Ilze Ramane

Is a graduate of the Department of Decoration of the Riga Secondary School of Applied Art and the Interiors and Furnishings Department of the Latvian Academy of Art. She has obtained a Master’s Degree in Art (2004). Since 1979 she has regularly collaborated with the publishers Liesma and Sprīdītis, illustrating volumes of poetry, fairy-tales and colouring books, designing more than 50 publications, and creating illustrations for the children’s magazines Ezis and Zīlīte. In collaboration with the Latvian Publishers’ Association she has designed the Latvian stand at the international Frankfurt Book Fair and designed a booklet and diplomas for the association”s annual event, the Annual Prize for Book Publishing Zelta Ābele (2002–2008). She took part in the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava in 1999. The artist has successfully colaborated with Māra Cielēna, illustrating the book of fairy-tales “Different Darknesses” (Dažādas tumsas. R.: Rasa, 2005) and the ABC for pre-school children “Kaskabatis Looks for Letters” (Kaskabatis meklē burtus. R.: Jāņa Rozes apgāds, 2005). In 2010 she created the poetry colouring books “The Birthday” (Dzimšanas diena), “The Pigs” Car” (Rukšu auto), “The Pigs” Ghosts” (Rukšu spoki), “The Kittens” Garden” (Kaķēnu dārzs) (M. Cielēna. R.: SIA Lietusdārzs, 2010) and the book of poetry “The Giraffe”s Shawl” by M. Cielēna (Žirafes šalle. R.: SIA Lietusdārzs, 2010).

I. Ramane received the 1999 Pastariņš Prize for her illustrations to classic works by K. Skalbe, V. Plūdonis and F. Bārda. She was nominated for the 2008 Annual Prize for Book Publishing and received the 2009 Pastariņš Prize for the book “Our Latvia” by J. Zvirgzdiņš (Mūsu Latvija. R.: Zinātne, 2008). She was nominated for the 2006 Jānis Baltvilks Prize for the book “Different Darknesses” by M. Cielēna (Dažādas tumsas. R.: Rasa, 2005). She was also nominated for the 2004 Annual Prize for Book Publishing for the book “A Good Laugh” (Smejies vesels! Compiled by I. Karlsberga. R.: Jāņa Rozes apgāds, 2004) and for the 2003 Annual Prize for Book Publishing for the first book about the adventures of the inhabitants of Ķiparzeme, Ķiparu, ļerpatu, šnirks!, by A. Jundze (R.: Daugava, 2003).

In the competition “Most Beautiful Book 1997” I. Ramane won third prize for her illustrations to the poetry of V. Plūdonis in the publication “The Dwarves and the Old Man of the Forest” (Rūķīši un Mežavecis. R.: Jāņa Rozes apgāds, 1997). She also won third place in the 2002 Annual Prize for Book Publishing competition for “Riddle Verses”, a witty and attractive book of riddles by J. Baltvilks (Mīklupanti. R.: Daugava, 2002).

Illustrating children’s books is a great opportunity to enhance a wonderful text by a writer or poet. (Ilze Ramane)