Fall Sketch Book Event

Saturday, October 25, @ 10:00 AMAt the beautiful Atlanta Botanical Gardens1345 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, GA, 30309  http://atlantabotanicalgarden.org/

Scarecrows, ogres, giant cobras and monumental sculptures await you at the next Sketch-Book Event.  Nearly 100 scarecrows fill the Atlanta Botanical Garden, as well as the Imaginary Worlds Worlds mosaiculture show and The Four Seasons sculpture exhibition.  So, Join us as we find inspiration in the Atlanta Botanical Garden on Saturday, October 25th at 10:00 am. Authors, illustrators and photographers are welcome. 

And to set the tone for this visit, the theme book is THE SCARECROW’S DANCE by Jane Yolen and Bagram Ibatoulline. 

“Jane Yolen introduces us to the fickle scarecrow, who decides to leave his station and dance away the fall night. He leaps through the fields until he reaches the farmhouse, where he sees a small light in the window. Inside, a boy is saying his prayers, and he offers up a special prayer for the corn that will be harvested in the morning. Humbled, the scarecrow knows what he has to do: He returns to the field and watches over the corn as only he can.” (from Amazon.com)

As always, we have planned several optional challenges, which are designed to have you approach your sketches and stories from a new perspective.

There is an $18.95 admission fee to the garden and $4.00 parking fee. 

We also will be going for lunch afterwards.

Please RSVP at [email protected].

• Two-time recipient of the New York Times’ 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year Award
• American Library Association’s Theodore Seuss Geisel Award in Illustration 
• 2013 Ashley Bryan Illustrated Africana Children’s Literature Award
• Three-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Honor Award in Illustration

Our annual SCBWI Southern Breeze Gallery Show will open this Friday, May 23rd, at 7:00pm at the Decatur Library (215 Sycamore St., Decatur, GA, 30030) as part of the Decatur ArtWalk - opening night for the Decatur Arts Festival, which lasts through the weekend. Galleries throughout Decatur stay open late to kick off the festivities and attendance is vigorous

Our show will be in the main lobby of the library for two weeks (through June 7th), which is a big hit with patrons. This year’s show will feature works by Yours Truly, Mark Braught, Jill Dubin, R. Gregory Christie, Prescott Hill, Susan Nees, Amy Schimler, Laura Freeman, Bill Mayer, Mike Lowery, Sarah Frances Hardy, and Lori Nichols. Each framed piece of art is accompanied by its currently available for purchase picture book - a great introduction to art for kids! Many illustrators will be on hand to sign your books if you bring them with you on opening night. (It’s a party!) All are welcome and I hope you can join us!

Perhaps cogs and gears set your artistic heart aflutter; maybe you’re on a quest for unique detail to incorporate into your steampunk vision; or you might just be looking for textures to challenge your creative mind. . . Then it’s all aboard for the next Sketch-Book Event at the Southeastern Railway Museum. Join us on Saturday, June 14th at 10:00 am as we explore more than 80 pieces of retired trains and railway equipment, including steam locomotives, uniforms, a ticket office and much more. Authors, illustrators and photographers are welcome.

And to set the tone for this visit, the theme book is HOW TO TRAIN A TRAIN by Jason Carter Eaton and John Rocco. As always, we have planned several optional challenges, which are designed to have you approach your sketches and stories from a new perspective.

There is an $8 admission fee to the museum grounds. We also will be going for lunch afterwards. Please RSVP at [email protected].

