From Words to Brushstrokes: Illustrator Spotlight ✨
Publishing my first book has been an incredible and surreal experience!
Though the official process to publishing took two years, this children book debut had been brewing in my heart for much longer. Bringing this book to life has truly been a dream come true.
One of the most important steps after finishing the manuscript (which I will share more on another time) was finding the right illustrator—someone who could visually capture the depth, soul, and essence of the story. I knew I wanted hand-painted, art-centered pages, but I wasn’t sure I’d find an artist who truly understood my vision. Then, I reconnected with Amy.
Our paths first crossed when she sketched a live maternity portrait of me in my final days of pregnancy. That connection led to a beautiful collaboration.
The illustration process began with pencil sketches, shaping the visual storyboard of the manuscript. Through thoughtful revisions, those early drafts evolved into stunning acrylic paintings on wooden canvas—each one hand-painted by Amy Médéa Chartier with incredible care and artistry.
Looking back at the original pieces, including those that didn’t make it into the final book, and each read of Goodnight Moonlight there is so much magic woven into this journey.
Goodnight Moonlight is more than just a children’s book—it’s a handcrafted piece of art, filled with connection, meaning, and timeless messages for both children and adults and was made with full heart and love by both author and illustrator.
I’m deeply grateful to have worked with Amy, a truly one-of-a-kind artist based in Northern Ontario, I certainly found the right illustrator and I’m always amazed at how she could see my daughter and I and the story I was looking to tell. Thank you for your visual expression of this treasured bedtime story.
Goodnight Moonlight features 28 pages of beautifully hand-painted artwork, and I can’t wait to share it with you all!
Here are some behind the scenes from the incredible process of creating Goodnight Moonlight celebrating the incredible illustrator talent of Amy Medea Chartier.
Discover the breathtaking brushstrokes and heartfelt story of Goodnight Moonlight at www.johannamercedesauthor.com
To connect directly with Amy and explore her multidisciplinary art services, visit SimplyAmy.online
