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\nIt’s the first Sunday of a new month. The days may be running together, but I’m pretty darn sure it’s the first Sunday in April. A first-Sunday means I feature the work of an illustration student or newly-graduated one. Today, I welcome Avani Dwivedi<\/a><\/strong>, who graduated, as she tells you below, from MICA last spring. She’s here to tell us a bit about herself, as well as share some of her richly colored, vibrant illustrations. (Pictured above is part of an illustration from her thesis project, which she discusses below.) Let’s get right to it, and I thank her for sharing today. <\/p>\n
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Avani<\/font><\/strong>: I grew up in Mumbai, India, and later moved to the States to pursue my passion of becoming an artist. Last spring, I achieved that by graduating from Maryland Institute College of Arts<\/a><\/strong> (MICA) with a BFA in Illustration & Book Arts. After graduation, I moved to Queens, New York.<\/p>\n I like to think of myself as a storyteller and an illustrator. Much of my work is inspired by my identity and experiences that I\u2019ve collected while growing up in India. While creating my illustrations, I try to incorporate those experiences in the form of textures and colors. I enjoy experimenting with different mediums and using new techniques to bring out different emotions. Recently, I\u2019ve been experimenting with layering mixed mediums on watercolor. 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 Thanks again to Avani. I can’t wait to see where her career takes her next. <\/p>\n 1)<\/strong><\/font> Reading. Reading. Reading. It won’t be that long now when I meet with the other Boston Globe-Horn Book judges to make decisions about the 2020 award-winners. Unfortunately, we can’t meet in person this year, but thank goodness for Jetsons<\/em> phone calls. <\/p>\n 2)<\/strong><\/font> My daughter Ada is learning to play “Ada Plays” by Gabriel Yared<\/a><\/strong> on the piano. Things are getting very meta around here. <\/p>\n 3)<\/strong><\/font> Joan Shelley<\/a><\/strong> released two new songs during what she calls the great shut-in of 2020. Here’s one below. It’s beautiful. <\/p>\n
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\nDuring my senior year at MICA, I developed a deeper interest in picture books. My thesis project, Ela\u2019s Flower<\/a><\/strong><\/em> [pictured below]<\/em>, was a significant learning experience for me. While working on that, I learned about the complementary role that writing and illustration play in bringing vivid stories to life. I explored the functionalities of a picture book and the importance that every spread plays. It inspired me to create stories that are whimsical, diverse, and meaningful.
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\nCurrently, I\u2019m working on a dummy based on the crazy adventures and actions portrayed in Bollywood movies and if one can achieve those adventures in real life. In addition, I\u2019m also editing Ela\u2019s Flower<\/em> and pitching its dummy around.
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\nAll images used by permission of Avani Dwivedi.<\/em><\/p>\n
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