Pre-Order "All My Stripes"

My newest picture book "All My Stripes" will be released on March 9, 2015, and is now available for pre-order!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

All My Stripes

It was a fun mail day for me.  I just got my illustrator copies of "All My Stripes", my newest picture book to be released by Magination Press in spring 2014.  "All My Stripes" is a story about a zebra named Zane who feels out of place due to his autistic stripe.  Zane's mother gives him space to express his feelings of being different, and helps Zane to see and appreciate his many other "stripes".  While "All My Stripes" is foremost a book that reaches out to children on the autism spectrum, it is also a great story for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider....which is something that I think everyone can relate to.  Since one of Zane's interests is math, I have hidden visual "Easter eggs" throughout the book that pertain to math and math history.  It was such a challenging, enriching and ultimately fun project to be a part of!  I can't wait for the release in the spring!

Allie's Troll Bridge

I've been enjoying my maternity leave and spending some special time with my new baby Elyse and my "big girl" Olivia.  However, I was able to find a few moments to finish this illustration for my niece Allie, who is about to celebrate her first  birthday!  Happy Birthday, Allie!

Day of the Dead

Check out this special Highlights hidden pictures image that I did for The Day of the Dead, sponsored by 20th Century Fox for their new movie "The Book Of Life".  This was a great piece to work on, because in addition to working with some fun imagery, I got to learn about another culture's holiday, which I was previously unfamiliar with.  I love how each of my projects opens the door for me to learn something new!  Happy Fall, everyone!

Welcome, Baby Elyse!

As many of you know, we have been expecting a baby, and are happy to announce that our second daughter Elyse Zivoin arrived this past weekend!  Our 3 year old daughter is very proud of being a big sister.  Elyse is doing very well, and we love having her in our family!

Also, the new MB Artists catalog, themed "School", has been released!  Check out my page at the end for a sneak peak at my newest picture book to be released by Magination Press in 2015....

Highlights Winter Hidden Pictures

I love getting fun mail!  Today, I got my copies of the upcoming "Highlights" Hidden Pictures Seasonal Winter Edition, featuring my artwork on the cover!  Can you find all of the objects and hidden snowflakes?

JZ Artworks has a New Look!

It's been a long time coming, but my website JZArtworks has a new look!  Thanks so much to my husband and personal web developer Romeo Zivoin for the beautiful new design, and for all of the UX coding to make this site more mobile-friendly.  Check it out!

Riley Mae and the Sole Fire Safari

Hi All!  "Riley Mae and the Sole Fire Safari", has been released!  I've done the book covers for this new Christian series for tween-age girls.  Hope you enjoy!

Highlights Fall Issue

Just got my illustrator copies for the new Highlights Fall Newstand issue! Olivia was so excited to see Mommy's artwork on the cover!  I remember loving Highlights as a kid, and it is great to now be a contributor to this magazine, which my own child now loves and looks forward to! 

Business 101

Are you ready to officially set up shop in the illustration industry?  Check out my new post on Once Upon A Sketch about starting a small business for your freelance illustration.

Highlights Hidden Pictures Fall Special

Hi All!
It's been a busy summer!  I've been working on a new picture book, and also many images for Highlights and Highlights High Five Magazines.  Check out the cover artwork for the new Highlights Hidden Pictures special Fall Edition, coming out this week!

Wee Hopes Auction

"Painted Lanterns", along with other pieces by many of my fellow MB Artists, is up for auction to benefit Wee Hopes.  With your help, WeeHopes.org is working to raise $15,000 toward funding a library in Gondar, Ethiopia. All proceeds from the auction go toward the library, populating the library with books and furniture, and training/staffing the library. Together, we can bring the power of reading to children the world over!  Also, check out Wee Hopes on Facebook!

Once Upon A Sketch - Going Digital

Hi everyone!  Check out my new post on Once Upon A Sketch about the basics of transitioning from traditional illustration to digital illustration!

MB Artists Promotional Cataolg #10

Check out the great new artwork in my agent's newest promotional catalog!  All artists created pieces with a "Food" theme.  I highly recommend sitting down with a bowl of ice cream or a cup of hot chocolate while browsing!  Enjoy!

