It’s already mid-September—have you gotten into the autumn spirit yet? The days are still a bit warm here in Brooklyn, but (in-person!) school has begun and the shift in schedules has put me into a fall mood.
In-Person Book Events!
My husband, author Denis Markell, and I are excited to participate in several in-person book events this year! It will be so nice to see readers IRL If you are in the Tri-state area, please stop by one of these children’s book festivals and say ‘hello’! Each one will be adhering to CDC guidelines of mask wearing and social distancing. We are luckily able to share a table with each other!
The first is the Brooklyn Museum Book Festival, which will be held outside for the first time. It is this coming Sunday on September 26 in front of the museum from 11-4. Click here for more information. We love this local annual festival, which features Brooklyn based children’s book author and illustrators. I will be doing a drawing demonstration there.
The following week on October 2 from 10-4, we will be at the Chappaqua Book Festival along with more than 60 authors and illustrators. Authors from all over come to this festival where there is something for every reader!
And then on October 9, the following week, we will be at the 2nd Annual Glen Rock Book Festival in Glen Rock, NJ from 11-3. This will be the first time we are attending, and we are looking forward to it!
Art Tips – Color inspiration
I’ve been asked about how I choose my colors for my artwork, so I thought I would answer that here. Each picture book I’ve worked on has a different feel. So each one has a very different color palette. At the beginning of the project during the concepting sketch phase, I start thinking about color and how I might execute the finals.
I find inspiration in a number of places: Pinterest (of course!), kids’ clothing catalogs, museum exhibitions, some color loving sites.
For books, the color process is very intuitive for me, and I start by painting some swatches and then doing color studies. I wanted the color for this book to feel very rich, warm, and inviting. I was quite inspired by a Frida Kahlo exhibition I saw at the Brooklyn Museum a few years ago. I also did a lot of experimenting with color mixing on my own. I knew I wanted each kitchen to be different and reflect each culture, but I wanted the colors of the whole book to be consistent. I settled on a wide range of colors I liked that seemed to go well together.
I usually just print out my sketches reduced and duplicate them on a page. Then I paint different variations on a theme.
For one off promotional pieces or greeting cards, I like to get inspiration from kids’ clothing catalogs. They are so fun and cheerful and are a great reference and inspiration source. My favorites are Tea Collection, Oililly, and Mini Boden.
I used to be obsessed with Design Seeds and I’d get swatches in a newsletter every day. Jessica Colaluca has updated her site and I don’t believe she is doing the newsletter anymore, but her site is a great resource for finding specific palettes based on seasons, a particular color, etc.
I also love Love Print Studio which always has beautiful palettes and photos.
Pumpkin Spiced Protein Latte
I’ll end with a seasonal treat. I saw Starbucks started offering their pumpkin lattes, and Trader Joe’s started carrying canned pumpkin, so I knew it was time to start making my favorite Protein Pumpkin Latte for breakfast!
Basically, you make a vanilla protein drink (I use Optimum Nutrition Vanilla Ice Cream flavor and Vital Proteins Collagen Powder). Then add pumpkin puree, vanilla, and pumpkin spice. I gradually heat this at 30 second intervals (so the protein doesn’t clump), then add hot coffee and top with frothed warm milk. If you have Vital Proteins, you can mix a bit into the milk before frothing for an extra tall top! I love it because it also has collagen for skin, hair and nails, and has no flavor.
P.S. This milk frother. has changed my life!
Hope you enjoy this warm, seasonal treat — enjoy!
Pumpkin Spiced Protein Latte
½ milk or other liquid
1 tablespoon pureed pumpkin (I freeze a whole can in ice cube trays, so I can have it over a long period of time)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
½ teaspoon to 3/4 teaspoon of pumpkin spice, depending upon your taste
Serving of vanilla protein powder of your choice
1 cup of brewed coffee
1-4 tablespoons of water (or other liquid) to adjust consistency to your taste (optional)
¼ cup warm milk
Pumpkin spice or ground cinnamon for garnish
1. Mix together all ingredients except, coffee, water, and warm milk well with frother or blender.
2. Heat at 30 second intervals in microwave until very warm.
3. Stir in brewed coffee.
4. Adjust consistency to your liking with more water or milk.
5. Froth warm milk and top coffee
6. Garnish with pumpkin spice or ground cinnamon.
Makes a single serving.