SCBWI picked up on our idea of Video Studio Tours (great ideas seem to float through the universe like that), and they've made some official SCBWI videos I think you'll find educational. They are:
Paul Schmid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxeUr4Nv2Sc&feature=youtu.be
Julie Paschkis:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt9V4ZycTRY&feature=youtu.be
Mike Cressy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joxIcMrn3JM
Kathleen Kemly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aNhhOaEN_I
5/16/13
5/13/13
Children's Book Week!
Today kicks of the 94th annual Children's Book Week, May 13-19, hosted by the Children's Book Council. The lovely poster is illustrated by Brian Selznick and is free to schools and libraries. CLICK HERE for more information!
4/10/13
Sketch-Book Event - Little Creek Farm
The next Sketch-Book Event is scheduled for Saturday, May 4 at 10:00am. This time out we'll have live models. . . horses! Our next location will take place at the Little Creek Farm Conservancy at 2057 Lawrenceville Hwy., Decatur, GA 30033. This is a free event. Make sure you RSVP to michael at austinillustration dot com.
3/28/13
Fox Theater Sketch Book Event Wrap-Up
On March 9th, 13 Breezer illustrators (and one writer) visited the fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta, on our second Artists’ Date. We brought sketchbooks and cameras, and spent two luxurious hours soaking in the atmosphere. The historic Fox Theater was originally built as a Shriner’s temple in the late 1920s and the interior is described as a masterpiece of trompe l’oeil. There are false balconies, beams, and tents, as well as ornate grillwork, lamps, phone booths, closets, and doors. No item, even the most practical, has been left unadorned. It was truly a feast for the eyes. We visited different areas within the auditorium, as well as the lobbies, restrooms, back hallway, and the Egyptian Ballroom. Afterwards at lunch in a nearby restaurant, the illustrators passed around their sketchbooks – sharing the morning’s inspirations. Below are some sketches from the day. Can't wait for the next Artists' Date!
– Lisa Lowe Stauffer
Jan Clifton Watford also did a nice write up on her blog - CLICK HERE TO READ.
Heather Ozee's sketches:
Jan Clifton Watford's sketches:
Leighanne Schneider's sketches:
– Lisa Lowe Stauffer
Jan Clifton Watford also did a nice write up on her blog - CLICK HERE TO READ.
Heather Ozee's sketches:
Jan Clifton Watford's sketches:
Leighanne Schneider's sketches:
Never Quit, by Denise Plauché
More on our wonderful 2013 Illustrators' Day...
That's a quote—and tip—I take to heart from illustrator Will Terry, who spoke recently at the SCBWI Southern Breeze Illustrators’ Day during Springmingle in February. It has taken many years of yearning and indecision before finally pursuing a career in illustration, and I can thank such encouragement from others for my commitment to stay the course.
It was an eye-opening and rewarding experience to be able to show my portfolio to the distinguished professionals and to view those of fellow illustrators in attendance at the conference. I took away lots to think about regarding career directions as well as how my work may develop. The illustrious speakers and the officers and volunteers of Southern Breeze deserve a hearty and appreciative thank you for producing such an information-packed event. This was the first SCBWI conference I have attended, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting several members of Southern Breeze. I look forward to seeing them again at future conferences and events!
While I did not have the pleasure of knowing Liz Conrad in her lifetime, what I have learned is that “never quit” can be used to describe her tenacity for life in the face of great adversity. One can but admire and want to emulate the courage and work ethic that enabled her to pursue her greatest passion throughout all her days. As a graduate student on a budget, I was very fortunate to attend the 2013 Springmingle weekend on the scholarship made possible by the family and friends of Liz Conrad. It is a privilege and a great honor. Thank you so much for your generosity!
– Denise Plauché
That's a quote—and tip—I take to heart from illustrator Will Terry, who spoke recently at the SCBWI Southern Breeze Illustrators’ Day during Springmingle in February. It has taken many years of yearning and indecision before finally pursuing a career in illustration, and I can thank such encouragement from others for my commitment to stay the course.
