Carol Heyer Author/Illustrator
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Organizing Files and Remembering Assignments

2/24/2021

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In my never ending attempt to get my studio and files organized, I came across reference photos I had stored away for “The Zippity Zinger”.  One of ten Hank Zipzer book covers I illustrated for Penguin Young Readers Group, Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver.
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​My assignment for the series was to show the antics of the main character but with a twist, I couldn’t reveal his face or expressions!  ( My favorite thing to paint! )  So body language and action had to convey what was happening.  The character couldn't be recognizable so I needed to create an angle that disguised his features, which meant I usually had to sketch Hank from the back.

​It was a fun challenge!

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I always started my assignments by doing a series of thumbnails/small drawings of possible character poses.  Then I looked for my model. On this series I used my nephew/godson Chase as a stand in for Hank Zipzer.  Chase was always a good sport and managed to get close to the ideas/sketches that I showed him. He always came to the shoots with a true acting spirit!
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I took a series of photos for reference and from there did several sketches. The publisher picked the sketch they liked the best then adjusted the setting, ( I did another sketch with a city view, see the finished cover above ) and started to paint.  
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I love doing portraits.  Though that didn’t happen for this series it did for many of my other covers, picture books and assignments. 

For instance, Robin Hood was my pizza delivery guy! In the same picture book King Richard was a man that worked in the local post office. I’ve painted a box boy, a grocery clerk, students, delivery people, lots of acquaintances, friends, family etc. etc. etc.!  Wherever I see a wonderful face I'll stop and ask if they would be interested in posing for a book!  It's one of my favorite things!!!
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The First Christmas a Wonderful Program

12/21/2020

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This is a really lovely presentation by the children of Glen Avon Presbyterian Church!  Every bit of it is creative and so sweet.  I'm sure you'll love it! Thanks to everyone involved!

Here is a note to me from Erin one of the developers of the Christmas program.
  • I took far too long searching for the perfect book for this project. Yours stood out above the rest! I was looking for a book to tell the traditional story with Mary and Joseph and angels and shepherds that would resonate with all ages. I was also looking for diversity in the character's illustrations -and oh, your illustrations are beautiful. I'm. so glad to own a copy!

 A letter to the congregation:
  • As we began to think about what a Christmas program could look like in a global pandemic we were sad because we have so many fond (and sometimes funny) memories of the Christmas programs we’ve performed at Glen Avon Church. Those memories bring such warm feelings and even though they draw awareness to the absence of those feelings this year, we also realized that we had a rare opportunity to try something new.  An idea was born, a brainstorming session happened, and many grown-ups rose to the challenge of putting together a new type of Christmas program! Step one was book selection. We chose The First Christmas, written and illustrated by Carol Heyer.

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St. Nicholas Reading Humphrey's First Christmas

12/17/2020

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I posted the newspaper article about St. Nicholas reading Humphrey but I just found a YouTube video of the actual reading.

Below is a photo of St. Nicholas holding Humphrey's First Christmas and getting ready to read the story. Under that is the full video from the
Diocese of Greensburg
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​Here is the video! Enjoy!
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St. Nicholas and Humphrey!!!

12/14/2020

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A great article came out in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today about St. Nicholas reading Humphrey's First Christmas! 

I enjoyed the part about Joe Puet, aka St. Nicholas!  His mother used to tease him that he'd sign up for anything with a uniform!  I loved that line.
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Humphrey Top Ten on Amazon Best Sellers Baby Books!!!!

12/3/2020

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Humphrey's First Christmas is on a new Amazon Best Sellers top ten list. Best sellers in Children's New Baby Books!!!!!!  I am just thrilled about this!  Humphrey has been on several best seller lists this season.  A couple of others are on previous posts.

Merry Christmas everyone!  Humphrey and I send lots of love and kisses!!

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Humphrey in another top ten Amazon list!

11/28/2020

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Humphrey's First Christmas is on a second top ten Amazon list on the same day!  Double the fun!!!

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HUMPHREY IN TOP TEN ON AMAZON!!!

11/28/2020

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​Saw this today on Amazon!  I'm so excited to see that my Humphrey's First Christmas was listed on a top ten Amazon Best Sellers list!!


By the time I published this Humphrey had moved up to number 7!!
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Cheap Joe's Catalog WIN!

11/24/2020

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A while ago I entered the "2021 CHEAP JOE'S ART STUFF Reference Catalog" contest and I was just notified that one of my paintings was selected! 

They picked twenty-six artists to be showcased and I was honored to be one of them!!  I got a sneak peek of all the artists selected and was really impressed with the quality!

Here is an excerpt from the announcement:

CONGRATULATIONS! . . . Your artwork has been selected to appear in the "2021 Cheap Joes's Art Stuff Reference Catalog"  We had more submissions this year than any year in the last decade, so competition was fierce.  Thank you so much for being one of our customers and for allowing us to share your work with the world. 

A copy of the page and the piece of my art that was selected is below!  It's one of my favorite children's art paintings, titled: THE MAN IN THE MOON!  Done in Liquitex Acrylics on canvas! Acrylics, brushes and canvas are still my favorite way to create!


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I'm really looking forward to seeing the printed piece in the upcoming catalog and of course ordering some amazing new art supplies!
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April 16th, 2020

4/16/2020

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Here is a post for Mother Earth's Lullaby, A Song for Endangered Animals. Read on  YouTube by Nita.  

First is  her review, followed by her YouTube reading.

"I am a lover of animals. “Mother Earth’s Lullaby, A Song for Endangered Animals” touched my heart. Each endangered animal has a beautiful page of illustration and the print is easy to read. The endangered species are also named in the back with a short paragraph about each one. Very educational and lovingly informative for children and adults. I loved this book."


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SCBWI Mentorship Program Update

12/3/2019

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I'm pleased to announce my selection of Anne Boydston for the SCBWI Mentorship Program for CenCal Writer's Day.

Anne is a really talented cut paper artist. Her work is detailed, consistent and professional and I look forward to working with her during this program.

I also really enjoyed seeing all the talented artists that submitted their portfolios for consideration. There are so many extraordinarily creative people in our region and beyond!
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Photo by Joan Bransfield Graham

Here is a blurb that appeared in the most recent SCBWI Kite Tales Blog:

Congratulations go to Anne Boydston for being chosen for the Carol Heyer Mentorship. Carol will be guiding Anne in developing an illustration portfolio and online presence. After losing her home and most of her artwork in recent fires, Anne is anxious to continue her creative work in both writing and illustration. (Anne also won Most Promising Middle Grade manuscript—go Anne!)
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    Author

    I'm a writer/illustrator of children's books and fantasy! Love my family, friends, goofy camels, and nutty dogs.

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