Illustrator Group Soup Talk

Help the artists!

2008-05-06T19:59:00.000-04:00

Call for all artists and people who want to help us!

It looks like big companies are about to implement a new legal bill in the USA that would deprive artists of their copyrights!

The extremely successful artist Mark Simon wrote a detailed article on the subject, and tells us how we can help. Everyone tries to skip long articles. But this one is worth it. Please, everyone, read it and help us artists! On page 2 you'll see what we can do (write to Congressmen etc.).

Read his article here: You Will Lose All The Rights to Your Own Art!

Thanks!
Astrid

what's up with Frizz?

2008-04-30T13:47:00.005-04:00

Besides working my butt off trying to finish our log cabin there's this...

A vote for FRIZZ is a vote for ROY!
Check out all the fabulous finalist here then vote!
You've got until Tuesday night, May 6th to cast your vote.
Thanks Softies Central!

ooh ooh fun!

2008-04-25T20:00:00.003-04:00

1. watch my hilarious, passionate daughters grow to become hilarious, passionate women…that still like me
2. live in a very old house that does NOT need renovations
3. earn my doctorate in art history and my MFA in Printmaking
4. be allowed to buy all the shoes I want, whenever I want to buy them
5. have someone make dinner for my family every night…and do my dishes too
6. have my own studio space…with a red chair and a really kickin’ sound system…and a lock on the door
7. buy a beach house for my parents…and one right next door for me and stay there each summer for the WHOLE summer
8. have time to grow a garden and grow my own herbs and vegetables
9. see the Alhambra Palace (Spain), the Sistine Chapel, Chartres Cathedral, the Pantheon, and Hagia Sophia (Istanbul)
10. have written proof that I have influenced my art students in a life-altering way
11. have time for a dog…a big dog with floppy ears.
12. have a book published
13. start a photography business and make money taking pictures
14. finally find the perfect hair products
15. Have a painting by Marc Chagall hanging in my living room
16. join the Peace Corp
17. go to an artist retreat for the summer
18. travel cross country in an RV with my husband
19. meet Maurice Sendek
20. go to the bathroom by myself (I would like to focus on this one first)

Mondo

2008-04-25T16:54:00.005-04:00

Here's just a bit of my "Beyondo" list:

1. Become a more centered person; maintain fitness and health.
2. Have a viable career as an illustrator.
3. Visit six of the seven continents.
4. A private cottage for a personal retreat, preferably in Ireland, although lakeside will do in a pinch.
5. Become a better wife, mother, sister, friend and daughter.
6. Maintain strong ties with family and improve those with the cousins.
7. Strengthen the bonds with girlfriends.(This means you too, girlies!)
8. Decorate our home with personal artwork.
9. "Greenovate" our lives-without going to extremes.
10. Develop my writing.
11. Balance time between illustration and writing to where I achieve at least one book contract before I turn 39. (with a book-tour and fantastic reviews!)
12. Raise my son to be a happy, healthy, well-adjusted, intellectual being unafraid to explore and appreciate all adventures life provides.
13. Continue to explore the art that is evolving outside of children's illustration.
14. Someday take that art to the next level-juried shows and gallery events!
15. Finally take a Photography (and Photoshop) class so that I can take full advantage of the fabulous birthday present from five years ago!
16. Embrace all of the opportunities the Universe gives me and go as far as possible with each of them!
17. Convince all of the soup gals to go to SCBWI LA-2009, so we can all have that slumber party we've been talking about!
18. Attending a week-long retreat of chatting, art and laughter with the Soup Gals at Frizz's cabin. (Or Leeza's Hawaiian retreat. ha!)

Big Dreams

2008-04-24T12:56:00.003-04:00

1. a small cottage by the ocean for quiet retreats.
2. travel around the world.
3. book contract by the end of 2008.
4. have another healthy, happy baby.
5. visit Leeza's retreat in Hawaii frequently.
6. go to India to meet Saurabh's family.
7. Get back into photography with a nice camera.
8. learn to cook fabulous, simple and tasty meals.
9. be a really good mom, sister, wife and friend.
10. give really great school presentations.
11. speak at an SCBWI conference and be inspiringand funny.
12. have a studio space in a big backyard surronded by trees
13. watch kiran grow up to be smart, kind, happy and have a great sense of humor.
14. become a "real" illustrator, with book deals, ongoing projects and little fans who like what I do.

