About Sarah LuAnn
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Sarah LuAnn Perkins (she/they) is an illustrator-author of whimsical stories for the children's publishing market. Her first book, ON A RAINY DAY, came out in March 2022. Sarah creates hand-carved linocut prints, as well as digital artwork that imitates the look and feel of traditional prints.
Sarah is represented by Adria Goetz at KT Literary. Follow Sarah LuAnn |
More about me:
In addition to illustration, there are a few other things I like to spend my time on. A few of the big ones are:
Reading
Honestly this one should go without saying. Audio-books keep me going, and making time for reading physical books--especially graphic novels--is one of my favorite things to do! I'm a big fan of voicey, character-driven speculative fiction written for any age, but I also love trying different genres an some non-fiction here and there. Not a big fan of horror or thrillers, but almost anything else I'm willing to try, especially if its cozy, witty, and has moments of wonder.
Music
I took violin lessons as a child (and did some dabbling in piano and cello) until my mom finally let me quit to focus on art. I haven’t forgotten how to play though! I’ve been working on reclaiming that reluctantly acquired skill set on my own terms by expanding to other instruments and styles. In order to do that I actually BUILT my own “Irish Tenor” banjo out of a cake pan I found in a thrift store. Really! I also assembled a “box fiddle” from a kit. I had so much fun with those two projects that I have more instrument builds planned, which I'm sure I'll be sharing a lot about when I get to them.
Animals
As a kid my family had various pets, including rabbits, a guinea pig, betta fish, parakeets, goats, a rooster, and ponies. Specifically, Norwegian Fjord Ponies--thats the kind that are featured for about 10 seconds in the Frozen movie. Living in Utah, my dad was looking for a horse that would weather the cold winters as well as be well mannered around kids, and Fjords are what he settled on! So I grew up shoveling manure (gotta earn money to buy books somehow) and helping my dad drive the ponies in parades. Many of my early paintings featured those ponies, because seriously, how could I resist? Now as an adult, we have a parakeet in our house providing a constant tweeting-screeching song in the background, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
As a kid my family had various pets, including rabbits, a guinea pig, betta fish, parakeets, goats, a rooster, and ponies. Specifically, Norwegian Fjord Ponies--thats the kind that are featured for about 10 seconds in the Frozen movie. Living in Utah, my dad was looking for a horse that would weather the cold winters as well as be well mannered around kids, and Fjords are what he settled on! So I grew up shoveling manure (gotta earn money to buy books somehow) and helping my dad drive the ponies in parades. Many of my early paintings featured those ponies, because seriously, how could I resist? Now as an adult, we have a parakeet in our house providing a constant tweeting-screeching song in the background, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Painting
Not only do I enjoy painting, I LOVE teaching observational drawing and painting skills. I’ve taught both locally and online, and of course also enjoy practicing those skills myself. I consider observational drawing and painting complimentary to illustration, and believe that it informs and strengthen my more stylized work.
Not only do I enjoy painting, I LOVE teaching observational drawing and painting skills. I’ve taught both locally and online, and of course also enjoy practicing those skills myself. I consider observational drawing and painting complimentary to illustration, and believe that it informs and strengthen my more stylized work.
...and more!
cooking, baking, gardening, biking.... maybe one of these days I'll find time to write about my other interests and hobbies. The last big one I'll mention for now is, of course, parenting. I have two kids who happen to be the cutest humans alive. They they keep me busy--this is an illustration I did waaaaaay back ten minutes ago when they were little. They don't fit in my lap anymore!
Links for further info:
Newsletter
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Contact Info
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My Blog
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Around the net--Interviews, Awards, Challenges, and Blogs
Interview on Weyakin Designs
Interview about the creation of ON A RAINY DAY and Linocuts
Announcement for Illustrator for Illustrators class on SVS Learn
The Society of Visual Storytelling is an online school that focuses on classes for people interested in illustration. They asked me to make a class for them to help their subscribers learn to use Adobe Illustrator, my favorite digital art program.
Stockade Art Show, 3rd Place overall
This is a small but longstanding local art show, and the first one I ever participated in. I was definitely not expecting any kind of award, so getting third place was a very pleasant surprise!
