Website Update

From time to time it is good for an illustrator to refresh things. This goes for the studio, the bookshelves, and in today's case, the website. Have a look around if you have time. I kind of like to update from time to time and plug in some of the newer images.

This issue of the SCBWI bulletin

In the current issue of the SCBWI bulletin you will find an informative article about self publishers as they relate to illustrators. And you will also find the illustrations of artists you may know including several spot illustrations from two of our Picture Bookies. Both Nikki (for her first time !!) and Ginger have illustrations in this issue. Past issues have seen the work of other members of the Picture Bookies and it is wonderful to see us represented.

To send in your own spot illustrations you need to follow the guidelines in the SCBWI site and email them to bulletin@scbwi.org, or send them directly to Aaron Hartzler at: aaronhartzler@scbwi.org. The fee paid is currently $25.00 for each image used and it is for a one time use. You are given credit for the illustration and exposure to an international audience.

You can choose to have the bulletin sent to you or or can opt to read it online. The PDF for each issue is listed in the Online Resource Publications.

StoryBoarding

When I work on a book I use a storyboard to keep me on track. In the beginning stages it is mostly concept sketches that I paste into place to see how the rhythm of the piece is flowing. This is a look at the early stage of a book I am working on. Like other illustrators, I don't always go from page to page in order, but skip around depending upon difficulty, use of models, time to get good reference photos and changes in the general tone of what I am trying to achieve.

An occasional image may be in color here and there, but the bulk of all the color finishes is done after the sketches have been approved by the editor.
My storyboard is like a mini dummy. Once I have everything in place, I'll construct a working dummy and submit it to the editor for any changes or suggestions. In the meantime I have a few months... (*weeks) to complete the initial sketches.

For this story I needed to get lots of first hand photos of a nearby town. I photographed stores, parks, streets, vehicles and people for several scenes I need to create. I needed a number of young students as models for characters as well as adults for some crowds in the story. Children in my Sunday School Classes and adults in our church are great subjects because there is a whole community of folks to choose from. I think they will enjoy seeing themselves in a book. The hair color may change, or the face might be a bit different, but I'll be sure to let them see where they are in the book.

Lemur Troops & Critter Groups went to print!

A drove of cattle wore bells that rattle.

A leash of foxes hid under boxes.

I wanted to share my latest project. This is my next book to be released, Lemur Troops & Critter Groups, written by Rena Jones and published by 4RV Publishing. This book is the first in a set of three.

It went to print this week and I was told they would be available for purchase before Christmas!

The author, Rena Jones, has put together a series of rhyming sentences that introduce animal congregations to children. The illustrations take those silly sentences a step further and put the animals in humanistic scenarios and provide humor for children and adults.

You will be able to pre-order a copy in the coming days by visiting, http://4rvpublishingllc.com/index.html.

Also, visit Rena or I on Facebook and join the Critter Series fan page!

POSTERS from Overnight Prints

Recently I learned that Overnight prints was offering Poster prints at 11 X 17 inches. I decided to try this out and was rewarded with the most beautiful prints! The color is perfect and the effect is fantastic. Well worth the money spent and there are always coupons available for discounts. If you have a book to promote or artwork you want to sell as posters this might be right for you as well.

Since I photographed this in natural light in the studio, it may not be as vivid as it is in real life, but I am really happy with the quality.

A progression from here to there and back again...

To create this image for a series I am working on, I needed a good sketch. This time instead of using pen and pencil I did a quick sketch in the computer in Painter. I used the Conte Crayon in a soft version and did a general idea of what I wanted. This became a working print out to take to the drawing table where I traced it onto good quality paper.

Next I took some time out from the computer to just play with watercolors, colored pencils and pens to see what I wanted in the way of color. Since this is not archival paper I was able to feel at ease with whatever happened. Knowing it was going back to Painter for the final stages I could relax, experiment and not worry. Having fun is an important part of the illustration process.

With that done I scanned it all back into the computer and this was the result.

I didn't like the sizes being so even so I enlarged the human figure to create a bit more drama. I might even move the human closer to the edge or turn the figure a bit more to the viewer, but for now I like what it happening.

Next I will be finishing this in the computer with these colors and this composition in mind.

That should be ready to post in a day or two. Funny, but sometimes digital painting takes me longer than traditional painting. But either way it is always a joy!

©Ginger Nielson 2009

Character Studies

I have been working on creating my own desktop reference for characters, young, old, multiracial. Concentrating on facial expressions and features these are the first of my studies. The studies help me to keep consistency within a character from page to page in a picture book. Hopefully it will grow into a reference of my own style that I can go to when I am working on illustrations for stories. In addition to these I also have a backlog of photos of children and adults from those that I work with in Christian Education and the summer theater for children in our town.

Little Black Ant on Park Street

After several delays, the new release date for my illustrated book "Little Black Ant on Park Street" (Soundprints Publishing) is December 2009. I took these photos of the spreads with a pocket camera, and will repost them when I get actually high quality scans. But I was so excited I just had to show you now! It was hard to choose only 2 spreads from the book, but I cannot give away the story. So until December, this will have to satisfy!

The Picture Bookies are now on Twitter

The Picture Bookies are now on Twitter.

For the members it is a chance to show off to a wider audience. For the viewers it is just another place to find out what's new with the Picture Bookies Group.

The members have been mailed the user info and should be posting whenever possible.

TODAY ~ INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

The International Day of Peace has great meaning for our planet.

I first became involved with the movement for Peace on Earth through the first book I illustrated , One Day in Peace, January 1,2000. It was later renamed, Peace Day and then redone with new illustrations I created and has been translated into over 18 languages and is available to read online.

We also collaborated on a small book titled, The Department of Peace and is available as a Two in One Book.

The project was done as a no fee project by the two authors and myself for the benefit of the children of the world.

As today is International Day of Peace, please take ONE minute out of your day today, to say a prayer for Peace.

"Once upon a time there were some kids who had a Dream.

Their Dream was that for just One Day there would be peace on earth."

Another Resource-KidLitosphere

I recently revisited this blog and thought it might be of help to some of you.
Take a sec to check out Kidlitosphere, a resource for anyone involved in the field of children's literature. They have a listing of many children's lit bloggers as well as a facebook group and listserve. I'm sure you can have your blog listed there if you blog about the topic of children's lit as an author or illustrator.

New Version - older illustration

As I often do this, I thought I would share the reason why. Sometimes I go back to an older illustration and completely redo it. This is one that was originally done in watercolor a few months back. I wanted to created a soft digital version and found it fit very well into the IF theme this week as well.

September Issue Stories for Children Magazine

My submission for the September issue of Stories for Children Magazine.

Online now at, http://storiesforchildrenmagazine.org/InThisIssue.aspx.

My story was, Bugs to the Rescue!

Lots of News!

Thinking about hiring an agent? Before you do, check out my latest article for the column "Illustrator Tips", featured in The Prairie Wind, the online newsletter of the SCBWI-IL.

I am currently illustrating "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids Coloring Book" for author and yoga instructor Teresa Ann Power. This coloring book features yoga poses with corresponding letters of the alphabet, and is meant to accompany the new poster and the original, award winning hardcover book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". Teresa and I have had a great time working together and watching the success of the book grow! Check out this review in The US Review of Books.

New Black & White

I have been really busy doing all sorts of things to help move myself into the Illustration biz.

I have been illustrating the last two years as a part time deal and now I feel ready to start to take the steps to move forward with it as a career.

I spent the weekend inking and I thought I would share with you two of the illustrations I worked on.

I am trying to build some new images for the website. I took out the B&W page and want to put it back in with new stuff.

Enjoy!

Ginger Nielson

I am working on a series of fantasy illustrations. I have a long way to go to find the perfect balance, but these are two of several beginnings.

©Ginger Nielson 2009

A LOVELY INTERVIEW

The author of the book I illustrated, "MY AFRICAN BEDTIME RHYMES", and I were recently interviewed by the Wandering Educators, A global community of educators sharing travel experiences. Every so often they will interview the authors and illustrators of children's books.

Brettell Hone the author, and I were interviewed and the results are on their website at:

Wandering Educators

I was especially pleased to contribute to this interview because the author has so much to offer children and adults in his tales from his home country. You will enjoy his comments, so I urge you to take a moment to read the interview.

CLUBHOUSE BACK COVER

LTNP (long time no post). I've been so busy, it's hard to cover all the bases. I just received these Clubhouse Magazine back cover samples in the mail yesterday from the AD at Focus on the family. Not a moment too soon, since the illustration was for their Christmas issue last December.

I might add, I recently signed onto Twitter (www.twitter.com/Bron_Smith). If you want to follow my daily battles in the war against deadlines, Twitter is an easy way to do it. I like Twitter, as opposed to Facebook, because you can tweet inside of a minute (only 140 characters allowed) so it doesn't eat up as much time as Facebook can. I'm amazed at the exposure Twitter has given me in such a short period of time. I see Amy Moreno everyday on Twitter...we're Twittermates. Oh, thanks, Ginger, for getting me into LinkedIn. That's been helpful too.

