Sharing the Love - Weyakin Designs

Support Art, Support Causes, Support Community

Posted on November 6, 2024.

30% of Art Sales to Support & Mobilize. The Trevor Project. EarthJustice. National Women's Law Center. www.WeyakinDesigns.com

Right now, so many of us here in the United States and across the world are sad, heartbroken, angry, scared, worried, and so many other emotions. I know I am, especially worrying for my children. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of what is and what might come to be. Now, more than ever, it’s important that we stick together and keep shining our light. Let’s mobilize together to fight the good fight. For our children. For our planet. For our friends and family. For our communities.

Originally this November, I was going to hold a holiday sale on my art. But, I’ve decided instead to hold a donation sale. For every sale I receive on my art and art products, both online or in-person during the whole month of November, I will donate 30% of the entire sale. The three organizations I’ve chosen for this sale represent areas that are going to need our help in the coming times. These organizations are:

How to Purchase and Donate:

First, pick the art you’d like to buy in my online shop. When you go to check out online, use the “Comments” section at the end of your order to type in which of these three organizations you’d like me to donate to. If nothing is indicated, I’ll donate some to all three. I will total up and make all donations after the month of November, once all sales have come in.

Here Are Some Products I Recommend:

"The World Needs Your Light" art prints shown in two sizes with matting.

A sticker of the "We Dissent" image. A dark piece of art with an upside down golden crown.

Check Out the Whole Art Shop

**If there is something you’ve seen me have before that’s not on my website, or there’s an original you’d like that’s not currently listed, please let me know! I’m happy to work with you to get you what you want. I can even put together custom packs of cards.**

I wish I could donate more than just 30%. But, part of caring for others, is also caring for myself and my family. This is my livelihood and as a small business artist, it’s hard to keep things afloat. I’m doing what I can.

Though, I recognize there are so many more places that can also use the help, I chose to focus on these three for this moment. I’m sure I will be holding other donation sales in the future. I also encourage you to donate direct to these or any other organizations dedicated to helping the environment, fighting climate change, helping marginalized communities, disability rights, and fighting for bodily autonomy and women’s rights.

And if you can’t afford to donate, please don’t feel guilty. You must take care of yourself first. You can always share these causes with others, which is free. There is so much to fight for. And we are all in this fight together. Let’s shine our light together, take care of each other, and march forward.

More About The Organizations We’re Donating To:

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is a leading organization in suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ young people. They provide 24/7 crisis help and information. During these trying times, queer youth are negatively impacted more than most. Your donation will help provide counseling, peer support, crisis hotlines, and educating allies and families of LGBTQ+ young people.

Donate Directly to The Trevor Project

Earth Justice

Earth Justice is an impactful legal organization fighting for the rights of our planet. They provide top-tier legal representation for many clients fighting for land protections, clean water, wild spaces, and more. I believe they will help make a big impact for fighting climate change, pollution, and protecting vulnerable land in this country. Your donation will help support their lawyers who fight every day for the Earth.

Donate Directly to Earth Justice

National Women’s Law Center

The National Women’s Law Center has spent more than 50 years fighting for gender rights around the country, with special focus on women of color, LGBTQ+ communities, and low income women and families. A donation to NWLC will support advocacy for marginalized communities, legal cases for abortion rights, fighting sex discrimination in the workplace and beyond, and advocating for bodily autonomy.

Donate Directly to The National Women’s Law Center

Please, leave a comment to let me know of other international, national, regional, or local organizations that you believe are worth supporting. And if you donated directly, comment and let me know!

Victoria’s 2024 Birthday Fundraiser & Art Raffle for The Highlights Foundation

Posted on February 28, 2024.

Six flat stones sit on top of pebbles. Each stone contains a carved word. The stones read, "open your soul and learn happiness". Photo from the Word Garden at The Highlights Foundation, taken by Victoria K. Chapman.

In early March I’ll have taken another turn around the sun, which means it’s time for my annual birthday fundraiser! This year, I’m asking you to help me celebrate my birthday by donating to an organization close to my heart—The Highlights Foundation. The Highlights Foundation’s mission is to “to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves”. They help creators of stories and art for kids get to the next level and grow.

How the Fundraiser Works

I’ve set up three ways to donate—use whatever works best for you!

Donate through the Facebook fundraiser page
Donate through the Instagram fundraiser page (viewable in the Instagram app)
Donate directly through the Highlights Foundation Website

For everyone who donates at least $10, you can be entered into a raffle to win one of my art prints and an art greeting card! I’ll pick 2 winners once the fundraiser ends.

Here’s how to get entered:

Make your donation of $10 or more
Save or take a screenshot of your donation receipt
Share this fundraiser with friends and family through email or social media for an extra entry!
Fill out this Google form to let me know you donated, share your receipt, and let me know if you shared this fundraiser
NOTE: The fundraiser ends after March 16, 2024!

Once the fundraiser has ended, I’ll pick two winners and reach out via email to let you know if you’re a winner! You can pick your choice of certain prints. I’ll ask for your address so I can mail you your print and card.

NOTE: You don’t have to enter the raffle. You can just donate too. But, if you’d like to enter the raffle, please follow the steps above so I can include you.

More About My Experience with Highlights and Why I Want to Support Them

You all know Highlights for Children magazine, right? Well, the Highlights Foundation is those same amazing people, but from the side of working with the people who actually make stories for kids. Highlights has been an inspiring and life-changing place for me. I first visited the Highlights Foundation retreat center in Pennsylvania in 2022 for their illustration summer camp. If I can, I plan to return every year. The experience was that great!