3595 Buford Hwy.
Duluth, GA
www.SoutheasternRailwayMuseum.org
770-476-2013

I can honestly say as a first timer, that the SCBWI Conference left an unforgettable impression on me. I was up in the clouds and reeling for days afterward and am still so very grateful for the opportunity to attend as the Liz Conrad Scholarship winner.
      Just within the last couple of years I have been learning more about illustrating children's books and have been trying to challenge myself creatively. I have toyed with idea of taking some college classes on illustration but in order to do that, it would be necessary to go to school full time and that is to much of a time commitment in my life right now and all I want is information on "illustrating children's books". My search began and I couldn't find any course just for that specifically. Over the years I have self educated myself in art through reading books, taking workshops and putting in my 10,000 hours of practice. So, I bought/picked up every book I could get my hands on to teach myself more about the subject. The only problem was getting feedback on my illustration work and that is when I applied for mentoring last year with Michael J. Austin which opened the door into the world of imagination and illustration.
      It was a last minute decision for me to apply for the Liz Conrad Scholarship because Fine art portraiture and figurative type paintings have been my focus throughout my art career and I did not feel there were many pieces in my portfolio which were actually illustrations that I could submit. However, with my love for a challenge and lack of fear to take a risk, I picked three paintings and applied for the scholarship at the last minute. It was a bit of a gamble. Boy am I glad I took the gamble!!!. I was shopping at Dillards department store when I received a phone call. I did not recognize the phone number from the call and was listening carefully after I answered "Hello". The caller identified herself saying "Hello Connie, this is Elizabeth Delumba from SCBWI Southern Breeze" and it took me a second or two to understand who was calling me. I could not have been more thrilled when she said "You have won the Liz Conrad Scholarship". I could not believe my ears. The sales girl was smiling as she saw me jump up and down with excitement from the call. Wow! It made my day, made my week, made my month. Well, the feeling will last a very long time, maybe a lifetime!
      Receiving the scholarship has been so encouraging to me as an artist. Illustration is a new journey in my art career and it is so helpful to hear confirmation from professional illustrators that I am on the right track. The life of an artist can be isolating and I don't think any artist ever gets tired of others appreciating what they put their heart and soul into especially if it is a new direction in their art.
      So, I chose to reserve a room at the Marriott where the conference was held because, driving from Buford, GA and fighting our challenging Atlanta traffic would most definitely make my experience stressful. I am glad I did because my room was very nice and comfortable. All I had to do was jump up in the morning and take the elevator to the Conference. It provided the opportunity for me to absorb the whole thing without any additional stress.
      I also felt the selection of guests was superb. They each were so open and willing to share their individual expertise of which has taken them a lifetime to learn. They were very much down to earth and all about helping the attendees. My brain was so on overload that I could have written a book on the information I received at the conference. "Hmm maybe I will !". I felt like I had attended a full children's book illustration and writing course. I know I will be referring to my notes for a very long time.
      The SCBWI Southern Breeze Spring Mingle was an educational experience for me. I felt welcomed, educated, comfortable, fed well and would absolutely plan on attending another one.
      I want to personally thank everyone involved for the effort, time and energy put into organizing this memorable event. Not only was it well organized but I believe, it would be hard to match the next conference and attain this high level again. I look forward to seeing what you can attain to at the next one.
      I would like to express my "Gratitude" for the Liz Conrad Scholarship again! I was thrilled to receive such an honorable award. I feel very honored. It was simply "INCREDIBLE" to me. I would also like to thank Stephanie Moody who took a portrait class from me several years ago and turned me on to SCBWI! Thanks Steph.

If you've been lamenting missing out on the wonderful event planned by Michael Austin last weekend, cheer up! The trip to the North Georgia Zoo and Petting Farm has been rescheduled for this Saturday, April 26th. (Fingers are crossed for beautiful weather this time.) Here's the plan:

• RSVP to me, Kathleen Bradshaw, for head count and lunch plans at the vineyard. 
• Meet at the Barnes and Noble in the Forum Shops, 5155 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross at 9:00 AM
• Caravan up to the North Georgia Zoo via GA 400. (North Georgia folk can drive over and meet everyone at the park.)
• Park opens at 10:00.
• Prices are $8/adult, $6/child (2-11 years old)
• Check out the zoo website for more information about specific attractions and tours.

Mark your calendar! Our next Sketch Book Event will be Saturday, April 19th at the North Georgia Zoo! For those who don't live nearby, we will meet at 9:00 am at the Barnes & Noble at The Forum (5155 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross) and head up together from there. We'll spend a lovely day drawing fuzzy critters, then grab some lunch nearby. Afterwards, Paula Puckett has invited us to drop by her Alpaca farm where cookies and lemonade will be served. (She's just down the road.) Does this not sound like a wonderful way to spend the Saturday before Easter?

Writers - Michael A. Austin hosts and he gives out writing prompts as well as illustrator prompts, so you are welcome to come. We do need everybody to RSVP please to either [email protected] or [email protected].

