Art & Soul

Looking Back - 2005

Austin writer, Chris Barton, keeps a running tally of his successes. I find this such a positive practice. What a way to bolster yourself when your self-esteem flags a little.

With that in mind, I decided to take a look back at my year and my accomplishments.

• I had an excellent year promotion-wise. I feel that I really got my name and work out there.

• I worked consistently through the year with no real downtime (thanks Maggie!).

• I worked with several dream clients for the first time this year, including Scholastic and Highlights for Children.

• My first trade-book illustration job was published (this month!).

• I moved forward in my writing, including taking workshops with Anastasia Suen and Uma Krishnaswami.

• I have several proposed book projects making the rounds and getting some nibbles.

• I licensed several images to a crafting company (thanks Michael!).

• I was invited to join a couple of amazing groups of my peers (and heroes).

I'd have to say this was a great year for me. I'm moving in the right direction and getting some fabulous opportunities. I can't ask for more than that.

I'd love to hear about everyone else's successes!

Merry, Jolly, Happy from Me to You

I love Christmas, but I'm afraid I'm one of those people who is still wrapping as the guests ring the door bell.

We went to a party last night. I put the finishing touches on the gift tags minutes before we were due to leave.

For all you fellow seasonal procrastinators, here's a late Christmas gift to you from me. You can *download and print a set of the snowman gift tags here to use on your own presents.

Merry Christmas, y'all!

*Gift tags may only be downloaded for personal use, and may not be used for any commercial purposes without the written consent of the artist.

Marketing Time

I had big plans to send out a Halloween promo, but ended up having a very steady stream of work coming in the last few months.

I'm making up for my procrastination on this project by sending a big mailer instead of a postcard this time. I found these awesome 9x12 full window envelopes from Action Envelopes.

I hope that seeing some artwork through the window will entice art directors and editors to open them up. This is the insert that will show through the window. I write the editor's address on the little envelope the snake is holding. I'm very happy with how this turned out.

Behind the insert, I'm including two letter sized promo sheets. I've got two styles I'm working in right now, so I've included a few samples of each style.

I added Highlights for Children to my client list as a result of my last promotion; so I'm hoping this one will be as successful.

Austin Conference- Notes

I have been playing catch-up ever since the Austin Conference last month. Finally though, I've had a chance to sit down and look at my notes. I had a teeny bit of trouble hearing some of the speakers; I'm not sure if this is advancing age (my birthday is coming up) or the gymnasium acoustics, but here's what *I* heard.

Melanie Cecka - Co-editorial Director, Bloomsbury USA

Melanie pointed out that Bloomsbury is very author/book focused.

When asked what she is looking for, she said she never knows until she sees it. She feels that worrying about how to get published is the wrong focus; rather you should focus on ideas and writing. People work too hard at writing; write because you love it whether you get published or not.

She advised to stop trying to figure out what editors want or what will "sell" and write about what you are passionate about. If it's not from the heart, the editor will know. What sells today may not be what sells tomorrow; it's cyclical.

She likes strong voices and regional characters. She mentioned How to be a Good Dog, an upcoming picture book by Gail Page, as an example why picture books will continue to sell even though the market for them is down right now. She says it has a terrific character. This book went through 19 revisions.

Cecilia Yung - AD, Putnam and Philomel

She says that as an art director, she feels her responsibilities are to 1. the publisher, 2. the book, and 3. the artist. She prefers to work directly with illustrators rather than reps.

She said if you send your book dummy to an editor, you have one shot at them liking it. If you send it to her, she can show it to the editors she thinks will like it (she didn't mention that you still have only one shot at her liking it though).

When you're seeking feedback on your work, ask open ended questions. Don't ask, "Did you like it," but "What do you think about it?"

Stephan Fraser - Literary Agent, Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency

Stephan advised to write from your own experience. Writing that comes from experience or the heart comes forth with enthusiasm. A good idea can move mountains.

Good writing flows. It is not awkward and does not imitate. It is authentic.

He says do not be apologetic when you send out a MS; be confident. You must believe it is valuable and worthy.

Locate the right publisher...do your homework and really know who you're sending to, THEN locate the right editor. Stay with it; be stubborn. Persistence may even trump talent.