Set Design for Summer Theater

Every Summer our community sponsors a Children's Summer Theater Camp through our church. This year the children are performing the Grapevine Connection. As a volunteer I am invited to paint any sets that are needed. This is a portion of our set this summer, The Information Station. The painting is 4feet by 8 feet and is one of the smaller areas I have painted over the past 5 seasons. Little chase lights shine through the holes in the flat when the "station" is activated.

The new 2010 C W I M is out~

The newest issue of the Annual Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market is now available. If your bookstore does not have it you can find it on Amazon.com.

One neat feature of the new issue is the 1 year free subscription to the online Writer's Market.

A scratch off code number is in the front of the book that will give you access to the site.

The advantages of the subscription to the Writer's Market are:

Updated market listings for your interest area

A searchable database

Daily updates

Record keeping tools

Industry news

and Professional tips and advice

-----------------------------------------

You will notice some changes in the format, but the strength and professional usefulness of the issue is still there.

GROW IT ~ Amy's Book

To see the USDA cover for GROW IT scroll down a few stops on the Pre School Page.

That is the link to the book Amy finished for the USDA . The preschool series is due out soon. I remember when Amy was working on the cover. The entire book is full of her wonderful work.

Thumbs up!

This is an illustration I did for the USDA's preschool series Grow It, Try It Like It. I still haven't seen the final product..and am hoping to get at least one sample in my hands sometime soon. It was a labor intensive project, but a great joy to work on.

"The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" poster

Because of the success of the book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids", this accompanying poster is being released. I believe it will be sold through the official website, as well as Amazon.com. It is meant to be used as a fun poster for kids to hang on their walls, as well as an instructional tool for yoga studios.

Watch for more info on an upcoming "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" coloring book as well.

Children's Dept. Mural at the Hamilton Lane Library

I have spent the last two weeks up on scaffolding, about 15 to 20 ft in the air... PAINTING!

And here is what I was working on... I started in December of 2008 painting the leaves and vines in the Children's Department of the Hamilton Lane Library. I was not able to completely finish the project at that time, because we could not find the right size scaffolding to be donated for use.

Jo and her husband Lionel were able to acquire the scaffolding and even built it for us.. So I would like to send out a special Thank You to those two.

The theme was a very contemporary take on Jack and the Beanstalk.

And now the entire project is finished...

Enjoy!

My First Book Signing in a store

I had my first picture book signing at Barnes & Noble last Saturday for Cora Cooks Pancit. I've done book signings at school visits and conferences before, but I was a little nervous about doing one at a store. What if no one came?

It turned out to be a smashing hit! Barnes & Noble sold out of the books they ordered for the signing, and then they sold 12 of my own copies that I brought in as backup. How fun is that!

The most fun part of it for me was seeing lots of friends from church, neighbors, in-laws, SCBWI friends, and friends of my mother-in-law (she sent the announcement to everyone she's ever known). It was quite the party! I brought a big pot of pancit (the Filipino noodle dish from the story - the recipe is in the book), and my husband handed out samples the whole time while I signed and chatted and hugged and "Wow - I haven't seen you in 2 months!" There was a lot of that, because I've been in bed for 2 months with severe morning sickness and dizziness. Being in the second trimester now rocks!

This is an illustration from the book.

Elizabeth Dulemba just interviewed me about this picture book on her fun blog: http://dulemba.com/blogger.html Check it out!

Kristi Valiant
http://kristivaliant.blogspot.com

Morning Walk and Research

I needed do to some active research this morning for my current dummy. Because I want to represent leaves, ferns, berries and pond water I took a long walk with my camera and gathered a lot of good info. We have SUN today, so the time was just right in the early morning. Dew is still on the leaves, the grass is wet and the forest is fairly still.

To make the photos work for me I put them all into a separate folder within the current project file and make a little thumbnail photo like this one, so I can easily find what I am looking for.

My work is semi realistic in a painterly style, so these just serve as a reference. My paintings will be accurate, but not photo realistic. I am not sure how a PC handles this kind of file, but I like having the Mac that can show me at a glance where things are and which file I need for a reference as I draw or paint.

July Issue of Stories for Children Magazine

July Cover for

Stories for Children Magazine

by Nikki Shoemaker

This is the first time I have ever illustrated aliens...

Remember...

© Kathleen Rietz
As you celebrate Independence Day 2009, please remember our soldiers and their families who miss them.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!

WISHING ALL A VERY HAPPY AND SAFE

4TH OF JULY

Thanks for having me!

I would like to thank Ginger and Amy for thinking about me and inviting me to join the group!

I have been a long time lurker of the Showcase and many of your blogs as well!

Since my first published work arrived in the mail this week I thought my first post should be sharing my favorite image from the book.

What's Wrong with Mud?

is written by Gillian Colley  

the story was the 2007  ABC Picture Book competition winner

and first prize got to go on and become published.

If you are interested in an signed copy. Please email me directly.

I am currently working on a series of three picture books, with the first one due to come out this fall.

I also have a day job as the graphic designer for the Lane Libraries in Ohio. 

Not sure how long that will last.. Projects are starting to pour in unexpectedly!

But no complaining here!!

Thanks again for having me! 

Enjoy!

New Book ~ When Wishes Come True ~ By Barbara B Slater

I had heard a few days ago that my copies of the book I illustrated were on their way to me. I am so excited to see it finished and hold it in my hands!
And it is now on Amazon.com as well.

The book I illustrated written by Barbara B Slater through the design director, Carol Pentleton, at the Digital Artist is finally OUT!

"When Wishes Come True" is a wonderful story of love and friendship between two creatures that wished for something different in their lives. When they find each other, a beautiful story unfolds that will capture your heart, and make you laugh and cry .... sometimes all at once. The reviews are worth reading as is Barbara's bio which details her many talents and gives one insight into her generous soul.

As happy as I was with the reviews, I was even happier to have been a part of this beautiful gem of a story.


“When Wishes Come True” , currently available on Amazon.com includes a section titled “Suggested Discussion Questions and Activity Guide” as well as an “Interview with the Author.”

From Amazon a short blurb:
"Make a Wish...It Could Come True.

When Penelope PeaHen and Oliver Owl decide they want to improve their lives, they each make a wish. Unlike most of us, however, they both do something about making their wishes come true. This is the story about how two most unlikely special friends found each other, and themselves."

Welcome Nikki Shoemaker *:)

The Picture Bookies are pleased to welcome Nikki Shoemaker as a new group member. Her work can be seen on her website and blog. You will be able to find out more about Nikki and her cut paper techniques for creating children's illustrations. You will also see the latest on her new book!
Please take time to welcome Nikki to the group. We are so pleased she has joined us!

SHAMWARI

Shamwari means friend in Africa.
This morning I received a beautiful photo from a "friend" in South Africa. Brettell Hone is the author of the book I illustrated that is out now. "My African Bedtime Rhymes" and he is also a great humanitarian. One of his recent projects involved working with the children of the Appel Farm school in his region presenting a play.

From the photo I chose a composite of several children to create "Shamwari." I had such fun doing this, because the children are so full of delight and energy. Brettell says they have "radioactive" energy and I can just imagine as a former teacher what it takes to corral that energy into positive action. The children are learning Edward Lear's "THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT" for their first presentation. Then they will move on to more difficult works.

I am so happy to have been involved in Brettell's book and look forward to hearing more about the children from the Appel School.

And now... for something completely different

Just experimenting...

One of my all time favorite paintings has always been Morris Graves' "Bird Singing in the Moonlight"... this is my version.

Photo vs. Scan

Water color Cat studies

I have this ongoing argument with myself. Will I scan my artwork? Will I photograph it?

Will I leave it as is, or transform it into a digital painting?

Most of the time I will scan a sketch if it isn't too big. I like seeing the texture that a scan can pick up. Occasionally a piece is way to large to scan and I will photograph it with and without flash to transfer it to the computer for finishing.

Here are three examples. I did some water color CAT studies, and then a "cat scan" and a photo with flash and with lamplight. While all three will have usefulness in future work, today I prefer the "cat Scan" for the color and texture. So that is one that I will keep handy for use in a current dummy I am working on.

Cat study photographed with flash

Cat study photographed with lamp light

And finally the

"Cat Scan" --- I just loved saying that *:)

MOCHA Art Exhibit

I have a couple pieces of art in an upcoming show at the Museum of Children's Art (MOCHA) in Oakland, CA - how fun is that! And you're invited if you're in the area! The exhibit will show art from recently published children's books alongside art that illustrator created in their own childhood, and there's also work by Don Freeman. Here's the info from MOCHA:

You are invited to the Museum of Children's Art (MOCHA)'s Annual exhibit, Once Upon a Time: Children's Book Illustrators, Then and Now, May 8-June 2. This year we are featuring work by Don Freeman, author/illustrator of Corduroy and Norman the Doorman, and 27 other artists.

Sarah Ackerley
Eve Aldridge
Bob Barner
Lisa Brown
Nancy Carroll
John Clapp
Claire B. Cotts
Angelo Dominguez
Julie Downing
Soma Han Stickler
Sara Kahn
Elisa Kleven
Angelo Lopez
Lea Lyon
Jenny Matheson
Jeff Miracola
Kathryn Otoshi
Todd Parr
Jeff Peterson
Joni Stringfield
Paul Tong
Dona Turner
Kristi Valiant (me!)
Lisa Victoria
David Weitzman
Ashley Wolf

The reception/book signing is May 9, 2-4pm. I won't be able to be at the reception, but some of the other artists will be there. If you go, send me a photo!

