Process
For Illustrators Who Want to Know About Children’s Book Publishing
I get frequently asked for information on children’s illustration and book publishing, or messages from folks asking me to look at or give feedback on their work. And I’m sorry to say that I don’t have the time it takes to correspond directly to these kinds of inquiries or advise those starting out, but I…
Read MoreScene Writing Exercise for Illustrators
When designing the illustrations for a scene in a book, here are questions I ask to help explore the visual options…(Feel free to download and print this for your own use. If you re-post this, please keep my copyright info attached and link to my blog if possible. Thanks!)
Read MoreHOME IN THE WOODS book video
When I was finishing the art for ‘Home In The Woods’, I had this idea to make a “little” book video to help share some behind-the-book stories. When my husband Adam agreed to make it, I had no idea it would become something so beautiful in and of itself (I should have known). It’s 13…
Read More‘Home In The Woods’ book video—PROCESS
Another piece to the ‘Behind the Scenes’ making of my book HOME IN THE WOODS, this section focusing on the art process. Video by Adam Wheeler, and special sound work by Alex Reeves. (3:11 min) Buy HOME IN THE WOODS at your local indie bookstore-or- Barnes and Noble , or Amazon.com
Read MoreHOME In The WOODS—AHA Moment #1
Writing….a process filled with so many questions needing to be answered, problems to be solved. One of the most frustrating things about the creative process can be the uncertainty, questions, puzzles, doubts, unresolved issues…which result in much banging of the head against a wall. On the flip side of that same coin are the most…
Read MoreWork Spaces and Places
4th grade teacher Jennifer Keller sent out this fun tweet: As I searched for a pic of my workspace to share, I saw many photos I’ve snapped of places I’ve written (or illustrated), so I pulled together a bunch more to share here! I’ve written and illustrated in so many locations over the past 7…
Read MorePicture Books Are Not Easy To Write
I recently attended a wonderful opening exhibit at the University of Minnesota’s Andersen Library, The ABC of It , which has hundreds of children’s book treasures—original artwork from Poky Little Puppy, Millions of Cats, Goodnight Moon, Maurice Sendak, Tomi dePaola, Beatrix Potter…oh, and an 18 foot replica of the Goodnight Moon bedroom (!)—on display. If you have…
Read MoreMy SCBWI LA National Conference Keynote
Last month I attended the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators summer conference in Los Angeles, and was invited there by Lin Oliver to give my first keynote speech for one of their national conferences. It was an incredible honor to be invited, and it marked a big milestone for me as an SCBWI…
Read MoreResearch Travel Tips
Over on the Picture Book Builders blog, I shared some highlights about illustration research I did for three weeks in England in 2015 for the new picture book biography JOHN RONALD’S DRAGONS: STORY OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN, by Caroline McAlister. I had a great question come over Twitter recently about traveling for research, but couldn’t seem…
Read MoreTHE ‘I SUCK’ DILEMMA
It’s been two weeks since the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators annual summer conference in Los Angeles, and I am still feeling like I’m in recovery mode. This conference is a massive whirling ball of creative energy. There we experience information, inspiration, connection, excitement, boredom, nervousness, and ultimately, exhaustion! It was the first…
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