Glass Art at The Mint
Vicky and I saw so many wonderful things at The Mint Museum. I hope you can get there to see everything in person (there's so much), but I'm sharing some teaser highlights to entice you. Today, I'll focus on the amazing glass objects we saw. I am always fascinated by art glass because I have absolutely no idea how they make these amazing things. Although, this first one could easily be a study of glass methods. It's called "Spin, Weave, Gather" and it's by Nancy Callan.
Friday Links Lists - 15 November 2019
From the SCBWI Bologna FB page: Why is SCBWI not going to be at Bologna in 2020?
From SCBWI-British Isles: Writing Knowhow: Writing Tension, also SPECIAL FEATURE Secret Steps to Success
From Myth & Moor: Wild Children
From Hachette: Get to know Children's Book Creator Todd Parr
From SLJ: Middle Grade Is too Young, YA too Old. Where Are the Just-Right Books for Tweens?
THE ILLUSTRATORS' TREEHOUSE NEWS
During portfolio reviews the other day, I mentioned to some of the students the:
5 Main Themes Most Ad Agencies Fall Into:
Food
Drink
Lifestyle
Hair/Beauty
Transport/Travel
So, if you want to work for an advertising firm, make sure these themes are represented in your portfolio!
From SCBWI Carolinas: Monthly Newsletter, including the announcement of my upcoming webinar on "Getting Your Pictures Onto the Page"
One of our Ad Agency speakers on Tuesday mentioned Simon Sinek - here are his TED Talks. Another fave of mine is Seth Godin - visit his website and listen to any of his 100+ videos. They're both brilliant and all marketers/advertisers/world-changers should give them a listen.
From Muddy Colors: How to Match Any Color (with Oil Paint)
From Illustrator Eliza Wheeler: HOME In The WOODS—AHA Moment #1 (on book illustration)
From Thread, Fashion, and Costume: Cristina Arceneguibono WOW.
From KinderComics: Tillie Walden has a new graphic novel out! It's called ARE YOU LISTENING.
From SCBWI British Isles: Open Sketchbooks
From Ruth Sanderson: A video tutorial on coloring grey-scale coloring pages (which she offers in profusion at Goldenwood Studios)
From Good News Network: 9-Year-old Who Got in Trouble for Doodling in Class Now Has Job Drawing On Restaurant Walls
From Illustration: Preview Illustration #66
From The Directory of Illustration: Browse the Book
From Muddy Colors: J.C. Leyendecker in North Carolina
Rachel Katstaller's ADA AND THE NUMBER CRUNCHING MACHINE
I've covered several picture books about Ada Lovelace, the woman who invented the computer. This latest iteration is by Zoë Tucker and illustrated by Rachel Katstaller (NorthSouth). She dropped by to talk about her lovely work...
Rachel: When I read a manuscript I usually start figuring out how the characters look like, what they wear and what color scheme the book evokes in me. Color is to me, one of the most important elements of an illustration.
Once I’ve decided that, most of my illustrations start off as messy thumbnails, either digitally or with pencil in my sketchbook. Once I’m pleased with the idea I work out the details digitally and then print out the final sketch in the size I need it. I trace the details onto smooth watercolor paper using watercolor pencils and a lightbox. And then start with the fun part of applying color: first backgrounds with watercolors and gouache, then details with colored pencils and 5B pencils.
Rachel: A few months before going to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, I had taken part in a course in which Zoës story was featured. I developed the character and several scenes of Zoës text in that course. With feedback from Zoë I then went to the Book Fair and presented it to Herwig Bitsche at North South, who immediately clicked with the character and the story. Months later Zoë and I were meeting for the first time in person at the publisher’s in Zürich, it was a very beautiful experience indeed!
Rachel: While I was researching about London in the times Ada was alive, I came across a very interesting picture. It featured a carriage being pulled by zebras. Apparently there had been a gentleman in London who had brought zebras to show that they could be tamed. And I of course had to draw them!
e:What do you think makes an illustration magical, what I call "Heart Art” - the sort that makes a reader want to come back to look again and again?
