Photographic progress post. This little guy is from a story I am working on. I had previously created a color piece but wasn't thrilled with it. So, I decided to try again on hot press paper….

Photographic progress post. This little guy is from a story I am working on. I had previously created a color piece but wasn't thrilled with it. So, I decided to try again on hot press paper….

The awesomely talented (and incredibly patient) Tina Kugler

who illustrated the charming "The Change Your Name Store"

tagged me to answer a few questions. Go check out her site. I can't wait for In Mary's Garden! 

What I'm currently working on:

I have 3 books is different stages of production. Hopefully more work on that soon. ;) 

How does my work differ from others? 

It's an expression of myself. Just as I am unique in my looks, upbringing, current values, and craving for sushi and tex-mex, hopefully my art is different in its execution, process and final result. It's about all the different parts that make the final result. I know many artists who combine watercolor and photoshop but each has a unique "feel" to it. That's what Art with a capital A is about, right? Expression through Individuality? 

Why do I write what I write?

I write what captures my interest and holds it, it has to make me smile. I like twists on old stories and places and things I wanted to do as a child. 

Now Go check out A.J. Smith and his adorable Even Monsters!

The awesomely talented (and incredibly patient) Tina Kugler

who illustrated the charming "The Change Your Name Store"

tagged me to answer a few questions. Go check out her site. I can't wait for In Mary's Garden! 

What I'm currently working on:

I have 3 stories is different stages of production. Hopefully more work on that soon. ;) 

How does my work differ from others? 

It's an expression of myself. Just as I am unique in my looks, upbringing, current values, and craving for sushi and tex-mex, hopefully my art is different in its execution, process and final result. It's about all the different parts that make the final result. I know many artists who combine watercolor and photoshop but each has a unique "feel" to it. That's what Art with a capital A is about, right? Expression through Individuality? 

Why do I write what I write?

I write what captures my interest and holds it, it has to make me smile. I like twists on old stories and places and things I wanted to do as a child. 

Now Go check out A.J. Smith and his adorable Even Monsters!

I just received my prints back from the Appleton exhibit "Sendak & Co" that featured prints from "Maya was Grumpy". To celebrate the exhibit and other Maya good news, I'm giving away a high quality giclee print that was part of the exhibit!

 These are from a limited print run done by a fabulous local company and are printed on watercolor paper. 

You can enter by posting a comment on this post, leaving a comment on my facebook post or retweeting on Twitter. 

Deadline to enter in a week from today, April 29th at noon. 

I just received my prints back from the Appleton exhibit "Sendak & Co" that featured prints from "Maya was Grumpy". To celebrate the exhibit and other Maya good news, I'm giving away a high quality giclee print that was part of the exhibit!

 These are from a limited print run done by a fabulous local company and are printed on watercolor paper. 

You can enter by posting a comment on this post, leaving a comment on my facebook post or retweeting on Twitter. 

Deadline to enter in a week from today, April 29th at noon. 

I am deeply honored to share that "Maya was Grumpy" will receive a Christopher Award at the 65th Annual ceremony in New York City on May 15th, 2014.

Since 1949, the Christopher Awards have annually saluted media (TV programming, feature films, books for adults and children) that “affirm the highest values of the human spirit.”  The goal is to encourage artists to pursue excellence in creative arenas that have the potential to influence large audiences in a positive way.  

The sense of personal mission and the power of goodness is the heart of the Christopher message. It is summed up by the ancient Chinese proverb which has become our motto: “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”

As someone who has been deeply saddened by recent tragedies, it is wonderful to think that "Maya was Grumpy" might bring a little light into the world. 

Unlike other major awards programs, the Christopher Award does not have entry forms or submission fees. Potential winners are reviewed throughout the year by panels of media specialists; members of the Christophers’ staff with expertise in film, TV, and publishing; and specially supervised children’s reading groups.

 Past honorees include Peter Reynolds and Mo Williams and I am honored to be in the current company of Suzanne Collins, Paul Fleishman and Kate DiCamillo. 

The 65th Annual Christopher Award Announcement. 

I am deeply honored to share that "Maya was Grumpy" will receive a Christopher Award at the 65th Annual ceremony in New York City on May 15th, 2014.

