I can finally check off book cover for a paperback novel on my artist bucket list. I was hired to develop a cover for a first-time author Bo Bancroft. I read the story, very much enjoyed it and this is what I came up with. It’s available in paperback and Kindle Unlimited on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Make-American…/dp/173754640X/

For so many of us, the pandemic really upended life. For me, it made me question what I was doing and where I wanted to go. The questions I had were questions that had been nagging me for some time.

If you knew of me before today, you knew that I was focusing my art on sculpture and in particular, art toys. I had spent the last few years developing a world based on characters called Sock Rocks. It’s a world I enjoyed but a world that clashed with my growing concern over the environment. My highest dreams for Sock Rocks would be that one day they’d be my Smurfs. But the reality of that dream filled my imagination with the horror of tons of plastic. How could I achieve my dreams without contributing to the endless amounts of plastic that’s harming our planet. I just don’t see a way.

At the same time I was creating custom toys, I had the opportunity to illustrate my uncle’s children’s book. Along the way I learned a lot and found an alternative dream to pursue. The dream of illustrating children’s books. No plastic. Only helping authors tell stories. Stories that enrich children’s lives and make me feel like I am actually contributing to the betterment of the world, and not it’s downfall.

The pandemic hit, I questioned my direction and when the opportunity to illustrate a second book presented itself, I jumped at the chance. So my website will be increasingly devoted toward illustration and fewer toys. There won’t be much new stuff to see in the beginning, but I’ll do my best to share as much as possible. I don’t know what exactly will come next. But I’m excited to enter the next chapter in life.

Client Success: Illustrator Kevin Gosselin Creates Vivid, Emotional Art for Prescott’s “A Stone for Kayla”

By Wayne South Smith

“Walt’s vision for the book had always been watercolors which was terrifying for me because I had little experience using them,” said illustrator Kevin Gosselin. Though an artist from a young age with years of experience in graphic design, A Stone for Kayla on the Camino de Santiago was his first time illustrating a book.

Author Walt Prescott shared, “The obvious choice to illustrate my book was an accomplished artist in Seattle who just happened to be my nephew and godchild Kevin. Using my Camino photos, Kevin nailed my vision and flew with it, stunning me with his creativity and the art’s beauty. His watercolor impressions bring me back to the Camino every time I view them.”

Kevin added, “I think an added spark I had for this project was my love and respect for the author.  The story is about him, and as the illustrator, I possessed a deep connection to the protagonist.”

Kevin also found inspiration in learning to work with watercolors.  “I love the inherent life of the water and how it wants to do its own thing.  After a while, it affected how I saw my surroundings.  Suddenly everything was light and values.  The medium provides a quality I can’t get with opaque paint.”

All 27 illustrations began as watercolor paintings which were then scanned for enhancement using PhotoShop.  Once completed, Kevin typeset the story into his artworks.

“Both Walt and you, Wayne, were excellent in keeping me going. I had never worked with an editor before. It was great, more like having a coach instead of a boss. You brought an experienced eye to the process, always providing me with the right amount of guidance and enthusiasm.  You were very easy to work with.”

“It’s nice to have a book feather in my cap.  I’ve long had an interest in being a children’s book writer and illustrator.  All my fine artwork has been sculpting creatures and character design with the idea that maybe one day I would put them into books. A Stone for Kayla has given me the audacity to think that by the end of this year I will produce my own.  Recently, I developed the origin story…”

And so the artist / illustrator begins a new adventure into writing.  I, for one, am excited to discover where he ends up.

Buy A Stone for Kayla on the Camino de Santiago by Walt Prescott, illustrated by Kevin Gosselin, available in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle.

A few years ago my uncle to my Uncle Walt asked me to help illustrate a book he wrote for his granddaughter. The book is about his travels on the Camino de Santiago and the lessons he learned. He wanted it painted in watercolors and I although I had never painted in that medium, I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn. I am so happy to have taken him up on the offer and here are the results of the project.

The book is now available on Amazon. Please go over there and take a look at our book and if you’d like, get yourself a copy in hardcover or kindle edition.
Thanks

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733913505/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082FL7W2N/

https://waltprescott.com/

Thanks from the Gosselin’s

$15 a piece, 25% off order with a minimum order of 2.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KevinGosselinArt/

It’s year three and I have two new characters, Reuben and Orville.  Rueben is the first child of the Sock Rocks, son of Winston and Fanny.  And of course every family needs a lovable pet, so I created Orville, the family mutt.  As with years past, this series is limited to 30 pieces per character, cast in resin, painted in acrylic and comes individually bagged in a burlap sack.

To makes things easier this year, I’m lowering the price to $15 a piece and getting rid of my bundled pricing.  Instead, I’ve set up a sale of 25% off with a minimum order of two SockRocks.  I’ve also moved my shop over to Etsy so don’t be using a bookmark for my old store.

The remaining Series 1 and 2 are available now and I will be releasing Series 3 this Friday, the 17th, at 10 AM PST.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/KevinGosselinArt/