At Highlights, I was able to connect with other authors and illustrators and industry professionals, work on improving my craft through critiques and workshops, and find the encouragement and inspiration I needed to keep going. Creating books for children isn’t just sunshine and rainbows. It’s a long, grueling process, with a lot of rejection and work before your stories even make it out into the world. Having a supportive community at a place like Highlights has been so transformational for me.

I would love to raise money for Highlights to give other creators the opportunity to go there. Highlights has some amazing scholarship opportunities for those who can’t afford to go on their own, and for those from underrepresented groups. Helping storytellers from all sorts of backgrounds get their stories into the world is so important for our children and families. And being able to go to Highlights is an amazing way to help make that happen for these creators.

Whatever you can donate, I appreciate it! And if you can’t, sharing is amazing too! Thanks for making my birthday awesome by donating and sharing this fundraiser!

*^{Scenes from my first trip to The Highlights Foundation in 2023.}*

10 Picture Book Gifts to Give for the Holidays

Posted on November 23, 2022.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Three Kings Day, or any of the many holidays that happen this time of year, there’s often the opportunity to share gifts with loved ones. And children are some of our favorite people to share gifts with. One of my favorite gifts to share is books (of course)! So, for this month’s post, I’ve chosen 10 picture books to look for to give as holiday gifts. And these books are special, because I know or have met at least one of the people involved in creating each of these books. I can vouch that these are some amazing people who’s work you’ll definitely want to check out!

Swim, Jim! by Kaz Windness

Swim, Jim! book cover. A cartoon crocodile wears pool floats and snorkel mask while dipping his toe into the swamp water.

Jim can’t swim! A favorite in our house, this book follows a young crocodile named Jim on his journey to figure out how to swim in a way that works for him. A sweet story about conquering fears and the love of family, Swim Jim is full of colorful illustrations and fun text that kids will love reading again and again. Kaz even includes fun facts about crocodiles in the back of the book.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Kaz in one of my KidLit Connection interviews this past summer. If you missed it, check it out! Learn more about Kaz and her work on her website: http://www.windnessbooks.com

Purchase Swim, Jim! online through Bookshop.org. Or ask your local book retailer if they have it or can order it for you.

Buy Swim Jim! Online

How to Say Hello to a Worm, A First Guide to Outside by Kari Percival

I absolutely adore this book! Kari Percival takes young readers through the process of growing various fruits and vegetables in a garden. Written for preschoolers, the text is simple, but informative, and the illustrations are colorful and fun. Speaking from personal experience, this book is engaging and interactive—my four-year-old loves it! And I’m excited to share a book written and illustrated by a fellow New Englander.

I had a wonderful chat with Kari in my KidLit Connection blog interview with her. If you missed it, be sure to check it out. To learn more about Kari and her work, visit her website: https://karipercival.com

Purchase How to Say Hello to a Worm, A First Guide to Outside on Bookshop.org. Or ask your local book retailer if they have it or can order it.

Buy How to Say Hello to a Worm Online

Moonsong by Denise Gallagher

Moonsong book cover by Denise Gallagher.

Fulki’s village lost its moon and Fulki wants to help. She befriends a tiger and creates beautiful music. But, befriending wild animals and making music are forbidden in her village. Can Fulki and her tiger friend help save their moon despite their forbidden friendship? Moonsong is a beautifully illustrated book with a folktale feel. Denise Gallagher creates a magical world of color and song with this story that is sure to delight readers both young and old.

I was so happy to chat with Denise for one of my KidLit Connection interviews recently. If you missed it, please check it out to hear more from her. You can also learn more about Denise and her work on her website: https://www.denisegallagher.com

You can buy Moonsong online at Bookshop.org. Or ask your local bookstore if they can get you a copy!

Buy Moonsong Online

Small But Mighty, Why Earth’s Tiny Creatures Matter by Kendra Brown, illustrated by Catarina Oliveira

The illustrated book cover for Small But Mighty. A small ant holds up the book text and is surrounded by large leaves.

From the smallest frog to little millipedes, creatures of the earth all have important jobs, even if they are small. Small But Might, Why Earth’s Tiny Creatures Matter was written by Kendra Brown, and illustrated by Catarina Oliveira. With fascinating information about all kinds of little critters and colorfully fun illustrations, young kids with a mind for science will love this book! Catarina even has activity sheets to go with the book that are available for download on her website.

I was so pleased to have Catarina as my very first KidLit Connection guest. If you missed that interview, go check it out. To learn more about Catarina and her illustration work, visit her website: https://www.catarinaoliveirastudio.com

You can buy Small But Mighty, Why Earth’s Tiny Creatures Matter online at Bookshop.org. Or check with your local bookstore.

Buy Small But Mighty Online

BLOB by Anne Appert

Blob can be whatever they want to be—a giraffe, cotton candy, or even an octopus. Blob is a being of indeterminate kind. But, after the narrator continuously calls them “Bob”, Blob starts to question who and what they really are. Written and illustrated by non-binary author/illustrator Anne Appert, BLOB is an adorably silly, but also important story about being yourself.

Anne Appert is a fellow author/illustrator who I’ve had the pleasure of knowing online through community events like #KidLitArt chat on Twitter and SCBWI. I hope to meet them in-person someday soon. And I feel so lucky that we have a signed copy of Blob! You can find out more about Anne and their work on their website: https://www.anneappert.com

You can order your very own signed copy of BLOB through Words Bookstore online.

Buy a Signed Copy of BLOB Online

You can also find BLOB online at Bookshop.org. Or ask your local bookseller!

