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Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 11, 2012.

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A coloring book project featuring original art by Nicoshene Simpson. The mission: to introduce her art to people around the globe.

******EDIT 7/3/2012******

Check out the "updates" tab for additional information/videos.

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My name is Nicoshene Simpson and I am an aspiring artist.  To be more specific, I am an artist/craftswoman who enjoys a wide array of art disciplines including drawing, sewing, working with clay and doll-making.  I have a deep passion for art, especially when it comes to creating it. 

As much as I love the work of my hands, I feel that my art would better serve its purpose in the hands/homes of other people as a source of joy and inspiration.  For this reason I have chosen to utilize kickstarter.com as a means to raise funds to publish and distribute my first coloring book.

This coloring book, which I’ve titled “Cool, Fun and Sweet Coloring Book,” will contain original artwork drawn by my own hands.  I’ve chosen to publish a coloring book as my first large-scale solo project because I wanted to do something that would appeal to people of all ages.  I once had a friend to say that my art would especially appeal to children because of the playful imagery.  However, notice that I did not refer to this as a “children’s” coloring book, because if you are anything like me, you’re a 27 -year-old that still enjoys the therapeutic benefits of making crayon strokes of color on paper.

Many of the images/characters in the coloring book are in a style that I have developed over the last 6 years, drawing upon several sources of inspiration. 
While developing my coloring book, I wanted to present beautiful, adorable and/or cool images with enough details to make the pictures appealing, yet allow enough creative freedom for the user to add their own unique modifications.

The coloring book will be printed in an 8.5 x 11” format, with glossy full color covers and bright white pages.  The book will have at least 30 illustrated pages to color, with pages reserved to list contributors of its publication and other credits.

The plan is to have a minimum of 50 coloring books made to distribute in local art shops, sell at art shows, market online and donate as special gifts to children.  Of course, depending on the pledge amount, backers of this project will have an opportunity to own a copy of the “Cool, Fun and Sweet Coloring Book” as well as other works of art. (See Pledge Rewards to the right --> )

My goal is $200 which will help in the production of these coloring books. Raised funds will also help in satisfying shipping costs and other fees that may be incurred by carriers willing to distribute the books.  When the goal is surpassed, extra funds will go towards the production of additional coloring books.  In short, more funds = more books.

However, projects running under kickstarter.com operate in an all-or-nothing manner.  This means that if the goal is not reached -- even if the funds are just one dollar short -- this coloring book does not happen.  No funds = no books.  Therefore, I ask for your support in helping me to introduce my work to individuals who have as much passion and appreciation for art as I do. 

Regardless of how much your heart leads you to pledge, believe me when I say that every dollar is received with the utmost gratitude.  Thank you in advance for your participation!

--Nicoshene

PS: Check out more of my work at http://enaicioh.deviantart.com/gallery

Samples of images seen in the coloring book:

An example of some rewards: a paper collage character next to its perler bead counterpart
An example of some rewards: a paper collage character next to its perler bead counterpart
Example of a handsewn plush doll, which is available with the corresponding pledge amount.
Example of a handsewn plush doll, which is available with the corresponding pledge amount.
Handsewn plush doll in a different style.
Handsewn plush doll in a different style.

FAQ

  • When successfully funded I expect the book(s) to be ready for shipping by August, if not before then.

    Last updated: Tuesday Jun 19, 9:52pm EDT
  • No, or at least not this specific title.  There may be more in-depth art books available for purchase through such merchants in the future.

    Last updated: Tuesday Jun 19, 9:52pm EDT
  • This is my first kickstarter project so I wanted to work with a number that I felt comfortable with.  Besides, there’s always the opportunity to go beyond the goal.

    Last updated: Tuesday Jun 19, 9:52pm EDT
  • Extra funds will help in getting more books made.  I may even be able to beef up the backer rewards.

    Last updated: Tuesday Jun 19, 9:52pm EDT
  • I have a “real” full-time job outside of my art.  I also have real monthly bills that need to be paid off with my real paycheck.  To fund this project out of pocket would be uncomfortable for my financial budgeting.

