Pretty Good for a Girl...

NY SCBWI Conference

2012-01-30T17:50:00.001-08:00

I don't know if I'll write a recap about the NY SCBWI Winter conference. I just want to say that what a treat it is to meet people in person after getting to know them online. How wonderful to have a base line for friendship of common interests, mutual passion and shared dreams. I have a favorite show of all time, Northern Exposure. There's an episode where the young Shaman Ed, takes Dr. Joel Fleischman into the woods at night and shows him a clearing covered with phosphorescent mushrooms. He explains that why they glow is that under the soil- they all share the same root system. - every single SCBWI conference I think of this episode. - Because we are connected we all glow a little brighter.

Old Dog - New Tricks

2012-01-25T06:50:00.000-08:00

Yes- you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. BUT - expect it to take a long time and lots of treats.I have been trying to learn WordPress with the intent of consolidating my online "presence".Oy to the Vey!!You can watch the carnage over at kellylight.com. It's slooowly taking shape.When the time comes, dear Blogger, we shall part.So heads up!Prepare for the move. Start packing up around here.I'll let you know when it's done. - Kelly

Ada walks on.

2012-01-19T06:32:00.000-08:00

The back of the picture reads "Ada Boardwalk 1915"

I find stories in old pictures. I rescue these forgotten moments in time.

Was Ada walking away? Was she leaving? Escaping?

Or, was Ada walking towards something?

From the looks of that sturdy gait and jaunty hat,

Ada had a plan. A goal.

Ada knew where she was going.

I see her as a strong individual. Able to own who she is.

Filled with the confidence that can only come from knowing who you are.

Ready to move on from people, places and things that were

feeding off of her. She would not let them.

She had places to go.

Walk on, Ada.

2012 arrived- and I could not give 2011 the finger!

2012-01-12T10:31:00.000-08:00

Yup. I'm kinda happy 2011 is gone. I felt like crap all year. The holidaze came and found my right hand, the hand I draw with- shriveled. My middle finger decided to turn into a cooked shrimp in my palm. All of the tendons tightened and it locked in and out of place along with a lot of pain.

Thing about the ever useful middle finger is- it drags it's neighbors down with it.

I could not draw. I tried. I got frustrated. I drew the holiday card down below by taping the wacom pen to a splint.

Good times!

Not being able to draw is inconceivable to me.

So - I have had some health issues for a very long time. I have been to many many doctors who have pretty much told me I was nuts. I chose to go to a doctor that was non traditional. She told me I was not nuts. This week I went on thyroid medication. As a result, my finger uncurled.

My finger is now free to flip the bird.

Yes - 3 days and it moves and doesn't lock up! Such a small movement- allows you to do or not do so much. Couldn't braid my daughter's hair, open a jar, go to the gym.... such a small body part caused all kinds of frustration and worry and now.. relief. Ahhhhhhhhh....

If you see me and I flip you the bird, take no offense please. I'm really just rejoicing in the motor skill freedom I have regained!

So I doodled today for the first time.

Who else is watching Downton Abbey!?!?!? Who else freakin LOVES it? It has got to be a cut above the average historic costume drama- cause my husband usually runs screaming from them to the safety of his sci fi movies. He's hooked. My Mom's hooked. So many friends are hooked.

And out of all of this Turn of the Century British Greatness- rises the greatest of all. Maggie Smith.

I love her and always have but- she seems to get better and better.

So I doodled her. It's what came out of the hand- maybe I'll take it further, but I am rusty. I usually don't show stuff this rough but- today, I am thrilled by the act of drawing- and don't care a fig about the results!!

I hope we all have healthy , happy, productive, art filled - 2012's !!!!

Happy Holidaze!!

2011-12-19T10:01:00.000-08:00

'Twas the day of Christmas and Santa called down
Hey Ma- How 'bout dinner in Chinatown?
There's a movie theatre there, just cross the street,
if we get a small popcorn we'll leave room to eat"

The waiters brought dishes of moo shoo and chow fun

and fortune cookies when the meal was all done.
They carried their leftovers on the sleigh flight:

"Good Yom Tov to all - and to all a Good Night!"

My Holiday Wishes to all of you and yours;

may these days bring you

peace,

warmth,

comfort

and joy.

-and a cookie or two.

'Until the New Year!

-Kelly

PiBoIdMo: Tuning in your station : WKLT

2011-12-01T08:53:00.001-08:00

PiBoIdMo? Tuning in your station?

What do I mean?

I collect old radios. I’m a nut about them. Here’s my favorite.

My radio is a 1940 Zenith 12-s-471 black dial with 3 waves. It sits in my living room. I love it. So much. Sometimes I kiss it... (I digress....)

SO - It's an old tube radio.
It has a tuning eye. When you turn it on, it takes a minute or two to warm up the tubes and the tuning eye slowly glows as a hum builds. Slowly turning the dial - in and out come the AM radio stations. In between the stations are the crackles and static.

The month of PiBoIdMo - has been all about tuning in to our own stations. Finding that sweet spot on the dial where our imaginations and our uniqueness is loud and clear may be heard amidst the crackle and static of everyday life.

When we sat down to write, we were like an old radio.

As we turned that knob, we heard the usual different distractions that can stop us from creating. The pitch people calling out to us of the status of industry, the odds against us, what is “in” right now in publishing, to write fewer and fewer words and that pink is always the “new pink”. There are also the stand out radio shows that seem to blast at us - crime dramas like ,“The Online Time Burglar” and our own scary mystery... “The Show of DOOM”. (The voice of self doubt sounds kinda like OrsonWelles)

That hum when our tubes are warming up is a perfect time to ask ourselves- "What should I write about?""What do I know for sure? or "What do I want to know more about?" "What do I know I am good at?" and "What do I know I need to work on?""Where can I go today?" "Who is this character going with me?"

How do I find my own station on this crowded dial? I think about what I love to do. What I love to see. What I love to hear. What I loved as a kid and who I loved as a kid. What I wanted as a kid and how badly I wanted it. What was challenging as a kid? What was weird or silly or wacky? All of that stuff feeds my creative soul and my imagination.

I can also tune OUT what I do not want to listen to. I am trying to tune out more and more on that crowded dial, so that my station comes in loud and clear, and through this wonky old radio- I can sound all warm and full and resonate out on those airwaves - uniquely, my own call letters.- WKLT.

I took the month of PiBoIdMo to jot down every single idea that popped into my head and organize them along with the 15 that I already had been playing with. First I scribbled, stream of Consciousness gobbly gook- one idea to a piece of paper. Then I created a journal. I organized them thoughtfully in order of what I felt were viable to create dummies from. The ones that I felt would flow easily are first... the ones that are less clear or not as good are last. Perhaps they just need longer to warm up. I find I have lined up some really good ones and am excited to hit the books- literally and submit fresh with the new year! - I tuned in and found my station this month!

Now that you have found that sweet spot on the dial for yourself - don't lose it. Old radios need to be played. Shut them off and don't use them and the tubes will just stop working. Be sure to turn it on regularly and let it warm up! Your own call letters... write 'em down... make a sign! I can't wait to listen to your station.... Let's crowd the dial.

So all those cool cats can listen....

Giving Thanks

2011-11-17T09:25:00.001-08:00

It's Turkey Week.

The day of Thanksgiving is a day that is supposed to be filled with family and food and cozy naps when you're exploding from too much food...

I, will be on a ginormous boat on the high seas. My Thanksgiving may be filled with me on the bathroom floor- sea sick. I am going on a week long cruise with my In Laws. It was left in my husband's Grandmother's will- that we should all go, all expenses paid - on Thanksgiving- on this cruise. I know- don't look a gift cruise ship in the mouth. It just feels so wrong to be cruising in the Caribbean so far away from home on the day that defines home.

Yet, when I think of Nana Gerri and her dying wish, it warms my heart. So, I am going- to reflect on being Thankful for that lovely woman who welcomed me, a shiksa, into her ample Bubelah bosom. She was the member of the family that made me feel loved. For her yiddish, her appliqued effervescence, and her matzoh ball soup,I am truly Thankful.

I do like that we reflect on gratitude for the things that matter this week. There are many things to be thankful for!

This Week I am very Thankful for a new undertaking...

PICTURE THIS

Picture This is a Tumblr blog - one stop blog for all your Kid Lit Link needs!
Casey Girard and Dani Jones were brainstorming this last week and asked me and Diandra Mae to join in the fun. We, along with all the kidlitosphere... will provide content in one, concise stream pertaining to the world of Childrens' Publishing. We are taking submissions of links, check out the form and read the info. It's a fun, easy way - to gather the "Goings On" and "Gather Together"-you know like that Thanksgiving song...

While I am riding the Gratitude Train...

Always thankful for my friends over at The Sketchables! - these ladies keep me on my drawing toes. Not that I draw with my toes... but maybe I should try to....

I am also quite, quite thankful for my writing crit group. Just joining them in this journey has boosted my confidence as a writer. We have had some "hangouts" at night- that tho' we are spread across the country, feel like we are sitting around my coffee table. Thanks Bonnie Adamson, Nina Crittendon, Diandra Mae, Courtney Pippin-Mathur and Angela Matteson.

I am Thankful for the friendships that I have with fellow illustrators - it has filled a void that I don't think I could ever measure. Especially the one I sat down next to by fate's design, I am sure...Kathy Blackmore. We have had some adventures in art together!

Who isn't thankful for NPR? NPR - I love you.
I was listening today driving home from the gym, to a chef talk about the spiritual fulfillment of everyday tasks...like chopping onions, "There is a Zen saying, "Before Enlightenment chop wood carry water, after Enlightenment, chop wood carry water.""

It's always little moments like these - nuggets of knowledge, insights into alternative points of view - that I get from NPR.

I am thankful for the inspired idea that has inspired others to have inspired ideas- Thanks, Tara Lazar for PiBoIdMo. You are doing a lot of work to help others creatively and you are a gem.

At the risk of spraining my arm- I'm gonna pat myself on the back and say thanks- to me- for speaking up at the gym this morning when a woman called another woman a "cow" - because she had put on weight. I am finally able to feel that "OH HELL NO" feeling- and speak it. I have told my daughter from the time she was in a stroller - people are like art- we come in all colors and shapes. We paint the canvas that is life - and that's what makes life beautiful. How do we frame that art? In the way we treat each other. How do we view that art?- thru kind eyes. I can't complain about the direction the world is going if I am a back seat driver. I'll take the wheel. - look out!

I also - recently chose to not sign with an agent because I listened, hard - to myself. I trusted my own judgement and I am wholly secure that it was the right decision for me. Two years ago, I wore my illustrator's heart on my sleeve. Today- I am willing to wait and make the right move. Thankful for age, experience and clarity. If only it came at 24.

And most, most of all- I am Thankful for my husband and my daughter. They are the beginning, the middle and the end of everyday of my life.

Now- The Turkey Cruise doesn't seem so bad!- One week to reflect on being grateful while sippin' the fruity drinks! Pass the frozen cranberry margarita!!

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!

HALLOWEEEEeeennn.......

2011-10-31T05:53:00.000-07:00

I love Ghost Stories. I always have. When I was a kid, I read The Canterbury Ghost over and over. One of my favorite things to watch was the "Creature Feature" on TV. Don't even get me started on Edgar Allan Poe!... (they are making a movie- John Cusack as Poe... (Poe is suddenly sexy? I'll go with that, Mr. Cusack... I've been waiting for you to call me for like 30 years)

I am MADLY anticipating Daniel Radcliffe in THIS . - ghost stories... not gore, not slash- I have no interest in "Saw Anything".... but give me a creepy, old, dilapidated house at the end of the block.... and I'm there.

My daughter, Mags, has a best friend who devours the Goose Bumps books. Mags thinks they are too scary- ???? - crazy kid. Last Year for Halloween, I gave her this book:

by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Kelly Murphy, Antoine Revoy

She loved it.

This year - we will read by the fireplace in the dark....

by Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by Brett Helquist

The fun! The Thrills! The Chills!

Give your kid a real TREAT this Halloween... give them a -scary- book!

.....it creeps
And leaps and glides and slides...
...Across the floor....
...Right through the door....
....And all around the wall....
...A splotch, a blotch...

......Be careful of the blob

Happy Hauntings this Halloween!

C- Unacceptable! Please Re-do the assignment, I mean, doodle.

2011-10-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

Your Crit- should you choose to accept it...

What was going on Kelly? this drawing was all kinds of wonky last night.

You could say it's only the third drawing you have done on your Cintiq- and you are still not used to it. Perhaps you are sitting too close, zooming in too much and not out enough. AND your chair is too low.

BUT those would all be excuses. No excuses for bad anatomy- not for you.

Please read comments and fix your work .

Much better! I wish you had taken this much time last night to complete your doodle before posting. Remember - needing art for your blog is not a reason for bad art. Whatever you put out there - it's got your name on it.

Her head is still a little big- but it's just a doodle.

Now get back to work.

Today's Doodle - Jedi Jane

2011-10-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

This drawing is so wonky.

I am getting out my red pen and critting the hell

out of myself.

Stay Tuned.

Today's doodle was brought to you by my husband. In a vain attempt to hold on to his Sci-Fi dominance over our child, He told her a mash-up Austen/Star Wars bed time story last night.

As he turned out the light and said "Sweet Dreams".... the 11 year old turned over on her pillow and said, "That was the stupidest thing I have ever heard."

