Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Catching up During the Holidays

I've been working on so many different online projects that I haven't visited my blog lately. It seems I use twitter and facebook much more often lately.
I'm at @illustratr4kids on twitter for anyone interested in tweeting together.
I also have a facebook page for my children's illustration biz, for anyone interested: facebook illustration page


Here's hoping you all have a peaceful day, even in the midst of the scurrying and craziness that can come at this time of year. Take a deep breath, find a quiet place to calm your nerves and regroup..then get back to the energetic creative activity and live life fully. That's what I'm planning on doing. <3

Sunday, October 31, 2010

PiBoIdMo begins tomorrow!


Check out Tara Lazar's blog, where she gives out the info for the second annual Picture Book Idea Month..complete with prizes, daily inspirational messages and feedback on the ideas that win by three literary agents.
It promises to be an inspiring month. The challenge is to come up with a picture book concept a day..whether it's a title, character, plot idea or anything picture book related.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Children's illustrations for USDA..a video of the illustrations

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Children's illustrations for USDA

This is a video I made of some of the illustrations I created for a large USDA educational project for preschool children.

Video Cover Image Watch the video and leave a comment!
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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATION

CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATION
is Julie Fortenberry's informative blog about....you guessed it....children's illustration.
Take some time to read her posts and see the lovely art by a variety of children's illustrators.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

NaNoWriMo National Novel Writing Month

NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program

NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program
Check out the National Novel Writing Month program for Young writers. The NaNoWriMo is closing in on us in a few days...so get ready to write!

Keith Robinson, Writer of Young Adult and Children's Fiction

Keith Robinson, Writer of Young Adult and Children's Fiction

In my recent decision to begin to work on self-publishing my own children's books, and other work, I have been researching the field and the different publishing options. I just read an email with information about Keith Robinson.
Keith has had tremendous success at self-publishing in recent times. Check out his blog for information on his books and how he has achieved this success. Keith Robinson, is also the owner of www.enidblyton.net, a website dedicated to Brititsh children's writer, the late Enid Blyton, who was author to almost 800 children's books.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Sal and Pen � Being Drawn in

Sal and Pen � Being Drawn in
Take a look at some of the wonderful illustrations here....

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The Exquisite Corpse-A Collaborative Book with Top Authors & Illustrators

The Exquisite Corpse is an old game where a story is started and then passed along to the next person to continue it. Here is a new online story written as a collaboration by top children's/young adult writers and illustrators. Jon Scieszca began it and has passed it along to other well known writers and illustrators.
Here is link explaining it.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Thank you for The Versatile Blogger Award from Ginger Nielson!

My wonderful illustrator friend Ginger Nielson gave me this award. I am so grateful to Ginger, not only for her friendship, but for the inspiration she is to me as a children's illustrator and writer. In the midst of a busy life with it's challenges, Ginger maintains a work ethic that tops nearly any I know of. Her illustrations reflect that work ethic and the joy she has.

Here is the challenge involved in receiving this award.
1. Thank the person who loved me enough to bestow this gift.
2. Share seven things about myself.
3. Bestow this honor onto 15 newly discovered or followed bloggers – in no particular order – who are fantastic in some way.
4. Drop by and let my fifteen friends know I love them

Here are seven things about me:

1. I have a twin sister named Meg who is an amazing artist and ultramarathoner. I was inspired to be an artist at a very young age because of her artistic talent and personality.

2. I was born in Connecticut and later moved to Upstate New York, in the beautiful Finger Lake region. After that I lived in Boston, La Paz Bolivia, Miami, Northern Virginia, and now Tallahassee, Florida.

3. I studied art in Boston, Mass, at a small commercial art school on Beacon St. We only had 13 people in our class, and I loved it.

4.I met Joan Walsh Anglund when I was young and she signed a small children's book for me with one of her wonderful small drawings as a part of the signature. It has inspired me for years as I've worked in this field of children's lit.

5. The older I get, the more I enjoy learning and trying new things. I especially enjoy taking painting classes, and would love to learn another language and take violin lessons. 

6.I am a mom to three teenagers and it's a crazy, busy time, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

7. We just moved to Tallahassee, Florida after living in Northern Virginia for over 13 years....not having ever heard much about Tallahassee much before a job change brought us here. It is beautiful here and the people are fantastic. I think it's the world's best kept secret.

