UPCOMING EVENTS

I'm listening to the rhythm of cards printing in my office as I write this. Yesterday the prevailing rhythm was from hail. I don't yet know the song that is being composed, but I'll share a verse or two in the meantime:

EDGE VOLUME III: June 17, 7-9pm at The Blue Angel Cafe. It's that time again. Tahoe Writers Works has come out with their latest book of writing and art - Edge Volume III. You will find 2 of my illustrations in the mix alongside some wonderful writing and amazing art. Come have a glass of wine and meet the writers and artists. This is also a good time to get those $2.00 Faery Medicine Notecards while they're still around.

TEA WITH ME: June 20, 10-12 at Gaia-Licious. I will be on hand to talk about my art and the latest happenings on my journey into children's publishing. Have some tea and peruse some art. There will be plenty of prints and cards too. Faery Medicine is the featured art from June 12-August 10.

MENTORSHIP UPDATE: A special thanks to all my "shareholders". I have successfully paid for the Mentor Program and the first leg of my journey thanks to you. If you haven't done so already, remember to pick out some art. If you are waiting until the end of the program that is perfectly fine. You can follow the latest in my journey here - www.aJourneyIllustrated.com

Every purchase from Faery Medicine, big or small, helps fund my journey into children's publishing.

That's it for now. I hope whatever rhythm life brings you is something you can dance to.

FUNDING A JOURNEY

As an illustrator, I have always wanted to do more with my art - give back in some way by inspiring others - especially children. For the last several years I have been developing a portfolio to enter children's publishing in order to follow my dream. The work paid off. Out of a pool of applicants through the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, I was chosen to work with award winning illustrator, Yuyi Morales in the 2009 Mentor Program. It is an amazing honor and opportunity.

Perfect opportunities don't always come around when they're easy and this opportunity costs more than I have available. I'm not one to give up on a dream, so I have come up with a creative way to share my journey, pay for the program, and replace income from illustration work while I am in the program. I am selling "shares" in my journey and will be sending more than double the value in my artwork to contributors at the $35, $50, and $75 levels. (Contributions to my Journey in any amount are very welcome.)

$35 LEVEL
6 - Notecards (Your choice of images from my online portfolio.)
1 - 8x10 Signed Limited Edition Print (Your choice from the images I produce in the mentor program. I will only produce 75 - 8x10 prints from each image.)
TOTAL VALUE: $87

$50 LEVEL
1 - 5x7 Signed Print (Your choice of images from my online portfolio.)
12 - Notecards (Your choice of images from my online portfolio or Mentor Program images.)
1 - 8x10 Signed Limited Edition Print (Your choice from the images I produce in the mentor program. I will only produce 75 - 8x10 prints from each image.)
TOTAL VALUE: $122

$75 LEVEL
1 - 5x7 Signed Print (Your choice of images from my online portfolio.)
12 - Notecards (Your choice of images from my online portfolio or Mentor Program images.)
2 - 8x10 Signed Limited Edition Print (Your choice from the images I produce in the mentor program. I will only produce 75 - 8x10 prints from each image.)
TOTAL VALUE: $187

HOW DO YOU CONTRIBUTE?
1. Click on the ChipIn button below and you will be taken to a secure payment page where you can pay by credit card or Paypal.

2. After payment, I will contact you by the email address you used when paying to find out which images you want. I will also get your shipping address so that available images can be shipped right away. (Images can be seen at KristenSchwartz.com) Mentor images will be available after the program ends in October 2009 and can be chosen as soon as they are posted on A Journey Illustrated from April to October. (Make sure to follow my journey!)

In addition, I will be asking contributors (of any amount) to name favorite objects, fantastical creatures, and other ideas to work into the illustrations I create in the Mentor Program. I will work in as many of the top 5 ideas that I can. I want you on the journey with me!



Please email me if you have any questions at all.
Thank you for your support!