This past weekend I had the privilege of attending a presentation by the talented illustrator and author Kristi Valiant. The event was sponsored by the Missouri Chapter of the SCBWI and also featured Kristi's husband, Casey. The pair spoke of the role social media can play in marketing children's books. It was a fun and informative event. Kristi's latest book is a collaboration with world renowned author Danielle Steele, no less. You can see more about it and other books on her website.

Continuing on the theme of social media, my friend and two time book collaborator Rebecca Schantz nominated my blog for a Liebster Award. It was kind of her to include me among her nominees. Becky also proposed a series of questions and I will answer a couple here.  

The title of my (Becky's) blog is Beautiful Spill.  So, what is something that happened in your life that was a “spill,” but ended up being a good thing after all?

See my blog post of 11/18/2014.  My fall was not a good thing but sometimes you have to make the best of it.

Have you ever thought about making a film and if so, what would it be about?

I was surprised and pleased to see this question. I have wanted to tell the story of my Aunt K., an older sibling of one of my parents. At the age of 14 she quit school and went to work in a factory to help support the family. K was born in 1914 and lived well into her nineties. Think of how the world changed within her lifetime, especially for children and women. Her story is one I would like to tell. 

Social media is all about sharing. If you would like to check out Becky's blog you can find it here. Kristi Valiant's website featuring her delightful illustrations is just a click away here. Thank you for your generosity, ladies.

In their spirit of passing it forward, I invite you to check out the wonderful illustrations and linocut prints of my friend Kim Bene on Big Cartel or on her blog here.

Wishing you a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

To show or not to show my Valentine's Day illustration, that is the question. I couldn't decide so I am displaying a piece of it.  One time my Valentine and I each gifted the other with a Janis Joplin CD.  How is that for being simpatico?

Take another little piece of my heart now, baby.

Happy Valentine's Day.

 

The holiday season is coming to a close but it is not over yet.  I am late posting my seasonal card but it was not late getting out.  In fact, I met my deadline on a client card as well, despite my hand injury.  I started designing both images in October and had completed the client project just prior to an early November trip. You can take that statement two ways and both would be correct.  I had a great week-long vacation hiking in Big Bend National Park only to trip and fall the day I returned. 

True to our tradition, my family card included a bike image.  The commissioned illustration, a Mini Cooper pulled by the clients' six dogs, was even more fun to do.  My hand is currently sporting a cast and drawing pencils are down for now.  Accidents happen and I am glad I worked ahead of schedule.  This has been a hard lesson but I will remember it into the New Year and beyond. 

Wishing all a successful and wiser 2015.

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.  It is card season, whether it be client, personal or promotional.  The snow boy and girl above are illustrations for cards that will be going out to my nieces and nephews.  The three dimensional embellishment of the hat strings and pom-poms are made from my grandmother's yarn scraps from decades ago. 

There is no snow here yet, but walking through the neighborhood today I spotted a yard full of wooden cutouts of various cartoon characters.  Each character was painted in holiday attire.  Nestled among them was Sylvester the Cat singing carols.  Think about it, and if that doesn't bring a smile to your face, well then humbug to you. 

An update on my holiday card for 2014 is coming soon.

I fell.  It was a jolt in more ways than one.  I fell hard and sprained my hand, my drawing hand. My thumb took the brunt of the impact and has been nonfunctional.  As an artist I have been nonfunctional.  It is a wake up call when you can no longer do something by which you are defined.  My thoughts of late have gone to knitters who can no longer knit, cooks who can't open a jar or can, and other crafts persons that now struggle in their task due to an arthritic, missing, or damaged hand. I had taken my ability for granted.  My hand is on the mend and I will be most thankful this upcoming holiday.

The illustration was done some time ago with markers that were given to me from a friend.  The image fit the time of year.  I hope to be drawing again soon, and with new found enthusiasm.

It left a lasting impression when I walked up the stone steps and into the cavernous dark beauty of the century old St. Louis Public Library years ago. The lighting was very poor but you knew you were surrounded by something special. Most impactful was the smell, the old, old book smell. It was enveloping, and comforting. The author I was there to see, Linda Barry, was enthralled by it as well and spoke endearingly of it that night.

This past weekend I went to hear renowned author Kate DiCamillo speak in that recently refurbished grande dame of libraries. The smell was gone but the interior shone bright with greatness. The mosaics, stained glass, and stunning ceilings have been reborn. They do not make them like this anymore. Just a week earlier I went to see children's book author Mac Barnett and illustrator Jon Klassen at a new library in a suburban outpost. This youthful duo's hip talent and playfulness played well in the slick modern setting. Libraries are a gift that just keep giving.

The autumn leaves have peaked. A front moves in tonight, and with the ensuing storms, the temperature and remaining leaves will fall. Times change, buildings change and we must look for the beauty in every season.