Humblearts Journal

2012 Plan

2012-01-04T11:25:00.000-06:00

An illustrated business plan for 2012.

Now that I have one book under my belt as an author, I want more.

Why wait for elusive assignments? Create the books you want to illustrate.

That's my message to myself this year!

Also, you can't have an illustration career without some systems in place.

Wonderfully practical things like a set schedule, a marketing plan, new work and some concrete goals.

My Jewelry Design Book!

2011-08-15T23:54:00.006-05:00

One of the reasons for my absence on this blog lately is that I've been working away on preparing for the launch of my first jewelry design book! It's out this month and available at Amazon now. It will be in stores at the beginning of next month - you'll find it in Barnes & Nobles, Michael's and Hobby Lobby.

Jewelry Designs from Nature: Woodlands, Gardens, Sea: Art Bead Jewelry Designs Inspired by Nature

The book is all about making jewelry, inspiration and nature - it's so me. Along with the jewelry I have some of my sketches from my sketchbook and inspiration nature photos from my travels.

I have been scheduling classes, retreats and more to celebrate the book. It's a fun time and an interesting process promoting the book now that it's officially landed in my hands!

My favorite is a weekend long retreat at a beach house in Michigan next month - life is so good.

SCBWI Conference Tips for Newbies

2011-07-29T10:15:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately I'm not able to attend the SCBWI Conference in LA this year. Pouty face. But I will be following along on the Conference blog and wishing everyone a great time! With a sold out event and celebrating it's 40th anniversary, this conference will be an event to remember. Did I mention the pouty face?

I thought I'd share a few tips with illustrators who are attending the conference for the first time.

1. The Portfolio Display is More than a Competition - Sure you want to get noticed and maybe even win, but once you are at the conference it's time to let it go. Be confident in knowing you are showing your best work. But look at the portfolio display as more of a learning opportunity than a competition. As you go through the display, take note of what catches your eye - what images really stand out. Take a few moments to pour over the portfolios that have a crowd around them - why are they so appealing? What postcards make an impact on you as you go from portfolio to portfolio? Pick up your favorites.

Be inspired, be encouraged - do not go away from the display thinking "I'm not worthy." (yes, make sure you say that in a Wayne & Garth tone of voice.) Everyone is at a different place in their creative journey. If you feel like a beginner, don't feel overwhelmed. Get excited - you are just starting out and have a fun path ahead of you! Learn from the best, they will be all around you during the conference!

2. Don't be shy - Go to the Illustrator's Social on Friday and talk to as many illustrators as you can. Just jump in and join a conversation. Introduce yourself - share your business card or postcard. Bring your portfolio. In fact, my best advice is to talk to as many different people as you can through the whole weekend - you never know what friendships may be forged or what you might learn!

3. Go team! Each chapter has a time they meet at the conference, look through your welcome packet and find out when your local group is meeting and go say hi. It's nice to see a familiar face at the conference and you'll find out what's new in your region.

4. Listen to the Authors - Don't miss events with the keynote speakers even though they are writers - you will learn something. I have heard the most inspiring and soul-stirring speeches from today's top authors. They share lessons that you will never forget.

5. Party! Okay, don't go crazy, but do put on your pajamas and head to the costume ball on Saturday night. I know it may feel awkward at first, but just start talking to people. Everyone is friendly - this is your tribe after all. Dance, enjoy your free drink, have fun people watching. You need to unwind during the event and let your brain rest - this is the place to do it.

6. Pick Your Sessions Wisely - There is always a great illustrator's track, but there are tracks that have illustrators or art directors that aren't designated for illustrators - so I'm assuming they will share a more rounded talk about picture books for author/illustrators. After looking through the schedule I would have a hard time picking a session. If you are with a group of illustrators, you might want to break up, attend different sessions and compare notes. And take good notes throughout the conference, it's so easy to forget the pearls of wisdom. Check out the conference app to help you plan your days. Study the faculty to learn more about the speakers before the event.

7. Follow Through - After the conference, make your list of editors and art directors and send out a packet to them. Thank them for speaking at the conference. Or send all the editors & AD's a thank you postcard after the event with your best image on the front. Touch base with illustrators and authors you met and keep in contact after the conference.

Have the best time ever - the conference in LA is always my favorite SCBWI event! I will look forward to reading the reviews on everyone's blog.

3 Simple Projects for Eco-Friendly Celebration Banners

2011-03-19T00:27:00.000-05:00

Whether it's a spring soiree, birthday party or Easter celebration, a fabric or paper banner can add a festive touch and keep things green for the special day.

Here are my top three Banner Tutorial picks:

Sew a pennant banner using fabric scraps. Make something special that you can pull out year after year with this simple sewing project.

Create an adorable no-sew fabric banner with small scraps. In a hurry? Whip up this no-sew banner with some fusible tape and an iron. This is a great project to use up tiny scraps of fabric and one the kids could help create.

Sew a paper bunting using up scrap paper or pages from old books. Recycle prints, old maps, music sheets and scrapbook paper into an fun banner that would look so cute in a bedroom or studio all year round!

5 Simple Ways to Enjoy Spring

2011-03-17T12:55:00.001-05:00

Is the sun peeking out today? Have the birds returned and little leaf buds are starting to pop out on the trees? My yard was covered in dandelions last week - I know I should be disgusted as a home owner, but the kid me was rather giddy about pucking one up and making a few wishes of my own!

Even though I'm a mom of teenagers now, I still declare unplugged days where no computers or Ipods are allowed. No matter what age your kids are, get them outside enjoying nature and help them find ways to have fun without gadgets.

Here are 5 simple activities to welcome spring.

1. Make wishes blowing dandelions. I know they are weeds - but they hold all sorts of charm for kids. Find a wild field to explore or a park where you can get a hold of some of these fluff balls.

2. Make bubble magic with giant bubble wands.

3. Create a sidewalk chalk mural. You can pick up a box of sidewalk chalk for just a few dollars. Come up with a theme and draw a giant picture with your kids. A circus, zoo or underwater scenes would be fun.

4. Jump rope - here are a list of silly rhymes for jump rope play.

5. Make paper airplanes and see which designs fly the farthest. This would be a fun way to use some of the junk mail before it flies into the recycling bin!

Click on the links for more inspiration.

Eco Super Heros

2011-03-10T11:12:00.001-06:00

Help your kids live green.

The 3 R's never get old:

Recycle

Teach them to recycle household items.

(They get to help save the world every time they throw something into the recycling bin.)

Donate gentle used goods to a local thrift store or charity.

Reuse

Reuse cast off items to create craft projects.

Make stuff animals from old t-shirts, socks or single gloves.

Reduce

Repair broken toys and mend clothing rather than replacing them.

Teach your children the value of living simply and enjoying what they already have.

Create new toys & make games together instead of shopping for them.

Enjoy nature walks as entertainment.

Click on the links above for tons of great ideas.

Books for kids about recycling:

Don't Throw That Away!: A Lift-the-Flap Book about Recycling and Reusing (Little Green Books)

Written by Lara Bergen and illustrated by Betsy Synder

Simple Steps for Kids Activity Book

Written by Molly Smith and Illustrated by Tad Carpenter

Bedtime Stories

2011-03-07T12:43:00.000-06:00

These two little fellows popped up in my sketchbook yesterday.

Which had me thinking about when my girls were little and our bedtime rituals.

Which of course, included a nightly bedtime story.

One that sticks out in my mind that captured my heart when my girls were little was Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest and illustrated by Anita Jeram. Anita illustrated Guess How Much I Love You, this book is night and day from her light and playful watercolors. It's filled with rich, painterly color and a sweet night time, fall-inspired mood that makes you feel all snuggly.

If you haven't had a chance to read this one, take a peek at it.

My youngest was 5 when this book first came out and we enjoyed cuddling up for a good snuggle while we read this story together. Sometimes my older daughter would read it to us. Those days passed so quickly. I wish I could have slowed them down and spent more time in those moments. It's funny how a picture book is now a little snapshot of that time, with it's words and illsutrations it can conjure up those memories and feelings.

What an amazing honor to be a part of a family's history in the form of a beloved bedtime story. I hope one day new moms are reading my stories and sharing my artwork as they tuck in their precious little ones at night.

Garden Sketches

2011-03-05T10:31:00.000-06:00

Do What YOU Do Best

2011-03-04T14:27:00.000-06:00

This week I was looking around at illustrators' blogs and websites and had that old sinking feeling again. You know - those jealous inklings, feelings of inadequacy. You hear Wayne & Garth in the back of your head chanting, "We're not worthy."

I was feeling a little old. My 30's are fast coming to an end and I was feeling decidedly unhip. But guess what - that is not a productive mode, so I knew I had to snap out of it.

I have never been one to follow the crowd, not as a kid and not as an adult. So why would I concern myself about not feeling like I'm following some super cool illustration trend?

Why would I want to be one in a sea of the same - hip or not?

So I asked myself a simple question - what do I do best and am I doing it?

What I do best is inspire folks to be creative - big and little folks.

I've had 14 years of solid practice of inspiring kids to live creatively. My artist daughters are the proof of that. That top photo is my youngest daughter who decided last week she wanted to try painting with her toes. You have to love the irreverent and kooky preteen years!

So what do I do best?

Inspire

Live Green

Make Stuff

Breath Beads

My work will never be hip, it will be sweet and sensitive. Honest and creative. That's me.

A promise to myself:

I will not waste time any longer thinking of what I can't do or compare myself to others.

I will work everyday to inspire, help families life creatively and bring my crafty goodness to as many kids as possible!

So what do you do best? Blog about it and share your story with me.

P.S. Hip work can be sweet and sensitive, honest & creative - but it wouldn't be if I were doing it because it wouldn't come from a place of authenticity for me.

