Present for You!

I’m getting ready to send out a HUGE present to all my newsletter subscribers.  Are you on my list? Sign up here!

Business cards!

I picked up my business cards from Moo.com yesterday evening!  They’re in East Providence, so it was a short trip over– nice to save money and time on the shipping.

(Well, I should have saved time. Funny story: I was going to post this right when I got home, but I locked my keys in the car in their parking lot. Oh thank you, thank you AAA. I don’t know why I don’t have your number in my speed dial. And thank you to the nice people at Moo who let me hang out inside even though their office was closing.  Anyways, this meant I spent the rest of the evening rushing around. Hilarious.)

I think they came out pretty cute. It was a last minute decision to go with Moo, so I didn’t really take full advantage of the different images option. But I’m happy with the two I picked.

I especially love the back.

So thumbs up for Moo– good quality, easy interface, and great customer service.– Even if you don’t lock your keys in the car, they’re still really nice and helpful.

Working Wednesdays: New Website!!

You may have noticed, but last week I quietly launched my new site. I still have some portfolio sections to add in and some other fixing up to do, but it’s about done folks! I’m pretty excited to have a site that shows off all of my work. And just in time for a new postcard mailing!

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Working Wednesday: Re-brand project

As I keep mentioning, I’m in the midst of re-branding my work self. (Yeah, referring to “branding” feels a bit grandiose, but I have new logo and a more cohesive “look” so it’s an apt description.) For the last couple of days (weeks) I’ve been banging my head on my desk trying to get my site done. I hoped to unveil it today, but it’s not there yet. So in the meantime, here’s a preview of a few of the things I’m changing:

A. New logo! That one wasn’t ever a “real” logo– ie it was just the header that came with my WordPress theme. I “customized” it with the triangle pattern, and tag line, but didn’t choose the layout or font. Really excited to have a new logo that I can use all over the place. I designed it myself, so I might keep tweaking it, but I like where it’s at for the moment.

B. I’m going to have a new menu (actually two!) that will allow me to divide up my work more cohesively. It’s a bit confusing at the moment. I thought about getting rid of of one my illustration styles to simplify things, but the thing is I like creating in that style and happily, people like paying me to do so. It will be easier to find in the new layout.

C. I’ve gotten rid of that stupid white space. This was actually the biggest quibble Zero2illo had when they reviewed my site. Curse you “white space”!  Another default setting of my old theme, that space is actually supposed to house a “header” which I hated and promptly got rid of. I could never figure out how to write it out completely though, so I’ve been stuck with the odd white space above my content. Not cool.

D. On my new front page I have a gallery that cycles through my most recent projects.

I. am. so. close.

Working Wednesday: Distractions

 

 

 

One way to deal with distractions:

How do you deal with distractions during your working hours?

Video by Miranda July found via Makeunder My Life

Working Wednesdays: Live Animal Study in Providence

Have you ever been to the RISD nature lab? If not, you’re in for a treat:

Live Animal Study: A Children’s Book Illustrator’s Workshop
Date: Sunday, February 26, 2012
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Place: The Edna Lawrence Nature Lab, 13 Waterman Street, Providence, RI 02903
Admission: FREE

Bring your sketchbooks, pencils, and light painting supplies and enjoy a rare opportunity to study a handful of live exotic (and some not-so-exotic) animals up close and personal!

RISPCA Humane Educator Laurelin Sitterly will present on each creature’s basic anatomy, movement, and habits that will be sure to inspire you and provide a wealth of knowledge for your animal-themed book projects. Taxidermy and skeletal models will also be available to examine, courtesy of RISD’s Edna Lawrence Nature Lab.

This is an event to gather inspiration from the animal world, practice your craft amidst an active environment, meet your fellow SCBWI illustrators, and benefit from a critique of your day’s efforts by your peers.

RSVP by February 17, 2012 : complete the registration form and send it back as an e-mail attachment.

Coordinated by the talented (and fellow crit group member) Christina Rodriguez. Thanks for putting this together Christina! (and for using my animal sketches on the flyer!)

I hear spots are filling up fast, so register asap!

“Protect IP/ SOPA” Breaks the Internet

Sign the petition here.

Illustration News

Some children’s illustration news I thought people might be interested in!

-Have you gotten your copy of the December Zero2illo Zine yet? It’s all about children’s illustrators and I’m in it! They kindly picked my site for a review and I’m so grateful. 2012 is the year my site will get a proper overhaul and it’s invaluable to get some outside perspective on what’s working and what needs changing. Thank you so much you guys!

-I just signed up for illustration consulting with…Holli Conger!! I’m so excited!! Last year, I was complaining to G (and friends) about missing a “boss”. Which, I know, sounds insane, but it can be exhausting to juggle so many roles. Sometimes you wish for someone to provide some guidance and nudges to keep you on the right track. Perhaps not a “boss”, but a mentor. Anyways, thank you Universe! I’ve been a huge fan and reader of her blog for years. So I’m really looking forward to working my tail off with her!

-Did I ever mention that I found a local children’s writer and illustrator crit group? (Again, thank you Universe.) We’ve had a couple sessions and it’s pretty great. If you’re in the Providence area, we’re looking to add serious kid lit writers and artists.  Please get in touch if you’re interested.

-Heads up: Registration for The New England SCBWI conference in April is coming up! Register here on January 23rd. I’ve never been to this one, but I hear it’s been fabulous in the past.

-Are you doing the Kidlitart #PBDummy Challenge this year? It’s a 25-week-long online group challenge to create and submit a picture book dummy. It starts January 9, 2012 and ends July 1, 2012. After reading the  inspiring post post by Greg Matusic –who I met in person at the Falling Leaves conference– I decided to jump in!

And whaddya think of that little dinosaur guy up there? I’m working on a story for him…

Working Wednesdays: Choose your own adventure Video!

Have you guys seen Madewell’s genius online video campaign? It’s basically a “choose your own adventure” video.

I haven’t seen anyone else use this yet and I think it’s just brilliant. Usually advertising gives me this icky feeling in the pit of my stomach, but campaigns like this–perfectly styled and executed– make me so excited.

Working Wednesday: Proclamation!