School Visit for Literacy Week!

I was invited by Timber Trails Elementary School in Hoffman Estates, IL, to read and demonstrate yoga poses from my latest illustrated book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". We had a great time! The book was a big hit. I was later informed that one little girl went home and immediately told her mom "We have to order this book, Mom!"

"The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" wins silver medal!

I am delighted to announce that my latest illustrated children's book "The ABC's of Yoga for Kids" has been awarded a silver medal in the category of Yoga/Pilates by Living Now Book Awards. Yay!

I will be reading from "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" and demonstrating yoga poses with a group of first graders at a local school here in Illinois this Wednesday as the school celebrates Literacy Week.

My current book illustration project, "Little Black Ant at Park Street", should wrap up by the end of May, and I am looking forward to getting back to new projects and blogging again. I miss you all!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

A new beginning for something old

I had submitted the story of Gunther the Underwater Elephant to about five publishers before one became interested but then after a long session and wait they finally turned him down. It wasn't so much the pictures, they loved those, it was the story.
Me, being a bit of a control (not quite freak) person did not want to let go of the story so I took Gunther back and put him on the bookshelf for 6 months.

Recently I started working on two other dummies and during the process I realized that Gunther had possibilities I had not thought of. So naturally he is back on the drawing table and being re-dummied. The text is far more minimal and the pictures are telling the story from a more childlike point of view. I think a child could now hear the story once and then retell (READ) it by reading the pictures. And isn't that what a picture book should be about?

Signing Contract for Another Book

I am so excited to have the opportunity to illustrate another picture book for Sylvan Dell Publishing. I love this manuscript. The title of the new book is Newton and Me and it's written by LynneMayer. The book is about a boy, his dog and how they learn about gravity, friction and force.
I will tell you more about it as time goes on. The manuscript is so fun, I can't wait to start the sketches! But for now I have to finish up this educational book I am doing, which should be very soon. Wahoo! Thanks so much Sylvan Dell for picking such a wonderful manuscript for me to illustrate!

The VERY Grimm Fairy Tales

This March and every March it is still winter up here in northern New England. To drive away the cabin fever our church players present a winter interlude. This year we chose to "re-load" some of the Grimm Brothers fairy tales.

I was asked to paint sets that could double as a cottage or a castle and create a tower for the Rapunzel story. In all, five tales were told with story and song.

My favorite of all was the Three Spinning Fairies, and more about that later, but here are some shots of the sets.

The total measurement was 38 feet across by nine feet high. The tree/tower for Rapunzel was a total of 12 feet wide wrapped around a structure that included doors to go in and out of and an unseen ladder in the back. The doors were invisible until opened as we cut them out after the scenery had been applied to the wooden structure.



I put a little figure of Rapunzel up there to show the scale.

And here is a close up of the corner of the cottage.


I would love to have had more time to work on the paintings, but we are usually limited to a few weeks before the sets have to be up and ready for rehearsals. Perhaps because I illustrate children's books, I am more demanding of myself and although I wasn't totally pleased with the final results, the audiences seemed to like the sets very much.

The paper comes on 9 foot by 36 foot rolls and is ordered from a stage set supply house. I use my own acrylic paints but when the sets require huge amounts of paint or more than one set of scenery I mix those with regular acrylic house paint to stretch the medium. The result is that the set paper gains a quality sort of like oil cloth and we can roll up the paintings and save them for the next production. Then we either reuse what was painted before or paint right over the old paintings.

Want to know what the hardest part of all this is????? Finding a place with enough space to paint these huge scenes before they are attached to the flats.

Grand Re-Opening of the Picture-Bookies Showcase

After a long hiatus the PICTURE BOOKIES SHOWCASE is reopening. We really look forward to welcoming everyone back.

The guidlines are a bit different this time in order to make it easier for participants to post and enjoy the gallery.

• The artwork submitted must be geared to the CHILDREN'S BOOK ILLUSTRATION MARKET
  
  
• The participants may post whenever they wish, and hopefully that will be often
  
  
• There will be no weekly or monthly theme
  
  
• There will be no comments
  
  
• Each illustration should be labeled with a title or subject, illustrators name, website or blog, and the medium you used to create the work

An advantage of this showcase is that if you have no website or blog of your own, you can still get your work noticed on a professional site for free.

So why not go on over and check out the new Picture-Bookies Showcase!

http://picture-bookiesshowcase.blogspot.com/

"TIME" for Spring

I found a really sweet birdhouse in our forest. Trapped under vines and old beyond use, it inspired this painting. It looked so much like a little clock that I decided to reinvent it as one, with fresh new paint. Now it can welcome a new family with pride.

©Ginger*:)

Winston Wednesday ~ CHAPTER X - HIC!!!

The newest chapter of Winston Wednesday is on Winston's blog.
Find out what is going on this week *:)

My First Book Signings!

Hi Everyone! The time has finally come - I will be flying out to California in just a few short days to attend two book signings for my new illustrated children's book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids". One of the signings is at 6:30 Friday evening at Village Books in Pacific Palisades. They will be hosting a kids' pajama party and author Teresa Power and I will be demonstrating yoga poses with the kids and reading from the book. This event is open to the public, so come on out! I would love to meet you!

Sorry I have not bee around much in Boggerland lately. I am so busy with my books - I guess we all have been through this. I want to especially thank Bron Smith for his willingness to tell me what he knows about school visits and all of the other wonderful wisdom he imparted on me. He is truly one of the nicest people I have "met" while blogging!

Congrats to everyone on your latest successes. I do not always have time to comment, but I do read each post via my email.

The Way Out West Puppeteers performed Burro's Tortillas

The Way Out West Puppeteers performed Burro's Tortillas at Terri Fields, the authors, large Barnes and Noble yesterday. I thought you might enjoy seeing a few photos of it. Terri is such a fun author. She is so great at promotion. She is in the bottom photo second from the left. This made me so happy to see the photos! Burro's came to life! Opps maybe I should mention that Burro's Tortillas is a book I illustrated.

Are those puppets cute or what?

Spring Mailer and decisions

I had already sent out Spring postcards, but decided I needed to send out a flyer to key prospects. The mailer is two sided. One side has a brief resume and book and client list, and the other is a composite image from many illustrations. I decided to add some interest to the envelope as well.

I've been working for quite some time now at moving in the art workshop direction, so that I can mingle with other art people face to face, plus get paid to travel to exotic places. Today my first online ad was posted at: http://www.artshow.com/workshops/

Now I sit and wait for workshop participants to flock to my workshop in the Cook Islands. I hope.

If you ever want to teach a workshop, this site is one of the best for promoting it, according to Kristy Kutch, a colored pencil artist who has been doing workshops for 20 years. She told me that it has worked very well for her. It costs only $45 for three months on the front page. What a bargain. I bought six months for $85.

If you know anyone who loves the South Seas and enjoys mingling with fellow artists, our flight leaves next January 10, returning January 16. Details at: http://bronsmith.googlepages.com

Time for some reading of the old Tales.....

©Ginger Nielson 2009

Our astoundingly talented local theater group just performed an hilarious variety of VERY GRIMM Fairy tales, for which I did the set painting. Out of that experience grew this little drawing.

Kersplatypus is up for the Charlotte Award

The 2010 Charlotte Committee has finalized the ballot for their suggested reading lists for the next award. They will present the ballot on March 31, 2009 at the annual NYSRA Conference.

Kersplatypus, written by Susan Mitchell published by Sylvan Dell and illustrated by ME is on the reading list finals and up for an Charlotte award. Only ten books made the ballot in each category for the 2010 ballot so I am honored and very excited! Wahoo for us!

The award was named for the main character in E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web



The purpose of the Charlotte Award is to encourage students to read outstanding literature and ultimately become life-long readers. Additionally, the award recognizes the authors and illustrators of such literature. Students in New York State will read titles on the ballot and vote for their favorites. Votes were tallied, and the winners received their awards at the Annual NYSRA Statewide Conference.

Keep your fingers crossed!

The Voting Has Begun!

The Voting Has Begun!

Sorry I haven't been around much. My Father has been in the hospital for a little over a week with major heart trouble. . .and other miscellaneous health things and I have been spending all my waking and sleeping time in his room.



One of the books I illustrated is up for an award. It's called the "Children's Choice awards."

The finalists were determined by close to 15,000 children and teens. I would so appreciate if you own or like the book you would click the link I am providing below and vote for my book.

http://www.bookweekonline.com/kidsvote_page.aspx

Hope all is well with everyone!

Truly Busy!

©KathleenRietz
Hi Bookies! Just checking in...wanted to show my face here and let you know I have been reading the post alerts that come in my email inbox...just having a hard time blogging these days. Here is a photo I took tonite...I am now at the halfway point with the ant book.

