Stella East

CV

Stella East CV

Illustrated books
The Trojan War (Krigen om Troja) written by Inger Merete Hobbelstad. Oslo:
J. M. Stenersens Publishers, 2022.
The Greek Myths (De Greske Mytene) written by Inger Merete Hobbelstad. Oslo: J. M. Stenersens Publishers, 2021.
A Journey to Joan of Arc. (En reise til Jeanne d’Ark). written by Jon Ewo. Oslo: Omnipax, 2008.
Bibi behind the Bombs and the Burqua. (Bibi bak Bomber og Burqa) written by Berit Molander. Oslo: Norwegian Church Aid, 1994.
A Grandmother’s Christmas Book for Children (Bestemors julebok for de små) Trine Kolderup Flaten, ed. Bergen: Eide Publishers, 1992.
The Ford and Other Stories (Forden og andre forteljingar) written by Marianne Havdal Oslo: Gyldendal Publishers, 1991.
The Railway Children (Jernbaneborna) written by Edith Nesbitt. Oslo: Bokklubbens Barn, 1988

Picturebooks
Earth Water, and Sunshine. written and illustrated by Stella East. Forthcoming.
Playing with Jungle Chess Animals. written and illustrated by Stella East. Forthcoming.
Wolf Cub Sim: Stories about the World Outside (Ulveungen Sim: Fortellinger om Verden Utenfor) written and illustrated by Stella East. Leikanger: Skald Publishers, 2006, 2007. Copenhagen: Thorup Publishers 2007. Germany, Hanser Verlag 2009.
Buddha Tor Åge Bringsværd/Stella East. Oslo: Gyldendal Publishers, 2003. Germany: Hanser Verlag, 2005.
The Paint Box Maxine Trottier/Stella East. Toronto (and USA): Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2003. Copenhagn: Thorup publishers, 2003.
Dreamstones Maxine Trottier/Stella East. Toronto (USA): Stoddart Kids, 1999. Copenhagen: Thorup publishers 2000
The Christmas Mystery (Julemysteriet) Jostein Gaarder/Stella East. Oslo: Aschehoug Publishers, 1995- ; Greece, 1997; Ungarn, 2013; Lithuania, 2014; Korea, 2014; Kina 2015.
Singing Stone (Syngende Stein) Hyemeyohsts Storm/Stella East. Trans. Øyvind Skeie. Bergen: Eide Publishers, 1990.
The White Stone (Den Kvite Steinen) Wenche Krossøy/Stella East. Bergen: Eide Publishers,1989.
Heimdall’s Sons (Heimdalls Sønner) Tor Åge Bringsværd/Stella East. Oslo: Gyldendal Publishers, 1987.
The Golden Key (Gullnøkkelen) Wenche Krossøy/Stella East. Bergen: Eide Publishers,1987.

Exhibitions
Travelling solo exhibition: (with painting workshop)
With her own travelling exhibition, and painting workshop, under the auspices of
“The Touring Organization for Hedmark” (Turnéorganisasjon for Hedmark) and the
“Cultural Rucksack” (Den Kulturelle Skolesekken), Stella has exhibited her original paintings, for over 26000 children, in hundreds of schools in Norway.
• 2018 – 2019 Østfold
• 2015 Oppland
• 2012 – 2014 Hordaland
• 2010- 2011 Sogn og Fjordane
• 2009 – 2010 Finnmark
• 2010 Hordaland
• 2009 Oslo
• 2008 Hordaland
• 2000 – 2009: Hedmark

Solo exhibitions (a selection)
OsloOpen, OsloCreative Hub, Oslo. (Planned 2023)
Uhørt Scene/Café/Club, Oslo, Book launch and exhibition, Oslo. 2021.
OsloOpen, Blank Space, Oslo. 2022.
Festival of Silence (Stillhetens festival) Esviken, Asker, 2009.
Pygmalion, Bergen. 2003 og 2008.
The Norwegian Association of Drawing (Tegnerforbundet) Gallery, Oslo, 1994 and 2001.
Gallery Hjadlane, Ulvik. 1992 og 1997.
Gallery Puls, Nordheimsund. 1999.
Arctic Gallery (The Laplanders Gallery), Tromsø. 1991
Galleri Nota Bena, Oslo. 1991.
Voss Kunstlag, Voss. 1990.
Gallery Profil, Bergen. 1987.
Gallery 1, Bergen. 1983.

