OVERCUP BLOG — sunae

Sunae is a Japanese technique of painting with colored sand, but it’s not very well known. Naoshi, author and illustrator of Ice Cream Work, is working to make this unique method more recognizable. Not only did she use Sunae throughout her entire book, but she also participates in a variety of projects to help people realize how neat this technique is and how easy it is to learn. Talking about Sunae isn’t as exciting as watching videos and trying it out on your own. So, here’s your chance to learn how to create paintings with colored sand. Watch these three...

From April 16th to May 14th P!Q at Grand Central Station was overtaken by Hello Kitty and her many sanrio companions since. Overcup Press author  Naoshi was one of over 100 eminent artists whose artwork was featured at this event. Naoshi is the author of Ice Cream Work which follows the story of Ice Cream Man as he goes from job to job emphasizing the importance of imagination in daily life. Using the Japanese technique of sunae, a process that involves using colored sand, Naoshi is able to bring her unique pieces to life from start to finish.   If you are a fan...

What did you want to be when you grew up? Maybe an astronaut, a veterinarian, or a firefighter? And what inspired your dream? For many of us, it was the media—the books we read, the movies we watched, and the music we listened to—as well as the jobs our parents went to every single day.For the last 23 years, Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day has been inspiring American children as more than just a break from school. Rather, it gives parents the opportunity to show their children the value of continuing education, the delicate balance of work...

We're pleased to be the current featured publisher in the Chin Music Press showroom at Pike Place Market in Seattle. They'll be selling all of our titles and Overcup-related items throughout the holiday season. You’ll find great gift ideas from Overcup Press and Chin Music Press in the showroom for everyone on your holiday shopping list. There are books for all kinds of readers on your list. It's a store full of Chin Music Press's lovely, thoughtfully designed books covering lots of reading territory—fiction, art, cultural studies, politics, memoirs, food, essay collections and photography. And look for these Overcup Press items: Our latest...

A book trailer (or short video) is a way for an author to connect with readers and let them know what the book is about. At 48 seconds, the book trailer for Ice Cream Work by Naoshi, packs in a lot of great visuals for the book. While it focuses on the book, Naoshi took the time to include a short piece that shows how she creates all of her art using Sunae, a Japanese sand art technique. All of her images are painted using sand, adding a unique feel and texture to the art. It's a very involved process that she (along...