I’m having a dinner party in The Hereafter.

2011-10-12T07:53:00.000-07:00

You are cordially invited to a Dinner Party in The Hereafter

Friday Night
5:30 PM cocktails
7:00 PM Dinner

Attire- come as you are for it is just how I like you.

I’m having a dinner party in The Hereafter.

My guest list tickles me so.

There will be such talk and an abundance of laughter and perhaps a bit of friendly debate.

The table will be large and round. The room is lit by the stars.

The menu is of no matter- we each shall have our favorites.

You are all the center pieces of my table.

I shall set our your place cards, if only to be able to write your names- but do, feel free to move about.

There need be no end to our fun, as time no longer matters.

The Guest List to whet your appetite:

John Lennon

Norman Rockwell

Jane Austen

Maxfield Parrish

Charles Schulz

Chuck Jones

Walt Disney

Jesse Wilcox Smith

Harvey Pikar

Steve Jobs

Lucille Ball

Oscar Wilde

George Harrison

Audrey Hepburn

Emily Dickinson

Jimmy Stewart

Billy Holiday

George Gerswhin

Al Hirschfeld

Walt Kelly

Beatrix Potter

Theodor Geisel

Coco Chanel

Katherine Hepburn

Humphrey Bogart

Mel Blanc

Julia Childs

Jackie Gleason

Mrs. Stevens (my first grade teacher- she was a hoot)

I anticipate the evening and imagine the limitless eternity of fun.

Until then, your host, Kelly Light

Who would you invite to your dinner party in The Hereafter?

I did not include family- that would be for Holidays. This is all about selfish, indulgent dreams and desires.

Ahhh... just the thought.

Caught up - my own small protest.

2011-10-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

I wrote a letter to the President today about THIS

It moved me to do something I never do. Write the President. Speak out.

Dear President Obama,

"Starving Artist", ring any bells? Imagine, if you will - prosperous economic times. I know it's hard to these days, but we have had some. During these prosperous economic times, a middle class father and mother save for their talented child to go to college and study art. They support that child's talent, passion and drive to make themselves the best creator they can be. They know, full well, that their child will never be rich. They hope for the best, but face the reality of the worst- that child will have a huge ,life long struggle to balance the pursuit of art, the thing they love to do and making a living.
These are not prosperous times. Most artists I know, and I am one, struggle more than ever to hold tight to their passion and create not only for themselves but for the enjoyment of others. We face many a client who wishes to convince us to work for little or no money because we will somehow - get exposure through their project.
Exposure - you cannot eat. Exposure does not give you shelter. Exposure is not fair pay. All of those jobless, homeless people out there in 2011, how many are artists?
I am insulted by this project, President Obama. You insult the struggling. How many millions will you raise for your campaign- and from that you can not pay a freelance rate for these posters? You will sell these posters to help that campaign?
This is exploitation of artists. It’s considered kind of unethical in the world of the freelance artist. I did vote for you. I did hope with you. I will not create for you because art, sir, is my job and you -wish me to do it for free. That would make me, jobless.

I don't think there is a problem with asking artists to do this in a different way, for a different reason. certainly not to raise money for your campaign. Yet perhaps- you could pay them a fair hourly freelance rate, as an example of creating jobs. create jobs through creating art for the people.
Why we as a country are so oblivious to the truly spectacular moments of our past and do not draw inspiration from them- is beyond me. The WPA created such tremendous creations that lifted up the spirits of the people at a time of great "depression". Art, today, could certainly be used to do the same. This could have been handled in a much more "community building" way than in the way it was actually worded and presented. Not so much to create art for the president- but to create art for the people. Drawing, most timely, on the calls of the protesters about our nation. Not so clearly attached to one political agenda, but to the needs and the passion of the people.

On WPA works: "They stand as a reminder of a time in our country’s history when dreams were not allowed to be destroyed by economic disaster." see - http://www.wpamurals.com/

New Deal/WPA Art Project

www.wpamurals.com

Respectfully a disappointed American artist,

Kelly Light

I posted it here- inspired by a fellow artist Susie Ghahremani

She's fabulously talented- check her out!

HER POST

School Picture Day

2011-10-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

In 1964, Pamela had her junior high school picture taken. She had her Great Aunt's smile.

Just Dance....

2011-09-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I drew some squirrels dancing for The SKETCHABLES!

"Fall is for squirrels. The joyous abundance of nuts falling off the trees.. makes them want to dance. You've seen them move- with the ease and lightness of Astaire. Their swooping tails like the chiffon of Ginger's dress... strike up the band with some sweeping melody and watch the show. It's pretty colorful! I love Autumn."

Today they danced through my brain to that Gershwin tune...

You must look at these and think of this....

I certainly do and did as I drew them.

It is one of my very favorite pieces of Disney Animation.

The squirrels are so perfectly- exactingly, anthropomorphic.

So human in expression and gesture and yet -

so, damn, squirrel like.

I especially love the girl. And her "Gek-oop sound"

And her shuddering cry at the end ------ heart breaking.

Gah! I love it!

It's one of those pieces of art that I watch and grip my hair in my fists and think,

That's how good I wanna be!

Well, House of Mouse.. you never made the sequel

that you were supposed to!!

So in my mind-

They meet again in an Arthur Murray Studio..

go for coffee after the lesson...

and go all Fred and Ginger- off into

the sunset together.

Ah- L'amour among the acorns...

"My Friend Jane"

2011-09-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

"My Friend Jane"

The month of August was spent in quiet - reflective family time.
Early this summer, my 11 year old attempted to read Sense and Sensibility. She was given this lovely edition from Penguin classics as a gift.

She is all too aware of my fervent ardor for all things Austen. I think she was trying to bond but wound up being frustrated. She couldn't get into it. I told her, I read them in college. Wait. You'll get them, you just have to live more.

Then my husband decided this summer was the time to Explore the Final Frontier. A Star Trek marathon that lasted a month. No, no. This would not do.

So - I started a marathon of Jane Austen films 3 weeks ago.

Oh- we are all a flutter in the Light House.

The happy conclusion is we have bonded. The talk is all merriment of balls and bonnets and barouche boxes.
Her long curly blond hair is now her greatest feature and no longer the bane of her existence. She has pulled it to the side with a ribbon and gone off to school in these...

Which she says "Are so Jane..."

When she was 8, I was writing a PB idea called "My Friend Jane". She had a group of friends that made me think of what it would be like to be young girlfriends, about 11, back in the Regeny period. Girls are girls at that age. All silly and BFF's no matter the language and the dress.

The book was narrated by "Lizzie" - about her friend Jane who preferred the feather of her pen to a feather in her hair. The idea was to be a book about friendship- but in the end- the back page was a letter, telling you it had all been written by your friend Jane, who urged you to take up your own pen.

I abandoned the idea after Jane Austen was paraded about with Zombies and Sea Monsters. I read a book called "Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife" that made me have to take a cold shower. I thought Jane had been overexposed and commercialized past the point of tribute. (tribute, homage - I am all for - check out "Lost in Austen" -TVseries- brilliant)

After this month- I am secure in my feelings for Jane. She is a constant. 194 years after her death, the characters she created are still as real to the right reader or viewer as they were when she wrote them.

She has been a true friend and I am all gratitude for my daughter's introduction into her society.

These illos are all older works.. you can find them back in the blog... way back. I would do them differently now. But I think sharing Jane with my daughter has fulfilled the need to pay tribute to her- just pass Jane on.

THE SKETCHABLES! are Back from Summer Vacation!

2011-09-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

When Dante was writing his Inferno... with those nine circles of Hell -

he forgot one - Middle School.

Maybe he didn't forget.

Maybe he just couldn't bring himself to revisit it.

The lock. The locker. The class changing.

The pimples. The puberty.

The crushes. The heart break.

The bad hair.

The growing pains.

The friendship hop scotch.

The Gym classes.

The way your parents become idiots over night.

(Or at least "weirdos")

The intensity of feeling that we experienced in middle school- just never happens again. EVERYTHING is the most important thing ever.

They'll get thru it. They'll run that 3 year gauntlet- and cross the finish line.

The prize on the other side- a firmer grasp on knowing who you are- and who you can be.

But - Oh boy, I don't envy them at all.

THE SKETCHABLES!

Forgotten Conference Moments

2011-08-11T08:04:00.000-07:00

Sitting here this morning.. I remembered the other things I was supposed to post about the conference.

First: To the lady, seated in the row in front of me who, just before David Small was going to speak - stood up and said "The next person is just an illustrator- so I'm gonna go."

You win the "Loser of the conference Award."

Second: Sometimes, in Thunder Dome... one's eyes drift over to see what action one's portfolio is getting. Mine eyes did just that. There stood a man, elegant, salt and pepper hair and beard.. smiling ear to ear. That made me happy. Then I realized it was author Bruce Coville - that made me spankin' happy. I'd love to have more authors show up to support the illustrators.

Mr. Coville wins the "Elegant Author with wonderful taste Award."

Kid Lit Drink Night happened across the street at the Century City Mall @ the inappropriately named , "Pink Taco". Really. I had to tell my husband , "We went out last night. I ate at the Pink Taco." - C'Mon!

Pink Taco, You win the ,"Only in L.A. Award"

At The Pink Taco, Agent Mary Kole was holding a 30 second "Pitch Slam". We watched the mele. We chatted with an Austrailian Illustrator named Leslie Vamos. I am 40- I am a Mom. I looked at this petite young, little (I can say that- I'm 5' 2"), talented , cute, spit fire of a fantastic drawer and immediately felt maternal. She signed up to do a pitch. She was about to get slammed and she was so confident. I couldn't be afraid to do something that this whipper snapper seemed perfectly cool doing - like it was as easy as ordering a non-fat, decaf - no whip, caramel macchiatto...

Leslie wins the "I'm the shit and I know it" Award

I had met Mary Kole a few weeks back in NYC @ the NJ SCBWI networking dinner. Here I was standing 3 feet away - wanting the chance to say, "Hi" - and with the aid of 2 Mojitos and Leslie's bravado, Jim Hill's and Diandre Mae's and Angela Matteson's quick help throwing together my idea.... I signed up and pitched a picture book story. I have never done this before. It was not a pleasant experience. 30 SECONDS GO! I rambled and all I heard was "WHY? WHY SHOULD I CARE? SOUNDS KINDA PREACHY! MAYBE WITH CUTE ART IT COULD WORK! YOU SHOULD TALK TO KELLY LIGHT! (I still don't get that last part- last time I checked, I was Kelly Light)

I was a deer in the headlights that were Mary Kole's eyeballs and she has eyebrows that are extremely expressive... expressing "I will squash you like a tiny illustrator bug".

But I was able to laugh at it- laugh at her and laugh at myself. Now, at least I've done it. Next time won't be so bad.

I win the "I grew a Ball" Award

I did. Illustrator ball number one.

"post conference post" - or "What really matters , like spazzy kids who sing "I like Potatoes""

2011-08-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

There's a Beatles song

that goes:

"It's all too much for me to take

The love that's shining all around here

All the world is birthday cake,

So take a piece

but not too much"

The SCBWI L.A. conference was great. Overwhelmingly great.

It really is almost too much to bear. Like birthday cake- so delicious, so - good...

and always better in small slices. I'm not gonna do a mega post and go through all of the days in great detail- cause you and I both will get a tummy ache.

I'll give you a taste- of what were my favorite bites.

Truly the best part is seeing friends. Mostly friends that I have online who I have met at other conferences. Three fifths of THE SKETCHABLES were present. Priscilla Burris, Diandre Mae and I. Priscilla did an amazing job of organizing the Illustrators weekend. She is a generous and supportive and encouraging spirit. AND she deserves a vacation.

My roommate - my com padre, my conscience, my sister from another mister , Kathy Blackmore and I had a blast.

Everyone else - I loved seeing all of you and await a time I can see you and speak the same language with you again.

The speeches are inspirational.

Some of the things that hit me square between the eyes, I jot down- in my messy , soundbite filled sketchbook. (if your looking for good notes- you ain't gonna find them on this blog)

Soundbites:

Jerry Pinkney:

"My Grandfather worked in a pencil factory"

"I am a drawer at heart"

"I had a friend who was a grown man who got up everyday and made images"

Katie Davis:

"Be Diabolical in your ways to conquer the world"

Gary Paulsen:

"My name on a library card made me "somebody"

(my beloved)

David Small:

(quoting Phillip Larkin)

"Life is a shit storm and when it rains the only umbrella we have is art."

"I started drawing the way I wanted to draw at 40"

"Make your line breathe"

Kadir Nelson:

"I owe a lot to my wife, she is an OVERTIME Mom"

Oh - and he mentioned Jeremy Lipking painting tutorial videos -who I had as a college prof for watercolors. The man was brilliant and kind.

Richard Jesse Watson:

(quoting Maurice Sendak)

"My art is shit"

"Remember how to play as a kid"

"Do a Q & A with your characters"

Judy Blume:

"The intimacy is in the pencil, not on the screen"

Marla Frazee:

"I get 100% done and think- Oh God, this isn't right"

"Characters, scale and color move the story"

Denise Fleming:

She did Care Bears licensed books before making paper. She said it was all wrong for her because

"I'm not sweet- and I'm not neat"

There's so much more- but you can find so much online about the amazing Richard Peck's speech and Laurie Halse Anderson- go to the SCBWI blog and soak it up - it's wonderful.