It was an eye-opening and rewarding experience to be able to show my portfolio to the distinguished professionals and to view those of fellow illustrators in attendance at the conference. I took away lots to think about regarding career directions as well as how my work may develop. The illustrious speakers and the officers and volunteers of Southern Breeze deserve a hearty and appreciative thank you for producing such an information-packed event. This was the first SCBWI conference I have attended, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting several members of Southern Breeze. I look forward to seeing them again at future conferences and events!
While I did not have the pleasure of knowing Liz Conrad in her lifetime, what I have learned is that “never quit” can be used to describe her tenacity for life in the face of great adversity. One can but admire and want to emulate the courage and work ethic that enabled her to pursue her greatest passion throughout all her days. As a graduate student on a budget, I was very fortunate to attend the 2013 Springmingle weekend on the scholarship made possible by the family and friends of Liz Conrad. It is a privilege and a great honor. Thank you so much for your generosity!
– Denise Plauché
3/15/13
2013 Illustrators' Day Wrap-Up by Christina Ebert-Klaven
“Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.” While this quote comes from an economist, it’s also an important mindset for artists, as we learned at Illustrators’ Day 2013! In an event packed with presentations by industry pros and topped off with a fabulous cocktail party hosted by Binders Art Supply, attendees benefited from a jump start to their creativity and were reminded that it’s critical in today’s world to be entrepreneurs in addition to being illustrators. Many fresh ideas came from Chad Beckerman, Art Director at Abrams Books for Young Readers, and illustrator extraordinaire Will Terry. Chad and Will provided eye-opening and innovative ideas such as promoting your work on the photo sharing app Instagram or using the crowd-funding platform Kickstarter.com to finance a self-published book concept.
Adding to the inspiring presentations, illustrator Mark Braught discussed the mentorship project he supervised. Each illustrator selected one item from each of three lists – places, time periods and animals – and created an environment that communicated how the illustrator perceived him or herself. Mark’s students were invited to the front to show their finished pieces and field questions.
Last but not least, Dianne Hess (Executive Editor at Scholastic Press) joined everyone for a review of attendees’ self-promotional items and portfolios. Everyone benefitted from the constructive criticism provided by our experts.
Illustrators’ Day left us all anticipating the next great event! Many thanks to our Southern Breeze Illustrator Coordinator Elizabeth Dulemba and Assistant Coordinator Kathleen Bradshaw for making these events happen.
Photos of the event:
Adding to the inspiring presentations, illustrator Mark Braught discussed the mentorship project he supervised. Each illustrator selected one item from each of three lists – places, time periods and animals – and created an environment that communicated how the illustrator perceived him or herself. Mark’s students were invited to the front to show their finished pieces and field questions.
Last but not least, Dianne Hess (Executive Editor at Scholastic Press) joined everyone for a review of attendees’ self-promotional items and portfolios. Everyone benefitted from the constructive criticism provided by our experts.
Illustrators’ Day left us all anticipating the next great event! Many thanks to our Southern Breeze Illustrator Coordinator Elizabeth Dulemba and Assistant Coordinator Kathleen Bradshaw for making these events happen.
Photos of the event:
2/26/13
Fox Theatre Sketch-Book Event
Go beyond the internet for your artistic research, escape creative isolation and explore new environments to keep fresh. Regardless if you’re an SCBWI writer or illustrator, you’re invited to visit the world of Ali Baba and Aladdin at the historic Fox Theatre for the next Southern Breeze Sketch-Book Event.
The theme book for this outing is The Arabian Nights. Inside the opulent Atlanta theatre, Scheherazade’s tales of fearsome Jinni, ravenous Ghouls, flying carpets and magic wishes challenge your creativity.
And if that wasn’t enough, we’ve planned several optional challenges designed to have participants approach their sketches and stories from a new perspective. We’ve also developed imagination prompts to help fuel your creativity.
So don’t wait to see and hear about how others were inspired by this rare opportunity. Join us for the next Sketch-Book Event at the Fox Theater in Atlanta on Saturday, March 9 at 10:00am. There are a limited number of slots available, so make sure you RSVP to michael@austinillustration.com. Note that there is a $5 guide fee for this event.