I also wanted to thank Bron for his advice and encouragement. I have my first school visit and book signings set up for "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" in CA later this month, and I am trying to get some things rolling back here in IL. You can read the latest press right here.

The ADVENTURE Continues...

Go to Winston's Story Center to see the next chapter in his adventures and catch up on all the previous events.

DISASTER AFTERMATH

Thank you for your kind thoughts regarding my digital disaster the other day. Rather than to start a whole new idea from scratch, I returned to my original sketch and decided to finish it in detail, then "tint" the sketch (set the brush at 50%) rather than to do the unusual time-consuming painting. The only part of the original painting that survived is the Illustration Friday thumbnail. That's what Jacquie was working on when the disaster occurred. www.bronsmith.com/trowbridge

There have been worse disasters. I have 72ed more than one entire map for a client before. That always sets me back emotionally for a while. Those are the times when I question having ever entered the digital realm.

DIGITAL DISASTER

No pictures with this post. It's more of an editorial comment. Sometimes I wish that we could return to the good ol' days of traditional art, where paint was wet. Now is one of those times. It takes so long to create a Trowbridge episode, because of the different steps, writing it, scribing it, penciling in the illustration, and painting it, which can really take a long time.

So because of all that time, I can't usually get an episode posted every week. In this case it is into the third week.

And now it's gone, just like that, all those hours.

Jacquie prepares the episodes for posting on the blog. About five minutes ago she was selecting the thumbnail from my completed painting. She hit "save" by accident, and, POOF... my art disappeared. Now all I have is a thumbnail. I had painted a "family quilt" on a bed that Mrs. T had made for her youngest son, Nils. It took a long time to render the designs on the quilt.

I've learned that if you don't strictly follow the rules you'll pay for your lack of due diligence. With our maps we always have a copy, just in case something like this happens, but I haven't done that with my Trowbride paintings. I guess I'll have to do that from now on, even with Trowbridge.

I was already into the third week between episodes, and now I have to start over, so it's going to be a long time between episodes this time. I guess I'll probaby take the quilt episode and repaint it, so I don't have to start from scratch. I thought I would share my frustration and grief with my fellow PBs.

CBC Reveals ‘Children’s Choice’ Finalists

I just received an email from Sylvan Dell Publishing telling me Sort it Out, a book I illustrated, is on the list of finals for the Children's Choice Finalist award! I am so fortunate to work for such a great publisher and to have been able to illustrate the wonderful story written by Barbara Mariconda.

It would be such an honor for all of us to receive this award. Such a great team to work with!

Creating an icon for the post title

This icon was created by Sherry Rogers for our Picture Bookie website and blog. If all goes well and the code works this little icon will show up next to our Post Titles each time we create a new post for our blog.

Creating Art - The Journey

As a kid and adult I have always loved space ships.This is one of four pieces I have been working on recently. The journey of a boy, his dog and their space ship.



http://Sherry-Rogers.com

Good Reviews can make you very happy....*:)

READY SET REVIEWS just gave me my present for the day. Actually it comes via the publisher who submitted the book for review.

Here is a link to the review of MY AFRICAN BEDTIME RHYMES by Brettell Hone and illustrated by me.
I was treated to a rare and wonderful experience working with the South African publisher, SHAMWARI and with Brettell.
My African Bedtime Rhymes.

One of the benefits of a good review is good sales... and good sales mean another book will be forthcoming *:)

Review - Paws, Claws, Hands and Feet

This is why I love to illustrate children's books. THE KIDS!! Just love this interview!

Armchair Interviews - February 2009

I have a new favorite book. It’s the delightful Paws, Claw, Hands, and Feet by Kimberly Hutmacher and illustrated by Sherry Rogers. The children’s book is written in an almost frenetic (I chose to read it to my granddaughter that way) rhyme that gave me and Greer the giggles. Actually Greer emitted real belly laughs. The animals run, jump, leap, hop and rest, just like people do. It’s a fun-filled day with a variety of animals. When the busy day is done, a little boy snuggles under the covers to take a much-needed rest. Paws, Claws, Hands, and Feet is the perfect bedtime book. It provides some quiet (or not so quiet) time before bed and will delight the kids who will probably laugh out loud and ask for it every evening. The illustrations are so bright and beautiful they reach out and not only grab your attention, but hang on tight.

Armchair Interviews says: Read the book and then work on the various activities supplied at the back of the book.

Go to review online

http://Sherry-Rogers.com

Spring Cleaning... Website update

I took some time to update my website for Spring 2009. There are still some tweaks going on, but most of the site is live and working now af Ginger Nielson Illustrations

Sherry Rogers - New Art

I will try to post some of my latest illustrations over the next few days. Here is an illustration I completed a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.sherry-rogers.com
http://www.wendylynn.com

Spring is a time for Sorting it Out!

Posting on the Spring theme. Here is an illustration from a book I illustrated called Sort it Out! Which is published by Sylvan Dell Publishing and written by Barbara Mariconda.



http://www.sherry-rogers.com/

Spring is coming!

Just a quick post to place something here after way too long. I figured this is Springy enough. It's snowing here now in Northern Virginia, but I know Spring isn't far off. I'm looking forward to it.

LOOKY BOOK

I had never heard of this site until a few minutes ago when my brother-in-law sent it to me. Maybe all of you already know about it, but in case you don't, here it is. I might give this some serious consideration. What a great idea, for readers, authors and illustrators...

http://www.lookybook.com/

SPRING THINGS

Yes, it is time for the spring mailers. This is one I am thinking of sending. I like the way the colors are so brilliant in RGB, but am always a bit saddened by the conversion to CMYK for printing. I try to use colors these days that convert more easily but every once in a while I want a color that doesn't quite have the ZING I want.

Seven.......more things

Seven things... only seven?

1.) My family, of course, everyone of them from the oldest (94) to the youngest, (just one year) at least that is the youngest we are currently aware of.

2.)MAGIC... I don't care how simple the trick, I love magic and I love to keep guessing and I love to be totally stumped!



3.)Being an illustrator of children's books. My life long dream came true and I am living it.

4.)Chocolate...this has a place on any list I create. It often winds up on the shopping list too.


5.)Dogs...they are so loyal and loveable. I could name them all but then I would be out of blog space. AND don't forget to watch the Westminster Kennel Club competition this coming Mon. and Tues. Last years best in show was .... FINALLY .. A BEAGLE!!!

6.)Teaching. I really enjoy working with young people, little ones especially, but all age groups have a special place in my heart.

7.)Friends...without my dear friends and their support I might not find the constant joy that I do even on a bad day.

Seven things I Love

1) First and foremost, my wonderful husband and my children Josh and Rachel. They are my true meaning of joy. Sounds corny. . .but it's true.

2) I love being outside in my yard whether I am gardening or eating a meal. It's my favorite spot to just hang out.

3) I love my studio. Despite the fact that I do love being outside and would have my computer outside if I could. . .I love being in here creating.

4) I love my friends. I would be lost without my friends. I connect with some on a daily basis here on line and they are truly the ones that keep me together. Others I see once or twice a month and some every few years. But man without every single one of them. . .life would not be worth living.

5) My two dogs and two cats. Luke is our thirteen year old yellow lab. Lazy, lovable and always in the mood to be loved on. Billy is our six year old Tibetan Terrier who thinks he needs to guard the house from outsiders and is my constant companion where ever I am. Lucy our fifteen year old calico cat is a talker and each time I go by her she calls out to me to come and pay attention to her. And last but not least our fourteen year old yellow tabby Margie who used to be our hunter, but as she aged prefers to sit in her bed and just watch the world go by.

6) My 2002 Ford Explorer. I wanted an Explorer since they came out and in 2003 I finally got my dream. It's my favorite car I have ever owned and I will keep it till it can't go down the street anymore.

7) My home. I am painter and a sewer. I have painted all the rooms and sewn all the drapes, curtains and pillows. It has taken me many many years to be able to have the home of my dreams. . .and I love it.

And all of the above makes my life complete. . .

Kreativ Blogger Award From Roz

The Picture Bookies have received the Kreativ Blogger award from our great friend Roz Fulcher. Visit her blog and check out her wonderful felt art

Along with the award came a tag to name 7 things we love. So to all the Picture-Bookies I send out an invitation to participate. . .I will be doing mine right after this post!

Thanks Roz!

Anatomy of a chapter book...

I have just completed work on my first Black and White (inside) chapter book. The cover is done also, in living color, but I can't post that here.

For purposes of this post, however, I wanted to share the process I followed to get from the early sketching stage to the final finishes.

After reading the manuscript several times, (actually lots of times) I began with some character sketches. These are usually large because I like the freedom of just "letting go" and getting a good free feeling to the character.


Once I had pages and pages of these done I created a story board for the entire INSIDE portion of the book. As I finished each rough I printed a tiny copy of it and pasted it into my story board.

All those pencil notes on the story board are the comments from the editor/designer as we worked on composition and character and paid attention to the details in the manuscript that needed to be illustrated.


Each time I FINISHED a drawing I made a print out and posted those larger full size Black & Whites on the Bulletin Board that faces me as I work. I find that this helps to create a consistency of character and mood as I work. Style is important too. It helps me to see the particular type of line or hatching I am using as I go from one finished B&W to the next.

