Scholarship Fund OPEN for Springmingle!

Hi All,
With registration for our Southern Breeze Spring Conference Springmingle, February 25 - 27,
we are once again opening applications for the Liz Conrad Scholarship
Fund. The selected illustrator will be awarded free conference
attendance and one free portfolio review during our upcoming Springmingle
conference in Atlanta. Applications are now open and will close on February 1st. Winners will be announced on February 5th. Click here for further details.

It would have delighted Liz to know she was
helping further someone's budding illustration career, and it is a
nice honor to list on your resume.
Visit and download the application form today!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at elizabeth at dulemba dot com,
or Kathleen Bradshaw, Assistant Illustrator Coordinator at klbradshaw at yahoo dot com.
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba
Children's Book Author/Illustrator
http://dulemba.com
SCBWI Southern Breeze Illustrator Coordinator
http://www.southern-breeze.org/

Our 2010 PAL-tier Illustrator Books!

We have some amazing talent in our Southern Breeze region. Here are titles by our local illustrators that came out in 2010:


GROWING PATTERNS
Photography by Sarah C Campbell
Boyds Mills Press, March 2010


IF YOU'RE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT
illustrated by Laura Freeman
The Child's World, August 2010


GOD LOVES YOU
illustrated by Laura Freeman
written by Carol Rubow
Concordia Publishing House, January 2010


NIKKI & DEJA: BIRTHDAY BLUES
illustrated by Laura Freeman
written by Karen English
Clarion Books, January 2010


ZERO, ZILCH, NADA: COUNTING TO NONE
illustrated by Laura Knorr
written by Wendy Ulmer
Sleeping Bear Press, May 2010


DEAR BABY, I'M WATCHING OVER YOU
illustrated by Mark Braught
written by Carol Casey
Dear Baby Books, October 2010


Ellen Craft's ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY
illustrated by Mark Braught
written by Cathy Moore
Lerner Classroom, September 2010


A PLACE WHERE HURRICANES HAPPEN
illustrated by Shadra Strickland
written by Renée Watson
Random House, June 2010


THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN GEORGIA
illustrated by Elizabeth O. Dulemba
written by Susan Rosson Spain
Sterling Children's Books, October 2010

Southern Breeze Illustrator Contest Winners...

We were pleased to announce the winners of our contests at the recent wik10 conference. For those of you who were not able to join us, here are the results --

Congratulations to the following illustrators recognized by Laurent Linn, Art Director for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and judge of our 2010 Southern-Breeze Illustration contest:

1st place: Sharon Graham for "PJ traveled to London to visit the queen."

2nd place: Amy Leigh Johnson for "PJ traveled to the beach every summer."

3rd place: Susan Nees for "PJ traveled to such exotic places while daydreaming, her chores simply few by."


Thanks to everyone who participated. Now, sharpen those pencils and get busy for 2011. The prompt is: "PJ tugged open the ________."

Corn Maiden Revisited

I created a storyboard based on the legend of the Blue Corn Maiden for the awesome Wik 10. At Wik 10, Kerry Martin presented an extremely insightful workshop that covered story boarding and the process a picturebook dummy goes through on its way to publication. At the end of our workshop Kerry suggested that everyone use the information we had gleaned to finish three of the Corn Maiden images as part of our illustration portfolio. I could see the wisdom in her words. So now I am doing just that.

I would love your input regarding composition and how to make figures not feel stiff. I have posted the original sketch with a simple parallel pueblo in the background. I have also posted the same drawing with a more detailed photo of a pueblo in the background which runs at an angle to the fore ground image. Which of these compositions do you feel is stronger? Working with Mark Brought pre portfolio day I realized that sometimes I neglect the composition orchestration and race straight to the fun painting part. I appreciate y'alls assistance with my continued investigation into figure and composition. I would also welcome any other input you have. We often don't know what we don't know. Thanks for being another set of eyes. Cheers! Lauren j. Patton www.LjPatton.com

Renee Rivas

"Old Fashioned Candy Shoppe"
by Renee Rivas

Illustrators' Day 2010 recap: Something to Sing About

On Friday, September 3rd was a workshop I had been looking forward to for a while-- the annual Illustrators' Day in Decatur, GA held at the Decatur Public Library and hosted by the regional chapter of SCBWI, Southern Breeze. I attended last year and got a lot out of the event, but I was really excited to learn that this year's event was extended to include a whole day's worth of activities centered around the craft and business of illustrating for kids!

The event kicked off with a discussion with two amazing, award-winning illustrators, Rick Lovell (a professor of mine at SCAD!) and Bill Mayer. They spoke about their experiences working within the children's book market, tips for navigating freelance business, pros and cons of working with an agent, tips for promotion, and copyright issues. These illustrators have so much experience between them, and every time I hear them speak I gain some new piece of knowledge about the illustration business.

