Humblearts Journal

Favorite Books

At Barnes & Nobles tonight, I ran across A Child's Garden of Verses illustrated by Gyo Fujikawa.  I was instantly transformed into a 7 year old, pouring over each illustration, wanting to be in those little worlds she created.

One of my favorite books when I was little was "Oh, What a Busy Day!"  There is one image in that book: it is a rainy day, kids in a tree house, pulling a little kitty up in a basket.  When I look at that image, I can feel what it's like in a summer rain, the sounds and smells, the way leaves look wet.  It's just a beautiful picture.  I would love to create illustrations that stayed with readers for over 25 years.

Fujikawa on Wikipedia

Fujikawa on Flickr

Happy Mother's Day, all you crafty, creative moms! 

My mom's favorite children's book: Where the Wild Things Are. 

Check it out

Illustrator Scott Franson's first picture book Un-Brella came out this month.  The illustrations are so fresh and utterly complex, definitely the kind of pictures kids loose themselves in.  I met Scott last year in L.A and love his sense of color and design.  Want more un-fun?  Scott's blog is full of un-book covers. 

hello again

Is there anything sadder than a neglected blog?  I'm still around, busier than ever and blogging more than ever, just not here.  I'll have to change that.  Actually I need to refocus on my goals and illustrating.  When the bills are due, the beads sometimes take over.  But there has to be a balance between the day job and chasing after my dreams.

I went to the Texas Library Association Conference yesterday to their amazing exhibit hall.  It took me two hours to walk from one end to the other.  Tons of publishers, the big guns with their huge booths, the smaller presses with their beautiful, well designed selections.  Authors roaming about signing books.  I have a million publisher's catalogs now, what a great place to do some quick market research.  It was interesting to me that some of the smaller presses that I had written off based on their website, actually have quite a different selection when you see it in person.

One book in particular caught my eye.  Kevin Henkes new book, The Good Day.  The line work is so wonderful.  You have to see it in person.

Trends in children's book illustration: sketchy line work in both brown & black.  Nostalgic feel to the artwork.  As always, lots of watercolor but in more muted tones.  Or maybe that's what I noticed because that's what I'm into at the moment.

Confessions of a professional slacker...

You know what I'm really good at?  Making plans, dreaming, wishing, and procrastinating.  You know what I stink at?  Marketing.  Sending things out the door.  I say I'm going to, I order postcards, I print samples, I even print out labels.  And then they sit, and sit.  And the inner dialogue begins...

"Oh I'll make it the post office this weekend.  Grr, I don't like them anymore.  I have better work now.  They are so boring.  I need to print more samples and do packets instead of postcards.  I need to update my mailing list.  etc. etc."  The excuses are endless. 

My goal for the rest of this year is to market consistently.  Postcards every 3 months, like clockwork: March, June, September and December. 

Here is the latest one ready to go out the door.

   

May I grow a green wart on the end of my nose if I don't get these in the mailbox this week.  Cheer me on, I need to stay on my toes!

Internet Math

2 businesses divided by a need to focus = weblog division.

I have decided in order to use my blog more effectively, they needed to split into two.  I love using my blog to keep on track and measure my progress as I move forward.  I felt the best thing would be to create a blog devoted entirely to beads and this one will now focus on illustration and my marketing efforts. 

The new Humblebeads Blog can be found here.  Please bookmark it and visit me often!  Also if you have a bead related blog, email me to exchange links. 

Humblebeads News

Some new additions at the ol' humblebeads ranch...

Lariat Necklace Kits are now in 5 different colors - teal, purple, copper, blue and olive.  Instructions are included along with everything else to make this necklace, except the tools.  : )

Sale now through March 3rd, choose either

Free Shipping with discount code M2006 or

10% off your entire order with discount code Spring07. 

Illustration Friday - Gravity

Oscar did not grasp the gravity of his token of affection this Valentine's Day.

First comes love...

Then comes marriage...

Then three little bears in a baby carriage.  (okay cradle)

Trying new things

I'm going to be experimenting this week with a few different ideas.  This one is markers on vellum with oil pastels.  Markers and crayons, I feel just like a kid again!

NY

What was New York?  A sea of talent washing away any doubt, fear and procrastination that has been holding me back. 

I loved seeing everyone's work, celebrating in their successes, hearing of the struggles and knowing each journey is as unique as the individual.  I loved meeting new people and wish I had more time to visit with everyone.

My favorite parts:

The workshop with Tomie dePaola. 

Hanging out with most of the PBJ's, including a chilly adventure in Times Square. 

All of the keynote speakers - I was glad to hear I was not the only one moved to tears on a few occasions. 

So now what?  Time to get serious.  Here are some goals I have set up for myself:

-update my website. check.

-send out samples

-send dummy book to agent

-work on next dummy book

-schedule and send postcards every 3 months. 

Marketing seemed like such a mystery before, it doesn't matter what you send as long as 1. it's your best work, 2. you send something regularly. 

6 Weird Things

Thanks to Roz and Dee...

Only six, hmm which ones to choose.  There are so many...

1. I'm almost as excited about the new season of Lost as I am about going to New York.  That's probably more sad than weird.

2. I love Mary Kay products, just love them.

3.  I can't sleep with socks on.

4.  I became a Christian after having a dream about how much God loves us.  A dream changed the entire course of my life, that's weird, huh? 

5. I don't drive.

6.  Oh this is a good one, I went out today with one eyebrow plucked and one looking like a wild hairy jungle.  (not to worry, both the beasts have been tamed.)

Now the hard part, here are the 6 I'm tagging:

and the rules:

Mom, Liz, Courtney, Jenny, and Amy.  Okay that's 5, but it seems everyone else is already playing along.  : )

Directions:

"Each person who gets tagged needs to write a blog post of their own 6 weird things as well as clearly state this rule. After you state your 6 weird things, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says “you’re tagged” in their comments and tell them to read your blog for information as to what it means."

And speaking of weird, don't trade your cows in for magic beans.  Magic beads, maybe.