Charlotte and the Quiet Place by Deborah Sosin, illustrated by Sara Gómez Woolley

Charlotte and the Quiet Place book cover by Deborah Sosin and Sara Gómez Woolley.

Charlotte lives in a noisy home, in a noisy city, where she goes to a noisy school. There is so much noise, she just can’t seem to find a quiet place. Until she chases her dog Otto in the park when he gets loose, and then discovers the feel of her own breath. Charlotte realizes her quiet place is within herself. Written by Deborah Sosin, and illustrated by my talented friend, Sara Gómez Woolley, Charlotte and the Quiet Place became a fast favorite in our house.

I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Sara Gómez Woolley at The Highlights Foundation this past summer where she was a resident artist. Sara is a professor of illustration, comic artist, and book illustrator. You can learn more about her and her work on her website: http://www.sarawoolley.com

Purchase a copy of Charlotte and the Quiet Place online from Parallax Press. Or ask your local bookseller if they can get you a copy!

Buy Charlotte and the Quiet Place Online

My Sister, Daisy by Adria Karlsson, illustrated by Linus Curci

My Sister, Daisy book cover by Adria Karlsson and Linus Curci.

My Sister, Daisy is a beautiful family story of acceptance and love told from the eyes of an older brother, written by Adria Karlsson and illustrated by Linus Curci. He is so excited to have a little sibling and they do everything together. But, when his sibling goes to kindergarten, things change. His sibling tells him she is a girl and wants to be called Daisy. This beautifully written book is based on a true family story and handles a sensitive subject with care and compassion.

I was so fortunate to meet Adria Karlsson during my trip to The Highlights Foundation this past summer. We had chatted online and were so excited to meet each other in-person for the first time. Adria is an amazing human with a huge heart and a beautiful family. You can find out more about them online at: https://www.adriakarlsson.com

You can buy a copy of My Sister, Daisy online from Bookshop.org. Or ask your local bookseller if they carry it or can order it!

Buy My Sister, Daisy Online

Rafa Counts on Papá by Joe Cepeda

Rafa Counts on Papá book cover by Joe Cepeda.

Rafa and his Papá love to count, measure, and weigh. They use all the tools they can to quantify the things around them, from the marbles in a jar, to the height of their jumbo sandwich. But, there’s one thing that Rafa and Papá can’t measure—their love for one another. This beautiful book, illustrated and written by Joe Cepeda, is perfect for kids who love to count and measure, or for kids who love their dad.

I am so fortunate to have met and spent time with Joe Cepeda during the illustration summer camp at The Highlights Foundation this past summer. Joe was my illustration mentor for the week and gave me some great advice and shared some wonderful stories. I even came home with a signed copy of Rafa Counts on Papá! To learn more about Joe and his work, visit his website: https://www.joecepeda.com

You can buy Rafa Counts on Papá online from Bookshop.org. Or ask your local bookstore!

Buy Rafa Counts on Papá Online

Road Trip! A Whiskers Hollow Adventure by Steve Light

Bear’s car needs a new headlight, so the friends of Whiskers Hollow take a road trip together to Elephant’s junk yard. With Rabbit, Mouse, and Donkey, the four friends encounter adventure and mishaps along the way. Beautifully illustrated and written by Steve Light, the characters of Road Trip! are full of charm that you and your young reader will be sure to love! I count us lucky to have our very own Steve signed copy.

This summer, I met Steve Light when he was a faculty member at the Highlights Foundation during the illustration summer camp I attended. Steve is a warm, friendly, and a super fun person to learn from. I had so much fun trying out new pen and ink techniques with him! To learn more about Steve and his work, visit his website: https://www.stevelightart.com

You can buy Road Trip! online from Bookshop.org. Or ask your local bookseller!

Buy Road Trip! Online

The Turtle Ship by Helena Ku Rhee, illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage

The Turtle Ship book cover by Helena Ku Rhee and Colleen Kong-Savage.

A long time ago in Korea, Sun-sin played with his pet turtle and dreamed of traveling the world. But, as a poor villager, that dream seemed impossible. Until the King’s court announced a contest to design a new battleship to defend the land. The winner would travel with the royal Navy. Sun-sin got to work designing and after many failed attempts found inspiration in his pet turtle. Written by Helena Ku Rhee and illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage, The Turtle Ship is beautifully illustrated story that was loosely based on the real Admiral Yi Sun-sin and his Turtle Ship. Colleen’s paper collage creates a colorfully unique visual journey for young readers to enjoy.

During the summer camp in illustration at The Highlights Foundation, I met Colleen Kong-Savage as a fellow participant. When I saw her collage work, I fell in love with it! Colleen is a lovely human who I feel so lucky to have spent time with. To learn more about Colleen and her work, visit her website: https://ckongsavage.com

You can order a copy of The Turtle Ship online at Bookshop.org. Or ask your local book shop!

Buy The Turtle Ship Online

Whether you gift one of these books or one of the thousands of amazing picture books in the world, you’ll be giving something truly special when you share a story with a child. Supporting local book stores directly or through websites like Bookshop.org also helps the local families and economy around you. What a beautiful gift it is for everyone!

KidLit Connection: Getting to Know Author-Illustrator, Kari Percival

Posted on June 22, 2022.

An illustrated page spread of Kari Percival's book, HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORM. Four children dig in the dirt and pour water in a community garden bed. — *^{A spread from Kari Percival’s picture book HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORK: A FIRST GUIDE TO OUTSIDE}*

In the second of the KidLit Connection blog series, I interviewed illustrator, writer, and environmental educator, Kari Percival. Kari has studied art, environmental science, and teaching. Her education combined with her work as a science teacher, running a local preschool gardening program, and experience as a parent has helped shape her unique perspective when creating books for children.