Afterwards, we plan to go for lunch at Baraonda.
The theme book for this outing is The Arabian Nights. Inside the opulent Atlanta theatre, Scheherazade’s tales of fearsome Jinni, ravenous Ghouls, flying carpets and magic wishes challenge your creativity.
And if that wasn’t enough, we’ve planned several optional challenges designed to have participants approach their sketches and stories from a new perspective. We’ve also developed imagination prompts to help fuel your creativity.
So don’t wait to see and hear about how others were inspired by this rare opportunity. Join us for the next Sketch-Book Event at the Fox Theater in Atlanta on Saturday, March 9 at 10:00am. There are a limited number of slots available, so make sure you RSVP to michael@austinillustration.com. Note that there is a $5 guide fee for this event.
Afterwards, we plan to go for lunch at Baraonda.
Illustrators' Day Wrap-up!
This was our first year to combine our SCBWI Southern Breeze Illustrators' Day with our annual Springmingle conference and I have to admit, it was a complete success! The Century Marriott is lovely, a definite notch up on the woosie scale. Our speakers were fantastic: Chad Beckerman, Abrams Creative Director; Dianne Hess, Scholastic Executive Editor; Mark Braught, Illustrator Mentor; and Will Terry, who wowed everybody's socks off with his insightful presentation!
Chad definitely sold me on Instagram. Apparently he finds artists there sometimes. How's that for a new and innovative way to search for talent?
Will gave us a quick history of how the business has changed over the last decade or so, and where he believes it's going. Truly - he is an entertaining and great speaker. I wish I could fly to Utah and take his class. His talk was one of the best I've ever heard.
Dianne went over illustration advertising postcards and websites, giving us a peek into what jumps out to a publisher - invaluable! As was the portfolio reviews session.
At only 2 minutes per portfolio, it goes quickly, but everybody's work gets seen, and the commentary is a learning experience for everybody.
The results of Mark's mentoring project were also outstanding! The 12 folks who signed up early enough to work with Mark definitely ended up with some new portfolio pieces! (Click the photo to see it larger.)
I have to say, the quality level of the portfolios shown during Illustrators' Day gets better and better every year. Along with our Scholarship Winner, Denise Plauché, we had Lori Nichols who has won two runner-ups at the SCBWI National conference portfolio shows, and Heather Lund, the SCAD student who provided our wonderful signage (above).
The Cocktail Party (sign by Brian Prince) was a hit as well. As I expected, the visitor list was small for our first year, but I have a feeling word is going to spread about this one. (I kept getting emails from folks saying "I want to come!") It was such a great opportunity to mingle and talk shop. All while admiring attendee portfolios and the example portfolios Stuart Shapiro brought from Binders Art Supply to show attendees the sort of options they have.Thanks again to Binders for generously hosting the Cocktail Party. I think it was definitely worth their time, as well as ours. I look forward to this becoming an Atlanta industry event! (CLICK HERE to put yourself on the invite list for next year!)
Be looking for announcements about next year's Illustrators' Day in November or December of this year. This has become an event you don't want to miss!
PS - If you took some great photos of Illustrators' Day, please email them to me at elizabeth at dulemba dot com and I'll include them in this post!
2/25/13
Volunteer to write the wrap-up???
Hi Illustrators, We need a volunteer to write a 250-word wrap up of this year's Illustrators' Day and Cocktail Party! Is that YOU???? Just shoot me an email at elizabeth at dulemba dot com. Thanks! e
2/23/13
Springmingle 2013
As I mentioned yesterday, this weekend is our SCBWI - Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Southern Breeze region (Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi) Spring conference.
Along with our speakers for Illustrators' Day, we also have Nikki Grimes (poet), Jill Corcoran (agent), Katherine Jacobs (editor), Carmen Deedy (author), and Beck McDowell (author). Wowsa!
And here is yet another wonderful poster for the event created by Heather Lund, SCAD Atlanta student.
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