Celebrating the Wild Horses


My experience seeing the wild horses in Nevada last month lingers in my memory. I decided to take it to the illustration table.

This was a different kind of piece for me. I was aiming for a subtler approach to narrative than I usually use; one that used composition and landscape to suggest story. It was a fun experiment. I think I could have done more with the sky. Maybe this experiment will inform some future work in a fun way.

I value experiments as much as I value adventures. Experiments are adventures. Even if experimenting doesn't yield my BEST WORK EVER, it definitely loosens me up, keeps me on my toes, and keeps me playing.

I guess experiments often keep the process of making art more wild.

Like the horses.

Cleaning out my portfolio and bidding adieu to some old favorites

We're in the final countdown to the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) Western Washington 18th Annual Writing and Illustrating for Children Conference!

I'm psyched and all geared up. Or I should say I'm gearing up. As part of my prep I decided not only to update and clean out my physical portfolio but to do the same with my online portfolio.

It's always a little bittersweet to clean out my portfolio. Saying hello to new pieces is so exciting. But saying good-bye to old pieces that I still love (but perhaps have outgrown) can sometimes be hard. And then there's the doubts that inevitably creep in. What if the old pieces are better? But that is a place I cannot dwell. Sometimes the old pieces are better. Or at least still good. That being said, when my gut says it's time to move on, it probably is.

And so, I bid adieu to some old favorites by posting them on my scrappy little blog (because I can't quite let go completely).
Bunnies, you've been here a while. You've treated me well. Lots of people have enjoyed you.
Including me. But I think I'm ready to say that some of my new work is stronger. I do love that shadow piece. Maybe it can stay a little while more?
Mom and baby on a swing, I made you while my own sweet babe was about this size. Thanks for the memories.
And the self-portrait. I still love the self portrait. It looks just like I looked when I was about 8. It graced the front page of my website for an unacceptably long period of time. No matter how new pieces may tell a story better or show my technique better, I still love this self portrait.
Raccoons, raccoons. I've redone this illustration a number of times as my technique has evolved. Despite never feeling fully satisfied with this piece you always make me laugh. A lot of critiquers have named you a favorite. But I've decided the underlying drawing is something that I would and can do better now. The tent was always a little funny how it just was cut-out. I've got new ideas for a new composition. Maybe I'll redo the entire drawing and try yet again someday. But for now, it's time to let go.
And here's to the snobby dogs who turn their noses up to my scrappy little mutt relieving himself by the fire hydrant. Walk on.
Okay. I've said good-bye. Time to do some updating.

Ice Cream in Nevada

From my last post, you see that I just got back from Nevada. While I have oodles of things to share from the last few weeks (more inspiration from my recent trip to Spain, info on a cool exhibit in Seattle, and a giveaway I promise I haven't forgotten), indulge me in the moment first.
Ahhhh.

I had an awesome time in Nevada at the SCBWI conference and the beginning to the mentor program in Virginia city. And not just because of the WILD HORSES (!).

I knew my weekend in Nevada was off to a sweet start when I ate the yummy delight pictured above at Swenson's Ice Cream Parlor near the Reno airport. But the whole weekend turned out to be sweet. The conference took place here:And Here:With views like this one in the background:
Can you believe it? More like a retreat, no?

I learned a lot. Met lots of new people. Chatted kid's books with passionate people. Listened to some amazing writers and illustrators.

Like Yuyi Morales! I could listen to her speak all day for many days. Her presentations are like poetry. Plus she makes puppets. If you are an artist, go to her website and click on "Senor Tlalocan's Prayers," then enjoy.