Author/Illustrator and environmental educator Kari Percival works with young children in the community gardens during her Early Birds Garden Club program.

Kari creates colorful woodcut prints that show dynamic relationships between kids and nature. Her storytelling inspires small children and their grownups to make a positive difference in the world through connecting with nature. Her picture book HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORM: A FIRST GUIDE TO OUTSIDE (published by Rise x Penguin Workshop) is a perfect guide for preschoolers who love to get their hands dirty, play in nature, and learn all about how plants grow.

In this post, Kari tells us about the experiences that have shaped her work as an illustrator and storyteller and what inspires her to create books for children. I really loved hearing about all the interesting pieces of Kari’s life that have made her the book creator she is today.

Kari’s Interview

First, let’s talk a bit about you as an author and illustrator. Could you tell us more about what inspires you and what you love about being a creator of books for kids?

As my extended family is cleaning out old storage boxes, they send me these little picture books I wrote when I was a child, that they’d tucked away, that I hadn’t seen for 40 years. Little stories about nature, local wildlife, or my pets. When I was in grade school, I guess our teachers had us make books a lot, bound and covered in wallpaper samples. I could write and draw whatever I wanted in them, and I gave them as gifts to family members a lot. I guess when I write and illustrate picture books, its like I am still making and giving gifts out, except now its to the children of the world.

As an environmental educator AND picture book author/illustrator, how does each type of work relate to and inform the other?

Children and parents working in the community gardens at the Early Bird Garden Club run by Kari Percival. — ^{Children and parents working in the community gardens}*^{at the Early Bird Garden Club run by Kari Percival.}*

Teaching informs my writing, but also, my writing is motivated by my love of learning and my love of ecology, of a deep wonder and love for all the beautiful, vulnerable, magical and amazing life on Earth. I am an artist, but I went to graduate school to learn to be a science teacher. Although I love art, and it comes easily to me, I don’t think everyone should be forced to make art if they would rather play basketball or whatever thay love to do. But I do think its imperative that every young person learns about ecology, and biology, and environmental science, because every young person will grow up to be a voter and decision maker, and they need to know how we are all members of the web of life, and how our decisions affect all life on Earth. I worked as a science teacher in public schools for 10 years, and I hope to maybe go back someday, but I took a break when I had children, and that is when I started thinking of books I wanted to write.

How did you first get into creating children’s books? What made you want to pursue this type of art?

When I had my own children, I really enjoyed re-entering the world of children’s picture books as a parent. There are so many wonderful books, classics and new. There were also gaps: so many books I thought were missing from the shelf. I thought maybe I could apply my art and storytelling skills to making books to fill where I thought some gaps were. It seemed like a long shot, but maybe worth a try.

Let’s talk about the most recently published book you wrote and illustrated, HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORM: A FIRST GUIDE TO OUTSIDE. Can you tell us a little more about the book and what inspired you to write it?

I’m an environmental educator and so inviting kids outdoors and learning to grow food – even just to learn where food comes from – and see how we are made of food that is made of sunshine and how we share the world with other living beings, inviting and empowering very young children to become immersed in hands-on outdoor learning, edible education – that is my goal with this book.

When my kids were small, I started Early Birds Garden Club, a meet-up for toddler and parents that wanted to learn to grow food at our local community garden. Though leading the group, I learned what questions toddlers had about learning to garden, what questions they had about nature, and what gardening activities they enjoyed doing. My cracker jack agent, Teresa Kietlinski of Bookmark Literary, suggested I should write a book on how to garden for toddlers. She knew that I would know just where to start, because I knew just what types of questions curious kids that age had. So then I wrote HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORM. They say “write what you know” and that was true for me with this book.

A spread from Kari Percival's Book, HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORM. Children dig in a garden and pick up worms. The text reads, "How do you say hello to a worm? Gently, very gently. Hello, Worm!" — *^{A spread from Kari Percival’s book HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORM: A FIRST GUIDE TO OUTSIDE}*

*^{Kari’s sketch of the above spread prior to creating the final artwork.}*

What was your favorite part about creating HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORM? And what was a challenge you had to overcome while working on it, if any?

Botanicals: I loved drawing portraits of plants! And I loved the “casting call” – creating and getting to know all the characters of the little children who garden in the book. I also loved thinking of writing the book from the perspective of what questions the youngest garden explorers would wonder about. A challenge was cutting images that I wanted to include. Cutting is the hardest! Originally, I wanted more of the pictures to contain lots of kids doing lots of gardening activities, but the design team focused each composition on a certain interaction with fewer children and more space for the words. And that was actually probably good anyway when it came time to produce the final art on a tight timeline!

You also have a new book coming out soon called SAFE CROSSING, which will be published by Chronicle Books. What is that book about and what can kids and their grown-ups learn from it?

SAFE CROSSING is an informational fiction story about a family of community scientists who volunteer with an amphibian migration team in springtime. They help salamanders and frogs cross the street to avoid getting crushed by cars. When they realize that more needs to be done to protect these small creatures, they rally their community to build a wildlife tunnel so even more amphibians can cross safely. The story models grown-ups listening to kids ideas around protecting animals from harm.

What is your greatest hope for your work as a creator of books for kids?

As a parent and a teacher, I know how – after a long challenging day when you have given your all, are running on fumes and you have no more ideas of what to say to your child or your students, – what a relief it can be to hunker down and read a picture book togther. I am so thankful to all the picture book creators who help caregivers and teachers explore interesting, wonderful or difficult topics with their children, with beauty and sensitivity and humor and honesty. My hope is for my work to give caregivers and children more ways to find joy and meaning together, and to honor their impulses to share wonder and love of our beautiful world and life on earth.

