Ridgewood artist - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

November 6,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Lifelong Ridgewood resident, and local artist E. A. Santoli has teamed up with children’s book author M. Earl Smith to publish their first work of children’s fiction. Entitled Little Karl, the story recounts a day in the life of Little Karl, who, while touring his hometown with his mother, becomes acutely aware of the many injustices in his world. Through several familiar scenarios,Karl attempts to rationalize the world and his place in it, which leads him to embrace the values of fairness and equality in direct challenge to the unhappiness he sees everyday.

Pairing up with Smith was an easy choice, the artist says. “Given the connection we share through our Alma Mater, The University of Pennsylvania, teaming up with M. Earl was a natural choice. We shared a common professor in our different times at the University, and through this contact we were able to share our ideas and visions for the book. Once the creative process began, the rest came naturally.”

Smith agrees, and, in fact, gushes about the illustrative talents of his comrade. “Quite frankly, there is not, in my view, a better illustrator in the business. I simply cannot envision working with any other artist at this juncture. The stylistic attention to detail adds more to Little Karl than my words could ever do alone. I remain forever grateful to both our shared connections and the bond we share as alums at Penn for bringing us together.”

Little Karl is due out from Michelkin Publishing on Black Friday, November 25 th , 2016, in retailers such as Barnes and Noble and Books-A- Million, as well as Amazon and local retailers nationwide. The authors have a small signing tour planned, with stops in Manhattan, the Bronx, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston, Baltimore, and in nearby Paramus, where they will spend a fun-filled day with the children at the Child Development Center at Bergen Community College, where, after a reading of the book, the children will engage in a series of fun-filled,Little Karl related activities. This event is tentatively scheduled for December 1 st .

More information on the author-illustrator duo can be found at the Michelkin Publishing website below. Little Karl can be ordered online through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, in both print and e-book format.

About the Illustrator and Author

https://books.michelkin.com/illustrator-profile- e-santoli/

https://books.michelkin.com/author-profile- m-earl- smith/

https://www.facebook.com/EASantoli/

https://www.facebook.com/MEarlSmithAuthor/

https://www.ericsantoli.com/

Where to buy Little Karl

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Karl- M-Earl- Smith/dp/0998067210

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-karl- m-earl- smith/1125041180?ean=9780998067216

Ridgewood artist and family members share exhibit

MAY 9, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY EILEEN LA FORGIA
STAFF WRITER

“Art in the Family” features four generations of the Toan family with a unique exhibit at the Cottage Place Gallery.

Marion Toan Jones and her husband Bob have been well-known Ridgewood residents for the past 30 years. Marion worked as a clinical social worker and Bob has a PhD in social policy and administration. He has been president of the Children’s Aid and Family Services in Ridgewood for 29 years. Both have spent two years each as president of the Unitarian Society in Ridgewood.

This eclectic show was Marion’s idea. It displays artwork from her mother and aunt as well as that done by Marion and her two cousins, Debbie Patton and Meryl Toan. On exhibit are mixed media, photography, acrylic paintings, oil and batik artworks. Younger family members in the exhibit include Marion’s children Kim Tyner and Nick and her two grandson’s Ben and Finn, 7 and 4 years old. Debbie Patton’s son Ben and Meryl Toan’s daughter Emmy Toan are also part of the show.

“It’s a miracle – they didn’t expect Marion to live more than a year,” said Bob Jones about his wife’s participation in the art show. She was diagnosed with brain cancer in January 2008. As a result of the surgery, memory and speech were affected, but not artistic expression. Since the surgery, Marion has won a number of best in shows. She also had a successful solo show at the Cottage Place Gallery in 2012.

“Art is an emotional expression because she often doesn’t have the words,” Bob noted.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/arts-and-entertainment/art/art-in-the-family-showcases-local-artists-1.1012919