It's amazing to me....

I really amazes me how much support I have received from family, friends, co-workers, strangers and fellow artists in the past year. It REALLY amazes me because alot of support came from unexpected sources and people I would have never thought recognized me or would believe in me.

I am working through developing my confidence as an artist. I think more of that will come with time and effort and work on my part. It will require alot of physical work and self-introspection and examination, but it will REQUIRE WORK. It will also require me to believe in myself as much as other people do.

I just feel ridiculously blessed on this day. I recently read a comment online where someone said that the solution to your issue, whether it is financial, physical, emotional or spiritual, comes across your path every day, but you have to be aware enough to recognize it when you see it. Keep that in mind as you travel through your day contemplating the path on which you are traveling; consider it as you contemplate your goals and your dreams.....

Accept your blessings

Yippee....Book will be here by Christmas!

New book with Wave Walton to be out by Christmas! Yeah!

:)

Portobelo Portobelo Portobelo!

Oooo Oooo Oooo I love me some Portobelooooo! :)

My talented roommate made up the song! I thought it was great! (sorry for the rotated image...she's tall and I tried to fit her in the camera frame)

http://www.tallerportobelonorte.com/

Portobelo....what can I say. It's a beautiful country with beautiful people. I found a peace there that I'd never experienced before. More to come about my visit, but I'm limited on time right now. But if you have an opportunity to visit the country you should.

I will be completing my project soon that I started with the children in Portobelo and I hope that they will have their book(s) by the end of the year. Lots of work to do....lots of work to do. And I think I'm going back to the drawing board. The drawings I already did while I was there were ok. But I'm not satisfied with the overall look. I like the idea of mimicking the artistic style that the artists in the Taller (workshop in Spanish...pronounced "tie-yare"), but I think I need to start again.....luckily I haven't gotten to far. I like the story that the children came up with. But because this is indeed the internet, I don't want to give too much away about what we've done.....there will be more to come.

I'm so excited about it too!

Also attached here is a picture of the group I worked with.....I miss them and think about them often. Hopefully, my spanish will be EXCELLENTE when I see them again! :)

"Silly Lilly, Just Be You!"

Well, it seems to have taken me forever to finish what I started but I am very happy I've finally completed these illustrations. Way too long....but let's not harp on that. All in the learning process, right?

My first illustrated book for The Creative Literacy Project is finally complete! I put the final touches on it and will be sending them in today. That's a load off my shoulders. Now I can move on to other projects. But I am pleased with how this one turned out. I'm pleased that it is going for a good cause as well and I look forward to seeing what the program directors will make happen with their ventures. I think it has lots of potential. But more importantly, I hope that what we are doing will really help children develop a life-long love for reading!



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The story is called "Silly Lilly, Just Be You!" It's about a little girl (around 5 or 6) who is going to her first day of school. She has her own style and lots of confidence in the beginning, but for some reason when she steps on the school bus and her confidence walks right out the door! Find out what happens as she learns that it is really ok to just be who she naturally is - Silly Lilly!
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The children who participate in The Creative Literacy Project (a non-profit program geared at helping children and adults in schools and hospitals become actively involved in reading and writing) will author the illustrated book they choose online and will receive hardcopies of their book. Although the images are the same, each book will be uniquely written and there are numerous stories to be told depending on the individuals involved.

For those of you who helped me attend Taller Portobelo in Panama (whether it was by contributing money, translating my proposal, writing recommendations, sending good energy & prayers or supporting my husband and I with the girls) to complete these projects for the program - I give you many thanks! More to come about what I experienced there and how it is influencing my artwork & life.....please stay posted!

One image left....

My final image for the first story with The Creative Literacy Project is almost complete. I had to put it on hold temporarily to finish another project and to get some life things in order....and it's been sitting on my messy art table waiting for me to have the clarity of mind to revisit Lilly (the main character).

Generally, I am very pleased with how she looks throughout the book. This is my first project brought to full completion for a story (this was done before "The Dress-Up Attic" with the exception of one image). Thanks to my trip to Portobelo, Panama in June I was able to really focus and complete it with no worries. So now I have Lilly's last image waiting on me.....she's been waiting patiently.

But this week's goal is to finish that one picture and send it in for the project. Once that's complete, I will give my energy to the project with the Portobelo children. I really excited about that one but I think I want to reconsider the images I've already done.....I'm not certain of the composition, though I like the concept.....an artist's work is never done. :) Back to the drawing board!

Anywho, here's a first look at Lilly....she's a special little girl.

For More Info:

Taller Portobelo Norte - http://www.tallerportobelonorte.com/

The Creative Literacy Project - http://creativeliteracyproject.com/

It has begun....

Well, much has happened in the past year that has finally gotten me to the point of completing illustrations for my first book. I recently started working with a self-published author and did illustrations for his book called "The Dress-Up Attic" written by Wave Walton.

I had reservations about working with a self-published author, primarily because I am investing time and work without a guarantee of profits up-front. But because I'm a budding illustrator, I was ok with that. I needed to go through the process. I needed to figure out how long it would actually take me to do each illustration and finally finish the book. Unfortunately, it took me longer than I even expected, but I pushed through and did not give up on myself. That is what has made me most proud in this project.

Wave has been patient and supportive through this process and I'm sure he will do well in the work he is trying to accomplish with his books. If you'd like to take a look at the author's website just click on this link:

http://www.dawufflepage.i8.com/waveman.html

(Main Page: http://www.dawufflepage.i8.com/)

In the next post I'd like to share some other great experiences related to my art from the past year....I'm in the beginning stages but I'm very excited about things to come!