The Pineapple Diary

NESCBWI 2012 Conference Recap

I know the NESCBWI conference was two weeks ago. I know you've read all about it on other blogs. But humor me.

It took me a full week to absorb and appreciate the experience. Friday was beyond exhausting. Kids, house, travel, keeping on schedule, parking garage malfunctions, and THEN having a critique I was really nervous about just did me in. Immediately after my critique (mid-day Friday) I was quite ready to throw in the towel with my whole career. Yup. It's not that it went so horribly. It's just that I was tapped out. I wanted to hear the impossible, and instead I got mostly good advice. By the time Monday morning rolled around I was desperate for time to work on my picture book dummy - even if it meant taking a red pen to every aspect of it. (see image above)

The highlights of the conference for me, were (in no specific order):

Dan Yaccarino's workshop: I enjoyed it enough at the time. But when the dust settled in my brain, he shone a light on my picture book dummy that I think was the key to making it infinitely better - publishable, even. One major thing, a few little things, plus a whole lot of inspiration.

Portfolio Showcase: Seeing my portfolio out there for the first time in four years was awesome. It's nearly ALL published work. And I like a lot of it. It sorely needs more cute animals, but that's an improvement I'm happy to work on. Giving just a few little feedback cards to others was greatly rewarding too. A little birdie said there was some good response to it - and that's all you can hope for in these situations. To plant seeds, then walk away and hope something grows.

Writing Camp: I was so sad that my critique chewed up a good 25 minutes of this workshop. It was hands-on and fun. If I hadn't been so nervous about the upcoming critique, then dumbstruck, this would have been outstanding for me. Thank you Jo Knowles and Cindy Faughnan!

Friends: It was so energizing and fun to see illustrator friends. I missed last year's conference so I hadn't seen so many warm faces in nearly two years. Others I hadn't seen since the NYSCBWI conference in 2008, and still others were first encounters with people I had only talked to online. Connecting with fellow illustrators in person is beyond rewarding. And my roommate and friend Jen was a great sport for putting up with all my mommy anxieties.

Submission Strategy Consultation: This was the yin to the dummy critique's yang. Lionel Bender gave me some excellent advice. I knew in an instant that I was sitting down with a professional - and my ears were wide open. Thank you.

Maybe the best part was seeing how well my children did without me, mostly thanks to their wonderful father - next year I'm planning on going for all three days.

Hi Kids!

A few weeks ago I spoke to a local 1st grade class. I was definitely nervous and a bit unprepared for that particular age. I have only given one talk before, and it was an older age range. I was also expecting 17 kids and was a little flustered that both classes were going to sit there - all 35 of them, plus the 4+ teachers. A big change of pace from my everyday routine as a stay-at-home-mom. Just look at that stunned expression on my face, ieee!

I adjusted my talk as I went, trying to simplify my process. I brought sketches, revisions, original paintings and the final product - the book. I think I could have left a few steps out and perhaps brought my painting supplies. The kids seemed most interested in HOW I made my work, and trying to include digital steps was a stumbling block I think. I read my book aloud, and while I read to my son constantly it was different to read to a group. They were really attentive, and asked interesting questions. It was a great learning experience and I hope to keep doing it. I'm not sure if or when I'd be ready to actually 'sell' myself for school visits, but it was rewarding to spend a little time sharing my work with young, open, minds.

I also made a coloring page for the kids at my husband's suggestion. Boy, was I glad I did. It really seemed like the right thing for that age, and it gave me a chance to do some b&w work, something I NEVER do.

Tip Tap Pop: And the book goes too...

I threw everyone's names up in the air, and out came the winner of the Tip-Top Pop book giveaway!

Congratulations Anette! And thank you to everyone who visited and commented. It was nice to see all the positive response. Valeria was touched too - she thanked you all over at her blog.

NESCBWI Conference: Frank Dormer (Think Before you Draw)

I'll keep this brief, because we should all just be drawing.

The above is an illustration by Frank Dormer. His workshop at this year's NESCBWI conference put the work back in workshop. Entitled, 'Think before you draw', he posed a very simple phrase and objects and asked us to draw for just a few minutes. Then we shared. Simple, right? Nope. Oh, it was fun to stretch my brain and think of a way to show something with really tight parameters. What will everyone else draw? What is unexpected? How can scale and environment tell the story? How can I do this without drawing a face on my egg? Yes, you had to be there. And if ever you see a workshop available to you with Frank at the helm, do sign up! He was warm and observant and planted little seeds in all of us in how to look at things differently.

Want to hear more about the conference? I blogged about it here the other day. I'll blog about it here tomorrow too.

PB&J, Back and better than ever!

Have you heard the news? Picture Book Junkies are back! We've got a new and fabulous member, a fresh website, and are the sammich to follow on Twitter.