Since 1949, the Christopher Awards have annually saluted media (TV programming, feature films, books for adults and children) that “affirm the highest values of the human spirit.”  The goal is to encourage artists to pursue excellence in creative arenas that have the potential to influence large audiences in a positive way.  

The sense of personal mission and the power of goodness is the heart of the Christopher message. It is summed up by the ancient Chinese proverb which has become our motto: “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”

As someone who has been deeply saddened by recent tragedies, it is wonderful to think that "Maya was Grumpy" might bring a little light into the world. 

Unlike other major awards programs, the Christopher Award does not have entry forms or submission fees. Potential winners are reviewed throughout the year by panels of media specialists; members of the Christophers’ staff with expertise in film, TV, and publishing; and specially supervised children’s reading groups.

 Past honorees include Peter Reynolds and Mo Williams and I am honored to be in the current company of Suzanne Collins, Paul Fleishman and Kate DiCamillo. 

The 65th Annual Christopher Award Announcement. 

in progress…

in progress…

I am a white woman. It's funny, because I don't think about this much. Besides being a fairly oblivious nerd who is often unconscious about my own appearance, (except for special events and nights out, when I shed my stay at home mom exterior and revel in things like jewelry, wrap dresses, heels and make up) I am surrounded and loved and love and adore many people in my life who are many different shades of brown. My husband is from India, my children are varying shades of brown and skin color has become something that is almost irrelevant to me.

I no longer notice when I am the only person in the room who is white and I try to teach my children this attitude of not noticing a person's skin color first. This has not always been, I was raised in a smallish town in the south and it was painfully important which racial group everyone belonged to. When I started dating my husband, one of my family members first questions was "How dark is he?"

Fast forward to my illustration career starting up and my first book being published and my daughter who is 10 years old now, becoming interested in my art. One day, as she was looking at my portfolio, I noticed that there were no brown children. Dear God, how could I have been so blind? Was it because, we are naturally inclined to draw something that reflects ourselves and thus I had reached for lighter skin tones to reflect my mirror image? Was it because I thought that there are so many talented artists of color that create images that reflect themselves, perhaps…just perhaps I would offend someone by creating images that did not reflect my skin color? That somehow, we are supposed to only create children that look like the the artists who create them?

Upon reflection, and looking at my world, I realized that this was a load of bull. For the sake of my children and the people in my family, I needed to create children in different shades. Children who are brown or white and like my kids, not this color or that color but shades between the traditionally accepted and categorized. 

 So, I have been trying to be conscious of this. I have been successful in adding a few pieces and want my latest book (when it's published to contain two princesses of different races. Because, while we have a long way to go towards equality and fairness, I want my children to grow up as blind as possible to the color of someone's skin.

So, as an illustrator I will do my best to have my portfolio reflect their world and life. So, as I was creating my latest piece, I was happy with the steps it took and how it was shaping up…

initial sketch, based on my daughter around 3 years old. 

after paint…

After photoshop. 

But something was bothering me. It took walking away to figure out that it was that I had inadvertently made the skin too light. It no longer looked like my daughter. So, after fiddiling around a bit…

Voila!

Now, it looked like I had initially pictured and it most importantly, it was something my daughter could look at and see herself reflected… And, that's what is important to me. It is a subtle difference, perhaps not even noticeable by someone else. But, she will notice it and that is what matters. 

I am a white woman. It's funny, because I don't think about this much. Besides being a fairly oblivious nerd who is often unconscious about my own appearance, (except for special events and nights out, when I shed my stay at home mom exterior and revel in things like jewelry, wrap dresses, heels and make up) I am surrounded and loved and love and adore many people in my life who are many different shades of brown. My husband is from India, my children are varying shades of brown and skin color has become something that is almost irrelevant to me.

I no longer notice when I am the only person in the room who is white and I try to teach my children this attitude of not noticing a person's skin color first. This has not always been, I was raised in a smallish town in the south and it was painfully important which racial group everyone belonged to. When I started dating my husband, one of my family members first questions was "How dark is he?"

Fast forward to my illustration career starting up and my first book being published and my daughter who is 10 years old now, becoming interested in my art. One day, as she was looking at my portfolio, I noticed that there were no brown children. Dear God, how could I have been so blind? Was it because, we are naturally inclined to draw something that reflects ourselves and thus I had reached for lighter skin tones to reflect my mirror image? Was it because I thought that there are so many talented artists of color that create images that reflect themselves, perhaps…just perhaps I would offend someone by creating images that did not reflect my skin color? That somehow, we are supposed to only create children that look like the the artists who create them?

