Been gone for quite a while, haven’t I? There are several reasons but the biggest is I’ve been rather ill. I have ulcerative colitis (I was first diagnosed with Crohn’s disease but indicators show that may not be so – which is good). I had cancer and had my colon removed 4 years ago. My life and health have been in constant flux since then. For the last few months I’ve had serious digestive problems – let’s just say it’s been very moist. I’ve lost 50 pounds. But I am still working and taking care of my family and I still find enough health to do fun stuff like hiking and kayaking now and then.
Another reason is work. I’ve been swamped at work and have new demands put on me. I really want to make it as an illustrator so I may have to do something about this job and commit to my dreams. I just need to convince myself I’m good enough to make it.
There are a dozen other reasons but that’s the big part of it. I’m sorry I’ve been so neglectful of my online friends and my art. It hurts me more than I care to admit.
I’m starting to feel better and my work is calming down so I will be dedicating myself to this blog, to Illustration Friday, and to all of you, my friends, again very soon.
Love you all.
EDIT November 7: I’m going into the hospital for surgery. I don’t know how long it will take. I expect to be back in a week or 2. Love you!
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The 2008 Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Conference in Los Angeles
What a weekend! First off, let me say to anyone who wants to write and/or illustrate for children or young adults… join SCBWI and go to the conference! You will find a wealth of information and inspiration that you just can’t get online or from books. So, what did I learn and who did I meet?
I met Adam Rex, and if you don’t know him, you should. He’s written a couple of children’s books and a new and popular young adult book, but he is best known for his illustration, for which he’s received numerous awards and recognition, from his many children’s books to his prolific career in fantasy art. I took his class and heard his keynote speech and I learned a ton and found a lot of inspiration (and a little despair – be prepared to work hard if you want to make it in this business). Adam Rex was the nicest guy (which is saying something when there were about a thousand really nice people there). He talked at length with me on a few occasions, praised my work, and introduced me to a few editors, agents and publishers. I don’t necessarily expect anything from those meetings this year (I will next year) but it was great experience. I am so grateful to the incredibly talented and enormously funny Adam Rex.
I also met Dan Santat. You may have seen Dan’s blog – he’s got several picture books out and a new one coming that I predict will be very popular. He’s also the creator of Disney’s The Replacements. Nice guy, ridiculously talented.
I met fellow Illustration Friday artists, David Billings and Deborah Mori. David was great and I love meeting artists whose work I admire. I also admire Deborah’s work and ended up hanging out with her all day Sunday. She was wonderful and we had great conversations – I can honestly say I have a new friend with her.
Now, a quick run-down on what I learned. First off, submit your portfolio to everything! I didn’t do this because I didn’t think I was ready. Turns out that I would have done well and my work would have been seen by more key people. So, sign up more than a week in advance and bring this: A nice portfolio highlighting your ten best pieces – remember that your portfolio is only as strong as your weakest piece. Bring postcards highlighting your best art with all your contact info for people to take while viewing your portfolio. Bring a book dummy – a book mock-up featuring pencil drawings (and one finished piece if you like) – if you don’t write, use a story in public domain like Aesop or Grimm. And finally, bring courage! You paid a lot for this and everyone there is expecting, even hoping, that you will talk to them. There are no dumb questions. Approach everyone you need to with confidence.
Now, some things I learned from speakers and presenters…
Bruce Coville: Why are you doing this? Keep asking yourself this answering in more detail each time. Children find their role models in books – remember that. Stay fresh, do only your very best, don’t hold back for fear of not being perfect, start with passion, share your wisdom in your writing and illustrations, humor is most valued, proceed without fear and with great joy.
Mark Teague: The greatest rewards in the business come from kids – do it for them first, for you next, for money last. When illustrating, do lots of doodles before beginning, set the story and construct the storyboard and keep in mind: expression, body language, interaction, scene selection, perspective, positioning, direction, format, and transitions.
Adam Rex: If you want to make picture books, study a lot of them. See how they are made and formatted. See the different sizes. Check out the end-papers, the paper that forms the inside covers and sandwich the content – self-ended end-papers are included in the total page count, are the same paper as the rest of the book, and have illustrations on them. Look up these terms: spot gloss, spot varnish, foil, die cut – these make the production more expensive – front matter, back matter, byline, colophon, half title, and spread. Picture books are no less than 32 pages – for more, add 8 (40, 48 – 56 or more are unlikely). Make a great dummy, pencil sketches, work the images with the text, include one finished image, make a great cover design.
