7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #371: Featuring
Up-and-Coming Illustrator, Jaime Kim
March 2nd, 2014 by jules
It’s the first Sunday of the month, which means a student illustrator will share some artwork this morning. Today it’s Jaime Kim, who is one of the winners of this year’s SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) Student Illustrator Scholarship. This means, I believe, that she will soon head to New York City to meet picture book artists, editors, and art directors, so what a great time to feature her work.
Jaime is a student at the Maryland Institute College of Art, is originally from South Korea, and has lived in the U.S. since the age of 18.
She tells us more about herself below, too, so let’s get right to it, and I thank her for visiting.
Jaime: There once was a little girl who could not sleep very well, because she was afraid of the dark. Then, one day her fear went away after she received a complete collection of picture books as a gift from her parents. Her fear went away when her mother read a picture book to her, and she could sleep easily at night.
This is a story of my childhood, and this is how picture books first became part of my life.
Reading or making picture books is a kind of meditation for me; I feel relaxed when I do so.
I am majoring in Illustration at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). MICA has such a big illustration department that every semester I feel excited about choosing my classes. Among them, Shadra Strickland’s Book Illustration and Advanced Book Illustration courses have convinced me that children’s book illustration is my future field.
I love to make whimsical and dreamy illustrations, and acrylic paint is one of the best materials for me to convey those kinds of moods. Most of my works are created with mixed media, and I always re-touch texture and color through Photoshop. Sometimes I make all the layers separately in a traditional way, then scan and combine them in Photoshop, one by one. That process takes a long time but helps me to make better colors.
I am thinking about making a series of illustrations based on children’s poems for my BFA thesis. It was my first poem illustration (image above) which won me the Society of Children’s Book Writer and Illustrator (SCBWI) student scholarship. Poems are a great source of inspiration for me to create whimsical images. I always feel excited to making an imaginary landscape or dreamy mood, based on poems.
As you can see from these pieces above (Goldilocks and the Three Bears), I am interested in re-designing traditional fairy tales and re-making them in a modern style of illustration.
I did this piece above (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) for the SCBWI Illustrator Intensive program.
All artwork is used with permission Jaime Kim.
Note for any new readers: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.
I think I can summarize seven kicks here by saying that I saw a very entertaining show this week, Hurray for the Riff Raff opening up for Shovels & Rope at The Cannery in Nashville. Hoo boy, it was wonderful all-around. I’m now in the process of getting all of Hurray for the Riff Raff’s older music, because they’re just so good. (See below, though that’s not the full band there.) And Shovels & Rope really put on quite the show.
p.s. Hurray for the Riff Raff = Best Band Name EVER.
p.s. Shovels & Rope sang this Springsteen cover:
Incidentally, Jack White produced that with a Tom Waits cover as a B-side. About the songs he wrote, “This is the perfect soundtrack for two doomed souls dancing in the glow of a jukebox in a greasy spoon diner.” I love that. That summarizes Shovels & Rope well — in general, I think.
What are YOUR kicks this week?
Jaime, hi! Whimsical and dreamy illustrations are my FAVORITE. ~^o^~ I sent you a friend request on Facebook and followed you on Instagram. (I see we are both Blackjacks kekeke.) ~^o^~
Jules, hurray for good music and for getting to listen to good music LIVE!
Things I am grateful for:
1. Jogging. Working out.
2. Expectant looks from my students.
3. Knowing that my friends are waiting for me in a restaurant.
4. Meetings to organize things like National Children’s Book Day and the National Children’s Book Awards.
5. Instagram. Line.
6. Tumblr. YouTube.
7. Knowing that my brothers are waiting for me at home.
I really enjoyed Jaime Kim’s artwork today. The expressions on her character’s faces as well as the faces themselves are interesting and unique.
Jules: I am so glad you had this marvelous musical experience. These moments linger for years and years.
My kicks:
1. Cold laser treatments for Xena
2. Tulips at the grocery store
3. Amaryllis are still blooming
4. Surprises in the mail
5. Lively kidlit chats online
6. Warm house
7. Short walks with Xena
Jaime Kim’s artwork is fun. I especially like the piece that won the SCBWI award.