Kidlit 411 Weekly Roundup, illustration
My illustration was featured on the Weekly Roundup of the Kidlit 411 website.
#PBChat critique recipient
Mentors for the #PBChat mentorship were allowed to nominate applicants who showed promise for critique if they didn't receive the mentorship. I was nominated for two!
SCBWI Bulletin Art Spot Winner
the Society of Childrens Books Writers and Illustrators sends out a quarterly bulletin, and in each one illustrator is chosen as the winner of the art spot. My art was featured in the Summer 2019 issue.
Kidlit411 Interview: Illustrator Spotlight July 2019
This interview covers how I became interested in illustration, my process, work I've done for Cricut, and more.
Society of Visual Storytelling Featured Student June 2019
This interview touches on creativity, process, and work-life balance.
#PBChat Featured Illustrator May 2019
#PBChat (picture book chat) takes place every Wednesday night on twitter.
Interview on my SCBWI NY 2019 Conference Experience
A friend who was preparing for her first SCBWI conference wanted to know more about what to expect.
Honorable Mention--Kidlit411 Banner Contest
my banner will be featured on the Kidlit411 website and Facebook Group in July 2019
2nd Place--Society of Visual Storytelling monthly illustration competition November 2018
the prompt was "Slow"
3rd Place--Society of Visual Storytelling monthly illustration competition February 2018
the prompt was "Octopus"
Limited Palette—Unlimited Storytelling Potential
Blog post for the 2018 Smart Dummies Challenge--a challenge for illustrators to complete an entire picture book dummy in one month.
SCBWI Bologna Book Fair Illustrators Showcase Shortlist
My entry, titled Chanticleer and the Fox, is an illustration for the Nun's Priest's Tale (one of Chaucer's Canterbury tales).
Interview about the creation of ON A RAINY DAY and Linocuts
Announcement for Illustrator for Illustrators class on SVS Learn
The Society of Visual Storytelling is an online school that focuses on classes for people interested in illustration. They asked me to make a class for them to help their subscribers learn to use Adobe Illustrator, my favorite digital art program.
Stockade Art Show, 3rd Place overall
This is a small but longstanding local art show, and the first one I ever participated in. I was definitely not expecting any kind of award, so getting third place was a very pleasant surprise!
Kidlit 411 Weekly Roundup, illustration
My illustration was featured on the Weekly Roundup of the Kidlit 411 website.
#PBChat critique recipient
Mentors for the #PBChat mentorship were allowed to nominate applicants who showed promise for critique if they didn't receive the mentorship. I was nominated for two!
SCBWI Bulletin Art Spot Winner
the Society of Childrens Books Writers and Illustrators sends out a quarterly bulletin, and in each one illustrator is chosen as the winner of the art spot. My art was featured in the Summer 2019 issue.
Kidlit411 Interview: Illustrator Spotlight July 2019
This interview covers how I became interested in illustration, my process, work I've done for Cricut, and more.
Society of Visual Storytelling Featured Student June 2019
This interview touches on creativity, process, and work-life balance.
#PBChat Featured Illustrator May 2019
#PBChat (picture book chat) takes place every Wednesday night on twitter.
Interview on my SCBWI NY 2019 Conference Experience
A friend who was preparing for her first SCBWI conference wanted to know more about what to expect.
Honorable Mention--Kidlit411 Banner Contest
my banner will be featured on the Kidlit411 website and Facebook Group in July 2019
2nd Place--Society of Visual Storytelling monthly illustration competition November 2018
the prompt was "Slow"
3rd Place--Society of Visual Storytelling monthly illustration competition February 2018
the prompt was "Octopus"
Limited Palette—Unlimited Storytelling Potential
Blog post for the 2018 Smart Dummies Challenge--a challenge for illustrators to complete an entire picture book dummy in one month.
SCBWI Bologna Book Fair Illustrators Showcase Shortlist
My entry, titled Chanticleer and the Fox, is an illustration for the Nun's Priest's Tale (one of Chaucer's Canterbury tales).