Father's Day

Folioplanet is featuring several of MB Artists' talent for their Father's Day blog, and one of my pieces has been included!  This piece was created a few years ago as a gift for my husband on his first Father's Day, and still has a special place in my artist's heart.  Thanks, Folioplanet, and Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there!

Summer Fairy Article and Book Signing

Hope you can join us for the Book Signing and Storytime for "The Summer Fairy" this coming weekend!  There will be fun take-aways for the kids as well.  Also, check out the article that our local newspaper "Current in Carmel" ran about "The Summer Fairy"!  It gives a little of the back story as to how the family tradition spread to friends and neighbors, and then became a vision for a full novelty picture book.

Sticky Bunny Diner

Check out my new portfolio piece, inspired by my current chocolate cravings, and my daughter who loves bunnies.  I really enjoyed researching retro diner designs and colors for this piece.  Enjoy!

Once Upon A Sketch and Children's Illustrators

Hi everyone,
Check out my new post at Once Upon A Sketch!  It's about the Indiana SCBWI conference that I attended a few weeks ago  What a great experience!

Also, great news!  I am illustrator of the week at ChildrensIllustrators.com!  Yay!  Thanks so much!
Thanks for reading, everyone!

Promo Catalog

My agency, MB Artists, just released its new quarterly promotional catalog.  The theme this time was "Transportation."  Hope you enjoy all of the new illustrations by our artists!

Highlights Hidden Pictures

 

I recently got my copy of the new Highlights High Five Hidden Pictures magazine, with my artwork on the cover!  This was fun to work on, because my daughter is just the right age for High Five.  It has been fun introducing her to the hidden pictures games.  Can you find all five kites?

Blast Off!

I created this piece for my agent's upcoming catalog, with the theme "Transportation".  I think every kid's favorite mode of transportation is imagination and a cardboard box! 

Riley Mae Books Released

My newest books "Riley Mae and the Rock Shocker Trek" and "Riley Mae and the Ready Eddie Rapids" have been released by Zonderkidz!  I did the covers and the spot art chapter headers for these middle-grade chapter books about a girl named Riley Mae who becomes the spoke-girl for Swiftriver Shoe Company.  Soon she's appearing in commercials and magazine ads, and every girl in town wants to wear Riley Mae shoes. Well, except for Riley. Because walking in those shoes means missing out on softball season, making her best friend TJ mad, and embarrassing her new friend, Rusty. It also means sneaking around, hiding, and keeping secrets---because suddenly something isn't quite right at Swiftriver. But a contract's a contract, so Riley laces up her 'Rock Shocker' hiking boots for a climb up Half-Dome in Yosemite. Will they be the right shoes to get her back on solid ground?

 

 

As You Wish

Hi All!  Check out my first post to Once Upon A Sketch!  I offer tips and advice for setting the right goals for 2014 for your business and portfolio.

Once Upon a Sketch

Well, this announcement is overdue, but starting this year, I will be one of the regular contriubutors to the blog "Once Upon A Sketch."  This blog is a resource for illustrators which gives "insight, education and news about the many facets of the Children’s Illustration Market. From Children’s Books to Character Design, Game Art, Storyboarding, Toys and licensed Products you’ll find articles, interviews and resources to help fuel your education and growth. Jump in and learn more about the various industries from working professionals and find out what it takes to become successful in this field."  Founded by Wilson Williams Jr and Norman Grock, the website became a go-to for artists looking to learn about new techniques, new technologies and important news affecting the illustration industry.  After Wilson's unexpected passing in August this past year, the blog went on hiatus for a few months.  During that time, Norman Grock began looking for new and returning contributors to partner with him in order to continue maintaining and updating "Once Upon A Sketch", keeping it a relevant resource for artists. 

 

I am excited to be able to be a part of this great website!  Check out our very first group-post of the year, "What We Wish We Knew BEFORE We Started Out As Artists".  Also, next week, I will be posting my first entry about identifying and setting meaningful goals for our portfolios and our businesses to attract new clients and appeal to new markets.

 

Thanks for reading!