He looks for writing that is timeless, elegant, fun, and fresh. There is always a home for good, quality writing.

When sending to him, he prefers a cover letter that just states the facts (who, how to contact, publishing credits); he doesn't need a synopsis.

Mark McVeigh was there too from Dutton Children's Books, but I had to choose between his talk and Cecilia Yung's. I went with the art director, what can I say?

Who Me?!

I've been tagged! Dee at Let's Just See has asked that I list 20 random things about myself. These are about as random as you can get. :-P

1. I am a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

2. I love to read (SciFi, Fantasy, Drama, Chick Lit, Mysteries).

3. I married an Englishman.

4. I'm 5'1" if I stand up straight.

5. My husband is 6'4" if he slouches.

6. I drive a pick-up truck.

7. I still hang out with my friend I met when I was three.

8. I taught skating classes.

9. I drink obscene quantities of hot tea.

10. I got a another dog (Bucky) this week.

11. I am a book/art/office supply store addict.

12. I break out in hives from sunlight.

13. I lived in Guam.

14. Three years ago, I donated 21 inches of my hair to the Locks of Love program.

15. I could donate another 20 something inches or so tomorrow.

16. I'm a hockey fan.

17. I met my husband on matchmaker.com.

18. I collect salt and pepper shakers.

19. I once backed a Pinto (first car) into a gas pump and DIDN'T blow up!

20. I listen to audio books while I work. Right now, I'm listening to this.

I'm tagging any Children's Illustrator Blog Ring member who has time to list 20 Random things about themselves.

Austin Conference - Friends!

The Austin SCBWI conference was great, and I do have conference notes I'll share here later, but the very best part of the conference was connecting in person with all my online pals.

I left on Friday and met up with my pal, Chris Schechner, just outside of Dallas. We convoyed to Austin, stopping on the way to enjoy some of the yummy, artery-hardening fare at the Health Camp restaurant in Waco. Mmmmm burgers.

Chris followed me over to Patty's house, and we hung out and chatted with Patty, her husband, Jerry, and Laura Logan until Patty threw all the men out, and the slumber party began for real!

Patty, Laura and I stayed up all night laughing, chatting, and eating little plastic donuts (you know, the little chocolate coated ones that you get at the 7-11). Patty is the hostess with the mostest. She made two lovely dips, had chips and crackers, made a giant fruit/cookie pizza, and set us up with the fluffiest towels I've ever seen.

We had such a good time, the three of us are going to meet up in Waco and make the slumber party a regular event!

At the conference, I not only got to hang with all my pals (Roz, Chris, Laura, Patty, and Christy), I also got to make a couple of new friends, Mark Mitchell and Chris Barton. Great guys!

Again, the conference was great; I got a lot of good information and some great tips. It was the people who made it worth the drive though! :-)

Illustrator of the Week

When I checked my web stats this morning, I noticed an unusually large number of referrals from childrensillustrator.com. When I checked it out, I realized I'm the Illustrator of the Week this week (9-19-2005)!

Way cool!

Sleep? Who Needs It?!?

It's not as if I'm intentionally staying up all night, every night, to work, I just can't quit painting. I like this new one.

At the rate I'm going, I may have a completely new portfolio by the time the Dallas SCBWI conference rolls around on the 24th. Hopefully, I'll sleep between now and then. :-)

Building a New Portfolio

I'm becoming more and more comfortable with this style. My portfolio is growing rapidly. I've still got to figure out how certain things look in this little world.

I'm liking the spaghetti arms and legs. I'm liking the facial features. I'm still working out hair and fur.

I need more action and interaction in my portfolio now. I took a hard look at my portfolio, and realized that much like myself, my characters sit or stand still most of the time. Not really what we're looking for in a portfolio aimed at the picture book market.

Chris Tugeau has an article on what SHOULD be included in a picture book portfolio on her website.

Still Exploring

I'm still just wading with this style. I'm liking where it's going, but I haven't really taken off the water wings and plunged in yet.

My friend Laura says she wants a set of the placemats in this illustration. She can have the placemats, just leave the cookies. :-P