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How cool is this?! Topographical Map Printed Pet Carrier! Released a couple weeks ago for Dog Is Good license. I got one for my fuzzy baby! ‘Never travel alone!’
Detail of print
The past few weeks I’ve been elbow deep into re-designing my studio. I painted the ceiling (fixed the leak!), the walls, and even the trim! I updated the hardware before I scrubbed, cleaned and shined the windows and floor. With my beautiful new rug and chair in place I couldn’t help but go out and get a new monitor.. and while I was at it an Intuous tablet.. and wireless mouse and keyboard.. Okay.. so maybe it was more then ‘Redecorating’. It was more like a ‘Rebirth!’ At the moment I’m waiting to hear back on some non-pet related prints for a change. My fingers are still crossed on this one, but I’m very excited about it!
Excited to see that The Queen’s Game has been released on the MeeGenius website! See the first few pages for free here:
Excited to see that The Queen’s Game has been released on the MeeGenius website! See the first few pages for free here:
But first… a word about words..
A year and a few months ago a census taker came to my door. For the first time I had to answer all those tedious sorts of personal questions in one-to-three word answers. Inevitably the census taker came to a question that should not have made my mouth hang open like a moron… but it did. ‘Occupation?’ Occupation??? In one-to-three words? I started at him like an idiot with my mouth hanging open. How do I answer? Do I answer? Do I answer with my lifelong goal (and what I consider myself to be) which is ‘Illustrator’? Or do I answer what my job title is at PetEdge (which is a mouthful: ‘New Product Development Designer/Packaging Designer’). Or do I just stay generic and say ‘Designer’ to avoid further questions and to close my gapping mouth? Ironically, at the exact time the census taker was knocking at my door I was working on a Website Design for a freelance client. Where does that fit in?
Finally I gave an answer that some in the industry would actually consider a dirty word: ‘Commercial Artist’. There. I felt satisfied enough. Commercial Artist may be a term that artist’s derogate from, but I’ve come to use the word as a crutch for my elevator pitch. It is the simplest way to include everything that I do without leaving anything out. I love what I do, I’m very proud of what I do, and I think it is very important to answer correctly and personally. As you can tell the whole experience left me questioning the weight of words when it comes to labeling (especially one’s self). That is why I decided to not limit my new website to words. Introducing:
www.Designastration.com
Design…astration! Designastration Studio! Perfect! Is it Illustration?! Is it Design?! Yes! It’s both! Because that’s who I am. And I’m proud of who I am.. I’m a Designastrator! Ha!
So the Polaris Studio website will be slowly phasing out. I’ve enjoyed making websites on the side but I enjoy creating illustrations and surface designs much, much more. I’m so thankful for all the websites I’ve been able to help design and produce. They have enabled me to be in control of my career. But it’s time to concentrate, narrow down, and allow myself to focus on what I love.
Book #2 for MeeGenius: The Queen’s Game
Paintings are all done and in good hands! Time for a well deserved rest and maybe a long awaited trip to the yoga studio.
Here are some sneak-a-peeks of my favorite pages. I think these will be my next postcard.
In anticipation of tonights ‘Virtual Book Tour’ of ‘Right This Instant’ I’m releasing my Q & A with Christine Alemshah. Christine is the author of this adorable story and I have been so lucky to get to know her through email. One thing about the publisher, MeeGenious, that I love is that they let me choose the stories I illustrate from a short accumulation that they think may fit my work. When I read this story I knew it was going to be a winner. Christine’s work is wonderful and it’s been so great working with her.
Q: When did you discover you wanted to write children’s stories and what was the catalyst?
A: I was in third grade when I found out it was possible to create my own books. My teacher taught me how to write, illustrate, and bind my own picture books. Ever since that time I knew I would want to publish books some day. In college, I took a course called ‘Writing Books for Children’ that introduced me to all the different genres of children’s books. Still, picture books stood out as my favorite. That was back in 2001. It wasn’t until my 30th birthday that I had an epiphany; it was time to get serious about my writing dreams. It feels great to be pursuing them, and I hope to encourage others to do the same.
Q: What was the first story you ever had published and who published it?
A: My first story ever published was ‘Max and Digby’s Big Day’ for Stories for Children Magazine. That was a wonderful experience. They regularly accepted stories from new writers and were very diligent about showing us how the editorial process works. My experiences with them were invaluable.
Q: We found each other on the SCBWI website! How long have you been a member of SCBWI and have you found it valuable?