What resounded in my soul was the emphasis on drawing. Like Jerry Pinkney- I too am a drawer at heart. David Small did live life drawing. He rattled off more drawing knowledge and displayed more drawing chops than every other artist in that building. Kadir Nelson spoke of painting more from life for more subtletly and nuance. Get thee to a life drawing class- or get thee to a crowded place- sketch book in hand and draw peeps! Draw!

When I walked up into my studio today- I walked into a room filled with cut paper on the floor and scattered bad prints and the general disheveled pre-conference state that my mind was in. I don't want that anymore. The freak out is no longer welcome in this studio. I walked Thunder Dome - I saw my work out there, I got an unprecedented amount of good feedback. I did not win anything and that's ok this time. The folks that did deserved it. I can say publicly now that I predicted a win from John Deininger.- He worked his tucchus off this year- and I love his work to itsy bitsy pieces. I couldn't be happier to have been right!

The time of me fretting over a portfolio is over. No more worrying about creating images from book ideas. It's time for me to create books.This blog may suffer a bit. I hope you'll still be around if I don't post as often. Gotta get quiet for awhile. Quiet in the head and heart so I can hear that inner voice.

The Illustrator Intensive was the singular best day as an SCBWI member that I have ever had. I do hope that they continue along these lines. I also hope that they bring back the Master Class. Now that Tomie DePaola is retired- I nominate Richard Jesse Watson to take the role of teacher. He's pretty damn awesome at being infectious about experimentation and play and open to sharing with other illustrators.

So many people clambered for magic secrets at the Illustrator Intensive.

"What kind of paper is that? "Where can I get that pen?"

It made me think that they thought there was a magic pill one can swallow to create at the level we were watching.

Those artists could do beautiful work with a stick in the dirt.

They do beautiful work, they are successful because they have put in the time. They have done the work. They have done the hard, painful- work to get to where they are today.

Pencil in hand... or stick in the dirt, I want to get there too.

All in all- the conference gives you the kick in the arse to keep going for another year. This year the goal is to do that real, hard, painful work.

I was sitting at the gate in the airport to come home and the flight was delayed for over an hour. People were miserable. A little clear voice rang out... singing.....

"I like potatoes...I like potatoes...."

She was a spaz. She took over her row of seats and turned it into a stage and put Liza Minnelli to shame in her showmanship. I had to draw her- as fast as I could and scribble down every last word of her song.

Messy - not great drawing. But I captured her spirit. I thought about her on the flight home. She must have fallen asleep because there was no in flight entertainment. So I drew her again...

It's all about life drawing. I've spent my life drawing.

Thanks for the

the reminder SCBWI..

to keep doing it.

David Small - in L.A.

2011-08-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

Here in L.A.- it's an inspiration overload. It's hard after 3 days to tell which ways is up or down or out or in. All you know is what floor you go to next and do I have time to pee and will I cry for the 25th time today?

I enjoyed so many of the talks and I saw Judy Blume with my own eyes and I have so many good books to read when I get home ..... but....

Then there was Small.

When I was a first year illustration major- we were told to go to the store, pick up a kid's book that you really liked- and come to class ready to explain why you like it. And then- try to "emulate" that illustrator's style in an illustration. I picked up "The King has horse's ears"- by David Small. I still have that book and I still have my pretty good David Small impersonation art. I have bought his books over the years - cracked open the cover and felt exactly like I did at 18 looking at his work for the first time. How does he do that? How is he so loose and so good at the same time? How does he flow with that brush and ink? How does it flow across the page and thru the story? I have loved his line- I have worshiped his watercolor - low these many, many years. I was strung out for days after reading "Stitches". I was and still am floored that a person who had such an awful childhood creates such beauty for children.

His is a Transcendent life.

HE is my conference take away. His line. His watercolor. His spirit. His example.

I have that spot, above my studio door. You know, where I hang the pics of people who inspire me? You can find them in the back catalog of the blog. I have had an empty spot for 6 years... waiting for someone. I know who is going there when I get home. David Small.

2011-08-01T13:24:00.000-07:00

it's almost done. It may look dark- but now it needs to get distressed and put on old postcard paper- and creased. I have to go to the store!

It's not your eyes- it's intentionally blurry... it's an old photograph... or maybe it's me.

Rome is burning..I didn't fiddle tho! sleep... zzzzz

2011-07-31T22:07:00.001-07:00

Rome will be finished before I go to bed sometime tomorrow morning...

2011-07-31T15:40:00.000-07:00

Rome wasn't built in a day......

2011-07-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

How are things shaping up.... very slowly. We're seeping Sepia over here...

The Smiley Family in action

2011-07-28T09:10:00.000-07:00

All day I drew this! Oy Vey!

I have been working on this story for two years. It's near and dear to my heart. It's not an easy family nor an easy story to tell. At it's heart is Baby Gail, the little big eyed girl on the left. It's her story and it's a story of a quiet person who's in the background of a family of very, very aggressive personalities who do big things. The simple act of this little person documenting the family history in a big 'ol photo album and passing it on may just be the biggest thing anyone in The Smiley Family has ever done.

The color in the story changes from sepia to gorgeous black and white to full color- as photography does. It helps the passage of time.

My studio is wall papered with this family. Generation after generation. Til now- I have done portraits mostly. I have some candid pics. The 1960's which I was drawing last, get pretty fun. Over many years,
I have amassed a huge collection of old photographs and albums. This project grew out of my unending love of old stuff. Old clothes, old photos, times gone by- and the death of my Grandmother.

I hadn't put that last part together until recently. I think it's my way to rewrite the end of her life. My character is not her, but it's a character that is content with the way things play out.

I've gotten a lot of good feedback on the illustrations. It's now my task to finish the story. Baby Gail deserves that much.

Lower word count - 700 being the sweet spot, means more story in the pictures. This sketch was an attempt at that.

Now to paint!

Color Study:

The 3 P's

2011-07-26T11:17:00.000-07:00

The 3 P's of Success!!!

Ok - Passion: CHECK! Got it!

Persistence! CHECK! - refer to post about Frank Sinatra song below.

I pick myself up and get back in the race.

Patience?... Well, that's harder. That's relative. I am both patient and impatient. You all get that right?

OK- back to work. End of the illustrator's P.S.A. for

today.

2011-07-25T22:09:00.000-07:00

Whadda'ya doin' Kelly?

Tryin' to cram a whole lotta art out in the last week before LA?

Just cause it's new - does that mean it's good?

It's existential art crisis time here in the Light Studio.

Hazy Crazy Summer

2011-07-22T04:33:00.000-07:00

All Prep for SCBWI LA was stopped for a week as my computer died, freelance spot illos (above) called and Summer came along and whacked me in the head - literally - migraines.

My last minute postcard is off to the printer today.Fingers crossed all that it gets here by August 3d!!!

We now return to our regularly scheduled art cram......

Hey!? Can a girl get some sodas and pretzels and beer?!?

Tootsie popping

2011-07-13T12:26:00.000-07:00

How many bad drawings does it take to get to a good drawing? The world may never know.

Image of How many licks

Louise Took it

2011-07-08T14:19:00.001-07:00

Up there on the header? Louise! - by a landslide... I decided to keep her name and her hair. She is who she is. Now, let's tell her story.

Main Character Smack Down! Vote for Winner

2011-07-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

Ok- We have reached the pivotal moment. Who will be the main character? Who do you think best represents the character?

Character traits again:

2nd grader
Art enthusiast- like a Pokemon fanatic but with all things artsy fartsy
Needs to come across as kooky yet sweet and appealing

OK! Let me know what you think... as I thumbnail....

Final Contender : Norma

2011-07-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

Character Challenger: Louise!!!

2011-07-05T21:31:00.001-07:00

First Up: Jessie Poses

2011-07-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

Battle Round!

2011-07-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

On to BATTLE ROUND!

Louise and Jessie were the clear winners of the first 2 rounds.

Norma surprised many. Was it the blue hair? The china flats? Watch this one - she may yet take it.

They were not my first choices- but I am trusting in the educated tastes of my com-padres... as I tend to like drawing less appealing characters. It's a good lesson for me.

Now I will give them each 3 pose suggestions.

1. Exclaiming "I LOVE IT!"

2. In class desk top doodling

3. important pose from double page spread - reveling in art

Off to draw!

Casting Call - Round 2

2011-06-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

So Far it Looks like Louise is the winner of Round 1. (named after Louise Nevelson)

The next candidates for your consideration are up.

More about the "part". A second grader who is crazy about art. Crazy as in eats. sleeps, breathes it.
She is a cross between Edna Mode/ Dieter from Sprockets and Tabitha from Salon Takeover on Bravo and the chick from Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World. She's a loveable KOOK. Not sweet - but fun. An individual that maybe not all of the kids "get"- but her passion is infectious.

OK- Here we go on my feelings:

Norma: You have the coolest Mom cause she let you dye your hair. You let your freak flag fly.

Mary: You suffer from the common misconception that art is "fashionable". Tho- nice hair. I like the mod edge.

Jessie: You are the one doodling on every single scrap of paper and test. Maybe you are the quiet artiste- not the gallery curator.

The part is for the kid that can lead a group of kids to put on an art show. Pick the character that you can hear yelling, arms in the air...."I LOVE IT!" - over and over.

OK - Vote someone in or out of the book. The top 3 will come to call backs and I'll do a few character poses for the final pick.

PS She will most likely wear the striped shirt - they all have a thing for striped french sailor tees- it's them, really ;)

Casting Call !

2011-06-30T04:28:00.000-07:00

Designing characters for a mini-book I'm doing for Promo out in L.A.

Main character is a 2nd grade Art Enthusiast. She can rattle off names like Caravaggio and Modigliani faster than most boys can say "Pickachu".

The first 3 characters up for consideration:

Georgia: I'm sorry. You're just not cool enough. You're trying too hard. You will be considered for a classmate, sans beret.

Louise: I like you. You have the Etsy Girl/ nerdy thing going for you. Just, maybe, not enough ego.

Andie: So far, You are the front runner. You've got the look and the swagger. Also, Andy Warhol thinks you should have your 15 minutes.

Next Group!

I invite Voting in the comments!! It's like a reality TV Competition!

That's Life!

2011-06-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

That's life
That's what all the people say
You're riding high in April
Shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, back on top in June

I said that's life
And as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks
Stomping on a dream
But I don't let it, let it get me down
'Cause this fine old world
It keeps spinning around

I've been a puppet, a pauper,
A pirate, a poet,
A pawn and a king,
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing
Each time I find myself
Flat on my face
I pick myself up and get back in the race

That's life
I tell you, I can't deny it
I thought of quitting baby
But my heart just ain't gonna buy it
And if I didn't think it was worth one single try
I'd jump right on a big bird
And then I'd fly

I've been a puppet, a pauper,
A pirate, a poet,
A pawn and a king,
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing
Each time I find myself laying
Flat on my face
I just pick myself up and get back in the race

That's life
That's life, and I can't deny it
Many times I thought of cutting out
But my heart won't buy it
But if there nothing shaking coming this here July
I'm going to pick my pencil back up and give it ..

another TRY!
My my...

I floated in the pool today as this song played from the fake rock speakers...

By the end of the song I was singing at the top of my lungs -- smacking the water to emphasize each line.

Especially this line:

I thought of quitting baby - But my heart just ain't gonna buy it

And this line:

Each time I find myself
Flat on my face
I pick myself up and get back in the race

Today's Theme Song. I changed the last line. There's no rolling up in a ball and dying with this broad, Frank.

Do you dream in character?

2011-06-22T15:43:00.000-07:00

I do dream in character. Last night I dreamt Eureka Jones. Where this stuff comes from? Who knows?
I remember her - I remember "Camp Comonahockalugie" and I remember a cliff hanger.....

Anyone else get ideas in dreams?

It Gets Better

2011-06-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

As a person who knows what it feels like to have their head slammed into a locker, or pushed under the bathroom sink or to be pulled into the cloak room to be groped in sixth grade; The "It gets Better" campaign hits home. The bullies weren't stronger than my belief in myself.

Have you seen this video? Very touching words from the Kid Lit community.

http://youtu.be/kYRYpYyHMos

It does get better. I held on to who I knew I was. Hold on to yourself.

Always Let you conscience be your guide...

2011-06-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

When you get in trouble and you don't know right from wrong
Give a little whistle!  Give a little whistle!
When you meet temptation and the urge is very strong
Give a little whistle!  Give a little whistle!

Not just a little squeak, pucker up and blow
And if your whistle's weak, yell, "Jiminy Cricket!"
Right!

Take the straight and narrow path
And if you start to slide
Give a little whistle!  Give a little whistle!
And always let your conscience be your guide"

I made a tough decision this week. Truthfully- it took months to make this decision.

Even when I had made up my mind, the final declaration of that decision - just

scared the crap out of me.

I left my agent. I wish him well.

I'm off to pursue publication solo again. I believe in myself. Making the tough decisions

only reinforces that belief.

That little voice in your head; your conscience - it yells sometimes.

"And always let your conscience be your guide"

An away we go.

Spotlight on me- over in Jersey...

2011-06-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

Kathy Temean, who is the head of N.J. SCBWI has featured me on her "Illustrator Saturday" blog post.

