Bethanie Murguia: Sketchpad

Yes, I'm still here...

2012-01-22T21:56:00.000-08:00

But here is now Los Angeles, and I have been buried (in a good way, of course) with work. I'm realizing that I haven't even done a brief update on the blog. So, in no particular order:
1. We've moved 400 miles away from Sausalito to Los Angeles, aka The Land of the Leafblower. I have plenty of thoughts and observations about my new home, and I hope to do a series of LA impressions at some point, but that will have to wait a while, because:
2. I am in the middle of final art for not one, but two picture books. I'm hard at work on SNIPPET (Knopf), an energetic little snail who drives his family crazy by waking up too early AND another ZOE book. Zoe is back and now, she must share her room--her precious room--with her little sister. But wait, who's Zoe, you ask? That's right, I keep forgetting...
3. ZOE GETS READY (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic) is not on shelves yet. But it will be soon (May)! And the trailer is finished. You can view it here. I'll be sharing more info as we get closer to the release date. In the meantime...
4. Back to work. *Cracks whip* I apologize for being out of touch. I miss my blogging friends and promise to post more frequently once the painting frenzy is over!

Illustration Friday: Round

2011-11-25T22:35:00.000-08:00

I've been drawing lots of birds this week. Meet Burly Bird (on the left). I haven't named the little guy yet.

Illustration Friday: Vanity

2011-11-18T22:41:00.000-08:00

Happy weekend everyone. I have a few book related updates: first of all, if any of you pick up the 2012 Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market, you'll find an interview with yours truly on page 167. This year's format is really great -- it's become so much more than just a listing of publishers. Also, Scholastic books just released their Spring 2012 preview. Check out the picture book interviews for a quick sneak peek of Zoe Gets Ready, due out in May. Thanks for stopping by!

Fairytale Town

2011-09-24T19:40:00.000-07:00

Fairytale Town was a blast: great weather, great audience AND I got to sit on a throne. Really, what more could a person ask for? Here are a few shots from today's ScholarShare author event: me doing a bug dance with the kids, reading, answering questions and being mobbed for fun giveaways. After my presentation, the lovely Kristi Yamaguchi took the stage.

If you are in the Sacramento area and have children, you must stop by this amazing place. We had to drag my girls away.

Illustration Friday: Mesmerizing

2011-09-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

Checking in with a quick Illustration Friday. Whenever the new chicks in the neighborhood hatch, they spend some time in a little coop. It is like a feature presentation for the dogs -- they sit in rapt attention with noses through the chicken wire for hours on end. Happy Saturday!

Bookplates

2011-08-31T16:40:00.000-07:00

My custom bookplates have finally arrived! If you'd like a signed and/or personalized bookplate, please send me a SASE along with the name(s) for personalization. Please email me for my address.

Illustration Friday: Swell

2011-08-12T21:44:00.000-07:00

Groundswell: okay, maybe it's not exactly the true meaning of the word...

I had some fun playing with pencil and photoshop rather than my usual pen and watercolor. I'm including both of my experiments. Happy Friday!

Illustration Friday: Stay

2011-07-09T22:38:00.001-07:00

Illustration Friday: Remedy

2011-07-01T22:03:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I had fun working on this week's IF with my daughter. (Mine above, hers below.) I explained to her what remedy meant and she immediately drew a chocolate ice cream cone. Is there any more perfect remedy than ice cream?! I am humbled. :)

I haven't been blogging as much as usual for the last month or so. We are attempting to sell our house. The process of living in it, staging it and keeping two kids and a dog at bay has taken up its fair share of time. Fingers-crossed for a quick and smooth transition so I can get back to more painting and drawing.

In the meantime, I have a guest post over at the Guide to Literary Agents blog. We're also giving away a copy of my book -- just comment on that blog post for a chance to win. Happy weekend!

T-Shirt Giveaways

2011-06-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Congrats to both Janel and Seekingzeal! I've decided to send BOTH of you a t-shirt. Please email me at bethanie (at) aquapup (dot) com with your mailing address as well as which size shirt you would prefer: extra small (2-4) or small (6-8).

For those of you in the Bay Area, I'll be at Books, Inc. in the Marina this Saturday (June 11th) at 11:00 AM. Please join me for a reading and activities for kids. Spread the word!

Illustration Friday: Asleep...And Some Photos!

2011-05-27T22:22:00.000-07:00

For some reason, I've been thinking about symbiotic relationships lately. What happens when the bird who cleans the crocodile's teeth falls asleep on the job?

On a completely unrelated note (as far as I can tell), I want to share a few photos from my book party last weekend. What fun! My good friend, Gina Risso, took wonderful photos. I've thrown in a few from other sources as well. By the way, if you like the Buglette t-shirts the kiddos are wearing, leave a comment on my previous blog entry. I'll be giving one away!

What party would be complete without aphid juice?

Cupcake scavengers (another one behind the lemonade, too.)

Ladybug cupcakes: red velvet, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Yum!

My "little" brother entertains the crowd.

Reading while being upstaged by a two-year old (my own).

I've learned that I make very strange faces when I sign books.

The kiddos (and some adults!) made Buglette antennae.

Me with my brother and sister-in-law

Someone is wearing a lot of stickers.

Giveaway winners and another giveaway!

2011-05-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the giveaway for my picture book, BUGLETTE, THE MESSY SLEEPER! Following are the winners. Congratulations! (We didn't reach 50 so I'll hold onto that original piece of art for another giveaway.) Please email me your mailing addresses (bethanie (at) aquapup (dot) com) and we'll get your books in the mail to you:
Jill
Nichole
Portia
Ben

Also, for those of you with little ones in your lives, I'm doing another BUGLETTE giveaway. This week it's a t-shirt (very fetching with jewels, as modeled by my daughter!). Just leave a comment on this post on or before June 3rd. I will give away one t-shirt, 100% cotton, screen-printed. I have size XS (2-4) or S (6-8). Good luck! As with the last contest, I can only mail to the US. I'll announce winners here on June 8th.

