Sketchbook Pages

Sketchbook Pages Linda's blog has many wonderful children's illustrations, many of them featuring children from around the world. I especially enjoyed the illustration at the top of the page today.

Newsletter and Blog for Creative Folks

This Cre8it blog and newsletter is fantastic! Look at what Jessica has got online...there are some wonderful ideas for all sorts of crafts and related topics.

Uri SHulevitz interview on The Horn Book site

I enjoyed this online interview of Uri Shulevitz at the Horn Book's website. Thanks Linda for the link!
While you're at it, I just found another great link while looking for a link for Uri Shulevitz. It's Embracing the Child. There are some fantastic links and things regarding children's books there.

J.E. Morris

J.E. Morris Check out Jenn's fun blog and her humorous children's illustrations.

Check out another illustrator's blog

Keri Smith's blog Wish Jar Journal is a fantastic place to spend some time. I love her sense of whimsy and quirkiness.

A Blog About Picture Book Artists and by Picture Book Artists

Here's a new blog full of info from various talented children's illustrators and authors. It seems that they take turns posting about the process, ins and outs, ups and downs of illustrating for children. What a group of talented artists you'll find on this blog.

Anita and Amit Vachharajani : Writing and Illustrating Children's Books

Anita and Amit Vachharajani : Writing and Illustrating Children's Books Here's a cool blog about children's books in India

Grow Wings

Grow Wings Here's a blog I just found...I also enjoyed viewing the home page of her website...didn't go any further yet due to lack of time.

Unusual Mediums for Illustrators

Here are two unusual mediums/brands of materials worth checking out. I heard about them through Lee White on the scbwi illustrator's boards. Check out Lee's site. His work is fantastic. The first brand is Genesis Heat Set Oils. The other one is D'UVA Heat Set Artist materials. D'UVA has heat set pastels, charcoal, and eraseable watercolor and eraseable sumi ink. It seems they market more toward the craft side of things, rather than to fine artists and illustrators, which they could target more. These mediums are all fascinating...oh for more time to try everything out there. I'd love to see people working in these, and find out some of the ways they work. I think many of the aspects of these would lend themselves perfectly to the illustration field..the aspect of quick drying..erasing inks and watercolor for quick fixing, adjusting for clients..ease in trasferring for mailing art...(heat set pastel? how cool)

John Nez Illustration

John Nez Illustration I may have blogged this before, but it's worth another post. John Nez's sense of humor and talent shines through in his illustrations for kids as well as his writing.

Check out Jacketflap

Check out Storyopolis

Storyopolis is a terrific site all about children's book illustrators and their art...and more.

A Day in the Life of a Paperclip

A Day in the Life of a Paperclip

Kidbooks Asia: Scarry, Spinelli, Stroud, and Lola Basyang / A Meeting of Two Worlds

Kidbooks Asia: Scarry, Spinelli, Stroud, and Lola Basyang / A Meeting of Two Worlds I think this is a new blog..it's got some fun posts in it.

Mom's Cancer

Mom's Cancer Check out Brian Fies' blog about his graphic novel "Mom's Cancer" which won the 2005 Eisner Award for Best Digital Comic. What talent!

Heather's crocheted bead Necklace

Take a look at the beaded necklace Heather crocheted. There's also news of a cruise she's organizing, for beading enthusiasts! What a dream come true that would be.

New Entreprenurial Online Site

I found out about Springwise.com today. It's a fantastic entreprenurial online mag. There are tons of trends, buisness ideas and just plain fun cachibachis on it. There is an online newsletter available too.

About.com's article about Art and Fear

If you haven't read the book Art and Fear , this article may convince you to pick it up. I've got it, and plan to read it soon. My friend Agy mentioned it a few weeks ago, motivating me to get it out.

The Toymaker Blog

I know I've posted The Toymaker website before, but I'm not sure I posted the blog. There it is...Marilyn, the creator of the printable paper toys, now has a book out at Lulu.com.

The Magic of Books

The Magic of Books Here's a blog full of book reviews of children's, young adult and occasional adult books.

colouring outside the lines: ferdinand and adam

colouring outside the lines: ferdinand and adam Here's a blog I just spotted and found fascinating right away.

Finished a Picture Book Dummy

Yeay..I finished the picture book dummy I had nearly finished awhile back. The motivation that got me going on it was the W.I.N. Smartwriter's contest. The deadline for submissions is March 15th. The contest is a wonderful opportunity for writers and illustrators to have the manuscripts and illustrations seen and read by editors and art directors.

IOTA

I found out about IOTA after a search on the Moleskine Art website again...(that is another site that can take you down tangential paths..following pen links..paper..art...projects..artists...)
The IOTA site has gorgeous designs in stationary and paper.

Animation site...

If you are in the mood to spend lots of time looking at incredible animation links, artists...events...check out the Animation World Network. Warning..you'll probably spend lots of time ferreting out sites and art. It's an incredible network.

Brittney Lee

Brittney Lee- A talented young animator-illustrator student at RIT. Look at her work. The links here are fun to see too..lots of talent there.

Bill's Sketchblog

Bill's Sketchblog Check out Bill's blog about animation, illustration and inspiration. I think I may have posted this awhile back, but it's worth mentioning again.

pencil led

pencil led Here is a new illustration blog by Patrice.

One Over-Caffeinated Mom

One Over-Caffeinated Mom The title and subheading on Kim's blog alone got me hooked on this blog...as well as the recommendation below in the comments by Kimberly

I Won a Book from Young Adult Books Central!!

Thank you SO much YAbookscentral for the free book you sent! (here's a picture of the one I chose) What a generous gift. I won it from their website.

Book Signings from a Distance!

Check out this article about a new pen that Margaret Atwood invented..a remote control pen to sign books from a distance! What'll they think of next?