A: I have been a member of SCBWI since 2010. I found out about SCBWI through children’s author, Merrily Kutner. She was leading a session at the Central Coast Writer’s Conference. She mentioned that anyone who wanted to get serious about writing for children should join. And that was exactly what I wanted to do, so I joined. Almost every connection I have made has been through SCBWI — education, local conferences, friendships, and my critique group.
Q: You mentioned to me that you have completed 12x12x12. (An author challenge of writing 12 picture book manuscripts a year. A manuscript a month!) Did you find that useful and would you do it again?
A: Yes! Most definitely! I completed 12 drafts last year, one of which I am in the revisions process with and am hoping will be my next published work!
Q: Was ‘Right This Instant’ a 12x12x12 manuscript?
A: Actually it was not. It was written in 2011 before I joined the challenge. It was revised several times before being picked up by a publisher. I think revision is an essential part of the writing process.
Q: Are there any other manuscripts from the 12x12x12 challenge that you feel may be picked-up soon?
A: I have one out of the twelve that I feel is particularly close, and two others that need a bit more revising.
Q: Your website and blog are very well put together. They used to be separate, right? What benefits are you expecting to have them together and have you noticed any advantages already?
A: I really enjoy using the WordPress blogging platform as I am familiar with the backend and know how to navigate it pretty well. I feel I can better promote the site when everything is neat and tidy in one place. I am a picture book writer; Concise could be my middle name.
Q: Are there any other websites besides scbwi.org that you use to keep in touch with colleagues and promote to publishers? Facebook? Jacketflap?
Q: Do you belong to any critique groups and if so do you find them useful? Also, how does yours work?
A: Yes. I am a member of the Newport Beach SCBWI Critique Group. We hold monthly meetings. Being part of a critique group has helped me grow in many ways. I’m better able to identify my writing weaknesses, so I don’t keep making the same mistakes over and over, and I’ve improved my ability to provide constructive feedback to others. I love seeing how everyone’s projects progress over time. ‘Right This Instant’ was critiqued several times by the group.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I am working on a character-driven picture book featuring Emilene, a spirited girl who tends to challenge conventional ideas, in this case being how the tooth fairy delivers treats for lost teeth.
Q: How often do you write? Do you have a schedule or do you write when inspiration strikes?
A: In the summer, I try to write every morning. During the school year, I fit it in whenever possible. I often have napkins or receipts stuffed in my purse with notes on them. And yes, I sometimes have to stop everything and write when inspiration strikes.
Q: Do you have any mentors? Or authors you really admire and wish to meet someday?
A: I have been fortunate enough to meet both of the current Picture Book Authors who influence me the most at the SCBWI LA Summer Conference, Jon Sciescka and Deborah Underwood. They were both kind and encouraging. Others I hope to meet someday include: Pam Calvert, Tammi Sauer, and Mo Willems.
Q: Favorite animal 
?
A:I love English Bull Terriers … and turtles.
Some great news! ‘Right This Instant‘ is now available through MeeGenious.com! The author, Christine Alemshah is having a Virtual Book Launch on July 24th. You know I’ll be there!
So by the end of tonight I’ll be more then halfway through ‘The Queen’s Game’ (hooray!). In the meantime, I’d like to share these fun new toys I created for PetEdge! Although I didn’t get to do a lot of product development design for the up-and-coming Spring line; I did get to do a lot more for this Fall’s line (which I usually have little to no part of).
How cute are these??
And this next toy is probably one of my favorite things I’ve designed for PetEdge so far (because it was so much fun to create!) It’s a sound-chip puzzle! You see, there are places in the puzzle where you hide dog treats in, and in order for your doggie to find the treats he has to solve the puzzle. While solving the puzzle he’ll hear noises to let him know he’s on the right track. For instance to get the treat hidden under the bird tab he needs to push the bird and when he’s close to solving the puzzle the bird will start tweeting!
I know! So cool!! I’ll update my Polaris Studio website soon to show the rest of the new items. There are some colorful cat collars as well as packages.
So here is a quick tour of my desk were I work in my studio…
So there you can see my desk… and my paints… there is the lovely window where I get some great light in the morning… my brushes next to the illo I’m currently working on and.. oh yes all those buckets catching the cascading water that seems to be falling directly where my chair should be.
Oh for crying out loud! Really?? Really?!? A quick boost into the attic shows that the water is actually starting from the tippity-top of the roof and traveling all the way down a series of beams where it has been pooling over my desk since… well probably the second I signed my name on the closing papers.
I’m gonna call this a ‘rain-delay’ till the morning. Perhaps it’s the universe telling me to’ take a break already!’ It’s supposed to rain all day tomorrow too. Perhaps I’ll have to relocate into the living room. Oh man… that dripping is echoing throughout the house. It’s totally gonna keep me up all night.
