Kim Curtis-Monson - Illustrator

Kim studied graphic arts at the University of Minnesota Duluth and does illustration. She has illustrated a children's DVD entitled Long Grass and Lady Bugs. This is a project derived from an original song by Cheryl Leah and Ed Willet, a musical duo called Chance from Wisconsin. website

Ed and Cheryl are a magical combination of voice and cello that perform and tour with the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua group out of Bayfield, Wi. Since she was a small child, Cheryl had dreamed of a land where ladybugs winter. This interactive DVD, an illustrated music box, was created for the inquisitive child. Kim got involved in the project doing Cheryl's makeup for a video production of Chance. Cheryl mentioned the concept of a children's book based on the Ladybug Song and Kim was asked to do the illustrating. Kim water colored over 40 original drawings for the book. Her insects and creatures are whimsical and full of dream like imagery.The illustrations were put into the DVD book along with many extras.

Kim also portrays “Florence the Flutter Master, Winged Mistress to the Ladybug Queen”, in the DVD. Kim makes her character come to life with a British accent, and sparkling costume and hair. She teaches children step-by-step how to make “wings” to be part of the bug world, a craft project where adults and children can interact with one another. In a video-gaming world riddled in violence and with little adult supervision, this DVD offers a refeshing oasis from that world where children can take journey to explore and discover many activities on this DVD. Long Grass & Ladybugs is available from Film Baby, or directly through Kim or Chance.

If you have a special project that needs illustrating and would like to consider Kim for that project, please email her to submit a set of sketches. She can be contacted at: Kmonson802@aol.com.