Word to Live By

After checking out Drawn.ca for my daily inspiration, I saw this excerpt featured. I'm not the most eloquently gifted person, so I don't usually have words of wisdom to recite... but this is fantastic. High five.

I’ve spent my entire career obsessively trying to “learn how to draw” when I should’ve just been drawing. Always thinking “I just need to get a little better… and then I’ll start working on (insert any of a hundred personal projects)”

The fact is that i’ve been good enough since my teens- and would’ve improved so much more rapidly had my study been in the service of any of those projects- and not in the dozens of sketchbooks pilled in my closet.

Lesson: Don’t use “learning” as an excuse to avoid “doing”.

Shane Glines

Desk Bound

I may be stuck at my desk for long stretches of time, but I am so lucky to be surrounded with books that allow me to see the world.

*sigh*

I love to travel.

The British Mice Ride Again!

It's been a low blog post year, but I feel as though it's been a successfully busy year. I think it's a matter of not being able to show exactly what I've been plugging away at. Well, here's a sneak peak! It's a companion novel to Secrets At Sea!!

Tu Me Manques, Paris

Recently completed working on a fun project that called upon my Parisian relationship. I was working on a few backgrounds for an animation. How could I say no? Will clue you in more about the project when I am allowed.

Here's something to wet your whistle!

The Original Art Show 2012

I am extremely pleased to be included in this year's juried children's exhibition at the Society of Illustrators. Secrets At Sea was selected, and I cannot be more excited. To be included in The Original Art, books must be selected by a jury drawn from illustrators, art directors, editors, and experts in the field.

This year’s show features 139 books chosen from entries submitted nationwide. Two Silver Medals and one Gold Medal are awarded by the jury for outstanding achievement in children’s book illustration. This year’s Silver Medal winners are Jon Klassen for This is Not My Hat (Candlewick Press), and Steve Jenkins for The Beetle Book (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt / Books for Children). The Gold Medal winner is Laëtitia Devernay for The Conductor (Chronicle Books). Congrats, fellow illustrators!!

 I've gathered enough courage to head on down for the opening. I know... I sound like a big whimp, don't I! I am typically a tad shy with these types of events, but I cannot pass up this opportunity to see all of the amazing work that has been collected. Perhaps I will see you there, too?

 For more information, follow this link.

Opening Reception and Awards Presentation
6:00 pm Cocktails (YESS!!!)
7:00 pm Awards Ceremony
Annnnd, then I have to run to catch a bus by 9pm.

 Society of Illustrators
128 East 63rd Street New York,

NY EXHIBITION DATES
October 24 - December 22
Tuesday 10-8 Wednesday- Friday 10-5 Saturday 12-4

In The Garden

 At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done -then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago. ― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

FInding Lost Time

It's so important to have personal work on the back burner. I may not have been able to work on this painting in 2 months, but I know when I am done with my client work, this little world is waiting for me. Rewarding work with work. Nice. This will be a painting of my childhood woods. Complete with shed, pet cemetery, tree spirts, and the ghost of my cat.

A New Place With New Work

So, the whole apartment is finally moved, and we are SLOWLY settling into the new house. Because of the start of school and a boatload of deadlines, it's not quite presentable yet. I am figuring after moving all of my books, I won't want to do that again for another 6 years. We have time to settle in. The new studio is a little smaller than the last, but it's just what I need. Two great windows for light and ventilation. I will miss the great skylights from the last place. The fuzzy studio assistant has not skipped a beat, and she's still coaching me to success!

I've been scurrying to finish a multitude of projects which include two middle grade novels, multiple background scene for an animation, a book of poetry, and a difference game for Behind the Bookcase. Got to finish the projects... then I can start organizing all of the boxes from the move. Here's a snippet of the cover for Secrets At Sea's companion novel!

Hope everyone else is having a wonderful fall!

Those Darn Cameras!

This is just too good not to share with everyone. You know what does it for me? Berlin's "Take My Breath Away". Poetry in catastrophically drunk motion.

Advanced Illustrators Workshop

August 30 – September 3, 2012

Begins Aug. 30 with dinner at 6 p.m. (optional tour of HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN and Boyds Mills Press offered at 3 p.m.); ends Sept. 3 after lunch.