Cooking with Kids: Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

2011-03-02T16:53:00.000-06:00

This recipe is modified from the one on Martha Stewart's website. Enlist your kids to help, I bet their favorite part will be painting the chocolate into the bottom of the paper cups.

Directions:

(ingredients listed above)

1. Combine butter, sugar and peanut butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium. Put the mixture in a pastry bag or use a large freezer Ziploc bag - simple cut off one of the bottom corners when you are ready to pipe the mix into the cups.

2. Melt the chocolate in a double broiler. Keep the chocolate over the warm water when working with it.

3. Use a small paint brush to paint the inside of the paper cups with chocolate, coat the bottom and sides well. Place the cups on a baking sheet when you finish each one. Put the baking sheet in the freezer for 10 minutes until the chocolate cups are firm.

4. Remove tray from freezer and pipe the peanut butter mixture 3/4 way full into each cup. Spoon melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter. Return to the freezer for 15-25 minutes. Store in the freezer until ready to serve.

Illustrator's Sketch Day

2011-02-27T08:29:00.001-06:00

Yesterday our SCBWI illustrators packed up our sketchbooks and pencils and headed to the San Jose Mission here in San Antonio. This is a reoccurring event for our group, gathering at different locations in the city to sketch for a few hours, chat and enjoy being out of the studio.

The mission is a beautiful place, while the Alamo is the most famous mission in San Antonio, the San Jose is the most impressive. It's a massive fort, still mostly intact. And it also the site of the oldest church west of the Mississippi river.

Our Sketch Days are loosely based on the International Sketch Crawl idea. Check them out - you may decide to start a sketch day of your own.

Our first Illustrator's Day was at the zoo, our next one will be at the Botanical Gardens. We try to pick visually interesting places where we can also sketch families & kids with the attractions.

I took way better photos than sketches, but that's okay. It was good to get out of the studio and meet up with other artists. Not every day has to have a finished product - it's okay to enjoy the process with no end results.

Before we started our sketch session local painter Terry Puckett gave us a refresher on perspective. She brought along a book on Maurice Utrillo to share with us. I had never seen his work before. I love his colors, playfulness of line and strong perspectives - he was a bit obsessed with one point perspective in his work.

Click here to read a short biography on Utrillo and here for a list of his paintings online.

Website Woes & Tips, Part 2

2011-02-21T14:54:00.000-06:00

Here are some tips to personalize a Carbonmade portfolio to make it feel more like a website.

Customize Thumbnails Into an Image Grid:

You can use the Carbonmade template as is for your website, with different thumbnails for each category (like the image below) or you can break up a larger photo for more visually impact.

For the most dramatic and successful use of this tweak, check out the amazing portfolio from Kristen Ulve. This portfolio uses the wide thumbnail option. There is also this one from Gilad Seliktar that uses a grid of three thumbnails. And my portfolio uses the 2 across grid format.

(My first version of the website and here is the new one)

To change the thumbnails, first go into your Carbonmade account and hover the cursor over the thumbnail image, a 'change thumbnail' button will appear. Click on it and it provides the dimensions of the thumbnails. With photo imaging software break up a larger image into boxes that fit the thumbnail dimensions.

Turn Projects into Pages

With the paid portfolio you have 50 projects or pages. These pages can use html to create pages that offer more information than what you may want to include in the About page. I also think the about page can get overlooked and some things - like a "contact page" or 'services offered" deserve their own space.

A few extra pages I included were: contract, follow me (with my social media links), presentations and books.

HTML Cheatsheet - add images to your page, live links, make text bold or align your page with a few basic lines of html code.

Take Advantage of the Footer

Under the 'Personalize' tab you can add your name with a copyright date. This area also accepts html code and you can add in the code for your newsletter subscription box, contact information and links to your blog, twitter and facebook. This footer shows up on every page. So at the very least, as your contact information here to so your clients can easily reach you.

Customize Your Banner

Under the same 'Personalize' tab you can add in your logo to brand your website. I use a hand-lettered logo that appears on my blog and print materials for a cohesive visual.

Your Own Domain

In general you don't want your portfolio to address to be www.yourname.carbonmade.com - this is called a subdomain name, which is the default. Carbonmade offers the option to use your own domain name so that your portfolio will publish as www.yourname.com. It's more professional to have the domain name. There are directions to follow and help available through carbonmade to set this up. Another option would be have your domain name forward to your portfolio. Check with your hosting company for details on how to set up a domain forwarding.

Website Woes & Tips, Part 1

2011-02-16T08:00:00.002-06:00

So I started my weekend off with every intention of creating a new portfolio website. I had looked over my options and thought the most professional way to go would be to self-host a Wordpress blog/website combination that featured a gallery of my work.

I bought a new domain name - it was time for a change. I knew that Go Daddy had hosting support for Wordpress, so I purchased the hosting package. After getting things set up, I went off to find a template that fit my needs

Okay - fast forward to 3 hours later. I could not find a template under $50 that fit my needs. I settled for one I thought I could do a little adjusting with and purchased it. Off to Go Daddy to install and start posting. Only wait, it's not easy to hack. It's not intuitive and I quickly realize I have no idea what I'm doing here. I need a tutorial, I need a manual, I need a class, I need a designer! 5 hours into the ordeal I say to heck with it. I'm going with a portfolio site.

An hour later, new website is up and running and ready to go. With a little help from Godaddy, I transferred the domain name to the portfolio site and created a subdomain for my blog. Everything now publishes under heatherpowersart.com.

I went with Carbonmade for my portfolio site for a couple of reasons:

I had tried their free version and liked how easy it was to set up.
Great value - for the same price I was paying for a 10 page website. I get 50 projects (pages) and 500 images. It's ad free, they have tech support and you can have private projects that aren't published on the site. Oh and it looks good on mobile devices and has a separate page for each image.
I saw that Julie Fortenberry was using it and liked the way it looked, it was nice to see someone else using it.
I knew from looking at some of the examples that you could do some tweaking to customize the site to make it look less like a template.

So my advice - if you are not a designer and are looking for a webite option, I recommend going with a portfolio site that you can customize and use domain forwarding.

Why torture yourself with trying to design a website?

Find something that is simple to use and minimal in design so that your artwork is shown in a professional manner. Then after you get a big juicy book contact, by all means hire a brilliant designer to create the website of your dreams.

Join me tomorrow, I will share some little cheats that I did to make the Carbonmade template more like a website.

*I'm not affiliated with GoDaddy or Carbonmade - just happy they exist!

New Painting

2011-02-15T11:19:00.000-06:00

Working on these two characters for a series of new portfolio pieces. I think I may try again in a different color palette, something that offers a little more punch with the colors.

Upcycle Valetine Cards

2011-02-14T07:45:00.001-06:00

What to do with all those store bought Valentine cards your kids will bring home? Here are two fun crafts to upcycle them.

Movie Reel Bookmarks

You'll need black construction paper, valentine cards, a glue stick, mini-hole punch and a thin ribbon.

Cut the construction paper 4 1/2" long by 1 1/2" tall. Cut 4 cards 1" long by 3/4" tall. Glue the cards onto the construction paper evenly spaced out. Use the hole punch to create the reel marks along both sides of the construction paper and create a hole for the ribbon. To finish tie on a ribbon.

Silly Tales Story Books

Create little mini books with Valentine cards following the directions above. After you are done, sit down with your kids and make up the silliest story possible about the pictures. Write down the story for them on the back of the card or leave them blank and tell new stories with them when you need to pass the time. These would be a fun way to pass the time waiting in line, at a restaurant or during long car rides.

Hugs and Kisses Necklace: A Valetine Project for Families

2011-02-13T11:55:00.001-06:00

Here is a fun project you can do with the kids tomorrow after school or anytime really - we need hugs and kisses year round!

Supplies:
white polymer clay
small letter rubber stamps
toothpick or thick wire
liquid acrylic paint
paint brush
paper towels
7.5 mm jump ring
18" chain or ribbon
flat nose pliers

Skill Level: Easy
Recommend Age: 7 & up

All supplies can be found at your local craft store.

Directions:
1. Roll a large pea-sized piece of clay into a ball.
2. Flatten the ball with your finger slightly, turn it over and flatten more. Do this 2-3 times until your charm is about 1/4" thick. (2b) Don't worry about being picky about the sizes. *See the note below if you are working with younger kids.
3. Gently stamp the letters into the clay.
4. Pick a hole at the top of the charm with a toothpick or thick wire. Bake according to the manufacturer's directions and let cool completely.
5. Brush on a coat of paint and rub off the excess with a paper towel. (5b) The darker color will stay in the stamped area and paint will stain the over clay a pretty light color.
6. Open the jump ring with the pliers and your finger by pushing the jump ring open. Always open jump rings by pushing them away or toward you.(6b) Don't open them by pulling them apart. Slip the jump ring through the charm (6c) and close the jump ring.(6d)
7. String the chain through the jump ring.

Safety Tips:
Polymer clay is safe for kids, but I recommend following a few safety tips.

Cover the table with plain paper. Clay can ruin furniture surfaces, so don't let it sit on your dining room table!
Bake the clay according to the directions on the package and do not burn it.
Use a disposable tin pan to bake your clay or a pan that will be for the clay only. Do not use kitchen items for food once they are used with the clay.
Wash hands after working with the clay.

*If you are working with younger kids, work a little larger - it's easy for small hands to work with bigger and thicker pieces. If the piece is really thick skip the jump ring and tie ribbon or yarn through the hole to make a necklace.

Design Tips:
Use letter stamps to create initial necklaces - perfect for slumber or birthday parties!

Try using automotive sandpaper in 800 grit to rub off some of the paint for a different look, like the example on the right.

