Does it take illustrate a book?
"I would be happy to sit and paint and draw all day everyday but of course there are other things one has to do. If I have a tight schedule for a project I might leave to work 12-14 hours a day. I prefer to paint about 6-8 hours to give my head and eyes a rest and come back with a refreshed view."
Is it hard to do?
Sometimes it is hard to balance my work with my responsibilities as a mother and as an active community person, so that the quality of the work is not lost or unfocussed.
Who has inspired you?
There are too many people to name who have inspired me in different ways. Barbara Cooney
has always has been my favourite illustrator and especially like to look to her as an
example of a woman who is actively working in her eighties. I plan to work
as long as I live, and I believe that might be 100 plus. My daugther
inspires me because she sees life, colour, shaped in new ways. I am a
optomist. I believe we can solve problems in the world, maybe not as quickly
as would be good, but in time.
About Kathy
She has broad experience as an art teacher, curriculum specialist, filmmaker, and as an exhibit/display/event designer. Her published works include books, filmstrips, greeting cards, poster, calendars, magazine illustrations and articles, and hundreds of educational illustrations and educational workshop in-service materials. Her paintings, prints, illustrations and multimedia creations are in public and private collections around the world. She has been active throughout North America as a speaker and consultant. For the past six years she has taught illustration at local colleges. She recently completed a Master Degree in Children’s Literature at the University of British Columbia. Currently she is working on a doctorate in the department of Language and Literacy at UBC.Her doctoral research is on the social semiotic analysis of how words and pictures work together in narrative picturebooks. As well she serves on a number of non-profit boards and committees in Vancouver.
Published works
2006 Baby Oh by Jane Cobb, Black Sheep Books
2004
A Telling Time by Irene N. Watts, Tradewind Books
2002
My Animal Friends by R. David Stephens, Tradewind Books
2001
Let’s Talk about Touching by Jan Sippel, Vancouver School Board
1999
Right Choices by Kenneth Taylor, Tyndale House
1999 VanCity Calendar on Places of Refuge
1998 Words and Thoughts to Help You Grow by Kenneth Taylor, Tyndale House
1997 Pre-school Program, Augsburg Fortress Publishers
1995
Los Ninos Alfabeticos by Lourdes Ayala, Charlesbridge
1989 Oh Brother, Oh Sister by Patricia McKissack, Millikan
1988 Augsburg Fortress Publishers
1987 Wise Words for Little People by Kenneth Taylor, Tyndale House
1987 I Love Spring by Steven Kroll, Holiday House
1987
Jenny’s Neighbours by Richard Thompson, Annick Press
1987
All Paths Lead to Bethlehem by Patricia McKissack, Augsburg Fortress Publishers
1987
1986 Illustrations for Joy, Harper & Row
1986 International Red Cross Cookbook, The Red Cross
1985 Giant Steps for Little People by Kenneth Taylor, Tyndale House
1984 Grandfather Clock and Other Finger Plays by Sharon Lee, Winston Press
1984 The Merry-Go-Round by Oretta Leigh, Holiday House
1983 Big Thoughts for Little People by Kenneth Taylor, Tyndale House (sold 250,000 in first five months)
1982 The Mouse and the Mill and the Bottle Babies by Alma S. Coon, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation ( in 14th printing)
1980 *Creative Classroom written and illustrated by K. Shoemaker, Winston Press
1980
*Children Go Where I Send Thee, Winston Press
1979 The Boyhood of Pope John by Anne McGravie, Winston Press
1979 Clare’s Choice by Melissa Flannery, Winston Press
1979
The Three Hermits by Leo Tolstoi, Franciscan Communications Center
1978 Behold This Child (set of 4 filmstrips) Franciscan Communications Center
1978 Tone Bells for Classroom Learning by Kathryn Taylor
1978 *Creative Christmas written and illustrated by K. Shoemaker, Winston Press
1978 The Man Who Learned about Jesus by Delores Ready Winston Press
1977 Brother Francis by Jan Johnson, Winston Press
1975
Visual Literacy-set of four books complied by Lois Williams, ESEA Title 1
1974 It’s Whale Time at Whaler’s Village by Cymbre Ferguson, Whalers Village Museum
1973 *Listen to the Children(Children Writing & Illustrating Their Own Books with Virginia Gaston,
AWARDS
2006 Third place in picturebooks for the Chocolate Lily Award
2004 My Animal Friends selected and given to every three year old in B.C. for the Ready, Set, Learn Program
1993
Louie Award Nominee for Greeting Card Design
Award of Merit, Gold Medallion Book Awards for Giant Steps for Little People
1985 First Place, Vancouver Centennial Graphics Poster Competition
100 Children Celebrate 100 Years of Children in Vancouver
1984 Honor Book
1968 Exhibit Design chosen and installed at the World Council of Churches, Uppsala, Sweden.
1965 Honorable Mention for the design of the Bergen Opera House, co-designed with architect, Ian