I'd like to announce a wonderful weekend I and several other talented illustrators will be attending. Are you interested in an illustrative retreat in the Pocono Mountains? Well, look no further. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me or the Highlights Foundation. Here's more about the late summer event:
 

While your artwork is accomplished alone, it is only with guidance that an illustrator can begin to understand how to make it in today’s picture-book world. Let one of today’s top children’s book illustrators be your guide. Explore the children’s book market with them, learn new techniques, and enjoy the camaraderie of artists who understand your passion.

During this intensive, five-day workshop you’ll immerse yourself in illustration—oil wash on board, printmaking, pen and ink, watercolors, and more. Daily hands-on workshops will challenge you to sharpen your illustration skills, all under the support and guidance of our highly talented mentors.

In addition to illustration techniques, you’ll also explore
* dummy preparation;
* storyboarding;
* continuity;
 * portfolio expectations;
* character development;
* self-promotion; and
* finding a market.

Your work will receive personal attention through one-on-one critiques from your mentors, group critiques with peers and guest art directors, and feedback from special guests at our portfolio showcase.

 Conference Highlights
* The Barn provides space for meeting and meals.
* Support and guidance from carefully selected authors, illustrators, editors, and academics.
* A unique opportunity to network with others in the children’s literature business.
* An intimate and inspiring setting in the Pocono Mountains.
* Charming on-site lodging.
* Farm-style meals prepared by a top-notch chef.

Sign up now! I am sure that spaces will go quickly. Hope to see you there!

Japan = Awesome

Back in June, Antoine, his brother, father, and nephew combined with my brother and sister-in-law took an amazing trip. We were fortunate enough to travel to Tokyo, Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto. With Antoine growing up there, I had heard stories of how amazing a place it is. I kid you not, he wasn't lying. All of this is just one girl's opinions, but I'd like to point out some high and lows! GARDENS EVERYWHERE. When I think gardens, I typically think of the kind Louis XIV would have loved. Controlled, bright, geometric. Japan is the complete opposite. Their gardens possess a naturalistic, or picturesque quality, and skirt the fine line of being cultivated and virgin. Super awesome. REALLY FUN SIGNS. Dōtonbori, Osaka has to be one of the craziest shopping streets I will ever be on. Many travel books commented on the ugliness of Osaka, but I found this to be quite opposite, and in many ways I preferred this city to Tokyo. TRAINS. I love trains. Make it a hi-speed one and I am even more excited. SO CLEAN, SO FRIENDLY. I was so impressed how such a densely populated area could remain so clean and organized. Granted, some of the architecture is unaesthetic, being a bit boxes and covered in wiring. Our merry group started taking pictures of the pieces of trash we would see, because it was that infrequent. Impeccable! BEER. I never knew that Japan was that stoked about beer! And even better with the summer temperatures! Vending machines on the street: beer. Vending machines in your hotel: beer. And, all of it was really cheap! On the flip side, when ordering non alcohol drinks in restaurants... the glasses are really small. Europe does this well, and my American thirst is just too great for such small glasses. TEMPLES/SHRINES. These buildings become so numerous, after a while you forget just how striking they are. The lights and space in and around them is so pleasing and well planned, I wish we could have lived inside them. BAMBOO. Ever since I was a child, I saw images of these forests. I've long dreamed of seeing them in person. What I didn't realize was that the color is the most amazing cool shade of green I have never seen before. Scooting along in the train, I would look at the shapes and textures of the forests. Even from a distance, these bamboo forest are amazing, with tall fern-like anatomy. A-mazing. PRESSURE. The worst part of the trip occurred on the second day. As we were headed out to Yadabashi Camera on the train, the horn started to blast in such an alarming manner as we approached a platform and every person inside the car looked forward. NOT A GOOD SIGN. My brother was just able to catch the glimpse of a man jumping in front of the train. As the train tried to stop, our car was the one in which was over the man. Trying to hide this from Antoine's younger nephew was imperative, and luckily, we were successful. While stuck in the train for a few moments, my brother and sister-in-law (each a dr. and nurse) naturally sprung into action, but alas we were locked inside. I was able to glimpse the stretcher carrying him out, and while not a horrific scene, made me sad to think why such a young, well dressed man would make this decision. We were nervous for the rest of the trip when we heard that train whistle blow. Phew well... ok. Sorry to end it on a weird note! BUT! I can honestly say, Antoine was not lying when he said Japan was one of the most amazing places on earth. Sure, it's busy, and urban, and overwhelming at times, but the hospitality, beauty, and friendliness of this ancient nation is amazing. GO THERE! Oh, and there are ridiculously cute things EVERYWHERE. It WINKED at us!

