![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Learning.jpg\")
<\/a>\n
It’s the first Sunday of the month, when I give the 7-Imp breakfast table over to student or new illustrators, and this morning I welcome newly-graduated Elisabeth Craster<\/a><\/strong>. Craster is “a phenomenal draftswoman,” in the words of her instructor (and the award-winning illustrator) Shadra Strickland<\/a><\/strong>, who taught Elisabeth at the Maryland Institute College of Art<\/a><\/strong>. I believe Shadra also told me Elisabeth is a fan of the illustration work of Susan Jeffers<\/a><\/strong>, and you’ll understand why when you see more of her artwork below. <\/p>\n Elisabeth—who writes at her site, “It takes a special brand of crazy to go to school for art”—is visiting today to say a bit more about her work. She also writes at her site that she “aspires to create illustrated storybooks, book covers, and posters for children and young adults.” I thank her for visiting … <\/p>\n Elisabeth<\/font><\/strong>: My name is Elisabeth Craster, and I recently attained my BFA in Illustration. I started my education at the Delaware College of Art and Design<\/a><\/strong> and finished at the Maryland Institute College of Art<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n My interest in picture books was basically inevitable — my parents kept me in books, and trips to the library were frequent. As a child, I preferred books that portrayed even the most fantastic subjects with some degree of realism. (Michael Hague<\/a><\/strong> and Jan Brett<\/a><\/strong> were two of my favorites.) Drawing on lined paper in elementary school, my goal was to make the drawing look \u201creal.\u201d That was a tall order, because here I am a decade later, still in hot pursuit.<\/p>\n I ran the art school media gauntlet, but ultimately the pencil and I are meant to be. I color my graphite drawings digitally and prefer an earthy palette. I also confess to the occasional affair with pen and ink.<\/p>\n I have always been around and worked with animals, and my graduating thesis project, The Ugly Unicorn<\/em>, is the result of that mania.<\/p>\n Note for any new readers: 7-Imp\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n My kicks ONE<\/strong><\/font> to SEVEN<\/strong><\/font> this week can be summed up thusly: Sam Phillips<\/a><\/strong> has a new CD coming out this summer, and she’s given her fans some teaser music this week. As I think I said years<\/em> ago here at 7-Imp, this is the best way I can describe the importance of her music in my life: As Esther said about Doreen in The Bell Jar<\/em>, \u201ceverything she said was like a secret voice speaking straight out of my bones.\u201d Yup. That’s her music to me, and I’ve been her biggest fan (okay, that’s arguable, I suppose) for over twenty-five years now. I will, most likely, annoy everyone in the next few months, going on about her music. <\/p>\n At her newly-updated site, she’s got a medley of four songs from the new CD, Push Any Button<\/em>. You can hear it below, too. I’ve only listened to it precisely 7,777 times this week: <\/p>\n
\n
(Click to enlarge)<\/center><\/p>\n
\n
\n
(Click to enlarge)<\/center><\/p>\n
\n
\n<\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\nAll images are \u00a9 Elisabeth Craster and posted with her permission.<\/em> <\/p>\n
<\/center><\/p>\n