It's nice to visit on other blogs! Check it out!- Happy Fathers day all Fathers, especially my own Dad and my husband!! Here's my "Sketchables "Fathers Day sketch.....

NJ Shout Outs

2011-06-14T06:44:00.000-07:00

I wanted to shout out the Art Showcase winners from the NJ SCBWI Conference. There was a lot of great work on display and if you read this blog- you know... I find these competitions not unlike ultimate cage fighting. -;)

The winner :
Lisa Falkenstern Whose work is truly inspiring. Heck- she paints in oil. AND- she's damn good at it.

Runners Up:
Katia Wish Katia is making her mark. She has a unique style and she works a great deal of movement into her illustrations. I'd keep my eye on her if I were you....

Here's Katia's post about the conference - which reminded me to post this info on my own blog. Thanks Katia for being on the ball!

Oh yeah- Me too. I put in my Hippo For Hire piece. I didn't bring a separate piece of art for the showcase, I thought our homework was going in to the show. When I realized this Friday night, I called the husband and he drove 3 hours round trip to bring me whatever I had a decent print of at home. I chose the Hippo cause - well, Don't we all look at our portfolios and have a few that we say- "OK- I can be a bad ass illustrator!"? - This one says that to me.

So I guess the judges agreed.

Honorable mention went to: Kim Wood (If anyone has a link - let me know) She did a sweet illustration of a mouse learning karate.

These three illustrators are really great. To be grouped with them is a compliment. Congrats to all of them!

Jersey Girl

2011-06-10T11:42:00.000-07:00

I thought maybe a good way to recap the NJ SCBWI conference would be to just show my notes in my sketchbook. I scribble down chicken scratch sound bites and doodle thru the days.

Friday's intensive

Martha Rago's session on Al Yankovic's great book "When I Grow Up" Illustrated by Wes Hargis.
I do this- do you? Dissect the layouts of a successful PB - break down the shapes and how they work the page.

I'm not editing my words here- sometimes I get bored, or have a difference of opinion.

This was was a Children's Book Market evaluation.

I had an epiphany @ Leeza's first workshop... submitting to TV. - Frying Pan moment

Leeza's second workshop- I think is what needs to be taken to greater SCBWI. The ins and outs of promotional branding and what gives you that "Hey I know my Sh*T" look. (my words- not hers)

The last day an agents panel was again- a great learning moment. The role of agents, the relationship with agents is like the movie Inception. I need a spinny thing.... And that one agent- looked like she walked out of a painting from about 1780.

I hope you can glean something from these messy pages. It was a really good conference. Even the bugs in my room agreed.

Hooked on a Feelin'

2011-06-06T08:23:00.000-07:00

I went to the NJ SCBWI conference this weekend. It was a really great conference. If the NY and the LA are out of reach- consider this as an alternative.

I had a fun time. I had a great crit. I had some exciting feedback. I met some publishing people who were very nice and interesting and kind. I came away with good stuff happening.

And the need to get very, very busy.

A conference is like a Happy Twilight Zone. You disappear into that reality for a long weekend, where time and space no longer matter. Your moving through space armed only with your imagination, skills and a smile. The part of Rod Serling is 99% likely played by a woman.... say Leeza Hernandez...

So I can't really put into words how I feel today - so listen to the songs.

And maybe join me in my own meditation of repeating my old adage:

The Schlemeil Schlimazel

Give us any chance, we'll take it.
Give us any rule, we'll break it.
We're gonna make our dreams come true.
Doin' it our way.

Nothin's gonna turn us back now,
Straight ahead and on the track now.
We're gonna make our dreams come true,
Doin' it our way.

There is nothing we won't try,
Never heard the word impossible.
This time there's no stopping us.
We're gonna do it.

On your mark, get set, and go now,
Got a dream and we just know now,
We're gonna make our dream come true.
And we'll do it our way, yes our way.
Make all our dreams come true,
And do it our way, yes our way,
Make all our dreams come true
For me and you.

Taking a moment before I start a summer of selling myself....

2011-05-31T12:46:00.001-07:00

It's like being an actor. You have to audition and audition, give your best audition for the right part, be right for the part, in front of the right director for the right movie- at the right time. And we all know how many actors wait tables. That is how I described what I do today.

Momentum in art is like Mario Kart

2011-05-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

We have Mario Kart for the Wii. I find it very, very stressful. On some level, it's proof that I should never have passed driver's ed. (especially after driving over that divider on route 22 in NJ).

In Mario Kart- you try to go as fast as you can. The driving requires quick reflexes - great eye hand coordination and a steady heart. You try to get around the obstacles while performing at your best. There is a moment when you feel the 'groove'- you are careening along... passing your opponents... going fast, hitting turbo boost... when some big, black, too cute bullet explodes your Yoshi. You try to make it to the finish line without loosing all of your lives and while scoring the most points. After that- you try to get on the "List". The high scorers page.

This is my metaphor for today. I try to ride the momentum of life. I try to use the momentum of one project to the next to be in that "groove". But things in life do explode my Yoshi.

It is almost June. June! The careening around avoiding my obstacles tends to make life fly by just like that Coconut Mall in the game. Deadlines were met last month. Spring holidays and birthdays are past. We lost a loved one. Now, Summer kicks off this weekend. One event leads to the next - head down at the drawing board makes me forget objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are. They are all there and it's all coming up so fast.

I am going to SCBWI NJ next week. I just finished a new postcard.

The idea came from my daughter's friend saying "One day we will all drive donuts"

-then it was a sketch over @ The Sketchables.

I am now redoing my homework. We were given the assignment to choose a manuscript. Take one passage and sketch a double page spread. The sketch gets turned in to an actual art director, member of the faculty. Their feedback comes back to you- then you take it to final art, present it at the conference and get feedback/judging.

Here is the passage I picked:

"’Cause maybe I’ll be a gorilla masseuse Or an artist who sculpts out of chocolate mousse Or a rodeo clown or a great film director Or maybe professional pickle inspector Or big sumo wrestler or hedge fund investor Or smelly pit-sniffing deodorant tester"

I rushed this. I did it in one evening- after weekend guests left Easter Weekend. There are things I like a lot about it : the gestures - the life in the drawings. Things I don't like: the composition. So- the feedback came in and pretty much nailed me to the wall... good feedback, true feedback is not like a frying pan to the face - it's like Mario Kart also. When you play the game and make the same wrong turn over and over again... and you yell "WHY DO I KEEP DOING THAT!?" - The real feedback yells that at you and you know it's true. - Yoshi explodes. Start over.

"Dynamic,playful and eye-catching layout. Good gesture and sense of action in spots. But I have an issue with the order and rhythm of the images. So much going on it is not clear what to look at first and in what order.What should I look at first, how do you want my eye to move across the page? Think about the hierarchy of the images on this spread and what you want the viewer to see first, second etc. Size of the images and how they fit together as well as the shape of each will dictate that. If eyes move left to right over the page, use a progression of sizes to direct my gaze, make the text flow in a logical way in the correct order so its not misread. In the end the images need to work together as a whole and not just as separate discreet spots

Also, think about the whole book: With a lot of text, very few spreads can be handled this way or you will end up with a 60 page book! so be selective about what you show and make sure the images count for the real estate they take up."

Ok- So- I'm reworking now. I will try to avoid my usual obstacles.. as I build momentum on my journey through Coconut Mall on my way to the finish line in Los Angeles this summer. My goal- new art, new portfolio... hoping to get on that high scorers page. "C'mon Yoshi... hit the gas."

Nana Gerri

2011-05-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

Nana Gerri - my husband's Grandmother passed away this morning. There was no designing this "character" - Nana was one of a kind. Nana Gerri, Thanks for never making me feel like a shiksa wife and for all of the Yiddish I learned from you. A Brooklyn Bubeleh for the ages.
There is one more bright, sparkly, appliqued star in the sky now.

Rainy Days and Mondays

2011-05-16T10:11:00.000-07:00

Monday was never Dad's favorite day-

this one especially was extra dark gray.

Business was bad, meetings were planned.

Off to work Dad went - briefcase in hand.

Grumbling and groaning , he did complain,

"The last thing I needed today was rain."

He didn't notice it as he pulled it out of his case..

the umbrella he usually used had been replaced.

His daughter had wanted to brighten his day,

as soon as it opened- his cares went away.

He'd tackle this day with a smile on his face,

His head was now in a pink stripey place.

A spring in his step and a warm fuzzy heart,

His day was now off to a much better start.

I actually saw this guy this morning as I drove to the gym. I was myself grumbling and groaning and feeling quite blah. I bet that little umbrella worked it's magic on lots of people!

THIS WEEK'S THEME SONG

2011-05-15T17:57:00.000-07:00

Let's all move that rubber tree plant!

Hello Blogger- Are you feeling better now?

2011-05-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

Blogger was down. I have been neglecting this blog- caught up in work, life, exercise, facebook, twitter...feeling like I want to junk all I've done and start fresh, new website, new blog, new exciting things out there now...... and then blogger goes down.
What if it was gone forever. All of those posts? 4 years of my life- the proof of my journey- woosh! gone! This blog was my toe dip into the water after staying home with a kid for five years.

Well - PHEW! It's back and I've heard I can download it and save it- that I did not know. So- Blogger, I am glad you are better.

The end

2011-04-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

The last painting to do. - and I feel like the lady on the right...

closing in on the end..

2011-04-11T21:14:00.000-07:00

Close to the end of the book... things get sticky.

and so I'm still painting.....

2011-04-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

It's like a marathon. Halfway....

For The Love of the Game

2011-04-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

I have been to the Norman Rockwell Museum five times. I used to go once a year- like a pilgrimage to Mecca. It was my way to stay connected to art, while I was a stay at home Mom, not producing any art of my own. I thought I knew all I could about this artist I loved. I was wrong.

New sparks flew as I walked the Norman Rockwell exhibit: Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera

@ The Brooklyn Museum exhibit 2 weeks ago.

The exhibit was a look into Norman's process.

Norman's - brain.

As I stood - my eyes:feasting, my heart: pitter pattering at the glimpse into his way of thinking and doing things, these words entered my brain,

"For the Love of the Game".

So the phrase is from baseball. Years and years ago- baseball players played because they loved playing. I'm sure, even today, all over the minor leagues, and sprinkled throughout the majors, you will find many who still do. Those who would play for peanuts. Those who would play for nothing. Those to whom throwing, fielding, hitting, catching- are like breathing.

Norman loved the game.

The game of Illustration.

Norman could be seen in some of the reference photos- just at the edge of the frame.. laughing, smiling - acting for the kid's in the pictures. Norman was prolific in his preparation. He did more than he had to and wound up not using a lot of his prep work. Lost in the process- he'd go more than the extra mile to see what would work better in an illustration.

Norman walked away from the Saturday Evening Post when he wanted to continue to reflect America's attitude in his work. His young man's optimism and the country's own optimism gave way in the second half of the twentieth century. Norman's attitude had changed along with America's as the 50's turned into the 60's. He made a choice to follow his instinct. Norman evolved.

Norman vocalized doubts about his own work. As he grew older, he questioned what value his career held. What contribution he made. How good was he?

He compared his work to others. He had moments of feeling "less than".

Yet - Norman painted and drew until he became too old and ill to. Norman went on to see the Brooklyn Museum hold the very first retrospective of his work in 1974.

Whenever I hear that an artist that I admire- idolize even, doubts their own skill, my initial reaction is that it's hard to believe. How could they be so good and not realize it? It even pains me a little.

Norman Rockwell? Self Doubter?

Then, it humanizes. I have self doubt. I compare my work to others. I question what value is there in what I create? - So I go back to thinking of the commonalities- the thrill of the process, the fun of the figuring it all out - The Love of the Game. Artists like Norman Rockwell inspire not just in the beauty of the end result- the illustration, but in the life they lived, the way they lived it - the way they moved through their lives as a creative.

I've done it for peanuts. I'd draw for nothing. The pencil and the paper are the bread and water for my soul. I love the game. Batter up.

The exhibit ends April 10th in Brooklyn!

The museum in Stockbridge, MA is a national treasure!

Another blog about Norman from a talented painter I went to college with.

Underpaintings

Another GREAT blog "Today's Inspiration" - about Norman

Busy busy

2011-03-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

working on this..... only bigger and in color. Plus many more pages.....

Today Everbody's Irish - even me

2011-03-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

That is a family picture. That is my Great, Great Grandmother, Mary Elizabeth McNamara - Maher . Next to her is my Grandmother, "Dottie". That imposing woman - (can't you just feel her?) - came from Ireland in 1892 with every penny she possessed sewn into the hem of that voluminous skirt of hers. Dottie, her granddaughter, was the daughter of an Irish woman who was the widow of Irishman James O'Farrell with one child, who became a governess to an English man, William Hunter, who was a widower with, I think, 8 kids of his own. So Dottie was half Irish, half English.

That's about as far as it goes for the pure Irish Family history. Dottie married a Polish man - Leo Rosenski, had my Mom who married my Dad, half Italian, half Brazilian..... and produced me - a mutt. I am the sum of the Immigration Experience. And what did I go and do? I married a Jewish boy! - Ain't that America?

So in my family- the looks range from olive skinned, dark haired lovelies to pale- pale- pale......me.
This is why I identify so strongly as being Irish. It's the only thing that showed up on the outside. I have an Italian stomach- Brazilian rhythm and a Polish sense of direction(I kid). My face - has been smacked with a shillelagh.