I also learned a lot from Dilys Evans, Melanie Hope Greenberg, Cecilia Yung, Leonard Marcus, Diane Muldrow, and a whole lot more.
These are just highlights. I urge you, if you are interested in Children’s Literature, to join SCBWI and attend these events. And remember – every artist and writer has their own unique style and there are never enough books – we are not in competition with each other so we should help each other without fear.
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Enough… there was enough leather for the elves to make one pair of beautiful shoes. Yes, they’re nekkid… but you know the story of the shoemaker and the elves, yes? In the end, these little guys will be rewarded with fine clothes, shoes and hats. The shoemaker and his wife will have enough, and so will the elves. Click for bigger pic.
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My dear friend and muse, Andi Butler (AKA: Mrs. B), awarded me an award! It is of her own design and comes straight from her heart, which makes it the most special award ever! Andi is one of my favorite creative people and if she’s not yours too, then you just haven’t visited her blog. Thank you, Mrs. B! You are a wealth of inspiration and a wonderful friend.
Thanks to the encouragement, advice, and inspiration I have received from all of you, I think I’ve finally convinced myself that I am talented enough to pull off calling myself an artist and illustrator and I think I can actually do some real children’s illustration. I still have a ton to learn and I don’t actually feel ready, but I won’t be idle. I plan on taking some classes this fall and I’ll be attending the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators summer conference in L.A. I’ll be there August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (I have to work on the 4th). I’ll be posting here anything I learn so check back. Do any of you have any advice for me on what I should be doing there? And if any of you are going to be there, I’d love to meet you!
My little business cards (often called “moo cards”) are printed by moo.
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I neglected to post this on my blog when I did it. It was for a “Meme Lisa” thing discussed on Drawn! The pool is still open if you want to add your own version of Mona Lisa – you’ll have excellent company there. Gouache painting. Click for bigger pic.
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Spaceman Bob finds love (sort of) in space! My best bud, Bob, is a computer admin but in past lives he was an engineer/mechanic on helicopters (Army), rocket engines, and the Space Shuttles! He’s also an amature astronomer. Click for bigger pic.
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BFF… best friends forever. If you look at all my drawings you can see that while they may seem to differ in style somewhat, there is an underlining style that makes every image my own. This one is more cartoony than some of my children’s illustration styled drawings but you can still see my style. And that’s a good thing. Sketched and inked by hand, colored in PhotoShop. Click for bigger pic.
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Foggy… foggy… too… early… for… brain… Who hasn’t felt like this little girl in the morning? Sketched and inked by hand, colored in PhotoShop. Click for bigger pic.
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Sour!!! Sometimes biting a lemon causes pain that hurts so good. I’m a little late for this Illustration Friday topic but I thought I’d do one anyway. Sketched and inked by hand, colored in PhotoShop. Click for bigger pic.
My friend, Froggie (she of the immense talent and humor), has awarded me an award. It’s a Brillante Weblog Premio Award!!! I can’t say what that means but it sure is swell. I also got this award from my friend Kstyles and my friend Eugenia Gina was going to give me one but I think she changed her mind when she saw I already have one. She loves me but doesn’t want me to get spoiled. :)
The rules of accepting are:
1) Put the logo on your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on yours.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.
Ah… so it’s a pyramid scheme! Yes! Soon I will be rich! I must choose my seven wisely…
So here they are:
1) Zari
2) Chicken Girl
3) Flora Chang
4) Holli Conger
5) Andi Butler
6) Gina Perry
7) Valerie Walsh
If you already have one of these then get rid of it because mine is better. And, um, if you want to give me another one… well… it’s okay. I just wanna be luved. [big puppy-dog eyes]
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Millicent waded in the stream just north of Camp Sprungaleeky. Among the usual rocks, guppies and crabs, something bright caught her eye… Sketched and inked by hand, then colored in Photoshop. Click for bigger pic.
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Emila Yusof is afraid of geese. When she was little a particularly mean goose would chase her. I had a similar experience with a very large rooster when I was little so I feel for her. So here’s Emila riding that bad ole goose. Fear (and goose) conquered! Huzzah! (click for larger image)
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“Arrrr! I be needin’ to ship off an’ tend to throat-cuttin’ an’ pillagin’! I can’t be attendin’ little Jasmine’s fairy princess party! Me mates be waitin’ for me!” No one seems to understand the important duties of a pirate, least of all his wife. Click for larger image.