Jules, glad this week was filled with music for you.
Margie, hope Xena is doing well. Glad you can take walks with her.
My kicks:
1. Day two of having author, Susan Blackaby at school.
2. The dad who volunteered his sound expertise to the play.
3. Working with classes on follow-up poetry lessons from Susan.
4. A silver pendant arrived from Laura Hamor with my one little word for2014: believe.
5. Five days of school.
6. Giving a copy of Because of Winn-Dixie to grandgirl.
7. Belated kick: two weeks ago, I was the guest author to a third grade book club at another school. First time the school had a real author…I shared my little haiku book, Solace in Nature.
Have a great week.
Jaime is such a creative artist. It is a pleasure to work with her. She makes us all proud. And I love her intro story. So sweet!
My kicks:
1. Binge watching Breaking Bad yesterday on the couch (I needed a break!).
2. Pork Porterhouse with bacon and apple bread pudding at Alchemy on 36th (my fav. Bmore restaurant)
3. Hearing that my next book sold Japanese rights!!!
4. Surviving a week of teaching after SCBWI
5. Hearing Arthur Levine sing Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” onstage.
6. Cleaning my house and studio to prepare for work.
7. Wrapping up my taxes!
Good morning, Imps! Happy March to you all!
Don’t forget – March 4th is National Grammar Day. 🙂
Thank you, Jaime, for sharing your artwork and your stories.
Jules: Glad that you enjoyed the music.
Tarie: Hello to you and your friends, family, and students!
Margie: Hope the treatments are going well for Xena.
Jone: Congratulations on the author visit. That must have been such a fun experience. Believe!
Hi Shadra!
My kicks for the past week:
1) Table reading
2) Confirmation
3) Audition
4) Application
5) Dry clothes
6) Singing
7) Selecting
Flyby kicks today
Had a great time in NYC last week. I left feeling inspired to get home to my studio and on to new artistic adventures.
Wonderful to see your work here today Jaime! Your portfolio stopped me in my tracks at the SCBWI Winter Conference. There is a particular drama in the contrast of the color to black and white in the Goldilocks series that really captures my interest. Has a great depth to it!
Tim’s Kicks…
1)Pulling my first all-niter in a long time to finish dummy & color samples for a prospective project.
2)Pouring coffee in my eyeballs to get through meeting.
3)Confirmation from publisher of going to contract.
5)In talks with three prospective agencies weighing the options.
6)Invitation from a different publisher to meet up & talk shop.
7)Hosting a dumpling party with good friends.
Jaime’s art is lovely, I love hearing how all the art you show here is made Jules. I’m glad you enjoyed the show!
Tarie you sound busy in a nice way! And what a nice kick number 7.
Margie surprises in the mail are so nice that I think postal delivery needs to continue forever just to allow for this pleasure
Shadra you have reminded me to check on my taxes, so thanks!
Jone sharing books is always such a pleasure
LW I am intrigued by your kick number 5. Are wet clothes often a problem where you live? Or are you just happy you are lucky enough to have warm dry clothes?
Tim a dumpling party sounds like a great idea!
1. Surprise visit from my husband’s aunt and uncle who have been off driving around Australia with their caravan for months. (Is this an American thing too? We call the hordes of retirees with caravans grey nomads).
2. Camping trip for a long weekend last weekend at the beach – despite challenging weather (super hot and then rainy and chilly) it was fun.
3. Some excellent naps from the baby this week felt like an unexpected present
4. My youngest niece’s first birthday party – a sausage sizzle in a bushland park – was great fun for everyone of all years
5. Great farmer’s market yesterday with some good bargains (and treats too of course…suspect the latter might cancel out the savings of the former actually)
6. Lots of stone fruit frozen before it goes out of season
7. I know some readers here will understand my excitement at the news that Neko Case is performing in Brisbane this week! Of course I am going despite my fear that I will not be able to stay awake so long after my bedtime. (I am already feeling cranky at the support band for taking up time)
Emma: We had some very heavy rainstorms. I was soaked and had to change clothes. Eat a peach for me, please! 🙂
Tarie, ooh! I love kick #4 — and #7. I don’t know which is better. Okay, yes, no question: Brothers are better.