What is something you’d like to tell aspiring picture book authors/illustrators?

Work or volunteer regularly with children in the age range of your target audience, doing something you love. Read books currently being published in the genre (within the last 5 years.) Find a community of writers or illutrators in the genre you aspire to publish in. Connect with them and ask them questions. Join critique groups in organizations like SCBWI, 12×12 or take classes where you can share work in a supportive environments where you can exchange feedback with others. Use your best manners, experiment a lot, share your experiments, note what work you do that people respond most to, and do more of that. Read you book outloud to yourself in the mirror and to young test audiences, notice where eyes glaze over and then edit those spots. Enter contests, be humble, and learn, learn, learn. Develop effective time habits, and organizational habits so that when opportunity knocks, you are ready with bells on. Ask someone knowledgable to look at a contract for red flags before you sign it.

A page from Kari Percival's book HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORM. Two children play under a play hut made from pea plants and have a tea party. The text reads: "But when will there be peas? See how the play hut is shady? See the flowers? See the bees? You'll see pea pods next." — *^{This page from HOW TO SAY HELLO TO A WORM explains to young children when peas will start growing in the vegetable garden.}*

See More from Kari Percival

You can learn more about Kari and see more of her work online. Check out the links and be sure to follow her on social media!

Are you a published or soon-to-be published children’s illustrator or author/illustrator who’s interested in being interviewed as part of the KidLit Connection series? If your work has a focus on nature, the environment, animals, or mindfulness, I’d love to chat with you! You can get in touch with me using the contact form on my site.

KidLit Connection: Getting to Know Illustrator, Catarina Oliveira

Posted on April 29, 2022.

An illustration of foxes playing in the snow, illustrated by Catarina Oliveira

Welcome to the first in a series of interviews with fellow kidlit illustrators and author/illustrators! Catarina Oliveira, a children’s book illustrator living in Vancouver graciously volunteered to be the first artist in this series. I so appreciate her sharing her time and expertise with us.

Catarina is an illustrator who was born and raised in Portugal, but moved to Canada in 2016. She started her career in graphic design and worked for ten years before switching to her true passion—sharing visual stories with children and their grown-ups through illustration. Her playful style is colorful and brings joy to the stories she illustrates. She has created illustrations for multiple books and children’s magazines.

The latest book Catarina illustrated is a non-fiction picture book called Small but Mighty: Why Earth’s Tiny Creatures Matter, written by Kendra Brown and published by OwlKids Books. This beautifully illustrated book shows kids how even small creatures can make a huge impact on the environment and earth’s ecosystems. Catarina even created some free-to-download activity pages that go with the book!

Aside from art for kids, Catarina is also passionate about helping animals and being outdoors. When she’s not drawing, she loves cooking and going for hikes in the woods.

Catarina’s Interview

First, let’s talk a bit about you as an artist. Could you tell us more about what inspires you and what you love about being an illustrator?

This will sound like a cliche, but I get inspired by the little things that happen throughout the day and life that have nothing to do with illustration. For example, a walk at the park or a visit to a museum are things that inspire me.

Being an illustrator is to tell stories with images; I love the infinite possibilities.

How would you describe your illustrations and the type of work you do?

Most of my work is directed at kids, and it’s mostly about exploration through the kids’ eyes, so I would describe it as humorous and playful.

How did you first get into children’s book illustration? What made you want to pursue this type of art?

I loved reading them as an adult and admired the art so much that I wanted to create books equally beautiful. However, I slowly realized that the beauty in picture books lies in the fact that they help children and can change their lives.

Let’s talk about the latest book you illustrated, SMALL BUT MIGHTY, written by Kendra Brown. This book talks a lot about real-life animals and their habitats. How much research went into illustrating this book and what was that experience like?

A lot of research went into this book. Fortunately, my editor sent me some of the author’s research links and images to add to my research, which helped me make sure I was researching the right animal. I looked at a lot of photos and videos; some were gross! The experience is very much attached to the fact that it was the start of the pandemic, and I was going through a lot personally, so it felt bitter-sweet.

Free download activity pages from Catarina Oliveira for the book Small But Mighty. — Illustrated Cover, Activity Pages, and Illustration Process Images from *Small But Mighty*

How is illustrating a nonfiction picture book different from illustrating a fiction picture book? Tell us a bit about how your processes vary from book-to-book.

There were two main differences. First, I had to be as accurate as possible because it’s nonfiction. In this particular case, I had one page per animal where I had the freedom to portray it in a funny cartoony way, with different colours even. Second, I had to tell an entire story on that page with just one page, instead of a fiction picture book where the narrative develops through the spreads.

My process itself doesn’t change much from book to book. I start with organizing my schedule and reading the manuscript, then I draw a very basic storyboard, do research and sketching, thumbnails, drawings and colour.

What was your favorite part about illustrating SMALL BUT MIGHTY?

Yes I love drawing animals but I enjoyed creating backgrounds in this book, I took some photos during some walks in the woods for inspiration and had fun adding some details to the simple compositions in this book.

You obviously enjoy drawing animals. But, what is your favorite animal to draw and why?

I don’t know! Insects are fun, dogs are fun… I need to think about this question.

What is something you’d like to tell aspiring picture book illustrators?

Draw things you like and draw a lot! Reading is essential, as well as participating in the kid-lit community.

See More from Catarina Oliveira

You can check out more of Catarina’s work online on her website and on social media. Check out the links below and be sure to follow her to keep up-to-date with the latest work!

