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!

Writing and Illustrating


Click on the picture above to see the next page.

Here’s a new character for a story  that I wrote last month while participating in the 12 x 12 writing challenge.  It’s been interesting to  do a book design and character that was funny, but still sweet like the story. After wrestling with him for about a week, I think I’ve found him.   Now you don’t have to illustrate anything to participate in the 12 x12 challenge.

That’s just what I did with this one, but I am learning a lot about myself as both a writer and an illustrator.

There are eleven more to be written, and I doubt there will be eleven dummy books to go with them…. for now !      :)

Ruby Gets Color


I thought it might be interesting to show how Ruby went from sketch to finished illustration. This is will be one of the color examples in my book dummy. I’ve got quite a few more pages to go, so…. back to work!

Ruby Rue

These are pages 14 and 15 of my book dummy.  I’m at the half way point, and trying to get it finished by the Houston SCBWI conference on April 9, 2011.

Here Ruby considers a menu change….. to say the least!!