I have been working with a LGBT Young Adult author, Mia Kerick, to create promotional graphics for her new YA release, Love Spell. The graphics I've created are part original art and part digital manipulation of stock photos purchased. This is something new for me, creating art around a character. I was at first nervous about creating them, not knowing exactly what to expect. But as I begin to create them, the more ideas I had for more graphics.
The main character, Chance, is a gender fluid teen which means he doesn't strongly identify himself in either binary gender system. And as the top graphic shows, sometimes he feels like a boy, sometimes as a girl. In this story, Chance, with the help of his best friend, Emily, tries to get the attention of his love interest, Jazz. On the surface, Love Spell is a romantic comedy full of teenage lingo and made up words. But when you dig deeper, you see a story of a teen struggling with identity, family issues, friendships, the future.
The art and graphics I created are based on quotes from the book.
These are my original art work.
These are graphics I created from purchased photos and digitally manipulated.
This was a totally fun and creative experience for me. And I learned so much from this book.
If you are interested in reading this book, here's the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Love-Spell-Mia-Kerick-ebook/dp/B00XT3044W
You have such a unique way of painting faces. Realistic to a point, and then your interpretation of the character dictates the rest of what you express. And you use color in a way all your own. Love my Chance César pictures. Perfection! And I also really like the other promo art you do that uses different backgrounds to go with my quotations. SO Proud to share them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mia, for always encouraging me, even before we worked together. It means so much!
DeleteMornin' Angelcake. I am so enjoying this book! Mia has a way with words that make a character pop! These pictures are a marvelous accompaniment to the story. As much as I love Chance and Emily, Jazz has my heart! It's probably the language barrier, Jazz doesn't do "teenspeak" for lack of a better word. I'm not complaining, though. I am one of the few people who like it when an author uses dialect and such. It puts me more into the story, while others say it throws them out. I really love how you've captured the duality that is Chance. It took me half of the book to realize what his whole name sounds like! Hugs, Ms Kari.
ReplyDeleteDeedles
First let me say how much I appreciate you, Deedles. It's not just the comments you post here and other places but you have a way to make everyone feel special.
DeleteI do have a graphic of Jazz and Chance I'm working on. Stay tuned!
The artwork you created for this book is stellar. Perhaps you should consider doing cover art for other authors. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED reading your post!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm reading Mia's book right now. You two make a perfect creative partnership!!!!
Thanks, Chef Brad! Remember, when you open your own restaurant, I'm going to be your house artist! Lol
DeleteI have to also say. That I live how you tied the two art styles together. I am in awe. This is professional
ReplyDeleteThank you Suzala!! This has been a great learning experience!
DeleteThis is so wonderful. I love it when talents combine to create something fantastic and that certainly happened here. WOW
ReplyDeleteYukari - your artwork (as usual) is simply mahvelous! You have done such a wonderful job, but I'm not at all surprised! Very happy for you! :)
ReplyDeleteJody