Christmas in August.
August 17, 2009
Sample illustration for Christmas Goodnight, illustrated by Yours Truly.
I have waited two years to write this post. Well, maybe my lifetime!
So the story goes like this:
At a very young age (the ripe age of 4 I believe) I knew I was going to be an artist.
When I was old enough to write, I started writing books, poetry, anything I could wrap my ideas around.
I made hand-made books by the dozens. Flip books, chapter books, you name it.
I continued to study art through high school, privately and academically and loved every second.
And when I was 13 years old, I was told by a very wise man that if you write down your goals, they will happen.
So that is what I did: I made a list (75 items long) of all the things I wanted to do in my lifetime. Wanna peek in my journal? Come on, you know you do…
I had to blow the dust off this one…it had been years since I revealed to myself all my pre-teen ambitions!
Don’t you love the bubbly 13 year old handwriting?
Illustrating children’s books was only second to #1: Getting Married. Golly, I was serious!
It all started with writing it down.
But after going to college and graduating with a BFA in Musical Theater, teaching voice lessons at BYU, and then dabbling in performing, the babies started coming. And I wanted to get back into my art again.
But how? I kinda missed out on the whole art school thing. Oops!
So I started a blog.
And I was encouraged by my readers and my dear husband to open an ETSY shop.
Um…I love you ETSY.
And from having a shop, I started making contacts.
The first being Molly O’Neill at Harper Collins who stumbled upon my ETSY shop one month into my business and asked if I’d ever be interested in illustrating children’s books.
That was a 1 1/2 years ago. And after a lot of study, and hard work (with a lot of bumps along the way) I have landed a contract to illustrate my first picture book!
Christmas Goodnight, written by Laura Godwin and published by Katherine Tegan books, an imprint of Harper Collins to be released Fall 2011.
This might not come as a surprise to you. I have mentioned illustrating has been my ultimate goal for a while. But it isn’t an easy road, and there are a lot of hoops to jump through. So much more challenging than I had imagined at 13, but I couldn’t be more thrilled about it!
Molly O’Neill, the assistant editor I have been corresponding with over a year now, is brilliant and amazing and I can’t thank her enough for the hard work and chance she has put into me. It’s a dream come true!
The text is perfect….a poem in fact…similar to the feel of Goodnight, Moon but with the Christmas story. A classic for sure. I feel so honored to illustrate it!
It will take the next 9 months to work on this, but no worries….it won’t interfere with the shop at all! But what it will change is the amount of Christmas music being played in the house…we might just be starting Christmas in September just to get in the mood:)
The hardest work is ahead of me now, but I can’t think of a better challenge. I know it will be so much fun though. It’s been a life long dream. The 13 year old me is nodding right now and saying, “I knew you could. I just knew you could do it!”
For those of you who have been with me since the beginning, I can’t thank you enough for your listening ears, and your support. For a young mom who doesn’t get out much any more due to 3 beautiful and crazy side kicks, it’s meant the world to me to have a springboard here where I’ve made a lot of friendships and learned so much from you. Who would have ever thought that behind a screen I could gain such genuine acquaintances? Gosh, I love you guys!
48 Comments for this entry
8 Trackbacks / Pingbacks for this entry
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August 23rd, 2009 on 6:26 am[...] Story :: :: :: Christmas in August by Sarah Jane [...]
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May 4th, 2010 on 10:07 am[...] in final art mode for A Christmas Goodnight (Fall 2011) and I thought I’d share with you some images I have in my studio to get the [...]
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May 11th, 2010 on 10:06 am[...] is interesting too, because as I have worked on A CHRISTMAS GOODNIGHT full of sheep, shepherds, vivid colors and textures, I have realized that this book has been part [...]
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November 22nd, 2010 on 1:49 pm[...] with my art. Ever since I can remember, I’d planned on being an artist and a mother..a children’s illustrator even. And when I found myself at that age, my decision remained [...]