I left the weekend with dozens of ideas for new illustration samples. I also filled up my camera collecting quirky pictures that may or may not lend to future textures in illustrations. Like this one:And this one:
Everywhere I looked I saw potential settings. Wouldn't this place be fun to illustrate in collage?
Or what about an old-looking train?
But mostly the whole town made me want to draw cowboys.
Did you know that the Virginia City High School is home of the "Muckers?"
I heart Virginia City. I'm bringing my family back when I go in October. It's a cool place. Here's the sunrise I caught on Monday morning, my last day there:Thank you so much to Suzanne Morgan Williams and Ellen Hopkins, SCBWI Nevada's Co-Regional Advisors, for putting on such a great conference!

Magic in Nevada

I just returned from the Nevada SCBWI conference. I feel like I'm floating on air. There was a surprise to my weekend that made it downright amazing.
I volunteered to drive people to the airport if needed on Sunday afternoon. Instead, the organizers asked me to help drive some of the faculty to see wild horses...

Wild horses. Wow. Unforgettable. Mountains in the background. Colts a few days old. Wow.
Look at this horse hair we found:
It was a magical time and I feel so grateful for it.

Terri Farley, author of the Phantom Stallion Series was the one who made it all possible. I read the first book in her series on the way home on the airplane. A perfect book for the end of the weekend. Thank you, Terri.

The Phoenix and The Pig

I just finished 4 new illustration samples!

The illustrations are based on a story that I adore, The Phoenix and The Pig, written by my friend Mattie Wheeler. The story is about a Phoenix who's contagious joie de vivre helps a grumpy old Pig lighten up -- in a very transformative way.

I wanted a chance to give life to someone else's characters, so I asked Mattie's permission to try with The Phoenix and The Pig.

I thought a Phoenix would be a fun thing to illustrate using my style and handmade paper because I knew I could make the phoenix's energy visual in an unusual way.

Thanks, Mattie! I had so much fun with your characters!

Small side note nuts and bolts reminder for anyone interested:

Writers of picture books do not usually choose their illustrators (nor do illustrators usually choose their writers). It's best not to submit stories with illustrations other than your own (editor's like to make the matching). This exercise was simply that: an exercise. Although I will add that I would be thrilled to illustrate a story as fabulous as Mattie's story, and I did ask to try my hand at it because I saw a very specific way my style could work with the characters.

P.S. I haven't forgotten my blog anniversary giveaway... I'll announce winners soon.

The Internet Can Be Good For You and A Cool Blog About Art Promotion

I've found an awesome blog about Art promotion (thanks to Blue Roof Designs' twitter posts). It's a blog maintained by Alyson B. Stanfield called the Art Biz Blog. No matter if you are a crafty etsy type, a writer, a painter or a potter, a lot of her advice carries over and rings true.

Since becoming a mom I've put heavy art promotion (both for my handmade books and for my illustration) on the back-burner in favor of honing my craft in regards to writing and illustrating. And boy has it been worth it! I have learned so much over the last two years! I think sometimes artists don't take enough time out to better their skills. But striking that balance between promotion and improvement is an important skill to learn too. How do you do it?

Well if you are an artist reading this blog, odds are you promote yourself (or are thinking of doing so) at least partially through the internet. I feel like I've had the "internet" discussion with so many writers and artists recently. You know the one. Why do you bother blogging? What value does facebook or twitter have to you? Isn't a webpage more work than it's worth? Aren't you just wasting time you could be using in the studio? Well, sometimes.

The studio is my #1 priority. But I guess after every one of these conversations I come back to this point: promotion is an essential part of being an artist, and having an online presence really does not take that much time. It's cheap, it's fun, you can promote yourself and learn about your craft often in the same 20 minute time frame, and I think your buyers (whoever they are) probably expect it. If you are reading this, you probably see the value in all this internet stuff. No need to further preach to the choir. But in case you're interested, in a recent podcast on the blog I recommended earlier in this post, Alyson B. Stanfield does an awesome job of summarizing the values to an artist of an online presence. It's short. It's good. Give it a listen if you have the chance.

Enough to think about. Now, I'm off to the studio to get my hands dirty!

International Fake Journal Month

Did you know April is International Fake Journal Month?

