The KSMO SCBWI Illustrator Mentorship for 2025 is with illustrator and local Kansas/Missouri SCBWI PAL member Rahele Jompour Bell!
Who is eligible?
Applications open June 1-30, 2024 to any current KSMO SCBWI premium member not published or under contract for illustrations and who have not won a previous KSMO SCBWI mentorship.
What do you win?
This mentorship is offered to acknowledge pre-published regional illustrators’ exceptional illustrations and present an opportunity to receive feedback from a published illustrator on a current work in progress.
What can the winner expect?
In January 2025, the mentor will coordinate directly with the chosen mentee regarding how many pieces will be critiqued, how many revisions will be allowed, and whether meetings will be online, in person, by email, or phone. The mentor will provide feedback on your portfolio with specific comments to direction (is the portfolio focused and hire-able or lacking in direction), presentation (are the layouts presented well, could additional work related to a piece help to build that up), which pieces should the mentee consider dropping and which they should build upon. Up to 2 more meetings may occur at the discretion of the mentor during the 2024 calendar year.
This is not a guarantee of a hire-able portfolio and can be for an artist at any stage of their journey. The hope is to provide the mentee with direction for their ongoing path and a friendly voice for support and understanding!
About the Mentor:
Rahele Jomepour Bell is an Iranian/American picture book artist who has an M.F.A degree from Iowa State University. She started her profession in the United States in 2016 by collaborating with Face Magazine's Art Director, John Sandford. Rahele has created pictures for fiction and non-fiction children's books such as "Our Favorite Day of the Year," The Treasure Box, To Change A Planet, and Angry Me / Peaceful Me. Different prestigious awards recognize her illustrations, including the SCBWI National Portfolio Grand Prize and the Bologna Illustration Exhibition. Please visit Rahele's work on her website: www.rahelestudio.com
Cost: Free to SCBWI Kansas and Missouri members
Applications Open: June 1, 2024
Deadline: June 30, 2024
Winner to be announced in August 2024!
How to Apply:
Email Andy Lozano at ksmosubmissions@gmail.com with the illustration you would like to work on with Rahele Jompour Bell. Please read and follow these guidelines carefully in order for your submission to receive full consideration.
1. Your illustration file needs to be sized at 72dpi, and saved as a jpg. The file name should include your initials, not your name. (e.g.: AEK_2025mentorship.jpg)
2. Include a brief bio in your submission email that lists publication credits, professional training, and what you hope to gain from the mentorship.
3. Submissions should be sent to Andy Lozano at ksmosubmissions@gmail.com between June 1st and June 30, 2024. Your email subject line should read “2025 Illustration Mentorship Application”.
4. Failure to follow these guidelines will disqualify your application from consideration.