Works by Regional Book Illustrators

November 14—December 12, 2025

Pearlman and McClure Galleries

Public Reception: Friday, November 14, 2025, 5—8pm

The Art Academy of Cincinnati is pleased to present Story Art, a group exhibition featuring picture book illustrators from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

Panel Discussion: Friday at 10:30am

About the exhibition: This exhibition celebrates the breadth and variety of talented book illustrators in our region, featuring illustrations made with traditional painting, digitally produced art, photography, and sculptures, as well as a display of the printed books that the illustrations are from. There will also be examples of process material, such as sketches, studies and storyboards.

Every year, Cincinnati hosts the Books by the Banks festival, bringing hundreds of accomplished regional and national authors and illustrators to the Main branch of the Cincinnati Library. Story Art will open the same weekend as the festival, and will include many authors participating in Books by the Banks. This exhibition offers students of the Art Academy and the wider community the opportunity to view the artistry and process of bringing story books to life.

Artists included in the exhibition: Erin Barker, Keturah Bobo, Tim Bowers, Jane Dippold, Jeffrey Ebbeler, David FitzSimmons, Barry Gott, Jacob Grant, Fern Haught, Will Hillenbrand, Tara Calahan King, Terri Libenson, Loren Long, Tammy Lyon, Katie Mazeika, T.L. McBeth, Wes Molebash, Debbie Palen, C.F. Payne, Merrill Rainey, Rafael Rosado, Blyth Russo, Chris Sickles, Joe Sutphin, Christina Wald, Lindsay Ward, Deann Wiley

About the curator: Jeffrey Ebbeler is a New York Times best-selling illustrator. He has illustrated and occasionally written over 60 books for young readers. His published work includes picture books, middle grade and chapter books, and graphic novels. He teaches illustration at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and is also an AAC alum.

More info: https://www.artacademy.edu/exhibitions/story-art/

Kickstarter: The Witch's Mess by Jason Bessler

Check out Jason Bessler's Kickstarter for his book The Witch's Mess.

Jason says: "The Witch's Mess is a full color fantasy picture book that is written in rhyme and appeals to children ages three and up! I'm here to ask for your support so that I can get this exciting book out into the world. The book is ready to go! Now I need the resources necessary to send it to print!"

Click here for details: http://kck.st/2k2DNo9

New Book! I Want to be a Crocodile

I just got in samples of my latest book I Want to Be a Crocodile from Capstone/Picture Window.

I really loved working on it; such a wonderful manuscript! I should have it at Books By the Banks and it can also be ordered here.

The Metamorphosis... More fun than Kafka!

Local Illustrator Receives Writer's Residency in NM

Taos, New Mexico has been known for years as a destination that appeals to artists and writers alike.  Cincinnati based artist and illustrator Amy Bogard has been taking students to Taos as part of her Illuminated Travel Journal workshop each summer.  While there this past June, Amy applied for and was granted a residency opportunity to return to Taos next winter to work on some of her own projects outside of teaching.

It's been a life long goal of Amy's to create children's picture books for publication and this Writer-In-Residence opportunity at the historic Mabel Dodge Luhan House will afford her the time and space to focus on two book ideas she has had brewing for some time.  Amy's intrepid traveling hamster character Ginger Small has had a small but devoted fan base for some time and these weeks in Taos will help pull years of images and ideas into a solid story.

The other story features some of Amy's whimsical sheep and a small rabbit who counts them.

Amy is accepting donations to help offset the cost of the trip.  Lodging and a small stipend have been graciously offered by the folks at the Mabel Dodge House, but New Mexico is a far away place!  You can read more about Amy's plans and see more of her work at her website: www.amybogard.com 

Exhibit of Robert McCloskey's Work at the Fitton Center in Hamilton

Art from Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

If you are not familiar with Robert McCloskey's work, your should be. He is a multiple Caldecott winning illustrator from Hamilton, Ohio.

He wrote and illustrated Make Way for Ducklings and Blueberries for Sal.


The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is currently hosting an exhibit of his works in honor of his 100th birthday. It is on view through April 26.

More info here: http://local.cincinnati.com/share/story/212922

 
 The galleries are open Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. – noon, closed Sunday except for special events. For more information about this exhibition, call 513-863-8873. The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Ave. on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.

As you recall, we had a post late in 2013 about the Boston Library making some of McCloskey's sketches available online: 

http://cincyillustrators.blogspot.com/2013/11/boston-public-library-posts-scans-of.html

B is for Bunnipipe

I'm making progress, just a little slow to post this. Hope to post "C" soon.