Loraine Joyner, Art Director for Peachtree Publishers, spoke next about the grabbing an Art Director's attention with promotional material. She brought in a flood of mailers she had received over the past month, which ranged from the amazing to the not so amazing. It was interesting to hear about what grabbed her eye. She also gave some suggestions for resources to help develop our craft. Lastly, she went through a manuscript and discussed how an illustrator could interpret text and turn it into intriguing and memorable pictures.

New South Books' Brian Seidman spoke about book cover design and the opportunities for artists within that avenue. They hire both a designer and an illustrator to work on their books. New South had some really outstanding cover illustrations, and it was interesting to hear about the process of how they are developed.

Published illustrator Shandra Stickland, whose new picture book A Place Where Hurricanes Happen was recently released attended the event and reviewed portfolios and spoke a little about her work. Elizabeth Dulemba, organized the event, and also had some great tips about putting together a print portfolio.

Mark Braught was awesome enough to help the first 25 people who signed up for the workshop, and act as an Art Director/mentor while developing an image for the topic "Something to Sing About". This assignment was great fun -- I thoroughly enjoyed playing (and singing along to) my favorite musicals while I worked in the studio. Mark was extremely generous with his time in reviewing my work every step of the way. He had some great tips that will help when developing my work in the future. Below are some of my developmental sketches that Mark helped me with (final illo at the top of this post).

Sketch #2/Color Comp

Sketch #1

Initial thumbnail

All of these illustrators in one place was very inspiring, and it is always wonderful meeting new artists and see their amazing work. It also set a great tone for the Decatur Book Festival the next day! I feel refreshed going forward with some new work, and now I can't wait for the Wik '10 conference in Birmingham, AL next month...

Illustrations by Renee Rivas

2010 SB Illustrator's DAY!

Click the logo to learn about this year's Southern Breeze Illustrator's DAY. No longer just a workshop, this year we offer an incredible line-up of speakers and workshops for our illustrators. Hope you'll join us Friday, September 3rd at the Decatur Library from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, the Friday before the Decatur Book Festival, Labor Day Weekend! Wahoo!

Liz Conrad Scholarship Applications Open

With registration for our Southern Breeze Fall Conference approaching, we are once again opening applications for the Liz Conrad Scholarship Fund. The selected illustrator will be awarded free conference attendance and one free portfolio review during that conference. It would have delighted Liz to know she was helping further someone's budding illustration career, and it is a nice honor to list on your resume. So visit <http://dulemba.com/SouthernBreeze/LizConradFund.html> and download the application form today! (You can also click on the link in the sidebar to get there.)

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at elizabeth at dulemba dot com. 

e

Elizabeth O. Dulemba

Children's Book Author/Illustrator

SCBWI Southern Breeze Illustration Coordinator

2010 SCBWI Southern Breeze Gallery Show

Opening Night for our 2010 SCBWI Southern Breeze Illustrators' Gallery Show was an enormous
success!!! We tie this event in with the Decatur (Georgia, USA) Arts Festival's opening night, ArtWalk, every year to guarantee crowds, and this year was bigger than ever!
     We have several newly published members and award winners who have recently move to our area, so it is an exceptionally good show.
     Featured illustrators (some in the photos below) are: Ami Blackford, Mark Braught, Sarah C. Campbell, Elizabeth O. Dulemba, Laura Freeman, Tom Gonzalez, Laura Knorr, Nancy S. Miller, Daniel Powers, and Shadra Strickland.
     So, if you happen to be in the area, the show will be up through June 6th, 2010 at Little Shop of Stories in downtown Decatur, Georgia. More information is available at the Southern Breeze Illustrators' Corner.
Cheers!
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba:
SCBWI Southern Breeze Illustration Coordinator
http://www.southern-breeze.org/

I'll post more photos as they come in!

You Are Invited to the SCBWI Southern Breeze Gallery Show!

You are Invited to
The 3rd Annual
Children's Book Illustrator's Show
hosted by
Little Shop of Stories
and the
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Southern Breeze region during ArtWalk
Opening Night for the
Decatur Arts Festival.
Friday, May 28, 2009, 5 to 9 PM
at
Little Shop of Stories
133 East Court Square
Decatur, Georgia, USA
(404) 373-6300

Featured Illustrators will be: Ami Blackford, Mark Braught, Sarah C. Campbell, Elizabeth O. Dulemba, Laura Freeman, Tom Gonzalez, Laura Knorr, Nancy S. Miller, Daniel Powers, and Shadra Strickland - woosie!

