Interviews

Interview with Robbie Cheadle

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Artforms and Artists from Around the World – An introduction to Judy Mastrangelo and a review

I met Judy Mastrangelo several years ago when my sons and nephews and nieces were still young. I loved her gorgeous illustrations of fairies and creatures and gave a few of her beautiful books as gifts. I am delighted to introduce you to Judy’s art and her book, The Star.

Tell us a bit about your art journey. Did you always want to be an artist? Did you study art at college or are you self-taught?

Yes, I always knew, even as a child, that I wanted to be an artist. I loved to draw and paint, which I did constantly. I especially loved drawing in nature, and even climbed a blossoming crabapple tree to draw a picture of its beautiful flowers. I would take walks in the woods, and in gardens, drawing trees, houses, and flowers. I even drew pictures of people I saw while I traveled on buses and trains, since I often carried my sketch book with me. (I even met my dear husband that way, when I saw him on a trolley car, and I drew his picture.) 

I often took art lessons, from my youngest years, and in college, which I enjoyed very much. In these classes it was wonderful to be able to draw life classes from models. It helped me learn human anatomy. I also always love to learn from the great masters, such as one of my favorites, Leonardo DaVinci. I often copied his drawings, which also helped me learn anatomy. He would dissect in order to understand how the human body was put together. I could never do that myself, so I learned from his drawings. I’m always studying the artwork of great artists, in books, on the internet, and I especially love going to museums and seeing the current original paintings. These masters were, and always be my best and most inspiring teachers.

Interview with Owl and Pussycat

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Meet our new author Judy Mastrangelo and check out two of her books!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always loved to create paintings, even as a child, and writing about my graphic art has always been enjoyable to me too.

How long does it take you to write a book?
I “Daydream” about my work in the beginning, and create what I call a “Mind Painting” of my ideas. So my illustrations and writing for a book go hand in hand together. I always illustrate all of my books. I don’t paint very quickly, since it’s a labor of Love for me, and I try to make my art as good as I can. So that sometimes it takes me several years to complete a book that I’ve both written and illustrated.

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Some of my work time is “in my mind” in the beginning of my workday. So doing actual painting and writing varies throughout each day. My creative process is very enjoyable to me, and as a result, I don’t usually keep to a strict schedule.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I suppose the answer to that is my process of combining the art of painting and writing together to create a book.

Interview with Colleen Chesebro

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Hello everyone! This week, I’m thrilled to introduce you to an award-winning illustrator and author: Judy Mastrangelo. I asked her to pick three or four questions from my huge list.

Your book covers are works of art! What did you want to become when you were a child?

Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a graphic artist.  The world was a magical and inspiring place for me then, and it still remains so now that I’m an adult. I wanted to paint the lovely faces I saw in flowers, the sparkling morning dew in the grass, and clouds reflecting the glorious colors of twilight.

Animals have always had fascinating and unique personalities to me. And within my colorful imagination, my fellow humans seemed to evolve into gods, goddesses, and any number of otherworldly spirits.  So in a few words, the World was and still is my inspiration for my imaginative fantasy artwork that I love to depict in my paintings.

Even as a youngster, I would develop my art first in my mind as a picture rather than doing preliminary sketches.  Later on, as a grownup, I came to term this method “MIND PAINTING”.

I always have an idea of what I want to create before I begin a project.  I use my method of “MIND PAINTING” in which I conceive of ideas and accompanying paintings in my mind as one total vision before I start.  It’s an exciting way to create, and I’m sure many other authors and Illustrators do the same.

Another term that can be used for this method would be “inspiration”.  I don’t really labor over trying to think of an idea.  Concepts just come to me as “Visions”, and I dearly welcome them all gratefully.

What I wanted to become when I was a girl was a “Painter of Visions and Words”, and that is still my goal.  It is my spiritual passion.

As I “daydream” about my “Visions” that I want to put on canvas, I often create words to go hand in hand with these images.  The creation of this form of “mixed media art” has been a great delight for me throughout my lifetime.  It has developed into books that I both write and illustrate, combining my love for the visual images, and the written word.

I find the mixture of words and images very exciting.

I suppose it harkens back to our experiences when we were young and the wonderful feelings we first had when visiting the Magical Land of Books.  It is similar to watching a movie that we love.  And yet reading a book is different in that we can add our own personal images and feelings to it in addition to the accompanying illustrations in a book or film.

Entering into the exciting world of literature is a wonderful escape from our everyday world.  It gives us the opportunity to experience many adventures and to identify with various characters, which we wouldn’t normally have to the opportunity to do.  This art form is very fulfilling, as is all art in general.