Better put the kettle on!

2008-04-23T12:23:00.003-04:00

Mondo Beyondo

In no particular order... and I know this list is going to be long … but like you said, gotta put it out there. I know there is so much more.. but this is good for starters.

To travel the world with my daughter and show her that anything in life is possible.

To live in Paris for at least one year (I wanted to have done this by the time I was 30, but my job in America changed all that)

To refresh my ability to speak French and German.

To learn Spanish, Japanese and Russian.

To travel to Japan for my 40th birthday and visit Australia and New Zealand while I am there.

Visit Jerusalem not during a war.

Go to San Francisco and Sedona — as well as other parts of the USA.

Go back to Hawaii and finish the excursions we ran out of time for on our honeymoon.

Open a retreat/spa-like haven for artists and writers in Hawaii.

To be able to have the freedom to travel or stay in a foreign place for months at a time and not have to worry.

To buy a small holiday cottage back home in England or a flat in Paris — or both!

To inspire children in some way that could never be forgotten, the way artists, illustrators and writers have inspired me since childhood.

To always try to give back as a result of my personal successes.

Help my daughter to learn to be mindful of others unconditionally.

Make a difference in looking after our environment.

Open a studio, offer workshops and create an arts-type charity to help children who deserve a second chance or need a creative outlet for self-expression during difficult circumstances in life.

Always be comfortable in life, never having to worry and trusting that the universe will always take care of us.

Retire early.
Pay off the mortgage early.

Finish our renovations, landscape our property and (guilty pleasure) have an infinity pool (man I love those pools).

NOT have to sell and move because we can’t afford to live here anymore.

Convert the space above our garage to my official Leezaworks studio.

Spend more time cooking delicious meals.

Study a martial art to the highest level.

Get back in to yoga on a regular basis and be really, really bendy.

Be free of endometriosis once and for all.

Cuddle my hubby when we are 70 and watch the sun go down.

For my little girl to always be safe, and grow up to be smart, funny, strong, compassionate and independent.

Celebrate my children’s book success with a really big party somewhere exotic,invite everyone I know and love, renting a private plane to take us all there.

Go on multiple children’s book tours all round the world and spend time laughing and singing with children at signings.

Send everyone I know a box of chocolates when I make my first million. (I’ve been saying this since I was about 13-years old).

Reach for the stars and kiss the moon.

Curb all my negative traits and turn them into positive ones.

Teach.

Have a party with all the group soup gals.

Gain a Masters in illustration and/or design.

See my grandfathers and other lost friends/relatives again on the ‘other side’.

Connect with my spirit guide(s).

Meet a real shaman.

Hear the true voice of God.

Grow old gracefully and live until 120 without any issues.

Find true compassion.

Sing a song, note perfect.

Write and illustrate at least 100 titles htoughout my children’s book career.

Get at least five book deals before the end of 2008 — hoping for ten!

Give an outstanding, standing-ovation-never-to-be-forgotten presentation at an annual SCBWI conference.

Work with Robert Sabuda on a pop-up book.

Become more involved with SCBWI.

Be a mentor and make a difference in at least one person’s life.

Live by the ocean (I miss that so much).

Finish my YA novel and have it published successfully.

Illustrate an edition of Alice in Wonderland and have it published successfully.

Happy days!

2008-04-23T11:49:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone,
I am really excited and happy to announce that I just signed with Prospect Agency in New York. I love my agent, Rachel Orr, who has some great ideas on how to take me and my work to the next level. YAY!

Thanks to Pat Cummings for bringing us together and to everybody who I have ever had the pleasure of working with, learning from or knowing to help me get to this point.

I see it as a small victory on the path to children's book success and can't wait to really get stuck in...

Thanks to you all!
:)

mondo beyondo!

2008-04-21T11:46:00.004-04:00

Great topic Dee!