Countless times in my life- I have had strangers look at me- stare and say "OH.... She has the map of Ireland on her face." - which is kinda nice to hear to a kid who had such a mixed up background. I'm not well grounded in Irish traditions- I know much more about my Brazilain heritage and the Italian food. I went to Brazil @ 17. It was a life changing experience to stand on ground that you know your people came from. - But everyone (and everyone there is gorgeous) called me "linda gringo" and I spontaneously combusted from all of the sun. This is me - in front of Jesus' gigantic toe in Rio- contemplating how grateful I am for the clouds that day.

I ate my way thru Italy on a highschool tour - gazed at the stylish beautiful people and spontaneously combusted from all of the sun.

I have put off my dream trip to the Emerald Isle for 10 years. I am close to making it a reality, I can feel it in my bones. I want to stand on that ground and see the green hills and the rocky coast. I want to breathe the air- and have my skin feel at home. I want to see where Mary Elizabeth McNamara had her farm that she sold to have the money she sewed into the hem of her skirt.
I suppose it's a longing to belong to something. Some tangible proof that it's not just my face - but maybe something deeper will connect.

I can't rattle on in Gaelic or sing IRA protest songs. I didn't have a Aran sweater til my husband bought me one, which I had a violent allergic reaction to the wool - and can't wear. It's nice to look at tho. I'm the human equivalent of a bottle of O'douls to all of you Guinness pint people.

But I offer you this as proof of Irishness......

I danced the jig in 3rd grade with my dance school. I got in the front row. Cause I was so freakin' Irish looking.

It's the freckles. My Grandmother had them. She had more freckles than there are stars in the sky. As She got older that freckled skin turned translucent- and it looked like the freckles danced on top of a pool of water. Now that I'm getting older - I see it happening to me.

I shall freckle til the day I leave this earth- maybe they'll merge and I'll finally look tan instead of spontaneously combusting - from the sun.

Happy St Pat's Everyone! Happy Day to be Irish! No matter how much or how little!

We're doing the Green Thing Over @ The Sketchables too this week!

The places we go... to find out where we came from

2011-03-15T13:36:00.000-07:00

Keeping my ear to the ground of the goings on in the world of children's book illustration, I am always listening for any sounds of "The Yaccarino".

I jokingly call Dan Yaccarino that- meaning, something like "The Wizard". I think his work is just, well, magic. His choices for books- seem to hit me square in the face. "Go Go America" tackled roadside interesting quirky landmarks- living down the shore as a kid, giant bottles of champagne and pink life sized concrete dinosaurs were everywhere and my Dad used to take us to see crazy stuff like that in our station wagon. His "Jacques Cousteau" book- is my favorite, I watched Jacques' show in awe as a kid lying on the brown shag rug. And "Lawn to Lawn"- well, it's the Jersey in me- that feels the Jersey in him- I just wish there was a lighted Madonna statue somewhere in there too.

So- I knew he was coming out with a new book and I knew it was gonna be great.

It combines the story of his family -with his story telling and art- what's not to love?

He was going to do a talk at "The Tenement Museum" in Manhattan- somewhere I have wanted to go for years. This was the excuse to go tour the building and then we could stay for the talk. This was also an great opportunity to give my 11 year old daughter an insight into the lives of her own ancestors, all immigrants from all around the globe. I took her out of school early yesterday- and we trained it in to NYC, hoofed to the Lower East Side.... and

walked into history.

The stories of the lives of the families who inhabited 97 Orchard Street through it's 70 odd years of being home to new Americans - touched our hearts deeply. I personally believe homes; houses or buildings, have lives of their own-given to them by the families who live and love in them.

The families who struggled within these walls were strong, resourceful and resilient. We heard the tales of two; one German family and one Italian. Both families went on to live in nicer places through their hard work- giving the next generation- and the ones after that- opportunities to prosper.

This kitchen belonged to the Italian Baldizzi Family. It felt like the family was coming home any second. We listened to a recording of a woman who spent her childhood there. Her voice bringing the space to life even more.

I do love old things. Old buildings. I run my hand on old bannisters, trying to feel what it felt like to walk the staircases many many years ago. I like to walk on old floor boards and know that I am really walking in the footsteps of people that did amazing things great and small. The act of leaving behind all that you know half way around the world- to start again in this building in New York City- is truly a courageous thing. I was so glad to do this tour with my daughter. We had dinner afterwards and had a very deep conversation. She asked and I explained what prostitution is. I told her about the many deaths of children in my family's past and we talked about 9/11.

We ended the evening sitting in front of Dan Yaccarino and his Great Grandfather's shovel. I highly recommend his book and his talk. He will be up at The Eric Carle Museum on April 9th. You'll laugh and tear up and you'll recognize bits of your own family's story in it. I did.

I had an Italian grandmother too. Dan said "Looking in to a pot of sauce is like looking at the sky"

- Yes. It. Is.

What a gift the Tenement Museum is and what a gift Dan Yaccarino's book is too.

My Italian Playlist was too good to go just 'cause of the Irish:
http://www.playlist.com/playlist/21666310667

doodle of the day

2011-03-06T09:41:00.000-08:00

Warming up - doodling for the new Spring banner- over @ THE SKETCHABLES!

Return to the Land of the Reject Sketches

2011-02-28T13:51:00.000-08:00

I would say- my favorite thing to do is to make up characters. I love to "draw" out a personality. It's like acting for the way too introverted artists among us, like me who long to be on stage - but just can't do it.
I have been working on a book that takes place in a school cafeteria. The 2 leads - the cook and a boy about 7.

It was left wide open as to what they should look like. All I knew was the cook should be "mom" like. I just went where my brain took me. Usually I think of someone I know-or have seen- or I go through my sketchbooks to see my sketches from Starbucks and the horse stables... that's where I sketch people who strike me as fun looking. Here are the rejects. Rejected drawings never die - they will show up somewhere else.. because you've brought these characters into being. They now need stories to inhabit.

the one with the glasses might resemble me a bit

the top one looks a bit like my personal trainer - but no poochy belly on Patty(trainer)

then I did a round Mama mia looking one

The tired- worn out Mom face -I know it well

Ok- if the cook was gonna be frazzled- I thought of

someone's Mom I know. I hope she doesn't mind- cause it looks pretty dead on.

I also thought southern cook- I have wanted to do a New Orleans cook

character for years. I find the story of Leah Chase fascinating- and

I volunteer for a picture book about her!

Mostly- I think of the kids in my daughters' school. She leaves elementary school this year.

What will I do?... Lots of awkward looking 11-13 year old kids next year.

These are the cleaned up designs- many scribbles and bad drawings were done - but even those still have some life in them.

Somewhere, beyond the Sea....

2011-02-16T10:04:00.000-08:00

I left it all behind. I went on a 5 day cruise, just me and the husband. We've done it before, three times over the last 5 years, cruising with the Barenaked Ladies. BUT- this was the first time- I left it all behind. No worries about the kid- she was safe and happy with the Grandparents- in good hands. No worries about work - I had turned in sketches for a book with realistic expectations for the feedback to come when I got back. I had an offer to work on an App, so I knew there were opportunities around the corner. And - the SCBWI conference was over and left me feeling secure that I am on the right track.

I relaxed- for real. Just fun with the husband and friends. It's a rare feeling in the life of this Mom/artist. Always running in 15 different directions with way too much dog hair to vacuum and Mount Laundrymore threatening to avalanche and swallow up the cat. It is as necessary as the new found exercise routine to ensure physical, emotional, mental and artistic health. I draw a direct line from Sara Zarr's keynote at the SCBWI Winter conference to this feeling. She said she needed to give the speech she needed to hear - and in doing that, gave the speech I needed to hear.(and I suspect we all felt in that room- she was speaking directly to each of us)

She said of "A fulfilling creative life": "It gives back. It gives back to you and to others. As you're engaged with your work and your world you'll be a better spouse, friends, sibling. You'll be more self-actualized."

Truer words were never spoken. We need to be a whole person to reach at least the point of tenuous balance. That balance you feel when doing yoga - you stick that foot up to the inside of your other knee in "Tree" pose... wobbily....wobbily..... Yessss!-Look at me! I'm a tree!....5,4,3,2,1.. WHOOPS! But you were there- and you'll get back- it's all in the doing and trying and being. - let's all breathe and sigh, then next pose. (next job, next kid's class party, next holiday...) (you get it?)

Sara's speech (which you can read a synopsis of all around the web like Here and here and here)

Her speech was all about not getting caught up in the long look ahead to what you want and what might be. I do it. Always wondering when will "It" happen for me.. a big break, a big book - When will I break through into Kid Lit Wonderland?... Instead of getting caught up in that long look ahead- look around you, be a part of your "now". If you can do that- you can enjoy the work, your family and yes- even the school trip you take where you are put in charge of 3 children to teach them book keeping.(I did this yesterday- never ask an artist to keep the books in an imaginary $250,000 enviromental non-profit. I have scarred these kids for life and they will never balance a check book)( I had fun in a weirdo, chicken with it's head cut off kinda way.)

Basically- The secret of life is - enjoy the now and always try to get better at all aspects of who you are. That's it - and 42. That's what I think it means to be self-actualized.

I'd like to say to Sara Zarr :"Baby, you're the greatest"

Friday's Pages - More SCBWI Notes and night caps

2011-02-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

I like revisiting my SCBWI notes- they are unintelligible to anyone but me. I scribble, I doodle- I write things I should never let anyone read. I jot down that I am bored- I may play fashion critic, caricaturist and curmudgeon - all on one page.

Dan Yaccarino's the future of books as E-books talk note page has many hearts on it and Oswald's dog Weenie. Written in my messy all caps handwriting is "It's really about STORY & CHARACTER and that will never go away. - I think I was too dazzled by the Yaccarino to write.

The Social Media Panel- A few take aways: see all of the real info on the official SCBWI blog and in depth notes on Leeza's blog

In no order with no attribution:
"This is a time of tremendous change. It is challenging, exhausting an exciting!"
"Social Media forces us to re-think "What is an audience?""
"Blogs- think how you can use them to get your audience to be consumers of you"

Here's an example. The Lawyer who spoke on Friday. He loved his work. You could tell- his hands were so animated. He said a few things I thought stood out. I wrote :

" Be the aggregator not the aggregatee" (aggregatee- is that a word- it made me think of an aggravated manatee - and then I want to draw that)

"Facebook and Twitter #'s - matter. (I don't want to believe this but I can see it happening)

Facebook and Twitter and blogs are ways for us to find out who the customer is and then we can establish relationships w/ those customers. (I feel weird calling them customers- rather than friends. Then - there are those "friends" we don't know right?- my brain hurts thinking about this stuff- I just want to create and hope people connect with it. -I do realize, of course that is short sighted. But I like things to happen organically- it makes me think it's due to the quality of what I do. I don't want to be the telemarketing equivalent of an illustrator calling you at dinner time. You will hang up on me.)

I had to leave before the amazing hands guy stopped talking. THE TAKE AWAY of the day- (my own) BUCKLE UP FOLKS!- We are looking down the barrel of a change not unlike the Gutenberg Bible. We must move with it, lest we get run over.

Like I said- below- I left the intensive. Leeza took such amazing notes- I'm reading them to fill myself in on what I missed.

I got back to NYC from my daughter's play at about 10:20 PM. I met my roommate Kathy Blackmore in the lobby- and we headed over to the KID LIT DRINK NIGHT.

We had fun chatting with Leeza, Brian Gerrity, my LA discovery of art joy: John Deininger, Lena Shiffman and a guy named Jim - who was very cool and if he reads this- please comment cause I would like to name you correctly! It was a room filled with energy- I wish I could have soaked it up and gotten there earlier. It was off to the hotel and to bed - then we chatted til 2 Am and were a wreck the next morning. But it was fun! - more conference notes to come!

Happy Chinese New Year!

2011-02-03T07:50:00.000-08:00

Check out all of the rabbits over @ The Sketchables!

I'm Super Bad -;)

2011-02-01T11:37:00.000-08:00

Did I hear that right? Did they call my name? I thought I was in NYC... ya know the belly of the cute beast that is Kid's Publishing? 3 years ago - here, at this conference..... I almost packed it in. They couldn't give me an award....

But - THEY did. SCBWI NYC 2011 Art Showcase Honor Award.

I am happy and thrilled and tickled and freaked out and pumped and dazzled and intimidated and humbled and validated and in need of a new website and challenged and invigorated and well- you get the picture up there. It's time to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight and sing a la Babs Streisand "Hey, Mr. Arnstein, here I am !!!!..." - just change "Mr. Arnstein" to "Publishers".

So much time has been spent being a "Wanna be" - I am now in that uncomfortable space between "Wanna be" and "Be". In art- uncomfortable is good. It means change and growth and new work and surprises. Bring it on. I've been training for it!!

The Grand Prize Winner was Leeza Hernandez.
I met Leeza in 2007 at the NYC conference. She was a force of nature then and now a force to be reckoned with! - She's a joyous spirit that sprinkles explosive pixie dust everywhere she goes.

The other winners were Greg Pizzoli and Laurie Sharp. I didn't get to meet Greg- so Congrats Greg! I did meet Laurie- and I love her felted illustrations and love the idea of photographing sweet little hand made characters for books.