2011 Goals

2011-01-14T09:13:00.000-06:00

My laundry list:

Sketch daily

Take a watercolor class

Create a watercolor portfolio

Finish 3 dummy books

Submit those dummy books

Send out 4 postcards

Submit a kids craft book proposal

Create a holiday licensing portfolio

How to accomplish a goal:

1. Write it down

2. Give it a deadline

3. Break it down into baby steps

4. Schedule time for those baby steps

5. Reward yourself for goals accomplished

Gift Tags

2010-12-08T16:20:00.000-06:00

Check out the Sketchables for two free sets of printable gift tags.

Humble Holidays

2010-12-07T13:26:00.001-06:00

I had to take a break to finish my jewelry book along with making more time for my family. I know as working moms we wish we could do it all, but sometimes things have to put aside while we take care of people. People first, things second.

Tomorrow I will share a set of free gift tags for folks to download on the Sketchables. In fact, there will be a whole week of free gift tags from our group! Can't wait to see them.

I thought I'd share some gift ideas with you from my Etsy shop. I have this whole earthy, woodland vibe going on this year:

I have a few hand-pulled prints, these are originals that are hand-colored, signed and dated.

An etched copper ornament made with a print I designed. This is my last one.

I have a series of beads that are created much like my prints, using little molds based on drawings that I made. This is an evergreen design with beads on a gunmetal brass chain.

Ah, who doesn't like cute? This is a sweet little stocking stuffer or would make a good gift for those hard to please teens. I know a few on my list are getting these.

We all love books, right? I created a series of Book Club Pendants using tiny handmade ceramic beads from another artist. They are paired with charms and other beads. This one is Wind in the Willows.

And finally earrings - we all love them and work so nicely as gifts because one size fits all! I have these modern candy cane designs paired with sterling silver wire.

Okay, now the skinny - use discount code Humblearts for 20% off your purchase. I also have free gift wrapping and free 1st class shipping. Sale will end Saturday, December 11th.

Humblebeads Etsy Shop

Autumn Sketch

2010-10-09T09:43:00.001-05:00

Hope you are enjoying some fall fun - pretty soon it will be time to carve pumpkins and enjoy caramel apples! I have been shopping at local craft shows - that always puts me a fall mood since we don't have the change in seasons here in Texas.

Black Bear

2010-09-30T11:16:00.000-05:00

I was thinking of using this little guy has my new banner, but I'm leaning towards doing this one as a print. I think the graphic quality of the block print would lend itself nicely to the play of pattern.

The Start of Story

2010-09-29T10:54:00.000-05:00

A quick little bit of research on Amazon yielded over 2000 books for kids about bears and 800 about squirrels. Here is a list of some of my favorites. So what happens when you want to write a book about a topic that has already been done 2000 times? You get right to the heart of the story and find something unique and universal told in the relationship of your characters. Easy as pie. Ha. Oh muse hurry along...

More Watercolor Experiments

2010-09-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Practice will eventually make perfect, right? This was an experiment using ink outlines with watercolor. I think I like my lines with the brush more. Hard to say which ones of these I like the best, probably the last one. I like different parts from each one - hmm should I paint it one more time? Which one do you like the best?

Creating Without an Undo Button

2010-09-27T07:00:00.001-05:00

I've been finding my way with the watercolors, looking to add another technique to my portfolio. Watercolor is such a challenge and I find that even with printmaking I had an 'undo' that I miss when doing watercolor.

You see, I never print just one print - I'll print 3-5 at a time and play with the colors like a coloring book. With a block print, I create a proof - if something isn't right I can carve a little out or use tiny 'rubber stamps' to fill in things that may have been carved away or to add texture or another object. With watercolor there is a point of no return and it can be hard to see a painting ruined by my over zealousness!

Here was my first attempt with this painting. Can we say dingy? Oh, I can almost hear my paint brush saying, 'Stop - you are overdoing it. There goes the freshness. Yep - Houston we have mud." But it's okay, the first ones I like to call a color study and then I see where I needed to lighten up and relax. It's a fun learning process and I do have to admit I love the immediate results of watercolor. Just some days I do envy those who have that undo button a click away.

Bears and Birches

2010-09-26T07:00:00.002-05:00

This sketch is one of those surprises where you start with something (bear engrossed in a book) and then some little character just moseys on into the picture. Which prompted the lifting of the eye and falling leaf and hmm, there is a story there - I will have to work on that. It's funny how just the smallest change can tell a completely different story in an image.

I have been working on some ideas with black bears and birch trees with glowing yellow leaves. I think I will try them in both block print and watercolor, see which ones suits me better.

I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree,

And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk

Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,

But dipped its top and set me down again.

That would be good both going and coming back.

One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.

-Robert Frost (Birches)

Creating an Award Winning Portfolio - Part 6: Improve Your Odds

2010-09-25T11:39:00.000-05:00

Join a critique group or start one!

SCBWI

How to start online critique group

Sketch daily

Keep a sketchbook where you take daily breaks - instead of eating a snack or chatting about the office gossip, doodle for 15 minutes.

Sketch for 10 minutes at the end of lunch.

Keep a sketchbook in your bag - sketch while you wait for appointments or waiting for children to finish activities.

Sketch during the commercials of your favorite TV programs.

Have kids? Pull out paper for them and tell them it's drawing time and draw together for 10-15 minutes.

Take classes

Check out local art centers & community colleges for affordable classes on techniques.

Attend SCBWI workshops and conferences.

Participate in online challenges

Zero2illo

Illustration Friday

Creating an Award Winning Porfolio - Part 5: Editing Your Portfolio

2010-09-24T06:00:00.002-05:00

Cecila Yung, Art Director and Vice President at Penguin Young Readers Group said, “If I can life with an artist’s weakest piece, I can work with them.”

Would your weakest piece hold up to the critical eye of a trained designer?

Is your weakest piece still strong enough to win you assignments?

Reasons to remove a piece from your portfolio:

If you have to make excuses for why a piece is weak, take it out.

Don’t keep a weak piece in your portfolio because you are too attached to it. If you love a subject matter do revisit a it or rework on a piece that you feel could be stronger.

Ask 3 trusted friends to look through your portfolio and tell you their least favorite piece.

Does one piece stand out because it’s in a radically different style or medium? Remove it until you have a collection of portfolio pieces in that style.

It’s better to have a portfolio of all animals done well than a mix of animals and kids if you can’t draw the figure. If you are struggling with drawing kids, take a class, read books on figure drawing and sketch from life until you master this skill.

The best way to weed out weak work from your portfolio is to create new work on a regular basis. The more work you create, the quicker you’ll see pieces in your portfolio that need to retire.

Creating an Award Winning Portfolio - Part 4: Improve Your Skills

2010-09-23T06:00:00.004-05:00

Improve your artwork by going back to the basics of design and visual story-telling devices.

Composition

A strong composition is vital to portfolio pieces that stand out.

Scale

Play with the size of elements in an image to enhance the mood of a story.

Perspective

Find unusual viewpoints to create dynamic compositions.

Color and Value

Do you use color to express mood? Use color theory to help create sophisticated color palettes.

Use lights and darks to create atmosphere in an illustration.

Interaction

Are your characters interacting with each other and their environment?

Emotion

Study facial expressions to breathe life into your work.

Narrative

Illustration tells a story, avoid still lifes or portraits.

Resources:

Fundamentals of Composition - A great blog post to read.

Picture This: How Pictures Work by Molly Bang

The Encyclopedia of Writing and Illustrating Children's Books by Desdemona McCannon, Sue Thorton and Yadzia Williams

Creating an Award Winning Portfolio - Part 3: Finding Your Niche

2010-09-22T06:00:00.002-05:00

A strong portfolio doesn’t try to illustrate everything in every style. An artist who has found a niche illustrates specific topics as an expert, like historical illustration or illustrations for the baby/board book market. Or an illustrator fills a niche using a medium like printmaking, watercolor, digital collage, etc.

Pop Quiz:

What are you favorite things to draw/paint?

What is your dream assignment?

Are you an expert in a topic or have a passion for something outside of art?

Digger Deeper:

If someone was talking about your portfolio today how would they finish this sentence, “Oh yeah, they do great _________________.”

How do you want them to finish that sentence?

Does your portfolio reflect the type of assignments you’d like to receive?

Portfolios to Check Out:
Here are a few great examples of portfolios that know their niche!
Jannie Ho
Roz Fulcher
Brandon Doorman
David Frankland

Creating an Award Winning Portfolio - Part 2: What to Illustrate

2010-09-21T06:00:00.005-05:00

Go beyond a traditional solution to visual problems. Create a new hook or add a fresh layer to the classics. What non-traditional spin can you add to something well-known?

Places to search for ideas:

Folk & Fairy Tales

Classic Literature

Holiday Scenes

Songs or Poems

School Scenarios

Things Kids Hate

Historic Events

Change it up, don't draw just another version of Cinderella - make her a diva with her step-sisters waiting on her. Or check out Dani Jone's take on a classic holiday song: Frosty the Gourdman.

Use your unique style to retell a classic.

Create an unusual visual twist to an ordinary situation.

Leave a little mystery, the viewer should ask - what's the story here? What's going to happen next?

More Resources:
101 Projects for Illustrators by Dani Jones

79 Things Kids Don’t Like by Tara Lazar

Creating an Award Winning Portfolio - Part 1: Visual Vocabulary

2010-09-20T06:00:00.002-05:00

This weekend I presented tips for creating an award winning portfolio at our SCBWI conference. I will share the session over the next week in a blog series. I hope you enjoy them!

***

A basic portfolio for the children's book market is made up of 10-15 of your best images of children, families and animals. There should be at least one series of narrative art with the same character.

