My first published book illustration project

Book cover illustration by Jen Goode

There’s a fabulous new cook book available for purchase and I created the cover. This is my first published book project and I’m so excited – It was a super fun project! It’s All About the Cookies, and pies and cakes… is full of recipes and words of wisdom contributed by people from all over the Affiliate Marketing industry. Most of the tid bits of advice apply to not just affiliate marketing, but life itself.

Book cover illustration by Jen Goode
Book cover illustration by Jen Goode

 

Missy Ward is the brains behind the project idea and Mary Polly is the editor. This book is available for purchase through Amazon. For more information about this book, the charity it supports and to purchase the ebook version, visit AllAbouttheCookies.com

Cookie illustrations by Jen Goode
Cookie illustrations by Jen Goode

The Delightful Imagery of Corrie Kuipers

Voodoodle - Neville the Devil by Corrie KuipersCorrie Kuipers
CorriewebThe wonderful world of Corrie Kuipers & Nene Adams

I first saw Corrie’s work on Greeting Card universe where she has an enormous collection of fabulous cards for just about every occasion. I immediately fell in love with her style which is whimsical and lighthearted yet also displays something very ornate and thought provoking. There is a raw beauty in her line work, I can’t help but gaze dreamily at every image she creates. She also has a way of adding a touch of girlie humor to many of her images… There are female giggles in those brush strokes.

I am so grateful to be able to share with you today a little insight how Corrie Kuipers creates.

Windje Van Zee by Corrie Kuipers (Sea Breeze)

What do you create?
I’m a painter and Illustrator.
When I paint my medium is acrylics and ink on paper, MDF (pressed wood fiber), wood and canvas.
When I illustrate I use my Wacom Intuos drawing tablet together with Photoshop CS2.

What medium do you enjoy most?
At the moment it has to be Illustrating. I absolutely love my tablet. I bought it last summer as a treat (and to help me work more efficient). Before the tablet I would draw everything by hand in b/w, scan it into the computer, clean it up and add color to it in Photoshop.

What title would you give yourself?
Ehm…lucky girl?

Animal World by Corrie Kuipers

How did you get started?
It started all by being the singer in a band. We rehearsed at the guitarist’s place who’s husband was a professional artist. We were of similar age and it got me thinking. If I had made the right choices from the beginning I could have been where he was now. Was it too late to try and have a go at it? I decided it was all or nothing. I was reaching my 30ies, was laid off from my job I was very unhappy with anyway (I was doing a nine to five at a bank) and if I wanted to do a career switch now was the perfect time.

So I started painting in acrylics and ink, I don’t know why I picked that but it suited me and it stayed with me until this day. I went to a local gallery to show some of my work and the gallery owner saw potential. My style was very much unique (I had no art training and therefore wasn’t influenced by teachers). He encouraged me to keep on painting and he would check in on me from time to time to pick a collection for my debut solo exhibition. 6 Months later I did have my first show and I haven’t looked back since.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Exactly that what I am doing now

Name three favorite artists/designers/creative:
It is hard to pick only three because there are a lot of really talented people out there!

The Cart Before the Horse
Fun and Folky Art.

Kelly Murphy
Illustrator extraordinaire. I wish I had her talent.

Alex Ross
In my eyes the absolute God of comic book artists. He has a unique style in that every comic frame he makes is actually a painting. I have never seen anyone draw the human form as well as he does.

Tree Huggers by Corrie Kuipers

What kind of training, schooling or other learning experiences have you gone through that have helped you get to where you are now?
No training or schooling, I’m self taught. My inspiration comes from everything around me, my loving partner, our animals, music, film, the Internet, nature, myths and legends, old cultures….

Do you feel you’re successful?
My art pays the bills and has done so since 1994. Maybe not as royally as I sometimes would wish, but it gives a great sense of accomplishment to be my own person.

What do you like most about what you do?
The freedom to creatively do whatever I want to do

Mermaid by Corrie Kuipers

What #1 piece advice can you offer to those which might like to “follow in your footsteps”?
Believe in yourself, find your own style, do tons of marketing and work very, very hard. I don’t want to scare you off, but the artist life is not an easy one and you can’t step into this half-hearted.
If you want a regular pay-check, a nine to five lifestyle, are bad at marketing yourself, can’t take criticism, this is probably not the job for you. Also it takes careful planning, self-discipline and a lot of determination. There is often no instant success so you have to think years rather than weeks or months.


What are you most proud of?

It feels really good when I add a new design to one of our online stores and the public picks it up. Every sale still makes me smile.

knitting penguin by Corrie KuipersMore places you can find Corrie’s work for purchase:

Corrie Kuipers at Zazzle
Corrie Kuipers at Cafepress
Corrie Kuipers at Red Bubble
Corrie Kuipers at Greeting Card universe

JGoode Designs in the News

I had the privileged of sharing my designs, my business and my love for internet retailing with a few people this week. All the talking has now resulted in a wonderful story at Baby, Kids and Family and a fantastic article spot in U.S. News.

Can you believe it? Me, lil’ old me and my smiley doodles – in the news – WOW I’m so delighted!

It still amazes me every day that my images that I love to create so much are loved and appreciated by others. I never would have thought… and now, to have someone – two someones – want to share my story in official news – I’m overjoyed.. tickled pink and purple!

I couldn’t ask for a better ending to my week. This, this right here – the sharing of the inspiring smiles, is exactly why I do what I do… every day!

JGoode Designs in U.S. News

4 years ago I could never have imagined this is where I would be or what I would be doing. Thank you to all my encouraging supporters –  I love my job!

IF: Save – The Hero Penguin

This week’s Illustration Friday theme is Save. There are a number of ways I visualize the word “save”, but for today I think the super hero penguin does the trick. He’s all about being there to help, but was originally designed as a fun “icon” to represent being there for your family… “Be a super hero for your kids”. Be fun and bigger than life. Be the protector and the motivator. Be a hero!

Superhero penguin

Every day I strive to do my best, but I’m pretty sure I have plenty of room for improvement. My goal is to have my kids think back and remember happiness.