Soon, I'll be posting some photos from my launch party that took place at Book Passage in Corte Madera, CA this past weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, the crowd was wonderful AND we sold out of books!

Finally, now that my "30 Lessons Learned" is over, I will likely take a bit of a hiatus from the weekly blogging. Hopefully I will be doing more Illustration Fridays. I'm also in the middle of another couple of projects -- still learning lessons from those and DEFINITELY learning quite a bit about post-publication "stuff". I will likely put together another series soon. Feel free to chime in if you have any suggestions. :)

Happy Birthday Buglette (and a Reading List)

2011-05-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today is Buglette's birthday! I'll be visiting some great blogs next week for a virtual book tour. In the meantime, don't forget to leave a comment on last week's post for my book giveaway.

In honor of my little bug and her escapades, following are some of my favorite books with themes that are similar to Buglette. I hope you might enjoy some of these titles (along with Buglette, of course) for a hefty dose of not-so-quiet sleeping and unusual but uber-lovable little characters:

Not-so-quiet sleep books:
Bear Snores On, Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
Goodnight Gorilla, Peggy Rathmann
The Napping House, Audrey and Don Wood
Little Hoot, Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace
Roar of a Snore, Marsha Diane Arnold and Pierre Pratt
How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late, Mo Willems

Books with little heroes and heroines:
Song of Middle C, Alison McGhee
Jeremy Draws a Monster by Peter McCarty
Olivia, Ian Falconer
A Carousel Tale, Elisa Kleven
April and Esme, Tooth Fairies, Bob Graham
The Curious Garden, Peter Brown
Clever Jack Takes the Cake, Candace Fleming

Happy reading!

30 Lessons Learned, #30: Keep it simple (It's Giveaway Time!)

2011-05-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to announce that I'll be giving away signed copies of Buglette, The Messy Sleeper. I promise to keep it simple, in the wake of reading this blog post (check it out for a good chuckle).

Just leave a comment on THIS blog entry on or before May 21st. That's it! You don't need to jump through any blogging, Facebook or Twitter hoops. Winners will be announced here on Wednesday the 25th. I will be giving away one signed copy of Buglette for every 10 comments I receive, up to 50 comments. If I receive over 50 comments, I'll add a framed original illustration to the giveaway as well. Winners will be chosen from a random drawing. I can ship only to the US. My apologies to friends abroad.

So, go ahead and comment below. Your comment can be as simple as "I want a book". Please spread the word!

Thanks to those of you who have stuck with me from the beginning as well as all newcomers. Don't forget to check back here Wednesday, May 25th for a list of winners AND another fun giveaway.

30 Lessons Learned, #29: Be Ready for a Lot of Questions

2011-04-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

After the illustrations and manuscript were finalized, I received a marketing and publicity questionnaire from Random House that included questions like: how many Nobel Prizes have you won? Okay, that might be a small exaggeration, but it WAS eight pages of questions about my background, my education, my motivation, my honors, my media contacts, etc. As a first time author, it was daunting.

But, I slogged through and I am happy that the document forced me to think. It made me consider all aspects of my life and how they might relate to this new path as a writer and illustrator. It made me consider interview questions that have come up again and again. It gave shape and weight to my aspirations -- that felt good!

Here is one recent interview, this one is with California Readers. It covers some ground that (amazingly), I haven't covered in my blog ramblings.

PS, Giveaways will begin next week. Check back next Wednesday for details. :)

Illustration Friday: Bicycle

2011-04-22T11:47:00.000-07:00

This is a quick sketch of some of my favorite things. Of course, bikes are front and center. (I used to race bicycles.) Now, my cycling time is limited to quick outings. Still, I feel like a kid whenever I'm on a bike. I hope that never changes. Other favorite things: tree houses, terracotta, convertibles, fountains, fruit trees, swings, books and art studios.

30 Lessons Learned, #28: Disco, Birthdays and Time

2011-04-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today is Disco's birthday. (Disco is our 10 year old vizsla.) My eldest daughter's birthday was two days ago. My youngest daughter's birthday was a month ago. Starting in January, we enter our annual "birthday season" where nearly each weekend is punctuated by a birthday party for one of my children's friends. For some reason, they are all bunched up during these months.

When I sat down to write this post, I began to think about all of these events in our lives that require our attention. Our years are broken down into events, our months are broken down into events and our days are broken down into events. On top of that, I tend to categorize my time. As a mom, I have kid time and grown up time. Life can feel so fragmented! It is easy to long for more time of one kind or another. But somewhere along the line, I realized that kid time and work time are not so separate. I will admit that I often want more time for painting or writing. But realizing that I am an artist AND a mom whether I'm changing diapers or hunched over my drawing table makes for a lot less mental anguish. That is a lesson that I learn and re-learn daily. :) I continue to look for ways to bring these worlds together, rather than drawing lines between them.

I recently wrote an article for my Mom's Club about creativity and where it fits into life. I've posted some excerpts below. Obviously it is aimed at parents of small children, but I'd like to think that it behooves us all to find time to be creative in our own way:

GETTING CREATIVE

As parents, our time is often limited and segmented. Finding opportunities to be creative can be difficult. And with so many demands from all sides, creativity may not be a priority. Still, I've realized that having a creative outlet is essential to my mental health-perhaps even more than it was before I had children.

Why it's important

Creativity is your own. Time spent creating can balance the hours parents spend providing for and focused on others. The sense of "flow" while creating - much like meditation - is often healing and rejuvenating. And creation is about making something, even if you choose to keep it to yourself. In a society that is very focused on consuming, taking time to produce can be refreshing.