STORYTELLING The Fine Art of Illustration

Since my first post, the show has added illustrators C.F. Payne, Andrew Neyer and Jeffery Ebbeler.

It is going to be a great show! Hope to see you there!

When I dropped off my art today, I ran into Tara Calahan King and Loren Long.

Loren, Tara, Christina (taken by Leah Busch)

The space before... Loren filling out studio paperwork

Brian's Other Children's Book

New Book Trailer: Why the Possum has a Large Grin

You all can probably tell I am really excited about this one.

I am so delighted to finally work with an author/musician. It made the trailer so fun! Yes, it is clear I watched way to many Warner Brothers cartoons as a kid...

I love this book; I hope people who read it enjoy it as much as I enjoyed illustrating it! (Out this Fall, 2012)

Warning: This song gets stuck in your head! (Although while editing, I probably listened to it 1000 times)

Sneak Peek: Why the Possum Has a Large Grin

Here is a sneak peek of the book I illustrated and written by Johnette Downing. It is about a naive deer and not so nice possum and hilarity ensues.

Out in the fall!


Here is an interior sketch peek:

Wow! The last post on this blog was Friday the 13th. Broke the curse... (I hope...)

Advanced Illustrators Workshop

Will Hillenbrand gave me a heads up about this and I thought some might be interested:

Advanced Illustrators Workshop

While your artwork is accomplished alone, it is only with guidance that an illustrator can begin to understand how to make it in today’s picture-book world. Let one of today’s top children’s book illustrators be your guide. Explore the children’s book market with them, learn new techniques, and enjoy the camaraderie of artists who understand your passion.

During this intensive, five-day workshop you’ll immerse yourself in illustration—oil wash on board, printmaking, pen and ink, watercolors, and more. Daily hands-on workshops will challenge you to sharpen your illustration skills, all under the support and guidance of our highly talented mentors.

In addition to illustration techniques, you’ll also explore

                • dummy preparation;

                • storyboarding;

                • continuity;

                • portfolio expectations;

                • character development;

                • self-promotion; and

                • finding a market.

http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/content/advanced-illustrators-workshop

The Brilliant Dummy

Creating A Picture Book Dummy For Submission Illustrators write with pictures as much as authors do with words. To create an impeccably drawn and brilliantly written picture book, the author-illustrator—the one who wears both hats—must find the right balance of art and words.

Judy Byron Schachner, #1 New York Times best-selling author and illustrator and first-ever winner of the E.B. White Read Aloud award, and Lindsay Barrett George, author/illustrator and winner of the prestigious One Book for Every Child award, will share with you the ins and outs of writing and illustrating your own picture book. They will break down 32 pages of picture-book content into what really belongs on the half-title page and full-title page; what is “front matter”; and what pages are best for tension, release, and the all-important happy ending. They will even take you into the belly of the dreaded gutter. Additionally, you will work with Judy and Lindsay to finalize a picture-book dummy. You will have individual attention that helps you refine your story and decide what images you plan to illustrate. Careful attention will be paid to text placement and page breaks, and whether to design double spreads, spot illustrations, or full bleeds. Your leaders will also share how to send your completed dummy to an editor or agent.

http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/content/brilliant-dummy

From Prose to Picture Book

Whether a picture book be rhyming or traditional prose, one of the key components to success is weaving in lyrical, expressive language. Join workshop leaders Candace Flemming (Muncha-Muncha-Muncha!) and Rebecca Kai Dotlich (Over in the Pink House) as they guide you through the process of creating a sellable picture book. Your facilitators will share mentor picture books with you; critique works in progress; discuss style, plot, and structure; and lead you to a better understanding of today’s picture-book market. Through one-on-ones, group critiques, hands-on workshops, and private writing time, you can expect to leave with a completed dummy, ready for submission, and a clear understanding of what makes a picture book sell. Special Guests Caldecott-winning illustrator Eric Rohmann and MFA professor and illustrator  Melanie Hall will discuss the illustrator-author relationship in creating a picture book.

http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/content/prose-pictures-published-process-writing-picture-book

Children's Book

Thought I'd let people know about this. Just in case you don't know the story behind this. My mother was diagnosed with cancer and wanted me to illustrate a children's book she wrote for my son to remember her by. She passed away when he was three months old in November and it's taken me a bit but I finally completed all of the illustrations for it. Since I had a completed book I decided I might as well make it available through a POD company.

This book is nothing like my work so don't expect my typical artwork.

Half of all profits will be donated to cancer research.
Anyways, here are some of the interiors. Struggled a bit with this kind of subject matter.

The book is expensive and I don't have any control over what they charge but if you're interested in buying a copy you can visit xlibris and buy Henley here.