Rachel: When I read “Heart Art” I immediately thought of art that touches you deeply. When a piece of art touches me deeply, is when a bit of the artist shines through the piece. You can see it in every stroke of the brush and line of a pencil. I find myself returning to look again and again at books that mesmerize me with the artists attention to detail, their use of color and unique way of working. It just tells a lot of the person behind the art.
Rachel: I have a lovely agent, Abigail Samoun, who does this for me. But I also am very active on Instagram and use every opportunity of going to Fairs to show my work and meet with potential clients.
Rachel: Definitely dealing with the anxiety of not knowing whether new projects will come along or not. It is quite nerve wracking, but also one of the most exciting things: you never know what amazing new projects will come along, and it drives you to become better at what you do.
Rachel: Even though this story is about a strong little girl who became a woman with a genius idea, this would never have happened without an environment that supported her and allowed her to develop herself. In this day and age, where girls are still less privileged than boys, it’s important to think about how we as individuals can help support other girls to become the next Ada. And it’s not a job for girls only, it’s a job for everybody.
Rachel: I’m very much looking forward to writing and illustrating my first picture book, and crossing fingers that it happens soon!
Rachel: When I read a manuscript I usually start figuring out how the characters look like, what they wear and what color scheme the book evokes in me. Color is to me, one of the most important elements of an illustration.
Once I’ve decided that, most of my illustrations start off as messy thumbnails, either digitally or with pencil in my sketchbook. Once I’m pleased with the idea I work out the details digitally and then print out the final sketch in the size I need it. I trace the details onto smooth watercolor paper using watercolor pencils and a lightbox. And then start with the fun part of applying color: first backgrounds with watercolors and gouache, then details with colored pencils and 5B pencils.
Rachel: A few months before going to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, I had taken part in a course in which Zoës story was featured. I developed the character and several scenes of Zoës text in that course. With feedback from Zoë I then went to the Book Fair and presented it to Herwig Bitsche at North South, who immediately clicked with the character and the story. Months later Zoë and I were meeting for the first time in person at the publisher’s in Zürich, it was a very beautiful experience indeed!
Rachel: While I was researching about London in the times Ada was alive, I came across a very interesting picture. It featured a carriage being pulled by zebras. Apparently there had been a gentleman in London who had brought zebras to show that they could be tamed. And I of course had to draw them!
e:What do you think makes an illustration magical, what I call "Heart Art” - the sort that makes a reader want to come back to look again and again?Rachel: When I read “Heart Art” I immediately thought of art that touches you deeply. When a piece of art touches me deeply, is when a bit of the artist shines through the piece. You can see it in every stroke of the brush and line of a pencil. I find myself returning to look again and again at books that mesmerize me with the artists attention to detail, their use of color and unique way of working. It just tells a lot of the person behind the art.
Rachel: I have a lovely agent, Abigail Samoun, who does this for me. But I also am very active on Instagram and use every opportunity of going to Fairs to show my work and meet with potential clients.
Rachel: Definitely dealing with the anxiety of not knowing whether new projects will come along or not. It is quite nerve wracking, but also one of the most exciting things: you never know what amazing new projects will come along, and it drives you to become better at what you do.
Rachel: Even though this story is about a strong little girl who became a woman with a genius idea, this would never have happened without an environment that supported her and allowed her to develop herself. In this day and age, where girls are still less privileged than boys, it’s important to think about how we as individuals can help support other girls to become the next Ada. And it’s not a job for girls only, it’s a job for everybody.
Rachel: I’m very much looking forward to writing and illustrating my first picture book, and crossing fingers that it happens soon!
Woodworks at The Mint
Vicky and I had such fun wandering The Mint Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina this weekend. Neither of us felt rushed and we both had the desire to see every. single. thing! For instance...
Coloring Page Tuesday - Koalas in a Coat
Remember, I create my coloring pages to draw your attention to my books!