Upon reflection, and looking at my world, I realized that this was a load of bull. For the sake of my children and the people in my family, I needed to create children in different shades. Children who are brown or white and like my kids, not this color or that color but shades between the traditionally accepted and categorized. 

 So, I have been trying to be conscious of this. I have been successful in adding a few pieces and want my latest book (when it's published to contain two princesses of different races. Because, while we have a long way to go towards equality and fairness, I want my children to grow up as blind as possible to the color of someone's skin.

So, as an illustrator I will do my best to have my portfolio reflect their world and life. So, as I was creating my latest piece, I was happy with the steps it took and how it was shaping up…

initial sketch, based on my daughter around 3 years old. 

after paint…

After photoshop. 

But something was bothering me. It took walking away to figure out that it was that I had inadvertently made the skin too light. It no longer looked like my daughter. So, after fiddiling around a bit…

Voila!

Now, it looked like I had initially pictured and it most importantly, it was something my daughter could look at and see herself reflected… And, that's what is important to me. It is a subtle difference, perhaps not even noticeable by someone else. But, she will notice it and that is what matters. 

Yesterday, I was waiting in the back room at my eye doctor’s office, scrolling through my facebook feed before I was cut off from electronic communication for a few hours. I saw a notice that my daughter’s (and several surrounding) schools were on lockdown. I immediately jumped up, ran through the maze of waiting people and slightly shocked receptionists and asked my husband (who was sitting in the waiting area) if he knew what the heck was going on. He didn’t, but started searching. (He’s quite good at retrieving information) After a few minutes, he informed me that there had been a shooting in a residential neighborhood close to ours and the schools had locked down as a precaution.

The schools lifted the lockdown in time for pick up, and my daughter explained exactly what had happened during the lock in procedure. They have had a few drills before, and each time she tells me the details of the safety procedures, her own fears and how the teachers (masterfully) walk them through each step I tear up. I hide these from my daughter, I don’t want to frighten her. But, I (the adult) am scared.

As I sat at the computer this morning, reading updates and emails from friends, the dark pit in my stomach grew and I sat feeling helpless. Then I remembered (I often forget) that I do have an outlet that comforts and soothes. It is the art of creation. It doesn’t have to be for anyone else, it does’t have to be beautiful and anyone (regardless of talent or schooling) can do it.

It is the thing that we as writers and artists are compelled to do and for me provides glimmers of hope, of moving forward and of adding things to this sometimes scary world. I am the type or person to cry at the news. I don’t read the paper everyday because I am easily able to slide into the pit of despair and frustration that I can’t change something or save someone. But I can do my best to keep my kids safe and to comfort them and remind them of the good things in life and the possibility of magic in the world. The kindness of strangers, the joy of creation, the power of imagination.

Even if it is not creating a piece of writing or painting, it can be the act of using their imagination in a game of superheroes, or of turning a blob of playdoh into a dessert for a king. It is the joy of putting something new into the world, even if it is destroyed by a grumpy sibling or is cleaned up by a parent tired of stepping on legos.

It is putting something new and good back into the world that keeps me hopeful.

Yesterday, I was waiting in the back room at my eye doctor’s office, scrolling through my facebook feed before I was cut off from electronic communication for a few hours. I saw a notice that my daughter’s (and several surrounding) schools were on lockdown. I immediately jumped up, ran through the maze of waiting people and slightly shocked receptionists and asked my husband (who was sitting in the waiting area) if he knew what the heck was going on. He didn’t, but started searching. (He’s quite good at retrieving information) After a few minutes, he informed me that there had been a shooting in a residential neighborhood close to ours and the schools had locked down as a precaution.

The schools lifted the lockdown in time for pick up, and my daughter explained exactly what had happened during the lock in procedure. They have had a few drills before, and each time she tells me the details of the safety procedures, her own fears and how the teachers (masterfully) walk them through each step I tear up. I hide these from my daughter, I don’t want to frighten her. But, I (the adult) am scared.