Another e-book has been started! This one’s called ‘The Queen’s Game’. Since it’s got an Indian undertone it’s become a great chance for me to use my love of patterns by incorporating them into the character’s world. The text in the story itself bounces along sweetly and I really wanted the paisley pattern to move with the characters, flow with the text and ultimately enhance the atmosphere of the story. Ideally, the texture and color of the paint will add a whole other level.
It’s done! I’ve just completed the most paintings in the shortest deadline I’ve been given. ’Right This Instant’ is officially off my desk.
So… very… tired.
I’m celebrating by stuffing my face with my favorite Chinese food, watching Battle Star and writing this post. These guys are celebrating too! Loved painting this duo! So cute!
Here it is my 100 post! I’ll make good use of it to introduce you to this little bear-bear. Just completed sketches for this little e-book. It’s a super-sweet story that I fell in love with right away. I can’t wait to share it… guess I better get painting! Good timing too because I just finished all the heavy-duty landscaping around my money pit. The only thing left on my list of things to do out there (this year) is drain the ‘mosquito farm’ The Carnies before us put in the back yard. I’m sure it was a lovely koi pond when it was first installed; but now it is an ugly wound in my beautiful yard that I have to put up with for the rest of the spring rainy season. Once the spring rains calm down and the sun comes out in a few weeks it will be ‘adios wet lands’ and most likely ‘hello e-book!’ I’ll post a sneak-a-peek once the paintings are handed in and all is good to go.
Well, well, well…
Look who finally has some things she can show..
It’s Tiffany!
That’s right! The Spring PetEdge catalog has hit the streets and with it comes the release of a HUGE portion of the textile illustrations and new product development designs that I’ve been working on for the past year or so. There is just so much but I’m only going to showcase a few of my favorites here. There are also a few more that I put on my website in the ‘Designastration’ page. And (of course) more to come in a few more months.
Hoot & Howl Collection
Flutter Bugs – Bees
Flutter Bugs – Lady Bugs
Tulle, lace, and Peter Pan Collars! Oh my!
Here it is folks. The biggest project I’ve ever taken on…
home.
My first house.. a fixer-upper
Over 1400 square feet of canvas. I’ve always wanted to flip an old house and with a lot of patience, a Mass Housing loan, and a hell of a realtor I finally found my first place. It’s funny to see this photo (taken in Mayafter being vacant for 2 years) because I’ve been living in the house since October and have since done so much work. It already looks so different. About 80% of the work I’ve done so far has been in the yard (about a quarter acre). It was so over grown I couldn’t open the garage doors or the back fence completely. Large weeds from a few years ago had turned into trees and thus became an excuse for me to buy my very own chainsaw. What was once probably a very impressive rose garden had become a briar patch of death and it wasn’t until the dense thorns were cut back all the way did I realize that the garage had large, side windows. Needless to say I’m exhausted and scratched.
Finally, just in time for Christmas, I have a well plotted out yard and even a few manicured areas were the flower and fruit trees are. I really wanted to detail everything and take lots of photos as I worked but for several reasons it didn’t work out.. first of all there was just too much work to do in order to make the place habitable and comfortable. Second, my computer has since crossed over into the light. I wanted to be sure there was no way I could zombie it back to life before buying a new one so I have been unable to document all the fun things I’ve been fixing, cleaning and finding in the place. The day I purchased the home it didn’t have a single working toilet or hot water. The roof leaked and there wear squirrels living in the basement. Do you know what a condenser pump is? Neither did I until October when I installed one. I’m learning so much as I go and I’m excited to share more now that things are finally getting safe, clean, and well… home-y. This place has a lot of potential and now that the major issues are fixed I can finally move on to the fun, creative improvements.
Summer is wonderful. Especially in my small New England town on the coast. Weekday nights at the lake behind my home and weekends at the beach next town over. But my absolute favorite thing about summer is getting ready for the fall. Being born in October may have something to do with it. Summer is mostly my time to tend to my sunflower and pumpkin plants.
I’m coining it. The combination of my illustration and design in one perfectly harmonious movement:
http://tiffanyillustration.com/designastration.htm
The PetEdge Fall Prebook has been in mailboxes for a few days now which means its time to share. These last few items are the last of what’s coming out from them till February.
When February does roll around I’ll have quite a nice set of collections that should be released along with a few other fun bits and bobs. Fun bandannas and cute shaped toys.. yeah!
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Best of luck, TIffany!