I'm so excited for our renewal. These ladies are so talented and supportive, I think we all knew it was only a matter of time before we relaunched. This week will be a bit of a reintroduction. Come check us out!

The Studio

The studio has been mostly complete for a long time but in a terrible state of disorder. I cleaned it before Miles' birthday party so I thought, what a great time to take pictures and share them!

A collection of photos, art from Johnny Yanok, Charley Harper, etc. and a beautiful mobile from my husband.

Bookshelf with knick-knackery moved out of Miles' reach. His 'confinement castle' as I call it seen at the bottom. Since he's learning to walk, I'm only able to 'confine' him for a brief email check or join him for coloring. Oh, and do you see my lovely Amy Ruppel painting? My birthday gift last year from my husband. It's a rare treat for me to have an original.

Ah, the 'puter. The frames have vintage hankies as mats, I should be able to swap the pictures out as time goes on, but I love this group still.

My very lonely drafting table. It's been an embarrassingly long time since I've painted. The paper garland made great use of my old job's bounty - scrapbooking paper! The idea came from Geninne. I constantly look at that poster and say to myself 'Keep Calm Curry On'. I'd love to tell you so much more but naptime is over!!!! Ask questions! Here, or on twitter!

Flashback Friday: Dance, Music, Theater

In late 2008 I created the above illustration for an arts organization trying to promote giving the gift of experiences via tickets to cultural events. I did a ton of sketches and went through several rounds with the client. Ultimately, I don't think they ended up using the piece which was really disappointing as it was a high-profile campaign. I'm more disappointed in the work itself, as I don't think it was easy to read - and probably why it wasn't used. The balance between giving a client what they ask for, and giving them a successful piece is always a challenge and in this case it got the better of me. The earlier concept sketches are below. My choice was #5, I think it was the least cluttered and most versatile.

Time to make my lists

After reading so many great 2009 recaps and 2010 resolutions I've decided to draft my own - several days late, of course.

Last year I knew enough to not make resolutions. With a baby on the way, I just wanted to be prepared for a crazy year as a new mom. Deep down, I did think I'd have time to keep up the momentum of my illustration career.

But the best laid plans are nothing in the face of a baby and I spent a lot of time grieving over expectations. I bit off more than I could chew at times and felt really conflicted about my roles as mother and artist. I survived the year, and looking back I actually feel pretty good about what I did accomplish in 2009:

• Finishing a book job for a new client, see above, just weeks shy of giving birth. It was a struggle to paint 10"x20" at a drafting table while enormously pregnant. I finally made the leap into eyeballs with pupils on my humans, woo hoo!
• Displaying my work at the New Hampshire Children's Museum along with the very talented Laura Rankin and Nate Walker.
• Completing another piece for New Moon magazine, mostly visualized while rocking a newborn.
• Preparing 2 rounds of endless designs for a big licensing client. I didn't land the contract but I like the program I put together and can resubmit elsewhere.
• Giving my first presentation as an illustrator at a library. I was so nervous, but in the end I think it was a success and a milestone.
• Writing a solid picture book manuscript for a story that I've had in mind for years.
• Keeping a great client for book design work. It may not be illustration, but it's great work when I get it.

I find it easy to turn resolutions into more of a wish list rather than an short list of attainable goals. I feel like I'm already reaching here, but there needs to be a little stretching for the stars, right?

• Complete my picture book dummy and submit (potentially during the NESCBWI spring conference)
• Send out a postcard mailing by March
• Redo my website, integrating my blog to my main site.
• Pursue art representation
• Cleaning my office would be nice too!

Thank you to all of my readers for sticking with me throughout my extended blogging vacations. I plan on doing a little giveaway soon as a thank you. I also want to point you to a new blog launching tomorrow: Smells Like Crayons. My critique group is kicking it up a notch and joining the blog-o-sphere, go check us out! They are so talented and the best support an illustrator could ask for.

Birthday Monkeys from the Past

I was looking for an old illustration to share for today, and since my birthday is next week this seemed like a good choice.

My husband and I usually like to make cards for each other. This was a card for him a few years back. It's always fun to dig through old work and reflect, and get inspiration! Through all my evolutions of media and styles I can find value in certain ideas and layouts. I probably could rework this piece in gouache, but I'm trying to not get too distracted! Lately though I've been focusing on my book dummy. I've tried to work on it a little bit each day, just jotting down notes, ideas, and quick sketches. More to come soon!

Oh, and I was partly inspired to dig through my archives while reading all the great posts over at Illustration for Kids Blog. Fun reads, go check it out!

3 Week Challenge: To resume at a later date...

Due to a good amount of freelance work and a short amount of free time, I've taken a break from the challenge. I will hop back on once the paying work ends!

In the meantime, be sure to check out this month's New Moon Girls Magazine. I illustrated a story called 'The Jungle Out There'. I'll post an image of it soon but you can also see it online here, page 21