Coweta artist illustrates children's book 'Twelve Days of Christmas in Oklahoma'
BY NOUR HABIB World Scene Writer
Thursday, November 22, 2012
11/22/12 at 4:17 AM
Victoria Hutto's whimsical art - cute penguins, vibrant Santas and smiling bunnies - can be found on everything from greeting cards and paper plates to fabric and Christmas ornaments.
The pieces can be found at numerous retailers, including Target, Walmart and Kohl's. Some of the companies that feature her artwork on their products include Leaning Tree Greetings, Legacy Publishing, Gango Editions, Unique Industry and Jellybean Rugs.
"I still feel kind of surprised when I walk into a store and see my artwork on merchandise," Hutto said.
Recently, the Coweta artist entered into a new area - illustrating a children's book.
Hutto spent about four months working on "The Twelve Days of Christmas in Oklahoma," which was published last month.
"It was a different challenge," Hutto said of the project. The book required her to come up with images for several characters and to keep the characters looking the same throughout the pages.
The characters also had to be more expressive, she said.
Hutto worked off the manuscript of the book, written by Tammi Sauer.
"Just starting is the hardest part," she said, because it's like pulling something "out of thin air."
"But once I get going, it starts to be fun," she said.
Hutto, who said she had always enjoyed doodling, had planned on becoming a computer programmer. Instead, she attended the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland and received a bachelor of fine arts degree in illustration.
After college, she landed a job with Sanrio, a company known for its Hello Kitty character. She moved to Oklahoma when she began working for the gift bag company Jeanmarie Creations, which is based in Tulsa.
Hutto said she decided to strike out on her own because she wanted the opportunity to try different things.
"I wanted to grow a bit more," she said.
Hutto is now a licensed artist, meaning she does not sell her art but just the right to reproduce it.
She said she also enjoys designing products. Her new work includes home and garden décor items, some of which embody a more serious artistic style, she said.
Hutto said she enjoys trying new things - including experimenting with collages - but the whimsical style is still her favorite.
"I'm a lot more comfortable with it," she said. "I like cute things and vibrant colors. It's part of my personality."
'THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN OKLAHOMA'
Written by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Victoria Hutto
Sterling Children's Books, $12.95
Available at the following Oklahoma locations: Best of Books, Full Circle Bookstore, Brace Books & More, Steve's Sundry Books and Magazines, Gilcrease Museum, Learning Tree, Hastings, Broken Arrow Historical Society gift shop, and barnesandnoble.com.
Victoria Hutto's artwork can be found on greeting cards by Leaning Tree Greetings and Legacy Publishing, decor by Gango Editions, partyware by Unique Industry, and decorative rugs by Jellybean Rugs. Some of the products can be found at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft, Walmart, Kmart, Burlington Coat Factory and Dollar General.
For more about Hutto's work, visit tulsaworld.com/hutto
Original Print Headline: Coweta artist illustrates children's book
Nour Habib 918-581-8369
nour.habib@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Artist Victoria Hutto's work includes napkins, greeting cards, stationery, drawings and other small home items. CORY YOUNG / Tulsa World
Victoria Hutto, an artist from Coweta, teamed up with author Tammi Sauer for the children's book "The Twelve Days of Christmas in Oklahoma." CORY YOUNG / Tulsa World
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