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Congratulations Sarah! I\’m so happy for you. Illustrating a children\’s book is a fantastic challenge, and very rewarding. Your style is perfect. I love you the stars in your illustration look like van Gogh\’s \”starry night.\” All the best, and keep us posted. X
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
You deserve this!!!! I feel so happy for you!!! Such a lovely proyect ahead of you!
I wish you all the best!!!!!!And dont forget to have fun!
Woohoo! Congratulations!
Congrats Sarah! Your illustrations are just beautiful, what a fantastic achievement. How great to be revisiting your childhood goals. Looking forward to seeing the final product
Congratulations! I think I need to start writing mine down (actually I have, let’s see if they come true…)
How exciting, Sarah! Your talent is amazing, and it deserves to be showcased in a wonderful book. Can’t wait to see it!
I am so truly happy for your Sarah!! I’ve been reading your blog for a long time now. Before you opened your Etsy shop. It’s been such an encouragement to me to see how things have grown for you. As an artist and Momma of two young ones myself, you have been proof that it IS possible to be a good, loving Mom and to dream big at the same time.
I know that this is just the beginning of great things for you and I look forward to owning a copy of your book.
~ I think I need to be more serious about my dreams!
Congratulations. What an amazing realization of a lifetime goal! So proud of you, and can’t wait to see the book!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is so incredibly wonderful! Yay, yay, YAY!!!
That’s amazing, Sarah. I’ve got a little whispering mini me in my head that tells me to write a book…I’ve had that whisper since I was in 3rd grade. I should listen to it and try to do it what the voice says. It’s tough though. YOU DID IT, nothing’s impossible.
HURRAY!!!!! I’ve been waiting for you to make an announcement like this. =) Love what you’ve shown us…like a tasty morsel to wet our appetites. I cannot wait for the book to be published so I can get my hands on one. I know my mother will love it as well. She has her own childhood dream fulfilled owning a children’s bookstore in Tooele, The Purple Cow Children’s Bookstore.
Cogratulations! I am so excited for you! And that sample illustration looks just beautiful!
Three cheers for you! Your hubby mentioned last time I saw him at school that books were in the works for you, and I’ve been thrilled and quietly waiting to hear more ever since. I couldn’t be more excited for you! Congrats!
That\\\’s so COOL!
I am so excited! I love your work. I cannot wait to get it for Christmas in a few years! Thanks!
Congratulations! That’s way exciting!
Sarah,
I couldn’t be happier for you! You are so talented and deserving! I am sure this is just the beginning of much to come!
Best Wishes!
Sarah, that is so exciting! I can’t wait to own a copy!
Sarah – This is such EXCITING news! You must be walking on a cloud right now! ~ Lori
Hip, hip, hooray! I’m sure it is still only the beginning of very big things. You’ve been a great inspiration to me to surround myself with pretty things, do something I love AND open an etsy shop, while still enjoying motherhood.
It’s a tricky balance sometimes, but it’s been such a fun ride. Thanks and continued good luck!
So inspiring Sarah.
I can do it. I know I can.
Thanks.
This is fantastic news! Congrats to you. Your talent & work is amazing – you really deserve this.
Way to go Sarah! That is awesome. I love the teaser picture. You are inspiring!
Awe-some! (My kids new favorite word.)
I just love this. Can’t wait until it comes out!
Oh My Gosh! Sarah, I’m thrilled for you. What beautiful art and what focus you had at age 13! You really are an inspiration. Good luck and many congratulations.
Wow Sarah! this is amazing. I have been “secretly” reading your blog for a long time, and I absolutely admire your work. You definitely deserve this! and the post is so moving, thank you so much for sharing your pre-teen journal notes, it’s so inspiring and a great lesson that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to!
Sarah Jane,
The more I read your blog, the more enjoy reading your blog! You are awesome my dear! I’m so happy for your illustration deal! I’m not a religious person, but over the years while working with children, I have grown to love the story of Christmas. Afterall, the Christmas story is a birth story – and how can children (young and old) not be moved by a birth story! Do you know Pete Seeger’s tune “Mary Had a Baby”. It can be downloaded on ITunes. It’s my favorite Holiday tune. May well be worth the listen.