I've been meaning to make this list since I first read about it in January..and I'm really excited to give it a whirl. Though..I must admit, it's one thing to write down your biggest and brightest hopes and dreams in the privacy of your own journal, and another to really put it out there like this... but here goes!

Mondo Beyondo
---------------------
1. Travel to India
2. Travel around Europe, sketching and drinking dainty lattes.
3. Write a young adult novel that speaks to me and others, (especially girls..around ten years old.)
4. Finish my new Hanner album!
5. Do a full blown triathlon.
6. Run a marathon.
7. Have a gallery show in nyc or chicago, with really big, fancy, elaborate paintings.
8. Go on a book tour.
9. Have a really great presentation that inspires kids to live their dreams.
10. Be really comfortable driving. Drive anywhere without fear.
11. Speak French.
12. Make more money. Save more money.
13. Buy a car that is reliable and safe.

Umm...ok. That's it. That's a lot.

How about you?

Mentors (Yes, I am playing catch up!)

2008-04-21T09:09:00.002-04:00

Throughout my adult world, I've had a coupe of different mentors to help me deal with different areas of my life, but as far as art & design, I've had a small handful of folks who have been there, ahead of me — guiding me...

At high school, my art teacher, Pauline, always encouraged and supported my efforts to achieve what was needed in order to go off to art college and pursue my creative destiny. We shared the same birthday and spent time out of school hanging out. I thought her life was exotic, and mystical, and enthralling, and amazing and so many other things, that she inspired me to want a life of my own. Not as a potter, like she was primarily, but just to be able to get to a point in life where I could do all that I wanted. We have stayed in touch until just about a year ago or so. Only because she moved, and we sort of lost contact. I know we will reconnect, we always do.

My art teacher at college was my second mentor. She was and is an illustrator as well as a lecturer at the university I attended. I was her baby sitter, a friend and I got to know a lot of her family really well. We still stay in touch and now that I am pursuing more illustration in life, she has been incredible in offering me advice. I used to love going to her house. She had theeeeee most amazing art studio, and I vowed I would have something like that one day — a haven of my own to lock myself away and create.

My other mentor happened more recently. Children's book author/illustrator Pat Cummings. She also teaches at Parsons in NYC. Pat has helped me in more ways than one to navigate the children's book industry, just because of a chance meeting at the New York conference for SCBWI back in February 2006. She has helped me shape my dummies, given tons of advice on my portfolio and connected me with oodles of new and fabulous people - as well as helped me stay motivated and focused.

Lastly, my mother who has mentored me in a different way but without her i wouldn't have the strength, determination and passion to pursue everything I am passionate about and that included my creative world. Thanks Mum!

And thank you - Pauline, Jacqui and Pat!!! You are all stars in my life.

(Links to the mentor web site to come)

Creative Input

2008-04-21T09:03:00.002-04:00

As far as daily inspiration, mine comes through a menagerie of sources. And what I love most is that everyday, those sources of inspiration can change quite dramatically. From my daughter's cheeky little laugh on one day, to a phone call or e-mail from an old, old friend the next, to the packaging of some food I just bought, or the color of a sofa in a furniture shop.

I guess, if I really had to nail it down on a daily basis, my source of inspiration is ... well, basically, in a word …

"LIFE"

Simple as that!

the creative monsters

2008-04-15T20:16:00.004-04:00

I am not just an illustrator (gasp!). I actually have quite the menagerie of creative pursuits. I actually was a classical musician at one point in my youth...and was extremely close to going to music school. I was a ceramics major in college and was so in love with clay, that I was completely sure that I would be a potter. Then I completely fell in love with photography...and painting...and life drawing...but I spend all my creative energy these days on two artistic endevours: teaching and parenting.

I am an art teacher. I spend each day with 100 teenagers. At any one moment I have multiple projects going on. A typical day lately has included these completely creative pursuits: doll-making (sewing, painting, gluing, drawing, sculpting...), altered-book making (cutting, gluing, collaging, sewing, drawing, painting...) cleaning glue out of the sink, grading journals, listening to lateness excuses, and helping with prom dress decisions. I love, love, love teaching art to teenagers.