3x3 No. 9 Children's Show!

Hello! My, it's been some time. I've missed the blog. I've mssed the blog so much I am contemplating getting rid of my facebook page to solely concentrate on this better kept chronologic list of happenings. I wanted to check in to share that my recent work on Behind the Bookcase has been accepted into 3x3's No. 9 Children's Book Show. Super excited, especially since I am eager for this book's release in October. Here are the images that will be featured:

In other news, Antoine and I just got through a week of hell in regards to our next move. If any of you are ever thinking about buying a home, feel free to drop a line because we'd love to share what NOT to do... and how to really keep your realtor(s) in order. After this week, my opinion of humanity dropped a notch. Oh well, you live and learn, right? New studio will be set up in a month! Have I ever expressed how much I hate moving? We still like the house, and its early 1900s touches, so it's just a matter of washing the realtor "ick" off us! Hope everyone is having a good summer!

The Forest Watches

When I was younger, we lived on the edge of a small forest, complete with swamps, lady slippers, and Wampanoag folklore. My siblings and I would spend so much time outside amongst the trees, that I began to know every root clump or raspberry patch there was. One morning, I started my day following the paths and felt something watching me. I looked up and saw a sculpted face staring back. Because it was made of out the same bark as the tree, it was perfectly camouflaged. It took me several weeks to figure out the brothers had placed these, and not the spirits of the forest. Those few weeks produced more stories and scenarios involving these omnipresent tree spirits than I could remember. I'm now trying to bring those stories alive once again.

0.3 Seconds on the Today Show!

Woooo! Look, you can almost recognize the ogre!

The Rejected Spreads

Sometimes looking back through old versions of my dummies, I encounter long forgotten ghosts: The Rejected Spreads. The months of painting the approved force these other ideas to a far off memory. I stumble upon these again while filing away a project when completed. Pausing slowly, I make sure to remember these previous efforts. Could I use this idea again? It's so easy to forget all of the ground work (endless sketching and thumbnailing) that took place before getting to the final idea.

I will always have a special liking towards these rejects. To the land of misfit sketches!

Oz

This past winter, Montserrat hosted their annual Illustration Theme Show. This year... it was OZ. The students work was not only wondrous, but so delightfully varied with their approach. I highly suggest both current students and the public to take notice of this show next year. An additional pleasure was to have Anne Moore from Candlewick Press to guest jury the show. Anne has been a long time friend and one of my oldest publishing contacts. I remember vividly how kind she was when she walked by my table at an alumni sale. It was right after graduation and I was trying anything to make a bit of money off my art. Anne walked by, came in closer, and said she liked my tiny painted portraits. Then... she gave me her card and I was forever afterward sending her postcard after postcard. Without her kindness that day, who knows if the poor sales (actually... I think I sold 3 paintings, framed for about $20 each) at the sale would have discouraged me from sharing my art with the public. In appreciation of her support, this Flying Red Shanked Douc Langur will hopefully give her luck much like her business card gave me.

Aren't the Langur's so crazy looking? I instantly became infatuated with these critters. They look like the escaped from the Jim Henson muppet shop.

Approved!

Well, looks like my painting coach approves of the paintings of the next picture book. Thank goodness because coach can be really grumpy when she wants to.

You're Fired!

I'm thinking that my current studio assistant isn't carrying their load lately. Too many sun filled naps!

Avril 14 but...

a day late.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's the last push up the hill! The deadline will be ours! Nobody lives forever.

I did always think this song may have been about the Titanic.

Where did she go?

I'm still here, and very sad to be missing out on my blog posts as of late. You see, there's work being made, but we're at certain phases where I can't show much. So, after way too big of a break, I will post a few sneak peeks!


School has also been occupying a lot of my time, but we're already over the mid-point, and I smell summer coming! A recent studio development that I have noticed is that my cat gets extremely irritated when I am not upstairs working in my studio. If I am downstairs having a snack, or reading some emails, she paces and tries every possible way to annoy the stuffing out of me. Scratching furniture, eating houseplants, sitting in front of the television. As soon as I start up the stairs to the studio, she runs as fast as she can up the stairs and sits in the studio. I have a new hard-@ssed career coach.

I'm coming around these parts again soon! No more disappearing acts, I swear.