An award-winning portfolio includes the above but also tells compelling stories with a unique visual vocabulary, fills a niche in the market and showcases a mastery of skill.

Building a Visual Vocabulary

Learn to craft a consistent world for your audience, follow a visual language that you create and stick to those rules.

Never copy a style or follow a trend, find your own way and stand out from the masses.

Master one or two mediums, divide them into sections in your portfolio.

Your style isn't something you need to develop, it is your unique way of expressing yourself visually. It's like handwriting, it takes some practice but it's something that comes naturally to you over time.

Three portfolios that showcase a strong visual vocabulary:
Holli Conger
Tracy Bishop
Cassandra Allen

Pop Quiz:

What mediums can you use quickly and get consistent results?

Use 5 words to describe your artwork.

Dig Deeper:

Who are your artistic influences?

Name one book you wish you had illustrated and why?

Use these questions to narrow down your focus.

Building a Visual Vocabulary

2010-09-10T09:33:00.000-05:00

In keeping with my no short-cut theme, I have been working hard on building a visual vocabulary in my sketchbook. I've ordered a few really cute kids clothes catalogs and have been sketching the wee folk and their stylish duds. Of course the trick is to change their facial expressions to give them some life, no we don't want kids looking like they crawled out of a JC Penny catalog.

You can't really abstract something until you know it - you have to be able to draw proportions and have a hint of truth in simplified or stylized drawing of kids. So while these will never be anything more than exercises in observation they are an important step in improving my drawing skills. It also helps me expand my idea of what kids are wearing and improve upon my small stable of hairstyles.

Of course drawing from life is great too, but good luck getting a toddler to sit for any longer than a doodle!

No Shortcuts

2010-09-09T15:39:00.000-05:00

I know this is such a late conference review - like a month late. I have been traveling, working on our upcoming local conference and working away on my jewelry book. Deadlines - aren't they awesome fun?

I've been thinking about what I'd like to share about the 2010 Summer SCBWI conference. I could give you a round-up of quotes, photos of folks I met, epiphanies that dawned on me. But you've already read all of that on the SCBWI Blog and from your favorite bloggers. What I will share is what is still rattling around in my brain a month later. What has caused a little paradigm shift for me after the conference?

It's one line from agent Steven Malk, "There are no short cuts." Now he was talking about trends and quick fixes. But the more those words have settled in my brain, the more I realize what great advice that one-liner is.

There are no short cuts to creating great illustrations.

Am I sketching everyday?

Am I working on more than one solution to a problem in my thumbnail sketches? (Thanks to E.B. Lewis' breakout session that is a question I'm asking myself more and more.)

Am I taking the principles of design and color seriously as I work up my images?

Am I studying the masters in this field, the classics of the genre and what is hitting and flying off the shelves?

Am I finishing projects/dummies that have been on my to-do list forever?

There are no short cuts to getting published.

What have I submitted this month?

Is my mailing list current?

Do I have a plan for my next postcard?

Note to self: you must join a critique group again, asap!

There are no short cuts to self-promotion.

Frequent website updates.

Blog and share new work more often.

Use social networking for networking and not just lurking.

Be honest about my efforts - is it promoting or procrastinating?

Am I keeping up with my marketing plan or just making fancy lists?

An agent is not a short-cut to publication.

Getting an agent is not a quick fix but a partnership to grow your career. Ever grow anything? It takes hard work, (skill) lots of weeding (editing, critiques), sunshine and water (inspiration) and time. Well that's just it, it all takes time.

There are no short-cuts. Sometimes it may seem like someone has caught a lucky break, but honestly those are rare and yeah for them. For most illustrators it takes a few years to learn the ropes, hone their skills and find their way before they make it. This has helped with some of my own frustration over the 'why not me' feelings and 'oh if I only didn't have a day job rants.' Just me? Okay, maybe that's just me.

Dessert

2010-09-08T20:46:00.000-05:00

This is an illustration sample I worked up for a breakfast recipe - because come on, who doesn't want dessert for breakfast?

Mixed media - lino block print, hand-colored with oil pastel.

Illustration Friday

Welcome Fall

2010-09-06T09:42:00.000-05:00

I'm so ready for days like this!

I created this little sketch for our fall banner over at the The Sketchables.

Girl Doodles

2010-08-31T10:49:00.001-05:00

A random collection of doodles - back to school girls. One thing I've been trying to embrace is less than perfection in my sketchbooks and being able to share them. It's okay to work out the junk in sketches and show them! Each sketch is a lesson, a step closer in knowing a subject or expressing an idea.

I do have a belated conference recap to share with you. I will work on that this week.

At the beach

2010-07-28T01:47:00.000-05:00

Ha! I wish I was heading to the ocean. Although I will be close. I'm off to LA for the SCBWI Summer Conference. I CAN NOT WAIT!

I hope to blog when I get back, but I may need to take a few weeks off from blogging to enjoy the last days of summer with my sweet family. Lots of new work to share soon and the conference review when I return, I promise!

In the meantime, you can catch me over at The Sketchables.

Illustration Friday - Double

2010-07-25T02:33:00.000-05:00

Another attempt at watercolor. I'm having fun with these little sessions. Some I just start doodling and see where I end up, this is one of them. As I was working on the first boy, I thought - ah ha! If I add in a twin it would fit nicely in with this week's Illustration Friday theme, 'double'. So here we have it, double trouble.

A day at the beach

2010-07-24T14:31:00.000-05:00

Yep, that's the life.

Can't wait to see these worked up...off to carve more!

Studies

2010-07-23T00:33:00.000-05:00

More watercolor studies. Practice, practice, practice.

It's really Heather vs. Watercolor as I try to make this stuff behave.

I need to find out what else tween/teens do besides listen to ipods. Mine are weird - always drawing, writing, working on the computer drawing and writing. My youngest is a craft hurricane. (I have no idea where they get that from...hmm, hmmm.)

And monkeys making banana splits for breakfast. This one will be fun as a block print.

So two more studies that will make their way into the world as prints, hopefully soon. I'd like to spend the weekend carving.

Do you go crazy working on new pieces for your portfolio before a conference? Is it just me? Do I have some weird manic procrastination disease? You know, you wait until the last minute and then think, omg - I need new work for my portfolio right now. Just me? Okay, I will accept that. I find procrastination incredibly inspiring. : )

Scary Stuff!

2010-07-22T00:35:00.001-05:00

Oh, how I wear my favorite medium like a security blanket. I just have such a hard time feeling like my work is done if it's not turned into a block print. I've been playing with watercolors all summer, and I mean playing - totally for fun and many of these little doodles don't live to the see the sunrise. So I pulled out the good stuff today and worked up a few samples from a dummy book that I'm working on. (Yeah for beads, right!)

These are tiny studies at 3" x 4 1/2". I feel like a have about 100 more paintings to go before I could market a watercolor style. But the good side is that I have two lovely little color study for new prints that I will start carving tomorrow.

Experimenting - it's scary stuff!

Who Me? Tips for Writing a Bio

2010-07-14T17:53:00.001-05:00

If you are on online you need a bio and probably more than one. Here are some hints to help you shine.

More than one bio? What?
I know, right! You thought one would be good enough. But guess what? Different bios are needed for different occasions. The good news is once you have them written, you can plug them in online in your various sites and networks and tweak them as needed.

You need a long bio of 200 words of more - use it on your website or where more information about your career is needed, such as a press release.

A short bio - under 100 or better yet 75 words - use this one for online portfolios or professional membership sites.

And then a 'sum me up' in one sentence bio - best used for bi-lines and your twitter or facebook account.

Who are you?
Before we get any farther, make sure your real name is easily found on all your accounts like twitter, your blogger bio and even your Etsy profile if you have a shop. As a blog writer, it helps me when I feature artists if I can call them by their real name.

1st person or 3rd?
Since people want a personal connection to the artist or writer when they looking at a blog, facebook or twitter I say 1st person is nice and friendly.

On your website - that's a toss - 1st person sounds friendly and direct, 3rd sounds more professional - but you can go either way.

Listing on a portfolio site or member listing/profile for professional organizations?? I'd go with 3rd person.

No matter what point of view - keep your bio professional, on topic and well edited!

What to include?
Relevant information to your career only - if illustrating or writing isn't your day job this can be tricky. Include your day job only if it's relevant to your creative career or ties in to show an area of expertise that you also write about or illustrate.

Things to include about your creative career would be your education, experience, awards and memberships. I would also say to sum up what you like to write or illustrate.

More bio writing tips here and here.

A Long and Short Example:
Long - Children's book illustrator Heather Powers has illustrated for the educational, magazine and picture book markets. Heather's work focuses on quirky characters, multi-cultural themes and crafts. She is currently under contract writing her first jewelry design book.

She has a BFA from Kendall College of Art & Design where she studied printmaking and painting. Heather was awarded the Tomie dePaola Portfolio Award in 2008. She has been a regional advisor for the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators for the last 4 years.

Books illustrated by Heather include Story Game for Perfection Learning and Conor's Gift, published by Yeowon Media.

Short - I'm a children's book illustrator, SCBWI regional advisor and bead artist by day.

And one final word when it comes to writing a bio - if in doubt, search it out - just check out other artists' or writers' bios to see what they have included. Always search up - find bios of creative professionals who are a few steps ahead of you on the career ladder for the best examples!

Golden Kite Exhibit Review

2010-07-14T00:12:00.000-05:00

What a weekend! I am so thankful to the SCBWI and for the opportunity to be a regional advisor. I have met the most amazing people in my life thanks to this organization. The exhibit was stunning and Texas illustrators you have until October to make the trek to Abilene, I can't recommend enough that you do! The artwork is incredible. 80 pieces from the books, covers and more from the Golden Kite Winners of the last 40 years. I could have spent all day looking at the art. The NCCIL (that's the "nickel" for those in the know) is an astonishing gallery and a group of very dedicated children's book enthusiasts.

