Fall Sketch Book Event

Saturday, October 25, @ 10:00 AMAt the beautiful Atlanta Botanical Gardens1345 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, GA, 30309  http://atlantabotanicalgarden.org/

Scarecrows, ogres, giant cobras and monumental sculptures await you at the next Sketch-Book Event.  Nearly 100 scarecrows fill the Atlanta Botanical Garden, as well as the Imaginary Worlds Worlds mosaiculture show and The Four Seasons sculpture exhibition.  So, Join us as we find inspiration in the Atlanta Botanical Garden on Saturday, October 25th at 10:00 am. Authors, illustrators and photographers are welcome. 

And to set the tone for this visit, the theme book is THE SCARECROW’S DANCE by Jane Yolen and Bagram Ibatoulline. 

“Jane Yolen introduces us to the fickle scarecrow, who decides to leave his station and dance away the fall night. He leaps through the fields until he reaches the farmhouse, where he sees a small light in the window. Inside, a boy is saying his prayers, and he offers up a special prayer for the corn that will be harvested in the morning. Humbled, the scarecrow knows what he has to do: He returns to the field and watches over the corn as only he can.” (from Amazon.com)

As always, we have planned several optional challenges, which are designed to have you approach your sketches and stories from a new perspective.

There is an $18.95 admission fee to the garden and $4.00 parking fee. 

We also will be going for lunch afterwards.

Please RSVP at michael@austinillustration.com.

Mandir Temple Wrap-up by Kitty Klein

As I approached the Hindu Mandir that September morning, the sun’s rays burst forth from behind the minarets and flags punctuating the ornamental carvings and wide smooth steps. The word’s derivation, man (mind) and dir (still), was affirmed by the light as I noticed my mind become still in the beauty. This architectural treasure, just outside of Atlanta, is one of the many wonders in the world around me. To appreciate these wonders, I need to know about them. More importantly, I need to go to them because visiting their websites just doesn’t do them justice.
      To immerse myself in the culture, the sights and sounds, the uniqueness of the place, is to be able to call upon its memory when I need it later. Whether illustrating or writing, my experiences and memories help me convey an immediacy of a location. I will remember, rather than imagine, the gentle ripples lapping the edges of the reflecting pond, the water splashing forth from the trunks of a row of bronze elephants. Sketchbook events provide me the opportunity to visit places I might not normally make the time to see.
      The opportunities are out there. For most of us, it takes more than reading books and watching videos. So, get involved with other SCBWI writers and illustrators. Join planned events in your area or create your own. Go to the zoo, a local historical site, or the horse barn down the road. Just go. Your imagination will thank you for it later.

Bio:
      Kitty Klein is a technical writer during the day and dabbles in picture books and young adult novels by night. She attributes her perseverance to her ever-supportive critique group and also to her good friend and art instructor, Michael Wood.

Photos and sketches from the day:

1st ever Sketch-Book Event!

Michael Austin is heading up our first ever Sketch Book Event to be held Saturday, September 29, 2102 at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta at 10:00am - free to SCBWI members. (We'll go for lunch afterwards at 6 Feet Under - of course.) Prompts will be inspired by Neil Gaiman's "The Graveyard Book"!
     Other Southern Breeze regions are welcome to follow suit at cemeteries in their area and post about it in the comments below.
     If you have any questions, they can be directed to Michael Austin at michael at austinillustration dot com.
     For details - click the image to open the .pdf in a new window. Hope to see you there!