Margie: Cold laser treatments? I hope Xena’s okay. Actually, I’m not sure what those are, but it just doesn’t sound good.
Jone, guest author. Excellent. And you’ll have to let us know if your granddaughter likes the novel.
Shadra, here’s to resting up. I wish I could have heard Levine sing.
Little Willow, I think “dry clothes” is the first ever such kick. I love it. Also, break a leg, as always, at your audition. I hope “confirmation” means of a role.
Hi, Moira!
TIM! Agents! Deadlines! Publication! Congrats! I did not know this. Woot and woot again!
Emmaco, your niece is ALREADY ONE?! And NEKO! You are in for a treat. Speaking of concerts, one of my first thoughts when Shovels & Rope came out was one of concern: “I’m going to experience hearing loss tonight,” I thought. AND thaaaat would be when you know you’re old, if that’s one of the first things you think. (Still, it was worth it.) …. I’ve never heard the phrase “grey nomads,” to answer your question. By caravan, do you mean something like an RV?
Jaime, I love love love your backgrounds and the textures you use!!
Jules, So much fun!!
Tarie, I love those expectant looks from my students too. What a great kick!
Margie, I love that two of your kicks are about flowers! C’mon Spring!!
Shadra, Congrats on selling your Japanese rights- so cool
LW, Break a leg at your audition! Singing is always a kick
Tim, I love that feeling of pouring coffee in my eyeballs!
emma, A surprise visit and a one year old birthday party? What a fun week!
My kicks:
1) A great meeting with my professor/advisor where I felt like she really got me.
2) A few days of beautiful Spring like weather.
3) My wonderful husband cleaned the garage
4) As usual, opening boxes of books!
5) I finished reviewing all of the fiction picturebooks for my practicum.
6) My daughter has discovered Harriet the Spy
7) Watching a Ghostbusters marathon with my family in memory of Harold Ramis
Flyby this week to say hi!
Love the illustrations this week – that first one with the girl on the giraffe really grabbed me.
My kicks – having the time to stop by and read everyone’s kicks – have a sweet week everyone!
Shannon, do you know I’ve never seen Ghostbusters? Kind of pathetic, huh? And I was even a child of the ’80s. Or at least a tween. … Glad you had a good week, filled with family and BOOKS.
Hi, Rachel!
I absolutely love the artwork – so talented Jaime! Love the textured work that SCBWI loved too.
Also great to read the collection of kicks, love the tunes too Jules.
Mine in short detail:
1. My bub is finally settling into daycare which means I get two precious days a week to do work – hurrah!
2. Feeling grateful to say goodbye to a hot summer.
3. Drinks with friends in a backyard.
4. Croissants in the park with friends.
5. Eating boreks with partner on a Saturday morning.
6. Making new art.
7. Reading.
Thanks Jules… I’ve been out of action for ages (see kick number 1.) but great to see how alive and awesome your blog still is – such inspiration!
How funny I thought not to use grey nomad, Jules, but didn’t think twice at caravan! I think an RV is an all-in-one type of thing with a car and camper built in? A caravan is towed behind a car. They are more common here but campervans are getting more popular too, I’ve even seen a “winnebago” which seems like a very US name to me.
And yes, my niece is one, but I am not in shock over that as she has always seemed very old compared to my baby…who is now over 7 months old!!
Hi, Jess! Long time, no see. Glad that you’re finding some quiet time. I remember how that feels after having a wee one around all day, every day.
Emma, yes, I think “winnebago” is a U.S. name? Might even be a brand name?? Anyway, and yes, RVs are car and camper built into one. …. When’s the Neko show? Hope it’s wonderful. I know it will be.
SEVEN MONTHS?
No, he was just born YESTERDAY, wasn’t he?
Oh my.
[…] so inclined to read them — Tom Brenner’s And Then Comes Summer, illustrated by Jaime Kim (Candlewick, May 2017)—that review is here—and Carol Murray’s Cricket in the […]