Shelagh Armstrong facts for kids

Shelagh Armstrong (born in 1961) is a talented Canadian illustrator. She won the Will Davies award in 1985 for being excellent at illustration. This award recognized her amazing artistic skills early in her career.

Discover Shelagh Armstrong's Life and Art

Early Life and Education

Shelagh Armstrong was born in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. She studied at two great schools: the University of Toronto and the Ontario College of Art. She earned degrees in Fine Arts and in Communications and Design. In 2023, Shelagh also earned a Master's degree in Illustration from Falmouth University in the United Kingdom.

Starting Her Career as an Illustrator

Shelagh began her career illustrating books in Canada. She worked with big publishing companies like McClelland and Stewart and McGraw-Hill. Shelagh also created book covers for famous authors. Some of these authors include Alberto Manguel and Dionne Brand.

Shelagh is known for her flexible art style. This means she can draw in many different ways. She has even worked as a courtroom illustrator, drawing scenes from trials. She also created art for big fashion companies and top Canadian design firms. Throughout her career, Shelagh has been asked to draw portraits for people. Her art has been shown in galleries and at universities.

Designing for Canada Post and Royal Canadian Mint

Shelagh Armstrong has created designs for important Canadian institutions. Canada Post asked her to design two Canadian stamps. One stamp celebrated the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The other was for Canada's International Year of the Older Persons.

The Royal Canadian Mint also asked Shelagh to design several coins. Her first coin was in 1999. It was a special silver dollar for the International Year of the Older Persons. This coin supported Canada's idea of "A Society for All Ages." In 2010, she designed a coin for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. This coin was called "Athletes' Pride." It was used on a silver hologram coin and a gold coin.

Shelagh's Family Life

Shelagh Armstrong lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul Hodgson. Paul is a graphic designer. They have a son named Caden, who was born in April 2000.

Shelagh's Commercial Art Projects

Shelagh Armstrong has used her art for many different products. Her illustrations have appeared on packaging for popular items. She has also created art for advertising campaigns.

• Bicks Relish (Packaging Illustration)
• Body Shop Christmas Packaging (Packaging Illustration)
• Kleenex Tissue Packaging (Packaging Illustration)
• Royal Winter Fair & Garden Show (Advertising and Stamp Illustrations)
• Toronto Hydro Corporation (Figure Illustration)

Illustrating "If the World Were a Village"

Shelagh Armstrong created the art for a special children's book. The book is called If the World were a village: A book about the World's People. David J. Smith wrote the book. Kids Can Press published it in 2002. This was David Smith's first children's book.

The book became very popular and won many awards:

• Premio H.C.Andersen Award in 2003 (Italian Edition)
• International Reading Association Children's Book Award 2003
• International Reading Association Teachers' Choice Book
• Smithsonian Magazine "Notable Book of the Year"

Shelagh's Coin Designs

Shelagh Armstrong has designed coins for the Royal Canadian Mint. Her first coin was in 1999. She also designed two Canadian Olympic coins in 2007.

Shelagh's Stamp Designs

Shelagh Armstrong has created two stamps for Canada Post. One stamp celebrated a big event in Toronto. The other stamp was for a special year chosen by the United Nations.

Royal Winter Fair Stamp

In 1997, Canada Post celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. This fair is the world's largest indoor event for horses and farming. Shelagh Armstrong helped design a special stamp for this occasion. The stamp shows farm animals, fresh produce, and homemade goods. It also shows the Royal Horse Show, which is a big part of the fair.

International Year of Older Persons Stamp

The United Nations declared 1999 the "International Year of Older Persons" (IYOP). The goal was to create "a society for All Ages." This means everyone, no matter their age, should be included and respected. Countries worked to show how important older people are in society. They also wanted to encourage respect between different generations.

Shelagh Armstrong helped illustrate the stamp for this important year. The stamp shows an older couple enjoying life as they walk along a path. The trees along the path change, showing the passing of time and aging. The people on the stamp are drawn so they could represent anyone. This shows that the message is for all people and groups.

See also

• Royal Canadian Mint Olympic Coins