Jujoimaginings Presents:
The Gnome Came Home Series
Written by: Joy Bashara
Illustrated by: June Nyberg
Joy Bashara
Author Joy Bashara is a retired high school drama and speech teacher from Superior, Wisconsin. Her experiences have included original children's play for elementary schools, travel to teach in Siberia, Czech Republic and Scotland and a wide variety of creative arts and crafts skills.
"Writing this book, in The Gnome Came Home series, was a labor of love inspired by June's quirky story of the disappearance, reappearance, and disappearance again of her four foot garden gnome. We couldn't 'figure it out and neither will our readers. We hope you enjoy trying to figure out along with us, if he ever finds his home and family again.
Joy and her husband, Frank, now reside in the Fox Valley where they enjoy all this area has to offer.
June Nyberg
Under Construction- Coming Soon: Quotes from Joy Bashara
Illustrator June Nyberg of Superior, Wisconsin, is a well-known local rosemaling and folk art teacher as well as an artist. Her work includes classes throughout the year in a variety of venues, private projects for individuals, and now, illustrating.
In talking about illustrating she said, "Illustrating is a little different than other art because you need to read the text and picture what is going on. What colors, shapes and designs are going to best create the idea of the author. An illustration enhances the story while still giving the readers a chance to create the rest in their mind's eye."
Her students say that "June is a steady hand and a gentle heart".
June continues to offer classes in Superior and various other communities in the Midwest.
Folk art has played such an important part throughout history.The rest of the arts did as well, but they were more exclusive. Painters painted pretty pictures for those who could afford to buy them. But folk art was done by 'folksy' people. It was the common person who was 'unschooled', being an artist. It was simply a part of every day family life. . . I can pick up and sense the beauty, and it's probably from the [folk] art. I know some of the countries [that make folk art], their music, and what makes them beautiful. But mostly, I know the art. Art defines a country, it's heritage, and it's people.
June Nyberg talking to the Wisconsin Arts Board on why she chose folk art.
I usually paint the little people, the gnomes and trolls, and whatever. I usually leave the hat until last.
It is always a red hat. I tell [my students] these stories, the whole time I'm painting. As fast as I can talk, I'm telling them these stories that inspire these images. Then, I paint the red hat on his head.
June Nyberg with the Wisconsin Arts Board.