Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Pooch designs inspired by Danish heritage

Artist Kim Howard delights in whimsical folk art


By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

“A Little Dog’s Christmas Tale, by Diane Myerson and illustrated by Kim Howard. $22.95. 50pp.

It's not an accident if when looking at Kim Howard's whimsical and folk-influenced drawings a viewer thinks of the Old World. Howard's inspiration comes not only from living in France and Norway, but also from her Danish grandmother who lived in Norway and was a large part of her life.

"My influence for the decorative arts comes from the style of wood carvings and folk art I found and was exposed to in Norway," Howard said. "Everyone has a place for home, nature and family—it ties us together."

Howard lives in the Wood River Valley and has been creating greeting and holiday cards, posters, paintings and illustrating book projects with her unique design style for many years. Her newest designs include a poster and program designs for the National Dog Show, which will air on Thanksgiving Day, and a new book, "A Little Dog's Christmas Tale."

< "A Little Dog's Christmas Tale" is a children's book written and published by Diane Myerson. The book tells the story about a dog named Sadie who is lost on Christmas Eve and through her adventures meets friends and has a visit with Santa Claus.

Howard will have a book signing for "A Little Dog's Christmas Tale" on Friday, Nov. 26, from 4-6 p.m. at Iconoclast Books in Ketchum. The signing will include a poster signing too. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley.

"[For me] it's a new style for children's books and moving toward younger readers," she said.

Howard has illustrated over 17 picture books. In addition, she has her own textile designs and several lines of greeting cards and note cards, which she will have available at her book and poster signing.

Howard said her work always has stories within stories. She will also create portraits, which she said are not classic portraits but are based in fantasy.

Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com




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