So excited to be able to participate virtually in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Winter Conference from New York City tomorrow! A great opportunity to learn, engage with other writers and illustrators, virtually meet editors, agents, and art directors in the children’s book publishing business! All day Monday, will be an Illustrator’s Intensive! Yes!! With a Portfolio ShowCase and Manuscript Showcase, my work will be in front of the best eyes in the business! So exciting!!
Fall Days Are Here, and Halloween Is Just Around the Corner
The weather has gotten blustery and rainy here in Western Washington as we he deeper into Fall. Halloween is just around the corner, so my art tribe friends decided to design our own seasonal cards to send to each other to cheer each other up as we continue to work alone in our studios during this time of Covid-19. I decided to include my characters from my first children’s book (still hunting for a publisher and agent). Morley, Lavender, and Pinkney are out trick-or-treating at their friend, Gracie’s house. Gracie’s got a friendly face, so I don’t think they have anything to worry about! Happy Fall and Happy Halloween everyone!
Upcoming Critique Tomorrow with Maria T. Middleton! (Copy) (Copy)
https://www.scbwi.org/illustrator-gallery/illustrator-detail/?ps=y&illustrator_id=110136
So excited for a critique tomorrow from SCBWI’s L.A.Summer Spectacular Conference! I will be meeting virtually with Maria T. Middleton, Art Director of the Candlewick Press’ Imprint, Walker Books US! Maria has a Designer of Books. She began her career at Harper Collins, worked at Abrams, and worked primarily with Middle Grades Books for 10 years at Random House. Now at Candlewick Press for the past two years, as Art Director in charge of Walker Books US working with a variety of genres. She will critique the portfolio that I submitted for the SCBWI Summer Conference in LA. Since I am an author/illustrator my portfolio is based mainly on the two picture books I have written, and work that I submitted to the Friends of the Argyll Papers for the Dewar Manuscript Project at Inveraray, Castle, Scotland. I am looking forward to what I will lean and how I can improve my portfolio and illustration style.
Delightful Critique With Maria T. Middleton, Art Director!
I was so very delighted to meet Maria T. Middleton, one of the elective ways of participating in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) L.A. Summer Spectacular! Maria is Art Director at Candlewick Press, and it’s imprint, Walker US. I admit I was a little nervous, especially as we were making the Zoom connection (technology can be scarey), but Maria put me at ease right away. She brought up the first picture I’ve posted here, which is a sketch I did in my travel sketchbook from Paris. What she liked about this picture was my loose line, light touch with the watercolor and the white background. I was pleasantly surprised that she had thoroughly perused my website to get to know my style better. She also liked the design of the map page I did of La Petit Trianon. Once more, lightness of touch and freedom of line was noted, a nice way of creating sense of place and building a world in my illustration.
That led to discussing more recent work for the two children’s books that I have written and illustrated. First the opening double page spread of “ Raspberry Rescue” had a lovely feel to the garden, but the unfolding of their garden world could take place in the Inset Pages, or Title Page, then moving more to a close up of the mice as the story begins with more movement in the characters’ bodies. I added that they seemed a little static in the arrangement of how I put them on the page. (Yes! I’m working on my self critiquing of a project that felt finished, but now see how it could be improved.)
The State Dining Room from “A Visit to Inveraray Castle” double page spread gave the eye trouble finding a way across the page, and my technique was a little heavy here and not as spontaneous. Maria loved the three unexpected characters of two cubs and a Highland Coo having an adventure together in a Scottish Castle. As much as I love certain parts of the piece, and all the details, I can see that it could be broken up into vignettes leading the reader into a more intimate interaction between the characters the the amazing objects and beauty of this room.
I felt very encouraged about what makes my work unique and intriguing to a professional in the publishing business, which is so invaluable! I am excited to put what I have learned into action in my work with fresh eyes and energy, changing up my process a bit to get back to that fresh line and watercolor expression that Maria saw as my strengths. Thank you, Maria T. Middleton!