Interview with Kaye Lynne Booth

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My guest today is an author and talented illustrator of children’s fantasy books. She seems a bit shy, but I was able to coax a few answers out of her, regarding writing for children and creating beautiful illustrations. Because, after all, at least half of writing for children is creating visual images, so an author who can do their own illustrations comes into the game a step ahead. Please help me welcome author and illustrator Judy Mastrangelo.

Kaye: When did you know you wanted to be an author?

Judy: I’ve always enjoyed writing, ever since I was very young.

Kaye: Would you share the story of your own publishing journey?

Judy: As a child I would write little stories from my imagination, or about my everyday experiences.

Coming from a fine art background, I’ve always loved the wonderful artists of the “Golden Age of Illustration”, who illustrated books from about 1850 to 1925.  I like to think that I continue along this line in my own small way.  I enjoy writing stories that I illustrate, and also love illustrating classical stories in the public domain.

Many of my paintings have been licensed for various markets, such as art prints, wall murals, greeting cards, jigsaw puzzles, oracle cards etc.  I have written and illustrated several published books.  And I have both illustrated and written the text to a new inspirational Oracle Card Deck which will be on the market next year, published by “RED FEATHER MIND BODY SPIRIT”, a division of Schiffer Publishing.

You can see and hear podcasts about my artwork on Youtube.

These include some radio interviews, plus several teaching podcasts about the steps I take in the creation of my Art.  To learn more about my Art and products, you can visit: www.judymastrangelo.com

Kaye: What’s something most readers would never guess about you?

Judy: I am a “movie buff” and enjoy many genres of film.

Press Release

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Brand New Inspirational Card Deck From Judy Mastrangelo And Frances Munro Available Now

Artist and Author Judy Mastrangelo, and Spiritual Healer Frances Munro, announce a new “Joyful Inspirations” card deck and booklet, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. It is already available for purchase from Amazon and U.S. Games.

“Joyful Inspirations” is a 45-card gift deck with a 52-page inspirational booklet. It is published by U.S. GAMES SYSTEMS, INC. of Stamford, Connecticut.  The artwork is by Judy Mastrangelo.  Frances Munro, a world-renowned spiritual healer, provided the wisdom to channel the direction and accompanying affirmation for each painting.  Each card carries its own message in the guidebook that accompanies the deck, as well as an exercise, a prayer or an affirmation for you to do.

This card deck is intended to appeal to all ages – from Children to Adults, for the Young and “The Young At Heart.”

Featuring the dreamy artwork of Judy Mastrangelo, Joyful Inspirations cards invite you to join the caravan of flower fairies, dancing unicorns, friendly bunnies and a host of other joyful creatures who delight in spreading sunshine and rainbows.  Enjoy cricket concerts, carousels, and garden parties in this magical world of the imagination. Each card carries its own message in the guidebook that accompanies the deck.

About Judy Mastrangelo: Judy Mastrangelo is a world-renowned artist. She is known mostly for her fairy and fantasy art, and she also excels in the painting of many other themes, such as children, animals, landscapes, florals, etc.

Her work is licensed in several markets worldwide, including puzzles, wall murals, books, and art prints.  Judy daydreams about her paintings before she puts them on canvas. This preliminary technique of “Mind Painting” helps her develop imaginative works of art.

Websites:

http://www.judymastrangelo.com

http://www.themysticalvisions.com

Follow her on Twitter: @ArtbyJudyMaster; Facebook and LinkedIn

About Frances Munro: After training as a spiritual healer in 1997, Frances found an ability to channel information. Over recent years, she has worked in the UK, USA, Sweden and Norway, providing development courses, past life regression and blockage release, retreats, and her own set of channeled Woodland Wisdom Oracle Cards published by U.S. Games, Inc. Her down-to-earth teaching illustrates the need to use spiritual wisdom for every area of life.

Websites:

http://www.francesmunro.com

http://www.godworldwide.com

Follow her on Twitter: @FrancesBelper; Facebook and LinkedIn

This Is Judy and Frances’s second Inspirational Card Deck published by U.S. Games.  The first one on which they collaborated was entitled “INSPIRATIONAL WISDOM FROM ANGELS & FAIRIES.”

This new “JOYFUL INSPIRATIONS” deck is available for purchase now in the United States and will be available in the United Kingdom and worldwide after September 1st. You can find out more here (https://judymastrangelo.com/portfolio/shop/).

Latest Interview with Judy Mastrangelo

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An exclusive interview with one of the most prestigious children’s book authors of 2017. Meet Judy Mastrangelo!

Judy, it’s great to have you here. Thank you for agreeing to this sit down interview with me. It’s my pleasure. Thank you for doing this.

