The children’s book, Slaying Knightmares, was developed as a part of the Iowa State Focus Artist Grant Program. I received a $600 grant to print my book after submitting a written grant proposal and giving a presentation to the 2017 Focus Grant Committee. I worked with my adviser, Paula Streeter and the Focus Grant Committee, over the course of the year to perfect my final story line and product.
Slaying Knightmares, explores themes of fear, solitude, courage, and understanding in the hopes that children and parents will reflect on the idea that our understanding of what we fear often changes when we confront it.
A minimalistic illustration style was employed to incorporate common themes of concept and process work. The style is intended to simplify forms while still making the content perceivable. The illustrations were created using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. The type was done by hand using a tablet.
The process work was displayed during the annual Focus Grant Exhibit at Iowa State. Using collage, different aspects of the process were organized and annotated on a 4 ft by 3 ft bulletin board. Some of the sources researched include, Civil Disobedience, by Henry David Thoreau and Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson. The Focus Grant allowed for 20 copies of the books to be printed and they are being distributed to libraries across Iowa and New Mexico and sold.
Slaying Knightmares, has been added to collections at,
E.m. Adams' Portfolio 