Parenting is the most creative activity I have ever pursued. Each and every day my imagination and creativity (not to mention patience and sanity) are tested. Today alone I have had to come up with creative responses to the following situations:
1. I have promised yogurt, but alas, after an extensive search, I have found no yogurt in the house.
2. Lilah has taken Rose's baby with no intention of returning it.
3. "Mommy...you be the prince and I'll be the sleeping beauty."
4. Rose has decided to begin a very complicated gymnastics routine including donkey kick jumps and twirly double turnaround jumps 5 minutes before bedtime.
5. Lilah points to the kitchen, where she has just been for the last 5 minutes by herself and yells "oh no! all gone! oh know!"

at the moment, these are my creative pursuits. My garden lies empty, my crafting skills are dismal, but somehow I don't think I could fit another ounce of creative energy inside my body if I tried.

inspiration goldmine!

2008-04-10T20:17:00.008-04:00

Have you checked out any podcasts lately?

Marisa Haedike of Creative Thursdays posts great podcasts in her blog. She tells her story and speaks honestly about how she deals with her finances to make her dreams happen in this one.

Hay House Radio (thanks Marisa!)
Just register and it's free.

There you can find authors like...

Michael Neill

Dr. Wayne W Dyer

Louise Hay

Sonia Choquette

...and many, many more.
It's hard for me to make time to read and this site is a great solution.
Happy listening!

Comfort Zone

2008-04-10T20:00:00.003-04:00

This week's question focuses on pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. This is something I've been trying to work on over the last year.
I do believe it's necessary to leave your comfort zone as an artist in order to grow. To not do so would leave you stagnant. I don't think it's necessary to constantly push yourself - get all crazy or whatnot, but I do think pushing yourself to a place where you're mildly uncomfortable helps to develop new artistic muscles.
Being a member of this group is one of the ways I work to push myself. Being given a new challenge on a (somewhat) monthly basis, allows me opportunities to think outside of my box and try new things. When I am able to, participating in Illustration Friday is another opportunity.
Another way to grow is by creating art for myself. I give myself much more leeway to experiment and create from my gut than I do when I create a piece for my portfolio. I'd like to try to incorporate some of these experimental techniques into my portfolio in the future. I see that as one of my paths to evolving as an artist.
Every once in a while, I'll see a piece of art that really strikes a chord with me. Sometimes there'll be an element from that piece that I'll incorporate into an experimental piece of my own...or I'll wonder how a look was accomplished and work towards achieving that. Regardless of the outcome, I force myself to stretch my art muscles and push myself in a direction I wouldn't have otherwise gone.
One of the things I have yet to achieve outside of my comfort zone is being comfortable enough with people as subjects of my art. I know I'm capable, but because it takes me so much more conscious thought and technique to accomplish, I tend to balk when presented with it as an option. Just another goal to achieve. :)

Daily Inspiration

2008-04-04T11:33:00.004-04:00

Blogs: Now this is dangerous territory as entire days can be lost looking at blogs (my blogroll is ridiculous.), but they're a part of my work routine. About once a week I devote a few hours to surfing the net to see the newest creations. The blogs I often draw the most inspirational drive from are design/decorating blogs. There's always an intriguing use of colors, lines and space that makes me take note for future applications.

Flickr: I personally don't maintain an impressive Flickr account, but I do flip through the millions of photos often enough. There's so many amazing things to be seen from the point of view of another human being- it can be dazzling. Some of my favorite things to look at are nature photography and intriguing architecture. (Same goes for perusing etsy shops.)

Nature: If I look carefully enough, I often see some pretty intriguing color combinations provided by Mother Nature. Lately I've noticed some odd-colored skies contrasting with our vibrant backyard greenery. It makes me want to use it as my color palette with my next personal project.

Doing Other Art:You'd think the last thing artists would do in order to be inspired is make art, but that's just how it works for me, especially if I'm stuck. Usually the art I make are personal pieces to be displayed in the home or for family members. When I create this kind of art I give myself permission to experiment much more frequently than I would otherwise allow myself to. I try various mediums, tiny to enormous sizes, and concrete to very abstract themes. Sometimes they turn out well and sometimes they don't, but getting to stretch my art muscles in a different way is definitely a very necessary way for me to stay fresh and excited about the "professional" art I try to create.

