On April 19th, 2010, I traveled via Skype to Springfield, Tennessee for my first virtual visit. It was fantastic!! It was so oddly easy. I really enjoyed being able to see the kids raising their hands, call on them and answer their questions - just like that! We're planning another visit to practice my 'show' and teach them how to draw a hornet - their mascot. - Nate

Hi Nathan! We enjoyed both SKYPE visits to our 3rd grade class. The students learned so much about what an illustrator is and what his job entails. They are still drawing yellow jackets (our school mascot) that you taught us to create. You made it easy for them to follow each step! Our students had never experienced anything like what you showed them. They learned that illustrating is much more than drawing. An illustrator must also be a researcher. They understand that the academic skills they learn in school could help prepare them for the job an illustrator does. Debbie O'Brien, Technology Coordinator Cheatham Park Elementary School Springfield, Tennessee

A native Austinite and accomplished painter, muralist, and illustrator of a half-dozen children’s books, Jensen has built a fantastic broadcast set in his West Anderson Lane studio for performing his grade school tutorials virtually anywhere in the world using Skype on the Internet.

“I'm a working artist and a Mr. Mom, so it's difficult for me to travel to meet kids and talk about the process of illustrating books. When I discovered the “Skype an Author Network,” I felt this was a best way to reach the broadest audience – in person, virtually speaking.”



I'm going to keep taking pictures and posting as the work progresses on "Big Horn Sheep". It's really taken on steam. I've all of the canvases completely covered in paint (a HUGE step). They are now dry enough that I am starting in on defining and sculpting the characters. I've mixed some great colors and the family is away for the week. No distractions! Yell loudly here: "WE'RE THE ONES IN THE MOUNTAINS!!! BIG HORN SHEEP!!!"
Website Address: http://www.natesbookspace.com
Email: nate@natespace.com

Nathaniel (Nate) Jensen has been a working professional in the arts for the last 18 years. His work has led him to painting buildings as high as 60' tall, illustrating for magazines and newspapers nationwide, animating for feature films and to his favorite work - illustrating children's books.

Author Address: Austin, Texas, U.S.A.

Genres: Picture Book

Audiences: Jensen's books are most appropriate for pre-K - 3rd grade levels.

Available Times: Please contact him regarding available times.

No recording of Skype Sessions without permission from the author.

No Cost Meet the Author Visit: 10-15 minutes

In-Depth Visit Length: 45-60 minutes

In-Depth Visit Cost: $150.

Prerequisites: Please familiarize students with Jensen's books. Coloring pages, How-to-Draw pages, and About the Artist pages are available.

Contact Information: nate@natespace.com or 512-296-0862

Affiliations: Austin Visual Arts Association