Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Great Gecko Book to Buy



Here's a book that my friend Sherry Rogers illustrated. It is written by Charline Profiri. It is a wonderful board book full of cheerful geckos...each different...helping young children learn to count.

Monday, February 27, 2006

Beta Illustrator

Beta Illustrator

cynsations

cynsations Read this interview of Rosemary Stimola on Cynthia Leitich Smith's blog.

Friday, February 24, 2006

Illustration Friday sub-Tea


Here's my illustration for this week's Illustration Friday topic-TEA

Defeating Obstacles..a Quote

"Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them." -- Orison Swett Marden

Recommended Books For Illustrators

Here are two fantastic books for illustrators I've ordered. I found out about them from some online illustrator friends or peers whose work I admire, and whose opinions I respect enough to follow their advice when offered.
One of the books is Picture This by Molly Bang recommended by Sherry. The other book is Perspective For Artists by Rex Vicat Cole recommended on the SCBWI list awhile back by Connie and Karen Lee. Sherry reminded me of this one the other day and I finally ordered it. I can't wait to get all of these. (Sherry's 2nd book of children's illustrations should be out in a few months. I'll post the info when it's out.)

Some great news and a huge congratulations for Amalia Hoffman, whose art is stunning and unique. She just sold a book "The Purim Goodies " which she wrote and illustrated to Gefen Publishing http://www.israelbooks.com
Gefen has been in business for over 20 years and publishes Jewish-interest books mostly in English in the U.S and Israel . She knows that it will be a good home for her story which celebrates Jewish humor , tradition and , of course ,Jewish food!
I was delighted to meet Amalia in NYC. She has a wonderful sense of style in person, as well as in her gorgeous cut paper creations and illustrations.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

1000 Journals

1000 Journals is another collection of fascinating journals from all over the world (warning..may not always be appropriate for children...I haven't checked it all out, but it's not children's literature and art)

Terrific site for Pen fanatics

Here's a blog/site , Moleskinerie, I found while searching for some more disposable fountain pens. I'm sure most people reading this blog can relate to loving certain types of pens. I had a lovely pilot V-pen..disposable fountain pen, but lost it in NYC...so....I went online and ordered more...but really want a fine tipped one..so I found some online. I can't wait for them to arrive in the mail. Now look at the link from the Moleskinerie blog...here's another link on his blog. I think I'll be spending lots of time checking the links on the Moleskinerie blog...fantastic links... Another wonderful link for pens is Levenger.com watch out..it's addicting.. and look at this Wandering Moleskin Project! Cool!

Monday, February 20, 2006

Devas T. Rants and Raves!

Devas T. Rants and Raves! Love this blog..go look at the photo up he's got up from Feb. 19th.

A New Blog

Here's Sara's new blog. She's a published children's writer from SCBWI.

Art, Love, and the pursuit of Happiness: Procrastination and the "Tree of Life"

Art, Love, and the pursuit of Happiness: Procrastination and the "Tree of Life" Wow. Look at Deborah's beautiful illustrations.

The Writing Life: Illustration and Writing Children's Books

The Writing Life: Illustration and Writing Children's Books

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Brian Lies Illustrations

I found Brian Lies' website over a year ago and saved it in a favorites folder. His work has been in Cricket magazine many times, which is where I first saw it. It's just pure fun to look at. ..another cachibachi...

Friday, February 17, 2006

John Nez Illustration

John Nez Illustration- It's wonderful to see John Nez's blog! I found out about it from Roz's blog..where she has her new Ladybug illustration up...go see it....

Sugar Frosted Goodness!

Sugar Frosted Goodness! (love the title) just found this illustration blog on Courtney's blog. It's lots of fun to read.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

leezy-blog-pops

leezy-blog-pops another illustrator's blog I'm happy to discover.

Shennon's blog

Shennon was one of the winners at the NYC SCBWI art showcase. Her work went for top price at the auction..check it out and you'll see why. Her illustrations are beautiful. She has illustrated some wonderful children's books.

Barbara's Blog

I absolutely love this blog, Cats and Jammers Studio. I don't know how I missed seeing Barbara's blog. I have one of her promotional illustration cards from the NYC conference..she does fantastic children's illos. You can see her work on her blog.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Ruth's 2nd Annual SCBWI NYC conference sketchbook

Check it out. Ruth's 2006 SCBWI NYC sketchbook is now online.

Sculptures by John Magnan

I was referred to this link by a writer I know. Look at these incredible wooden carvings and sculptures by John Magnan! His work is spectacular. I'd love to see the work in person.

I just finished reading Kira-Kira, winner of the 2005 Newberry Medal. What a moving, haunting, glorious story.

Monday, February 13, 2006

Worthy Cause for an Amazing Illustrator-Stuck in Mexico

If you haven't ever seen Wendy Edelson's illustrations, stop by her website and take a look. You also have the chance now to purchase some of Wendy's beautiful illustrations for a good cause...she's trying to get back home..from Mexico..back to the good ol'USA..
If you've ever lived overseas, you may realize it's not an easy thing to pack up and move everything back..especially when you're an artist..and there's no huge corporate machine funding your move.
Wendy is Stuck in Mexico, and is offering prints of her work to anyone who donates $25.00 toward the move. I'm on my way to her website now to check it out.
I've only known Wendy online for the past several years, but I can vouch for her kind and generous personality...besides the fact that her work is beautifully rendered and well worth the price of $25.00 for a print.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Welcome Home Card


Here's a card one of my kid's created for me when I came home from NYC. I love it.

