If anyone knows where to buy a time turner, please let me know, because could have done with one this week.
In my spare time I have been working on a dummy to take to the LA SCBWI conference (yee gads, that's next week!!!). It's about a clumsy kitty ... here's a couple of spreads to wet your appetite ...
Yes, a time turner would be good. (And talking of Harry Potter, I saw Deathly Hallows 2 - not sure if I enjoyed it as much as I had hoped. Well, maybe a second viewing will help. I liked part 1 alot. Anyway, wierd now it's all over. Or IS IT??)
In between finishing the portfolio and dummies to take to LA I've been working on sketches for the next 2 books in the All Star Cheerleader series for Anastasia Suen and Kane/Miller Publishing. My deadline for sketches is next Wednesday before I fly to LA. And then straight into the finals on my return. No rest for the wicked ;-)
Deadlines are good things. They make you stretch yourself. You achieve things you thought were impossible. Sometimes things are even better because you have to work quickly. I relish them and - I dread them. But I know I am happier when I have them, than when I don't. I think that's one of the reasons I enjoy working in the illustration field. Mostly you are working for a client, and that client has expectations - after all they are putting food on your table. I often hear freelancers (in all kinds of work) saying that they have a hard time getting motivated. My advice: get yourself a deadline. And if you don't have one, create one for yourself.
The reason I am rattling on about deadlines is that there's a few on my calendar. This is excellent, means I am busy. Who doesn't want to be busy? I handle my deadlines by making a written calendar, right now it goes until August 31. I have 2 manuscripts to illustrate by then (the next two books in Anastasia Suen's cheerleader series for Kane and Miller publishing). Before you 'gasp' they are black and white with colour cover, so it's not colour double spreads!)
Mid way through this is wham bam ... SCBWI Summer Conference in LA. Just to make things difficult for myself I've decided to redo my portfolio with totally new pieces. So that's F-I-V-E weeks away. Plus I want to take 2 dummies with me. I will be entering the Portfolio Showcase again ... this year I feel like I know what I am doing. Well, more than last year anyway!
As I said, nothing like a deadline ... here's one of the new pieces with a more whimsical style than usual.
On the board for next week I also have designs to do for a pottery company in CA, they produce planters for the trade market (Target, Lowes etc). I used to do a lot of work for them, and was lucky enough to go to China to the trade fair and factories several years ago ... and then the economy nosedived. It's a good sign they are sending me work again. Of course, you can't choose when it comes along, so hence the planning calendar.
I guess I will be working some late nights on the portfolio!!
As a nice treat at the end of August I get to teach a drawing cruise on the Schooner
Isaac H Evans. It's shaping up to be a busy, fun and fruitful summer.
The trip to LA will be welcome - a big conference like this is always intense, as you want to hear all the awesome speakers and still network. (And have some party time). Bring it on. Last year I knew very few people ... this year I feel like I am going back to family. In the lonely life of the freelance illustrator I think that's an unusual feeling. If you are an aspiring children's illustrator or writer - make sure you join the
SCBWI and go to conferences and workshops!
Talking of deadlines, must get back to them.
Just want to say many thanks to everyone who sent me sympathy on the loss of my dog ... it's been a hard week.
Toodles!
Hazel
Fantastic and timely post! I struggle with getting motivated and staying at work when motivated. I'm finding this summer that having deadlines is helping enormously (haven't hit the point in my freelancing where others are providing deadlines for me). SCBWI summer conference is a biggie for me, as well -- my first writers' conference, and I'm jumping in at the deep end! I'm looking forward to it so much! (And yes, I must get back to work -- my deadline is just 3 weeks from today, because I'm heading off on another jaunt prior to SCBWI! See you there!)
Hope folk think to click on the image to enlarge it, as the cat and mouse expressions are priceless (and I don't know why, but I love the watering can!) From your comments, Hazel, it sounds like SCBWI is going to be all I can hope for and then some!
Go you, on entering the Portfolio showcase again, I am sure those late nights are going to pay off.
I have no imposed deadlines yet, but have some very clear manuscript goals for myself for this year.