Janet Wilson, Author/Illustrator Biography:
I never planned to be a writer or an artist, although I won art prizes in elementary school. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. When most of my friends were going to university and getting jobs, I was raising my kids. Both boys were amazing little artists and drew in their sketchbooks all the time. I discovered that this is the secret to drawing well. So it was my boys who inspired me to go to Art College. I didn’t know what kind of artist I wanted to be until I got my first job illustrating a story book. I love to read and am inspired by words. Twenty years after illustrating Daniel’s Dog, I know what I want to do-- to tell the world how amazing kids are!
Inspired by the philosophy of Gandhi, “To reach peace we must begin with the children”, I began both writing and illustrating a series of books about the power of one, to motivate and empower readers to make a positive difference. One Peace: True Stories of Young Activists was followed by; Our Earth: How Kids Are Saving the Planet and I’m working on the third about the rights of the child, that I hope will educate hearts as well as minds. These books combine my passions for portraiture, and non-fiction that is inspiring, inter-generational, culturally inclusive, and international in scope, addressing important global issues of non-violence, environment, and social justice.
While I was researching stories of young child-rights activists, I learned about Shannen Koostachin, who had been nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize. I was shocked that such systemic injustice was happening in my own country. Although I had never published a novel before, I was inspired by the actions of the children of Attawapiskat to tell this story and help raise awareness for other Canadians.
I’m also passionate about helping young people to draw. I believe there is a crucial stage in the mid-elementary grades when basic instruction and encouragement helps students evolve their drawings from two dimensions into the third. Without this guidance, many frustrated children lacking confidence give-up drawing forever.
Although more of my time is spent writing and researching, I still paint and draw regularly. I end my day in the studio where I do daily paintings—small studies in oil of still life, or portraits from life. Every day I learn something new!
I live with my partner in love and work, Chris, in a cozy cottage in the heritage hamlet of Eden Mills in south-central Ontario. I work in my adjoining studio on the banks of the Eramosa River in view of frolicking minks, muskrats, beavers, the occasional otter, swimming ducks, swooping Kingfishers, and tiptoeing Great Blue Herons, not to mention children scooping crayfish for summer fishing or winter skating under the moonlight. Our son, Cory, is a terrific animator and Graeme is the very best Dad, and our grandchildren Leon and Louise are adorable. Eden Mills is a small, environmentally active village, home to the Eden Mills Writers Festival, the Eden Mills Arts Festival, and a grassroots carbon neutral initiative (www.goingcarbonneutral.ca). We are also blessed with the greatest friends and neighbours.
Memberships:
The Writers' Union of Canada http://www.writersunion.ca/au_main.asp
CANSCAIP http://www.canscaip.org/?q=node/696
I never planned to be a writer or an artist, although I won art prizes in elementary school. I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. When most of my friends were going to university and getting jobs, I was raising my kids. Both boys were amazing little artists and drew in their sketchbooks all the time. I discovered that this is the secret to drawing well. So it was my boys who inspired me to go to Art College. I didn’t know what kind of artist I wanted to be until I got my first job illustrating a story book. I love to read and am inspired by words. Twenty years after illustrating Daniel’s Dog, I know what I want to do-- to tell the world how amazing kids are!
Inspired by the philosophy of Gandhi, “To reach peace we must begin with the children”, I began both writing and illustrating a series of books about the power of one, to motivate and empower readers to make a positive difference. One Peace: True Stories of Young Activists was followed by; Our Earth: How Kids Are Saving the Planet and I’m working on the third about the rights of the child, that I hope will educate hearts as well as minds. These books combine my passions for portraiture, and non-fiction that is inspiring, inter-generational, culturally inclusive, and international in scope, addressing important global issues of non-violence, environment, and social justice.
While I was researching stories of young child-rights activists, I learned about Shannen Koostachin, who had been nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize. I was shocked that such systemic injustice was happening in my own country. Although I had never published a novel before, I was inspired by the actions of the children of Attawapiskat to tell this story and help raise awareness for other Canadians.
I’m also passionate about helping young people to draw. I believe there is a crucial stage in the mid-elementary grades when basic instruction and encouragement helps students evolve their drawings from two dimensions into the third. Without this guidance, many frustrated children lacking confidence give-up drawing forever.
Although more of my time is spent writing and researching, I still paint and draw regularly. I end my day in the studio where I do daily paintings—small studies in oil of still life, or portraits from life. Every day I learn something new!
I live with my partner in love and work, Chris, in a cozy cottage in the heritage hamlet of Eden Mills in south-central Ontario. I work in my adjoining studio on the banks of the Eramosa River in view of frolicking minks, muskrats, beavers, the occasional otter, swimming ducks, swooping Kingfishers, and tiptoeing Great Blue Herons, not to mention children scooping crayfish for summer fishing or winter skating under the moonlight. Our son, Cory, is a terrific animator and Graeme is the very best Dad, and our grandchildren Leon and Louise are adorable. Eden Mills is a small, environmentally active village, home to the Eden Mills Writers Festival, the Eden Mills Arts Festival, and a grassroots carbon neutral initiative (www.goingcarbonneutral.ca). We are also blessed with the greatest friends and neighbours.
Memberships:
The Writers' Union of Canada http://www.writersunion.ca/au_main.asp
CANSCAIP http://www.canscaip.org/?q=node/696
