This past May, Emily Bury ’15 (Illustration) embarked on an opportunity to illustrate a children’s book that sends characters on Wisconsin road trips from Fond du Lac to La Crosse, Eau Claire and Appleton. Employing her dual interests in drawing and Wisconsin nature, Bury was a natural fit to illustrate Badger State Buddies.
A Kenosha native, Bury integrates the traditional application of pencil and paper with elements of Photoshop and digital media. At MIAD, her coursework involves designing packages, illustrating posters and book covers, and making scientific diagrams and pop-up art. When considering how to illustrate the book, Bury chose to return to the media she most enjoyed.
She drew all the black and white drawings, as well as the color cover for Badger State Buddies. Bury illustrated 15 of the 24 chapters in the book, working from March to May of 2014. Communicating solely by email, Bury sent sketches to the writer for edits and feedback. From there, she made final drawings, which were used and joined with the text.
Not distributed in bookstores, the book can be found through UW-Extension. Click here to find a copy, and to learn more about this project.