Congratulations again,
Nichole
I adore this post, Sarah Jane! It is so sweet to read how your childhood dreams and goals are coming true. Enjoy your new project!
Congratulations! Such exciting news – I can’t wait to get the book!
sarah, this is so completely wonderful! i am so happy for you!!! and i’ll definitely be buying that book for my little one when it comes out.
yay you!
I am so proud of you. You hung on, even when those bumps came! Congrats!
Congrats, girl! I cannot WAIT to grab the book when it prints!
Sarah,
PLEASE email me your address!!! I produced a solo album in 2003 that is ALL CHRISTMAS music! I’d love to send you a copy! Please let me mail you one, or two, or three!!! I am FOR SURE going to be getting a first edition of this fabulous book! One for each of my kids! EMAIL ME!!!
Lovely! I’m so happy for you, and for all of us readers.
This is so exciting Sarah! You’ve worked hard for this. Congratulations!
P.S. please send me your addy or POBox so I can mail you this little baby gift I have sitting in a box ready to go
Take care!
Sometimes God’s will is simply wonderful.
Wow, congratulations! Such a beautiful picture! So excited to see the finished product!
How inspiring! Such an exciting new adventure. I cannot wait for the book!
HI! This morning is my first time at your blog. I’m so happy for your, for realizing your lifelong dream. Thanks for sharing the story of how it all came aboutl
What a great story! I’m looking forward to the book.
Congratulations: that’s fabulous!
I adore your artwork. I can’t wait for your book. How exciting!
[...] Story :: :: :: Christmas in August by Sarah Jane [...]
I’m am so very proud of you. I have been following your blog quietly for a while now . I’ve been hiding behend the screen just following other peoples lives instead of persuing mine and this last post has got me thinking, that I should try and give my dreams ago. I too have a love of dawing and painting – just dont know where to start…..
I am in awe of you for having kids and pursueing your dream. I keep thinking when they’re older i’ll have time. I have four beautiful fun loving kids and I just want to spend all my time with them. i just don’t believe that I can do it that’s all – maybe its just not for me. my love is my family. Thanks for listening. good luck with your adventures..
[...] I am a big goal setter. Remember this post? And I have already started to round up my resolutions for the upcoming year. But I have [...]
[...] am supposed to be working on my book….but I have February on my mind, and I have been warming up with some sketches. Here is a [...]
[...] Caldecott and Newbury awards were announced, and I must say I am no less than inspired. Working on my own children’s book has given me a completely new perception of what these awards represent. Here at home, we acquire [...]
I only now saw this post since I read all my blog posts in a Google reader and haven’t found a way to subscribe to your blog…yet. Congratulations! I will be one of the first to buy the book (with the hopes I can have you sign it someday). Can’t wait!!!
Darn it
I just entered a long and comprehensive comment, but when I tried to send it my Internet Explorer freaked out.
Was it somehow saved or do I need to redo it?
[...] design ideas, and I can’t wait to see more of her little boys room! I’ve got to finish the book before I do any fun re-do’s in our new house….but I love these colors for a boys room. [...]
[...] in final art mode for A Christmas Goodnight (Fall 2011) and I thought I’d share with you some images I have in my studio to get the [...]
[...] is interesting too, because as I have worked on A CHRISTMAS GOODNIGHT full of sheep, shepherds, vivid colors and textures, I have realized that this book has been part [...]
[...] with my art. Ever since I can remember, I’d planned on being an artist and a mother..a children’s illustrator even. And when I found myself at that age, my decision remained [...]
I just found this post. . . and who knows if you will ever get to read this, but I am a collector of Christmas Children’s books. Each year, I get a new one for my little ones in order to add to our ever growing library! This year, I will be buying your new book. I am so excited for you and I am sitting here just about to write down some of my own goals so that I can make some dreams come true too:)