SCBWI conference
The conference was great! I got to dress up (in some fabulous brown boots) and feel like a real illustrator. It was so great to do something related to my dream and be surrounded by like-minded creative people and hear stories from those who have made it.
I took copious notes, sketched a lot , felt inspired and got to meet the fabulous Amy Moreno .
There was one session devoted solely to illustrators. I wish their had been another one, as the last part of the day was taken up by a first review panel of manuscripts by editors. It was fun to listen to but I do wish there had been a similar option for illustrators.
Two writers spoke to the combined group of writers and illustrators. Both were very entertaining and great fun. Judith Greenburg has a fabulous, energetic imagination and talked about getting inspired by microscopic creepy critters and weird scientific facts. Phyllis Reynold Naylor detailed a series of letters between herself and her editor during a particularly trying book. It was really interesting to hear the go-between of their relationship and how a novel is written.
The Illustrator break out session was Survival Tips for Illustrators by Jackie Urbanovic and Joan Waites, two fabulous ladies. A few of their fantastic tips:
1. Be a surfer, go with the flow. Be flexible with your editor, with the market and your work. Be willing to explore other markets like chapter books, easy readers, coloring books, education publishing, interactive books, CD-roms, packaging, toys, magazines, newsletter, greeting cards, fine art, flash animation, government freelance.
2. Research, research, research. Find the place for your style.
3. Market. It is critical to do it on a consistent basis. Even after you get your first break, you'll need to work to get your second and third too. Do mail-outs, school and book store visits, book fairs and festivals.
4. Surround yourself with other illustrators, stay inspired. Go to conferences, make friends online, join critique groups, share a studio space, take classes, look for a mentor.
5. Be a professional. This is a business, treat it like one. Have your own space (even if it is a corner of your dining room) Set some hours as creating time, meet deadlines.
I'm very happy I was able to go and listen and learn.
Now for the New York Conference. ;)
I took copious notes, sketched a lot , felt inspired and got to meet the fabulous Amy Moreno .
There was one session devoted solely to illustrators. I wish their had been another one, as the last part of the day was taken up by a first review panel of manuscripts by editors. It was fun to listen to but I do wish there had been a similar option for illustrators.
Two writers spoke to the combined group of writers and illustrators. Both were very entertaining and great fun. Judith Greenburg has a fabulous, energetic imagination and talked about getting inspired by microscopic creepy critters and weird scientific facts. Phyllis Reynold Naylor detailed a series of letters between herself and her editor during a particularly trying book. It was really interesting to hear the go-between of their relationship and how a novel is written.
The Illustrator break out session was Survival Tips for Illustrators by Jackie Urbanovic and Joan Waites, two fabulous ladies. A few of their fantastic tips:
1. Be a surfer, go with the flow. Be flexible with your editor, with the market and your work. Be willing to explore other markets like chapter books, easy readers, coloring books, education publishing, interactive books, CD-roms, packaging, toys, magazines, newsletter, greeting cards, fine art, flash animation, government freelance.
2. Research, research, research. Find the place for your style.
3. Market. It is critical to do it on a consistent basis. Even after you get your first break, you'll need to work to get your second and third too. Do mail-outs, school and book store visits, book fairs and festivals.
4. Surround yourself with other illustrators, stay inspired. Go to conferences, make friends online, join critique groups, share a studio space, take classes, look for a mentor.
5. Be a professional. This is a business, treat it like one. Have your own space (even if it is a corner of your dining room) Set some hours as creating time, meet deadlines.
I'm very happy I was able to go and listen and learn.
Now for the New York Conference. ;)
<< Notebook Home
5 Comments:
The conference sounds so much fun. I wish I could go to one of those conferences (without traveling to the other side of the world...).
Nice of you to chare some of the tips with us.
wynlen
Courtney!
You are a riot. It was so much fun to meet you in person...complete with your snazzy brown boots...and to see your artwork right there in living color...I love it.
Your notes are terrific here! You captured some things I had forgotten to take notes on. Are you inspired to send your artwork out? Do it! I love this image of the brush..you've got to get that one out there.
Thanks for mentioning me..that was exceptionally kind of you!
wynlen - would love to meet you at one of these, i'm postive your work would be a hit.
amy - the diva is my next postcard, sending it out mid- november. i am truly inspired, just hope i can learn a bit of patience. ;)
Hi Courtney,
SCBWI is amazing, isn't it!??? I am aiming to be at the NY conference, too. maybe I'll et to see you there. I am so excited.
Your notes are priceless, and I really enjoy your style of writing.
Any decisions on the Journeys book project? I e-mailed you a couple of times, but didn't receive a reply. I'm sure you have been ultra busy. It'll be a great way to share and be a part of a team project, that you get to keep part of. The Web site is going to rock to display the work and profile each artist. I'm an art director and book designer on the east coast, and my plan is to push marketing, get some gallery exhibits and all sorts out of this - a real Journey! I have a wealth of contacts to help with this!
There's 12 days left to submit your sub-theme, and I'd be truly honored to have you on board, your work is just fabulous.
The other side to this is a printed book featuring the work of the entire project also including artost bio/profiles, beyond the 'art' books. This is a serious project, so I hope you decide to say yes. Take care and than you again for sharing your SCBWI notes.
leeza@leezaworks.com
Glad you had such a great time. Joan is a very dear friend of mine and I would have loved to have seen her speak. You are very fortunate to be in the area you are. It's a great scbwi region! I miss it. =o))
Post a Comment
<< Home