Group Exhibitions (a selection)
“ARK”: Galleri R21, Oslo, 2018.
The Illustrators Wondrous Ark, Sandnes: in connection with the Nordic Children’s Book Conference, Stavanger. 2017.
Children’s Book Festival, Galleri R21, Oslo 2016.
The CANSCAIP collection, travelling exhibition, Canada 2007 – 2013.
Seljord Kunstforeningen, 2007.
Kvam Kunstlag, 2006.
The Sixth Nordic Biennale of Graphic Design and Illustration, Copenhagen, 
Denmark, 1994.
National Exhibition of Illustration for Children’s Books, Montreal, Canada, 1991.
Kunstklubben A/S, Oslo, 1990.
The Fourth Nordic Biennale of Graphic Design and Illustration, Oslo, 1990
The Norwegian National Art Exhibition, (Høstutstillingen) 1990
Communication Arts, 31’st. Annual Exhibition, USA, 1990
The Biennale of Illustration, Bratislava Czechoslovakia 1989.
Bergens Kunstforening, 1985 and 1988.
Wang Kunsthandel, Oslo 1986.
Galleri Vognremissen, Oslo, 1984.
Maihaugen, Lillehammer, 1984.
The West Coast Exhibition (Vestlandsutstillingen) 1981.

Public Purchase of Works
The Canadian Embassy in Kiev, 2008
The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, 2005
Norwegian National Library, 2004
Årstad bydel, Bergen Municipality, Norway 2003
The Osterøy Retirement home Art Collection, Norway. 1989
The Sunnmørsposten newspaper, Norway.1979

Murals
“Pegasus" The Brakanes School Library, Norway, 1998
The Grimstad House, Norway, 1995
Doktergarden, Norway, 2000

Writing about Word and Image
Thesis
Picturing Stories: The Integrity and Marginalization of Visual Storytelling in
Children’s Picturebooks, 2008, Masters Thesis, York University, Toronto, Canada, examines the visual story within picturebooks as an art form and a language, within a fine art tradition.
Picturing Stories has been purchased by:
• The University of Oslo. (UiO)
• The Norwegian Children’s book Institution. (NBI)
• The University College of Southeast Norway.
• The Notodden Library. (Høgskolen i Sørøst-Norge (HSN)
• The Norwegian Association of Drawing. (Tegnerforbundet (TF))
• Grafill.
Published Articles
“The Multistable Meanings of words and Images.” “Numer,” (members’ magazine for The Norwegian Association of Drawing) 2009.
The Representation of Time in Contemporary Picturebook Pictures” “Numer,” 2012.

Lectures
“The Language of Images in Children’s Literature”, Vilnius, Litauen, 2019.
“Synergy and Contradiction: How Picturebooks and Picture Books Work”, Cambridge University, England, 2018.
CANSCAIP, Toronto, 2010,
“Freedom of Speech” in Children’s Picturebook illustration” at The 31st IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) World Congress, Copenhagen 2008.
“Something New in an Old discussion?: Fine Art and Illustration”, at The Year’s Most Beautiful Books, Oslo 2009.
The Lillian H. Smith Library, Toronto, 2005,
Seneca College, Toronto, 2008,
The Bergen Library, 2004,
The National College of Art & Design in Bergen, 2004.

Teaching
University level
The National College of Art & Design in Bergen: 35% teaching position, 2001/2002.
Supervisor for two Masters Students, 2001.
Guest teacher, 1987 and 2000. External examiner, 1989.

High school level
Etobicoke School of the Arts, Toronto, Canada, guest teacher og external examiner. 2004.
Hjeltnes Horticultural School, Ulvik: 35% teaching position: Drawing, Form, and Colour. 1997-2000.
Trafo.no: mentor since 2000.

Teaching at Elementary school level
Oslo Montessori School 2009 – 2010.
Maya Music and Arts School 2008 – 2010.
The Ulvik Cultural School/Art School for Children, 1996 – 2000.
Private art school for children, Ulvik 1992 – 1993.

Awards and Nominations
Allotted The Guaranteed Minimum Income for Artists (GI), from the Government of Norway, 2011 2022.
Artist in Residence at the Nordic Artists’ Residency in Rome. 2010
Diploma, “The Year’s Most Beautiful Books” Norway, 2007
“Our Choice” The Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 1999 and 2005.
Short listed, 2002 Hackamatack Award.
The Nautilus children’s Picture Book (NAPRA) 2000.
Resource Links, Best of the Best 1999.
Short listed: “Ruth Schwartz Children’s book award” Canada, 1999 and 2004.
Short listed: “The Amelia Frances Howard Gibbon award” Canada, 1999.
Diplom, “The Year’s Most Beautiful Books” Norway 1997.
Silver, “The Visual” competition Norway 1993.
Award of Excellence. “Communication Arts Illustration Annual” USA 1990.
Diplom, “The Form” competition Norway 1984.

Grants
Norwegian Illustration fund Travel Grant 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2013, 2018.
The State Guaranty income for Artists since 2011.
Ellen and Chrix Dahls grant 2010.
The Visual Artist Help Fund for the Artist in Residence: The Nordic Artists’ Residency in Rome 2010.
Grafill Travel Grant 2010.
Bergen Municipality Arts Grant 2008.
Hordaland Provincial Culture Work Grant 2001.
Grafill Exhibition Grant 2001.
Norwegian Illustration fund: Bologna Book Fair Grant 1993, 2002. and 2006.
Norwegian Book Art Grant 1988.
Fjell Municipality Culture Grant 1987.
Norwegian Illustration fund/Project Grant 1986.