Upcoming Critique Tomorrow with Maria T. Middleton! (Copy)
https://www.scbwi.org/illustrator-gallery/illustrator-detail/?ps=y&illustrator_id=110136
So excited for a critique tomorrow from SCBWI’s L.A.Summer Spectacular Conference! I will be meeting virtually with Maria T. Middleton, Art Director of the Candlewick Press’ Imprint, Walker Books US! Maria has a Designer of Books. She began her career at Harper Collins, worked at Abrams, and worked primarily with Middle Grades Books for 10 years at Random House. Now at Candlewick Press for the past two years, as Art Director in charge of Walker Books US working with a variety of genres. She will critique the portfolio that I submitted for the SCBWI Summer Conference in LA. Since I am an author/illustrator my portfolio is based mainly on the two picture books I have written, and work that I submitted to the Friends of the Argyll Papers for the Dewar Manuscript Project at Inveraray, Castle, Scotland. I am looking forward to what I will lean and how I can improve my portfolio and illustration style.
Upcoming Critique Tomorrow with Maria T. Middleton!
https://www.scbwi.org/illustrator-gallery/illustrator-detail/?ps=y&illustrator_id=110136
So excited for a critique tomorrow from SCBWI’s L.A.Summer Spectacular Conference! I will be meeting virtually with Maria T. Middleton, Art Director of the Candlewick Press’ Imprint, Walker Books US! Maria has a Designer of Books. She began her career at Harper Collins, worked at Abrams, and worked primarily with Middle Grades Books for 10 years at Random House. Now at Candlewick Press for the past two years, as Art Director in charge of Walker Books US working with a variety of genres. She will critique the portfolio that I submitted for the SCBWI Summer Conference in LA. Since I am an author/illustrator my portfolio is based mainly on the two picture books I have written, and work that I submitted to the Friends of the Argyll Papers for the Dewar Manuscript Project at Inveraray, Castle, Scotland. I am looking forward to what I will lean and how I can improve my portfolio and illustration style.
What a Spectacular SCBWI Summer Conference!!
This was once incredible conference with the most fabulous presenters! May I just name drop a little bit? For me, it started off with a bang with the amazing Judy Blume, interviewed by President of SCBWI, Lin Oliver, Newbury Medal winner, Kwame Alexander, Pura Belpre winner Raul the Third, two acclaimed Caldecott illustrators LeUyen Pham and Dan Santat (brilliantly helpful and affirming), an amazing Editor’s Panel, a delightful conversation with Jane Yolen hosted byHeidi E.Y. Stemple, the very humorous team of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen (author and illustrator, respectively). Another favorite pairing was Laurie Halse, andMeg Medina. There were many more, but these were the outstanding speakers that gave Me so many take aways to learn from and incorporate into my craft of writing and illustrating picture books for children! I’ve come so far, and there is so much room for growth. I am so inspired by all of the other illustrators in the Portfolio Showcase, and I am setting more goals for improving my portfolio. Summed up in three words: Talent, Persistence, and a little Luck, will hopefully, lead me to and Agent and my first published children’s book!!
My Last Portfolio Piece for SCBWI L.A. Summer Spectacular Showcase
This is a double page spread, with four vignettes. These are so show that I can do children in action. Summer fun with, yes, you guessed it, my grandkids!
Preparing for the SCBWI Los Angeles Summer Spectacular, July 31-August 4, 2020
I know you are asking yourself, why a snowy illustration in the middle of summer! Here’s why, I’ve been reading a historical fiction trilogy on the life of King Arthur of England. Yes there is a real King Arthur who lived and reigned in the mid 400’s AD. His life as a warrior king was not exactly that of the legends we know so well set in the later medieval times. This is a scene of Arthur saying goodbye to his queen on a wintry night and his daughter to set off during an unlikely season to defend his kingdom.