Are you a published or soon-to-be published children’s illustrator or author/illustrator who’s interested in being interviewed as part of the KidLit Connection series? If your work has a focus on nature, the environment, animals, or mindfulness, I’d love to chat with you! You can get in touch with me using the contact form on my site.

40th Birthday Donation Celebration—Make a Difference and Win Art!

Posted on February 21, 2022.

It’s my party and I’ll help if I want to! That’s right, friends. My 40th birthday is coming up in March. I’m not getting the birthday celebration I originally wanted thanks to the pandemic, but I can still celebrate with all of you in a special and meaningful way. This year, I’m asking everyone to help me make a positive impact as your gift to help me celebrate.

I’ve chosen three special local organizations I’m encouraging donations to, in order to help me celebrate my big Four-Oh. These are all close to my heart and they connect to what my art is all about—sharing the joy of nature, preserving wild lands, and helping creatures big and small.

More about them and how to donate are found below.

I will pick 3 winners! There is one grand prize and two runners up prizes. So, your odds of winning are three times more likely! And even if you don’t win this time, you can feel good knowing that you donated to some great causes and made me the happiest birthday gal ever!

Grand Prize: 8x10" Matted and Signed art print AND six greeting cards.

Runners Up Prize. 5x7" matted and signed art print OR 6 greeting cards, your choice!

Grand Prize (1 winner):

Your choice of one 8×10” print or two small 5×7” signed matted art print (from my available stock)
AND a set of 6 greeting cards

Runners Up Prizes (2 winners):

Your choice of one small 5×7” signed matted art print (from my available stock) OR a set of 6 greeting cards

How It Works

Donate $10 or more to one or more of the three organizations I’ve listed below. Each $10 donated is worth 1 entry.
Share this post with your friends! Sharing gets you 1 entry too!
Then, fill out this Google form to let me know. https://forms.gle/nfH2vBerEmW4BfYv9
THIS STEP IS SUPER IMPORTANT! Otherwise, you won’t be entered.
You can fill the form out as many times as you want if you donate again!

You can donate until March 20th, 2022. I will pick the three winners on March 22nd, 2022.

Here’s an easy way to get you started sharing this post:

The Organizations & Donate Links

Tower Hill Botanic Gardens

Tower Hill Botanic Garden, located in Boylston, Massachusetts is a non-profit garden and education center concerned with educating the public about horticulture, environmental stewardship, and creating connections between humans and nature. Their 171 acres contains a vast plant collection, hiking trails, family activities, green houses, and more. It is a center for local community to meet and enjoy nature and the outdoors. It’s also one of my personal sanctuaries that I visit often to find inspiration for my art. Please consider contributing to Tower Hill’s mission of sharing in the joy of plants, nature, and community.

Visit Tower Hill’s Website: https://www.towerhillbg.org/

Donate to Tower Hill

Trustees of Reservations

The Trustees of Reservations is a Massachusetts-based land conservation organization concerned with preserving historic sites, wild lands, agriculture sites, and natural habitats so that future generations may continue to enjoy them. The Trustees cares for more than 100 land sites throughout the state equalling about 27,000 acres. Their work helps keep amazing places safe so that all can continue to enjoy them. Please consider donating to help keep these special places special.

Visit the Trustees website: https://thetrustees.org/

Donate to The Trustees of Reservations

Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc.

Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc. is a small wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center located in Springfield, Massachusetts. Their mission is to save injured and orphaned wildlife and rehabilitate them back to health until they are able to survive in their natural habitat. This organization relies on volunteer help and donations from the community to support these vulnerable creatures. Please consider donating to Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc. to help keep local wildlife safe and wild.

Visit Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation’s website: https://www.urbanwildliferehab.org/

Donate to Urban Wildlife Rehab Inc.

Thanks for all of your support! I can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Newsletter Art Print Raffle

Posted on January 17, 2022.

"Sun of Corvus" art by Victoria K. Chapman. A black crow perches on a branch in front of a blazing sun and red sky. — *Sun of Corvus* by Victoria K. Chapman

From now through February 10th, 2022, I’ll be adding everyone who signs up to receive my monthly newsletter to a special raffle. The winner (chosen at random) will receive a free SUN OF CORVUS art print! This is a full-color digital print, artwork 8×8″ in size on 8.5×11″ UV coated stock and signed by me. So, if you’re interested in a chance to win a FREE art print and get a monthly email about my art and projects, other people’s projects, the latest blog posts, art/illustration resource information, and more, please sign up before February 10th!

The winner will receive an email from me to get your address to mail the print to. So, keep your eyes peeled on your inbox!

Look for my very first newsletter coming out at the end of February! I’m so looking forward to you joining me.

Sign Up:

Art for the Holidays

Posted on November 19, 2021.

It’s the time of year again—the weather gets chilly, the days get shorter, and everyone is scrambling to figure out what to get their loved ones for the holidays. This year, I plan to shop with artists and crafters as much as I can because I want to support all of the amazingly talented people I know and even those I don’t. Because our livelihood depends on amazing people believing in what we do and sharing it with others.

I’ve compiled a list (in alphabetical order) of some of my favorite artist friends who have shops ready for you to browse for your holiday shopping needs. Do you know some other great artists who have wares for sale? Please, leave a comment on this post! I’d love to see their work.

