Post date: Oct 27, 2016 3:54:01 AM
Adrienne Yorinks interview with David Alan Binder
Bio from her website:
Adrienne Yorinks is an artist that works in a variety of mediums specializing in fabric. Her textile art and personal memory quilts have been exhibited throughout the world.
These works of art are created from photographs and family mementos combined in a unique transfer process with one of a kind quilting, fabrics, and stitching. In addition to her personal memory quilts and client commissions, one of her other mediums are art for the use of illustrating in numerous books. With Adrienne's inspirations in colors, fabrics, textures and original blends of the modern and traditional, it has earned her a number of citations and awards.
Her newest project is a book she has illustrated and co-wrote with Jeanette Larson titled, "Hummingbirds Facts and Folklore from the Americas" was released in February 2011.
The following is a list of Adrienne's exhibitions, commissions, and books.
AWARDS, HONORS:
Georgia Council on the Arts Merit Award, 1995; Best Statement Quilt of the Century finalist, International Quilt Festival, 1999, for quilt "Resistance to Tyranny Is Obedience to God"; Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People selection, National Council for the Social Studies/Children's Book Council, 2000, for The Alphabet Atlas by Arthur Yorinks; Parents' Choice Award and National Parenting Publications Award, both 2003, both for Quack! by Arthur Yorinks; named Honorary Texan, 2001; Storytelling World Resource Awards Honor Book selection and Skipping Stones Honor award, both 2012, both for Hummingbirds by Jeanette Larson.
Museum and Gallery Exhibitions:
Institutional and Corporate Commissions:
Illustrated Books:
Website: Adrienneyorinks.com
I am presently living in Florida.
The important thing I've learned about writing is that I prefer to illustrate! Though seriously, I enjoy delving into a subject and while I was working on, Hummingbirds: Facts and Folklore from the Americas, I loved working in the library. It's good to get away from the distractions of the outside world. When I illustrate, I listen to audio books which creates a very focused place for me and I can work for hours.
The project that kept me from uncovering your [David Alan Binder interview] questions was my first book in the self-publishing market. All of my other books were with publishers, Abrams, Winslow Press, Hyperion Books for Children, Henry Holt, Joanna Cotler Books, Prince Paperbacks, Charlesbridge.
I self-published my newest book which I hope comes out by January because it is a book never done before and unfortunately that is difficult for Publishers.
My newest book is called,
Connecting Language and Art
Facilitating Speech and Language Recovery
It is a book I wanted to do because there is a tremendous need for it.
When my mom had a stroke three years ago, she developed auditory and receptive Aphasia. Previous to the stroke, my mom completed The NY Times crossword puzzle every day. I ran to the bookstore to try to find a book to help adults with Aphasia or brain trauma and there were none. I did purchase several children's books, some of which were helpful but for the most part they added insult to injury. I worked with my mom the first year after her stroke and we went to Speech therapy together with Connie Guarneri who was wonderful. I asked Connie to create this book with me for adults suffering from Aphasia or other brain traumas. It is a workbook and I illustrated it.
I will be learning a whole new field now of trying to promote a self-published book. When I first started in publishing, publishers put a lot of time and thought into promoting my books. That changed as time went by and marketing budgets shrunk. So now with no publisher behind me it will be a new game plan!
My advice for writers and/or illustrators is to find a way to make your creative work space safe and to be at your peak focus. I start my days early. I take my dog out for a 4-5 mile walk every morning. It is great for both of us. I come back and then hit my studio with an audio book, usually a mystery. My dog is content the rest of the day and stays outside my studio or on his bed in my studio. I love his tired/happy company. We don't pay for a gym and spend our best time...play, exercise and work together.
I am doing a lot of large commissions now but am looking forward to having some time to work on a new series of art quilts based on Slanted Blocks.