I hope you can join us!

e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba
SCBWI Southern Breeze Illustrator Coordinator

The race was tight this year, but the judges (R. Gregory Christie, Mark Braught, and myself) agreed... Connie Lynn Reilly is this year's Liz Conrad Scholarship winner!
     Connie has been a professional portrait artist for many years, with quite the record of credentials, and she is starting a new chapter in life adapting her distinct skills and expertise towards children's books. We think her chances are very good!
     The scholarship consists of free tuition to attend both Springmingle and Illustrators' Day along with a free portfolio review during Springmingle.
     Connie was thrilled with the news, "How encouraging is that!?" (I love making that phone call.) And I know Liz would be thrilled with Connie's prospects as well. What better way to honor our lost friend than by encouraging new ones along this path of children's literature that we love so much.
     Here are Connie's winning submission pieces:



The decisions are often tight on the scholarship fund, so if you didn't win this year - please try again next year! Your chance to win is probably just around the corner.
Cheers,
Elizabeth O. Dulemba
Southern Breeze Illustrator Coordinator
http://dulemba.com

Forwarded from the Midsouth Illustrator Coordinator (Susan will be in Bologna):

Hello to our talented Midsouth Illustrators,

The Bologna Children's Book Fair is taking place March 24th -27th and for the 10th year the SCBWI will have a booth there! (yes, Bologna Italy) This year they have created a great opportunity for PAL Illustrators.

A portfolio of SCBWI illustrator members work will be on display at the SCBWI Showcase during the next Bologna Book Fair and available for browsing by publishers, agents and other attendees from across the world. In addition, a digital version of the portfolio will be posted on the SCBWI Bologna 2014 website with thumbnails of artwork and contact information.

For more details on how YOU can be included visit the special SCBWI 2014 website. And while you are there, browse the site to check out past fairs with photos and blog posts.

http://bologna.scbwi.org/scbwi-bologna-book-fair-2014/big/

Susan Eaddy
Illustrator Coordinator SCBWI Midsouth

Elizabeth O. Dulemba
http://dulemba.com
---------------------------------------
Illustrator Coordinator for the
SCBWI Southern Breeze (AL, GA, FL panhandle)

Per the AJC...
The wild and wacky hat collection of children's author Dr. Seuss is coming to Atlanta on a first-ever tour. Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, created paintings and collected hats which he stashed away in a hidden closet. In honor of the 75th anniversary of his second book, "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins," a special Hats Off to Dr. Seuss exhibition combines the secret collection alongside artworks adapted and reproduced from Geisel's original drawings, paintings and sculpture.
Dr. Seuss collection curator Bill Dreyer will deliver a talk on the art and life of the author at 7 p.m. Feb. 1 during the opening at Ann Jackson Gallery, 932 Canton St., Roswell. RSVPs suggested to [email protected] or (770) 993-4783.

Hi All,

Along with registration for Illustrators' Day and Springmingle now being open - you can also submit to win the Liz Conrad Scholarship Fund at .

In honor of our dear friend, the Southern Breeze chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators has established a Conference Tuition / Portfolio Critique Scholarship Fund (a $230 value). The scholarship will be awarded to one budding illustrator in the children's book field to attend either our Springmingle Annual Conference in Atlanta (February), or WIK (Writing and Illustrating for Kids) in Birmingham (October) and receive a free portfolio review.

CLICK HERE for more information and the application form. The deadline for your submission is February 28, 2014.

Cheers,
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba
Illustrator Coordinator for the
SCBWI Southern Breeze (AL, GA, FL panhandle)

The deadline for the Tomie dePaola Award is in three weeks! Get your entries in! http://www.scbwi.org/awards/tomie-depaola-award/

Here's a peek at previous year's galleries:
2012: http://scbwiblackandwhite.blogspot.com/ (prompts: Little Women, The Yearling, Tome Sawyer)
2011: http://scbwichickenlicken.blogspot.com/?view=snapshot (prompt: Chicken Licken)
(They should be in 'Snapshot' view. If it says 'Classic' in the upper left corner, just click on it, and switch it up.)