I am adding this illustration to my portfolio for the SCBWI L.A. Summer Spectacular that will be held virtually this summer. I will be participation in the Portfolio Showcase and Illustrator’s Gallery, and receive a 20 minute private virtual critique from children’s book industry executive (Art Director)! So excited!!
SCBWI WWa-The Great Critique
I attended the January 11, 2020 meeting of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators , Western Washington chapter, at Seattle Pacific University! I had the priviledge of participating in “The Great Critique” with my book, “ Morley, Lavender, and Pinkney Find a New Friend”, which is looking for a publisher. the critique leader was author Kjersten Hayes, who has also taught art.
In her critique of my illustrations she said , “They were detalied, had a great sense of place, good com[position. hints of what was to come, and they danced across the page.” Critquing the writing she said that in the character mapping to make sure that the minor characters were part of the resolution of the problem, and to consider how Morley could have saved himself from the crows. There was round table input as well, which encouraged me to think about the why of the story. I shared that I was thinking in terms of future stories that would have Lavender and Pinkney as heroines in their adventures with Morley, and that Colin might find himself needing a friend in a future story. So note toself, make sure that each character is a part of the solution to the problem in the story. My first critique! Yay!
Morley, Lavender, and Pinkney Find A New Friend
The illustrations are finished, the editing done, and a “Dummy Book” completed. Now on to the big adventure of looking for a publisher to publish my book! So excited to get started on the next part of the journey of writing and illustrating my first children’s picture book!
I've Been Published on the Friends of the Argyll Papers Blog!!
I am very excited to share with you that I have had a narrative illustration published by the Friends of The Argyll Papers at Inveraray Castle, Scotland!! The Argyll Papers are the Archives kept of the Clan Campbell Chief, The Duke of Argyll protecting the history of the Highlands and Scotland. I have been invited to illustrate translations of the Dewar Manuscripts that are being translated from Gaelic into English. I am so blessed and honored to be able to be a part of this project! Please follow the link to see my illustration and read the associated story. 😍
FRIENDSOFTHEARGYLLPAPERS.ORG.UK
Blog « Friends of the Argyll Papers
The Tiree Mermaid, 1812 (ref. PFV65/188) 0 comments/ June 7, 2019 At Tiry House in the Island of Tiry the Eleventh day of August one thousand Eight hundred and twelve. In presence of James Maxwell Esquire one of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the County of Argyll. Compeared Colin MacNiven...
A Crow Sees Morley Falling to Earth
I’ve been working hard over the last month adding more pages to the story of Morely, Lavvendar and Pinkney! Now let me introduce Colin Crow! This smart and friendly fellowc saved the day for Morley and his sisters! I have enjoyed learning more about crows, watching my neighborhood crows as trough they go their daily routines when! I’m excited to see my raspberry stalks are putting out their flower buds, a promise of yummy berries to come!
Morley's Adventure Continues
Morley lost his footing on the raspberry trellis and finds himselg falling head over heals towards the ground!
What Will Morley Do Now?
Morley has picked all of the ripe raspberries, and sees the crows flying closer and closer to the garden! Will he make it down the trellis before they spot him?!
Morely has reached the top of the raspberry bush!
Morely is so adventureous and thinks that he won’t be seen by the crows circling over the garden! He’s just about finished picking all raspberries! What will he do next?
Yum, Raspberries!
Glad to be back at work on my children’s book after being sick with the flu for a couple of weeks! Morley is tossing down all the ripe raspberries he can find to Lavender and Pinkney before he is noticed by the crows flying over the garden.
What's Morley up to now?!
Meet Pinkney and Lavender!
Pinkney’s favorite color is pink, of course! She loves playing the recorderand dancing ballet! She is free spirited and expressive. Lavender loves reading in a snuggly spot like a tea cup, is the first to see danger, and loves to solve problems! You can always count on her!
"Anticipation", original watercolor Sold!
So happy to have sold “Anticipation” to the family of a lovely young dancer! May it inspire her art of dance!