SCBWI has other "awards" - that may not bring one up on the stage- and on a giant scary video screen but, are ever more valuable. SCBWI sets the stage for special people to enter your life. Liked minded, supportive friends who give a pat on the back - a kick in the rump - and a shove when you need it. I have met people I admire, some I consider mentors and friends I cherish through SCBWI conferences. That is the best anyone can hope to win, right? My roommate Katherine Blackmore and I met at a Florida conference 3 years ago. She's my partner in crime and we take turns being each others' shrink.We had an awesome time together this past weekend.

I was at the grocery store yesterday and a little old lady yelled at me - "Your blocking the SAMPLES with your cart! Move!" I should have shook my fist at her and said "I am an award winning illustrator lady!" "Samples be damned!" BUT I realized this feeling will last and lift me up until I go down to the basement and see the Mount Laundrymore I have to wash. Life goes on- but the art side of my life has been turned up a notch. It's a nice, swift kick in the tuchus to do better work- to live up to getting something like this and the expectations it may create. Thank you SCBWI for kicking my tuchus back in 2008 - and again now. It's proven to make me better.

The conference as a whole had a very "Practical" feeling to it. I think the tone was set on Friday for me. The Illustrator's Intensive was all about the "APP" with a sprinkling of licensing.
Dan Yaccarino was the perfect guy to introduce the possibilities for the positive application of childrens' literature in the digital world. His talk took me from being one of the people - hugging, white knuckled, my actual paper books - to actually seeing it as an exciting avenue to take, if done thoughtfully.

He clearly laid out how digital books are just another step in the evolution of literacy.- makes sense. I have an art crush on Dan Yaccarino.

I, personally, see APPS as an after publication product. Book first. Then APP. There seems to be a rush to go straight to APP- with many excited to think about it as an easier way to break in to publishing- or to make money. All paths are valid if they feel right to you. My hesitation lies in keeping the line drawn between video game and digitally enhanced BOOK. Keeping the quality high.

I have no interest in reading "Angry Birds and the Playground Pigs make friends"

I'd like to see some time taken to let quality books- that seem to lend themselves to the technology - be made into "E"-enhanced books. I think about it as a possibility to awaken my animator life that has been lying dormant for over a decade and a half. Somewhere in my brain is all of that knowledge waiting to be applied - and this could be just the ticket.

There was another session on APPS, then Licensing our work and an opportunity to go to the NYC Gift Show and a lawyer spoke- but I had to run. My daughter was in her school play back in Long Island. I would not, could not miss that- So I ran home!

I missed being at the Showcase. Maybe that's why winning feels a bit unreal. I love being inside "Thunder Dome" as I call it - seeing the best work from the huge talent pool that comes. Exciting to be an illustrating gladiator in there. - This time I escaped being thrown to the lions and got a thumbs up!

I have more thoughts on the conference- I hope to write in the next few days.

Watch me! I'm Super Bad! - I wanna jump back & kiss myself. - funniest lyrics

New Yeti City - SCBWI 2011 NY conference

2011-01-27T06:50:00.000-08:00

Off to the SCBWI NY Conference today. 14 " of snow to contend with. The luggage- the framed art- and well- frankly more shoes than I should be bringing.

Cross posted-The Sketchables "Peace"

2011-01-20T14:01:00.000-08:00

I was busy today- Defying Gravity.

You guys know the song right? From the musical Wicked.

I love it.

"I'm through accepting limits

''cause someone says they're so

Some things I cannot change

But till I try, I'll never know"

I have always had tremendous fear and self doubt about physical fitness. That elementary school gym rope. It has haunted me for 30 years. I could never make it up. I hung from my wet noodle arms, red faced, kicking... the whole grade watching. Mr. Lynn, my caustic and ridiculing gym teacher laughing. Childhood agony. I have equated all exercise to the acute feeling of failure I endured with each "Federal Fitness Check".

So what does this have to do with our theme of "Peace" this week? For me it's about the peace within that comes from doing things you thought you could never do. Trying the things that scare us. Today- I did a spin class. Up until the last minute I was chickening out. I did it- I did well and ----- I liked it.
I didn't drop dead (which I was afraid of) I didn't embarrass myself (no falling off or barfing) - I actually shed a tear. (which mingled with the sweat, so no one could tell). I may just climb that damn rope yet.

These thoughts can be applied to anything that you think you can't do; be it art, publishing,cooking, relationships...etc... We make peace. It's not something out there- it's in here. In us. We just have to look for it.

"So if you care to find me
Look to the western sky!
As someone told me lately:
"Ev'ryone deserves the chance to fly!"
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who'd ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity
I'm flying high
Defying gravity "

Sunday Stretch Sketch

2011-01-16T10:43:00.000-08:00

Warming up this Sunday morning. I've got a lot of kids to draw this month. Here's a simple exercise to do. Help vary the shapes of your characters. Shape and posture- gesture and tilt help convey character. Angles- softness- it all helps quickly communicate personality in cartoons.

I made a grid- and then with out any thought- any planning- scribble in some shapes. Then make someone out of each shape. Think about who you know- celebrities - hairstyles - clothing - flip thru a magazine. But don't look at anything when you do it. This is just an exercise. Nothing need be perfect. These certainly aren't. It's about being loose and letting go. Use the force Luke.

Colleen Madden and I must be psychically linked. She was doing the same thing this week.
Colleen's blog of fun stuff!

Further proof that it's good to fool around. Draw for fun. You don't need a final product- always.

2011

2011-01-15T14:02:00.000-08:00

Hang a wish from me on your Christmas tree

2010-12-22T13:39:00.000-08:00

The Verriest of Merriest to all of you! My wish is for the best to you in 2011. Thanks for coming here, chatting up my art and a special Thanks! for supporting Ripple. I can't imagine being where I am today if I hadn't started this blog and connected with so many wonderful people. Next year I'll try to find new ways to shake things up. - In the mean time, pass the cocoa and cookies and turn on the Nat King Cole Christmas album. -Cheers!-Kelly

Happy Birthday my half-way Girl!

2010-12-16T09:48:00.000-08:00

Half way. Half way between mary janes and high heels. Half way between fairies and flirting. Half way between holding my hand and letting go. Half way to being the person I always knew you would be - a caring, creative, book worm with a head of golden curls and a heart of gold.

Mags turns 11 today. We're celebrating at the Harry Potter Park in FL. Today- we stay on the kid side of half way and drink tons of butter beer!

A Holiday Gift over @ The Sketchables!

2010-12-08T18:40:00.000-08:00

I decided to share with you some sketchy characters for the holidays. Have you ever re-gifted?
Been the re-giftee?

I have re-gifted wine. (Un-opened (yes-un-opened!))

There is a crock pot from 1974 that resurfaces in my family some years. It has a red brick motif... I am always afraid it's my year when a big box comes from the UPS man!

Go to The Sketchables- find the link and download high res art!

Lennon

2010-12-08T04:32:00.001-08:00

I was 10 and at tap class getting ready for the Holiday Show, When Margie, my dance teacher came in crying- and said John Lennon had been shot. I don't know how many girls knew- or cared, but my brother and I had been buying Beatles albums with our allowance since I was in kindergarten and we saw Yellow Submarine on TV. By the time I was in college- my walls were covered with his face and his music was always on. I danced to him at my wedding. His picture hangs above my studio door. - It's just never made sense that a man who asked for Peace died the way he did, but He wouldn't want the world to dwell on that- He'd want you to go out and ask for Peace too.

Rejected: My Christmas card sketch

2010-12-06T18:12:00.000-08:00

Now Santa was supposed to look - annoyed... tired..... bored.... longing to be elsewhere.....

However- perception was "creepy" "unappealing"

Little girl was supposed to look angry- nasty - in a foul mood - "Naughty"

Perception- "cold" "afraid Santa is going to do something inappropriate to her"

So- hmmmmmm. Scrap that. Back to the drawing board!

I love his feet tho.

Illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka starts his own ripple... The "Joe and Shirl Scholarship"

2010-11-29T13:03:00.000-08:00

New excitement in the world of Illustrator do-gooding is going on!
Ripple's own contributor and Illustrator Extraordinaire- Jarrett Krosoczka has created a wonderful foundation to raise funds to provide scholarships for art studies to kids with family challenges. The "Joe and Shirl Scholarship" honors the gift his Grandparents gave him- the chance to pursue his dreams - by paying it forward.

All of the info can be found HERE

The auctions went live today.

I am particularly excited by the chance to be a character in a Lunch Lady book. Ripple had lots and lots of wonderful librarians supporting our cause- I know, in part because of the faboo illustrators who gave original art- So, Come on Back now ya hear? - Seriously, what better thing to do then find a way to give back what we can - especially when we feel so lucky ourselves to be where we are. Give a kid an opportunity to explore art and get some great art at the same time. It's a win - win!

Pour a Tofurkey- pardon a bird , Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T06:25:00.000-08:00

The Sketchables celebrate Thanksgiving traditions!

ahh Life...

2010-11-16T11:17:00.001-08:00

I am burnt toast.

Ripple burnt me out. Since September 19th - I have had to get out
the butter knife and try to scrape off the crusty burnt bits and
get back to work.

40 came and kicked my ass.
I have to concentrate a bit less on art and a bit more on
health.
Funny - just as you start to see the fruits of the hours and hours
spent Butt-in-chair drawing, painting and writing... all of those
hours show on that butt and in your blood test.

So I have started 3 days a week with a personal trainer.
I hate it.
I won't lie.
It bites.

But I'll do it for my health and my life and for my daughter and
will try to regroup and make myself
golden brown buttery good toast again. (OK smart balance
- heart healthy spread good)

Land HO!!!

2010-11-16T11:00:00.000-08:00

I had to do it. I had to doodle Steven Page again. If you've read this blog since it started- or if you go back and look- you'll see him make a few guest appearances.

The last time was when The Barenaked Ladies split.

4 in one direction- 1 out on his own.

It's been a long 2 years.

There is a bit of marital discord in my house- my husband stands with the BNL guys and their musical adventure. Me, I waited and waited for Steve to resurface from his voyage of self discovery.

It was so worth the wait. The first listen to his new cd "Page One" and my ears hollered "Oh Thank You!"

It's really really good. Like "Holy Crap" good. It's all that he was these past 20 years and so much more. It's his musical "This is me."

I saw him at the Highline in NYC a week ago. Sitting center room, the stage was scattered with cool old stuff. The music stands and the fabric all the same blue of his website and his cd cover. Details like this jazz me so much. He has such an eye. The visual impact is very important and he gets that. His opening act was weirdly great and so perfect for what he's doing now. She energized the audience but left us with a feeling of being exposed to something really different- just what we needed to feel as he walked onstage and started with a new song.

"A New Shore"

It's my favorite song on the cd. It's as cleverly written as anything he's ever written but it's also a declaration. It 's a song that builds to a climax- Land Ho! Land Ho! sung full throttle. He's got balls as big as Texas - walks out there opens that ginormous mouth and WHAM! - a great show has begun. Every new song is good. I enjoyed them more than the old. The band is a quirky crew that I felt complemented him wonderfully. Song to song- the way he talks to the audience and jokes about the last few years is self deprecating without making concessions or apologies. He wouldn't be here- if he hadn't been there. And that's what it's all about as an artist.

It was the best live show I have seen in a very, very long time. Of course I am 20 years emotionally invested in his career, but I would recommend seeing him to any non BNL fan. See him.

See a Steven Page show.

opening act http://www.katemillerheidke.com/

Steven Page's website: http://www.stevenpage.com/

Kelly: Illustration Friday- "Spooky"

2010-10-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

I messed up the Sketchables IF link- how?I do not know- I cut and pasted. -So Here is IF this week "Spooky"- here is The Sketchables link.

"YES- Mr. Clown- you are SPOOKY! I hate clowns. Always have. Not funny- not cute- totally completely freaky! -I know I am not alone... kids can be heard screaming and crying at every circus and birthday party all around the world. I don't care how many balloon poodles you make. I don't care how many of you fit in a car. Shoot yourself out of a cannon far, far away from me."

"I am out with lanterns looking for myself"

2010-09-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you have to scribble something down -fast - either before it leaves you or so that it will leave you alone.

I went to Emily Dickinson's house on Sunday. I do not claim to have more than an AP English high school knowledge of her poems - but I left with the complete works and a new found connection.

This line "I am out with lanterns, looking for myself.." - yes- yes I am. Trying to get a book done that I wrote and trying to make it right- and trying to communicate what's in my head feels like a search for myself. So a pause in the work to scribble today- so Emily can leave me alone for now... so I can finish. I hope to come back and do her some justice - want to paint some flame red hair...
This image has been in my head since Sunday- Emily out with her newfoundland, Carl, at night.. searching... for what was missing for her... her search was beautiful.

sharing is caring 99.999% of the time

2010-09-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

Today- my kid went off to the mall- to shop for school shoes- wearing- my shoes. For the last year my shoes are fair game as she is 10 and slightly taller than I am. I share so much stuff with her- as long as she asks politely first. Hairbands - some costume jewelry.. and art supplies. I have watched many a paint brush die an untimely death at the bottom of a jar as she tried to "wash it real good"; prismacolors- sharpened to nubs; watercolors- mixed in between the pots-ahhhhg. My nice markers- strewn about no caps on!!! Almost more than an o.c.d Mom-artist can take. But I draw the line- at- my - vellum.

