I really enjoy what I am doing and I love working with Lynda from GAP. Every now and then I take a break and do a fine art piece. My newest piece, “Whatcha Got?” is being submitted to an all-women’s western art show in Pendleton, Oregon.

Check out KC's web sites at:
http://www.kcsniderart.com/
http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/
http://andyandthealbinohorse.blogspot.com/
http://www.cafepress.com/KCSniderart
http://blog.kcsniderart.com/

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

KC,
I was curious how the illustration end of things worked. Enjoy your next GAP assigned book.
Blessings,
J. Aday Kennedy
The Differently-Abled Writer

Cheryl said...

Excellent interview ladies. I love your work KC. I'm glad you're part of the GAP family.

Cheryl

Donna McDine said...

KC:

Terrific interview. I've enjoyed getting to know you better. I'm in awe of your artistic talents.

Best wishes,
Donna

Mayra Calvani said...

Great interview!

I love KC's work and she's doing such a great work on my new book.

NancyCL said...

Wonderful interview, for a very talented artist!!!


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A BEAUTIFUL DAY
A BLESSED BETHLEHEM BIRTH: as told by Abraham and Anna Mousenstern
A BRAINY REFRAIN : THE SUM OF OUR PARTS SERIES
A DUCK AT THE DOG POUND
A HORSE OF COURSE
A NECKLACE FOR JIGGSY
A POCKETFUL OF MANNERS
A SHORT TALE ABOUT A LONG TAIL
A MIDSUMMER'S DANCE
A STAR IN THE NIGHT
A TALENT FOR QUIET
A TODDLER'S ABC OF BLESSINGS
ABIGAIL PLATT'S CUSPIDS
ABC's OF HEALTH and SAFETY
ALLEYCAT
ANCIENT SYMBOLS, ARTWORK, CARVINGS AND ALPHABETS: SYMBOLOGY WITH PROFESSOR HOOT
AND THEN MAMA SAID ... IT TAKES TIME TO LEARN TO READ
ANDY & THE ALBINO HORSE
ANDY & SPIRIT GO TO THE FAIR
ANDY & SPIRIT IN THE BIG RESCUE
ANDY & SPIRIT MEET THE RODEO QUEEN
ANGEL DONOR
ANGEL EYES
ANGEL IN A BUBBLE
ANGELS DO THAT
ANGELS WATCHING OVER US
ANIMAL SOUND MIX-UP
APRON STRINGS
AS I WATCH

AVA'S SECRET TEA PARTY
BABY JESUS IS MISSING!
BEARLY LEARNING ABOUT WATER
BLUE DINOSAUR'S FRIEND
BOBBY COTTONTAIL'S GIFT
BRADYBUG
BURGHER AND THE WOEBEGONE
BUFFALOED BADGER
BUSTER BEAR & UNCLE B
BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE Free eBook
CAMILLE'S JOURNEY: A Christmas Musical & Play- Playbook, Master w/Scores, CD
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CARTWHEEL ANNIE
CATS OF MANY COLOR
CHASING A POT OF GOLD
CHASING THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE
CHESLEY'S CRAZY HAIR
CHESTER, THE WATCHCAT
CHIP'S SHARING DAY

CHIZZY'S TOPSY TALE
CINDERFELLA & THE FURRY GODMOTHER
CIRCULATION CELEBRATION : THE SUM OF OUR PARTS SERIES
CHOCALIN!
CLIP-CLOP, TIPPITY TAP French Vocabulary on the Farm
CLOUD JUMPERS
COBBLEDOM'S CURSE
CODY KNOW'S
COLOR ME HAPPY!
COWBOY JAMES
CRASH!
CURLEY, THE CROOKED CHRISTMAS TREE
DIENTECITO Y EL ATAQUE DE LA PLACA Spanish Edition
DIENTECITO Y EL CASTILLO DEL PELIGRO-Spanish Edition
DIENTICITO Y LA PLACA PELIGROSA-Spanish Edition
DILIGENCE THE DRAGON
DOES HEAVEN GET MAIL
DOGGIE DAY CAMP: VERB AND ADVERB ADVENTURES
DOTTY'S TOPSY TALE
DOWN BY THE SHORE
DREAMCHASER