Rethinking creativity

You may be wishing for a creative outlet but uncertain how to fit one into your life. Before kids, I had weekends of uninterrupted time that I could devote to projects. Also before kids, I could easily clear my brain and really sink into creative work. Neither of those is true anymore. But over the months and years since my first daughter was born, I've found new ways to fit creativity into my life. I've learned from other parents doing the same. Here are a few suggestions:

Think small: Consider projects that can be completed in short periods or broken up easily into smaller chunks.

Make it your own: Choose something that you really want to do. Creative projects that others ask you to do can be fulfilling, but for a true escape, choose something without strings or commitments attached.

Take classes or lessons: Choose to learn something new or take a class as a refresher, even if it is simply to reserve a bit of creative time in your schedule.

Start your own circle: A mom on my street has organized a knitting circle for a few hours every other week. It's been a great learning opportunity for those who didn't know how to knit before. It's creative, it's social and it fits well into busy lives.

Join an online community: Investigate your interests online. There is a community for everything. I participate in an online group for illustrators (Illustration Friday). We are given a word "prompt" each week. I take an hour or two to make a picture, scan it and upload it. It is a simple, fun way to scratch the creative itch. Plus, it connects me to thousands of illustrators around the world who are doing the same thing. (Like me, many of them are parents who look forward to drawing with crayons even after their kids go to bed.) The online option gives flexibility-you can do it when it's convenient.

Jumpstart your creativity by becoming part of an established group: Often you can find local groups that bring people with similar interests together. For example, our bookstore hosts a variety of salons that focus on specific genres of books and writing. It can be inspiring and motivating to see what others are doing.

Simply take twenty minutes: Writing is a great way to reconnect with your creative self-the self that can easily become hidden underneath a mass of chores and to-do lists. You don't need a lot of time. In The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron suggests writing for roughly 20 minutes each day with no editing and no premeditation-just keep the pen moving to see what comes out. You will find recurring themes and very likely uncover some creative impulses. At the very least, it clears the mind in a most welcome way.

30 Lessons Learned, #27: Order Up (Restaurant Supplies for the Illustrator)

2011-04-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Technically, I learned about these gadgets after I finished Buglette. But, they are just so awesome that I have to let people know. If I'm the last one to this party and you all have had these in your studios forever, well, then please humor me. :)

These are slide order racks -- yes, the contraptions in diners that seem to magically hold orders in the air. It just so happens that you can get them in various lengths and they hold art, too. What could be more perfect for multi-page work? You can see everything at once, move images around easily and you don't have to deal with tape or any other nonsense of the sort. I think they are filled with marbles. Maybe magical marbles. If you choose not to hang them on the wall and just play with them instead, they are the loudest rain sticks you have ever encountered. (Sorry about the ugly, ugly flash photography.)

30 Lessons Learned, #26: Remember Your Audience

2011-04-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

I want to take a moment to thank my faithful readers! I love your comments and interactions. Please keep visiting; I will be doing a few giveaways in the coming weeks. And now, back to my lesson:

I've been starting to contemplate readings and signings. I'll be doing readings at a number of Bay Area bookstores. Since I'm a visual person, I want to bring things for people to look at and/or interact with at presentations. Plus, as a somewhat shy person, I'd much rather share the stage than have it all to myself.

So, I decided that it would be fun to have a little Buglette doll to bring along as well as leaves for my little listeners to sit on. (Thank you Mom for helping me to sew 20 leaf cushions!) It always amazes me how much better kids do at listening when they have a "spot". I'm hoping the leaves will serve this purpose.

30 Lessons Learned, #25: Don't Forget to Have Fun (Rubber Stamps!)

2011-03-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

This is a fun and frivolous little post about rubber stamps. Not long after I finished the art for the book, I decided that Buglette rubber stamps would be lots of fun. So, I did some line drawings and had these two stamps made.

And, indeed, they are fun (although clearly I need to work on my stamping skillz). It's taking lots of self-restraint not to stamp everything in sight. I'm hoping the kids at my readings will enjoy them as much as I have! (Today I even sent away for a few more.)

30 Lessons Learned, #24: The Cover May Paralyze You

2011-03-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Before I get into this week's post, I want to let folks know that you can enter to win a copy of Buglette at Goodreads. As well, there will be fun giveaways happening here on the blog in the coming weeks. Stay tuned! :)

I tried a few sketch directions and everyone gravitated toward one image fairly quickly. After a few small revisions, the sketch was approved. (Whew, one hurdle down!) The cover image was straightforward -- it was not a huge challenge for me technically. But, I found it very difficult to actually do the cover. It had to be perfect. It was the cover after all. Paralysis set in and lasted for a while. And then, multiple rounds with the tiniest variations began. Thank goodness for deadlines or I might still be working on it.

Now that it is done, I am happy. I like the simplicity and color combinations. I also enjoyed doing the lettering.

Illustration Friday: Cultivate

2011-03-18T21:26:00.000-07:00

It was sooooo frustrating for my 7-year old self that my new little brother couldn't walk OR talk OR follow instructions when he was born. I came up with all kinds of plots (not this one exactly) to make him grow faster.

I've been missing my IF buddies! I'm in the middle of a big old deadline, but I hope to get back to IF more regularly in a month or so.

30 Lessons Learned, #23: Book Trailers are Fun (if you don't have to do the work)

2011-03-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

It seems that book trailers are all the rage these days so I wanted to make one. Or, I should say, I enlisted my talented family to make one. I just did a simple storyboard. Then my husband did the editing and animation (lucky me) and my brother, a composer, did the music (lucky me). It was a very fun collaborative project.

You can view it here: http://www.aquapup.com/buglette

30 Lessons Learned, #22: It's More Than Just 32 Pages

2011-03-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'm realizing that there's plenty more to be done once the book is finished, i.e. marketing and promotion. I used to work as a designer in a marketing agency and thus, I like to think about tie-ins and promo pieces. This is a mock up of one of the pieces I proposed: a door hanger. It seems like a perfect tie-in for little dreamers. My publisher has been wonderfully receptive to ideas (yay!) and they are producing door hangers, stickers and postcards.