Tuesday she had to make a bookmark about a book she read this summer. "Mom- what should I use- this sketch paper is too flimsy and I can't see thru it."

"Put it on the lightbox!"

- "Nah, how about........"

(and I turn around- knowing what she's about to say- fearing it......)

-Vellum?"(it's already in her hands!!!AHHG!)

(my inner Joan Crawford in check) -

"Tracing paper!!" "It's around here somewhere!!!!!!"- I tear apart the studio - find it- say "Go to town."

-sigh. Ahhh. Done with so little emotion- as to not alert her to the fabulousness of the vellum. That's it- that's where I draw the sharing line. My drawing vellum. It is off limits - I covet my drawing vellum.

She has a nice art life - being my daughter- so no sympathy for her. Some day she can buy her own vellum.

On a side note: I have a pal- who has a blog.(really? a blog?) yes- we all have them these days- but she's a prize so I think you should check it out.

The Mommy Chronicles

Happy Birthday to All of Us

2010-08-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

The Secret of Life is enjoying the Passage of Time - that's what James Taylor says. The secret behind the secret is having friends to pass the time with - that make it enjoyable. 2 couples, 4 friends since college- and we are all turning 40 this year feeling like;"How did we get here so fast? "

Her husband put together a book for her birthday and this was my contribution to it. Yes- I made us 2/3rd's on the way to cranky old farts - cause I know- we'll laugh all the way.

As children of the seventies- it is an homage to this:

Simon in the Land of the Chalk Drawings- a series of awesome British animated shorts

Ride the Cyclone

2010-08-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

I've never been one to do the things that scare me. I'm the one who'll hold the drinks while others ride.

I don't like the screams - What if it breaks while I'm on it? - I'll wait here, you go.

A roller coaster like this says in a thick Brooklyn accent "C'mon- I dare ya.." "I'll toss ya around- I'll rattle your spine""I'll shake you to the core and just when ya think it's over- it ain't." "No guarantees you'll come off in one piece- the only guarantee is that you'll have one wild ride."

I've been to Coney Island many, many times.

I rode the Cyclone for the first time. I chose the wild ride - finally.

Bring it on 40. - I dare ya.

Tired - inspired - and a little quaqmired SCBWI LA 2010

2010-08-11T12:32:00.000-07:00

Quagmire: (from webster's online)

Main Entry: quag·mire

Pronunciation: \ˈkwag-ˌmī(-ə)r, ˈkwäg-\

Function: noun (Not an adverb-or verb or adjective Kelly made that up- report her to the grammar police)

Date: circa 1576

1 : soft miry land that shakes or yields under the foot
2 : a difficult, precarious, or entrapping position : predicament

I am back!! Today- back into my studio- and my "mental studio". I got back from LA on the night of August 3rd. The next day friends from Texas arrived- and we did a whirlwind tour of Coney Island, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and dinner in Times Square. The next day- my brother and his family came in from Chicago. Needless to say - I have not unpacked - 6 days later. I have not digested all of the talks- all of the break outs- all of the meeting new people and hanging with friends.

This was the first conference I was not nervous about. Ripple has kept me so busy- I had to throw away my pre-conference "To Do" list. Which eliminated quite a lot of stress. I flew out only nervous about the flight- but it was fine.

I met Aja Wells at the air port- we used to be in a crit group together. I opened my hotel room door and there was my roommate Heather Powers. She was a great roommate - we had a lot of laughs. Starting at the bar with some bad food that first night.

I did not eat breakfast - the food/rushing around/stomach issues will be a running theme thru this report.

I met Priscilla Burris at check-in. We've gotten to know each other thru the Sketchables but OH! How nice to actually see her with mine own eyes! - She is her artwork - all personality and energy.

Heather is the RA for San Antonio, TX- she "walked the line" the first morning and told me she was going to say "Ripple" as her first word. When she did - I heard a large round of applause - and got all choked up. That should have been my first clue that there were a lot of Ripple artists amongst the LA conference goers!

The kick off by Jon Sciezka - was great. Funny and what a way to start off with a BANG! - then we took a turn and wound up in Delaware with M.T. Anderson. - I think Delaware must be in the Twilight Zone or they slipped something into my iced non fat vanilla latte - cause the whole room got trippy and there was some singing.... I think...... about Delaware- with a lilting middle eastern tinge..all that was missing was a sitar. by now- I'm sure Mr. Anderson has learned to play one.

I went off to Stephanie Owens Lurie's talk on "How to think like a publisher". - I like her. I like people who like Disney-work for Disney and wear Mickey stuff- we are proud mousketeers. She's a positive voice in publishing and she was refreshing to listen to after the past 2 years of lots of doom and gloom. what a wealth of experience she has. 2 of my best friends went into publishing out of college- and I actually thought(don't shoot me ) "How boring"- what a dummy I was. (I also was broke- broke and dumb) but I digress...

LUNCH!-Starving at this point.... run! RUN! to the mall food court!- ok, no running- but get there- get your food , eat - go back. Must have protein- will have burger- num num num.... back to the big room...

Panel of editors - Like the old game show "TO TELL THE TRUTH" - these are always interesting...

Off to the break out! - here's some fun. Priscilla Burris is ready to let us draw! Oh Thank heaven!! I get so tired sitting and listening for so long. I want to "do"! I consider it an exciting opportunity to draw here- a room filled with people "my tribe" and we are drawing together- this excites me. We work on expressions and emotions and it's about 1/2 the breakout- I could have easily done this the whole time. Next David Diaz does a painting demo- which is wild to watch but not enough time to really experience it. So I think these guys could have easily done an hour each- and it would have been groovy.

Priscilla did kindly ask me to tell the room about Ripple at the beginning of the session. So- I did- and I seriously need some public speaking help!

Back into the big room. "The Hills are alive... with the sound of Tractors....." I will sing the praises of Loren Long and his philosophy of "If I can do this- Why can't you?"- of his wanting to make books like the ones he loved as a child- Like Ferdinand the Bull. He is such a down to earth fellow... and I completely dig his being influenced by the art on "Good Times"- which was not really painted by JJ "Dyno-mite" Walker. You can see Thomas Hart Benton's influence.... and for sure Mr. Rockwells' a homey - timeless or time we long for quality in his work. He gets a gold star in my book. I dig him big time.

Wine and cheese are waiting.... and Dan Santat's Ripple card was going up for sale @ 7 PM!- Speaking of Dan - A word of advice from me to all future conference attendees: when meeting someone you admire- first make sure they have not just put an entire cracker with cheese in their mouth as you touch their shoulder and introduce yourself.

His book OH! NO!- could have gone on to be his last and I could have been the culprit. I'm sure he could have parlayed it into a hilarious book called "There are always lots of Heimlich maneuvers at the conference" - It was nice to meet him tho- he is a nice guy.

I had a $10 glass of blechy wine and one smudge of brie on a shingle.

I sat in the lobby bar and sold Dan's art on Ripple in 4.4 seconds. I earned my pina colada , baby. I have waited all summer for it. I brought a bag of my own paper umbrellas and headed up to the illustrators social- it is 7:30 in the evening... 12 hour day so far.....

This is fun. I met Kim Fleming - a Ripple artist here all of the way from Australia- so cute! Here's where you see faces you know and didn't know were going to be at the conference. We get men-tees and talk them thru their first conference- it's fun. I met more people from NY this year which was nice.I am all about bringing the illustrators together more. They should have this 2 nights- maybe we can pay to have a dinner in there?- dinner?- oh yeah..

Around 10:30 I ate spicy chicken lumps at the bar with a few chopped up cucumbers. Off to bed- knowing sometime tomorrow I would hear in my head that sound submarines make- the alarm when everyone yells DIVE!DIVE! - as my stomach does not travel well.

Up and dressed and at Starbucks by 8:00 for a Ginormous Ice coffee and a fiber muffin.

Gordon Korman was an enjoyable speaker . I took away from his talk to stay in touch with what YOU thought was cool as a kid. So... roller disco , hmmmmm...

Agent panel! These panels feel like Hollywood Squares- they need light bulbs and buzzers and that skinny microphone with the little grey ball on top. - One of the agents had the deepest voice- it was like turning the bass all the way up- you could feel the frequency... it was hypnotic. They had good stuff to say too. Hot Hot Hot middle grade - esp boy stuff. That Percy Jackson has stolen Harry's thunder! I'd like to see them duel.(team harry) All about the chapter booksand young MG , Picture books are "tough sell".

Breakout - Pat Cummings and Cecilia Yung "Illustrator Tips on Portfolios and Promotion". The day before there was another portfolio break out that I did not go to. Perhaps- there should be 2 illustrator tracks? more options? One for "newbies" - One for the mildly published - who want to move to the next level-I have already been thru 9 conferences and 16 portfolio info sessions.

off to get a sandwich.....

I enjoyed lunch with Angela Matteson and Linda Silvestri- and a table full of illustrators.

Big Room : Marion Dane Bauer - hit this Mom's heart hard. Tears flowed. Further proof that authors have a mythical mojo that is other-wordly. She poured out her heart in her speech and her books must be amazing.

And then there was E.B..

E.B. Lewis

I don't even know what to say. He's the kind of man you wouldn't want to disappoint. Like your favorite 4th grade teacher. Or your beloved coach -Or your Dad. He sets a standard and you feel like "Yeah- that's where I should be- I'd better work my ass off to get there or else." 15- 18 hours a day in the studio. (Wow. Yeah- that would get me in the zone and keep me there... I long for that. But can I give that as a mom of a 10 year old?- no. But I feel like that's a key to it- that I am missing.)

He said things like "Do you TRULY want to do this?" (um, yes- I mean YES!Yes Sir!)

Passion- Passion is key. His "Icons" on lottery cards- his need to express what he believes- what he teaches - what he feels about kids- is remarkable. I counted the hours until his breakout....

But meanwhile Loren Long awaited in his breakout and he was like a cold slice of watermelon on a hot summer day. Are you an illustrator who wants to write?(yes) Well- it's about ideas. (He's kinda the Jimmy Stewart of children's books) - When you write and illustrate theres' no other "pesky" name on the cover!;) Jot down every single idea- just know they are mostly bad ideas. Keep it simple!-Cause most of the best books are just that- simple. Cut- and cut and cut to get to the heart of the story... (Oh agony agoneeeee- this is what I am doing at home next week)

He ended the session with his belly on a lady's head to show cast shadows- and how to not draw every little detail...and it was funny cause it was so awkardly innocently strange... and we could have stayed there all afternoon with him.

And then the Submarine alarms went off and I cut out until the portfolio showcase..... I know when to say "Uncle" to too much inspiration for one day... put on my pjs and laid down. Apologies to Gail Carson Levine - who's books my daughter loves.

THUNDER DOME (the portfolio showcase)

To me- this is the reason to come- if you have to boil it down to one reason. This is the main event and all else is gravy. In one hour- you have more important eyeballs on your work than you are going to get in a year. And like the NY lottery says- "You gotta be in it - to win it".

Show tunes come in very handy as you walk Thunder Dome:

I like Westside Story....

Who knows....
There's something due any day;
I will know right away,
Soon as it shows.
It may come cannonballing down through the sky,
Gleam in its eye,
Bright as a rose!

Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Under a tree.
I got a feeling there's a miracle due,
Gonna come true,
Coming to me!

Could it be? Yes, it could.
Something's coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Something's coming, I don't know what it is,
But it is
Gonna be great!

(If you are feeling slightly sad at not winning a prize or men-tee spot... perhaps looking forward to what might be....)

There's a place for us,
Somewhere a place for us.
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us
Somewhere.

There's a time for us,
Some day a time for us,
Time together with time spare,
Time to learn, time to care,
Some day!

Somewhere.
We'll find a new way of living,
We'll find a way of forgiving
Somewhere . . .

There's a place for us,
A time and place for us.
Hold my hand and we're halfway there.
Hold my hand and I'll take you there
Somehow,
Some day,
Somewhere!

Anyway the cookie crumbles it's a great experience to put yourself out there - and into Thunder Dome. How do you match up? Where do you fall? What are you missing? What can you work on? Why did they win? What am I damn good at?- all are spoils of Thunder Dome.

And then the party... 15 minutes later. I ran up to Tina Nichols Coury's room for a pre-party bash. It's like the Mummer's Parade Exploded in her room. Glitter! Sparkles! Blinky Lights! Pink Champagne! She is quite the hostess and is a warm and welcoming presence out in LA. She had assembled a group of McVeigh Agency peeps and it was a nice opportunity to meet everyone. A glass of champagne on an empty stomach... down the elevator...

....outside It's shove a fajita down your gullet so you can have a cocktail and not find yourself dancing on a table naked covering your parts with giant heart sprinkle cookies.

That DID NOT happen.

I did have my picture taken with many many people. Through the course of the party I met many many Ripple artists and it was a blur... of red... until bed. Sleep.......... getting up very early to have a real breakfast with Heather and Priscilla.

It was SO nice to sit and talk with Heather and Priscilla over a real meal. Coffee and toast and eggs and conversation. 3 of the Sketchables together!

Heather and I went out to play hooky and sit in the sun and sketch. I was feeling toasted. I was looking forward to E.B. Lewis' breakout session. and it didn't disappoint.

E.B. Strikes Back

I just could listen to him all day...

