Tags
children's books, creative process, Dimitris Fousekis, illustration, illustrator, Little Monster, Musiville
When choosing the topic of my next post, I always ask myself a question: will this be useful to my visitors? Will it provide them with an idea or insight that will help them sell more books, learn something or be happier? Will it at least give them a chuckle? The only exception to the rule is when I need your help, which you so generously provide.
Why is why I have to admit it: There’s no other reason for this post than the fact that I’m giggling like a school girl whose crush has invited them to the prom. You see, my illustrator friend, Dimitris Fousekis, just sent me some illustrations from our upcoming children’s books, Musiville and Little Monster, and I just had to share!
To understand my giddiness, you must understand the process of working with an artist. First, you sit down and come up with ideas for the characters and scenes to be illustrated. A first draft is produced.
We select a character for further development, and I offer feedback… which Dimitris ignores for a few days. I get impatient. I bite my nails. I call him daily. I plead and I threaten. I throw a tantrum. I’m left in the dark for a few weeks, while he works away. In the end, he calls up and says, “how come you haven’t said anything about the illustrations I’ve sent you? They’ve been sitting in your Dropbox for over a week (naturally, I’m convinced he does this on purpose).
I check the new design, and the cycle is repeated. A few tantrums and a string of pleas and threats later, we end up with the final version – in this case, a banner starring Rhimaraca, one of Musiville’s characters, for use on my blog.
Stunning, right? Even better, he has now produced not one, but five such banners, featuring characters from our upcoming stories:
And that makes me profess my undying love to him and his work and makes it all worthwhile.
Who’s this Dimitris Fousekis chap?
I met Dimitris back when I was 12, as we were neighbors. We hit if off immediately, and became fast friends. His feedback inspired me to turn Runaway Smile into a book, back in 2012.
Born in 1966 in Tripoli, Libya, to Greek parents, Dimitris grew up in Rome, Italy and Athens, Greece. He studied Geology at the University of Athens. During his studies, he illustrated various Paleontology-related theses and projects.
Between 1992 and 1997 he worked for the Ministry of Culture, illustrating the objects unearthed during the Athens Metro construction.
Since 1997, he has freelanced with various design agencies, advertising companies and publishing houses. He has also illustrated for two musems – one in Papigo, Pilio (WWF) and one in Tinos (Marble Museum).
He is a member of the design group Parachute Font and collaborates regularly with Yalos Branding. His latest projects include the co-creation of Fuzzylon.
Since 2003, he has increasingly focused on children’s books illustrations. He has already published a number of children’s books (nine so far, with a number of further titles currently under work).
Since 2010 he has lived permanently on the island of Hydra, where he teaches painting and has had his first exhibition.
You can find Dimitris on:
Web: http://www.dimitrisfousekis.com
and see his work on my children’s book, Runaway Smile, for free!
mihrank said:
extraordinary post – congratulations!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thank you so much! 🙂
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Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. said:
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Nicholas Rossis reveals the progress with the illustrations for his next project and they are wonderfully quirky. Meet illustrator extraordinaire Dimitris Fousekis and wouldn’t we all love his touch in our books.
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M. C. Dulac said:
This post made me happy AND gave me a chuckle! I look forward to hearing more about these projects!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Aw, thank you so much! 🙂
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olganm said:
Great post and thanks for the insights. Extraordinary illustrations indeed.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Aw, thanks! 🙂
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ErikaKind said:
Wow, that’s really cool!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thanks! 🙂
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davidprosser said:
Splendid illustrations. I’m almost sorry I’m not doing a children’s book now.
Hugs
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – such a sweet thing to say. Thank you! 🙂
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Charles Yallowitz said:
Amazing drawings. Funny to hear that ‘tantrums’ are part of the process too. I’ve been told that many authors and illustrators that work together don’t have that close a relationship, so it’s really cool that you’re working with a friend. Good luck with the new books.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thanks! He dropped by the other day and showed me the draft illustrations for Musiville, so I’m really excited: they’re awesome! It’s like he reached into my head and visualized something I didn’t even know was in there 🙂
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Charles Yallowitz said:
Definitely sounds like a good connection. When do you think Musiville will be released?
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
We have a big do planned on May 25th, with journalists etc, so hopefully some time in early May. Keep ’em crossed 🙂
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Charles Yallowitz said:
That’s awesome. Good luck.
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roughwighting said:
Beautifully fun and quirky illustrations, just like your relationship with your illustrator. 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thank you! 🙂
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Erica Herd said:
Wonderful!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thank you so much! 🙂
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Vera Komnig said:
I am sitting here smiling 🙂 😀 I love the story, the words and the drawings. 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Aw, thank you so much! 🙂
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Vera Komnig said:
🙂
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macjam47 said:
Oh Nicholas, I am so glad you did a post about Dimitris. He is extremely talented, and I loved his illustrations for THE RUNAWAY SMILE. He is truly gifted. BTW – I am very excited about your new children’s books.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thank you so much for your kind words! , too, think it was time I properly introduced him. After all, his images really help bring my words to life 🙂
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macjam47 said:
Well, you definitely work well together. 🙂
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D. Wallace Peach said:
Thanks for sharing the process. I love the illustrations. So whimsical. They make me smile.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
That’s my reaction, too. Dimitris is really talented, and I love the chemistry between the words and the images 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thanks! That’s my reaction, too. Dimitris is really talented, and I love the chemistry between the words and the images 🙂
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Patrick Jones said:
Fantastic illustrations from Dimitris, Nicholas!! He is indeed a talented artist…you are lucky to have had him for such a good friend for such a long time! Good luck with everything!!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Many thanks, Patrick! 🙂
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MRS N, the Author said:
Wow, thank you for sharing your illustrator with us! I loved getting a sneak peek of the illustrations.I must confess, I wish I had the talent to draw but I don’t. Instead, I can appreciate the artwork and the artist. 🙂 You make a great team!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Aw, thank you so much! 🙂
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Alex Hurst said:
Those are some absolutely stunning pieces of art! I love them! Where did you find Dimitris? I need to get some new sources for illustrators, since I interview them on my blog. 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I’d be happy to send you his email 🙂
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Alex Hurst said:
Please do!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Done 🙂
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Sue Coletta said:
He is very talented! You’re lucky to have him, Nicholas. Years ago, when I wrote children’s books, I had a boyfriend at the time do my illustrations. Bad idea. Especially when you’re young and stupid when it comes to love. 😀 Long story short, I never found anyone else who could make the characters look like I imagined. Of course I didn’t take my writing seriously back then. Again, young and stupid. My point is, if Dimitris envisions what you see when you write– never let him go.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – thanks, I won’t 🙂
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Effrosyni Moschoudi said:
Haha, what a delightful post! And you’re very lucky to have Dimitris. These are fabulous!!!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thank you so much! 🙂
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