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Where Can Ideas be Found?

8/4/2020

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I’ve always found the Google Doodle logo heading on the Google site to be charming, and was happy to accidentally find Google’s Doodle Archive, at google.com/doodles#archive.  I discovered illustrator/writer inspiration there, and an idea treasure trove.

Hurrah for giving the guest artists name credit on the site as well as a mini Q & A with questions such as What was your creative approach to this doodle?  Why did you choose this approach? and Are there any technical tricks you used, that you can share?  Many of the artists have shared preliminary sketches, or photos of their process, as in artists Jack and Holman Wang’s felt-art-plus for Laura Ingalls Wilder’s 148th birthday celebration.  On the section This Doodle’s Reach is a map of the world showing that the doodle was seen ion sites around the world where Little House on the Prairie is known and loved.

Included on the site is artist Matthew Cruickshank’s doodle of Sir John Tenniel, who illustrated Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.  The legendary animator Tyrus Wong’s 108th birthday was commemorated by doodler Sophie Diao.  And Amaka Igwe, award-winning Nigerian writer/film-maker, was doodled by Data Oruwari.

The illustrators are from all over the world, working in a variety of styles and techniques.  Doodles go back to the very beginning of the company when they first played with changing the Google logo to celebrate the lives of eminent persons, birthdays, and anniversaries—including the ice cream sundae!  There are short bios or write-ups about the honored subjects, enough to grab the interest and make you want to know more... 

Maybe there’s an idea for a non-fiction biography or a new illustration technique to be found among the more than 4000 doodles created by a team of very talented illustrators and engineers.  The Doodles open up the world to our discovery of people that may not be known to us.

And exploring Google Doodles is fun!

Diane Browning

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Bob's Day Congratulations on Cookie & Broccoli

7/10/2020

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Link to Bob's book on Indie Bound a website that supports independent bookstores
https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593109076
Bob's page on Amazon 
https://www.amazon.com/Bob-McMahon/e/B0896VYRMY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1594349341&sr=8-1
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After the Critique...

6/21/2020

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            Don't you just love a scornful, word ripping, art-crushing critique?
 
          No? Me, neither. My insecurity expects Flush-The-Piece-Now and my insane optimism hopes First-Draft-Perfect!!! Even though reality falls somewhere in the middle, I still have to push through my fear.
          Every critique can be scary when I've put my heart into every word and brush stroke. Early on, even constructive criticism felt totally negative—personal signs of failure—no matter how kindly delivered. But even as I shed some tears, I told myself,  Next time, I'm gonna nail it...
           At some point, I inched my ego aside, focusing more on refining my craft, trusting my critique group's feedback. Recognizing the genius of many of their recommendations. And my work greatly improved.
          Today, I get through the post-critique blues by remembering:
 
1. Before I start my revision, give myself a few days to pack away negative self-talk (Again I failed...) and those knee-jerk reactions (What do those hacks know, anyway?)
 
2. As a writer/illustrator, I have my own unique voice and vision. It's tempting for well-meaning  co-members to push me towards their own genre and stylistic direction.
         
3. Consider the group's helpfulness. Each writer/ illustrator group will uniquely evolve over time. If criticism overpowers the positive, the group moves from healthy to toxic. Longstanding groups practice truth, grace and encouragement, mutually pushing each other towards excellence.
 
          After each critique, I still remind myself, Next time, I'm gonna nail it! And a good group can help you accomplish that—with some gentle hammering. (Ouch. Nope, keep going. This pain is good...)
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What we can do . . .

6/9/2020

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"Welcome back!" the sign-in screen says as I begin a new post. It's been a while. A worldwide virus. A worldwide civil rights protest. A mourning in our family among so many others'. And a time to struggle forward. So the little greeting stretches a smile across my face at the same time as my eyes well up.

Silly, I know. But crying's good. It staves off depression and fuels desire for change, despite the limits of a world compressed to my mom's and my homes, phones, books, screens, walks and grocery stores. Donating what I can to causes, grieving/healing with my family, and personal work are things I can do.