Tidbits of wisdom... that flows freely from him..

"Chubby Checker Syndrome" - don't do the same thing over and over- Chubby Checker at almost 80 is still singing "The Twist"

Be your own worst critic.

One bad line can destroy an entire piece

Dig deep-research, scratch and dig at whatever the subject of the story is

Don't put in every single detail (Loren said this too)- "Leave the Gap"- like NC Wyeth - work in the shadows

Don't look at who won the award- (I needed to hear that after Thunder Dome)

As a parent- I really agreed with his saying that we "Monitor" kids more than parent them. How many kids I know that are in front of the TV - computer - DS - on the cell phone- constantly at activities while the parents are doing something else. We need to engage with the kids- shut everything else off and be face to face- having conversations.

And then my moment of blubbering.. (I took this from my Ripple blog post)He brought up the oil spill and said- "What are we as artists going to do about it?" (I'm paraphrasing...) He went on to say "My father said there are 3 kinds of people- Sub Humans, Humans, and Super Humans". "Sub Humans are like Hitler or Osama Bin laden- people who do harm, cause pain and suffering.""Humans are people who exist- but don't do anything- don't act - don't stand up and make a difference." "Super Humans are the ones who say "I will not sit by and do nothing""They are the ones who try to make a difference." - I burst into tears. Like a fool... I hope he didn't notice...
I have been so busy running this- the absolute SCALE of what Ripple has done- what it has become- and what it continues to do- hadn't hit me until then. As I sniffed and calmed down- my friend Amy Farrier- quietly said, "Kelly Light- super human" -and the tears flowed again.

You get the feeling E.B. Lewis eats paint- brushes his teeth with a sable brush - sleeps on canvas - and showers in watercolor... I mean this man lives it. He does not make art- he lives it. He's quite an inspiration.

We had the Golden Kite Luncheon next. Filled with good stuff.

I went to Steven Malk's talk as last years' was very informative. He's a good guy- he breaks the biz down- and makes it seem so doable. I have 2 pages of notes- He's generous and says- He's here to help. And I believe him. Raised in kids' books- he's a great resource to hear speak.

Awoooga Awoooga! - submarine siren going off again- head pounding off I went. I was tired and emotional from E.B. - I felt wasted. I was asleep by 7.

I felt much better the next morning. I needed that sleep. I guess this is jet lag + Ripple lag + inspiration overload. I got to Starbucks and got that ginormous iced coffee again and a scone. I doodled all day thru the presentations- those pages can be seen on The Sketchables. I was looking forward to ending the conference with Loren Long's last break out- but we decided to sit down and eat a lunch- and it took so long- we missed 2/3's of Loren. - sorry to have missed that!

I confess - I did not know who Ashley Bryan was before this conference. "He's a national treasure!" my roommate told me- well- He certainly looks like one! -I said. He gave us a taste of the "Ashley Bryan Experience" during the Golden Kite luncheon. His closing keynote was a "happening". He was a force of nature. He's changed forever my appreciation of poetry. He brought it to LIFE! I will tap the book to the beat and stretch out the sounds til the senses experience the words. It was a joyous big room goodbye.

Now - Go forth and create.

I filled out my comment sheet w/ a few suggestions for illustrators at these big conferences. I'd like more drawing- life drawing session?- Gestures? - a sketch crawl? ... generally more hands on- workshops. I've been to the Florida SCBWI summer conference twice and it's a great one. Friday is a full day workshop - that spills into Saturday. Like the master class ideas - but breakouts as options for those who have already done the basics of breaking into the industry.

And as I finish this it is August 11th. My quagmire: I may be about ready to tear apart that PB dummy and get it finally paired down- scratched-dug deep- down to the heart of the story.

I took 3 pictures in LA - 2 of which are of pina coladas.

To market- to market.....

2010-07-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

I made my promotional goodies for Los Angeles so fast. 3 days to make a little book- sketch to color- to printer. I'm really happy with the way the little books came out. It looks so much better than in a portfolio- it's an actual book! I did the quickest postcard I've ever done- 3 hours start to finish to printer. I put the postcard image on the back of the little book. I did a Ripple business card which is just the banner from the blog - all black front and back (back has contact info). And a bookmark. I just ripped funny characters out of illustrations. I used Got Print and am extremely happy with the printing for the money!!! last Xmas- I used a local printer with devastating results- never again. I've also used a printer that prints the most gorgeous cards ever for 4 times the cost of these- so never again- this is just right.

So- now do I do the last minute freak out art or not- I shouldn't -but it's like an OCD thing- so compulsive!!! - Just say no Kelly....

Thursday is Sketchables Day

2010-07-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

Over at the Sketchables the sketches are flyin'!!! My turn today to throw down some pencil. I opened the vault into my sketches from a past life....

Embracing the mess of my sketches

2010-07-11T07:03:00.000-07:00

I finished up the little sample book. 6" by 9". I did this so fast- I kept my sketches in- cleaning up only the lines that created tangents and cut thru features. So busy with Ripple- I couldn't give it a full color teatment- so I thought about books I had as a kid- I would get them from Scholastic Book clubs.. little white softcover books- with spot colors. Colors that were not neatly applied within the lines. I dumped "Mr. Sprinkles" (Ice cream sprinkles) on the scanner to get the colors. Does it work for me? - Kinda- maybe -hope so...'cause it's done. I have to find a quick turn around printer tomorrow. And do a postcard... fast.

THE SKETCHABLES

2010-07-08T06:13:00.000-07:00

Thursdays are my day over at THE SKETCHABLES - today- sketch to finish!

THE SKETCHABLES

2010-07-01T06:42:00.000-07:00

Hey All! it's my turn over at THE SKETCHABLES!!

This is a great group of illustrators and I am fortunate to spend time with them. We all are doodling fools and love to talk about artists' sketches. Keep your eye on the blog as we share more each week!

Goin back to Cali - SCBWI Style

2010-06-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

Ripple has raised $6000 as of today!!! - Amazing. I have- not drawn in a month... kinda a biproduct of do-gooding. So This weekend I worked on something new for the L.A. conference- a mini- book. I'm basing it on the sketch I did about my cousin and I'm calling it- "HEY! CUPCAKE!" - I hope it will be a little somethin' somethin' printed and a hand-out. Here's some of what's done.

Summer reading for the kid

2010-06-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

What do you do with a 10 year old voracious reader?? Of course- as a Mom- you're thrilled. It can be challenging tho, when she's read so much that is age appropriate already - and finds many books in her words "too little" for her. She's devoured Harry Potter already a year ago. The Penderwicks were visited both on summer vacation and at Gardam Street. She's gone up the mountain to meet the moon and Percy Jackson was an affair to remember. Black beauty-Black Stallion anything with a horse has been read. Lately- we've been trolling the library shelves with me encouraging her to try anything... it doesn't have to be a book with "buzz"- it's like discovering treasure!!!But lately... her eyes turn to the YA.

Oy Vey!!! Not yet!- We will get there- -let's just get to middle school ok??? She's a dystopian fiend - put the kid in another reality - wizards- Olympians- EGYPTIAN GODS(yup Mr. Riordan -she's all over the new series) - she eats it up. She read "City of Ember" as part of her "Voyager Program" at school. Really? Wowo- post apocalyptic stuff floats her boat too!?

The school sends home a list- 2/3's of which she's already read. 1/3 of which she considers too little. -So it's the books of Ember so far. We made a trip to the Comic book shop- so we've got all of Bone to go through. She loves graphic novels - I try to keep up on them.

I may start the timeless Judy Blume run of puberty books at the end of the summer- it's about time. -oy vey. I loved those books - so I know where we are headed.....

So any suggestions for an advanced 10 year old reader??? I'm not letting her read Twilight -I'm a big bad mommy who believes in letting kids stay kids for as long as possible - no sexy vampires yet.

I'm open to hearing about the books you loved as an 11 year old.

My favorite art to look at??Artists' sketches - sooo why not make...

2010-06-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

"The Sketchables" a new blog featuring Heather Powers, Priscilla Burris, Diandra Mae, Joy Steuerwald and ME.

We all have something in common - a fierce passion for sketching and looking at other artists sketches. We hope to share our own and the sketches of lots of others with you. Keep checking back as we launch this exciting new project!

establishing family resemblance

2010-06-05T09:10:00.001-07:00

Working on a book that follows one family through a hundred years - is well - insane.
I did this this morning to help me sort out how I am keeping the family resemblance alive thru the generations. I have a family tree I'm working on too- cause Wow- it gets confusing- who is who's kid and who is who's grandma and how does it all branch out.

I've tied the family together in a lot of ways. Facially- I've tried to repeat certain features- nose shape, head shape, mouth shape- eye shape and expressions and attitudes. They're such a fun bunch!;)

You know the old saying "tortured artist" well I'm a self torturing one! But I have a need to tell this story so- I'm gonna get it done and then I will feel as if they've been done justice. I start each week talking to the main character in my head saying "Tell me your story".

On the drawing table

2010-06-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

Still working on my PB dummy. I am closing in on the last 1/3....

The Gulf Sketchcards - are causing a RIPPLE

2010-06-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

I'm moving the sketchcard effort HERE

The new blog "Ripple" - is nothing fancy. I didn't spend a lot of time on the header. I don't spend a lot of time on the sketches. I want each small act to build upon the first - and through doing them- something bigger can grow. Like ripples in water. Like I said- it's hard to cause ripples in OIL SOAKED WATER. But, with help, we can.

Thanks everybody!

Good Stuff Goin On!

2010-05-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

Off to Hot Dog House for the next week - by myself to dream-to write- to draw and to Brimfield Baby! 5 football fields of antiques-- drool.

I was in Publisher's Marketplace this week! I had no idea my agent was going to put an announcement about the little Goldilocks Book in- Thanks Mark! What a nice surprise! - Anyone have a print copy- save it for me!-- Have an awesome week all and again Happy Mothers' Day. -Especially to my Mom who really is the Mom of Moms.

Mother's Day - An Oldie but goodie

2010-05-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

When Mags was small - I was not working- not creating much art at all. It drove me batty. So- I would draw what I knew- little black and white cartoons about motherhood.

Happy Mothers' Day to all! We deserve it!

How long on one illustration is long enough??

2010-05-04T08:22:00.000-07:00

I'm not a fast painter. I'm a fast sketcher. Going to color- I'm a sloth.

3 months to do a whole book- sketch to final was TOUGH!

So more food for thought - when deciding on deadlines - both as the editor/art director and as the potential illustrator - consider how long it takes to paint each page.

In the best of situations I take 3 days each. Say 4 months would be fab- sounds reasonable I think. I had two weeks. I had to do two a day for this project and in my opinion it shows. Live and learn.

Every experience gets you somewhere. And even if I trip over my feet and fall on my face - I am still moving forward. Onward!

Sketch of the day!

2010-04-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

I have a cousin Jeff -He's 4 years older than I am. Which- when you're little is just older enough for you to think He is the biggest (6'4") -coolest - guy around. When we were young, he was obsessed with the Minnesota Vikings - and his room, which I was always locked out of- always smelled of sweaty football uniform. These days- He's a Dad of 11 year old twins a boy and a girl. Which He takes equal delight in coaching the football team and watching the dance recitals. One of the reason's I like Facebook is that- these days- family is so spread apart and we just don't get together much. But there I can read his proud papa posts AND most interesting of all: his posts about his fervent love of cupcakes.

So I took a few minutes and was inspired by this big tough guy with the sugary sweet insides.

(Jeff- this drawing does not imply you have little T_Rex bippy arms!);) -XO

Sketch of the evening

2010-04-26T19:57:00.001-07:00

What if Medusa and Aphrodite were Bff's growing up? - Two unlikely friends - who care about eachother despite their differences? Hmmmmmm... Telling myself stories again.

color sketch

Illustration Friday "Detective"

2010-04-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

Bringing this back for IF this week. This is my husband's absolute favorite thing I have ever drawn. I should have it printed and framed for him. - There's a whole story that goes along with this illustration... Someday.. I'll get the dummy done!

They Draw and Cook

2010-04-21T06:11:00.001-07:00

Nana and I are up on "They Draw and Cook"

This is a very clever new art blog started by Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell. "They Draw and Cook" Visual artists do like to express themselves in many ways. Sometimes- after a huge deadly deadline it's a good idea to put down the pencil and do something else to express yourself. Cooking is a very meditative, soothing way to do it!- and You get to eat the results- Bristol board never tasted this good!;)

I do prefer baking to cooking a nightly meal- unless I have a whole day to think about the dinner- and that only happens at Christmas. But baking! It is so unnecessary and indulgent and comforting and usually- I bake from recipes handed down from other great bakers. My Mom - Queen of cookies. My Great Grandmother on my father's side was Italian. I have yet to summon the courage for some of those recipes. I do have a recipe for peanut butter chocolate chips that I guard with my life that came from my Mom's grandmother.

This came from Nana. She is my husband's Grandmother. She welcomed this Shiksa with open arms from day one. She lives in Florida in a nursing home now. We haven't seen her in two years. We call on the phone but sometimes she drops hers in the toilet so- you can't always reach her!
She is a treasure from a disappearing generation of Brooklyn women. Yiddish flows and so does guilt but all gets washed away by love. Everything about her is larger than life- her voice, her jewelry and her boobs. Here's to you Nana! You're turning 89! Happy Birthday!