Before the exhibit we were treated to 4 illustrators reading and drawing with the children of Abilene at the public library. Pictured above David Diaz taught everyone about classical proportions as he drew one of his signature faces. David is also the driving force behind this successful exhibit and event. Members of SCBWI Illustrator's Board were there to support the event, including David, Priscilla Burris, Cecila Yung and Pat Cummings. Illustrators who did the visits included Larry Day, Kristen Balouch and Alan Stacy.

Lin Oliver, Executive Director of the SCBWI, was so inspired she went right out and began drawing! This was a canvas on the wall with sketches from all the visiting artists - priceless.

The wall of awesomeness - really folks - you HAVE to go! The exhibit will also be traveling around the country so keep an eye out to see if it will be heading near you. And it's a huge exhibit, 80 pieces!

Lin Oliver and Steve Moser sharing about the humble beginnings of the SCBWI and the heart behind the organization, which is supporting the talented and dedicated authors and illustrators of children's literature.

One of the highlights of the day was watching Richard Jesse Watson demo painting with egg tempera. It was fascinating and I can't imagine the time that goes into his artwork. He is very much a 'let's try and see what happens' kind of artist, that was fun to watch!

This is a sculpture around the corner from the museum.

The exhibit was good for the soul, the company was inspirational and hospitality was all Texan. I loved every minute of this weekend and I'm eagerly counting down the days until LA for the next Tribe gathering. Isn't that what the SCBWI is after all?

See more photos at the Golden Kite facebook page.

Illustration Friday: Giant

2010-07-08T11:27:00.000-05:00

Who knows what giants we'll face as we chase down our dreams. Be brave little one!

A black and white version of India Squirrel.

This is my entry for this week's Illustration Friday.

SCBWI Golden Kite Exhibit

2010-07-07T14:11:00.000-05:00

I'm really looking forward to attending the exhibit and talks this weekend. If you are in Texas and within driving distance of Abilene, you should make plans to attend. It's free, filled with illustrators and inspiration -why the heck wouldn't you drive out for it? Here are the details for Saturday's event:

Exhibit events and talks welcoming SCBWI members. The events are open to the public, no charge or registration required.

10:00 am
Richard Jesse Watson will speak/demonstrate @ 45 mins

11:00 am
Kristen Balouch will speak/demonstrate @ 45 mins

Lunch 12:00-2:00
We invite the visiting SCBWI membership to join us for a casual lunch at the Cypress Street Station

2:00 pm
Lin Oliver and Steve Mooser will discuss some of the history, stories, and anecdotes of the Golden Kite Award.

Afterwards they will be joined by Richard Jesse Watson, Kristen Balouch, Diane Stanley, and Larry Day for Q&A

Dinner 7:00 pm
We invite the visiting SCBWI membership to join us for dinner at Perini Ranch (about 30 minutes out of town)

The NCCIL website

The Golden Kite, Golden Dreams on Facebook

Beachy Folks

2010-07-03T23:06:00.000-05:00

Just playing around a little today with watercolors. I took a watercolor class in art school, about 16 years ago. Yikes! My youngest daughter and I enjoy these little sessions in the evenings on the porch, painting whatever pops into our mind. I think for the next round I'll pull out some good paper and try again. It's fun, I enjoy the spontaneous feel of the medium.

And I like that they still 'look' like my work.

Have a Happy 4th of July!

SCBWI Editors Day

2010-07-02T12:37:00.000-05:00

Editors Day Conference

September 18th

San Antonio, TX

Faculty includes:

Sarah Shumway - HarperCollins

Julie Ham - Charlesbridge

Carmen Tafolla - Award-winning author

Art Aliva - Art Director, Raining Popcorn Media

Illustrator Heather Powers (yes, me)

During our breakout sessions for the illustrator's track I will share tips for creating a winning portfolio - both online and off!

If you are in Texas make plans to join us and help spread the word!

Conference Details

A Random Sketch...

2010-07-01T11:34:00.000-05:00

Yanked from my sketchbook. I would like to move a little more into the middle grade/tween market with my illustrations. So what does one do when they want to expand? Create portfolio pieces. I would like to have a series done before LA. We shall see. Today is July 1st, so the clock is a ticking and I have a dummy book to finish too.

The Sketchables

2010-06-29T11:56:00.000-05:00

Hop on over the Sketchables blog to find out what question this illustration answers!

The Sketchables is a new group blog that we formed and this is out introductory week. I'm super excited to work with such a talented group of illustrators. We'll be sharing our sketches, sketches from our favorite illustrators, sketchy tid-bits, interviews and more.

The Sketchables include Priscilla Burris, Diandra Mae, Kelly Light, Joy Steuerwald and myself.

Busy, Busy!

2010-06-24T11:04:00.000-05:00

Three little beachcombers doing exactly what I'd like to be doing at this moment!

I had to take a little blogging break while I prepared for a national bead show. It was fun, but now it's time to switch gears and get a new round of postcards out the door and work on finding an agent.

I also have a slew of SCBWI events coming up in the next few months.

I will be attending the Golden Kite Exhibit and SCBWI events next month. Mid-July I will be leading a roundtable discussion on marketing at our July SCBWI meeting. At the end of July I'll be heading to LA for the national conference with my peep Kelly! In September I will be hosting an Editor's Day here in San Antonio for our chapter. I will also be presenting a breakout session on Creating a Winning Portfolio at that event.

And in between all that I have two dummy books to finish with samples. So you should be hearing quite a bit from me over the summer as I work my way through these events!

Art Aprons

2010-05-27T11:37:00.000-05:00

I love these art aprons. I'm already thinking ahead for Christmas gifts for my nieces and nephews - I have quite a collection of relatives in the under 9 year old range!

Of course I'd have to stuff those pockets full of art supplies - crayons, paints, tiny pads of paper, colored pencils, markers. All the good stuff to make a creative adventure.

I could also see them used for a tiny gardener - add a few pint sized gardening tools, seed packets and gloves into the pockets. Or for your mini-chef add in small cooking utensils, cookie cutters and a kid's cookbook!

Zazzle has a 40% off all aprons as part of a big sale this week. Use coupon code: MEMORIALSALE

Humblearts' Aprons

Threadless Design

2010-05-25T18:35:00.000-05:00

I created this design for the Threadless Loves Coffee contest. Just something sweet and simple. The contest is based on voting. If you could take a moment to rate my design on the Threadless website, I'd be one happy camper. Now I think I need a cup of tea and to steal away a few minutes for daydreaming.

The contest ends June 6th, so if you are feeling coffee inspired submit your design too!

Tiny Lands

2010-05-23T16:15:00.001-05:00

A little diversion from the old to-do list. Do you do this - there are deadlines and project you know you should be working on, but then an idea pops in your head and darn if you don't suddenly have a little extra time to fit that in too? Maybe that's just me. I like to call it procrastination inspiration.

My Process

2010-05-21T22:37:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd share a little behind the scenes of what goes into my illustrations.

Everything starts as a sketch, usually a pretty small one, that is scanned, enlarged and flipped in Photoshop. The printmaking process is in reverse, so to save my sanity I simply flip it backwards in Photoshop and print it out to transfer to my blocks. It can be a little tricky wrapping my brain around the reserve image, as you'll see later!

Some prints I carve everything on one block and print the entire block. For this image, I decided to create the image in a series of 'stamps'. For the background, I cut a little square and used a stencil of the owl. After that I created belly stencil and did the flower print. The owl and words were also created with as stamps and printed on the image.

Here you can see the print before the owl. If you missed the print, you can see it here:

Now, printmaking may see like a scary process - but there is an 'undo' button. If I make a mistake I simply carve out the part and make a stamp that replaces it. As in the 'a' that I carved the wrong way. So there you have, one way I make my artwork.

Taking Chances

2010-05-20T22:56:00.001-05:00

I ordered postcards from Vista Print last week and unfortunately they printed a little too dark. And after holding them in my hands I realized the smaller postcards just didn't have a big enough impact with this quieter image. Good to know for future campaigns.

So I went back to the drawing board (photoshop) and created the design for the front in the larger postcard size. And then I was just playing around with the back and the large owl in the middle of the postcard struck me as a little brave. And I liked that. It's kind of nice not playing it safe. I took a chance, we'll see if I get any response.

I need to get better at sending out postcards, my last one was in November. The goal is to send one out every 3 months, so I'll aim for that again! Now to work on polishing up the ol' mailing list. And await another delivery - until then I will keep telling myself...

Fortune Favors the Brave

Question Everything

2010-05-19T19:30:00.000-05:00

New piece I worked up today. 4 color blockprint. Liking this new stuff. I'll show more of the process later this weekend - I took photos!

Illustration Friday: Equipment

2010-05-18T22:38:00.000-05:00

Equipment needed for the best smelling laundry ever:

1. clothesline

2. clothespins

3. gentle breeze (use country air for best results)

4. sunshine

5. a few hours

My entry for this week's Illustration Friday.

Mono print and block print with some hand-coloring.

Owl Sketches

2010-05-17T23:14:00.000-05:00

Two random owl sketches.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Zazzle Dazzle

2010-05-16T13:53:00.001-05:00

One of the topics covered in the ecourse I recently took was using print-on-demand companies to sell your image on different products. I have quite a stash of images I used for promotional postcards that are available for me to use and resell. How Zazzle works - you select the royalty you want to get for each product, the copyright still belongs to you, so your image is safe. After you upload the images, you create products and a store. So here is my shop, filled with goodies! It's something to try, I mean why should all these beautiful images sit collecting dust on my hard drive when they could be out in the world making kids cute! You can even create shoes.