For instance, I'm celebrating the new illustrated (by me) edition of A BIRD ON WATER STREET! My debut novel won me "Georgia Author of the Year!"Booklist said it's "A book deserving of a wide readership, recommended for all libraries."
If my news and images add value to your life, won't you please
Just love this one image? Consider a one-time donation...
I create my coloring pages for teachers, librarians, booksellers, and parents to enjoy for free with their children, but you can also purchase rights to an image for commercial use, please contact me. If you have questions about usage, please visit my Angel Policy page.
Studio Drift's IMMERSED IN LIGHT
On our second day together, Stan watched Ody, it was really hard work...
Another installation was called "Fragile Future."
Do look at their website as it gives you a walk through one of their complete exhibits including the ones I shared above.
This next piece wasn't part of the Studio Drift exhibit, but it was all about light, so I'll share it here. It was called "Joy of Transition" by Ayala Serfaty and was made of glass filaments, a sprayed on polymer membrane, and lights. Wow.
Another installation was called "Fragile Future."
Do look at their website as it gives you a walk through one of their complete exhibits including the ones I shared above.
This next piece wasn't part of the Studio Drift exhibit, but it was all about light, so I'll share it here. It was called "Joy of Transition" by Ayala Serfaty and was made of glass filaments, a sprayed on polymer membrane, and lights. Wow.
An Adorable Stop off the Road
Vicky and I found an adorable little cafe, The Garden Café in Historic York, off the roadside on our trip back from the produce stand.
VIDEO: Savior of Dogs
Watch this inspiring story of a man who is saving stray dogs in Mexico - saving the world one dog at a time. Click to watch on Facebook: 
Vicky and Ody Visit!
One of the wonderful things about being back in the states is reconnecting with old friends. Here I am with my hubby, Stan, and my dear friend Vicky Alvear Shecter
Friday Links List - 8 November 2019
From Nathan Bransford: How to write a character whose background is not your own
From Little Brown School and Library: We Are Still Here: Thoughts on Indigenous Representation
New York Times Best Illustrated Books list is out. Here are the covers at 100 Scope Notes.
From The Bookseller: China and US tariffs dispute 'painful' for UK publishers
From The Federation of Children's Book Groups: Children Who Changed the World
From Brightly: 15 Great Read-Aloud Books for Older Kids
From The BBC: BBC Two's Great British Menu to celebrate the iconic food from children's literature
From The Bookseller: Collaboration 'critical' to addressing lack of diversity in UK children's publishing, says ACE
THE ILLUSTRATORS' TREEHOUSE NEWS
From The New York Times: The 2019 New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books - with a great peek into the creators' studios!
From Winthrop University: Undergraduate Research Abstract Books and Compilations
Check out John Shelley's Inktober offerings - FABULOUS!: HERE and HERE
From Muddy Colors: Fantastic Arts Conference
From The Guardian: The illustrated city: Glasgow's disappearing independent newsagents: Will Knight documents the rich individuality of his local shops as they adjust their traditional offerings to stay afloat in the digital age
From Muddy Colors: The Month in Covers - October
From Muddy Colors: Raising an Artist: Art School Admissions
From Segre Premium: Mural gegant a Torregrossa (Catalonia)
From Muddy Colors: Greg Manchess on "10 Things...Contrast"
From Glowforge: Small Scale Dollhouse Miniatures
From Diamond: Comics Industry Celebrates the 2019 Ringo Awards
From The BBC: The man behind the Inktober viral drawing challenge
From NPR: Inktober Challenge Pushes Artists To Flex Their Creative Muscles
From Communication Arts: Photographer Cade Martin on finding the beauty in the unfamiliar
ICON 2019 Early-bird Illustration Conference tickets on sale now!
From Winthrop University, for students and faculty: Identify and Cope with Stress Workshop
From Communication Arts: Advertising to Save Us: The public service announcement (PSA) reminds us that advertising is not all bad.
From the York County Arts Council: Competitive Portrait Drawing
From Amnesty International: Posters that draw a parallel between weaponry and fashion
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