Cheers!
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba
http://dulemba.com
---------------------------------------
Illustrator Coordinator for the
SCBWI Southern Breeze (AL, GA, FL panhandle)

SCBWI members receive an extended deadline to send their application packet to be considered for the prestigious Bologna Illustrators' Exhibition at the 2014 Bologna Book Fair. While all other entrants face a 4 October 2013 deadline, the deadline for SCBWI members application to arrive at the illustrators exhibition at the fair office is 30 November 2013.
For general information about how to take part in the illustrators' exhibit: http://www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it/en/illustrators-exhibition/how-to-take-part/1041.html
For application form and rules:
http://www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it/en/illustrators-exhibition/entry-form/1853.html
To be eligible for the extended deadline, the illustrator must be a current SCBWI member and write "SCBWI member" on the outside of the application packet. To join SCBWI or to confirm your membership visit www.scbwi.org
To learn about SCBWI events in 2014 and connected with other SCBWI members attending the fair in 2014, join SCBWI Bologna Connections on FB https://www.facebook.com/pages/SCBWI-Bologna-Connections.

I don't know more than what I am posting here - but if you have questions after perusing the website, I might be able to find some answers for you.
This is a highly respected affair and I do suggest you submit!
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba
http://dulemba.com

SCBWI members receive an extended deadline to send their application packet to be considered for the prestigious Bologna Illustrators' Exhibition at the 2014 Bologna Book Fair. While all other entrants face a 4 October 2013 deadline, the deadline for SCBWI members application to arrive at the illustrators exhibition at the fair office is 30 November 2013.
For general information about how to take part in the illustrators' exhibit: http://www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it/en/illustrators-exhibition/how-to-take-part/1041.html
For application form and rules:
http://www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it/en/illustrators-exhibition/entry-form/1853.html
To be eligible for the extended deadline, the illustrator must be a current SCBWI member and write "SCBWI member" on the outside of the application packet. To join SCBWI or to confirm your membership visit www.scbwi.org
To learn about SCBWI events in 2014 and connected with other SCBWI members attending the fair in 2014, join SCBWI Bologna Connections on FB https://www.facebook.com/pages/SCBWI-Bologna-Connections.

I don't know more than what I am posting here - but if you have questions after perusing the website, I might be able to find some answers for you.
This is a highly respected affair and I do suggest you submit!
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba
http://dulemba.com

Summer hasn’t been the slow, lazy days we read about in books. Instead it’s been a different kind of busy. In spite of that, I hope you’ve had a chance to do some personal work, and create something fun for our Illustration Contest prompt “for Halloween, PJ ________.”  The deadline is this weekend, so wrap it up. Stop tweaking. And get to the post office. In case you need a reminder, here’s the submission guidelines:

• Please don't put any identifying information on the artwork. It is judged anonymously.
• Complete the phrase on the front or back of the illustration and on your cover letter. You can fill in the blank with any word(s) you choose – up to 10.
• Write on the back of your entry the type of media used. Open to all media.
• Please submit a low resolution (72 dpi) digital copy of your entry to Heather Montgomery, Assistant Regional Advisor: [email protected]
• Please send 2 high resolution, color copies of your illustration on 8.5"x11" photo-quality paper.
• Please do not send your original.
• All entries must be created proportionate to 8.5"x11" but can of portrait or landscape orientation.
• Please include a cover letter with your name, contact information and your illustration's written prompt.
• To receive  your scoring sheet with judge's comments and notification of the list of winners, please include a self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope.

Summer hasn’t been the slow, lazy days we read about in books. Instead it’s been a different kind of busy. In spite of that, I hope you’ve had a chance to do some personal work, and create something fun for our Illustration Contest prompt “for Halloween, PJ ________.”  The deadline is this weekend, so wrap it up. Stop tweaking. And get to the post office. In case you need a reminder, here’s the submission guidelines:

• Please don't put any identifying information on the artwork. It is judged anonymously.
• Complete the phrase on the front or back of the illustration and on your cover letter. You can fill in the blank with any word(s) you choose – up to 10.
• Write on the back of your entry the type of media used. Open to all media.
• Please submit a low resolution (72 dpi) digital copy of your entry to Heather Montgomery, Assistant Regional Advisor: [email protected]
• Please send 2 high resolution, color copies of your illustration on 8.5"x11" photo-quality paper.
• Please do not send your original.
• All entries must be created proportionate to 8.5"x11" but can of portrait or landscape orientation.
• Please include a cover letter with your name, contact information and your illustration's written prompt.
• To receive  your scoring sheet with judge's comments and notification of the list of winners, please include a self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope.