My next goal is to offer prints in my etsy shop. Do you have your illustration in a Zazzle or CafePress shop?

Sophie's Garden

2010-05-15T23:24:00.002-05:00

My very first job as an illustrator, years ago now, was a project for the San Antonio Water Systems for their H2O Heroes series. They did 7 books in the series and I illustrated one of them. Sophie's Garden - a story about a little girl who learns how to plant a water saving garden.

Well today at our SCBWI critiquenic my friend Bill, who did 2 of the books in the series, had a copy of each. I thought the books were never going to be published and was thrilled to see them in person!

I can't even remember what year it was, but we are talking the dark ages of my Humblearts career here. But I thought I'd show the book cover, because a book is a book - isn't it? And they are aways exciting. These are paperback and given out in the school system here in San Antonio. I would love to do more work on green themes, maybe I will create some new samples on the subject later this summer.

A few of the images are in of my black & white portfolio.

Illustration Friday - Fearless

2010-05-12T09:38:00.000-05:00

Experiencing failure and finding your passion can lead to fearless abandon when you discover your joy in this world.

A little sketch that is awaiting my printmaking magic. I thought they were a good fit for this week's Illustration Friday.

Taking Care of Business

2010-05-02T19:36:00.001-05:00

I signed up for this awesome online class starting this week. Multiple Streams of Income Ecourse with Laura Bray. Details can be found here.

Check out some of the guests for the class:

Teaching - Claudine Hellmuth will talk about teaching your craft

Children's Book Illustration - Priscilla Burris will share lots of information about getting started

Licensing - Tara Reed will talk about art licensing

Selling Online - An article with Tim Adam will help you get your online store generating income

There is much more and I can't wait to get started. This is so what I need at the moment. Eggs in many baskets is a good thing when you are earning your living as an artist!

Zero2Illo Challenge Week #4

2010-04-28T23:16:00.000-05:00

I've been following along with the Zero2Illo 12 week challenge. This week's task is to complete two pieces for our portfolio.

Here are some character sketches for a dummy book I'm working on for a story that I wrote. Finally some beads, I know right!! I'm counting the dummy book as one of the finished portfolio pieces, because as a children's book illustrator the dummy is essential if you are going to submit a manuscript that you wrote and want to illustrate.

So the completed dummy and one sample piece are my goals for the rest of the week. The dummy has already been laid out in storyboard/thumbnail form. Can't wait to draw more beads, fun stuff!

Just for Fun

2010-04-26T16:06:00.000-05:00

Hmm, my life often resembles a circus.

This was a fun piece to whip up over the weekend. A little looser and primitive in style than I usually do, but whimsical and aimed at a younger crowd.

What else did I do this weekend? Why I updated my portfolio:

http://www.humblearts.com/

What do you think of the hand-lettering. I worry, are there rules to hand-lettering that I'm not following? Is there some secret designer font rules I'm breaking? Or is it just a free-for-all-do-whatever-the-heck-you-want kind of deal? I suppose I could plead ignorance and then we can call it outsider art. Oh wait, that trusty art degree negates that. I better do my research on the matter then...

A few of my favorite things...

2010-04-23T15:21:00.000-05:00

Here are a few tools in my studio that I can't live without:

My new favorite tools! I bought these a few years ago, but never really tried them out until recently. I was using my trusty speedball lino cutters. If you are into printing, I recommend picking up a set. The fine tipped tool allows for great detail and the other tools help me carve my blocks lickety-split! They are called Palm-Grip Carvers and they are saving my poor old hands.

My box of Sennelier pastels isn't looking quite like this picture anymore. They are now well loved nubbins! I need to order some replacements, stat. They are so rich and creamy, they are like the chocolate truffles of oil pastels. Yum!

While I have several different types of colored pencils, these are by far my favorites. Lyra Rembrandt Oil-based Colored Pencils are wonderful, no waxy build-up and the colors are so beautiful. And on the sketch pencil front, I'm strictly a 2-B and above gal. Sure the others are nice, but I need some heft to my lines.

This is Blick Wonder-Cut Linoleum and it's probably not the highest quality stuff to print on and if I were doing large print editions I'd have to rethink what I use. But it carves so fast! I like to call this stuff Wonderflonium. (And if you don't know what that is, watch Dr. Horrible right this minute!)

And finally I couldn't do my job without my trusty Speedball Water-Based Inks. I've been enjoying experimenting more with mixing my own colors and printing in multiple colors. They dry fast, so I must work fast. But they clean up with water and I'm all for using less chemicals in the studio.

So there you have it, my art making essentials!

All photos from the Dick Blick website, where i buy most of my supplies.

Fireflies

2010-04-22T06:00:00.001-05:00

Dreaming of summer nights at dusk, chasing fireflies and the joy of carefree days.

I had to lay out the color in photoshop to wrap my brain around this mutli-color printing.

The final print - but now that I see it in digital form, I think I may reprint it in a lighter teal and there are a few parts that need to be cleaned up. I used to make changes in photoshop, but lately I'm a purist and insist the print itself looks great, not just the digital image.

SCBWI Summer Conference

2010-04-21T06:00:00.002-05:00

Hey, want a crash course in writing and illustrating for the children's market? Then make your plans now to attend the SCBWI summer conference. I'll be there!

Illustrators - you can hear from E.B. Lewis, Ashley Bryan and Loren Long. Take workshops with Priscilla Burris and David Dias and get tips for portfolios and promotion with Pat Cummings and art director Cecilia Yung. Or you can take one of the advanced tracks. There are two for illustrators this year, one on graphic novels and one on digital illustration. Not to mention all the authors, editors, agents and art directors who will be there.

Registration opens today, check it out at the SCBWI website.

Spring Spots

2010-04-20T06:00:00.002-05:00

Some tiny spots that I used to update my website banner. I thought the candy corn and leaves were probably giving it away that my website was in need of an update.

Foxy New Work

2010-04-19T06:00:00.011-05:00

I had it in mind since August to play around with printing in two colors for a bit of a retro feel to my work. I finally sat myself down to experiment this weekend. Here is my first go at it and I'm pretty excited. I carved two plates for this illo, one that I printed in green and other the brown line work.

I added in a few touches of color after the image was printed with my trusty oil pastels. I have to say, I'm quite smitten with foxes at the moment. Now to work up a few more samples in this style.

Here is the sketch, in case you like to see the process.

SCBWI Peeps

2010-04-18T11:18:00.000-05:00

The best part of conferences and book events is seeing your old SCBWI peeps and meeting new ones!

In this photo: Austin illustrator Mark Mitchell, check out his awesome online color class. Author Peni Griffin, a homegrown SA talent whose titles include the The Switching Well and 11,000 Years Lost. Illustrator Layne Johnson, went all founding fathers on us for TLA to celebrate his latest book The Declaration of Independence from A to Z. And hardworking RA from Brazos Valley, Liz Mertz.

In this photo: Janet Fox, her upcoming book is Faithful. Another Austin member, Virian Johnson has a new YA book, Saving Maddie and dear Kelly Bennet, who has 15 books published. (Kelly helped organize the first Texas SCBWI Writer & Illustrators cruise! We should do another one!!!)

And look, how lucky! We were right across from the Bloomsbury booth and enjoyed visiting with illustrator and author, Ruth McNally Barshaw. She was busy signing her latest Ellie McDoodle book and sketching away at the conference. Ruth is an SCBWI member from Michigan and has done some wonderful sketch-blogging of the national SCBWI conferences over the years.

The SCBWI is all about it's volunteers. Without them we wouldn't be the thriving, resourceful and encouraging organization that we are! My deepest heartfelt thanks goes to Catherine Stier, our coordinator for the TLA booth. What a hard worker and an amazing talent. Next year TLA will be in Austin. Deborah Gonzales, the new Austin RA, and Carmen Oliver, her Assistant RA helped us set up our booth earlier this week, pictured here with Catherine.

TLA

2010-04-16T15:48:00.000-05:00

I have been enjoying the last two days at TLA, the Texas Library Association's exhibit. Our Texas SCBWI chapters have once again banded together to promote our organization as 'the' go to source for finding children's book authors and illustrators. The response has been great. We've had librarians searching us out to get a hold of their copy of our speakers' source book. We've also been hearing stories from librarians of how they used the book last year to book speakers, so good to know it's working!

A gaggle full of RA's at our booth! Liz Mertz, RA for Brazos Valley, Janet Fox, former Brazos Valley RA, Ellen Hopkins (YA rock star) and current co-RA for Nevada and me, RA for Southwest Texas. (What's an RA? A regional advisor for the local SCBWI chapters. We organize the local events and cheer on our members!)

Some of our books on display - Texas is filled with talent! We are raffling off signed copies of books from our members, giving out our speakers book to librarians and I do believe there is chocolate involved. I heard chocolate and good books are two things to have on hand when dealing with librarians.

Books on display.

We have been rotating the books on our main table so everyone has a chance to shine! The green booklet are the speakers source book. Our designer, Jennifer Murrillo, did an awesome job using old school library icons like the card catalog and check-out cards for the theme. So taking our cue from her booklet we designed the booth to have an old world library feel. I'll post more tomorrow on some friendly faces I've run into in the exhibit hall.

Winter Days

2010-02-02T06:00:00.007-06:00

6 more weeks of winter? Not likely here in San Antonio. But I always enjoy reliving my childhood memories of Michigan winters in my art work. Snow crunching beneath heavy boots. Scarves and mittens hanging to dry once we were warm inside. And my favorite winter day activity - sitting on top of the register with a blanket trapping in all the heat. That one drove my mother crazy! But it was so cozy warm. Maybe I was just a weird kid.