As an aside, two lovely pre-spring surprises arrived at my house this past week. One: my advance copy of Buglette! Having my own book in the house is a bit surreal. I smile every time I walk by it. And two: beautiful flowers from my friend that perfectly match the cover of the book. I had to take a photo...

30 Lessons Learned, #21: Swatches are a Girl's Best Friend

2011-03-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

I have a drawer full of watercolor swatches. These are palettes that I've used for previous paintings and/or just colors that I've mixed together and like. The colors in each swatch are noted in abbreviations because I tend to forget what I've used. These swatches are a great starting point for paintings. When I'm first considering the mood of an illustration, I'll often empty this drawer in front of me and start picking through for colors and combinations that give the right feel. Also, because this particular project is multi-page, it helped me to hang swatches/color palettes with the sketches (all over my walls) so I could see how the various color palettes work together.

A quick side note: I was the winner of a fabulous onesie from Joy Nevada's Etsy shop. Her illustrations are whimsical and suited perfectly to apparel for little ones. Thank you, Nevada!

30 Lessons Learned, #20: Sometimes it Works the First Time

2011-02-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Just so last week's post doesn't make watercolor painting sound too ominous, I should mention that there are times when it works the first time around. After a quick color study, this spread came together just as I had hoped it would. (Mama, Spot, Red and Buglette are picking aphids for dinner. Of course.)

Illustration Friday: Layer

2011-02-18T20:36:00.000-08:00

The more layers in your tutu, the better you are at ballet. (This is what I've been told by some very young and very opinionated ballerinas.)

30 Lessons Learned, #19: You Cannot Bend Watercolor to Your Will

2011-02-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

Admittedly, I learned this lesson long before I started on this project. Watercolor is very unforgiving. You can't go back in and "noodle around" with it until it does what you want. Thus, many of the paintings for this book were done multiple times. Yes, this may point to shortcoming(s) on my part, but ever since I heard Jon Muth's editor talk about his multiple takes on paintings, I feel pretty darn good about doing as many attempts as it takes. :)

Following is a case study of one spread from thumbnail to finished painting. I begin with quick thumbnails and character sketches. My initial crow was too friendly, so you'll see he becomes more intimidating as time goes on. There are a few color studies: I was playing around with tone and value. Should the crow be darker than the background or vice versa? I was very excited when I came up with the orange legs/feet. I think they are the perfect complement to the cool darkness in the rest of the painting. I think there were 2 or 3 more interim paintings before I arrived at the final piece (they must have been sacrificed to the 4-year old who likes to show me what I should have done with my paintings).

Illustration Friday: Sweater

2011-02-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

Heater vent sweater (and heater vent hair)

30 Lessons Learned, #18: Some Things Really are in Your DNA

2011-02-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

When I was at my childhood home recently, I had the chance to peruse the attic. My mom, for better or worse, has saved every piece of my artwork. I came across a drawing in a "book" that I made eons ago. I'm thinking I was 7 or 8? I had just finished working on a trapeze spread for Buglette (below). It really makes me believe that some images are just in our DNA. Perhaps it's time for me to take my trapeze lessons? :)

30 Lessons Learned, #17: There are Still New Favorite Colors to be Found

2011-02-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

Finding new favorite colors is one of life's greatest joys--especially when you've been painting for a while and think there are no new colors left to meet. I am always intrigued by watercolors and how each paint reacts uniquely to other pigments, to water, to drying, etc.

There are all kinds of philosophies about using watercolor paint. The one book that I go back to again and again is Transparent Watercolor Wheel. And may I just say, holy moly, I must not be the only person who feels that way. I just realized that the book is out of print and getting pretty darn expensive. (Not only did it teach me how to paint, it might pay for my retirement as well.)

For the watercolor buffs out there, I want to share a couple of my new favorite colors:
Manganese blue, Holbein
Mineral violet, Holbein
Raw umber, Winsor Newton

Speaking of favorites, I wanted to share a couple of fun tidbits:
1. I am the recipient of two beautiful hand made cards from my blogging friend Jane. She held a contest and I was a lucky winner. I can't wait to see them in person. Jane also makes stunning jewelry.
2. My friend Cindy Ann Ganaden featured yours truly on her blog this past week. Cindy is an amazing illustrator. Her sketchbook stories focus on artists' inspiration -- they are definitely worth a look.

Illustration Friday: Surrender

2011-01-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

Even the mightiest of beasts surrenders to the whim of the porcupine.

30 Lessons Learned, #16: You May Become Paranoid

2011-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

This is likely to happen if you have two children in the house AND your kitchen is your studio. Or maybe it just happens to everyone?

I purchased a very sturdy cardboard box for my final pieces. Still, as the stack of finished art grew, I started to worry about water, milk and flying cheddar bunnies. My daughter's social life suffered because I was afraid to have roving gangs of children in the house. Then, I began to worry about natural disasters. I have never been so happy to safely deliver a package of ANYTHING in my life. And, because I live close to Tricycle Press, I was able to hand deliver the art. Very satisfying!

I was at a conference where Barney Saltzberg mentioned that all of the art for one of his books had been thrown away by a janitor at the printer. He had a very zen response, choosing to look at the experience as a sign and an opportunity for growth. I think I need to meditate more. A lot more.

Illustration Friday: Dusty

2011-01-21T21:51:00.000-08:00

The first post-hibernation yawn-stretch:

30 Lessons Learned, #15: Don't Paint in Order

2011-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

As a follow up to last week's "process" post, I wanted to mention that I chose to paint the images in the book out of order. I made this decision for a few reasons. One: If the painting style does happen to "evolve" a bit as you paint, I think painting the images out of order makes it less apparent to the reader. Two: it helped (psychologically) to get some of the harder paintings out of the way in the beginning. I can usually tell from the sketches which paintings might be more difficult. However, I can't tell how long difficult paintings are going to take! I'd rather have the wild cards at the beginning of my schedule than at the end. Three: it allowed me to paint some of the supporting characters in sequence. For example, there is a crow character that appears on a few spreads. I knew that I wanted to paint all of the crow images together.