As I sat at the computer this morning, reading updates and emails from friends, the dark pit in my stomach grew and I sat feeling helpless. Then I remembered (I often forget) that I do have an outlet that comforts and soothes. It is the art of creation. It doesn’t have to be for anyone else, it does’t have to be beautiful and anyone (regardless of talent or schooling) can do it.

It is the thing that we as writers and artists are compelled to do and for me provides glimmers of hope, of moving forward and of adding things to this sometimes scary world. I am the type or person to cry at the news. I don’t read the paper everyday because I am easily able to slide into the pit of despair and frustration that I can’t change something or save someone. But I can do my best to keep my kids safe and to comfort them and remind them of the good things in life and the possibility of magic in the world. The kindness of strangers, the joy of creation, the power of imagination.

Even if it is not creating a piece of writing or painting, it can be the act of using their imagination in a game of superheroes, or of turning a blob of playdoh into a dessert for a king. It is the joy of putting something new into the world, even if it is destroyed by a grumpy sibling or is cleaned up by a parent tired of stepping on legos.

It is putting something new and good back into the world that keeps me hopeful.

I have finished my latest story, and like these three, I shall now skip and tra-la-la to the next one. 

I have finished my latest story, and like these three, I shall now skip and tra-la-la to the next one. 

2013 was a big year. And it was due to the support and kindness of so many people.

 Thank you so much to my husband, family, friends, editor, agent, book sellers, librarians, kids, fellow writers and illustrators, teachers, fans and readers of Maya was Grumpy.

You guys (every single one of you and anyone I forgot)  are truly awesome and make me work harder each day to improve my craft and try to be a better artist and person and made 2013 a year to remember. 

It was the year of….

First book published, holding it in my hands for the first time. 

 seeing it in Barnes & Noble for the first time in NY.  (I might have been a little excited) 

First panel at Books of Wonder. 

First reading at Hooray for Books. 

First batch of release day book cookies.

First sightings of Maya by friends and family around the country. 

  IndieNext Kids Top 10 Summer selection. 

Presenting at the June SCBWI NJ Conference. 

Scholastic picked up Maya. 

Went to Italy. 

*other fabulous firsts that I don't have photographic evidence of, being interviewed by Jarrett J. Krosoczka for his awesome radio program, Booktalk and presenting at my first bookfair, Fall for the Book. (I resolve to document more events in 2013) 

Here's to a fabulous 2014, full of new opportunities and dreams! 

2013 was a big year. And it was due to the support and kindness of so many people.

 Thank you so much to my husband, family, friends, editor, agent, book sellers, librarians, kids, fellow writers and illustrators, teachers, fans and readers of Maya was Grumpy.

You guys (every single one of you and anyone I forgot)  are truly awesome and make me work harder each day to improve my craft and try to be a better artist and person and made 2013 a year to remember. 

It was the year of….

First book published, holding it in my hands for the first time. 

 seeing it in Barnes & Noble for the first time in NY.  (I might have been a little excited) 

First panel at Books of Wonder. 

First reading at Hooray for Books. 

First batch of release day book cookies.

First sightings of Maya by friends and family around the country. 

  IndieNext Kids Top 10 Summer selection. 

Presenting at the June SCBWI NJ Conference. 

Scholastic picked up Maya. 

Went to Italy. 

*other fabulous firsts that I don't have photographic evidence of, being interviewed by Jarrett J. Krosoczka for his awesome radio program, Booktalk and presenting at my first bookfair, Fall for the Book. (I resolve to document more events in 2013) 

Here's to a fabulous 2014, full of new opportunities and dreams! 

Last week, the fantabulous (and fellow Flashlight press) author Jodi Moore tagged me in a blog hop, where authors (and illustrators ;) get the chance to answer questions and tag three other authors or illustrators to spread the kid-lit love.  

What are you working on right now?

I've been working a lot to update my portfolio  to reflect my progress with this new tradigital (traditional until I tweak it in photoshop) method I discovered while working on Maya was Grumpy. I'm hoping to illustrate works by other authors in addition to my own stories. It opens up great opportunities for expression and creativity when the words come from a different brain

 I'm also about a 1/3 of the way through a dummy for a new picture book starring this little dragon, Frederick Maximus the Red or Fred for short. 

How does this differ from other works in the genre? 

Ah…that's the issue, right? To try and make your story a bit different from the rest of the crowd. As an author/illustrator, I try to create illustrations in my own distinctive style and in this story I tried to twist the normal sibling/friendship story and there is a surprise ending with an unlikely hero.

Why do you write what you write? 

I write things that I think are funny or interesting or strike some spark with me.  If I'm not feeling the story, I can't have fun with it. And if I'm not having fun, it translates to the reader. My personality and things that happen in my life bleed into the stories as well, so I try to be open to constant inspiration, no matter how minor or trivial it might seem. The image below was inspired when one of my sons saw a baby bathtub that was stored upside down. Seeing all of the contours, he asked if it was a castle boat. I immediately wrote that down in my sketch book and it eventually turned into this: 

What is the hardest thing about writing? 

There are difficulties every step of the way. It's a fun gig but it's still a job. It's  a constant struggle to improve your craft, to make your work the best it can be at that time.

That being said,  the hardest thing for me is the first draft. I've found that if I vomit the words on the page with no restraints, it gets easier. Once the words exist (or the drawings ) I can tweak and polish and craft something out of the initial mess. 

And now to tag some of my favorite talented author/illustrators! 

Nina Crittenden

Renée Kurilla

Diandra Mae

Last week, the fantabulous (and fellow Flashlight press) author Jodi Moore tagged me in a blog hop, where authors (and illustrators ;) get the chance to answer questions and tag three other authors or illustrators to spread the kid-lit love.  

What are you working on right now?

I've been working a lot to update my portfolio  to reflect my progress with this new tradigital (traditional until I tweak it in photoshop) method I discovered while working on Maya was Grumpy. I'm hoping to illustrate works by other authors in addition to my own stories. It opens up great opportunities for expression and creativity when the words come from a different brain

 I'm also about a 1/3 of the way through a dummy for a new picture book starring this little dragon, Frederick Maximus the Red or Fred for short. 

How does this differ from other works in the genre? 

Ah…that's the issue, right? To try and make your story a bit different from the rest of the crowd. As an author/illustrator, I try to create illustrations in my own distinctive style and in this story I tried to twist the normal sibling/friendship story and there is a surprise ending with an unlikely hero.

Why do you write what you write? 

I write things that I think are funny or interesting or strike some spark with me.  If I'm not feeling the story, I can't have fun with it. And if I'm not having fun, it translates to the reader. My personality and things that happen in my life bleed into the stories as well, so I try to be open to constant inspiration, no matter how minor or trivial it might seem. The image below was inspired when one of my sons saw a baby bathtub that was stored upside down. Seeing all of the contours, he asked if it was a castle boat. I immediately wrote that down in my sketch book and it eventually turned into this: 

What is the hardest thing about writing? 

There are difficulties every step of the way. It's a fun gig but it's still a job. It's  a constant struggle to improve your craft, to make your work the best it can be at that time.

That being said,  the hardest thing for me is the first draft. I've found that if I vomit the words on the page with no restraints, it gets easier. Once the words exist (or the drawings ) I can tweak and polish and craft something out of the initial mess. 

And now to tag some of my favorite talented author/illustrators! 

Nina Crittenden

Renée Kurilla

Diandra Mae

I love the fall! The colors, the festivities, the perfect jacket and jean weather. Halloween and Christmas on the horizon, what's not to love? I always try to create a Halloween image and this year, it's these two lovely ladies who will usher in the season. 

I have always considered fall the season to start anew. I guess it's because the school year always represented a fresh start. Lovely new school supplies, new things to learn and new friends to make. School never quite worked out the way I had hoped as far as redeeming my (somewhat lacking) social skills but I always learned something new and was excited by an interesting subject or an enthusiastic teacher. And, so many books to read! Library and Art were my favorite subjects, times where I could get lost and dream. 

I also loved getting the Scholastic flyers. It was just my mom, sister and myself and budgets were tight but we could usually swing $5 for a book or two. Oh, how I loved book delivery day! So, it was a dream come true when "Maya was Grumpy" was picked up by Scholastic. My head might have exploded with happiness when I saw Maya in this flyer. I hope that it will be an exciting moment for a little dreamer out there when they get their Scholastic order. 

Keep dreaming, drawing and reading kiddos. It all works out wonderfully.