Sherry's New Illustration Blog

Check out Sherry's brand new Illustrator For Kids blog! Congratulations Sherry! May it bring you and others much joy.

About.com-Article-Boy sticks gum on $1.5 Million Painting!

About.com has an article about a boy sticking gum on a $1.5 million painting at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Yikes! I once saw an elderly man in the Louvre touching a painting by either Vermeer or Rembrant...(wierd that I can't remember..at the time I was so stunned that he was poking the painting ..and not one guard said anything!) I tried to tell them in broken French, but they didn't seem to understand...must have been bad French....anyway...it was shocking. The man was purposely poking at the painting with a malevolent expression on his face.
If you go to read the About.com article...take note of the sponsored ads down below...
I used to be a guard at the Fogg Art Museum in Boston (one of Harvard's Museums). It was a fabulous job. I got the job from a temp agency..hmmmm.....doesn't say too much about the qualifications, but for me it was a dream job...I got to walk around all day and look at fantastic art...in different sections of the museum...wow...a Degas sculpture, Sargent paintings, Renoir paintings, and sketches, visiting exhibits..and then there was another section dedicated to Egyptian and Asian art...huge stone artifacts, bowls carved eons ago...Japanese screens..and it was all hushed...restful...
I loved that job...(except for the blue polyester uniform...)

Noteworthy Children's Books

Here are three children's books I borrowed from the library the other day that I wanted to mention. One is Feathers and Fools byMem Fox, illustrated byNicholas Wilton. (The link I connected it to is a double cachibachi..because it has other wonderful Australian books dealing with diversity...look at the art in the books there..I'll head back over later after I post this) The illustrations by Nicholas Wilton (he doesn't have a web site, but you can see one image on this gorgeous poster) Are rich, gorgeous, glowing images. I am hooked on his art now.
This is his first picture book. I'm sure he'll be doing more after this book. It's fantastic art...yummy. I may buy the book.
Another book that was stunning in it's message, as well as the unusual art is America's White Table by Margot Theis Raven, illustrated by Mike Benny. It deals with the heavy topic of the Vietnam POWs and the wonderful custom of placing a white tablecloth on dinner tables to remember them. It is an extremely moving book, and timely as well as bringing honor and appreciation to the men and women who have served our country and continue to serve now. Benny is a noteworthy illustrator. Check out his portfolio on the link.
Another book I have only begun to read (not a children's book ) is called: Reading, Writing and Leaving Home - Life On The Page by Lynn Freed. It is a memoir, consisting of eleven essays on Freed's life and writing process.
The last book I'll mention now..due to the time it takes to find the links to plug in for these...whew..) is I Can Make A Difference - A Treasury to Inspire Our Children by Marian Wright Edelman illustrated by Barry Moser .
The title grabbed my attention, and when I saw Moser's beautiful watercolor illustrations, I had to borrow it. A truly inspiring and touching book. It is a compilation of stories, poems, and tales from around the world to challenge children (and adults) to live with dignity and honor towards others.

Two Good Books for Marketing Writing

I heard about the books called "Guerilla Marketing for Writers" and "The Publishing Game" today on the scbwi list. They were recommended by a writer there as excellent books to bring writers closer to publication and promote their books after publication.

DOODLESTREET

DOODLESTREET Here's a brand new illustration blog. Check out the fun illustrations!

New Christian Illustrator's online group

There's a new online yahoo group for Christian Illustrators for Kids. I'm very excited about it. (it's a women's group) It promises to be uplifting, inspiring and full of good art and info.

From the Crow's Nest

From the Crow's Nest Pam's new illustration blog!

CraftyPod: August 2005

CraftyPod: August 2005 Look at this "homemade podcast that celebrates all things crafty"!

Illustration Snack Break

This is a bit off topic...a real cachibachi...but then again...when you're sitting at the drawing table putting together an image...you've got to have SOMEthing for inspiration when you hit a block...so here are some snacks I delight in. If you've never had these Toll House Cookie bars....you've been missing out on something GReat!!! (They come in a yellow bag)

Jolly Rancher watermelon lollipops are also yummy, and of course....popcorn...I should buy stock in it...back to the drawing board...

Critique Group for Children's Book Illustrators

Critique Group for Children's Book Illustrators Here's another cachibachi....a unique crit group for children's illustrators. Take a look at this blog.

Scholastic Student Art & Writing Awards

I went to a scholastic book event at my kid's school this morning (ya just can't keep away from those events when you have kids and share a love of reading and addiction to books) There were some fantastic posters with art that grabbed the eye from across the room. I read the info and found out that all of the art on the different posters was done by students. Take a look at this link for more info. There are contests for students to enter. I'm not sure when the next contest begins, but I'm going to make a note of it for my kids and others who may be interested.

A Painting a Day

A Painting a Day a fantastic view into the art of Duane Keiser and his daily paintings.

Flying Pig Children's & Adults Book Store

This book, The Quotable Book Lover sounds fantastic. I found out about it at the Flying Pig Children's and Adults' Book Store. (online)

Iconic-The Illustration Podcast

I got this link for this website called Iconic-The Illustration Podcast from Diana Ponce, a talented designer and illustrator. Both links are worth a visit.

New Orleans Public Library Donations

I heard about this opportunity to donate books on the SCBWI boards. It's a terrific chance to help build the city back up..and encourage kids to read good books.

The New Orleans Public Library is asking for any and all hardcover and paperback books for people of all ages in an effort to restock the shelves after Katrina. The staff will assess which titles will be designated for its collections. The rest will be distributed to destitute families or sold for library fundraising.
Please send your books to:

Rica A. Trigs, Public Relations New Orleans Public Library
219 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70112

If you tell the post office that they are for the library in New Orleans, they will give you the library rate which is slightly less than the book rate.