This last photo is the bulletin board with all 18 drawings displayed. I know the story almost by heart now, and it is a beautiful one. When the book is out I will post more information and some close ups as well as the cover, ISBN and places where you can find the finished product.


Although I am a children's book illustrator, this book seems to me to appeal to an older audience, one that moves easily into the adult range with its charm and meaningful message. I'll be sharing more about "WHEN WISHES COME TRUE" by Barbara B Slater, in the coming months.

INTERESTING ITEM: During the work on this book we had a huge ICE STORM here in NH and we were without power for 9 days. Fortunately when the editor called, I had all my storyboard finished and we were able to discuss the entire book over the phone. This is another good reason for digital artists to have a traditionally available copy, or at least a print out of work completed.

SCHOOL PROGRAM PROMOTION

I thought I would share something with you that happened to me today in the hope that it might encourage you to go beyond just illustrating your children's books, and consider school appearances. I think I've harped on this topic before. It's pays so well, it seems like every illustrator would want to pursue it.
Donating your book to a school library is a great way to get invited to do a school program. (The two authors at my wife's school will be paid $1200 and $1800 for one school day.) It works like a charm for me. It seems that schools are always excited to make contact with authors.
I normally drop by a school at the end of the school day so I can catch the librarian at a time when she's not in class with the students. So this afternoon I walked into the school office with my book in hand and said that I had a book for the librarian. The office person was a little reluctant at first. "Are you a salesman?" she asked.
"No, I'm the author and illustrator of this book," I replied as I placed the Washington for Kids book in front of her. Suddenly, her whole demeanor changed.
"Oh! I think Miss Jones is still in the library," she said as she picked up the phone to call the librarian.
Miss Jones picked up immediately. "Miss Jones? We have an "actual" author here with a book to donate to the library!" The librarian was in the school office within a minute. We had a good exchange, and she indicated that they would like to have me bring my program to their school next year.
Today's experience made me glad that I'm an author, and not a salesman. Though I actually am a salesman, selling my school appearances, but they don't think of me in that way.
I hope this anecdote might encourage you to try promoting yourself to schools as an author. You will then have a brand new income source.

Paws, Claws, Hands and Feet - Moose and Magpie

Thought I would update everyone on what I have been working on. This month Paws, Claws, Hands and Feet arrives in stores and on bookshelves. I am very excited about this book.











Published by the Sylvan Dell Publishing
Written By Kimberly Hutmacher
Illustrated by Sherry Rogers

-------------------------------


I just finished another book titled Moose and Magpie. As the title of the book conveys there were initially only two main characters in the book. But through the creative writing of the author I saw a subplot and illustrated three more characters into the book. It was a great fun to illustrate and I am privileged to get to work so much with Donna at Sylvan Dell. She is such a gem!














Published by the Sylvan Dell Publishing
Written By Bettina Restrepo
Illustrated by Sherry Rogers

Cora Cooks Pancit

What have I been working on? Mainly this book: Cora Cooks Pancit for Shen's Books.

Cora loves the kitchen, but her older brother and sisters always get to help with the real cooking while she gets stuck with kid jobs like licking the spoon. When her older siblings head out for the day, Cora finally gets the chance to be Mama's assistant chef. She chooses to make her Grandpa's pancit recipe, a Filipino noodle dish.

The pancit recipe is included in the book, and it's delicious! My husband and I made a big pot of pancit a few weeks ago, and we've already bought ingredients to make it again. Mmmm...

Amazon says the book will be out in April, so look for it in April or May in your bookstore!

-Kristi Valiant

Winston Wednesdays

I thought I would post the newest installment of Winston Wednesdays Here.... the others and this one will be found on my personal illustration blog each Wednesday. If you have little ones, you might want to take a peek each Wednesday to see what happens next in the Adventures of Winston the Wonderhound.

Having been Bumped right out of the moat, Winston and Roxxanne found themselves directly in front of a tearful young lady. Although they were already dripping wet, her tears threatened to keep them from drying off at all.

"What is the matter?" Winston asked.

"I have such a HUGE problem," replied the young lady. " A DRAGON has broken into the kitchen at the castle, where I am the cook. "

"Wow!" Winston was amazed. "Is it still there?"

"Y...Y... YES!" sobbed the cook. "And it is EATING all the fine china!"

"Bummer." Roxxanne had to put in her two cents.

"And, if I can't get all that china back before tonight the Queen will have my head!"

"Oh," said Winston, " she wouldn't do that .... would she?"

"She certainly would," the cook wiped her eyes with the edge of her apron, "and tonight is her birthday party. She plans to serve soup from her Royal Golden Soup Tureen."

"And, I take it that was eaten too." Winston guessed.

"Absolutely," replied the cook,"along with the silver ladle and all the fine crystal. What am I going to do?"

...........good question...... tune in next Wednesday.

Working sketch for this segment.

CARICATURES

I try to avoid caricatures as much as possible. They're my least favorite artistic pursuit,but it's such quick, easy money at $150 an hour, that I usually do them anyway.

These are two from a batch that I did for some teachers at a school that I appeared at some time back. I would encourage you to try your hand at caricatures if you think you have a knack for it. You get booked into an event, you sit there and draw as fast as you can for two hours and up, and pick up a check on the way out the door. I always groan when I take in a caricature job, but I don't have to wait for a month or more to get paid, which is a big plus.

Gift caricatures are my preference. Someone calls and wants a caricature of their Aunt Millie for her retirement party. They usually meet with me with one or more photos for me to draw from, then I go on over to my coffee shop and draw it up. These were done in graphite, but most of my caricatures are drawn in ink on paper, then scanned into Photoshop to be colored.

Let me know if you have any questions about caricaturing and making money at it.

The tiny house

There is a wonderful tree near the roadside with a strange configuration. The top seems to be divided from the bottom by a crossing of roots and stones. Under that crossway is a tiny hole in the lower portion. I always wondered if there used to be a tiny house right there. I suppose the inhabitants have since moved away and that is why it is so dark now, but I just like to imagine what it might have looked like when those tiny creatures made it their home.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year... a bit late

Well, this a bit late, but I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends, and had time to reflect on the true meaning of CHRISTmas!
My husband and I took a friend of ours who's an international student here in southern Indiana up to Wisconsin to visit my family for Christmas. There is a crazy amount of snow in Wisconsin this year - close to 30" when we got there! Our international student from Korea had never seen so much snow, so we had lots of fun with snowball fights and giddily playing around in snow. It reminded me of winters when I was young - we would dig snow tunnels through our backyard (see the photo below). When I was little, our small city in Wisconsin would flood all the football fields at the elementary schools to make them into ice skating rinks. We would ice skate for recess! These kind of moments that transport me back to being a kid are incredible bits of momentum for writing and illustrating picture books. May your new year be filled with childhood memory momentum too.

Happiest, magical, New Year to all....

Artist's Agents, 101

Happy New Year, Picture Bookies! Why not check out my latest article for The Prairie Wind, the SCBWI-IL's online newsletter. The article is called "Artist's Agents, 101", where I share with readers the basics of what an artist's agent's job is, and what they can do for you.


I wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Successful New Year!

Pen and Ink Rendering for a gift

Why do I promise things close to Christmas? This one was for a relative...and I am so glad it's done so that I can get back to the oil illustrations.

SHARING IN THE JOY ~

May your New Year be blessed with Joy, Happiness, and Good Health. To all the Picture Bookies, I wish you the blessings of this season and beyond!

White Christmas

This is one of my all time favorite animated cards. Here's to another great year for everyone!

Thanks Everyone!

© Kathleen Rietz
I just wanted to say thank you to all of the Picture Bookies for allowing me to be a part of this group for another fun year. I hope we all have great projects awaiting us in 2009! It's been fun to see you all grow in your craft. Cheers!

Day EIGHT..... a bit of weather....

The VOICE of winter is a silent one. Rain that slowly turns to icy creations...snow that blankets the earth quickly and quietly.


The VOICES we are hearing in the tiny market down in the town, and in churches and on TV are still announcing that there are present outages in our area.
Our street and all those right around us and on up the mountainside are still without power for the 8th day in a row. When we talk to strangers we find everyone has a story, and yet the VOICES are cheerful as is the custom for this time of year. We are still operating on a small generator and we have some internet service from the satillite connection. That puts us in the category of very lucky as many people are still spending their days and nights in our middle school shleter.




So here for your winter enjoyment are scenes of the season...at least up here in the Monadnock Mts. of NH.
The ice is now melted away, and we expect 10 " of snow to top of the small snowfall earlier this week.


People exist with woodstoves, fireplaces, generator, and that typical New England attitude. It seems like they can handle anything with a smile and an ability to rise to any occasion. We have only been here five winters, so we are novice to the challenges, but we are learning FAST.....

Be of good Cheer, Christmas is a few days away. Even in the dark, the light of this Holy season will shine.

