Sketch for my next promo

Random stuff on my desk at work...

©2007

I like the scissors.

Reference Material for Illustrators

At the talk I gave on Thursday I was asked about good reference books for contracts and copyright relating to illustration and children's books. These are the books that were recommended to me:

• Graphic Artists Handbook: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines by Kathie Abrams, ed. North Light Press.

• Children’s Book Writer and Illustrator’s Market (an annual catalogue of children’s book publishers, plus useful business chapters)

• Business and Legal Forms for Illustrators by Tad Crawford. Allworth Press.

The following websites were also recommended:
• http://www.underdown.org
• http://www.scbwi.org

SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) publishes a useful monthly newsletter with tips for writers and illustrators. They also sponsor critique groups, conferences, and portfolio reviews around North America. If you become a member, they have a bunch of useful pdf business handouts that you can download from their website.

Art Talk at ACAD

I just had the best evening. I did my illustration talk at ACAD tonight and it went really well. It was such a relaxed and comfortable environment. I brought my portfolio, a sketchbook, some of my paintings and some of my process. It was a pretty cool experience. It made me feel like a professional.

Thanks so much to Mike and Renata for inviting me and thanks to all their students for being such a great audience.

weathervane & a special invitation

© 2007

I have a lot on my mind these days. I can't seem to stop thinking and I feel so... heavy. I think it's time to make some changes...

I spent most of this past weekend in my studio. The weathervane is part of something that I've been working on. I thought it looked interesting at this stage and decided to share it.

I forgot to mention last week that I've been invited to give a talk to some students in an evening illustration class at the Alberta College of Art and Design. That's where I graduated from 5 years ago. The class is taught by one of my old instructors, Mike Kerr, and his wife, Renata Liwska. They're both amazing illustrators. Check out their work at www.wronghand.com . I'm very flattered that they've invited me.

Headless Stone Angel - red ink

© 2007

Red Train

© 2007

The most wonderful and satisfying weekend

This weekend I

• saw a comedian and laughed harder than I have in a long time
• had the most wonderful Saturday with my very best girl friend
• saw an old friend and her new baby
• made a delicious Mexican inspired supper
• had drinks with some people I'd been neglecting
• started my Christmas shopping
• enjoyed a snowy Sunday with my hubby
• worked on drawings for an illustration project I'm doing
• ate a pomegranate and drank tea in front of the fire


(in honor of the fluffy white snow that fell this morning)

Just for fun

I love these cartoons by lefthandedtoons.com, they're totally my kind of humor. I thought I'd share a few of my favorites. I especially like the 'hug' one.

Pumpkiny goodness

Today I carved a pumpkin for the first time in 10 years. Every year I think to myself "I should carve a pumpkin." But then I get busy, I forget to buy a pumpkin and before I know it Halloween is over. Not this year. I picked one up last week and carved it this afternoon. I did one side and Dario did the other. I also baked the seeds which made for a yummy afternoon treat.

This one's mine:



This one's Dario's: