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!

Houston SCBWI Conference 2011

So every year I write a little about the conference right after I’ve attended, but this year I seem to have procrastinated for lack of words..or photographs… or exhaustion maybe. I don’t know.

I won’t give you the line up or the deets of everyone’s talks. There are plenty of blogs that have already covered that. Besides, I don’t want to spoil it for you should you get the opportunity to hear the wonderful speakers that were there! http://www.scbwi-houston.org/calendar/2011-conference-the-art-of-book-craft/.  I will tell you though, how I felt at the conference.

I’ve been very busy this year with my first illustrated book,  I See Animals Sleeping coming out in June 2011, a completed book dummy and working to get my portfolio in order for the conference, So I felt tired and a little anxious. Isn’t there always a little anxiety when you show your portfolio? You  might as well be showing your heart… but there is was.   My quirky heart… I mean portfolio!

I had my portfolio review with Laurent Linn, who I must say,  is the nicest and most intuitive reviewer I’ve ever experienced.  He gave me ideas and directions and confirmed some things for me. I needed to hear what he had to say!

And you know what… I won the portfolio competition!  …. and now… my head is full of all kinds of ideas…. and some are … well kind of quirky!

Houston SCBWI Conference

Saturday, April 9th is the Houston SCBWI Conference. Here’s the lineup of great speakers in attendance.

Ruth McNally Barshaw
Author-Illustrator of the Ellie McDoodle Series

Kate Fletcher, Editor Candlewick

Leah Hultenschmidt, Sourcebook Inc.

Laurent Linn, Art Director, Simon and Schuster

Sara Megibow, Associate Literary Agent Nelson Literary Agency, LLC

Brenda Murray, Senior Editor, Scholastic

Abby Ranger, Editor, Disney Hyperion .

Anna Webman, Agent, Curtis Brown

This week I’ll be adding  some of the new work to my portfolio that I’ve worked on this year. I’ve finished my dummy book and will be taking it with me as well.  It will be a lot of fun to meet up with friends that I usually only get to talk to online! See you there!