The Books ARRIVED *:)

My AFRICAN BEDTIME RHYMES

Words by Brettell Hone  ~ Pictures by Ginger Nielson

The book I illustrated for SHAMWARI PUBLISHING in South Africa is finally here. The inventive rhymes of Brettell Hone have created a newer view of some African animals that might otherwise be overlooked. A pair of trout, an African fly and a Wood Owl are just some of the characters for whom Brettell has created a story in rhyme. And to add to all that, this is a book that BOYS will enjoy very much. There is a bit of action, some surprise, some danger and lots of fun!

The books are available now at Amazon.com and you can take a sneak peek as some of the story here. Books are also available from Atlas Books.

I really enjoyed working with the author on this project. His lifelong association with these animals and his idyllic location in the Limpopo provence of South Africa have given him a unique perspective on the lives of these animals. The books were printed by IMAGO printing and I have to admit that although there were some ups and downs with the process the finished product is gorgeous. The colors are true and vivid and I am totally pleased with the outcome.

If you want the book directly from your bookstore, just ask for it and include the ISBN number which is:978-0-620-40992-6.

POLAR FLEECE

Christmas House

Here's one I drew from a photo that was lacking in details..so there are areas I would like to have been able to see better. It also had much brush that I had to remove and make it look snowy and wintery.

Holiday Help... the Seasonal work force...

Sometimes you might wonder why your mail looks a little the worse for wear. It is the Holiday seasonal helpers, I am sure.

And I am also sure that some of the help has a distraction or two.

Highlights Magazine

I'm so honored to have illustrated a wonderful Christmas poem by Eileen Spinelli in this month's issue of Highlights Magazine. Highlights - "the world's best-loved magazine" - how sweet is that!

The only thing I didn't realize was how dark and dull my illustration would print on magazine newsprint. The top is what it looks like in the magazine, and the bottom is how it's supposed to look. Hmmm... I'm hoping for more assignments from Highlights, and I'll be sure to up my brightness and colors next time around.

Happy THANKSGIVING ~ The Alternative

The Peahen Pen

If you were a peacock with a desire to become a writer, you wouldn' t have to go to far to find a pen with which to write.

SMUDGE TOOL TIPS

As I was creating the current episode of Trowbridge, it occurred to me that I make frequent use of the smudge tool in Photoshop. In the event that you rarely, or never use it, I thought I would call it to your attention. I should preface my comments by acknowledging that I am the last one to give instruction on Photoshop. I know it just enough to get by. But I have become quite familiar with the small part of Photoshop that I use. It has literally transformed all of my work.

For many years all of my illustration was done with "wet paint", watercolor, colored inks and Dr. Martin's Dyes. I never imagined myself painting digitally. But our digital wizard son, Eric, who now works for Disney in Los Angeles as a Flash master, had other ideas. He gently nudged me into the digital world. One of my regrets, however, is that I am a slow learner in all things digital. But I do catch on eventually.

Rather than do a literal step-by-step, I thought I would mention the areas in the painting where I used the smudge tool extensively, and how I used it. First to the Trowbridge page: www.bronsmith.com/trowbridge

I used the smudge tool a lot in the rocks in the stream. I used it to sweep the rock color upstream and downstream from the rocks, to softly blend the rock and the water. Ditto with the texture of the trees in the background, the rock that Mrs. T is sitting on, and the foreground rocks that are cast in shadow, and the moss on the side of the stream.

Also, the smudge tool works well if you want to soften a hard edge, as I did with the rock that Mrs. T is sitting on. When I do rock, bark and moss textures I do tiny swirls with the smudge tool to blend colors together. If you experiment with it, as I did, you may find that it really enhances your work.

Sidebar: The "airbrush" brush came in handy (at 50%) to add a vapor effect at the base of the waterfall in the background.

I thought about the smudge tool as I was working on a full-sheet realistic floral watercolor early this morning for my Painting in Paradise. There were so many times when I felt like a smudge tool would come in handy for blending the leaf and petal colors. But that ain't gonna happen when you're working with traditional media.

www.bronsmith.com
www.funmapsusa.com
http://bronsmith.googlepages.com

Humpty Dumpty Magazine

I recently did a project for Humpty Dumpty Magazine which is in their November/December issue. I got my free copies of the magazine a few weeks ago and much to my delight my illustration was on the inside cover! It was a small project, but I had a great time and they were just wonderful to work for. As you can see I used my simplier style for this project.

Picture

What am I currently working on? A sweet, trade picture book for Shen's Books. Here's a lil' sneak peek at the main character. I'm still in the sketch phase. It's so much fun to create a personality, a tiny life that exists in this book.

A new direction

I am working on a chapter book and need to do 18 interiors in black and white. Since my main focus is normally full color paintings, this will be a change of pace, a new challenge and also something to which I am looking forward. This illustration isn't going to be part of the new book, but it is an example of one of the styles I like to use in Black and White.

Pretty Neat!

I just received this little sneak preview from Teresa Anne Power, author of "The ABC's of Yoga for Kids"! It is so exciting to see the cover of the book now. It makes it seem all the more real to me....even though I still have so many of the illustrations yet to finish before the book can be published! Watch for more details on how you can pre-order the book in upcoming weeks.

Another place to create an online portfolio

I just found Carbonmade.com
It's another place to create an online portfolio at no cost. It's well designed. I'm in the process of uploading images now.

Finished

What a great feeling it is to finish a project! After a year and a half I've finished one with the USDA. Here is a smaller spot illo from it.

the BugCatchers

Something I have been working on this week.... my efforts this month are concentrated on ethnic studies.

My Interview with Stephanie Ruble

Happy Monday Everyone!

Today I am honored to be featured and interviewed on both the blogs of Stephanie Ruble. I had a great time answering her thoughtful and very fun questions. Why not stop on over to one of her blogs and check the interview out?

Here are the links.

http://sruble.blogspot.com

http://sruble.livejournal.com

Thanks for the interviews Stephanie!

 I have been working on this one illustration for several days, and wanted it to 'fit' the current subject for Illustration Friday (vacant).  It is the fifth version of a much earlier work. Sometimes when you think you have a good image and look at it a year later you can see a new way to create the mood. That is what happened with my old "duckpond" illustration. I think I may have it where I want it, but who knows it may resurface again at some point.

Somehow I don't find it a waste of time or energy to revisit older paintings and sketches.  Occasionally I will find something in my portfolio and take it right out. Then I say to myself, 

"What was I thinking!"  At that point I either trash it altogether or find a new way to make it work. That is growth for me.  What about the rest of you..... do you do that?

I find so much out about myself and my painting when I redo or revise something that 'almost' works.  I always want it to be the best it can be.  Whether it is traditional painting or digital I do keep a stack of possible 're-dos' just to remind me to work harder.

When do you STOP?

These illustrations are for the children's yoga book I am illustrating. The book is meant to be instructional, so the focus needs to be on the poses in each case. But...since the book is for little children (ages 4 - 8 mainly), I want to make it cute and appealing. I felt this illustration needed a little something more, but I did not want to compromise the main focus, which is the child imitating the frog's stance. So I brought a few elements into the scene that would add interest and color without taking the focus off of the characters.

ANATOMY OF A WALDO PAGE

I was just planning on making time to post this illustration on Picture Bookies when your letter came, Ginger. Good timing.

I just finished this back cover illustration, titled Lost in London, for Focus on the Family's Clubhouse Magazine the other day, and I thought I would make a little step-by-step out of it for Picture Bookies. Not that creating one of these illustrations is that tricky of a process to justify a step-by-step. What's so complicated about pencil, ink, and color? The hardest part was finding the scrap (Google Image) for the background and making it work. I spent a lot of hours noodling on the background. I wanted it to be relatively monochromatic so that it wouldn't compete with the crowd. The art director wanted the setting to be in front of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben in London. A Japanese family (front center) has lost some items, which are hidden in the picture. That, too, was a challenge, because how can you hide a bunch on items on a big slab of pavement. I had to get a little creative, but I managed to pull it off.

When I create a "Waldo" page, I start by doing a rough layout, so I know where I'm going and roughly where things will be placed. I don't draw in any people. I just draw the "stage". The actors come later. Once I have the general layout nailed down I start with the front row of the crowd and overlap my way to the back of the crowd. It wouldn't work, of course, to start with the back and work your way to the front. I usually establish a standard size for the characters, like one inch for the front row characters, then I reduce their standard size as they recede into the distance. If I just eyeballed the sizes of the characters, the size relationships could be totally out of whack.

As I penciled the crowd I was thinking about where I would hide everything. I didn't have everything hidden by the time I finished the sketch. I figured I would wing it as I went along. I didn't hide some of the stuff until I was well into the final art. I tend to make things up as I go along a lot. I do that with Trowbridge all the time because I can't afford to put much time into it.

My father-in-law gave me a big box of "tractor" computer paper a few years ago. I still use that for almost all of my work. It's cheap bond paper, but it seems to work okay for most everything I do. I've always drawn my Health Capsules comic on the tractor paper. In this case, I had to tape two pieces of tractor paper together. If I recall, I drew this 25% up. I do all of my inking with the same pen that most illustrators use: Micron Pigma Pens. This job required a size 1.

FYI: One of the things that the kids love when I go to the schools is when I give away one of my Pigma pens. I leave just enough ink in the pen so that the child can draw with it. I sometimes throw them into the audience. That always creates a memorable response. Sometimes after the show a child will come up to me and try to give me the pen back. They can't believe that I would actually give away my pens.

