Sunshine Smile Publications is delighted to showcase the very talented Roberta Baird!

Roberta is an illustrator who specialises in whimsical artwork for children's picture books and related industries. 
When not illustrating, she paints murals and sets for the theatre and writes her own poetry.
Roberta's skill is shown in the diversity of her illustrations, from imaginative characters to exquisite, realistic animals. 
Her work is truly inspiring and it is a pleasure to showcase it! Enjoy!

Roberta's New Book



I See The Animals Sleeping: 
A Bedtime Story
Written by Thomas M. Heffron for The American Academy 
of Sleep Medicine


Illustration Technique

Often I’m asked, “What medium do you use?”  With great pleasure I say, that I work digitally. I have been working hard to blur the line in my portfolio between traditional and digital.  I work from a sketch scanned and colored in Photoshop. I use under painting, just as I did when I created traditionally. I also add lots of detail and use quite a variety of textures

Find Out More!


Visit Roberta's Website

Follow her Blog: 
A Mouse in the House

Find her on Facebook

Follow her on Twitter

Join her on Google+

Look at her Portfolio


All work © Roberta Baird

Q & A with Roberta Baird, Illustrator

What are you working on at the moment?
It's a dream come true to be able to say, I get to draw all day. But it’s true, well most days.

I’ve recently completed the artwork for an educational article about Christopher Columbus. It was great fun to research and then draw ships, maps and oceans. 

I also have a book that came out in June of 2011. It’s an interesting book about the importance of sleep.
Other than that, I’ve been busy developing a character quite dear to my heart, named Ruby Rue.  She’s a loveable little old witch who learns the importance of good friends.  I‘ve finished the book dummy and am in the process of looking for a publisher for her story. 

Is there anything you're busy promoting?

Right now, I’m promoting my recent book, I See The Animals Sleeping: A Bedtime Story, written by Thomas M. Heffron for The American Academy of Sleep Medicine.  It’s a wonderful book that highlights the diverse sleeping habits of animals and encourages children to crawl into bed for a good night’s sleep.  It’s filled with interesting facts for parents too.  It’s available on the publisher’s website and on Amazon.

Can you recommend a YA or children's book that you have recently enjoyed?

My daughter and I have been enjoying the wonderful artwork in David Wiesner’s book,  Art & Max.  The main characters are artists who also happen to be lizards. The illustrations are filled with rich detail and color.

The other book we’re reading together is The Mysterious Benedict Society.  It’s the first book in the series. It’s about four children who are chosen for their special abilities, to serve as agents in a top secret mission.  It’s fun and imaginative. We try to read a bit of it every night.

Do you have a piece of advice for beginning authors or illustrators?

Some of the best advice I’ve received and can pass on, would be draw or create something every day. Try different styles and mediums until you find what suits you best, then practice, practice,  practice. Study the work of artists that you admire. Find elements in their work that appeals to you, and incorporate that into your own style.

Don’t be afraid of constructive criticism. Good or bad, it helps you grow. In fact, get critiques from industry professionals and really listen to what they're saying. Then go home and work hard. Most of all follow your heart.

Imagination!

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BLOG OF THE MONTH

Mostly Reading YA


SSP's 'Blog of the Month' is Mostly Reading YA!
Mostly Reading YA is a top book blog that provides reviews and features fantastic author interviews and guest posts. It mainly highlights the latest Young Adult fiction, but does feature adult titles as well. At Mostly Reading YA there is currently a team of ten reviewers from the UK, USA and Australia contributing to the blog. They enjoy a variety of different genres and reviews are written honestly. You can follow Mostly Reading YA on Goodreads and Twitter.
We'd love to have a blog.
But there are so many great ones...
If you'd like to see yours featured here please get in touch.

A RAY OF SUNSHINE!

 Our featured blog is that of talented children's illustrator Christine Grove. Working from her very own Sunshine Hill Studio, she blogs about illustration; her days spent drawing, painting and creating characters. 

COMING SOON!

We've got some fabulous new features lined up for 2012!
Check back often to see what's new on the SSP site.

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