Find Jing and Mike Co. on Facebook

from Before We Met by Laura Krauss Melmed

Thanks for finding us here—but we've moved! Now you can find updates for Jing and Mike Co. on Facebook. Come visit, "like" us and stay in touch. Aloha!

Something to Smile About...

Just because.

Mike's Fire Engine No. 9 comes out September 22!

 

Adventure, danger, fire fighting heros! Mike's newest action-packed book, Fire Engine No. 9, published by Random House is available Sept. 22nd. The first hard copies arrived in the mail last week—it' magical to turn through the pages of a book you have been visualizing for over a year. Fire Engine No. 9's story is told almost entirely through action sounds—both parents and kids will have fun taking part in the sound effects. A starred review from Kirkus Reviews puts a twinkle in Mike's eye.

Authentic Voice

Mike and I have been busying finishing up the details of new books. It's a process where you think you're finished and then realize there's so much you can do to make it stronger. Every book is a chance to explore and find our Authentic Voice. What makes this so challenging? Maybe because as we learn and grow, what we perceive as "true", evolves. I'm really excited my newest images which won't come out until 2016 (TBA). I think the images may be the closest I've ever gotten to my "truth". But I'm sure as I begin work on the next one, I will become excited about new "truths". Ahh, the creative life, forever wandering and seeking...

Shanghai Sukkah

Did you know that between 1938 and 1941, 1000s of European Jews created a thriving community in Shanghai? I got lost in the richness of this community while researching illustrations for Shanghai Sukkah, by Heidi Hyde. This will be released in August 2015 by Kar-Ben Publishing, but you can get a sneak peak on Amazon. The street scene shown is used in the end pages. I recommend this book to any family that wants to teach their kids that friendship can come from the most unexpected situations. Here's the Kirkus Review: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/heidi-smith-hyde/shanghai-sukkah/.

Botanical Illustrations for Earth Science Naturals

Bright colors and organic textures influenced by traditional printmaking characterize my most visible work. However, I also enjoy exploring a more minimal approach. With my illustrations for Earth Science Naturals products, "less is  more".  I try to capture a balance of bold and elegant in these illustrations. By the way, the product is excellent—my favorite is the Papaya Mask! copyright 2015 Earth Science Naturals

Hawaiian Blooms

 

Recently I completed a series of 6 tropical flowers for marketing materials for the Donkey Mil Art Center in Holualoa, HI. You can see the entire series on my AltPick page. Shown here are the Anthurium, Bird of Paradise, Lehua and Torch Ginger. As I worked on the sketches, these unusual forms became more and more interesting—they are so unlike the peonies, roses and daisies that surrounded me in the gardens of my childhood.