Memberships
NBK, Norwegian Fine Artist Association
GRAFILL, Norwegian Association of Graphic Designers and Illustrators
Tegnerforbundet, The Norwegian Association for Drawing

Education
York University, Toronto: MA thesis “Picturing Stories”, Interdisciplinary Programme, 2004-2008.
The National College of Art & Design in Bergen, Norway 1978-1983
Exchange student to Dartington College of Arts, Totnes, England 1977
Cornish Institute of Allied Arts, Seattle, USA 1976-1977

Reviews
What has been said about the book "Dreamstones"

“The sensuous textures of frost tracery and fur, and the contrasts of firelight and moonlit snow against the blue-black darkness in East’s vivid paintings, enhance the magic and eerie beauty of the story. “Dreamstones” deserves a place besides such outstanding picture books of the North as Andrews and Wallace’s “The Very First Last Time” and Ted Harrison’s work."
Gwneth Evans, 09/99, Quill and Quire, Canada

“Maxine Trottier’s fine text is flawlessly caught by Stella East’s magical illustrations with their fine detail and wonderful sense of colour; a whale moving under the ice, a cold moon above, the roaring warmth of a fire filled with Inuit images of animals, the boy looking out from the glowing warmth of his cabin into a dark frozen landscape. This is not only a heart-catching story, it is also visually beautiful.”
Andrea Deakin, October 29, 1999, Chilliwack times and The peace Ark News, Canada

“The illustrations in Dreamstones are haunting and make it one of the more visually stunning children’s books I’ve seen.”
Jack Stoddart, Chairman, Stoddart Books, Canada

What has been said about the book "The Paint Box
“As befits a book about a Renaissance artist, Stella East’s’ richly detailed paintings in gorgeous colours are a feast for the eyes. The illustrator has visited Tintorettos’ home in Venice and has combined photographs and paintings to capture the beauty of the Renaissance city. Her depictions of the two children are captivating.”
CM magazine, Valerie Nielsen MB. April 11, 2003. Canada

“Stella East’s illustrations carry this gentle story of sacrifice and it’s reward admirably. She has combined her own photos and paintings of Venice to create dreamy collages that echo the renaissance masters….The paint Box remind us that children can and should be introduced to fine art at an early age, and this lovely picture book is a fine starting point.”
The Quill and Quire, Jessica Kelly, a youth service librarian in Fresno, California

What has been said about the book “Buddha”
“Buddha” has become a beauty-of-a-book, rich in lovely illustrations which absolutely adorn the tales. Stella East has found a colour-sparkling and imaginative universe which presents itself though, as gentle and elegant in relationship to the thought-provoking and wise tales . . . A mystical and special light rests over Stella East’s illustrations. She has magically created the warm tones of sand and sunshine which is so characteristic for Asia . . . There are already rumours about this publication: not surprisingly, this book has been sold for translation and publication in several countries at the Children’s Book Fair in Bologna this spring."
Gunhild Eia Ryvarden
“Numer 57”, magazine for drawing, Illustration and Book-art. 2003 Norway

What has been said about the book “Wolf Cub Sim”

Almost surrealistic realism
Stella East paints so realistic, that the pictures almost becomes surrealistic. In the same way Henry Rousseau (1844 – 1910) did . . . called the Sunday painter and naivist, because his unusually detailed painting style was so realistic, that it became more than the reality that he tried so hard to express in his paintings. . . fragments of impressions that once put together became surrealistic, dreamy pictures full of stories.

Well done
Stella East tells also stories with her pictures. Stories that highlight the wolves’ longings. A beautiful and sad story, where the wolves’ eye-contact draw us into the plot, both as reader and audience – as if we are standing outside the zoo’s fence, or on the outskirts of the forest, looking in. It is well done, and it gives this quite simple story a poetic dimension . . . The authors burning engagement to save the wolves in their natural habitat, shines through this story about Sim and through the “facts section.” The illustrations balance this story between dream and reality.
Anne Schäffer, http://www.barnebokkritikk.no, 2006-10-19

The Year’s Most Beautiful Books: The Jury’s comments:
Mythical and sincere play between the animals and with the reader. Right into the heart of the jury. http://www.grafill.no/

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Links

www.stellaeast.com

Artist in Residence in Rome

From the Linkedin article Why I Paint Stories

Wikipedia Norwegian (Norwegian)

“Picturing Stories.” Complete thesis on the net

Stella at ”Trafo”

Rainbow workshop at Strøno Primary school, Norway

Stella East video