ARTIST RESIDENCY: VISUAL ARTS

Nancy Carol Willis
Illustrating and Writing

1322 Bayview Road
Middletown, DE 19709
302/378-7274; 302/378-0339 (fax)
E-mail: ncwillis@nancycarolwillis.com
Web site: http://www.nancycarolwillis.com

Nancy Carol Willis is a multi-disciplinary artist who designs, writes and illustrates natural science books, magazine articles, posters, and educational materials for children and adults. She also creates field journal sketchbooks of landscapes and animals.

Ms. Willis brings to her residencies an engaging enthusiasm and commitment to the literary, scientific and artistic potential of each child. She works with children of all ages and abilities and prefers small groups that allow for individual attention. She also offers teacher, librarian and parent programs and workshops. Her programs range from a single class period to multi-day residencies. Examples include:

Wildlife or Habitat Alphabet Books - Using a reference photo, each child designs and illustrates an alphabet page that includes a focal point, background, border and text (Grades 1-5).

I Wish I had a Pet - Each child must convince his or her parents through persuasive writing to purchase an exotic animal for a pet. The writing is added to a painting using reference photos of the exotic pet in its habitat (Grades 3-6, multi-day residency).

Nature Journals - Children will go outdoors with paper, clipboards and magnifying lenses to record sensory details and the properties of a plant or other natural object. Children will learn direct observation tips for sketching their objects. Inside the classroom, children will create a field journal page from their notes, and the pages will be bound together into a class nature journal (Grades 3-12, multi-day residency).

Picture Book Design - Beginning with a familiar fairy tale, each child will create a storyboard based on his or her adaptation of the story. Children will be introduced to book design elements and given tips for designing and illustrating a full-size, two-page spread (Grades 3-12, multi-day residency).

From Drawing Board to Bookshelf - In an interactive format, children will learn the process of making a nonfiction picture book. Topics include: conducting research, working with reference photos and specimens, creating a storyboard and dummy, writing and editing, creating illustrations, and printing and binding. (Grades K-12, single program).

Nonfiction Doesn't Mean, "No Fun" - Students will learn tips and tricks for making their nonfiction writing come alive. (Grades 5-12, multi-day residency or single program).

Teacher/Librarian/Parent Workshops - Various topics are available.

Education/Experience: BS in Graphic and Advertising Design, University of Delaware; MBA, Wilmington College; Design Supervisor, The DuPont Company; President, Council of Delaware Artists; President, Birdsong Books; Program Director, The Arts at New Covenant Church; residencies and programs with over 20,000 school children, teachers, librarians and parents.

Availability: Open

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