Every book is different and there are probably plenty of good reasons to paint sequentially. For now though, I'll stand by my mix it up theory.

Illustration Friday: Chicken

2011-01-14T11:31:00.000-08:00

Chicken Wrangling! This is almost a daily occurrence on our little street. The neighborhood chickens need to be returned to their coops in the evening after free ranging in various yards. The kids are always big helpers. :)

30 Lessons Learned, #14: When in Doubt, Make a List

2011-01-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Buglette is the first picture book project I've done. As I began to work on sketches, the magnitude of the work became apparent. 32 pages of images. Plus a cover! ALL of the images would have to be consistent in color and line weight. The first image and the last image (created 4 months apart) would need to feel the same. The characters would need to be depicted consistently throughout. Moreover, the color schemes from spread to spread would need variation and an appropriate rhythm. The design of the pages would need rhythm. All of the advice I had read about picture books and heard about picture book illustration in school was flooding into my head. And while it made perfect sense in the abstract, it was somewhat overwhelming in reality. Where to begin? My mind raced. So, as is the case with most things in life that I want to wrangle under my control, I made a list:
1. Rough sketches
2. Plaster my kitchen wall with rough sketches at actual trim size
3. Look at the pacing
4. Adjust pacing as necessary
5. Submit for approval
6. Revisions
7. After approval, refine rough sketches at actual trim size
8. Create color palettes for each spread
9. Look at the color palettes in order and adjust as necessary
10. Make a calendar showing how many images need to be finished per week. (Begin losing hair and eating more ice cream as a result.)

That got me through the first book. If anyone would like to share tips as to how one might accomplish the task with more hair intact, please let me know your secrets. :)

Illustration Friday: Deja Vu

2011-01-07T21:39:00.000-08:00

As Tillie approached the shop, she couldn't shake the sense that she'd been there before.

30 Lessons Learned, #13: 250 words is not just 250 words

2011-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

My manuscript was roughly 250 words long when we began the editing process. We added words as we went along. From what I've heard, this is not typical. But I tend to rely heavily on images to tell the story and my editor wanted the book to work well as a read-aloud for the youngest audiences. I agreed. I think we ended up at roughly 400 words. Probably only about 100 of my original words are in those final 400. I considered getting all math-geek on things and doing massive word counts, etc., but I decided to let that go and give you this equation:

250 original words times 1 bajillion words (about those 250 original words) from my editor divided by 1 gazillion words (about editor's 1 bajillion words) from me = 400 words (or thereabouts).

If you've ever looked at a picture book and thought, "Even I can muster up the strength to write 400 words", I encourage you to consider the equation above.

Still, I love the editing process. My editors keep me honest and they make my stories better.

30 Lessons Learned, #12: Working in the Kitchen has its Advantages

2010-12-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

This was my kitchen before I started painting again.

This was my kitchen mid-project.

This was my kitchen near the height of chaos.

We live in a small (SMALL) cottage on a wonderful street in a place that makes me feel like I'm on vacation every day. We have amazing neighbors. And so, here we stay in a home that fit perfectly when we were a two person family. Now we are four and a dog. Still, working in the kitchen does have its advantages. For the stay-at-home mom, the studio/kitchen is the perfect setup. With two kids, nearly all of my day revolves around the kitchen: breakfast, second breakfast, snacks, drinks…you get the picture. With my art in the kitchen, even when I'm not actively working, I'm subconsciously working. I'm looking at images in progress and solving problems during the day. When it comes time to work at night, I'm often ready to dig in because I've spent so much time looking at the previous night's work.

Illustration Friday: Winter

2010-12-24T13:43:00.000-08:00

Winter in Sausalito, that is. Happy holidays to all!

30 Lessons Learned, #11: Enjoy the Ride (It's a Rollercoaster, part 2)

2010-12-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

A follow-up to last week's rollercoaster post: my picture book with the uncertain future now has a home at Knopf. I am just beginning to learn the details. So, for this week, the rollercoaster is on the way up. It is a lesson in patience and humility as I learn to take the long view and just enjoy the ride. Enjoy the ride. Enjoy the ride. My new mantra. :)

Illustration Friday: Mail

2010-12-17T16:39:00.000-08:00

Hive a Happy Holiday!
My neighbors have bee hives. They tell me one can order bees by mail. The text bubble will be lost on some of my international friends, but I think those of you in the US will recognize these words.

30 Lessons Learned, #10: It's a Rollercoaster

2010-12-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

I've heard many people say that this is not a business for the faint of heart. It seems that most authors have experienced some disappointment after receiving offers for publication: they've lost editors to other publishing houses, they've had contracts cancelled, etc. If one is not in their shoes, it is easy to look at these occurrences as little bumps on the road.

However, I've had my first small "bump on the road", and from the inside, it certainly feels much more like a big old pothole. Well,let's just say rollercoaster. I received a call recently from Tricycle Press, the publisher of my first book. They are being closed by their parent company. I feel quite fortunate that my first book with them is still going to press as planned, but one of my contracts with them now has an uncertain future. It is hard to go from the excitement of an offer to uncertainty. And while I understand that it is a business decision to close the imprint, it feels very personal as well. My experience with Tricycle has been fantastic on all levels: they are wonderful people, marketers, editors and designers. And, they make wonderful, quirky books. (I'm a sucker for quirky books.) I am sad to lose this publishing "home".