Why do you think people are still so interested in children’s books? What do you think it is about the mixture of words and images that excite people still? I suppose it harkens back to our experiences when we were young and the wonderful feelings we had entering into the Magical Land of Books. It is similar to watching a movie that we love. And yet reading a book is different in that we can add our own personal images and feelings to it in addition to the accompanying illustrations in a book or film.

Entering into the exciting world of literature is a wonderful escape from our everyday world. It gives us the opportunity to experience many adventures, and to identify with various characters, which we wouldn’t normally have to opportunity to do. This art form is very fulfilling, as is all art in general.

What were your favorite books as a child? Did these favorites impact the way you created your own? The earliest books I remember reading were A. A. Milne’s poetry book, “When We Were Very Young,” and Frank L. Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” and the others in his series of Oz books.

A. A. Milne was the author of the Winnie the Pooh books. The lovely and simple line drawings in this poetry book fascinated me. As I dreamed on his lovely book, I was able to imagine all sorts of things. The poems were very sweet and captivating. And when I read several of Baum’s “Oz” books, I was immediately drawn into his delightfully imaginative world. Both of these books, and others like them, had a deep and lasting influence on my books that I was later to create.

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Press Release

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Artist and Author Judy Mastrangelo Rolls Into New Markets with a New Series of Great Products

Author and Artist Judy Mastrangelo has broken into new markets with her popular artwork as new products head onto the market, including jigsaw puzzles, greeting cards and cross-stitch patterns.

LEICESTER, England – Feb. 1, 2017 – PRLog — It was announced earlier this week that artist and author Judy Mastrangelo would be moving her art into several new and exciting projects.

One of the first to arrive is a brand new 500 Large Piece Panoramic Jigsaw Puzzle from “BITS AND PIECES” Puzzle Company called “PUPPY DOGHOUSE.” It is available to purchase from the company’s website now (http://m.bitsandpieces.com/product/puppy-doghouse-500-piece-jigsaw-puzzle/500_piece_jigsaw_puzzles) and will be available from Amazon.com.

Her painting “GARDENING ANGEL” is also being made into a puzzle by this company.

12616530-new-art-and-products-from-judy-mastrangeloOther projects that will be hitting the market over the new few months are as follows:

1. Her new inspirational Card Deck from US GAMES, Inc. entitled “JOYFUL INSPIRATIONS” that she illustrated, with text by Frances Munro.

This is Judy and Frances’s second deck with US GAMES. Their first deck was entitled “INSPIRATIONAL WISDOM FROM ANGELS & FAIRIES” and can be purchased at https://judymastrangelo.com/2015/09/20/inspirational-wisdom-from-angels-fairies/

2. Judy has just been signed by a new book publisher who will be publishing her books in hard copy, which you can purchase online or in book stores worldwide.

Her first two audiobooks, “THE STAR,” and “WHAT DO BUNNIES DO ALL DAY?” are set to go live on Amazon.com very soon.

Currently, all her books are available as Kindle Ebooks only and more information can be found by visiting https://judymastrangelo.com/portfolio/books/

3. New murals from MAGIC MURALS will also be hitting the market and more information about these great murals can be found at this link: (https://www.magicmurals.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=judy+mastrangelo)

4. New cross stitch patterns from HEAVEN AND EARTH DESIGNS will also be released throughout 2017:

(https://heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=judy+mastrangelo)

5. New cards are being added to her line of custom made all-occasion greeting cards that you can see on her website: (https://judymastrangelo.com/portfolio/greeting-cards/)

Currently, these greeting cards can be shipped to the USA only.  Soon they will also be available to be shipped worldwide.

VALENTINE’S, ST. PATRICK’S DAY, ANNIVERSARY and THANK YOU cards are only a few of the categories of her beautiful cards.

6. New tubes from DIGITAL ART HEAVEN will also be released this year:

(http://www.digitalartheaven.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_176_177)

7. In addition, Judy has several prints, in many sizes, framed and unframed, which can be shipped worldwide from her two art collections from Art.com and Amazon.com.

The painting “FAIRY WEDDING” is one of her lovely pieces in these collections. Wouldn’t it be a perfect gift for VALENTINE’S DAY? You can find out more about this product by checking out these two links:

AMAZON.COM

ART.COM

More details on these projects can be found by visiting Judy’s official website www.judymastrangelo.com where you can also sign up for Judy’s official newsletter.

HOLIDAY PRODUCT INTERVIEW #5: EBOOKS

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cover-imageAre you looking for something special this Christmas? Why don’t you check out some of the great products currently for sale by artist and author Judy Mastrangelo. You can check out her FANTASTIC new holiday product interview by clicking right here. Act quickly though… These products may sell out quickly… If you like what you see… grab it!

If you want to learn more about Judy Mastrangelo you can check out her latest fantastic interview about her love of movies right here.