I didn't. Until a few days ago.
What is a fake journal?

Well I suppose it could be many things. Maybe a fictional journal? Pretending you are somewhere or someone you are not? Maybe a journal you don't regularly keep? You decide.

I wish I had started a fake journal this month! Next year! I pledge to do it! I have kept dozens and dozens of different kinds of journals, yet I have never kept a fake one. I want to. And I will...

Meanwhile check out Minnesota artist Roz Stendahl's work on the International fake journal month blog. It's awesome!

Church Bells, Narrow Streets and Framed Haiku

A couple of inspirations and pretty things from my trip to Spain...
From Feb 19, 2009:

Church bells in the Andalucian white hill towns:

Narrow roads (we squeezed our nine-passenger van through this street):
And the beautiful hotel we stayed at in Arcos De La Frontera, La Casa Grande. Parts of the building (like the well) date back to the renaissance. There was a roof-top terrace, Haiku poems framed on the walls, and beautiful Moroccan lamps.I also ate one of the top handful of best meals I've ever eaten at a spanish/morroccan restaurant called "La Taberna de Boabdil" that night. Good food is definitely inspirational. No?

*Update*: I realized the poem picture I took is not haiku... It's a cool poem though, no?

On Hold

Whew! I've got lots of art that I want to get done in the next few weeks. So yesterday I got brutal with prioritizing my to-do list.

In case you thought I'd just forgotten my "handmade book of the month" or my "illustration of the month" features altogether, I thought I'd officially announce that I'm putting a few regular features of my blog on hold for awhile -- to be revamped and revived in a few months.

Anyone else getting brutal with prioritizing their to-do lists lately?
Root for me, people. Besides custom orders, I've got some art samples that I'm psyched to dive into.

Heather Benning's Life-sized Doll House

I was intrigued when Elisa of Pesky Cat Designs twittered about this life-sized dollhouse last week.

So I did a little google search to find more pictures and found some cool ones here. What is it? Artist Heather Benning turned an old abandoned farmhouse into a big "dollhouse." She used 60s replica furniture and set it up so it really does look like a dollhouse.

Also the blog that I've linked for pictures has other cool pics of other cool dollhouses too:
and a few others.

There I go distracting myself and you with quirky weird stuff again. But fun!

Edible Book Contest

No kidding -- this is not a late april fool's joke -- I got to judge an edible book contest yesterday!

How fun is that?

There was a cake interpretation of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Illuminated Booklava, Books bound with licorice, books bound with rice noodles and books made entirely of gum.

Anyway, thanks to the Book Binding Etsy Street Team for asking me to Judge. It was a hoot!

Check out the pics here and here.

Cuevas Al Jatib

From FEB 17, 2009: Drove along the coast of the Mediterranean of Spain in a 9 passenger van and stayed in a CAVE!
I love staying in unusual locations. Anything that re-frames the way I'm thinking tends to set my creative juices flowing.And so was true for Cuevas Al Jatib in Southeastern Spain near Baza!
There were also some pretty awesome steam baths in the caves. I want to go back to this place and have a crafty retreat!



Also -- Some crafty goodness from the drive that day:

I gave this handmade journey doll to my Grandmother. The journey doll carries lucky charms or good wish notes in her messenger bag. She's made to remind travelers that they have company and well wishes on a journey. She was made by my friend Amelia (Amelia doesn't have a website or I'd link you to her here -- Amelia sells journey dolls at local small craft shows). Grandma's Journey Doll brought us luck right away. Once I got her out we found a big road map book that made up for our really bad GPS system.

La Sagrada Família

FIVE things I did on Feb 16, 2009 (in Barcelona): NUMBERS 3, 4 and 5


3. Visited Gaudi's La Sagrada Família...
Antoni Gaudí's work inspires me like few others. He combined organic shapes, color and architecture in a way makes buildings feel alive.
The cathedral is still being built, over 100 years after it was started (1882). A few modern architects have added their own flare and interpretations of Gaudí's original plans. I wonder if I'll live to see its finish?
On this visit (I visited once 10 years ago), I was especially inspired by the exhibit that showed how Gaudí used natural science to examine things in nature and then translated that into his work.