Favorite ways to stay warm:

Cuddle under blankets watching movies

A big mug of hot chocolate

Extra fluffy socks (I spend most of my days barefoot)

Dreaming of planting a garden (never happens)

Make a pot of veggie chili to share with friends

Bake Valentine sugar cookies

Read in bed

Back to Basics

2010-02-01T10:55:00.000-06:00

Or maybe the title of this post should be, "Mind your basic design principles, young padawan." Okay, that's probably something a Jedi Knight wouldn't utter, but it is something that should be on your mind if you want to pull viewers into your work on a all sorts of levels like visually, emotionally as well as through the narrative.

I had the privilege of sitting in on a talk by two-time Caldecott Honor winner Marla Frazee at the Austin SCBWI conference this weekend. She showed us examples of using those design elements to portray emotions in your illustrations. She is brilliant and this gentle reminder of getting back to the basics to tell the story visually was inspiring.

Her talk was on Storytelling Tools and Techniques. She reviewed:

Artist's Voice/Style

Charactization

Setting

Interpretation of Text

Sequential Action

The Page Turn

Format - Size and Layout Options

She encouraged us to be aware of each choice we make in an illustration and how that can impact telling the story. She tries to get at the heart of the text to find what emotions need to be portrayed in each scene.

Want a refresher on those basic design principles? Here is a good link with all sorts of resources.

Valentines

2010-01-31T11:45:00.000-06:00

I have a great fondness for illustrations with a Valentine theme. Both in my own artwork and seeing it commercially as the holiday rolls around. Maybe the chocolate has some influence on my love of the holiday or it could be that after the grey of January the bright pop of pink, purple, red and white are just what the doctor ordered. Although I just spent a week in the Caribbean and my head is still swimming from the most amazing vivid blues, greens, butter yellow and all sorts of tropical hues. I know, it's a tough life.

One of my favorite books as a kid was this crafty little number from Mr. de Paola. I picked it out at a RIF event, oh how I loved getting a free book each year! It had crafts, recipes, party ideas and jokes. The charming illustrations captured my attention and made this a year round favorite for me. Craft books were some of my most treasured possessions as a kid. That's a trait that has carried on and now I'm writing them!

My plan is to send out a new postcard to my mailing list in time for Valentine's Day. I better get with the program, time is running out!

Creative Gift Ideas for Kids

2009-12-10T10:12:00.000-06:00

I'm going through my holiday shopping list and thought I'd share some of my favorite gift ideas for kids. No batteries required!

1. Art supplies - it wouldn't be a holiday around here with out them. I usually include a how-to book for inspiration or a new sketchbook. Colored pencils, fancy sketching pencils, watercolors and oil pastels are favorites here.

2. Craft supplies - these are always put together as a kit. I don't like to give kits that have set projects, I like supplies that offer open-ended creativity. This year it's a sewing kit for my youngest. I'll include fabric, thread and notions. Other kit ideas include polymer clay & sculpting tools. Beads with an inexpensive tool set and stringing materials. Foam, pipe cleaners, craft sticks and other general supplies offer a world of imagination when packaged together.

3. Books, big surprise! But I like to include them with new pajamas or a little fleece throw, it's good to encourage cuddling. My sister gave blankets to all the kids last year - they were a huge hit! I stole her idea for my husband's side of the family this year.

4. Scarves - again with the cuddle factor. A scarf is like a little hug each day during the winter months. I like to use big knitting needles and 2-3 yarns for a nice fluffy scarf. I'm not a fast knitter. I whip one up in 2-3 evenings while watching TV.

5. Stuff animals - made by you! There are tons of free patterns online if you can sew. One year my girls designed the animals and we made them for their cousins. They were so cute and funky. Check out Whip Up for patterns.

6. Board & card games - I love board games from my own childhood and rediscovering them with my children. My top pick this year is Yahtzee. Great for kids who are learning multiplication, but still fun for the whole family. We like Uno and Boggle too. Anything that brings the family together gets a thumbs up from me.

Deck the Halls

2009-12-07T06:00:00.003-06:00

We went Christmas tree hunting yesterday and it turned out to be an actual hunt! There was a tree shortage in San Antonio. We heard from one salesperson that it was due to trees arriving from the east and being delayed by the weather. Who would have guessed!

One of my favorite things to do after the tree is up and the family is asleep, is to turn on some holiday music, fix myself a cup of tea and sit in peace while enjoying the lights. I think it reminds me of being little and staring at the tree from my bedroom door. I'd stare at the tree until the lights blurred and sugar plums danced in my head.

Content, filled with wonder and a belief in the impossible - the very magic of childhood is wrapped in the season.

Take a Chance!

2009-12-04T08:43:00.000-06:00

On what? Entering contests - you just never know! First I will say that contests are so subjective that if you enter and don't win, don't sweat it. At the very least you'll have new work for your portfolio and that is always a good thing.

I haven't worked my way up to entering the illustration contests outside of the children's book world, but I do enter SCBWI portfolio contests as often as I can. Before I won the Tomie dePaola Portfolio Award last year there was a moment a few weeks before the conference where I almost talked myself out of not entering. What a shame that would have been!

Get your work out there and see what happens.

So a month or so ago when I learned about Picture Book's contest, I immediately entered. The grand prize is a page in their annual, that would be sweet and 4 runner-ups will receive an online portfolio. That wouldn't be too shabby either.

So guess what? I'm one of the 30 finalists. They will announce the winners mid-January. Cross your fingers, knock on wood, rub a horseshoe, eat a four-leaf cover and all that jazz for me!!!

Gather ye craft supplies

2009-12-03T13:53:00.000-06:00

Between now and December 25th I will do a impossible amount of crafting and creating, decorating and gift-making. I can't help myself. I'm a complete Christmas nut. In fact we'll be getting our tree this weekend and then all tinsel breaks loose.

First, we are incapable of having the same theme each year. For the last few our tree has evolved into this cute red/white snowflake, nature kind of theme. This year I'm adding another layer with birds, lots of birds in all shapes and sorts. Including: needle felting, polymer clay and etched metal. I'm telling you, I'm hopeless when it comes to restraint and the holidays.

And then there are the gifts. There is jewelry to be made. Needle felted hamsters because my youngest wanted a Zhu Zhu and I couldn't get over how un-cute they are. There will be knitting neckwarmers. Sewing a few little bags and trying my hand at pajama pants. I've sewn doll pj's, we'll see how I do with life-size. And then there is my ambition to make a needle-felted Mr. Fox, we'll see if I have time. And to top it all off, I will make a doll or two with paper clay for someone sweet on my list.

Are you a crafty holiday elf? I know I'm not alone in my yuletide mania! Let the creating begin...

Snowflake Ornaments

2009-12-01T23:33:00.000-06:00

I love when my two worlds meet somewhere in the middle!

This is an ornament that I created last week using a snowflake rubber stamp that I carved. The metal is stamped and the ink acts as a resist, it's then set in an acid bath until the metal is 'eaten' away. After it's washed, the image is antiqued with a blackening solution. Then, ta-da! It's an etched metal ornament.

I'm not a fan of chemicals, but it's an easy enough process and I love the results. Now to make those snowflake rubber stamps do double duty and create some gift cards! Oh how I love printmaking!

You can find these ornaments and all sorts of beady goodness in my Etsy shop.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T07:00:00.002-06:00

Hope your day is filled with the people and things you love!

'Tis the Season

2009-11-25T07:00:00.001-06:00

This week will be slow in the illustration department with only sketching and a little marketing. My world is always turned a upside down from now until December 15th with my online business.

I love homemade gifts, beside art supplies and books, those are the only kinds of gifts found under our tree each year. And while I might not be the maker of each one, somone's hard work and steady hands have created the treasures. I'm a huge Etsy fan and encourage you to shop there for handmade gifts from artists all around the world.

"...the best present was usually something you made yourself, a one-of-a-kind thingamijig, not just a whatsit anyone could buy in a store." - from Toot & Puddle's Let it Snow.

Snowflake Bentley

2009-11-24T07:00:00.002-06:00

Aren't snowflakes just amazing?

I'm sure you have seen Mary Azarian's illustrations in Snowflake Bentley. I love them, in fact this is the book that set me on my illustration path. After seeing this book, I thought to myself, I have to do this, whatever this IS, it's what I want to create.

I think like many new moms I fell in love with picture books. I would collect them for my children and read to them everyday. When my youngest went to preschool I volunteered in the school library. It was there that I studied my favorites and when I ran across Snowflake Bentley my heart went a-flutter!

Through that school librarian I connected with a local illustrator. That illustrator, an SCBWI member, graciously answered all my newbie questions and introduced me to the SCBWI. I'm so thankful beyond words! I'm thankful to that librarian, the artists who inspire me with their amazing work and my peers in this profession who have encouraged me along with the way. And it all started with a snowflake.

Juicy!

2009-11-22T21:46:00.000-06:00

Have you found this little online gem? The Red Lemon Club is a new blog dedicated to online promotion for creative freelancers. Love the practical advice and good tips. Be sure to subscribe or add it to your blog reader so you don't miss a post!

Of course, actually using the advice would be better! Marketing can seem like an overwhelming task. Take it one step at a time and focus on a specific goal.

Flashback Friday

2009-11-20T07:00:00.001-06:00

Another one from the Humblearts vault.

I really love this piece. I created it as an example for an illustration with a poem a few years ago. This is based on a farm near my dad's house. And the barn does say Breezy Hill, who wouldn't want to live there? It's so sweet and old fashioned. And yeah, I have a thing for snow. Of course I do, I'm in the middle of Texas with not a hint of cold weather for weeks to come!

