Why do you draw?
Well, this is the story behind the pictures.
This is an interview I did for Voyage Magazine!
conference
2014 Houston SCBWI Conference
Saturday, April 27 I attended the Houston SCBWI annual conference.
I started out early
. Houston is a pretty big city and it takes a while to get across town.
Our keynote speaker was Gary D. Schmidt, the author of the Newberry Award winning book, The Wednesday Wars, and many other wonderful books. His talk was brilliant and his depth of feeling was so inspiring. “Our stories are complicated ones…they are never one dimensional.” His bio reads, ” He lives with his family on a 150-year-old farm in Alto, Michigan, where he splits wood, plants gardens, writes, and feeds the wild cats that drop by.” I know… pretty cool all around guy, right!
Next….”Qualities of a writer: humility, good humor, grace, patience and gratitude” says Stephen Fraser, literary agent with the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. That’s good advice you can apply to all aspects of life!
He’s been voted the top agent for both picture books and Middle grade fiction. …and he rocked an awesome bow tie!
Other speakers included Kendra Levin, Senior Editor at Viking Books, “Don’t save anything for the next book, you may get hit by a bus tomorrow” Lol!
Julie Ham, spoke about The Elements of Award Winning Non-fiction.
Jim Hoover, Associate Art Director at Viking books, walked us through the process of making picture books and how the direction of a book can change. Then he lead a very informative illustrator break out session about what makes a good promotional postcard. The following morning he presented a story boarding workshop.
What a fun guy, great personality, and he dances too!
These are some of the postcards I picked up at the conference.
But the best part about the conference…and something I didn’t see coming at all … I was the 2014 Grand Prize winner of the illustrator showcase!! So thank you Jim Hoover, I’m so grateful! And thank you to the SCBWI conference staff, it was one of the best!
Houston SCBWI Conference
Who’s ready to paint the town red?
See you there!
Southwest Texas SCBWI Workshop with Richard Jessie Watson
Not for resale or download
On October 19-20, I went to the workshop, “The Exquisite Act of Balancing Text and Art with Richard Jesse Watson.” hosted the SCBWI SWTX chapter.
In the weeks prior to attending the workshop the attendees where given an assignment. We were asked to illustrate a paradigm shift featuring the beloved A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh characters.
“What day is it?”
“It’s today.” squeaked Piglet
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.
I decided to send them to the future… to a land were there was a shortage of honey! “Oh Dear!”
Here in this illustration, they’re beginning their quest to find the land of Abundant Honey. No more tummy grumbles!
The workshop was really fun and inspirational.
Richard Jesse Watson, is a great speaker, a kind and encouraging person, and of course an amazing artist!
Check out his beautiful books and other works here!
Conference Homework
At the Houston SCBWI conference, we were given a homework assignment. A choice of one of two prompts that we as attendees could choose from. One was a double page spread from a picture book and the other was a YA cover. I started both prompts and then went with the one that appealed to me the most. The sketches were sent to the Art Director for comments and direction, then we all brought back a full color illustration with the changes suggested. Above is my sketch and then my finished illustration. Later, I was decided to finish the other prompt on my own. Below you see a “Mock” cover for a young adult novel that is currently out. This is just a mock cover.
Mock cover
Houston 2012 SCBWI Conference
This is my portfolio display for the 2012 Houston SCBWI Conference that I attended last weekend. I like to practice the layout before I get there, so what you see here is actually on my dining room table.
The morning was spent listening to informative speakers. The keynote speaker was the prolific and colorful, Dan Yaccarino. His presentation along with his numerous art examples, were a visual feast. Lots of fun and very dynamic.
On the tables were birdhouses created by Houston illustrators and other crafty conference attendees. They were auctioned that day, with the proceeds going to future illustrator activities. Each was created with a literary theme.
I chose Charlotte’s Web by E.B.White.
In the afternoon the illustrators were treated to a break out session with Charlesbridge Art Director, Susan Sherman. Her breakout session was very interesting, and featured books she has worked on with many talented artists, such as the very talented Vanessa Newton.
Later that afternoon, I had a portfolio review with Susan Sherman and sat with her at dinner. I found her very approachable. She gave me advice, direction and honesty, which I truly value.
But wait…. there’s more!
The conference ended the following day with an Illustrator Intensive, lead by Dan Yaccarino. My take from this conference this year? Be Bold!!!
Thank you to all the Houston SCBWI coordinators. It was a good conference!