Blog: Picture Book Junkies (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Hi all,
Blog: Picture Book Junkies (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Thanks to some heavy lifting help from my husband, I've made good progress on moving my studio into our back family room. The drafting table actually feels very cheery and bright next to a big window. Our son is old enough to (mostly) behave back here so I've even been able to sit there without much interference. One of my tasks has been to plow through a few years of Martha Stewart (and a few other) magazines. It's been awhile, but I go through them and cut out inspiration pictures, 'good things', crafts, recipes, and other fun articles. I file them in big binders to flip through later on. I've been a loyal subscriber for at least 9 years and those magazines can pile up FAST!
The computer area still needs peripherals set-up, but it functions and it's nice to type loudly at nap-time again!
Other than that, I've been hindered by a giant belly and not a lot of creative motivation. The biggest creative endeavor I've taken on is this crocheted blanket for baby girl. I hope I can finish it (and the nursery which is still half-a-studio) before she arrives. The best news is that I actually feel at peace with not getting any illustration work done. I know it'll be there for me when I'm ready. And in the meantime I'm still reading and loving picture books on a daily basis!
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I am a happy camper because I just finished my book for Dover and have some down time. I'm working on something totally unrelated to children's books... making sock toys to decompress and "play". I've been collecting how-to books for years but it wasn't until my friend flew in for the weekend, that I finally sat down and made time to try. All I can say is...it's addictive! =o)
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Another "What I am working on..." Week here at the Picture Book Junkies. Lately I've been working on lots of sketchbook drawings! Here's one to greet you into the day and into the week!
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This post would be better named 'What I Should be Working on". This is the space formerly known as my office. It's not pretty, but it's real. This is what it looked like on good day. In just a few months this needs to be a nursery for our daughter (arriving this Spring). My office will be reconfigured into a very small space in the back of our family room. I'll have just enough space for my drafting table, a small computer desk, and one of my lovely Ikea flat files. It's overwhelming to think about reducing my storage space that much, but the reality is, I'm not 'working on' much illustration these days. I posted the more frustrating details on my blog, here.
So as not to dwell on what I'm NOT doing much longer - here are things I've been up to that are feeding my creative spirit:
1.Learning to crochet: I took a few classes and have more projects in my head than time. It's been nice to create something without pressure. And I can do it from the couch. Bonus.
2.Continuing to be a library and true picture book junkie. We read new books constantly in my house. I feel like I'm learning so much that I'm filing away for the future. I'm at the library at least once a week and I feel good sharing my favorites with you all here!
3.Attending critique group meetings: I felt weird doing this when I had so little to share but reconnecting face to face was so rewarding. I got a lot of support from other mommy (and daddy) illustrators about taking this time off. And it had been so long since I had seen my old 'Smells Like Crayons' group that I got to share my picture book dummy with them for the first time. I've been mulling over what changes to make there, and I'd love to make a little progress before long.
4.Being OK with saying no: It was easier for me to say no to some recent book design work, but that was another first for me with that client. It was too mentally challenging for the few hours I even have free to myself. I was able to say yes to a lesser task and have no lingering guilt.
5.Daydreaming: It sounds silly, but just playing with ideas in my head is an improvement from the funk I was in after turning down that book job. I bought some new art supplies last month and haven't quite managed to use them (did you see how messy my office is?) but the ideas are there.
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SO sweet and precious! love to hear you are sketching with a constant smile on your face!! =)
Your illustrations always make me smile - so I'm not surprised you smile while sketching them. That baby pig is so adorable!
Sweet, sweet piggies. I can't wait to see this lovely book.
Thanks Priscilla! I am really loving it :o)
Aww thank you so much Lynn! :o)
Hee.. thanks Ggina! And I can't wait to send a copy to M and P. :o)
So cute these wonderful pigs :)
Gracias Little Green Doll! Me encanta tu avatar.. muy cuchi :o)