Through November, bloggers throughout the kidlitosphere will be featuring some of the wonderful snowflakes created by children’s book illustrators as part of the Robert’s Snow project. Today, I have the incredible honor of featuring artist Alexandra Boiger and her fabulous snowflake, entitled “Hurry Up, Rose”.
Born in Munich, Germany, Alexandra’s first picture book was “While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat,” written by Amy Reichert (listen to the NPR interview, here). She is also the illustrator of “Roxie and the Hooligans,” by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, and the newly re-published Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle books by Betty MacDonald.
I had the chance to ask Ms. Boiger a few questions, which she graciously answered for me. Read on, and be sure to stick with us to the end, when you’ll find out how to win one of Alexandra’s gorgeous art prints.
How do you accommodate publisher’s deadlines when you’re not feeling so creative? Or is that ever a problem for an artist?
Oh, it certainly is a problem at times. I have a six year old daughter. Since I became a parent I am always in a “time dilemma”, but at the same time it taught me to be disciplined about the time I do have. In short, I sit down at my drawing desk no matter what. Sometimes, on a day I didn’t feel creative things go slowly and not much valuable happens, sometimes I just needed to break the ice and all of a sudden I feel like riding a wave.
Do you work on a schedule, or paint and create as the mood strikes?
I would have to say both. I do work on a schedule, because I have to. But I also paint and create when the mood strikes and my life allows it.
What inspires you?
My daughter inspires me. Fellow artist friends inspire me. My idols (The most important one would be Lisbeth Zwerger) inspire me. A good story, an interesting fabric or light. Nature…people! I love to watch people. Oh, the weather inspires me. For example a misty day and a hot cup of tea are a wonderful beginning for a new piece.
Tell me about the images on your snowflake and the how/why of getting involved with this project.
The image on my snowflake is about Christmas from a child’s perspective. The character “Rose” is the main character from my first picture book and especially dear to my heart. Lin Grace had sent me a email about the project and invited me to participate. I have to admit, I hadn’t known about Robert’s Snow then. But everything about it immediately touched me. I am very happy to be a part of it.
Since my blog readers are primarily educators and those interested in boosting kids’ creativity, do you have a single suggestion for encouraging kids to get out there and be creative?
Give them the material, the space, the time to be creative. Open their eyes to art through nature, museums and books. Let them meet artists. And maybe most importantly… be their biggest fan!
Ms. Boiger has generously offered to send an art print of “Rotkaeppchen” (Little Red Riding Hood, above) to one of my blog visitors (sorry; USA only). Isn’t it beautiful? If you’d like to own this print, simply visit the auction site and tell me the name of ONE of the snowflakes that will be auctioned off during Auction #2 OR post a link to the Robert’s Snow auction site on your own blog. Leave your answer in the comments section or trackback to this blog before midnight on October 22, and I’ll choose one commenter to receive this wonderful gift.
by TadMack, on October 16 2007 @ 12:44 am
This is really cute snowflake – I love the angels on the edges, urging Rose forward. I can’t enter the contest, but thanks for a great interview!
by Mary Lee, on October 16 2007 @ 2:35 am
I can only hope there are angels around ME when I’m rushing rushing rushing!
by Mary Beth, on October 16 2007 @ 3:47 am
What a beautiful snowflake and it’s so nice to see that these brilliant illustrators are real people who work around their family schedules. Since we came late to the game after all the illustrators were distributed, my sister and I tried to advertise as much as possible on four blogs and two myspace pages. It’s such a great cause and I hope it does well, more so this year than any other!
by Jules, on October 16 2007 @ 4:06 am
This is a great post. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Alexandra’s work (and I love Lisbeth Zwerger, too)!
Thanks for participating!
by Elaine Magliaro, on October 16 2007 @ 4:28 am
Oooooo! I just checked out Alexandra’s website. I love her art!
Thanks for this interview with one of the talented Robert’s Snow artists.
by Day 2 - Robert’s Snow Posts « Shelf Elf: read, write, rave., on October 16 2007 @ 5:24 am
[...] Paradise Found – Alexandra Boiger [...]
by paradisefound, on October 16 2007 @ 6:39 am
Thanks, and apologies for those missing pictures! They should be okay now.
by Sara, on October 16 2007 @ 8:42 am
Oh, the Little Red Riding Hood illustrations at her website are amazing! And I loved, loved Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle as a child, so I’m going to have to check out the new editions now.
I’ve got the whole schedule of interviews for this week in my sidebar, plus I did an overview post on Sunday.
Thanks, Kris, for featuring Alexandra.
by cloudscome, on October 16 2007 @ 9:03 am
I adore the angels and the red hair. What a beautiful snowflake!
by LindaBudz, on October 16 2007 @ 2:37 pm
Gorgeous! Love the colors, the light, the motion! And of course, Angels!!
by Kate Messner, on October 16 2007 @ 4:35 pm
Great interview! I shared this with my 7th graders, and they loved reading your feature.
For Auction #2, I love “Winterdragon” by Aaron Zenz.
by Annie, on October 16 2007 @ 5:59 pm
Thanks for sharing this interview, I love Alexandra’s work.
One snowflake in the 2nd auction is: “I am not a snowflake, I’m a dog!” by Janet Stevens.
by gail, on October 17 2007 @ 12:39 pm
I know I left a reply yesterday, I know I did! Anyway, since I don’t see it now, I’ll try again. Glad I came back, I got to see the missing picture. And of course I don’t want to miss a contest!
I love this snowflake, it is one of my favorites. (Maybe I’m partial to redheads.) I wasn’t familiar with Alexandra’s work, but I’m heading over to her website now!
gail
by Alyssa, on October 17 2007 @ 12:52 pm
Such a beautiful snowflake. Another one going on sale in auction 2 is “Merry Chirstmouse” by Carol Heyer. It’s also very cute. So much talent went into this auction, it never ceases to blow me away!
by 2funkidsmom, on October 17 2007 @ 4:28 pm
Such beautiful snowflakes. I wanted to pick out my favorite, but I love them all – but to name one – ‘Peace On Earth’ by C. B Decker.
And “Hurry Up Rose’ just about brings tears to my eyes.
by debra, on October 18 2007 @ 5:21 am
A lovely tribute to those whose lives have been touched by cancer.
Thank you.
by Robert’s Snow Art Auction for Cancer’s Cure: Auction #2 Begins!, on November 25 2007 @ 9:44 am
[...] Alexandra Boiger at Paradise Found [...]
by Needle and ThREAD: Stitching for Literacy » Blog Archive » Robert's Snow Auction #2, on November 25 2007 @ 3:48 pm
[...] Alexandra Boiger at Paradise Found [...]
by [BLOCKED BY STBV] Jennifer Walcott, on December 21 2007 @ 2:02 pm
Jennifer Walcott…
Man i love reading your blog, interesting posts !…
by Tea Chef, on May 31 2009 @ 6:17 pm
paradise ice tea…
Tea Chef…