So. Aside from weeding and cleaning, I'm writing, sketching, painting, scanning, designing, or researching a little, every day. Anything to move forward even just a bit.

I hope you are finding your way through this time, too.
~Siri
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Carrots!

5/15/2020

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Once in a while you feel like you may never attain your goals.  Many of mine are quite lofty!  I always think that something great is hovering and I equate it to a beautiful orange carrot dangling from a string, just in front of me. Albeit, just out of reach! 
 
Recently I’ve started to think that carrot has withered a bit and turned a little brown!  Ha! That is my fault, because I haven’t finished my picture book projects or started that latest fantasy series. You can’t have success if you don’t send things out of the file drawer and mail them they remain hidden and nothing spectacular will ever happen!
 

So I’ve been dusting off unfinished projects. Doing a book dummy or two and sifting through sketches for new fantasy work.  Also going through boxes and drawers of art supplies. It’s exciting and invigorating.  A fellow Illustrators’ Table artist and friend CHRISTY BOTKIN REEVES did this sketch below for me. I keep it on my desktop! It’s what I picture now, still dangling in front of me. A beautiful orange carrot. Maybe a little closer and, like this drawing, a lot brighter!
 
Carol Heyer
http://www.carolheyer.com


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Sheltering in Place

4/1/2020

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FEBRUARY Illustrators' Table

3/25/2020

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This is a little late but I thought I'd share a few photos from the February Illustrators' Table  meeting. Even though I'm partial to Ground Hog Day, I thought Valentine's Day Decorations might be more appealing! Not to mention candy kisses abounded.


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Sitting at the February Table ( left to right back row )  Kat McDonough, Anne Boydston, Diane Browning, Dan Hanna, Paul Burrows. In the front row, (left to right) Mary-Jo Murphy, Siri Weber Feeney, Christy Reeves, Bob McMahon. And of course I was there, Carol Heyer, taking the pictures!

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Dan Hanna showing artwork to Diane Browning

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Paul showing a book he brought to share with all of us. (L-R) Bob, Christy, Siri and Mary-Jo.
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Kat and Anne!


Every month we have different members gathered around the table.  Sometimes a few, sometimes everyone. No matter how many, or who gathers around the Illustrators' Table we always have fun lively discussions. 

Each month seeing  all the amazing art inspires me to get back into the studio and create! 

Carol Heyer
​http://www.carolheyer@carolheyer.com

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Inventory, Organize and Create

2/21/2020

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by Kat McD.
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A few years ago my studio table started to shrink.  My accumulation of
​art supplies was overwhelming my space to make stuff.. I am guilty of having a lot of different artistic interests.  Instead of ignoring my muses I decided to organize my space so that I can “round robin” from one inspiration to another. If you are an artist who travels in a single lane or a multi lane highway like me, taking the time to inventory and organize your space can save you money, and time in the long run. 

First I needed to inventory my supplies and group my materials. I admit this was daunting, but worth the time.  While some supplies cross over, I chose to group mine by interest. Clear plastic bins and a label maker are a must.  The following are the categories I needed to consider.  

Block Printing, Beading, Bookmaking, Drawing, Painting, Collage, Sewing, Knitting, Clay, Wood, and Concrete.  
Office Supplies, Completed Art Pieces, Fair/Shows Materials.

 Not all of my materials fit in my studio. So I also created a map of each bin and it's contents. For example, my fair materials and finished items don’t need to be at my fingertips on a daily basis, so they are kept in my hall closet and a storage cabinet in my living room.  My knitting supplies are kept in my storage footstool but my yarn stash is under my bed. 

Fading inspiration or growing frustration does not lead to great art making.  To keep my creative output flowing, knowing what I own and where it is kept is pretty obviously a good place to start.  But hey, just because it’s obvious doesn’t mean we bite the bullet and go for it. Taking inventory of my “stuff” was a bit overwhelming.  But now I know what I own and where I keep it.. Whom of us hasn’t purchased doubles of supplies? Or let a project fade because procrastination was less overwhelming than searching for materials?  Have your stash ready and accessible when you want to start that project.  