Last but not least, my Family. Like most people, my family(specifically my son) has been a long drawn source of inspiration. I tried all kinds of art for the nursery, and continue to create things I hope he can someday appreciate. I have at least five story ideas I can attribute directly to him and the silly moments we have together. I can't wait to see what else I come up with in the coming years!

Daily Inspiration

2008-04-03T10:44:00.003-04:00

Dee asked us to share the things that " stir that visceral reaction" for creation.

Could it be?

my grandmother who inspired me to laugh and be silly:

the support and encouragment of my husband:

maybe it's our goofy, wonderful little girl :

or the techiniques and skills I learned in school:

Could it be other artists amazing work that drives me to create?

Nope. All of the above are certainly inspiration. But the drive, the desire comes straight from my heart. When I don't have a project to work on, I feel empty and bored. (no matter the choas in the rest of my life) When I draw, or paint or sketch, I feel at peace. It is as if I keep everything frustrating and stressful bottled up. When I create, everything flows out. All of the good and bad get processed through my fingers onto a piece of paper. I must create. It comes from deep, deep inside and is a part of my soul. This drive is what makes me the person I am.

Astrid playtime

2008-03-26T04:06:00.006-04:00

As announced some weeks ago, I've been playing a little with children illustration! No deep research or project purpose, just fun. All non-digital (except for scanning and minor color adjustment). The one with the rabbit gave me problems, I only realized after the fact that I had bought cheap gouache paints! NOT worth it, they built up, and got thick, hard to handle. Here are 2 of the illustrations I've come up with. Open for feedback and suggestions!

Pencil, ink and gouache (cheap kind)

Cardboard. Pencil and oil pastels, a new kind! They look like make-up boxes, they're fun!

Procrastination by A.

2008-03-26T03:57:00.003-04:00

Wow, Dee, I'm impressed. You sound like you really have things under control!

I do too, but I have to admit that I have these 2 people sitting on my shoulder sometimes (I'm not crazy, I'm referring to the devil and angel analogy ;-)). As soon as I get a project assignment, I plan worktime into my calendar. I add time (if I can) before the submission deadline so that if something happens I'm set. I stick to the client's submission deadlines, I have to say. But how I get there, is sometimes at my own expense. I don't know where this comes from, but right when I have a lot of work, and should be working on assignment x or y, I get this huge fascination for marketing and internet research, namely training for illustrators, portfolio platforms, networking... That's when the "devil" speaks to me I guess ;-) Does anyone feel the same??

I don't feel too bad, as long as I keep my customer's deadlines (which I always have). And when I REALLY don't have time, of course I won't fall prey to this temptation. But it happens every now and then.

I've looked into the book "eat the frog", and it has something, and I try to stick with it. On my list of things to do for the day, I try to pick "the frogs" first. This usually makes me feel very accomplished and good, as opposed to guilty with a bad conscience.

So, this was my confession session. ;-)

Procrastination

2008-03-25T19:31:00.003-04:00

The "Big P,"as Leeza refers to it, is not something I necessarily struggle with when it comes to assignments. The main reason is because I enjoy completing art assignments. (When it comes to housework, I can be the Queen of Can't!) Once I have a project to complete, I create a time-line of sorts to help keep me on track. For a very large project, I'll sometimes create an outline of steps and assign parts of the list to the calendar. Doing this holds me accountable and motivates me to work whenever time is available to me. It also helps to prevent me from becoming stressed out or overwhelmed by whatever job I need to complete.

I don't really have enough experience to tell whether certain assignments hold me back or not...but I do know that some things outside my comfort zone can require a little problem solving on my part. When this happens, I usually step back for a little bit to let ideas settle before trying to get back to work. Sometimes a fresh eye brings a new perspective and solution.

To be realistic, sometimes life will get in the way, so things will get put to the wayside every once in a while. Even with that in mind, my determination to achieve a career of freelance illustration is a strong motivator, and my greatest weapon against procrastination.