The final result is not much more than Photoshop 101. Of course I have to start with the gradated sky. Next I painted in the buildings, then the pavement, then the crowd. I used the Photoshop pencil for the base color, then various brushes for the shading of the characters. As I went along I was careful to make sure everything was cleverly hidden. It took a lot of extra time, to tone, shade and detail every character in the crowd. People look at these scenes, but they usually don't realize the hours that goes into an illustration like this. My cartoon maps are similar in complexity...that's why I have to work nights and weekends to avoid getting behind.

The title and text are not in yet, of course. This is just the art. Can you find: 10 pigeons. a wallet, an iPod, a camera, a map, a key, and a backpack? There's more hidden stuff, but that's all I can remember now.

That's it for now. Next time: I'll give you concrete proof of how much you can make doing school programs. And, for those, like Paige, Sherry (and myself) with hand problems from overuse, I'll show you how I avoid this problem with a rather unique solution that has worked well for me.



www.bronsmith.com
www.bronsmith.com/trowbridge
www.funmapsusa.com
http://bronsmith.googlepages.com

The Sighting

I have been reworking an older version of this tree. But it needed something more, perhaps an investigative reporter.

Portfolio Critiques at SCBWI conferences

A new part of the Midsouth SCBWI conference this year was a poster contest for children's book art. The conference faculty (including an art director from Greenwillow, an editor from Abrams, and Harold Underdown) chose the one that they felt looked most like the cover of a children's book and mine won. How exciting is that!

If I had used a piece of artwork that I had in my portfolio last year at this time, I don't think I would've won. This past year I've grown a lot in my art, and I contribute the starting point of that growth to portfolio critiques from a number of art directors at SCBWI conferences this past year. Each critique pointed out small changes I should make to bring my art to a new level.

There were a lot of beautiful illustrations at the conference this year. Those of us who had attended last year's conference and had met with the Art Director, Laurent Linn, have greatly improved our portfolios based on his articulate suggestions. I think it's so important to get your portfolio critiqued by Art Directors as often as you can.

It's easy for illustrators to stay so stuck in the same way of drawing and painting and composing scenes just because they've sold some artwork. I want to grow as an artist. I want my newest work to always be my best work - but that takes being open to suggestions from others, especially Art Directors, and not getting defensive about my work. Then putting in a lot of hard work to implement those changes. When you look over your portfolio, do you have old pieces in there because they're better or the same quality as your newest work? Are you always striving to bring your artwork up to a new level?

Good to be Back

It's great to be posting again. I love the new banner! Sherry did an amazing job on it.
Ginger...thanks for your motivating energy and vigor in your illustrations and promotion. What would we do without you.
I'm nearly done with a large project with the USDA that I've been working on for over a year. I'll post images after it is published. In the meantime, I'm catching up on the blog here, reading what the fabulous Picture Bookies are up to.

Huzzah!

I received my copies of Jack and Jill magazine this past week! In addition to getting to illustrate a story, I ended up on the same page as a feature for a book by fellow Picture-Bookie,  Phyllis Harris and her hubby, Bradley Harris: "My Brother and I"! Phyllis also designed the characters of Jack and Jill who make appearances throughout the magazine. Very, very adorable kids!

In other news I was very excited to receive the "I Love Your Blog" award from Erik Brooks!
I've been a fan of Erik's work for quite some time now so this was a very nice surprise. Thank you!

Article: How to Survive a Professional Dry Spell

This was an article I originally wrote for the "Prairie Wind", the SCBWI-IL e-newsletter. I thought maybe it would be helpful to some visitors to our blog.

By Kathleen Rietz


As freelance illustrators, we’ve all been there before - those times when assignments stop trickling in and we find ourselves lying awake in our beds at night and wondering how we will pay next month’s bills. Sometimes these professional dry spells cause us to question what we may have done wrong. And if enough time passes, we may even begin to doubt our own talents as illustrators. Usually though, dry spells last a short amount of time and new assignments bring us a new sense of security - and coincidentally - restore our sleep.

I know first-hand how difficult it can be to coast through a professional dry spell and survive, because I went through a dry spell that lasted nearly two years. I won’t lie - relying on an income solely through freelance work is not for the faint of heart. But if you use your time wisely, you can come out of a professional dry spell with a redefined sense of purpose and a clearer identity as an illustrator. I would even argue that dry spells are important and necessary if we choose to use our time wisely. For me, those 2 dry years turned out to be a time of immense growth as a children’s book illustrator.

I have compiled a list of suggestions for surviving a professional dry spell. Many of these I tried myself. Others are things I still plan to do the next time work slows for me.

• Conduct a class or demo. Art stores, such as Blick Art Materials, are often open to artists who are interested in teaching anything from a 6-week course to a 1-day workshop. This can be a quick way to earn some cash while promoting yourself as an artist. It’s also a great way to meet and network with other artists in your community. Store managers like it because it draws customers who are inclined to purchase art supplies.
• Get current. Take a computer arts class. Even for traditional illustrators, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator skills are almost a must-have. Even if you pride yourself on being “old-school”, many clients now expect artists to submit illustration jobs in digital format. You may also want to take a class to learn how to build your own website. If you can’t afford a class at your local community college, Lynda.com offers $25 monthly subscriptions to online tutorials you can complete at your own pace.
• Experiment. Always wanted to try acrylics, gouache or collage art? Now’s your time to shine. Something you try might end up redefining your entire purpose as an illustrator. You can even find online demos and artist groups devoted to a specific medium. In my case, I wanted to get back to using acrylic paints, which I had in storage for years. Before taking them out for a try, I contacted an illustrator whose acrylic work I admired and asked her about her technique. She was more than happy to share her technique with me. I am now using acrylic paint to illustrate a new children’s picture book assignment.
• Update your database. Social sites for illustrators and writers, such as Jacketflap.com, can offer a wealth of information to aid you in compiling a database of publishers whom you may want to contact for future illustration work. The site contains information such as a publisher’s most recent books, news, imprints, what type of books they publish each year and how many. Other sources for compiling your database are the SCBWI Bulletin, and an annual publication titled “Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market”. New copies sell for about $25, but you may be able to cut costs by checking one out at your local library.
• Revamp your portfolio. Now’s the time to be honest with yourself. Easier said than done. Sometimes we as illustrators want to include every fabulous illustration we have ever done. We lose focus of our portfolio as a whole. In that case, attending a group critique such as a local SCBWI chapter meeting can be helpful. Personally, I also found it very helpful to contact some artist agents and request feedback from them about my work and my portfolio. While each agent’s advice differed to some extent, there were a few comments made to me by each agent that remained consistent. It was these key comments that really helped me to cull my body of illustration work and focus on creating some new illustrations that gave my portfolio a much stronger sense of unity.
• Create a new promo mailing. Now that you have updated your database and created some new pieces for your portfolio, it’s time to design a new mailing to send to editors and art directors at publishing houses. Be sure that whatever illustration you decide to showcase on your mailing represents your portfolio and your purpose as an artist. Remember, you are trying to convince very busy editors and art directors to stop what they are doing and look at your website or online portfolio, so choose your illustration wisely. I find postcard mailings are best. Both VistaPrint.com and Overnightprints.com run lots of sales, and I have been very satisfied with the quality, color, and sharpness of the postcards I have ordered. Plus, you can actually see what the postcard you design will look like before you place your order.

Although no one enjoys not having a constant influx of assignments, an occasional dry spell can a time of renewal for any illustrator willing to learn to be resourceful and honor the ebb and flow common to the freelance lifestyle.

My New book!

You know how it is when you have a secret you are just bursting to tell someone?? Well I wanted to give you a 'sneak peek' at one of the new books I have been illustrating titled "The ABC's of Yoga for Kids" by author Teresa Anne Power. Teresa is a yoga instructor as well as the author. Teresa's yoga expertise combined with my ballet background has been the perfect formula in bringing this fun and instructional book to life through the illustrations of children demonstrating the poses. Teresa and the book shepherd - Brookes Nohlgren - have been so wonderful to work with. It really makes the project so much more fun when you work with people who are positive and understand each other's vision and have respect for the kind of time and work that goes into children's book illustrations. There will be close to 60 illustrations in all!

Teresa has allowed me to give you a little peek at the book. I was going to post only one illustration, but I feel these 3 are a pretty good representation of the book so far. As the holidays approach, I will add to my blog a link for pre-ordering the book. Remember this illustration that was selected by Teresa for the "book cover"?

So here are a few of the poses:

The "X"

The "Frog"

The "Dolphin"

I am so excited!! Okay...back to work!

My African Bedtime Rhymes

My African Bedtime Rhymes, by Brettell Hone is now in print!
Very soon this book will be available in the US. Right now it is in the pre order stage, but I just read a really nice review and wanted to share it. The author of this book was raised in South Africa in the closest proximity to the animals he writes so effortlessly about. A rhyming story this book invites young and old(er) to enjoy the habits of some of Africa's well known and lesser known wildlife. You can read the review HERE.