Illustration Friday: Phenomenon

2010-12-10T21:51:00.000-08:00

A chameleon's holiday tail phenomenon…

By the by, some of my work is on display in a juried show (of children's book illustrators) at the Brick Alley Art Studio. It's a lovely gallery and they have a Saturday Art Walk tomorrow evening should you find yourself in Sacramento, CA. I learned today that my work was awarded best of show. How's that for a nice Friday morning piece of news?!

My favorite piece of Friday morning correspondence, however, came from a 9-year old girl and her mom. They emailed drawings inspired by some of my work. I am so touched and honored. And may I say, this 9-year old is quite the artistic phenomenon herself.

Happy holidays.

30 Lessons Learned, #9: Find Your Own Art Directors

2010-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

I am lucky. My husband is an art director (although not of children's books). He usually comes home after a long day at work to my pictures spread out on the kitchen table and a barrage of questions. (An art director's work is never done.) My kiddos are privy to a lot of conversations along the lines of: "Maybe it needs more blue here. What if the frog's eyes were a bit more menacing? Oh, is that supposed to be a wing?"

I find it so helpful to have other eyes on my work and people who will be honest with their feedback. Finding your own art directors is key. They may be under your roof. They may be in your critique group. They may be online. They may come inside 4-year old bodies. Recently, my 4-year daughter took a look at one of my paintings and said, "You know Mama, it's good but I think it could use some sparkles."

While the sparkle comment just made me laugh, her reactions to my work are often genuinely helpful. If she can't tell me in one sentence what's happening in an image, I know that the image is not succeeding. In addition to my in-house art directors, I belong to two different critique groups. With that many eyes on my work, it doesn't take long to realize where I have holes in my writing or images.

30 Lessons Learned, #8: The Answer is Obvious, Once You Figure it Out

2010-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

People talk a lot about this elusive thing in writing called voice. I suppose style is (kind of?) the illustration equivalent. I was in art school in the 1990s. The picture books I studied had long texts and complex painterly illustrations. Often they were based on folks tales and legends that called for ornate period costumes. I tried my hand at this type of work but it never quite clicked for me.

Then a new generation of picture books was born -- they were simpler in both text and images. I really connected with some of those books. Olivia, anyone? I LOVE that pig. And I began to find my own voice in writing and illustration: simple and clear with a touch of humor.

In retrospect, it seems so obvious, especially when I look at myself as a person. As much as possible, I live a simple life -- I opt for simple clothes, usually no makeup, I'd rather walk than drive, etc. I wear earrings so infrequently that both of my daughters get excited on the rare occasions when I do. :) So, doesn't it make sense that my work would be similar? As I'm writing this post, it all sounds so obvious that perhaps it doesn't even need to be stated. But it was interesting to me when I began to connect the dots, and who knows, it may give some of you insights into your path or process. Happy December!

Illustration Friday: Savour

2010-11-26T21:10:00.000-08:00

The last cup of water before the light goes out.

30 Lessons Learned, #7: Live Near a Good Coffee Shop

2010-11-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

I have two young kids and the chaos in our house is not often conducive to thinking. When I need to write, I ride my bike to the coffee shop, order a cup of coffee and then grab the table in the corner. I order only a cup of coffee because as soon as I start thinking about whether I need a muffin or a pumpkin cookie moon pie or whatever other amazing pastry they've whipped up for the day, the focus is no longer on the writing.

I like the commotion and activity of the cafe. Silence is deadly for me. Thank you cafe owners for allowing me to "rent" a table for $3.00 when I need to get something done. :)

Happy Thanksgiving all!

30 Lessons Learned, #6: Your Experience Will Serve You

2010-11-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

For most of my life, I have wanted to write and illustrate books. I've tried on and off over the years to do so. It is only recently that I'm beginning to find inspiration and a voice that feels authentic. I'm realizing though, that all of my various pursuits up to this point are informing what I do now. This is amazing to me because when I wasn't illustrating or writing, I always felt so far away from it. My jobs and pursuits felt completely unrelated. But when I look at my current work, I see all of those years woven in. For example:
1. I worked as an art director for years. Most of that time was spent designing multi-page publications. Some were magazines but most were (gulp) catalogs. I realize now that this was my bootcamp for understanding pacing and page design.
2. I worked in a calligraphy studio. This was my bootcamp for lettering and drawing with nibs. I am more comfortable with a dip pen and india ink than a marker.
3. I've spent a lot of training time on a bike. I've gotten to know Northern California from the seat of a bike. The terrain and early morning scenery live in my brain. I find that I gravitate toward those colors and landscapes frequently in my images.

I suppose my point is that all life experience gives us resources from which to draw. And when the time is right, those experiences can come together in unexpected and wonderful ways. I'd love to know if you agree. :)

Illustration Friday: Burning

2010-11-15T19:15:00.000-08:00

Burning cheeks: the realization that polka dot footie pajamas are no longer okay to wear to school. My daughter is four. She has pajama day at her preschool. I'm assuming that, at some point, she probably won't think wearing pajamas to school is the best thing ever. When exactly does that happen?!

30 Lessons Learned, #5: Getting Ideas Down on Paper (Part Two)

2010-11-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Last week I wrote a bit about my process. Did I mention that I love thumbnails? Okay, good. Then, picking up where I left off:

My thumbnails are rough (they’re only about 1” x 2”). I enlarge them and refine. I do this again to arrive at a rough sketch. I like to sketch at a small size. That is my comfort zone. As a student, I tried to begin by sketching large images, assuming that beginning with a larger sketch would result in more detailed images. I was always frustrated by the results. It has taken me years to develop this process, but I’ve finally figured out that working from a thumbnail is the right method for me.

I enlarge the rough sketches to use in my dummies. I think this works on two levels. One, I can work in my comfort zone (smaller sketches) and two, it keeps the sketches from becoming unnecessarily detailed at this early stage. It’s easy to get drawn into the details and distracted from the purpose of each image.

