![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2015\/11\/5_Kerry_Dwyeruse.jpg\")
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It’s the first Sunday of the month, which means a student or debut illustrator visits. Today, it’s artist and illustrator Kerry Dwyer<\/a><\/strong>, who studied at RISD and has a “newly minted website in children’s book illustration after years in a career in television animation and gaming.” Kerry shares some more artwork below and tells us all a bit more about herself. <\/p>\n Without further ado . . . <\/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 1)<\/strong><\/font> Making progress on a big project (not related to books at all). <\/p>\n 2)<\/strong><\/font> My daughters are really excited about the upcoming Christmas break, which means of course more time for us to read. <\/p>\n 3)<\/strong><\/font> I’m making progress on a piano piece. <\/p>\n 4)<\/strong><\/font> This update<\/a><\/strong> on the refugee family of a recent iconic photo. <\/p>\n
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\nThe realization that illustration could be a way to continue creating worlds and characters into adulthood got me interested in illustration. Books like Revolting Rhymes<\/a><\/strong><\/em> and The Twits<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by Roald Dahl<\/a><\/strong> \/ Quentin Blake<\/a><\/strong> and the worlds of Richard Scarry<\/a><\/strong> made me realize that storytelling was an important form of play for adults. I was also quite inspired by the fact that my mother told me Holly Hobbie<\/a><\/strong> lived a few towns away.
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\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2015\/11\/1_Kerry_Dwyeruse.jpg\")
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\nAs of late, I\u2019ve been taken with the work of Wolf Erlbruch<\/a><\/strong>, and William Steig<\/a><\/strong> has been a big influence on me (though there is not always a direct visual link) — as well as a lot of lesser-known, older illustrators, such as Peter Newell<\/a><\/strong>. I\u2019m also inspired by humorous writing, especially that of the absurd and dry vein, in children\u2019s, adult literature, film, music lyrics, and from the mouths of my loved ones.
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\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2015\/11\/6_Kerry_Dwyeruse.jpg\")
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\nOther favorites include James Marshall<\/a><\/strong>, Maurice Sendak<\/a><\/strong>, Palmer Cox<\/a><\/strong>, W. Heath Robinson<\/a><\/strong>, Kevin Waldron<\/a><\/strong>, Adam Rex<\/a><\/strong>, Marla Frazee<\/a><\/strong>, Greg Pizzoli<\/a><\/strong>, Dan Santat<\/a><\/strong>, Christian Robinson<\/a><\/strong>, David Roberts<\/a><\/strong>, C\u00e1tia Chien<\/a><\/strong>, and many more. Rowboat Watkins’<\/a><\/strong> new book, Rude Cakes<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, is pretty amazing.
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\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2015\/11\/8_Kerry_Dwyeruse.jpg\")
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Influences Her Work:<\/font><\/strong><\/center>
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\nAnimation is great, but the still image has always had my heart. I am enamored with the intimacy of the physical book. I think there is even more value today, than as ever before, for a child to have as much time as needed with an image. More time to project your own imagination on to it. Though I will admit that the energy of animation, the exposure to so many stories, the influence of the humor and people are woven into my work.
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\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2015\/11\/2_Kerry_Dwyeruse.jpg\")
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\nI would say a mixed media technique I developed that uses ink and gouache is my favorite. I adore the texture of traditional mediums, but the opportunities in Photoshop are also really exciting — and I plan to explore it even more.
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\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2015\/11\/11_Kerry_Dwyeruse.jpg\")
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\nThough I am very interested in illustrating other writers’ stories, I love writing and I am creating my own stories. I am in the process of finishing a humorous non-fiction manuscript that I\u2019m excited about.
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\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2015\/11\/10_Kerry_Dwyeruse.jpg\")
\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2015\/11\/3A_Kerry_Dwyeruse.jpg\")
\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2015\/11\/9_Kerry_Dwyeruse.jpg\")
\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2015\/11\/7_Kerry_Dwyeruse.jpg\")
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\nAll artwork used by permission of Kerry Dwyer.<\/em><\/p>\n
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