I just had a fantastic conversation with the folks at the Three Point Perspective podcast (there are two by that name; I'm talking about the illustration one). I absolutely love these convos and can't wait until stuff picks up with Berliners so I can do it more often. Lockdowns have meant that the full third of a year that I used to spend doing author visits, traveling, sitting down for physical interviews—I've been devoid of those opportunities for two years, and I realize how vital they are to me.
One of the things I was able to speak to on this podcast: I'm passionate about serving two kinds of people: 1. Children, and 2. Artists. Children are obviously hurting right now, and I expect that a certain number of those hurt children will go on to hurt others. But we don't talk about how artists are being hurt: we are being robbed of the very calling on our lives, which is to stand in the margins and bear witness to reality. Instead, we've been cowed into corners of societal dogma, and threatened with the loss of our voice, which is the only thing we ultimately possess. The hurt that inflicts on the artist will redound to the artist hurting others, weaponizing their voice as it's co-opted by nefarious individuals and corrupt institutions.
I'll let you know when the episode drops. It was a good one.
This was honestly one of my favorite pieces of the year to work on. If you'd like to get your hands on this special illustrated edition of Nicholas Kotar's novella Son of the Deathless, you can get it through our Kickstarter here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1402845448/jolabokaflod-christmas-book-flood-in-a-box
We're so grateful that we were fully funded in about 4 hours, so there are new perks opening up for everyone! We're almost at our 3rd stretch goal, which is very exciting. Go on over and choose your level!
My husband Ben is creating a series of short book trailers for BERLINERS, and I swear, each one is better than the last! Here's the first! Feel free to share on your social media!
This isn't the official trailer, but I wanted to talk about how the idea for Berliners came to me. You can pre-order at https://bookshop.org/books/berliners-9780593428375/9780593428368 and, you know, that other place that starts with an "A".
Hi all,
Since I haven't been as active on here as in the past, I'm going to officially disband this Locals community. If you'd like to stay tuned with my work, the best way to do that is via my email newsletter. Just go to https://vesperillustration.com and at the bottom of every single page there is a newsletter signup. I don't send a ton of mail, just important updates like appearances and new projects. Let's see if I come back in the future, but for now, if you've been a supporter, feel free to end your support and stay in touch via the newsletter or Instagram (@vesperillustration). Thanks to all of you—nothing's over, just paused!
Vesperisms Community, dears:
I'm so excited to announce today that I am doing a collaboration with fantasy author Nicholas Kotar (the Raven Son series, and the fabulous fairy tale/fantasy podcasts In a Certain Kingdom and Fantasy for Our Time).
The dead will rise. The living will fall. The Deathless will reign...
This collaboration is a very special edition of Kotar's novella, Son of the Deathless, available in hardcover with illustrations by none other than Yours Truly—just in time for the Holidays! Here's an illustration in progress to whet your appetite.
With book design by Graphic and Surface Designer for film and television, Heather Pollington (Harry Potter, Malificent, Marvel, and more.), this is going to be a beautiful, gift-worthy edition that will be perfect for yourself or for your holiday giving. Son of the Deathless is one of those cozy winter reads that you want to pair with a warm beverage, a blanket and a crackling fire.
So how does one obtain this ...
