Happy Thanksgiving!

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

'Tis the Season

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

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!

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

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

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

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.