ArtMuffin

ArtMuffin is my long-time illustrator friend Christopher Gendron. His current body of work “reflects a fascination, fear, and attraction to alien worlds, sci-fi and horror movies, ancient writing and civilization, life, love and death, and the concept of open ended questions that infinitely unfold while we run around as shapeshifting creatures on a planet that we need to learn to respect in a universe we don’t understand”. So, if you’re into something a little odd and maybe creepy, check out his work! His prophecy and Tarot cards would make a fun stocking stuffer.

ArtMuffin on Store Envy: artmuffin.storenvy.com
ArtMuffin on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/artmuffin
Black Cat Oracle Cards: www.blackcatoraclecards.com
Planet COVID-19 Field Journal: www.covidfieldjournal.com
Pages from the Book of Gosh: artmuffin.myportfolio.com

ArtMuffin on Facebook: www.facebook.com/artmuffinstudio
ArtMuffin on Instagram: www.instagram.com/artmuffin_studio

Indigo Wild Design Co.

Indigo Wild Design Co. is artist Brittany Drollinger. A fellow nature artist and mom, Brittany’s art is something I fell in love with the first time I saw it. Her watercolor paintings are inspired by the beauty and wonder of the earth, from wilderness to wildlife. She says, “I hope my work can help us reconnect and foster a kinship with nature.” You can buy art prints and cards from Indigo Wild Design Co. on Etsy.

Indigo Wild Design Co. on Esty: www.etsy.com/shop/indigowilddesignco

KnittyVet

KnittyVet is my friend Kendra, who occasionally has been mistaken for my sister. Kendra grows, harvests, and prepares plant sources of dye that have been used by natural dyers stretching back hundreds and thousands of years. She uses these magical sources of color on USA grown wool to make one-of-a-kind skeins of yarn and offering dye supplies and seeds to other artists. Her ultimate goal is to create a closed loop of locally grown, sheared, processed and dyed wool; thereby strengthening and giving back to the local community! If you’re a fiber artist or know one, Kendra’s shop is a place to check out for sure.

KnittyVet Website: KnittVet.com
KnittyVet on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/knittyvet
KnittyVet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knittyvet

Martha Hull, Cute & Deadly Art

"Don't Give a HOOT" funny owl art by Martha Hull.

Martha Hull likes to make pretty, twisted pictures which make people laugh. She draws and paints compelling “cute and deadly” artworks featuring large-eyed characters, particularly cats, skeletons, and food with faces. Martha’s imagined worlds are full of stories, and she would like to share them with you. Martha’s holiday cards are fantastic for sharing with your friends who have a sense of humor. I’m particularly in love with Martha’s “Don’t Give a HOOT” owl painting!

See art and shop: MarthaHull.com

Moon and Sundries

Moon and Sundries is my friend Karen Ducey. Karen creates handmade gifts and accessories for the delightfully eclectic. Some products she makes that I particularly adore are her wallets and clutches. They are super high-quality, have all the right pockets and storage, and always come in fun fabrics. But, you can also buy masks, ornaments, purses, and more!

Moon and Sundries on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/moonandsundries

Sieber Designs

Aviva Sieber of SieberDesigns makes functional fiber art ranging from organizational items, to bags and purses, and home decor. Currently, Aviva is working on a collaboration with her husband Mark using his watercolor paintings and transforming them into fabric. She is then using that fabric in her fiber art designs. I can personally say, her work is amazingly high-quality and beautiful. If you’re looking for stock-stuffers, check out her bookmarks and coasters!

Aviva is also holding a sale, November 22-December 5th, 2021. Use coupon code HOLIDAY21 to get 15% off $35 or more!

Sieber Designs on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/sieberdesigns

Silvan Arts

Silvan Arts is my long-time good friend Anne Marie Bottcher. She creates amazing and whimsical fine silver jewelry inspired by nature and faeries. Much of her jewelry features beautiful leaves of an elven quality or Celtic patterns and a variety of gemstones. Her lovely work can be purchased in the form of earrings, necklaces, rings, and silk wrap bracelets. I personally own a lot of pieces from Anne Marie, and I still want more! I especially love her creative custom pieces. And I get compliments every time I wear her jewelry.

Silvan Arts on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/silvanarts/

Sullivan Art

Handmade leaves art cards by nature artist Stephanie Sullivan.

Stephanie Sullivan is an artist friend of mine who lives in southern Vermont. A woman after my own heart, she creates artwork and handmade cards inspired by the wonder of nature. A portion of her sales support her work in habitat conservation and stewardship—a worthy cause! She says about her work, “By sharing my love for nature I hope to inspire more people to actively and thoughtfully protect the natural world.”

Sullivan Art Website: SullivanArt.net

Sweet Enemy Art

Sweet Enemy Art is artist Kristin Richland from Vermont. She creates paintings and drawings of creatures for those who enjoy their animals with a mysterious and whimsical outlook! Kristin sells originals, prints, stickers, cards, and even has advent calendars and books. Her owls and rabbits are especially fun.

See art and shop: KirstinRichland.com

Wee Things Fiber Arts

Wee Things Fiber Arts creates delightful handmade soft toys made with eco-friendly plant-dyed wool and up-cycled sweater fabrics. These beautiful toys are made by Western Massachusetts artist Rachel Beaupre, who was inspired by her own children and their curiosity and imaginations. Rachel also creates sewing kits and patterns which are fun for the aspiring crafter. My youngest son loves his little bunny toy and baby doll from Wee Things Fiber Arts! These toys are high-quality, so soft, and some are small enough to make great stocking stuffers.

