Cynthia Nugent

Readings

My presentations start off with a reading of my most recent book while projecting slides of the illustrations. Before the talk starts I will have set up large displays around the room that show the progress of a book which include: the annotated manuscript, rough sketches, research drawings and photos, the finished line drawings, final colour art, printer's proofs and finally the finished book. Students can browse these displays and I will also hold them up when talking about the process of illustrating a book.
I also put out all my artists materials, and then in the second half of the talk do a watercolour portrait of one of the students during which I describe in simple language the art skills I am using such as anatomy of the face, simple contour drawing, watercolour washes, and crayon resist. Students can ask their questions during this time.

For Grades 4 and up I also give a short reading from my novel, Francesca and the Magic Bike.

Special Equipment:

LED projector if available (I have a slide projector I can use if an LED projector is not available), an audiovisual stand, a room that can be made dark, a screen or white wall, 2 adult-height tables for displays, a CD player (optional), a tall stool (higher than an adult chair) for the child who is modelling to sit on, extension cord if required.

Workshops

WORKSHOP INFORMATION:
1. An Introduction to Writing Picture Books
This is a 3 – hour workshop for adults. In it I do an overview of the kinds of fiction that are written for children, and the format, subjects, length, and language of the picture book. We do several writing exercises, then I assign the participants some guidelines for them to write and complete a picture book manuscript before the end of the workshop.

2. The PhotoComic (a PD Day workshop for English, Art and Drama Teachers)
Using digital photos, Photoshop Elements, and Microsoft Word we will make our own photocomic. The stages of this process are: brainstorming, storyboarding, and photographing in teams, taking turns in the roles of actor, director and photographer. The next stages in the process are in the computer lab where we download the photos, alter them in Photoshop Elements, then insert the photos into Microsoft Word where we can insert speech bubbles and narrative boxes, and then write the dialogue and narrative.

This workshop requires a computer lab equipped with Microsoft Word and Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.

3. Slidetalk for adults on my work, with thoughts on the career of a freelance author/illustrator working in the contemporary Canadian publishing environment.

Special Equipment:

LED projector if available (I have a slide projector I can use if an LED projector is not available), an audiovisual stand, a room that can be made dark, a screen or white wall, 2 adult-height tables for displays, extension cord if required.

Biography

Cynthia Nugent is an award-winning children's book author and illustrator. Stephen Hume wrote in the Vancouver Sun that she is "one of the best illustrators in North America." Her first book, Mister Got to Go, is now considered a Canadian classic.

Her 2004 novel Francesca and the Magic Bike received rave reviews and numerous award nominations. Quill and Quire called the book a "marvellously comic, wise, and tender novel" and praised Nugent's "wry, warm sense of humour and keen-eyed affection for human nature, foibles and all." As well, the reviewer calls the book a "delicate alchemy of tragedy, comedy, fantasy, and adventure" that Nugent pulls off "wonderfully and artfully." It was shortlisted for the B.C. Book Prizes, the Chocolate Lily, and the Young Readers’ Choice Awards in B.C., Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Upcoming titles written and illustrated by Cynthia are the picture books Fred and Pete Go to the Beach (Raincoast Books, 2009), When Cherry Trees Bloom (Simply Read Books), Kiddo (Tradewind Books); and as illustrator, My Bully by Laura Langson, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2008.

Cynthia has a B.A. (cum laude) in English literature with graduate studies in Comparative Literature. She has been profiled in print and on radio and television and is a much-requested visitor to schools and libraries for her lively presentations on the making of a children's book. She has acted as a judge for literary prizes and teaches Writing For Children at Vancouver’s Langara College. She has also had over 25 solo exhibitions of paintings and automata in public and private galleries. Her art can be found in private and corporate collections in North America, Japan and England. She is a member of the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Association of B.C., CANSCAIP, The Writers’ Union of Canada, and the Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable.

Cynthia lives in Vancouver with Emma the Yorkshire Terrier who was the model for Arnie in Mister Got to Go and Arnie. She also enjoys playing trumpet in a community concert band, and plunking on her ukulele at the Vancouver Ukulele Circle.

For more information , please visit the following websites: nugentart.com, www.cwill.bc.ca (professional organization), paintbox.wordpress.com (blog NugentNews)

paintbox.wordpress.com