ElizaWheeler-2025-SqWeb-bright

Eliza Wheeler is an illustrator and author of books for kids, teens, and the young at heart. Her book Miss Maple’s Seeds was a NYT bestseller, and her book Home in the Woods was dubbed “Gorgeous” by the New York Times book review. Eliza is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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'HOME IN THE WOODS' Book Video

A behind-the-scenes video detailing the process of writing and illustrating Home in the Woods.

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On Winning the SCBWI Portfolio Showcase

August 15, 2011

    I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I won! This year’s SCBWI conference was more than I could have ever expected it to be. I got to spend tons of time with my fellow Mentees who were able to be there, see old friends, meet new ones, and just all around be inspired. I’m so excited and honored to share with you my news of winning the Portfolio Showcase grand prize at this year’s SCBWI Summer Conference! Since receiving last year’s Mentorship award, I worked hard revising my portfolio according to the suggestions of the Mentors. Going to…

See you at the SCBWI-LA conference!

August 4, 2011

  Starting early tomorrow morning is the annual Society of Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrator’s conference in Century City, Los Angeles. Publishers, editors, agents, art directors, writers and illustrators in the children’s book field get together and geek out about kids books (picture books up to YA novels). What could be better? I’ve been working for the past 6 months on revising my portfolio for the illustrator’s Portfolio Display on Saturday night. After winning the Mentorship Award Program last year along with 5 super talented illustrators (Debbie Ohi, Ashley Mims, Andrea Offermann, Kimberly Gee, and John Deininger), this year will…

Cello Illustration

July 15, 2011

    I just finished a new illustration for the portfolio—It’s a stand-alone image done in pen and ink. I started with a thumbnail sketch, and then created a crude clay model for lighting studies. I created the full size pencil sketch on my final watercolor paper and began inking the lines. I realized before inking the whole thing that I should try a few tonal studies, so I scanned in the sketch, and printed it out on watercolor paper at about 8×10″ (with waterproof printer ink). This made good practice for the final piece before applying the ink washes.…

SCBWI Mentees Round-up: Portfolio Showcase Tips

July 5, 2011

    With the SCBWI Summer Conference only a month away, my mentee group gives some great advice on how to prepare your portfolio if displaying in the conference showcase. SCBWI Illustrator Showcase Mentees: Class Of 2010 – Illustrator & writer.