MonDak area illustrator Jeanne Bowman will be showcasing her work at Books on Broadway at the Williston Downtowners Association's Art & Wine Walk.
Bowman is a 2010 graduate of Rocky Mountain College, and worked at the Yellowstone Art Museum for two years before embarking on illustrating independently. Bowman participated in the Albuquerque regional branch of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, a non-profit group dedicated to supporting the creation and availability of quality children's books. It was there she began to take an interest in children's books. "We're a group of writers and illustrators who have monthly meetups to talk shop and encourage each other on projects," Bowman explained. "I knew I wanted to do art, but I didn't know what specific industry I wanted to engage in. The SCBWI meetings helped me find a focus for my portfolio." she said.
Bowman reached out to a number of publishing companies to land her first project. "Part of being an illustrator is that you constantly have to promote yourself. One way is making promo cards with your information and illustrations, and sending to a list of publishers," she said. Bowman landed her latest job with her first postcard. "It's all a timing thing," she explained. "Publishers are picking up projects at certain times, and there's more illustrators than publishers."
Bowman's project was a remake of Oscar Wilde's 1888 classic The Selfish Giant, published by Familius, a global trade publishing company that publishes books and other content to help families be happy. The story is about a giant who is a bit selfish, putting up a wall around his garden to keep children out. It was always winter in the garden, until one special child changed the giant's heart, and spring returned. Colorfully illustrated, the new edition is described as a "richly sentimental 19th century tale in a 21st century setting," by the Kirkus Reviews.
Though the new book is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, Bowman set out to bring The Selfish Giant to local audiences. It was the owner of Books on Broadway that opened the invitation to Bowman to participate in the Art & Wine Walk this year. "I was talking to Chuck, the owner, in person, and he invited me to be involved," she said. Bowman will join Sidney artist Trish Stevenson in displaying several pieces in the bookstore during the event.
Currently, Bowman lives in Sidney and will be bringing the book to the Sidney-Richland County Library as well.
As for future plans, Bowman said, "Right now I'm working on a picture book that I'm both writing and illustrating. I want to make all kinds of books-picture books, books for middle schoolers, art books. I want to be known as a person who makes beautiful books."
A portfolio of Bowman's work, including several images from The Selfish Giant, can be viewed at http://www.jeannebowmanillustrates.com.
The Williston Downtowners Association's Art & Wine Walk is April 25th. Participants will enjoy art, food and wine at 12 different downtown locations. Tickets are on sale at Cooks on Main and Castle Framing in Williston for $30 in advance, and $40 the day of the event. Participants will receive a reusable glass, sponsored by Cooks on Main and Gather Events. For additional information about the event, visit http://www.willistondowntown.com.
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