E F G H I J K L
EARTHQUAKE!
EBENEEZER'S COUSIN
EL PRIMO DE EBENEEZER Spanish edition
ELLIOTT & ANASTACIA
EMILY, THE BRAVE
FANTASTIC FLIGHT
FIRST SPRING
FLUTTER BUNNIES
FLUTTER BUNNIES-FOSSIL OF FORTUNE
FRANKIE'S PERFECT HOME
FRANK'S LIVING ON THE MOON ADVENTURE 1
FREDERICO, THE MOUSE VIOLINIST
GILLY, THE SEASICK FISH
GIFTS FROM GOD
GOD LOVES YOU WHOEVER YOU ARE
GOLDEN DAFFODILS
GROWING UP DREAMS
HAMSTER HOLIDAYS
HOPE, THE ANGELFISH
HORATIO HUMBLE BEATS THE BIG D
HORSE CAMP
HUMBERTO, THE BOOKWORM HAMSTER
I DON'T WANT A HAIRCUT
IF I COULD BE ANYTHING
I RIDE MY BICYCLE BK1 Free eBook
I RIDE MY BICYCLE BK2 Free eBook
ITCHA ITCHA GOO GOO BLUES
IT'S BIRTHDAY TIME, JAKE!
I SEE SEASIDE BIRDS
HORSE CAMP

JORDIE'S SCHOOL DAY ADVENTURE JP's HALLOWEEN PARADE
JAMIE'S DREAM
JOURNEYS OF HOPE "A STAR SHALL LEAD THEM"
JOURNEYS OF HOPE "PEARL OF WISDOM"
JUST THE THING TO BE
I AM ME
KATYDIDN'T

KATRINA AND WINTER: PARTNERS IN COURAGE
KITTY KERPLUNKING: PREPOSITION FUN
KLUTZY KANTOR
LADY GEHR
LAST PAGE IN THE DIARY
LEARNING YOUR ANIMAL ABCs WITH PROFESSOR HOOT
LEARN THE BASICS OF COLOR WITH PROFESSOR HOOT
LEARNING TO COUNT 1-10 WITH PROFESSOR HOOT
LIGHTNING STRIKES
LIDDIL GETS HER LIGHT
LILLY LOLLER'S ALWAYS LATE
LILY & THE CITY OF LIGHT
LITTLE SHEPHERD
LONELY
LITTLE LEAF

LUCKY PENNY
LUCY'S
PURPLE PULLOVER


M N O P Q R S

MAMA GRIZZLY BEAR
MARTA'S GARGANTUAN WINGS
MAGICAL MATTHEW
MAYBE WE ARE FLAMINGOS
MEET ME AT THE PARK
MICE IN MY TUMMY
MICHAEL'S NEW NEIGHBOR
MISTER TOPPER, THE POTBELLIED PIG
MOONLIGHT MEDALLION
MONSTER MADDIE
MUSCLES MAKE US MOVE: : THE SUM OF OUR PARTS SERIES
MY COPAN ADVENTURE
MY GRANDMA'S KITCHEN RULES!
MY BROTHER THE FROG
MY SISTER IS MY BEST FRIEND
MY TOOTH IS LOOSE : THE SUM OF OUR PARTS SERIES
NATALIE'S ARK
NO BONES ABOUT IT! : THE SUM OF OUR PARTS SERIES
NO MORE GUNK!
NOTHING STOPS NOAH
O CHRISTMAS TREE
OLLIE OAK SAVES THE DAY
ON THE GO WITH ROOTER & SNUFFLE
ONE IN A BUZZILLION
ONE LARGE PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH TO GO
ONE NUTTY FAMILY
ONE FAMILY'S CHRISTMAS
ONE NOBLE JOURNEY
ONE PELICAN AT A TIME : A Story of the Gulf Oil Spill BELLA & BRITT BEACH SERIES
OUCH! SUNBURN
POODLE & DOODLE
PRESTON, THE NOT-SO-PERFECT PIG
PROFESSSOR HORACE, CRYPTOZOOLOGIST
PUT IT BACK, JACK
RACHEL SERVES A STEW
RAINBOW NIGHTS
RAINBOW SHEEP
RATTLESNAKE JAM
RIBBERT'S WAY HOME
RILEY'S HEART MACHINE
ROMEO'S RESCUE
RUTHIE AND THE HIPPO'S FAT BEHIND
RV MOUSE
SARAH'S SOCKS MY WORLD OF AUTISM
SCAREDY : A CLOUD AFRAID OF THUNDER
SEA TURTLE SUMMER: BELLA & BRITT BEACH SERIES
SEYMOUR THE SEMI - SPACE TRUCKIN'
SH SH SH LET THE BABY SLEEP
SHAPING UP THE YEAR
SIGNS OF TROUBLE
SHOO CAT!
SILLY MOMENTS
SLIME AND ALL
SMILEYTOOTH AND BUSHWHACK PLAQUE
SMILEYTOOTH AND THE CASTLE HASSLE
SMILEYTOOTH AND THE PLAQUE ATTACK
SECRET SERVICE SAINT
SPARKIE: A STAR AFRAID OF THE DARK
STAY AWAY FROM ELECTRICITY FREE eBook
STELLA, THE FIRE FARTING DRAGON
STOP THAT PUDDING!
STILTS THE STORK
STUBBY'S DESTINY
SULLY'S TOPSY TALE

