This is an illustration from "The Big Blue Oops" - another of my projects along the way that never saw the light of day.
Illustration Friday, Theme: Broken
This is an illustration from "The Big Blue Oops" - another of my projects along the way that never saw the light of day.
Illustration Friday, Theme: Remote
Missed last week because of the move. This is an illustration for a chapter book I have with my agent right now, "A Bird On Water Street." Definitely the feeling of remoteness.
Well, we're IN!!
We are in our new home!! Man, moving is not fun. No way around it. But it went smoothly enough if you take into account little sleep and beat up bodies. We had to buy mostly new furniture as everything else was completely worn out/eaten by dogs/50 years old. That's been fun. Every time the doorbell rings, it's like Christmas. So, we're pulling it together and our new home is turning out to be Very comfortable. It flows well. The neighbors have already been super nice. And there's a walking trail just outside the neighborhood that leads to the track of our local middle school - fantastic. So glad to be here and starting to settle in. :)
Illustration Friday, Theme: Lost
Again with an image from "Teacup" - although this one didn't make it into the final dummy. I've always loved ths image though. He is so small and alone. Yes, there are cows, but they're big and dumb. Ahh, but somebody is watching - keeping an eye out for our little fuzzy hero . . . hm. Makum me happy.
Martini Flats
Well, hubbie has a blog again. I get to peek into his brain another way now: http://martiniflats.blogspot.com/, named for our new house. As with our current home, "Moonshine Lodge," the new house also has an alcoholic theme. The plan is to get a flag with a martini on it - if it's waving, come on by for cocktail hour. :)
SCBWI-Carolinas Conference
Was this past weekend. Wow. What a well-done and educational event. I gave a talk on "The Nuts and Bolts of Illustrating Children's Books" on Friday, along with giving four portfolio reviews. They went very well, and I got to see some wonderful talent. I also talked about "Two for One: The Illustrator as Writer" on Saturday. That was a much less tangible subject to cover, but the group really participated and I felt like it ended up being a highly worthwhile discussion. Hope everybody enjoyed everything as much as I did.
Of course, the best part was I finally met one of my critique buddies, Karen Lee, face to face. We talk almost every day, and yet we'd never met. The internet is so strange that way - but wonderful too. She was just as awesome and easy to talk to in person as she is online. Check out her wonderful art at her website: Karen Lee.
We got to spend some great time with Donna German, Editor of Sylvan Dell Publishing. If you aren't familiar with them, check them out. I was so impressed with their dedication to high quality work and fair contracts for all involved. Expect to hear a lot more from this house, and especially to enjoy "One Odd Day" (illustrated by Karen Lee) when it comes out in October of 2006.
We also spent some good time with Mark McVeigh, Senior Editor of Dutton Children's Books. What a genuinely nice guy. He was very honest about the business, even the bad parts, which was extremely helpful to everyone. And just to have the viewpoint of someone so experienced in the business was worth the trip all by itself.
So, all said, it was a thoroughly enjoyable event. If you have the chance to attend next year, I highly recommend it. SCBWI-Carolinas is top notch.
Of course, the best part was I finally met one of my critique buddies, Karen Lee, face to face. We talk almost every day, and yet we'd never met. The internet is so strange that way - but wonderful too. She was just as awesome and easy to talk to in person as she is online. Check out her wonderful art at her website: Karen Lee.
We got to spend some great time with Donna German, Editor of Sylvan Dell Publishing. If you aren't familiar with them, check them out. I was so impressed with their dedication to high quality work and fair contracts for all involved. Expect to hear a lot more from this house, and especially to enjoy "One Odd Day" (illustrated by Karen Lee) when it comes out in October of 2006.
We also spent some good time with Mark McVeigh, Senior Editor of Dutton Children's Books. What a genuinely nice guy. He was very honest about the business, even the bad parts, which was extremely helpful to everyone. And just to have the viewpoint of someone so experienced in the business was worth the trip all by itself.
So, all said, it was a thoroughly enjoyable event. If you have the chance to attend next year, I highly recommend it. SCBWI-Carolinas is top notch.
Illustration Friday, Theme: Escape
I wish I had time to create something new for this week. I've got this great idea for a mouse as Bacchus - escaping via wine and partying. Oh well, with the move and all the craziness right now, there's just no way.
Moving . . .
I guess I may as well announce it - Stan and I are moving. Our offer was approved on a new house in Atlanta. So, we leave the mountains . . . Gotta say, I'm so looking forward to good restaurants and being around people again. This has been an incredible launching pad for my children's book career - but I'm ready to return to civilization.
Illustration Friday, Theme: Roots
I drew this a while back - a gnome village built into the roots of a huge tree. I pass several trees that look move-in ready for a gnome family every day. Wish one day I'd walk by and notice a little door, or a window . . .
Thanks for all the great comments! I've uploaded a larger version so you can see the details - just click on the image.
DirectNIC.com - MY hosting company!
Turns out the main servers for my hosting company were located in downtown New Orleans. Not only did the servers go down, but one of the guys there stayed in his office and kept a blog of what was going on outside. You may have heard about him in the news, reporters were constantly contacting him. Amazingly, my website and my blog were down for only a day and a half! I am so impressed that they were able to get things rerouted (not sure what they did really) in such a short time, and in circumstances I can't even begin to imagine. I didn't expect to be back up and running any time soon, and I was willing to wait. DirectNIC has been a great hosting company. This is the first and only time they have gone down in the several years I've been with them. No, they don't support higher programming languages for bells and whistles (part of why they are SO inexpensive), but I've been very pleased with my site using basic HTML and some javascript. I tell ya, they were good before, but they've just gained a customer for life.
Teaching at John C. Campbell Folk School
This weekend. I'm about to leave actually. I've got to set up my classroom and familiarize myself with campus. John C. Campbell is a great place, kind of like camp for adults. I'm teaching "beginning drawing" this weekend. Then I teach a week long class in "intermediate drawing" in November. This will be a nice segue, and two of my friends have signed up - so it should be a lot of fun.
Illustration Friday, Theme: Dreams
Well, pooie. "DreamBoat" would have been perfect for this week's theme. But I think this one fits too. Gotta wonder, is the little one awake? Sleepcrawling? Hmm.
Illustration Friday, Theme: Reflection
Well, reflection can either be something reflected on a mirrored surface, or the process of thinking back on things. I think this covers both.
illustration Friday, Theme: Wisdom
Well, she may be more appropriate at Halloween, but she fits this week's theme! Actually created her in stages over about ten years. Pencil sketch sat in a box for most of those years. I applied color about three years ago, mostly with colored pencil. Hm. Maybe I'll take her into digital next . . .
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