And high-five for me for week three of blogging here at the new Humblearts Journal!

Enjoy your weekend.

Grow Your Illustration Business

2009-11-19T06:28:00.000-06:00

Okay, this blog post is for me. Sometimes I need to give myself a little advice. Maybe it will be helpful to someone else, so here it is:

1. Don't focus on the past. Put your energy toward moving ahead and reaching your next goal.
2. Work this business like you do your day job.
3. Study the best children's books, read them, all of them and school thy self on what makes a fantastic picture book and art for children.
4. Have written goals and a marketing plan.
5. Work everyday toward those goals. Even if it is sketching or updating your mailing list for 15 minutes.
6. Be honest about your work, does it wow? If not, get busy improving and exploring!
7. Be Flexible. Do you only work in one medium? Do you have black and white samples in your portfolio? Does your work only cover one age group? Can you add another section to your portfolio to expand your target audience?
8. Make your own work while you wait for new assignments. Get creative.

Breaking Into Illustration Book Review

2009-11-18T07:00:00.000-06:00

Breaking Into Freelance Illustration: A Guide for Artists, Designers and Illustrators by Holly DeWolf

I ordered this book after listening to a podcast with Holly DeWolf on Escape From Illustration Island.

It's been my constant companion over the last week. It's filled with great advice for both new illustrators and those who have been around for a while. Just some of the topics covered in the book: how to create from home, balancing family and your career, promotion, client relations, money, inspiration and how to overcome common hurdles that illustrators face. I love that she includes work-at-home illustrating moms in her interviews and I can relate to that. I also love the advice on not comparing yourself to other illustrators.

Basically, this book is good for the soul if you've been trying to break into illustration. You'll find practical solutions and good tips. I highly recommend adding this one to your library.

Winter Scene

2009-11-17T07:00:00.000-06:00

This is a small print that I created to stamp on shrink plastic. You remember Shrinky Dinks, right? Well I wanted to create a series of pendants using my images. Can't say I love them, but I do see some possible ornaments in the future using the shrink plastic and rubber stamps. Fun stuff! My daughter quickly talked me out of a sheet and we enjoyed watching it curl and shrink in the oven with our creative efforts.

The image is from a trip home to Michigan last year and joy upon joy, there was snow! I have to say, I do miss the chill and the frost. There is magic in a wintery holiday.

Illustration Friday - Unbalanced

2009-11-16T06:43:00.002-06:00

Looks like there might be some layoffs in Santa's workshop this year!

Check out Illustration Friday to see the rest of this week's entries.

(Traditional block print, hand-colored with oil pastels and pastel pencil.)

A SCBWI Secret

2009-11-13T07:43:00.000-06:00

I'm a conference junkie, I'll admit it. I love attending SCBWI conferences both national and local. I can't even tell you how many wonderful people I've had the chance to meet and learn from.

Being a Regional Advisor for the Southwest Texas chapter of the SCBWI, I know I may be a little bias. But what you may not know is that your local or state SCBWI conference is a gold-mine of exposure for illustrators.

At local conferences illustrators make up 10-20% of the attendees. Almost every conference I have been to has a portfolio display and contest. Okay, let's do the math, if your local conference has 100 participants, 20 will have portfolios in the display. Who judges said contest? The speakers, i.e. art directors, editors and agents. And then there are the "get-of-the-slush-pile" passes that you get for attending conferences. For a limited time you can submit to attending speakers, even if they are at a closed house.

Want to get even more out of your local conference? Volunteer!

I'm looking forward to a round of conferences here in Texas in January (Austin) and February (Houston). I'm planning on attending the International Summer Conference in LA in August and in September we are hosting an Editor's Day here in San Antonio. Opportunities abound in 2010!

Find an SCBWI chapter near you: http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/Regional-Chapters

Okay, so this information isn't secret, but if you aren't part of your local chapter you are missing out on a great resource!

Fairy Tales

2009-11-12T06:52:00.000-06:00

Pulled from the Humblearts archives.

Hmm, I may have to work on some more lettering, that was fun stuff.

Run jack run!

Need to work on your porfolio?

Take 3 classic fairy tales and illustrate 3 scenes from each one to tell the story:

1. Illustrate one for the board book market - simple shapes, bright colors, easy to read. Here is a tip, the character size doesn't change in a board book.

2. Illustrate one for the picture book market, which is usually 3-6 years old. Only put a twist on the fairy tale, mix it up, place the story in an unlikely setting, etc.

3. Illustrate one in an early chapter book style - black and white, for 1st-3rd grade. Bonus points if you create a mock-up cover for the fairy tale chapter book.

Let's Get Crafty!

2009-11-11T07:59:00.000-06:00

You may not know that I'm a well published designer in the jewelry/bead magazine world. In fact, I have a jewelry how-to book proposal out in the publishing world at the moment awaiting it's fate. (Fingers crossed, knock on wood.)

I've had the idea for a kid's craft book in the back of mind for a while and have often been told I should write one. Something just clicked this week and I ended up writing up the outline and possible projects for one. Yeah! So while I work on sending out submissions and marketing my work, I will sneak in a few minutes here and there to work on this project too. Fortunately after a few years of publishing credits, writing crafty directions is as easy as pie.

So here is tip for illustrators, want work but don't have art directors beating down your door just yet? Create your own! If you aren't up for writing a book, kids magazines are always looking for illustrated puzzles & games.

New Work

2009-11-10T11:26:00.000-06:00

Brown or black ink? Bright colors or muted?

Let me know what you think!

Free Twitter Icons

2009-11-09T09:00:00.000-06:00

Two free twitter icons to use on your blog.

5 illustration related twitters to follow:

http://twitter.com/Illo_Island

http://twitter.com/HOLLiCONGER

http://twitter.com/Theispot

http://twitter.com/dulemba

http://twitter.com/AnetteHeiberg

Artist Spotlight - David Ezra Stein

2009-11-08T22:00:00.000-06:00

David Ezra Stein is a picture book genius, if you'd like to see genius at work take a look at his process for creating his latest book, Pouch. I love seeing all those character sketches!

Postcard Sketch

2009-11-06T10:00:00.000-06:00

This guy is going to do double-duty as my website banner and then cropped postcard size for my next promo.

We are all about the goggles at my house lately and this little fellow was inspired by my daughter's adventurer Halloween costume.

Twitter Links for Authors and Illustrators

2009-11-05T10:00:00.000-06:00

Below are a few little sketches for a twitter icon for my blog. You know, since it's all shiny and new I want to give it a little extra spiffin' up. I think I'll carve up all three and see which one I like the best and then offer them for the general public to use if they wish.

Follow Me!

I LOVE the children's book twitter world. There is inspiration and information to be had on a daily basis.

*Remember to mind your manners on twitter, it's public and you never know who might read your tweet.

*Don't be a pest and direct message agents or editors, I think that's right up there with passing the manuscript under the bathroom stall at a conference. (Also a no-no in case you were thinking, yeah that's a great idea.)

*Your tweets should be entertaining, informative or inspiring. (No lunch or laundry tales unless it fall under one of the three categories just mentioned.)

Here are some good links if you want to get started.

10 Ways Twitter Can Help Writers

Getting started on twitter

Twitter chat information for writers

Writer's guide to twitter

See you around the water cooler.

Holiday Mania

2009-11-04T13:35:00.000-06:00

There's a 12" paper mache turkey on my dining room table and two christmas wish lists posted on the fridge. Ah, the holidays with kids! They are just taking a cue from our local stores that have Christmas displayed before back-to-school.

I'm feeling a little surge of the holiday rush myself, working on plans to survive shows, online sales, family and travel. And in the midst of that dealing with my own Christmas nuttiness. I can never do things small, it's all handmade, over-the-top ornaments, gifts and celebrations. I say bring it on - the busier I am, the more I seem to accomplish.

I'm determined to design an advent calendar this year. Better add that to my master to-do list, I only have 3 weeks left!

2010 CWIM

2009-11-03T18:39:00.000-06:00

I certainly can not talk about marketing without mentioning the 2010 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market. I never miss picking up a copy of this annual guide. This year they added an online feature for up-to-date listings, which is so vital in an industry that is constantly changing.

Along with the listings of publishers I love the articles and features. I have saved all my market guides and refer back to them over the years. There is a little nugget in each one and as you grow in your career articles that you once glanced over suddenly become critical information. This one is jam packed with online marketing tips that I'm loving!

I've been working on updating my mailing list for 15 minutes a day and I have a new postcard sketched out and need to work on carving that bad boy this week. Moving right along.

21 Day Marketing Plan

2009-11-03T00:29:00.000-06:00

Nothing like the excitement of a new project to get my creativity rolling. I love the beginning of projects, when all possibilities are open and the road is yet traveled. So here we start Humblearts Journal on blogger. I've had my blog for a few years but over the last two years it's been beyond neglected. My old computer is not a fan of typepad and I'm over here blogging almost everyday anyway for my beady empire.

So what shall we start with? A list and a plan for November. I'm giving a presentation at our next SCBWI meeting on Marketing for Authors and Illustrators. So I need to practice what I'll be teaching and preaching. I'm great at the knowing, not so good at the doing!

Daily:

twitter/facebook/blog - keep up with what's going on in the industry, get my name & work out there.

Update my mailing list for 15 minutes day.

Week One:

~~Create new blog~~

~~Update website with new work~~

~~New promo image~~

Week Two:

Work on 2 new dummy samples

Send out postcards

Outline for craft book proposal

Week Three:

Send out dummy

Write query letter

Marketing research for craft book proposal

Bite size, specific and with a deadline. Now that's how you set a goal. (Illustrator quakes in boots, must stay consistent...)