T U V W X Y Z

TACONI & CLAUDE: DOUBLE TROUBLE
TALES FROM INDIA: CHARACTER COUNTS! RESPECT
TALES FROM KENSINGTON FOREST
TERESA'S SHADOW
THAT'S A LOT OF LOVE
THE ADVENTURES OF CHICKOLET PIGOLET: THE BRIBE OF FRANKENBEANS
THE ADVENTURES OF CHICKOLET PIGOLET: MURMUR ON THE OINK EXPRESS
THE ADVENTURES OF ANDY & SPIRIT- Book 1 Tweener
THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT
THE CAT CAME BACK
THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL
THE CLOWN AROUND KIDS
THE DOLL VIOLINIST
THE FIRST AMERICANS
THE GOLDEN PATHWAY
THE JUMBO SHRIMP OF DIRE STRAITS
THE LEGEND OF LUMPUS AND OGOLS
THE LITTLEST COWBOY
THE LONELY LIGHTNING BUG
THE MAGIC VIOLIN
THE MILK HORSE
THE MISADVENTURES OF ROOTER & SNUFFLE
THE ODD CHICK
THE PERIL OF THE SINISTER SCIENTIST
THE PLUMBER AND THE WISHING WELL
THE POTTY TRAIN
THE SAD LITTLE HOUSE
THE SISTER EXCHANGE
THE SKUNK'S GIFT
THE SOGGY TOWN OF HILLTOP
THE TURTLE WHO IMAGINED
THE WATER CYCLE: WATER PLAY SERIES bk 1
THE WEAVER ANOTHER WEAVER TALE
THE WISHING WELL ANOTHER WEAVER TALE
THERE'S A BEETLE IN MY BED
THERE'S A SPIDER IN MY SINK
TINY ANGEL
TODAY I AM A PENGUIN
TOO MANY KITTIES
TROUBLE FINDS ROOTER & SNUFFLE
TUCKER'S TALE: The story of a rescue dog
'TWAS THE YEAR CHRIST LEFT CHRISTMAS
VIVIEN'S BEACH DREAM
WE'RE BROTHERS AND SISTERS: THE BOOPLES
WHAT IF THE MOON...?
WHAT IS THAT THING?
WHAT IN THE WORLD SHOULD I BE?
WHERE IS SALAMI?
WHISTLING DIXIE
WICKY WACKY THINGS THAT GO! AUTOMOBILES 1
WICKY WACKY THINGS THAT GO! BOATS 1
WICKY WACKY THINGS THAT GO! BUSSES
WICKY WACKY THINGS THAT GO! EMERGENCY VEHICLES
WICKY WACKY THINGS THAT GO! HOT AIR BALLOONS
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WICKY WACKY THINGS THAT GO! TRAINS 1
WICKY WACKY THINGS THAT GO! TRUCKS 1
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