dummy book

2013 SCBWI Houston Conference

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The conference was great!

The speakers were informative and friendly, and did I mention funny?  I love it when a speaker infuses their presentation with genuine humor.

The critiques filled my head with new possibilities and directions.   This year, there have been so many changes in my career, with having an agent and a couple of books in the works, that the conference held special meaning to me. Where once I faced a critique with a case of nerves, causing me to forget everything said to me, this year I knew the questions I wanted to ask. I heard what they had to say.
This was the time to ask.

So this year those nerves were but a case of the butterflies…..

Then to top it off, I got to meet fellow illustrators in the real, that I only knew from Facebook. It was so much fun to hang out with friends who “get” why you do what you do!

So tomorrow when I start back to work, I have renewed outlook, but today…. I’m just going to chill and let all those ideas bouncing around in my head settle and form complete paths.

Mirror

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Ruby Rue was beautiful of heart
Though her outward appearance gave town folks a start

Her dreams of a suitor had not yet come true
With just internal beauty, what’s a poor hag to do?

So she consulted her Grimoire and found a grand hex
She enchanted a stone and hung it round her neck

Then she squealed to the mirror “Why Ruby… You’re hot!”
But her stone, it was faulty, for to others… she was not!

The lesson to garner, so you won’t be alone…
Keep your hope in your heart and not in a stone.

by

Roberta Baird

Houston 2012 SCBWI Conference

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This is my portfolio display for the 2012 Houston SCBWI Conference that I attended last weekend.  I like to practice the layout before I get there, so what you see here is actually on my dining room table.

The morning was spent listening to informative speakers. The keynote speaker was the prolific and colorful,  Dan Yaccarino. His presentation along with his numerous art examples, were  a visual feast. Lots of fun and very dynamic.

On the tables were birdhouses created by Houston illustrators and other crafty conference attendees. They were auctioned that day, with the proceeds going to future illustrator activities. Each was created with a literary theme.

I chose Charlotte’s Web by E.B.White.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the afternoon the illustrators were treated to a break out session with Charlesbridge Art Director, Susan Sherman. Her breakout session was very interesting, and featured books she has worked on with many talented artists, such as the very talented Vanessa Newton.

Later that afternoon,  I had a portfolio review with Susan Sherman and sat with her at dinner. I found her very approachable. She gave me advice, direction and honesty, which I  truly value.

But wait…. there’s more!

The conference ended the following day with an Illustrator Intensive, lead by Dan Yaccarino.  My take from this conference this year?  Be Bold!!!

 

Thank you to all the Houston SCBWI coordinators. It was a good conference!

Writing and Illustrating

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Click on the picture above to see the next page.

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

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

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