In 2011, after thirty years of design and illustration for agencies and corporate clients, my commercial art career was showing signs that it had reached its peak. I was feeling the crusty edges of creative burnout, and sorely ready for a change. By chance, I landed a gig illustrating a children's book—something completely fresh for me, and never on my radar before. Here at last, was a new path to explore and I ran towards it with both feet flying.
It wasn't long before I started finding references to something called SCBWI. I knew nothing about the organization, but I wanted to learn all I could about children's publishing, and the eighty-dollar membership fee seem like a good return on investment. Besides, freelancing can be a rather lonesome occupation, and I was starving for some community. I had my membership card by September.
I attended my first Southern Breeze event—Illustrator Day in 2012. I was so thrilled to be in a room full of other illustrators, I volunteered on the spot to help set up and break down the event. Elizabeth Dulemba must have thought I was a little over the top in my enthusiasm. I felt like a kid at an all-you-can-eat pancake party. I was amazed by the depth and quality of the artwork I saw by fellow attendees. My own portfolio critique that day was deservingly brutal. It was the kick in the pants I needed.
The thing that impressed me most, and the thing that I continue to support and hold dear, is the sense of community that Elizabeth provided with every illustration event she helped organize. It open a world of ideas and opportunity that I would have only peeked at from the outside before. It held my head up so I wouldn't drowned in self-doubt. It gave me a safe place to play and be authentic without judgement, and it fostered professional and personal friendships I would not have had otherwise.
It is no small honor for me to step up to the position of Illustrator Coordinator held for six years by Elizabeth Dulemba. I owe a debt of gratitude to Elizabeth, and the community she fostered. I am certainly a richer person for it. I plan to continue what she established and build on it. She has done an outstanding job giving us a sense of place and purpose. She has given a bunch of sketchy illustrators community, and community is the most valuable treasure of all.
Prescott Hill
Illustrator Coordinator
SCBWI Southern Breeze