I’ve arrived at this method of working because of my background as a designer, illustrator and writer. I continue to be amazed at the ways in which we all bring our unique experience and strengths to the process of creating children’s books and always love to hear about what works or doesn't for everyone else out there.

Here's a progression from smallest, roughest thumbnails to intermediate thumbnails and then a loose sketch:

30 Lessons Learned, #4: Getting Ideas Down on Paper (Part One)

2010-11-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hi all, just a quick note to let you know that I am SWAMPED with work. I may not be doing Illustration Friday quite as much (sniff) but I'll still be posting on Wednesdays. I hope to be back to IF soon. I miss it already. Now, on to the topic of the week:

People tend to be curious about my process and whether I begin with words or images. In my case, both are woven together. Most projects begin with a spark of inspiration—usually a character idea or an observation of a quirk that develops into a character. After that initial spark, I do rough sketches of the character. I keep them very loose and try various poses and expressions. This helps me get to know the character.

I also begin to consider dialogue: what does the character think or say? This guides me into the story. I try to envision the character’s environment and how the character exists within that environment. I also begin to envision the other players in the story and their relationship to the main character.

Next, I like to think about spreads. What are the moments of action in the story? I jot down notes about various scenes, sometimes with sketchy thumbnails in my notebook. I brainstorm and put as many possibilities down on paper as I can. This stage is not about the plot. It is about getting to know the character(s) and key interactions. I am drawn to humor so this is often about the moments—either visual or written—that make me chuckle.

After some time has passed, I review the scenes with a fresh perspective. I circle the most cohesive parts. Often an order begins to suggest itself. At this stage, I like to do thumbnails of the whole book. In art school, I didn’t understand thumbnails. It frustrated me that I couldn’t put any detail into those little squares. It wasn’t until I began to work as a designer that I came to value them. Now, I love thumbnails for their ability to show size relationships, positive/negative space and pacing at a quick glance. In my studio, there is a drawer full of legal sized sheets, each printed with thumbnail rectangles. There’s no need to mess with rulers or drawing rectangles or anything else that might distract me. I write. I sketch. I write. I sketch.

(Part two will be posted next week!)

30 Lessons Learned, #3: Kill Your Babies

2010-10-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

I am a very independent person (at least I like to think so). In the past, I've been guilty of trying to write and illustrate in a vacuum. It just seems easier that way. But this past year, I've found my way into two critique groups. And now, I look forward to the groups and use them as deadlines to keep moving forward. The feedback and interaction has helped me to grow as a writer and illustrator.

A favorite piece of advice came from one of these groups. Probably lots of seasoned writers are familiar with this, but it was new to me: kill your babies. Any part of my writing that I love in a completely irrational way probably needs to go. It is hard. In fact, I had another name for a main character that I adored. It was perfect. It just HAD to be the name. But I couldn't figure out a way to spell it that would make it easily pronounceable. And thus, after a few weeks of mourning, I (sniff) let it go. I think this is important for illustration too. There are plenty of situations where I become attached to a sketch because of a cool perspective or fun detail and forget about the overall goal of the image. In the end, images (and words) need to tell the story first.

Illustration Friday: Racing

2010-10-22T22:32:00.000-07:00

It's raining here which means lots of racing: adults racing indoors and kiddos racing out.

30 Lessons Learned, #2: Inspiration Arrives at the Strangest Times

2010-10-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Over the years, I've tried to keep daily journals and sketchbooks. Unfortunately, I haven't been particularly faithful at either. I do, however, keep an idea book. I jot down phrases that catch my ear and/or strike my funny bone. Sometimes I do quick sketches. The entries are nothing more than that. However, I've found that the simple act of writing/sketching keeps the ideas brewing in my mind. They simmer away until they're cooked. A couple of years ago, I had written the phrase "messy sleeper" in my notebook. I was thinking about people who tear their beds apart every night vs. those whose beds are still perfectly made in the morning. There was something intriguing about that to me. It simmered for a few years.

Then, when I was a slightly delirious, sleep-deprived Mama with a newborn and feisty 3-year old, my friend asked me to take a writing workshop. I was too tired to say no. As I started to mull over story ideas, I was struck by the contrast between my swaddled newborn who slept so calmly, so neatly and my 3-year old who thrashed from one end of her bed to the other every night. I thought about the "messy sleeping" note in my notebook. I began to suspect that my 3-year old was having BIG dreams. And the story of Buglette was born.

Looking back, I suppose it’s not surprising that I wrote a book about sleep at the point in my life when I was getting the least. Now that my kids are (slightly) older, I'm finding inspiration in the piles of clothes all over their room. Hopefully this will be the upside to the loads of laundry I find myself doing lately.

Illustration Friday: Spooky

2010-10-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

This is in honor of my 18-month old who is literally afraid of her own shadow (a new and hopefully short-lived phase).

After receiving an award from Leen Christens, I am excited to pass it on to some more Illustration Friday bloggers whose work I truly enjoy. The list could be much, much longer but I tried not to include folks who have already received the award. Thanks everyone for stopping by!