The Georgia Council for the Arts has a call for artists going on right now for "an exhibit that will showcase current work of contemporary artists and hang in the executive offices of the State Capitol. Work is being sought from Georgia artists, ages 18 and up, who currently live in the Cobb, Dekalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties. The deadline to submit entries is June 7, 2013. Selected work will be on display from August through January. Attached is the PDF version of the information.

This is an important way to showcase and raise awareness for the work of contemporary Georgia artists at the Capitol so we here at GCA would like to ask for your help in getting the word out to local artists because we have not had as much of a response as we would expect from the metro area."

Check the website for more details! Cheers,
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba
http://dulemba.com
---------------------------------------
Illustrator Coordinator for the
SCBWI Southern Breeze (AL, GA, FL panhandle)
http://www.southern-breeze.org/
http://sbillustrators.blogspot.com/

The Georgia Council for the Arts has a call for artists going on right now for "an exhibit that will showcase current work of contemporary artists and hang in the executive offices of the State Capitol. Work is being sought from Georgia artists, ages 18 and up, who currently live in the Cobb, Dekalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties. The deadline to submit entries is June 7, 2013. Selected work will be on display from August through January. Attached is the PDF version of the information.

This is an important way to showcase and raise awareness for the work of contemporary Georgia artists at the Capitol so we here at GCA would like to ask for your help in getting the word out to local artists because we have not had as much of a response as we would expect from the metro area."

Check the website for more details! Cheers,
e
Elizabeth O. Dulemba
http://dulemba.com
---------------------------------------
Illustrator Coordinator for the
SCBWI Southern Breeze (AL, GA, FL panhandle)
http://www.southern-breeze.org/
http://sbillustrators.blogspot.com/

Friday night was opening night for our 2013 Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Southern Breeze (Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi) Gallery Show hosted at the Decatur Library by the Georgia Center for the Book during the Decatur Arts Festival opening ArtWalk. We had ten artists showing their work in this year's show: Prescott Hill; Jill Dubin; Yours truly, Elizabeth Dulemba; Laura Freeman; Mark Braught; Laura Knorr (Braught); Bill Mayer; Susan Nees; and Sarah Frances Hardy.
     Many of the artists and their spouses were in attendance for opening night. (Click to see larger.) From the left is: Scott Nees; Susan Nees; Lisa Michaels - wife to Prescott Hill; Laura Freeman; me; Joe Davich of the Georgia Center for the Book; Bill Mayer; Amy Schimler; Lee Mayer, Mark Braught; and my hubbie Stan.

Each art piece was accompanied by its corresponding book title and it came together beautifully...




     Our opening night was a blast, catered by Badda Bing. We did a sketch challenge - each illustrator draws a few lines adding to an illustration that ends up being... well, that's anybody's guess!

When we finished with the challenge, two young attendees decided to do their own challenge... so cute.


I tried to do a better job with photos this year—so here are the illustrators with their work...
Amy Schimler...

Bill Mayer (who apparently always takes photos like this...)
Laura Freeman...

Mark Braught... (Unfortunately, his wife Laura couldn't make it to pose with her pieces...)

Prescott with his wife, Lisa...

Susan, celebrating her first time in the show...

And me, who apparently can't stay still long enough for her picture to be taken...

Not that I was the only goof that night...

     Afterwards we went to Colbeh Persian restaurant for a fun-filled fall apart. What a great time! Peeps, good art, good food, and general mayhem - what could be better?
     The intent of the show is to impart the idea that book art is art and that the children's books you enjoy are indeed works of art—performance art, which is not fully realized until being enjoyed by a reader.
     And while opening night is a blast - the real treasure is after we leave and the show is enjoyed by thousands of library patrons as they wander through. Stan and I went back the next day and were privy to some of the wonderful comments and interest in just the short time we were there.
     We're so grateful to the Decatur Library and the Georgia Center for the Book—the library is the perfect place to host our show!