Category: Illustrations - Kathleen Rupff

Day 1228: A Photo A Day • Trip to PA Capitol Building

4/19/2018

I recently attended an incredible guided tour of the Pennsylvania Capitol Building in Harrisburg, PA with the Eastern PA Branch of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. The capital is amazingly beautiful!
(Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so these shots were taken with my flip phone.)

"The Capital was designed in the American Renaissance style by Philadelphia architect Joseph Huston, who envisioned the building as a 'Palace of Art'." (Text from brochure)

View from the gallery of the House Chamber, featuring the 35 feet square mural, "The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania" by Edwin Austin Abbey

"Architect John Huston borrowed the Capital Rotunda's features from the Paris Opera House, including the Grand Staircase and three-tiered gallery."

In 1902 Violet Oakley was the first woman artist to receive a large commission for adorning a capitol building in the United States. Her incredible forty-three murals (created over 25 years) are breathtaking!

"Designed and manufactured by Henry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930) of Doylestown, the floor is interspersed with close to 400 mosaics illustrating the state's history, animals, industries, occupations, and modes of transportation."

"When Theodore Roosevelt attended the dedication of the building on October 4, 1906, he said,
'This is the handsomest building I ever saw.'"

We also got to meet and visit the studios of Jonathan Bean and Lauren Castillo, two incredibly talented, award-winning authors and illustrators at The Millworks. Here are a few of their book covers (below).

It was a fun and inspiring trip, and has me interested in writing/illustrating children's books again!

Day 954: A Photo A Day • New Artwork ~ Commission Project

1/5/2016

COMMISSION - PRAYER WARRIOR, 2015, Mixed Media, 20 x 24

Day 919: A Photo A Day

9/17/2015

Here's the logo I designed (left) on an electronic billboard on Sullivan Trail Rd , Easton, PA
Check out Forks Township Community Days THIS WEEKEND!

Bunny Season...

3/10/2015

Bunny Season is around the corner!

My favorite cartoonist, the great Charles M. Schulz

“Little Bunny of My Dreams” - a poem

2/25/2015

I am honored to have another poem and illustration of mine appear today on the #LoveMadeVisible blog event sponsored by the EasternPennPoints blog, the official blog of the Eastern Pennsylvania region of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). #LoveMadeVisible is a month-long blog event with the theme being "LOVE - in any and every form". Check out all the awesome contributions during the month of February! Click here for my poem.

“Bunny Licks” - a poem

2/18/2015

I am honored to have another poem and illustration of mine appear today on the #LoveMadeVisible blog event sponsored by the EasternPennPoints blog, the official blog of the Eastern Pennsylvania region of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). #LoveMadeVisible is a month-long blog event with the theme being "LOVE - in any and every form". Check out all the awesome contributions during the month of February! Click here for my poem.

This illustration and poem was inspired by our beloved bunny, Tyler.

Day 2: An Illustration A Day

9/25/2013

Behold, I will do a new thing!

Day 1: An Illustration A Day

9/23/2013

Thought I'd experiment with some quick illustrations.
Sketched this in pencil, then scanned it in Photoshop to tweak and 'color'....Tweak, tweak!

NJ SCBWI Picture Book Word Count SMACK DOWN Workshop with Ame Dyckman

9/16/2013

Ame Dyckman

One of Ame's recent books!

I attended the NJ SCBWI Picture Book Word Count Smack Down Workshop with Ame Dyckman in Princeton, NJ yesterday!

In addition to being a super-talented author, Ame is one of the funnest, most thorough, creative and helpful presenters I've ever heard (plus a SUPER-nice person))!! If you ever have a chance to meet her or hear her speak, don't miss it! Better yet, buy her books (or check them out from the library! :)

Also present was the ever-wonderful and uber-talented illustrator, entrepreneur, and NJ Chapter Regional Advisor, Leeza Hernandez. Her readings of the participant's PB stories made everything sound good!!

Leeza Hernandez

Coming soon: Cat Napped!

SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WORKSHOP:
Ame's "Stylin' Moves for Wrestling Your World Count"
1. SMACK unnecessary backstory
2. Jump in with the action
3. Avoid stage direction
4. KAPOW! descriptive and filler words (including your dialogue)
5. SMASH redundancies (ex. sit down)
For her link to Richard Nordquist's 200 common redundancies click here!

Ame's 3 Secret Tricks to Reducing your word count:
1. Use Twitter (140 words)
2. Listen to kids
3. Carry your picture book manuscript in your pocket at all times!

If you want to learn more about children's book writing and illustrating, check your local SCBWI Chapter for events near you! :)

Special Guest Artist - Deborah Mores

7/23/2013

Deborah Mores is another artist who's showing her works along with mine right now at the
Mandalas, Portraits, and Spiritual Colors Show
at the Oxford Municipal Art Gallery
in Oxford, NJ.
For more information about the show,
click here.

Deborah has over 30 years of experience creating and showing art, developing her own business and licensing her artwork, and teaching art in various settings. To learn more about Deborah and to view more of her whimsical, beautiful and inspiring creations, check out her website here!