Astrid about Mentors

2008-03-15T05:27:00.004-04:00

That I'm happy with my happy PotatoMammaDesign business today is due to blessing of some talent, but majorly a set of circumstances, and certain "mentors" and supporters. Kurt Hugelshofer, a business coach and teacher, showed me pragmatically that I had what it takes to start my business. A portfolio, enough savings for a few months, a market for my services, and a good business plan. Illustrator John Hollander was first my teacher at a multimedia school, for Photoshop and Illustrator, and turned into a good friend, mentor, and today also business colleague. He kept giving me hints to go forward, and believed in me. That was so valuable to me! I thought he was a god and I nothing :-)

This group has helped me in a way mentors do too, you ladies are awesome, I'm so grateful to be in this group!

I also believe that in some way, we are our own mentors too. We can continuously learn and challenge ourselves. Here's a great business book for designers I just found today. It's free!! Started reading it, it seems great!

Download the book by David Parish here:
T-Shirts and Suits: A Guide to the Business of Creativity

Mentor for Frizz

2008-03-07T12:48:00.005-05:00

It was my first day at my first real creative job in front of my first Mac computer...and I was terrified. Then I met the ultra-talented Tim. I was truly starting from scratch - finding my process, learning the Mac, creating a style and boy did he help me out. He always answered my sometimes repetitive computer questions, never laughed at my mistakes (at least in front of me) and talked a lot about living a creative life. Although it's been years since we've worked together I can still count on him for advice or a reassuring kick in the butt. Thanks Tim!

Check out his illustrated works -
The Gooch Machine
Chicken Socks
Elephant Games

Redo!

2008-03-03T20:04:00.002-05:00

I'm trying to use up all of these loose sheets of watercolor paper I have, but unfortunately none of them fit onto my scanner. I'm taking pictures of my work with a digital camera, but don't quite have the hang of Photoshop, so the colors are a little off.
Regardless, here's one of my latest pieces of work. I took that Billy Goats Gruff challenge from last year and redid one of my images. I plan on breaking up the first image into a comic book format.
What do you think? The littlest goat annoys me, but I'm tired of messing with him! ;P

animal magic

2008-02-21T23:21:00.002-05:00

So here's something totally unrelated to any of my book projects but it is animal related. It's for a trade with Sarah — she made a spectacular Octopus for Liv. We named him Ollie!

Red Foxy isn't finished (a work in progess) but has definitely been fun to work on. Actually, I took everyone's advice about taking a break from my book work. It's acrylics on collage on maple cradled wood. I still have linework to add, and I want to work on the background some more. Hope it looks okay when it's finished. I never know how these things will turn out or if the recipient will like it - fingers crossed!

Brrrrrrr!

2008-02-21T08:41:00.007-05:00

I had a children's story idea I was really excited about. I could see words and images in my head. It came from personal experience and was really original - so I thought. I popped in the bookstore during my lunch break and there it was. My heart sank. Did I mention it was also written in rhyme... stomp on my heart while you are at it.
The story was different but the images were what I thought would really make it cool and it's exactly the angle this artist took. I've all but given up any hope of submitting any rhymes, especially after reading Leeza's SCBWI conference notes and guess what? It was in rhyme.

Here's a new one anyway...

The robin's here.
It's December.
I bet he didn't remember.

PS - I've used light blue backgrounds in this and my last painting and I'm having trouble getting the shade to show up on my scanner. Would this be an issue if this were an actual job? (Better? I rescanned it)

when is a fish more than a dog

2008-02-17T19:39:00.003-05:00

One might call me a connesoire of dogs, but I picked a different animal as my absolute favorite. I think it actually has to do with the mood I'm in lately. February is not a good month to be an art teacher. I am faced with so many things that I do not want to be doing, that sometimes the art gets lost. As one could probably guess, I'd rather be creating art, than dealing with paperwork and matting what seems like hundreds of my kids' artwork to shows all around the city. I find myself feeling as if I'm in a fish bowl...and if I can just hang in there until April, it shall be smooth sailing again. I just have to convince myself to hang in there!

Snow Tiger

2008-02-14T23:10:00.003-05:00

This came out of my paint play session.

Tiger in the snow,
pulling Jeff and Moe,
keeps his head down low
when the wind does blow.
Which way will they go?
They just never know! (c.Frizz)