{"id":2089,"date":"2011-03-06T00:01:34","date_gmt":"2011-03-06T06:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=2089"},"modified":"2011-03-06T00:02:33","modified_gmt":"2011-03-06T06:02:33","slug":"7-imps-7-kicks-209-featuringup-and-coming-illustrator-jess-racklyeft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=2089","title":{"rendered":"7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #209: Featuring Up-and-Coming Illustrator, Jess Racklyeft (and Dan Santat’s Clone)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It’s the first Sunday in March! Oh! No! I keep using exclamation marks! Because I am coming up on a big ‘ol final, serious writing deadline! And I still have writing to do! A chapter that gives me the stink eye somethin’ FIERCE! I am in denial about March! I am in denial about March! <\/p>\n

Have mercy, sorry about all those exclamation marks. Not funny anymore, right? And quite possibly not funny to begin with. Excessive exclaiming can give one a headache. <\/p>\n

The good<\/em> thing about it being the first Sunday in March is that a new-to-the-field, recently-graduated illustrator is here to share some artwork, since that’s how I roll here at 7-Imp on the first Sunday of each month. Yes, join me in shining the spotlight on an illustrator from the future. Er, wait. She’s illustrating now, but you get my drift. This month it’s an illustrator based in Melbourne, Australia. Meet Jess Racklyeft<\/a><\/strong>. I failed to ask her how her last name is pronounced, and I’m ever-so curious, the more I look at—and type—that surname. Perhaps she can stop by later and tell us. Without further ado, here is Jess to tell us a bit more about her work and her plans: <\/p>\n

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“Hello! My name is Jess Racklyeft<\/a><\/strong>, and I am an illustrator based in the currently rainy city of Melbourne, Australia. Since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to illustrate children’s books, and although the years post-university have taken me on a round-and-about journey towards this long term goal (read: many different and completely unrelated jobs, cities, and experiences!), I am getting closer and closer to this dream, having recently begun working for a great children’s book publisher and learning invaluable tips behind the scenes, as well as self-publishing a very small book with a friend.<\/p>\n

I love to draw constantly with ink and paper, adding lines and textures digitally, and playing with Japanese papers and prints. I seem to draw a lot of young ladies with wind-swept hair, stark landscapes, travel, and flying. I’m not quite sure what that represents, but perhaps my background growing up in a very windy city (Perth) and spending a few fantastic years working ski seasons in Lake Tahoe have influenced these themes!<\/p>\n


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This year I’m most excited to be traveling to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair<\/a><\/strong>, continuing to develop my style and experience illustrating, and learning more about the inspiring industry of children’s book publishing.”<\/em><\/p>\n


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What do you all think? I got to go to Jess’s site and pick my favorites for today’s post. Fun, huh? I am partial to the bunny-boy in the chair and want to know his story. Best of luck to Jess. Perhaps one day we’ll see her work here in the States, and we’ll be able to say, we knew her when…<\/em><\/p>\n

All illustrations are \u00a9 Jess Racklyeft and used with permissions.<\/em><\/p>\n

As a reminder, 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. <\/p>\n

* * * Jules’ Kicks * * *<\/strong><\/font>
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1).<\/font> After one of my typically rambly emails to Eisha, I asked her if I made any sense at all about something (some sort of jibber jabber or stupid joke or creative curse, I don’t remember what it was), and she said something along the lines of yes, that made sense to me, but then I speak fluent Julie<\/em>. Thank goodness someone does. <\/p>\n

2).<\/font> This month’s Nashville Kidlit Drink Night, which was this week. God, I love those people. <\/p>\n

3).<\/font> I got to see this lovely film in an actual movie theater: <\/p>\n