Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN

On June 23, 2023, my local paper, the Pioneer Press, ran a feature on our book, THE HOUSE WE SHELTERED IN / THE MASKS WE WORE, written by Freeman Ng and illustrated by 16 illustrators (including me).

The book is about the pandemic and how the world learned to live during this challenging time in our history. The book is about the pandemic and how the world learned to live during this challenging time in our history. A dual volume: two stories that start from each end of a flippable book. The flippable dual structure of the book seemed a natural expression of its yin-yang nature. The first poem, The House We Sheltered In, is inward-looking. It’s about comfort and security. The second poem, The Masks We Wore, is outward-looking, about the actions we took in the world to combat the virus.

Order your copy today at www.pandemicpb.com

Sun Sailor Newspaper

On August 18, 2023, my local Twin Cities paper, the Sun Sailor, ran a feature on our book, THE HOUSE WE SHELTERED IN / THE MASKS WE WORE, written by Freeman Ng and illustrated by 16 illustrators.

The book is about the pandemic and how the world learned to live during this challenging time in our history. A dual volume: two stories that start from each end of a flippable book. The flippable dual structure of the book seemed a natural expression of its yin-yang nature. The first poem, The House We Sheltered In, is inward-looking. It’s about comfort and security. The second poem, The Masks We Wore, is outward-looking, about the actions we took in the world to combat the virus.

Order your copy today at www.pandemicpb.com

Hello from Alaska

I recently visited my family in Gustavus, Alaska. The sky cleared to unveil all of Alaska's treasures. We took an 8-hour boat tour through Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve that began in spring weather, driving deeper and deeper up the bay that ended in the belly of winter, where the water was filled with icebergs. We passed countless snowy peaks, sea otters, whales, porpoises, sea lions, and wild mountain goats. The boat ride covered approximately the same square miles as the state of Connecticut, with mountain peaks rising high above the sea.
"Nature always wears the colors of the spirit."—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Here's where to find me on social media:

www.aliciaschwab.com -&- LinkTree http://linktr.ee/AliciaSchwab
Instagram & Threads @schwab.alicia
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciamschwab/
Mastodon @aschwabart@mas.to
X-Twitter & HIVE @aschwabart

SUN SAILOR NEWSPAPER

YAY! We have an article in the local SUN SAILOR paper covering Minnetonka, Excelsior, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Wayzata, St. Louis Park and Hopkins, Minnesota.

https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_sailor/free/plymouth-author-contributes-to-dual-volume-picture-book-about-pandemic-life/article_89a8fe90-0a30-11ee-b0fc-3b8c74887e72.html

The House We Sheltered In / The Masks We Wore is a dual volume: two stories that start from each end of a flippable book. Each poem begins at the cover and ends in the middle of the book.

Three Daughters Press, 2023

ISBN: 978-0-9906197-9-6

Written by poet and author Freeman Ng and illustrated by a team of 14 artists:

Alicia Schwab, Annie Kuhn, Brigitte West, Cheryl Ann Warren, Eshanthie Tyner, Gabriela Vega, Haley Grunloh, Jessica Chrysler, Juliana Castro, Rebecca Hoenig, Ruby Michelle, Sara Nintzel, Olivia Pinney, and Wendy Roble.

Buy this book!

COVER REVEAL

TICKET TO GLIDE : THE TWIN CITIES’ 50 BEST SPOTS FOR KAYAKING

If you are a kayaker, you are in for a treat! Minnesota is the “land of 10,000 lakes.” There are countless great places to kayak in the Twin Cities alone, but how do you know where to go? Bob Shaw describes the Twin Cities’ fifty best spots for kayaking in this guidebook.

Alicia Schwab used her information design skills to create concise maps of different areas of the greater Twin Cities metro, including major roadways, hundreds of lakes, marshes, ponds—and the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix rivers.

More information on where to buy this book is coming soon!

A day for celebration!!

“WHO says Covid-19 is no longer a global health emergency.” Thank goodness.