I am sharing this award with these talented illustrators....it may take me awhile to get 15 due to being on and offline..but here they are:
Scott Nelson
 Nikki Boetger


  1 Attached Images

Friday, July 02, 2010

Tallahassee's First Night

Tallahassee has a fantastic art scene with venues for local musicians, actors and artist to showcase their talents. This band was fantastic.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Monday, June 28, 2010

The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature; The NCCIL

The National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature; The NCCIL
there are some wonderful children's art lessons here, based on the illustrators of childrens books, including David Diaz, Peter Sis, Robert Sabuda, Betsy Lewin and others. I'm bookmarking these ideas for myself and my art classes. Great inspiration

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Current News - SCBWI

Current News - SCBWI
Golden Kite Golden Dreams...celebrating over 30 years of Art from the SCBWI's Golden Kite Awards

Artist Profile: Leo & Diane Dillon - The NCCIL

Artist Profile: Leo & Diane Dillon - The NCCIL
two of my favorite illustrators..check out their profile here. I wish there were more places online to see the Dillon's gorgeous illustrations.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Art for Small Hands

Art for Small Hands
is another wonderful blog with creative ideas for teaching young children art and how to explore the world in fun ways

10 Lessons the Arts Teach • National Art Education Association

10 Lessons the Arts Teach • National Art Education Association

This is a fantastic resource, and the list here is excellent as far as pointing out the benefits art brings to children's lives.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Children's Illustrators Group - Imagekind Art & Photography Community

Children's Illustrators Group - Imagekind Art & Photography Community

come join our children's illustrator group at Imagekind.

Picture-Bookies

Picture-Bookies
Our incredible group of children's illustrators..what a privilege to be a part of

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

What is BlogThis! ? - Blogger Help


blogging from a Cell phone

Hopefully I'll be keeping up with my blog better with my new cell phone. which is an Android and makes it much easier to post things to the internet while out and about.
While I'm at it, does anyone out there have any favoritte apps or blogger tips to make it easier to post links and info quickly to blogger? I've got the "twit this" and "share on facebook" toolbar apps on ny laptop and computer, but therre has got to be a more immediate way to post things to blogger. Thanks in advance for any tips

Monday, June 21, 2010

Kelly Light's Ripple Blog

Check out Kelly Light's Ripple blog..a collaboration of artists posting small art sketches and pieces for $10.00 a piece. Kelly posts the info on her blog saying " Each sketchcard on this blog is $10.00. The $10.00 is a donation to help the animal victims of the Deep Water Horizon Gulf Oil Spill. Every penny is donated. The two Non-Profits that are benefitting are The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and The International Bird Rescue Research Center. You can purchase a card if you donate directly to one of the non-profits and email me the confirmation and your address to ripplesketches@verizon.net. The artist will mail you the signed card.

We don't have to feel helpless. We can help. Our small actions together will ripple outward."
 
The assortment of art is fantastic, and so far they've raised $4,000.00

consider creating art or buying it and donating to one of the two Non-profit organizations to do your part to help.
 

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Hire An Illustrator

If you're a freelance illustrator looking for good ways to promote your work, HIA or Hire An Illustrator is one of the best ways to go. They have reasonable rates, flexible ways of paying, good promotion, and quick service. Of all the places I've marketed my work, this one is my favorite so far. (and after sinking over $1,000 into one last year that I didn't take full advantage of...that says a lot.,)
Check it out. I just rejoined yesterday and my profile is up as a newbie.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Tina Burke's Blog sharing an Interview with Sandra Boynton

Check out children's illustrator Tina Burke's blog. She shows an interview with Sandra Boynton, via a link shared by Marisa Haedike on Twitter
http://www.tinaburke.com.au/blog_files/sandra_boynton_interview.html

Sunday, April 11, 2010

St. George's Island..World's Smallest Police Station

We just moved to Tallahassee and vistied St. George's Island yesterday. We saw this there. I'm planning on finding the art stores, libraries and SCBWI folks here as soon as things settle down. Tallahassee is proving to be lovely.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

St. George's Island

Monday, February 22, 2010