\n
\nIt’s the first Sunday of the month, and that means that here at 7-Imp I showcase the work of a student or debut illustrator. Today, I’ve got the artwork of Sophie Page<\/a><\/strong>, a mixed media and 3D illustrator and a recent RISD grad. Sophie is based in Brooklyn. <\/p>\n
Sophie talks a bit about her work below, and I thank her for visiting and sharing today. Let’s get to it. (Pictured above is If Only He Stayed a Bear Forever<\/em>, one of her personal pieces and her take on the fairy tale “Snow-White and Rose-Red<\/a><\/strong>.”)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sophie<\/font><\/strong>: I am Sophie Page, an illustrator originally from the Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts, now based in Brooklyn, New York. I graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design<\/a><\/strong> in 2014 but took a hiatus from illustrating professionally while working as an art teacher. I think my experience teaching has helped me to refine my voice as an illustrator and storyteller. I have always considered book arts to be my focus, especially children\u2019s books. At the moment, I am working on a story about a swan. 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.<\/em><\/p>\n 1)<\/strong><\/font> Sophie’s “Stay Nasty” reminds me of my first kick — that volume two of RESIST!<\/a><\/em><\/strong> arrived in my mailbox. Though I wish I’d also managed to get my hands on volume one, this issue is so, so good. 3)<\/strong><\/font> All the ALA speeches, but especially Javaka’s<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n 4)<\/strong><\/font> News on Nimona<\/em> (the film)<\/a><\/strong> made my daughters happy. Here’s hoping it’s good. (They also eagerly await the Lumberjanes<\/em> adaptation.) <\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2017\/07\/SP.JPG\")
\n
\nI wrote my first book while studying at RISD — a story about a magic tree, inspired by one of my favorite fairy tales. I\u2019m really drawn to fairy and folk tale imagery, maybe because the narratives were written by generations of storytellers, as opposed to individuals. So, even though the plot is sometimes nonsensical, there is a deep down old truth in them.
\n
\n<\/a>
\n
(Click to enlarge)<\/center>
\n
\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2017\/07\/SP2.JPG\")
\n
\nNature is very inspiring to me. As a child, I was a total naturalist, absolutely in love with the garden and forest. It seems like this fascination is almost universal amongst children, and I try to bring that delight to my illustrations through interesting texture and color relationships. I\u2019m also interested in the contrast between rough, expressive lines and static patterns.
\n
\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2017\/07\/comic.JPG\")
\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2017\/07\/comic2.JPG\")
\n
\n
\nI work with a variety of mediums, but my specialty is 3D sculptural illustration. I create diorama-like shadowboxes and characters to inhabit them. I use primarily clay, fabric, wire, and natural materials, such as dried plants. My technique differs from other 3D illustrators in many ways, and I hope to bring something new and interesting to the field. I also create masks and puppets; I\u2019m excited to see what I can do with that passion in the future.<\/p>\n
\n
\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2017\/07\/Lovesmall.JPG\")
<\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nAll artwork used by permission of Sophie Page.<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/center><\/p>\n
\n
\n![](\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/7pics\/2017\/07\/resist.JPG\")
<\/a>
\n
\n2)<\/strong><\/font> My new Shakey Graves<\/a><\/strong> album also showed up this week. <\/p>\n