Galleries all over Decatur will stay open late and serve wine and munchies - so come stroll! And don't worry, if you miss opening night the show will run May 28th - June 6th.

Hope to See You!
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba: http://dulemba.com
SCBWI Southern Breeze Illustration Coordinator:
http://www.southern-breeze.org/

2010 Gallery Show

The Decatur Art Festival is nigh. If you'd like to participate in the 3rd Annual Gallery show this year, I need to hear from you! Here's the low-down:

The 3rd Annual
Children's Book Illustrator's Show
hosted by Little Shop of Stories
and the
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Southern Breeze region

Who: Open to all PAL (traditionally published) members of the SCBWI Southern Breeze region (AL, GA & MS).
If you are not yet a member of SCBWI, you can join at: http://www.scbwi.org.

What: Deliver one to three pieces of fully framed, ready-to-hang (with wire) art from an accompanying traditionally published, currently available for purchase, picture book.
Please include an index-sized card to accompany art with the following information:
Book Title:
Illustrator:
Author, Publisher:
ISBN#:
Website, illustration medium or other information
Price if available for sale, or details about available prints.
(25% of any sales made during the event will go to the gallery
at Little Shop of Stories.)

When: ArtWalk Reception, Friday, May 28, 2009, 5 to 9 PM.
http://www.decaturartsfestival.com/artwalk.php
Please feel free to invite guests and be available for
book signings during opening night.
Decatur Arts Festival, May 28th - 30th
Memorial Day Weekend
http://www.decaturartsfestival.com/
Show, May 28th - June 6th

Where: Little Shop of Stories
133 East Court Square
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 373-6300
http://littleshopofstories.com

How: Artwork must be delivered to Little Shop of Stories between
May 22nd and May 27th, 2008, 10am - 8pm,
and picked up June 6th, 10am - 8pm.
Mailed artwork must arrive in the same time period and include
proper pre-paid packaging for its return shipping.

NOW: If you intend to participate, email Elizabeth Dulemba, SCBWI
Southern Breeze Illustration Coordinator, at elizabeth@dulemba.com
by April 25th with the following information:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Size of framed illustration:
Name of accompanying book (must be available for ordering
by Little Shop of Stories):
ISBN#

Thanks y'all!
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba: http://dulemba.com
SCBWI Southern Breeze Illustration Coordinator:
http://www.southern-breeze.org/

Portfolio Review Scholarship Submissions

Hi All,
The Liz Conrad Portfolio Critique Scholarship Fund has received so
many donations, we will be offering scholarships for many years to
come. Thanks to everybody for your generosity!

The first two scholarships will be awarded for Springmingle 2010 (Feb.
26-28) to two current SCBWI Southern Breeze members living in
Mississippi, Alabama or Georgia. If you would like to apply for a
scholarship for a free Portfolio Critique at this year's Springmingle
conference please go to http://dulemba.com/SouthernBreeze/LizConradFund.html to download the registration form. Applications will be accepted
between January 1st and January 22nd. The scholarships will be awarded
on February 5th. If you have any questions, please feel free to email
me.

The Portfolio Critiques meant so much to Liz, she would have loved to
know she was helping other budding illustrators on their journey into
the children's book market.

Sincerely,
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba:
http://dulemba.com
elizabeth at dulemba dot com
SCBWI Southern Breeze Illustration Coordinator:
http://www.southern-breeze.org/

Illustration Contest 2010!

Illustration Contest 2010!
Here is your dream assignment:

You pick the medium.
You choose the characters and point of view.
You get 6 months to complete it.
What are the requirements?

The illustration must interpret: "PJ traveled to ________"
The contest is only open to SCBWI members in the Southern Breeze Region.
Submissions may only be unpublished and uncontracted work.
Have fun creating it.

What's the reward?

Personalized feedback from contest judge Laurent Linn, Creative Director for Simon and Schuster, former puppet designer for Jim Henson's Muppet Workshop and Emmy Award winning Creative Director for SESAME STREET.
1st, 2nd & 3rd place winning entries will be featured on the web site under Southern Breeze News and showcased during annual conferences.
1st place winner also receives FREE tuition to the Southern Breeze 2011 Fall Conference along with Friday night lodging.

Entries are due between June 1 -- June 30, 2010. Winners will be announced at the annual Fall Conference WIK10, October 15-16, 2010 in Birmingham, AL.


Helpful Hints:

Check out the web site for more details on submission requirements.
http://southern-breeze.org/ (click on Contests/Illustration Contest)
Get started now, so you can get feedback from your critique group and refine your work.
Pencils ready? GO!

Kathleen

Kathleen Bradshaw
Illustration Contest Coordinator
Southern Breeze Region (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi)
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
www.southern-breeze.org