BOOK LAUNCH: Yes, I made a book with TWO covers! I collaborated with a team of creators from around the globe. We made a #pb flipbook celebrating the joys of homebound life and the collective heroism of our fight against COVID-19. By author Freeman Ng & 14 international illustrators: Alicia Schwab, Anaya Pinney, Annie Kuhn, Brigitte West, Cheryl Anne Warren, Eshanthie Tyner, Gabriela Vega, Haley Grunloh, Jessica Chrysler, Julianna Castro, Rebecca Hoenig, Ruby Michelle, Sara Nintzel, Olivia Pinney, and Wendy Roble. https://pandemicpb.com/
BUY THIS BOOK!

FOLKTALEWEEK—Victory

SORIA MORIA CASTLE, by 1928 Nobel Prize in Literature recipient, Sigrid Undset. This story is from TRUE AND UNTRUE AND OTHER NORSE TALES, New York City (1945).

I recently made this sketch of a castle interior. It is a very complex scene. For starters, there is a dramatic 2-point perspective. I started by fixing the perspective.

Then, I blocked in the color with acrylic paint on cold press watercolor paper. I don’t use gel mediums, I paint acrylic as a water media, which makes it look like watercolor.

This image is nearly there. I laid my perspective drawing overtop. My fabulous critique group partners made some helpful suggestions: turn the kid to face the troll; make him smaller with a more teen-like build; change his shirt color to stand out more, and fix the perspective of the ellipse of the chandelier. Thanks!

#Victory!

FOLKTALEWEEK—Potion

FAIRY OINTMENT, by A. E. Bray, England (1838)

I decided these two people were too young. I also moved them away from each other so you can see the man’s right hand/arm.

"Put this potion in my newborn's eyes, but don't use any yourself," said the man to the midwife.

FolktaleWeek—Costume

MOSSYCOAT, collected by T. W. Thompson in Northumberland, England (1915) from the oral storyteller, Taimie Boswell. “Rashin Coatie” is a variation of “Cinderella” but her coat made from moss and gold thread has the magical ability to transport her anywhere. She teleports to the manor house and finds work in the kitchen.

FolktaleWeek—Rebel

THE GIANT’S DAUGHTER is a Norwegian tale adapted from WEIRD TALES OF THE NORTHERN SEAS (1903), edited by Jonas Lie and trans. by R. Nisbet Bain.

"The Giant's Daughter" doesn't listen or follow the rules; even worse she never plans to marry!

FolktaleWeek—Star

POOR LITTLE RICH Girl, Polish tale told by Mary Joslin.

“Zuzia was a merchant’s daughter, she was both rich and pretty.” But she was also ill-tempered, unhappy and lacked friends. Her old nurse recommends she seek guidance from the wise old woman who lives on the mountain. Eventually, Zuzia goes and along the way gives up all her prized possessions. In doing so, her generosity make new friends. She returns home with nothing, but realizes she is truly happy because she was kind to others.

FOLKTALEWEEK—TREE

MAGPIES IN THE CRABTREE, or “The Pynots in the Crabtree” by Sidney Oldall Addy (1895), Norton, England.

FOLKTALE WEEK —Fool

DWARFNOSE is a German folktale by Wilhelm Hauff. It was also adapted by Andrew Lang in the VIOLET FAIRY BOOK. I lived in Germany right after college for several years but I didn’t see any Herbwitches. The German town my husband comes from, has a midieval tower similar to the one I painted, except it leans. Pisa, Italy isn’t the only town with a leaning tower. This art is in my older painting style but I still love the witch character.

The old lady with a crooked nose, Herb-wise lures the young boy to her home and keeps him prisoner. A mouse lives in her wig, and uses a ladder to climb up top. She turns the cabbages into heads and uses guinea pigs and squirrels as servants. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_Nose

Kidlitartpostcard - November 2022

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm Alicia, and I love to illustrate books for all ages, kids through adult. Please send me your #PB #MG #YA projects. #halloweencostume #amillustrating #illustrationart #kidlitart http://linktr.ee/AliciaSchwab

This past month I traveled with my parents to southern Arizona to help them with their day-to-day activities and fixing things around the house. We come from pretty hearty stock but it never to late to ask for help.