Here I am with one of my favorite parts of the facade:
4. Ate mussels cooked in Austerian cider served with fries at a special mussel restaurant.

5. Walked by a few of other Gaudí's buildings, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera and stopped at the Church of Colònia Güell (also a Gaudí building)* on the way out of town in our 9 passenger van.
*A note on this -- the Church of Colònia Güell was one of my favorite places I visited in Spain 10 years ago. Unfortunately, during this visit, the hours were wrong on the signs (it said it should have been open, but it wasn't) so we were unable to go in. Stay tuned for more on the other places mentioned here...

¡Olé!

Tried to share another Spain post today but I had issues with downloading my picture. I'll post another day. Instead check out this video that I heard about through a newsletter I get. It's at least vaguely related as Author Elizabeth Gilbert uses the Spanish chat "¡Olé!" in the end of her short presentation, "A different way to think about creative genius," in a way I haven't heard it used before (but in a way I very much like).

The video is Elizabeth speaking at a TED conference (inspirational conference held every year with insanely fascinating ideas and projects shared amongst all sorts of innovative people).

She talks about a different way artists and creative people can approach their "muses." It's fascinating and, I really think it's a must watch for any creative folks out there who sometimes struggle with their work (isn't that anyone who's an artist?).

Happy Birthday Very Hungry Caterpillar

Eric Carle's VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR turned 40 last Friday!

I found out about it on the Allen County Public Library's Mock Caldecott Website (I love this website -- the ACPL has been doing a mock Caldecott for many years and their reading list is always a fantastic overview of the best picture books of the year).

So I interupt my Spain posts (which will keep coming, trust me, I've got a bunch lined up and ready to go) to celebrate an author/illustrator that is especially dear to me, Eric Carle...

Here's some really awesome Eric Carle things you should check out:
  1. He made this video to celebrate the Very Hungry Caterpillar's 40th birthday!
  2. His BLOG! I love it.
  3. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. I so want to go there.
How Eric Carle has influenced me:

In 2006, the Tacoma Art Museum featured an art exhibit with Eric Carle originals. I also went to hear Eric Carle speak when he came as part of the Seattle Arts and Lectures the same year (a promotion for the TAM exhibit). Together, the events were transformative for me. As I watched a video of Eric Carle making his work at the museum I felt cartoony lighbulbs light up above my head. There were so many small things he was doing that I could see appling to my own work -- right where I was struggling, too. I bought the video from the bookstore and have watched it many times since.

The top two things Eric Carle helped me with:
-Loosening up my drawing: he draws FAST. Sometimes when I'm really struggling with something I channel Eric Carle. What would Eric Carle do? He wouldn't agonize, he would just draw whatever quickly and from the heart. So I try drawing quickly. It helps.
-The way he lays down his collage using a template. Alleluia choruses went off in my head the first time I saw him do this in the video. He inspired me to develop my own template technique and it has expanded what I can do with collage about 50-fold. THANK YOU ERIC CARLE!

But back to the exhibit and the lecture. Even better than the exhibit, honestly, was hearing Eric Carle interact with the kids who had come to hear him speak at the lecture. He listened to their questions so intently. He got to the heart of their questions and answered so sincerely. I write and illustrate because of that kind of heart -- both his and theirs.

After the talk Eric Carle signed books. Even though I was basketball-sized pregnant at the time I put myself at the end of the line. If he ran out of time, I didn't want him to run out of time for the kids. One of the very last books he signed for the evening was my son's baby book (which was empty and new at the time but now is full to the seams and is one of my most beloved journals):

P.S. My own personal favorite Eric Carle Book is LITTLE CLOUD:
Happy Birthday, VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR!