Playing Royal Leap Frog was always a little traumatic for the other players. Artemis Amphibia, an avid Mel Brooks fan, simply shrugged and said…
“It’s good to be the King!”
Heights
Refuse to be average.
Let your heart soar as high as it will.
~A. W. Tozer
Waiting
So what to do while you’re waiting? Maybe you’re waiting for that next assignment, that next conference, or contest?
Well, I’m going back and practicing all the stuff that sometimes gets overlooked when we’re on a tight deadline or have gotten a little rusty, or maybe just too close to see it. Ya know what I mean? I believe that you’re never to old or experienced to learn something, all over again. It’s being creative with your time and nurturing your art. So go create something while you wait!
“Assiduus usus uni rei deditus et ingenium et artem saepe vincit.” ~ “Constant practice devoted to one subject often outdoes both intelligence and skill.” ~ Cicero.
Puzzled
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?
It came without ribbons. It came without tags.
It came without packages,boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store?
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?”
The idea here was to take a master, like the animators that drew the Grinch and make him look dimensional, and textured. I really liked Jim Carey’s version of the Grinch but the old hand drawn version will always be my favorite.
I See the Animals Sleeping at The Children’s Museum of Manhattan
I See the Animals Sleeping is now available in the gift shop of the Childrens Museum of Manhattan!
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan is currently exhibiting “EatSleepPlay™: Building Health Every Day.”
Houston 2012 SCBWI Conference
This is my portfolio display for the 2012 Houston SCBWI Conference that I attended last weekend. I like to practice the layout before I get there, so what you see here is actually on my dining room table.
The morning was spent listening to informative speakers. The keynote speaker was the prolific and colorful, Dan Yaccarino. His presentation along with his numerous art examples, were a visual feast. Lots of fun and very dynamic.
On the tables were birdhouses created by Houston illustrators and other crafty conference attendees. They were auctioned that day, with the proceeds going to future illustrator activities. Each was created with a literary theme.
I chose Charlotte’s Web by E.B.White.
In the afternoon the illustrators were treated to a break out session with Charlesbridge Art Director, Susan Sherman. Her breakout session was very interesting, and featured books she has worked on with many talented artists, such as the very talented Vanessa Newton.
Later that afternoon, I had a portfolio review with Susan Sherman and sat with her at dinner. I found her very approachable. She gave me advice, direction and honesty, which I truly value.
But wait…. there’s more!
The conference ended the following day with an Illustrator Intensive, lead by Dan Yaccarino. My take from this conference this year? Be Bold!!!
Thank you to all the Houston SCBWI coordinators. It was a good conference!
Happy Easter!
Palmer the choco bunny woke up feeling a bit light headed.
Unaware of his impending situation he became quite vocal!!
Happy Easter!
I hope your holiday is filled with sweet, melty goodness!