There is a whole rainbow of feelings to talk about and Caitlin Sigouin.

A lot happened all at once over the spring/summer months.

My time Gibraltar blog/dairy post is up and coming, it is not just a normal blog post (I am illustrating key moments), but hopefully will be done by November.

But, a key moment while in Gibraltar was a highlight for me for 2024. At the end of May, the amazing new author Caitlin Sigouin published her first book A Rainbow of Feelings on Amazon. (Illustrated by me)

Caitlin is a therapist from Canada, that specialises in parenting, grief and burnout. Caitlin is passionate about managing and understanding feelings, so it is no surprise that she wrote a heartwarming book following Tito as he comes to terms with his rainbow of feelings.

This book is really for all, but amazing for a child who has yet to understand all emotions are okay, the good, the bad and the ugly. It is a book for a child who struggles to express emotions, And it is a good story to boot.

Just what happens when emotions and colours disappear? Find out here… 

The Creative Process

Caitlin reached out at the end of 2023, right off the bat the partnership felt right and our shared vision for children at the centre of books having a safe place (as well as good stories). Tito came easily and naturally to us both, we had a clear vision of him and his world. Tito's world is full of big emotions, and big expressions and when he cannot express himself like that he has a hard time.  

The illustrations were created mainly in Procreate, which allowed me to adjust the colours and textures to enhance the mood, this was a method of showing how Tito was feeling without the words and colours. There are watercolour elements, which form in the textures, the front cover and little features. (I am a multi-media artist - I find different elements to express moods) - Normally my watercolours can be very dark and moody, but this story needed a little more childlike innocence so that is why watercolour elements are limited/controlled.

My favourite spread is the tiny Tito and his Grandmother moment and the rainbow shadows come from Tito, showing each core emotion being a part of him.

With the visual you can enjoy the book as it appears, however, there are layers, and deeper meanings within symbols, textures and emotions.

I have enjoyed this project it has pushed me and challenged me… as I continue to grow as an illustrator (Side note - I will always grow as an illustrator as I believe in challenging myself and always evolving)

Caitlin Sagouin can be found on Instagram

The book is available on Amazon  Below Caitlin discusses the book with Amelie Anastasia the host of youtube channel What's Up Young Authors! Amelie AnastasiaAmelie Anastasia

Please do not forget to hit like to show support to Amelie