Art-Bio.Com, More Intrest of April Willy

More Items of Interest about April Willy

In 1999, April met Jamie McClaine. Jamie had written a manuscript for a children's book, Have You Ever Seen a Moose Taking a Bath?, but had not been able to find an illustrator who shared her concept of how the moose should look. April and Jamie clicked. Wanting to maintain creative control, April and Jamie decided to publish the book themselves. Along with their husbands, Fred and Scott, they began JAFS Publishing Co. The book was a success and was followed by the sequel Have You Ever Seen a Moose Brushing His Teeth?

Moose books with stuffed moose

After the success of Have You Ever Seen a Moose Taking a Bath? and Have You Ever Seen a Moose Brushing His Teeth? Jamie and April decided to have a stuffed moose made. It was hard to get the moose just right. After several tries and two different toy manufacturers, they now have a moose with a bath brush in one hand (hoof?) and a toothbrush in the other with a pair of goggles over his eyes (to protect them from the water.) He will soon have a backpack available, as Jamie and April are teaming up for a third book about a moose that goes to school.

Stuffed Moose

April likes to brand her styles of art for shows. She prefers exhibiting paintings that follow a theme and relate to one another. When asked to do a series of paintings for the Heartland Film Festival, April chose "heart art." Each picture incorporates a heart into the scene. The group includes a heart-shaped pumpkin, a heart-shaped balloon and a heart-shaped tree, among others. The series was made into note cards which she sells at the CCA Gallery in Zionsville.

Heart Art note cards

All artwork is protected by copyright of the artist.

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