new website!

I’m very pleased to announce the relaunch of annaraff.com today. 

Admittedly, a revamp was long overdue, but at last I can share selections from a few of my upcoming book projects. Images from the aforementioned World Rat Day, by J. Patrick Lewis are there, as well as some from Things That Float and Things That Don’t, a non-fiction picture book to written by David A. Adler to be published by Holiday House this fall.

I hope you get a chance to poke around. If so, thanks for looking!

annaraff.com version 3.0 is live!

After a few fits and starts, I’ve finally completed the relaunch of my new html-based website. Earlier this year, I decided the time had come to let go of my old, animated flash site, to speed up the experience and make it readable for people with mobile devices.

The new site showcases my portfolio with cleaner navigation, and the help of thumbnails and slideshows.

Also featured, is a new books section (see below) which allows viewers to page through portions of my books and links to places where they can purchased.

If you miss the little animations, never fear. No doubt, I will be making more of those in the future. In case you’ve never seen one,  here’s a little something I made for National Pencil Day back in March.

illustrationmundo editor's favorite

For a little over a year, I have posted to illustrationmundo, a great online resource for illustrators and art directors for all things illustration. The other day, I was selected as an “Editor’s Favorite” by the site’s creator, illustrator Nate Williams. Needless to say, as a huge fan of Nate’s, I’m very pleased. You can share the love by going to the IM home page here, scrolling down the right hand column until you see my “Henna” image under my name and clicking on the heart. There is an incredible wealth of talent to peruse on illustrationmundo, so be sure to take a look around the site. Thanks Nate!

daniel cooney fine art | emerging artists auction: june 18th—july 8th

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Chelsea gallery owner Daniel Cooney, of Daniel Cooney Fine Art, to submit something for his “Emerging Artists Auction.” He chose “Moon Ice,” a piece I made last fall, shortly after NASA found evidence of ice deep in the craters of the moon.

Curated by Cooney, this online auction at iGavel, begins on Friday, June 18th and ends on Thursday, July 8th. All lots start at $200.

My one of a kind digital print of “Moon Ice” is signed, dated, and completely archival, thanks to my fellow freelancer-at-arms, the amazingly talented photographer and designer Symon Chow.

I celebrated my delivery of the piece this afternoon with a stop at nearby Billy’s Bakery to partake in one of their stellar red velvet cupcakes. Now that’s something that sends me to the moon!

picture-book.com portfolio

As part of my Portfolio Honor Award at SCBWI earlier this year, I won an online portfolio at picture-book.com, a source for publishers, authors, and art directors seeking children’s book illustrators.

Images are big and splashy, which is always good, and they have big online presence in the world of children’s publishing. Here’s a little preview of what you’ll see on my page. Click here and enjoy!

mocca art festival 2010 - table G13

Come on down to the MoCCA Art Festival this weekend!

Saturday, April 10th and Sunday, April 11th, 11 AM—6 PM

69th Regiment Armory at Lexington and 26th St.

Table #G13

Every year comics lovers and creators converge at MoCCA to show their latest work. Once again this year, I’ll be sharing a table with the fabulous Sophia Wiedeman (featuring her latest comic, The Lettuce Girl—her best one yet, I think) and the extraordinary Dunja Jankovic. 

As for me, I’ve got a few new offerings. Hot off the presses (see above) is a book of selections from my daily bird image blog “Ornithoblogical” along with old favorites like The R. U. Fauna Department Store Catalog, Alphabetic Ballyhoos, and lots of handmade stationery, and more! And come pick up your official Ornithoblogical button. I hope to see you there!

handmade folios

A few months ago, one of my former teachers at SVA asked me if I knew anyone who could make some custom-sized folios for a series of prints. Before I knew it, I heard myself say, “Sure, I can do that.” I wasn’t certain what I was getting myself into, other than a guaranteed few days of work away from my computer. The end products turned out well enough that I’m posting photos here. There really is no substitute for good old fashioned handmade stuff.

scbwi featured illustrator

This month I am the featured illustrator on the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators website!

kiwi magazine - february/march 2010

The February/March issue of Kiwi (the organic parenting magazine) features two pages of my illustrations. Once again, I was delighted to be asked to create a piece for the essay on the last page. And, in case you need a refresher course, there’s a handy, pictorial step-by-step on how to crack an egg.

scbwi winter conference 2010

This weekend I attended the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators 2010 Winter Conference here in very wintery New York City. It was a marathon of seminars, speeches and interactions with other professionals in the field of children’s publishing. Some incredible authors and illustrators were there, such as Jane Yolen, Jacqueline Woodson, Peter Sís, Kevin Hawkes, the hilarious Jim Benton, and Paul Zelinsky. And best of all, I entered my portfolio in the illustrators’ competition and won 2nd prize! 

Now I’m really looking forward to a full night’s sleep. And then it’s time to make pictures again—no rest for the weary!

annaraff.com—the big onion

Announcing some changes at annaraff.com: I’ve updated my illustration portfolios, and added new links within the news section. Aside from the big onion, I’ve added direct links to this blog, and to my daily birdie blog, ornithoblogical.

Speaking of news...real news, I will be participating in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Winter Conference here in New York City at the end of January. I hope to see you there!