Soon to follow this book is another, also by Brettell Hone, THE BIG FIVE COME ALIVE, and I am just as excited about that one as it features some of the wildest creatures and is a challenge to illustrate but a joy as well.

I feel extremely fortunate to have been chosen for these exciting assignments. I am sure that all illustrators understand the wonderful journey we take when we begin a new illustration project. The research always leads to new learning just as process that we use to create the illustrations always leads to new growth.

Pettifour ~ Pinafore

International Day of Peace , Sept. 21, 2008

During the week of September 14 - 21 Peace Day exhibits, and activities took place in many parts of the US and abroad.
One special week in Panama City Florida was sponsored by the Gulf Coast Womens' Group. School children created art, sang special songs, prepared international foods, crafted Origami doves inscribed with Peace slogans and enjoyed hearing the book, One Day in Peace read aloud. The book by Robert Alan and Steve Diamond was my first illustration assignment. To this date it is still featured on thePeace Kids website and has been translated into over 17 languages.

In addition to all the hands on activities a Proclamation Ceremony was held by the Panama City, Florida Mayor, the Honorable Scott Clemons who read and signed the document proclaiming Sunday, Sept. 21 as the International Day of Peace in Bay County.

Below are images from the book I illustrated that were enlarged and displayed along with text from the book.

"Little Black Ant on Park Street"

Today I received this catalog sample file of the book cover for "Little Black Ant on Park Street". The book is scheduled for release in Spring 2009, published by Soundprints for the Smithsonian Institution. I am currently working on the inside illustrations, all double page spreads.

A Different Twist on Children's Illustration

I rarely post any of my design work here, but since I am adding these to my surface design portfolio on my website, I thought I might give you a taste.
Yep, I do a little of everything.

A Sweet Surprise

I had the nicest email from my friend, and fellow Picture Bookie Amy Cullings Moreno!
What a good friend to let me know that I finally acheived a long time wish. This week I was chosen as Illustrator of the week on Children's Illustrators.
If Amy hadn't emailed me I would have missed the enjoyment of seeing my work in that little window. True, there isn't much left of this week...but I will go back a few times, just to take another peek and smile!

Thanks again, Amy *:)

Promoting Peace

The first two books I illustrated were done about 8 years ago for the talented Robert Alan Silverstein who works closely with various Peace organizations and the UN to promote peace. The first little book was printed in paperback and is now online and translated into over 17 languages. The message of Peace and how children can help to bring it about has been brought to millions of people world wide.



I am honored that the Gulf Coast Women's Club of Panama City Florida is planning an exhibit for their International Day of Peace Celebration that will include images from the books I illustrated for the People for Peace. One Day In Peace-2000, Peace Day and the Peace Department feature children of the world who meet in cyberspace, much as we are doing now. Their goal is to promote peace in various ways.

You can read all these books online at PEACE KIDS.

Have you thought about this?

I have seen several group POST CARD mailers lately. Some are good, some are better and all have the impact that was intended.
Recently I have been hired to redesign the website for the agency to which I belong. In addition to the website overhaul, I have designed a group postcard.

Are any of the Picture Bookies interested in something similar? Maybe not this fall, but perhaps in the spring we could get together and create a really awesome group card.

Although there are 30 artists on the card I designed for the agency our group is only 8 and that would give us much more exposure.

Let your voice be heard and share your thoughts on the subject.

New Mailer for the Fall

I try to send out cards about every 3 or 4 months. It may be overkill but in the world of Advertising it usually takes 7 attempts to get noticed.   If we keep putting our names in front of the Art Directors with quality work, it will pay off.

This is the postcard I am sending out this month. I wanted to wait a bit so that the editors would be returning from vacations.  My theory on this one was to present a closeup image with some added interest on the back, and make sure that even without glasses an editor would see my name and website.   I have a space on the back of the card for my agent's email and phone which I put in before the cards were printed.

I have always used Overnight Prints, but may try VistaPrints at some point. Overnight gives me really good quality on a large card and this last order they gave me 50 extra cards.  

And then there is MOO.com  They will print 60 cards with a different image on the front of every card if you like.  The price is high for 60 cards, but you can also make as few as 20 cards all with different images for $20.00.  The postcards are regulation size suited for US postal conditions, but seem a bit smaller than the smallest VistaPrint or Overnight Prints cards.

They also make sticker books with as many as 90 different images.  (Yes, they can also be just the same image too.)  They are based in London so you need to use Pay Pal but credit cards do work.  I recently ordered a book of 90 stickers for our little grandson Trevor.  Some have his face; some have my illos, but all were beautifully printed! And they came in a cute little booklet.  Moo has lots of goodies, you may want to take a look.  They love to Print!

5.5" x 8.5" Postcard Mailer

I'm getting ready to do a large mailing to art directors and editors at publishing houses I'd like to work for, and I've created a few different options for the front of the 5.5" x 8.5" postcard. The back of the card shows a couple characters in multiple poses that would be interior black & white illustrations for a middle grade novel. Front 3 shows a sample middle grade cover using the same characters that I used on the back. I'll send Front 3 to those who don't work on picture books, but stictly publish chapter books/middle grade/YA.

My dilemma is what to send to those who publish both picture books and middle grade. Front 1 and Front 2 show my Peter Pan illustration and an illustration that will be in Highlights in the December issue. The Highlights illustration would work fine for picture book editors, and the back of the card shows middle grade illustrations, so both picture books and middle grade would be covered in one card. The other option is to send Front 3 to everyone who works on middle regardless of whether or not they do picture books too and just target middle grade right now. What do you think? Show both picture book and middle grade samples on one card or just focus on middle grade for this mailer?

Sail Away

I posted this on IF today.... and wanted to share it here, in case you don't visit Illustration Friday. After working for hours and hours on something like this I like to save various stages. So I created a Digital File Cabinet and put most of my illustrations there including some of the steps and sketches that lead up to the finish. That way if I want to revisit or redo or reuse an image I know where to find it.

Prints Available!!!

©Kathleen Rietz
©Kathleen Rietz
Great News! 8"X10" prints are now available for "Sea Princess" and "Happy Halloween". All prints are signed and printed on 5 star archival quality matte paper with archival inks, shipped in a protective sleeve. For a limited time, they are available for $20 USD each. More designs will be made available in the future, but for now I am debuting my 2 most popular illustrations.

Mailers

Kate asked me to post my mailers for everyone to see. Thanks Kate that was such a great idea! Funny I should have thought of it myself, but luckily you thought of it for me. It's always so interesting to me to see other artist mailers. . .

You can click on the images to see a larger view.

Vista Print

Just thought I'd share a bit. A while back our Kate recommended Vista Print for printing mailers. Upon her recommendation I ordered some postcards and they came on time and had good color. I usually use a black border on my mailers and at times with other printers I have used they have come out a bit gray. But with Vista it was great.

I also got a great suggestion from Ginger a while ago. She said she always boots the saturation on her printing. . .I tried that this time. I boosted the saturation up about 10 in Photoshop.

WOW!! I just got my mailers back from Vista print. . .on time and they are perfect. The black is very black and the color matches my own print from my printer. Excellent!

Thanks Ginger and Kate for the great suggestions. . .they work!! It's so great to be a part of such a generous and knowledgeable group!

GUIDELINES FOR THE ILLUSTRATOR

There has been a bit of discussion lately on the fair practices for illustrators. Because this concerns me on many levels I have prepared a webpage with my personal guidelines. Because this set of suggestions may be helpful to others in our industry, I have included a link to the page here. An Illustrators Guidelines.

Learning to Be Still

I firmly believe that the way we choose to handle disappointments in life affects many outcomes. I had a very disappointing month, as many of you know now. The children's ABC yoga book that I had been awarded was pulled back from me, followed by an auto accident which left my car totaled. Instead of digging my heels in and trying to control the uncontrollable, I took the last couple of weeks off from my artwork to contemplate life, wait for a settlement from the insurance company, and negotiate a new children's book opportunity (with the help of Sherry Rogers....thnaks Sherry for your advice!) for the Smithsonian Institution which came my way from Soundprints while I was out of town for 5 days.

Today I have good news...

A few moments ago I received a call from the book shepherd handling the children's ABC yoga book in California....the book project is back on and they asked me if I would still accept the opportunity to work with them and illustrate the book! I cannot tell you how happy I am. It turns out the author felt rushed to make a decision in choosing an illustrator and in the end she still decided I was the ideal one for the job. Now I just have to figure out how I am going to juggle all of this work, but I am happy to have this sort of dilemma rather than the former!

Working on a new story

This is an illustration from a story I am developing. I want to create a wordless picture book with images that should eventually tell their own story. Just a beginning....
©Ginger Nielson 2008

News Fiash!

Hi everyone! Okay, I finally have some great news to break to all of you. Check out this Sneak Peek of ribbons I designed for jcaroline creative earlier this year. Here is one design, as posted on the jcaroline blog...you will have to go and look at the others. There are even more to come, but this is just a peek at the first few releases. The ribbons will be sold through jcaroline's online shop! She has so many fantastic, "drool worthy" fabrics, papers and accessories in her shop....I love browsing.

And...

Remember this illustration I created a while back? It was spotted by Nikki at