AACBWI Conference

All I can say is wow! What a blessing it was to attend this conference.

The first Annual AACBWI Conference was in Charlotte on April 25th and it was so informative. I got a lot of insight on the industry with regards to submissions, opportunities and maneuvering in a field that I am just starting to explore. The personal interaction I was able to have with everyone I met was invaluable. It is so nice to be around people who get excited about the same things as I do! Children, books, art....those are some of my favorite things in life. :)

The critique I received from Don Tate was great! Not to mean I'm in a "perfect place", but it gave me an idea of where I need to be going and how I can really improve on my work to get it ready for submission and success. His comments were really helpful.....I think everyone should have someone in the field give them a critique to help them along. We all have space to grow.

I commend the organizers on the work they did! They pulled off a difficult task very well and I think they should consider it a success. I look forward to attending and helping out next year!

Colored pencil work

I said I wouldn't do it, but.....

I decided to finally do a picture of Obama. I didn't want to do one only because it seemed like everyone else was doing it and I don't like to follow the crowd. But I did this for an exhibit that's going on in Atlanta.


On a side note, I'm really, really enjoying working with dry media again. I like the way it feels and the control I can have over it. It's great!

I drew this from a picture that I found of him online. The picture was in color, but I decided to improvise by making it black and white and darkening one side of it significantly to represent the different sides of him racially, as a politician and most importantly, as a human. I thought the picture represented the theme of the exhibit I entered it into very well.

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!