For the love of SCBWI and looking for lost treasure

It is very important to find just the right thing to wear when 

you are preparing to become a fit and healthy bun, like me.

As you can see, I'm ready for anything!

Well, I'm off ...

Yoga Bun is a young bun, set on getting in shape and in touch

with the Infinite Universe.

We play together.

We eat treats together.

We read together.

We ride together.

We're best friends.

Blast Off

Who do you think you are?

Hey, up here!

Now what...

These are character studies for animals 

who would like to star in  their own children's books.

They've been pestering me for weeks and 

months to flesh them out, create "style guides"

and the like. 

I've promised that one day each of them will 

find their way into one or two or hopefully 1000 

picture books for kids. 

Nothing is certain, 

but without hope, you're lost, right?

I attended the SCBWI Conference last weekend

with my lovely friend, illustrator, Yuko Katakawa. 

I also had a chance to see Joyce Hesselberth, a friend from VCU.

She and her husband, David Plunkert, run Spur Design 

in Baltimore and sell art prints (predominantly) for kids. 

Both do stellar work. It's great to know people doing 

what they truly love!

Bunny Valentine print available @ Society 6

The conference renewed my faith in the business and has 

inspired me to make something happen this year.

No, I did not win the portfolio showcase, nor 

did I win a simple door prize, but

I did enjoy fabulous speakers like Meg Rossof, Mo Willems, Shaun Tan

and Julie Andrews, yes that one, 

with her daughter, 

Emma Walton Hamilton. Oh, and the man who put 

the "I" in SCBWI, Tomie dePaola was there this year!

I had no idea just how brilliant Shaun Tan was until

seeing his presentation, nor how many series of books

Julie Andrews and her daughter had written.

The 1st series was illustrated by Julie's ex husband,

the renowned production designer, Tony Walton.

I was aware of how funny Mo Willems is,

but it sure was fun to be reminded!

I chose "breakout" sessions with creative directors,

Patrick Collins of Henry Holt and 

Isabel Warren-Lynch of Random House Kids.

I wish one-on-one critiques were offered, 

but with 999 members in attendance, it would be tough

to get through them all in two days!

I'm not sure how many illustrators were there exactly, 

because SCBWI includes, not only writers of 

picture books, but also chapter and

young adult books.

:::

Despite meat locker temps in the Hyatt, it was a wonderful

experience overall. Stephen Mooser (President) and Lin Oliver,

(Executive Director) create an open friendly atmosphere

where illustrators and writers have an opportunity 

to meet each other, enjoy a cocktail or more

and feel a sense of community.

I'm even considering a trip to the LA conference in August,

you never know :)

Thanks for stopping by. 

xo, A