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!