I drive a twelve lane highway of creativity.  The school of YouTube is always in session and I love taking classes. As my interests expand, I follow the philosophy of “use what you’ve got.” Now If I add to my stash it’s cuz I really really needed too. :)   I can move from one creative lane to another smoothly. When the inspiration taps me on the shoulder, I’m ready. 

Save money, save time, save space, save an idea before it slips away. 

Kat McD  >’y’<  
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See more of my art in the links below.


Etsy Beachy Shop
Etsy NoNappingStudio
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SUMMER  CONFERENCING  Suzy Engelman Block

9/6/2019

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The "Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators"
is the premiere organization for anyone seeking to
​work in the area of children's publications... DUH!!
SCBWI-LA holds a 4 day summer extravaganza right here in Los Angeles.
The annual winter conference is in New York City. They are PRICEY!
But see it as a PhD in your Field of Dreams...

Here's a few tips I learned 
years ago...

​
​Pace yourself.
These are long 'info' packed days.
Your brain may implode or explode...

       Both are equally nasty!
At some point,
stake out some 'me time'

to process. Organize notes.
​

​EAT and HYDRATE!
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​There is a huge line-up of speakers in 
the main conference room where 1000 plus
​people gather.

So enjoy the smaller
break-out sessions,

where you can get up
close and personal

with the presenter,
​and make friends with

like-minded creatives.​
I picked a session with
a well-known writer...

the amazing Leslea Newman. Since I write AND illustrate,
it was a good idea to 
attend a workshop where we actually wrote on the spot with
Leslea's prompts.


Her detailed and thoughtful analysis of a host of picture books was invaluable. The perspective of time, place
and space was brought to

light and I now understand
how it contributes

to the quality of a story.
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Two of my favorite books by Leslea Newman.
Artists Amy June Bates and Maria Mola 
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Take advantage
of these 

intimate sessions
to talk privately​ 

and snap a picture!
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  • Lastly, have fun with your peeps!
  • If you are new to the scene, introduce yourself...
  • This is THE place where you will find your true partners-in-crime.
  • And soon they will be life-long friends...
  • like mine in the pic above!
  • ♥♥♥♥♥♥



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Lets Talk About Your Art by Kat McDonough

3/24/2019

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     Let’s talk your art.  Or maybe I should say, let talk with those who’d like very much to speak to us about our work. I work alone in my studio. I share my art with this lovely critique group and sometimes I get a comment on an Instagram post that I can reply to. But what is missing is being witness to the spontaneous utterance or expression from a customer who comes upon your work and falls in love with it.  Every artist deserves to see and feel what this is like.  The only problem is that if they aren’t showing in a gallery you might be missing out. Last year, and this year again,

     I’ll be attending and selling my work at the #OlivasAdobe Owl festival in Ventura CA on Sunday 4/14. I’ve at shown at few other Fairs and what I always come away with is the gratitude and joy of engaging directly with Fair attendees. Having a direct conversation, wrapping up a piece and placing it in a bag with a great big “thank you!” is so rewarding.  I would highly recommend all artist put themselves out in the public at least once a year.  The enthusiasm for your work will rub off on you.  You will come home, tired yes, but energized as well.  I have lots of owl art and cat art and have done fairs that cater to those enthusiasts.  Attendees are thrilled to meet a fan of the same animal, place, or genre as they are. Conversation is easy.  You have an immediate connection with the audience for your subject matter.  You’ll make sales, but more importantly you’ll be among actual people and your creative spirit will thank you. A beautiful Instagram feed will not give you the same satisfaction as selling a print or original to a fan directly.  Try it. Attend the fair first if you feel concerned as to what to expect. Make notes, take photos of displays get contact information from whoever is running the event.   If it’s an annual Fair, set a goal, in one year you’ll be ready to display your own work, basking in the smiles that will come your way.  Then you’ll do it again and again.  >'y'<
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