    Last updated: Tuesday Jun 19, 9:52pm EDT
  • In developing the style I typically use, I wanted to focus on the eyes.  I felt that the big eyes can be quite expressive on their own, and the absence of a mouth gave the characters a measure of innocence.  At least in my opinion.

    Last updated: Tuesday Jun 19, 9:58pm EDT
  • No.  Every image within the coloring book depicts original characters that I have birthed from my own imagination.

    Last updated: Tuesday Jun 19, 9:58pm EDT
  • It depends on several factors, with time being the biggest.  As mentioned before, I have a full-time job outside of my art.  Contact me for more info/availability.

    Last updated: Tuesday Jun 19, 9:58pm EDT
  • I have big plans for my art which I’m hoping and praying to accomplish in the very near future.  But for now let’s focus on the present :)

    Last updated: Tuesday Jun 19, 9:58pm EDT
  • That’s because I am.  I would have rather done the recording live, but I didn’t want to forget to mention anything important.  Plus I didn’t like the fact that I kept getting tongue-tied.  A more attractive video may be released later, if it’ll encourage you to pledge <3

    Last updated: Tuesday Jun 19, 9:58pm EDT
  • I will say that a majority of characters contained in the book are females, but I would not say that this coloring book is targeted to girls.  This coloring book is for anyone who enjoys positivity in life  as well as the joy of coloring.  Sometimes that could mean a girl hugging a teddy bear, and sometimes it could mean a cat speeding down the road in a bumper car.

    Last updated: Wednesday Jul 4, 6:40pm EDT
  • In the scope of drawing, I typically use a #2 pencil or colored pencil for sketch work, a permanent marker for inking line work, scanner, and some type of digital art program for finishing touches.  I sometimes work directly in a computer program using my digital art tablet to create images.
    In the case of Cool, Fun and Sweet coloring book, a few of the images are a mix of traditional and digital work.  Some are done completely by digital means.  Many go from start to finish on paper using pencils and pens.

    Last updated: Wednesday Jul 4, 6:40pm EDT
17
Backers
$263
pledged of $200 goal
0
seconds to go

Funding period
Jun 11, 2012 - Jul 11, 2012 (30 days)

  • Pledge $1 or more

    2 backers

    NAME ON LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS. Every dollar counts. Therefore, I thank you with much gratitude by adding your name in the book as a contributor.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
  • Pledge $5 or more

    1 backer

    SET OF 5 CHARACTER STICKERS. I will send you a set of stickers featuring my characters. Also includes your name in the book

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
  • Pledge $10 or more

    6 backers

    YOUR OWN COPY OF THE BOOK! Plus you'll still get all of the rewards listed above.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
  • Pledge $20 or more

    2 backers

    8 X 10" COLOR PRINT of one of my digital art pieces. Plus you'll get all of the rewards listed above.

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
  • Pledge $25 or more

    2 backers Limited (8 of 10 left)

    COLLECTOR'S SPECIAL! Not only will you get everything listed above, you'll also get a handdrawn art pendant!

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
  • Pledge $50 or more

    2 backers Limited (3 of 5 left)

    BIG FAN'S SPECIAL! Everything mentioned above (name in book, 8 x 10" print, book, pendant, stickers) PLUS a 2D perler bead doll in the likeness of one of my characters!

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
  • Pledge $75 or more

    0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)

    REALLY BIG FAN'S SPECIAL! Everything mentioned above (name in book, 8 x 10" print, book, pendant, stickers, perler bead doll) PLUS an 8.5" x 11" paper cut-out collage of one of my characters!

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
  • Pledge $100 or more

    0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)

    BIGGEST FAN'S SPECIAL! Everything mentioned above (name in book, 8 x 10" print, book, pendant, stickers, perler bead doll, paper collage) AND a hand-sewn plush version of one of my characters!

    Estimated delivery: Aug 2012