He shows the whole house destroyed..and says "when you come home the chaos ends" At the bottom it says "Welcome Home" but it didn't fit on the scanner. The other cards from the other kids were beautiful too, but to other Moms out there..this one will resonate..Ironically, the house was spotless and in perfect order. What a joy it was to be home again.

Paula's Illustration Blog

I don't know how I've missed Paula Becker's blog, but now that I found the link from Courtney's blog, I'm posting it here. I know I must have seen the blog before, but figure in the illustration blog world, I somehow missed out on highlighting her work. It's lovely.

An Illustration Blog

Here's a terrific illustration blog called Lines and Colors. Lots of good things there to look at. He highlights amazing illustrators/artists with many different styles.

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Music to Inspire

I had an urge to listen to new music, something that would inspire me 'from the roots'.
I found the perfect CD. While reading a novel a few weeks ago, the writer mentioned Itzhak Perlman. I knew it was the answer and searched online for a CD with the score from Schindler's List.
Here's the one I found- Cinema Serenade. It's well worth the investment...one of the best CDs I've listened to in ages. Absolutely stunning...I'm hooked.

Jackie's Notes from the NYC SCBWI conference

Here are Jackie's notes from the NYC SCBWI Conference. I haven't read through all of them, but figured I'd post the link.
She mentions David Almond. I fell in love with his work after hearing him speak. At the moment I'm reading Fire-Eaters.

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Views From The Easel

Views From The Easel Take a look at Linda's blog. Not only is she an extremely talented artist, she has great art links for the D.C. area.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Pirahna Pin


Here's a pin/button a made after reading the title of Marilyn Singer's article, "No More Piranhas". If you're interested in buying one, contact me. I also have a version with a black background. It has to do with the fact that editors and art directors often feel that they are being accosted by ravenous writers and artists...passing manuscripts to them in unseemly ways...thus seeming to be piranhas.

More illustrators from NYC Conference

Here are a few more of the people I met in NYC. Amalia is an incredibly talented illustrator. Her work is done in 3-D cut paper, as well as in pencil and color. She's a delightful woman..(and also has a great sense of fashion.) Dee creates colorful, whimsical illustrations. Michelle Hazelwood was a delight to meet........................................More to come later on.......
Here's Diana Ponce's site too.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Illustrators I met in NYC

OK. Here are some highlighted websites from some illustrators I met in NYC. Each of these people were a delight to meet, and their work is unique and well worth viewing.
Shennon Bersani was one of the winners of the showcase. Her work was auctioned off at the highest price there. Amy Hamberry is an illustrator who went out to dinner with a group of us at the Comfort Diner. Her work is fresh and fun to view. I love her work depicting teen and pre-teen girls. Nina Edwards is a top level designer, with a style I wish was mine! .......................More to come..have to publish this so that I don't lose it....the blogger settings are acting up a bit at the moment......

Here is PJ Lyon's work. at www.pjlyons.com. She creates lovely collage type 3-D images. She presented an incredible piece at the showcase in NYC of a rooster with beautiful cut paper feathers and details.
I met Cynthia Cotten, the author of several incredible picture books.
Another very talented illustrator is
Inga Poslitur. She has an exhibit coming up somewhere in NYC soon as well. I had the opportunity to view her sketchbook, full of incredible paintings and drawings of NYC.
Claire Pernice is another talented illustrator.

Ron Chironna is a gifted illustrator, working in detailed, realistic colored pencil. Another illustrator I met at the end of the conference is Jonathan Gies, but he doesn't have a website listed. Tanya Zabinski won the Tomie DePaola award. Her work is well deserving of the award. I'm still adding illustrators names to this list...(even days later)

Courtney's Take on the NYC SCBWI conference

Check out Courtney Pippin-Mathur's take on it. She has her characteristic humor and art here on her blog. I still haven't found the moment to really add the links to some of the illustrator's sites from folks I met there. There are some great ones. I plan to add them asap...but for now COurtney's is up, which is always a joy to view.

Monday, February 06, 2006

Taking Flight

Taking Flight This is Dee's blog. I met her in NYC. She's full of energy...like a spark...I enjoyed having some time to talk with her..and finally found her blog! Look at her wonderful illustrations...

Back from NYC SCBWI Conference

Wow. What a conference....Nikki Giovanni, David Almond, Marc Brown, David Diaz, Pat Cummings, Robert Sabuda, delicious dinners with illustrator and writer friends, old and new, Illustrator's Day sessions with Cecilia Yung, where we critiqued fellow illustrator's portfolios and had our's critiqued. The whole conference was fantastic.
I had time to hang out with
Courtney (always an energetic and fun time) and Dee. I hope she got her necklace untangled...did you Courtney? We also had dinner with many amazing illustrators....gotta put their links up later on...I'm still tired, need a nap... The Illustrator's Day alone was worth the trip to NYC. We heard from Tomie DePaola, Robert Sabuda, Cecilia Yung, and several newer children's illustrators.
There wasn't much time to sleep...to much to discuss and laugh over. I'll post the links later on, and add some comments on the workshops and highlights...one important one...if you haven't ever read David Almond's work....go out and get his books...I've never read any of his work, but after hearing him speak, I'm hooked. His message was inspiring, magical and absolutely heartwarming to the heart of a writer and artist.

Huge COngratulations to Heidi Sheffield, one of my roommates there, who placed in the top place winners of the art showcase, with a lovely piece. Her work is top-notch, and she's also a wonderful person. I'm sure she'll have a website up soon.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

PostSecret book

Have you heard about the Book/compilation of postcards with people's secrets written on them? It's called PostSecret, and is compiled by Frank Warren. Most of the postcards are designed by the senders, and anonymous.