Wee Things Fiber Arts Website: Wee-Things.com
Wee Things Fiber Arts on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/WeeThingsFiberArts
Wee Things Fiber Arts on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WeeThingsFiberArts
Wee Things Fiber Arts on Instagram: www.instagram.com/weethingsfiberarts

Whimsical Whiskers

Whimsical Whiskers critters are designed by artist Brenna Deutchman. She designs and creates unique snuggly, cuddly, friendly, adorable plush stuffed animals. Each animal is a certified Dream Guardian — defender from nightmares, keeper of secrets, soother of anxiety, and reminder of self worth. The dragons, dragon foxes and dragon bunnies are here to remind you how special and wonderful you are. My son loves his Prism rainbow dragon and mini dragon fox! But, these cuddly friends are great gifts for people of all ages.

Whimsical Whiskers Website: WhimsiWhiskers.com
Whimsical Whiskers on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/whimsicalwhiskersllc
Whimsical Whiskers on Facebook: www.facebook.com/whimsiwhiskers

Weyakin Designs

Of course, you know me! I’m Victoria K. Chapman, the artist of Weyakin Designs. I create whimsical art, illustration, and stories of nature and spirit. Now through November 30th, I’ll be offering 15% off on weyakindesigns.com orders with code HAPPYHAPPY21.

Shop right here on Weyakin Designs: www.weyakindesigns.com/buy-art
Shop on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/weyakin
Buy art on products printed by RedBubble: www.redbubble.com/people/weyakin/shop

Morning Sketches—An Artist’s Survival Tool

Posted on January 14, 2021.

At the end of July, 2020, I was let go from my job as a web developer. I spent many years in the web design and development field, all the while a nagging feeling tugging in the back of my mind and heart that I was in the wrong place. Right when the straw almost broke the camel’s back so to speak, fate would have it that I was freed from my position. It was frightening from a financial security perspective, but ultimately, a blessing. I decided to use this as my opportunity to shift gears and return to my artist roots, this time full-time.

*A pencil sketch of my two-year-old son.*

I was burned out and tired. I spent the previous two years almost completely abandoning my art to raise my baby who I was blessed with in 2018. My son is beautiful and lovely, but young children take a lot of time and energy. The demands of a high-pressure job and a small child were making it difficult for me to pursue my creative dreams and it almost felt like that part of me was drowning. Add to it a global pandemic with my small child and two older children in school at home all the time, I was beginning to lose all hope. When I left my job, it felt almost like a veil was lifted and a light was starting to shine through the dark clouds. I was finally coming out of the dark. But, I needed some reviving. That’s when I turned to The Artist’s Way.

The Artist’s Way is a book and 12-week program to help blocked creative people find their way back to their art, designed and written by Julia Cameron. I first did The Artist’s Way back in 2010 when I was laid off from another job. My friend and fellow artist, Christopher (of ArtMuffin) introduced me to it the year before. I took the free time I had as an opportunity to try it out. The revival was refreshing, but more than 10 years later, I felt like I needed resuscitating again. One of the key components to The Artist’s Way is the “morning pages”. Each morning, first thing when you wake up, before doing anything else, you write three pages of stream-of-consciousness journaling. It doesn’t matter what you write—just write. It’s a great way to get your brain working and thinking. Some interesting things can come out of the morning pages. New ideas, insights, and revelations sometimes trickle out between the stream of brain junk.

I completed my 12 weeks of The Artist’s Way morning pages, activities, and artist’s dates (where you take yourself on a date by yourself every week). But, I felt I should continue the morning pages as part of my continued course toward a creative career. Since the beginning of August, I have nearly filled up three journals and gone through numerous pens. I just ordered myself a lovely handmade refillable pen so I can lower my impact of pen trash and support a fellow artist as I continue my journaling journey.

A few months into morning pages, I realized I needed another component to help me as a visual artist. I needed to be drawing something for myself every day. But, I needed a schedule to make this work. So, I added “morning sketches” to part of my routine. I wake up by 6am or earlier most mornings now. I start with morning pages and then continue on with morning sketches. The sketches can be anything. Sometimes I’m trying out a new tool, like the new Pentel brush pens my husband recently gave me for Christmas. Sometimes, I’m just drawing my hand or my dog curled up in bed because it’s a subject that’s there next to me. Other times, I may work on an idea that came to me while I was writing, or on a sketch toward one of my many projects. Either way, it gives me dedicated quiet time for me to just draw. And it is so important to me to do this now.

A morning sketchbook pencil drawing of a Bodhi Tree, or Sacred Fig Tree.

A morning pencil sketch of a young girl playing with a ball. — A morning sketchbook pencil drawing of a Bodhi Tree, or Sacred Fig Tree.

If you’re a creative person feeling blocked or lost, consider making yourself a routine and time just for you and your artist self. If you’re a visual artist, you can make time for morning sketches like I have. If you’re a musician, you could make time to play music, without expectations or a plan—just play. If you’re a writer, spend time doing morning pages, and then perhaps move on to some other composition just for fun. Do what feels right for your own creative self. Morning pages and morning sketches have helped me immensely. So many creative people discount the time they need for themselves, but it is in-fact, a crucial part of the creative process. This hour of time for writing and drawing has been vital to my revival as an artist—and I suspect will continue to be important to my creative process in many ways. Perhaps it could be for you, too.

To buy your own copy of The Artist’s Way, ask at your local book shop, or order online and help support local book shops on Bookshop.org.

Art, Education, and Magic

Posted on January 7, 2021.

Welcome to the refreshed Weyakin Designs blog! This space is to share educational resources, fun information, and general updates with friends and followers to utilize and enjoy. Among the types of posts I plan to share are art tutorials and tutorial videos, tell you about some other cool artists I know, or show demonstrations of how I make my art.

I’m excited to share with you in the magic of art and nature! Thanks for joining me.

Victoria