Art tip of the day: sneak a dog into your illustration whenever possible. This is my latest illustration for The New York Times. The article, by Paula Span talks about some new alternatives for helping with hearing loss. To read the complete story, click here.
3x3 International Illustration Show
I'm pleased to announce that Shape Shift earned an award of merit in the thirteenth annual 3x3 Illustration Show. The award is in the picture book category. See the complete list of picture book winners here.
Book Trailer for Shape Shift
We made an animated book trailer for my new book, Shape Shift. You can see the trailer on YouTube!
Big Babies, for the New York Times
This latest illustration for the New York Times was about how sometimes predictions of baby size can be a little off, which leads to unnecessary c-sections. I know, crazy palette, right? You can read the complete story here.
Illustration for the New York Times
Here is a recent piece for the New York Times. This one is about a new app, Heal, that lets you schedule a housecall with a doctor. Kind of a nice idea, don't you think? You can read the full story here.
Shape Shift Available for Pre-order!
My new children's book, Shape Shift, is coming out in January 2016, published by Henry Holt. Admittedly, that's still a ways off, but why not beat the crowds and pre-order?
Shape Shift teaches young kids basic geometric shapes, but also shows how we can use shapes to make all kinds of things. It's a creative game you can play with your kids. I had a ton of fun putting this book together. Look for it in bookstores next year!
Summer Series for Dallas Morning News
I've been working on a series of 20 (yes, 20!) illustrations for Dallas Morning News about summer camps and activities for families – such a nice topic to work on. It made me crave warm summer days ahead! Here are just a few of the series. You can see more on their website.
Innovation for the Chronicle
Here's a recent piece I illustrated for the Chronicle of Higher Education. The story is entitled "Science's Creativity Crisis." You can read the story, by Roberta Ness here.
Illustration for The New York Times
I switched up my palette a bit for this illustration for The New York Times. The story is about Lenore Skenazy, best known as "America's Worst Mom" after allowing her then 9-year-old son to ride the subway alone. She has since written a book "Free Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Chidren (With Going Nuts With Worry)," and now has a t.v. series on Discovery Life Channel where she works with over-protective parents to help them loosen their grip on their kids' freedom.
As Skenazy says, "kids need roots and wings. Parents give them roots. I give them wings." You can read the article here.
Social Networking and Language
This illustration was commissioned by The Chronicle for a story on how social networking has changed language. Words like "friend" and "status" now have different meanings, but not entirely because of social media. As the article points out, "the meanings were already transforming. Social media just helped make the changes more visible, and maybe accelerated them. "
PrestoBingo Colors!
Coming in June is the newest app from Spur Design's PrestoBingo: PrestoBingo Colors! This educational app provides an introduction to colors for kids from preschool age on up. Playful illustrations by Joyce Hesselberth guide kids though robot factories and butterfly fields as they master the intricacies of color identification. For more information, visit PrestoBingo.com. Keep your eyes peeled for PrestoBingo Colors on the App Store!
How College Roommates Can Affect Your Child, for the New York Times
This Perri Klass story was about the effects of roommates on your college-aged child. Read the full story here. Dr. Klass gives some useful information about when to step in.
From an illustration standpoint, it was rather entertaining to put a college dorm room into gigantic floating heads. On a side note, I don't think my dorm room was ever that clean.
The Pedagogy of Attrition, for The Chronicle
This story discussed attrition as a teaching method. Two forces grinding away at each other seemed to get the point across. When I teach, I'm a little less confrontational I think. But I suppose my students may see it differently.
A Taste of My Own Manners, for The New York Times
I illustrated an article on manners for the most recent Perri Klass article in The New York Times. Dr. Klass discusses how manners, particularly phone manners, are much needed in the doctor's office.
From an illustration standpoint, it was a good excuse to draw grumpy people behaving badly. Always fun!
To Smoosh Peas is to Learn, for NYT
I couldn't help thinking of a picture from my childhood when I got this assignment.: my sister, with a bowl of oatmeal dumped on her head. Turns out, she was doing research according to this article.
Cheese Man for On Wisconsin Magazine
I recently did a series of illustrations for On Wisconsin magazine, published by the University of Wisconsin. The feature story, Milk Matters, covered a variety of dairy topics. This little piece, titled "A Case for Queso," might have been my favorite just because I got to draw this little cheese man. The story is about how lactose intolerant people may be able to enjoy some cheeses.
New site!
Joycehesselberth.com has been revamped with a fresh new look! Check it out!
To Help a Shy Child, Listen – for The New York Times
This week's Perri Klass article is about shyness in kids. The kid in front (the not-shy one) reminds me of my son. Which might mean that I am the triangle mom in the back. Yikes.
Chronicle 2013 Almanac
I love working on a good series. The Chronicle of Higher Education recently asked me to illustrate seven pieces for their 2013 Almanac. Surprisingly, my favorite piece ended up being "finance." Sometimes a topic that sounds dry makes you push the concept a little more. That's one of the things I enjoy most about editorial illustration. It makes you think.
For subscribers to the Chronicle, you can read all of the details here.
Profession
Students
Diversity
Finance
Technology
International
States
Sending Kids to College Prepared, for the New York Times
Here is this week's piece for the New York Times. We are still 4 years away from sending our oldest to college, but since she's now in high school, I'm slowly realizing that it won't be long. You can read the full story here.