Yiannis Stilos
Sarah Bowie
Christine Grove
Nicola Killen
Jennifer
Kaitlin McCane
Brooke Boynton
Vera Lluch
Lesley Grainger
Wendy W. Lee

30 Lessons Learned, #1: Always Have Another Project

2010-10-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

It was exactly a year ago today that I received a call from Nicole Geiger, the publisher at Tricycle Press (Random House Children's Books). That was the beginning of my journey to publication as an author and illustrator. So, on that anniversary, it seems fitting to begin sharing some of the process. I've decided to do weekly blogs—thirty lessons that I've learned along the way. Some lessons are frivolous and some deeply meaningful (to me, at least). I hope they will be enjoyable for all. I'm also happy to answer any and all general questions from folks about the process. Please feel free to leave them in the comments. I am currently working on new projects and can only hope that I will learn another 30 lessons from each. :)

So, back to the phone call. Nicole told me that they were interested in the dummy I had submitted, asked me a few questions about myself and then said that she would be in touch soon. Barring anything unforeseen, she expected that Tricycle would make an offer on the book in a few weeks. I was thrilled. Writing and illustrating a children's book has truly been a lifelong dream. However, I was a bundle of nerves. Would the offer really come through? What if something unforeseen DID happen. I mentioned to a writer friend of mine that I was jumping out of my skin and she gave me one of the best pieces of advice EVER. She said, "It's time to start on your next project." I have gone back to that advice again and again over the past year. It has served me well because there is plenty of waiting during the process of making a book: waiting for the offer, for revisions, for comments on art, etc. Waiting is the perfect time to dig into something other than a tub of ice cream (or in addition to a tub of ice cream, more on that later).

That friend, by the way, is the fabulous Amy Novesky, author of two stunning picture books (and more on the way). Her latest release, Me, Frida, is illustrated by Caldecott winner David Diaz and is a captivating read about Frida Kahlo's time in San Francisco.

Illustration Friday: Transportation

2010-10-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

I've just returned from a mini-vacation to Safari West (only an hour from my house and a very special treat.) The family had a wonderful time and, in addition to all kinds of amazing big beasts, we watched newly hatched baby swans taking piggyback rides.

I have a couple of blog notes. First of all, I want to thank Leen Christens for giving me a very nice shout out. I'm looking forward to passing on the good will. Also, fellow writer Lynne Marie Pisano has a short writing prompt on her blog from yours truly. Her blog is full of interesting tidbits for writers and illustrators alike.

Illustration Friday: Beneath

2010-10-01T11:22:00.000-07:00

Happy weekend everyone!

Illustration Friday: Old-fashioned

2010-09-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

"Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer sitting on a branch," said Walter to the birds on the wire.

(Obviously I'm continuing on with the bird on a wire theme from last week.) I've been doing IF since May and wanted to take a moment to thank the IF community for your support and encouragement. I LOVE seeing all of the fantastic work and I am so jazzed that people take the time to leave comments. Soon, in addition to IF, I'll be blogging weekly about the process of making my first picture book. Please consider becoming a follower. Thank you!

Illustration Friday: Acrobat

2010-09-17T19:57:00.000-07:00

I did two images because it's such a fun prompt this week! I remember having levitation dreams as a kid. They were AMAZING. Being on a trampoline is the closest I've come in real life. In fact, I had the chance to do some trampolining with a bungee harness (I'm sure there's a technical term for this?) a few weeks ago and that was super cool.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently finished my first picture book. I am considering doing weekly blog entries about the whole process. Is that something folks would like to read? If so, please let me know in the comments. Happy weekend everyone!

Illustration Friday: Proverb

2010-09-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday: Dessert

2010-09-03T21:17:00.000-07:00

Dessert is an apt word, because this week, life is sweet. I received a sneak peek of the cover of my forthcoming picture book, Buglette the Messy Sleeper (Tricycle Press/Random House Kids, May 2011). Woot! I could not be more excited. The cover is below—along with dessert, of course.

Webinar with Agent Mary Kole

2010-09-01T14:31:00.000-07:00

My amazingly fabulous agent, Mary Kole, will be teaching a webinar about writing for children with the folks at Writer's Digest. Mary has incredible editorial instincts and is also unbelievably knowledgeable about the industry in general. Plus, she has offered to critique the work of all participants! Click on this link for details and much more information.

Mary blogs at kidlit.com. You can get a good sense of what she's all about if you check out her site.

Illustration Friday: Immovable

2010-08-27T22:11:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday: Atmosphere

2010-08-20T22:21:00.000-07:00

Another aquatic theme this week -- I've been daydreaming about swimming lately. Perhaps this happens when one lives near San Francisco and endures a foggy, cold "summer". I've been layered in sweatshirts and sweaters for weeks.

Illustration Friday: Stargazing

2010-08-13T21:01:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday: Caged

2010-08-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

I painted two images for this week -- both with a bear theme (can't exactly say why that is). Happy Friday!

The bear cub awoke from his nap with a strong suspicion that something was not quite right.

Try as he might, the panda just could not keep up with the bamboo.
(The bamboo next to our house grows FREAKISHLY fast. It's actually unsettling.)

Illustration Friday: Artificial

2010-07-30T23:12:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday: Double

2010-07-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday: Breakfast

2010-07-16T21:23:00.000-07:00

I wonder what's for breakfast: the leaf, the caterpillar or the bird. Hmmm....

Ripples!

2010-07-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

My sketch card appears on the Ripple blog today (which just happens to be my birthday!):

For those who aren't aware of it, the Ripple blog allows folks to help with the gulf oil spill...either by contributing images or purchasing. I've been doing both :) The Mo Willems painting I purchased arrived in the mail this afternoon -- one of my favorite birthday "gifts" ever!

Illustration Friday: Diary

2010-07-09T21:54:00.000-07:00

Groundhog Day Eve...

Illustration Friday: Giant

2010-07-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday: Satellite

2010-06-27T22:48:00.001-07:00

Okay, it's a bit of a stretch, but after a week in New York with insects circling my head like little buzzing satellites, well...

And, just to have my bases covered, I've included a very literal version of parent and child satellites. "The world doesn't revolve around you" quote is one that I heard quite a bit as a kiddo.

Illustration Friday: Trail

2010-06-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

Trailing behind a crazed biker is not the best plight. Poor stuffed lion. Again this week, I stuck with a loose sketch rather than inking and painting...very refreshing!

Illustration Friday: Slither

2010-06-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

The "if I stay low and creep ever so slowly, you won't notice me moving in on your ice cream" slither. Just a sketch this week since I was out of town and paint-less :)

Bouncy Bug

2010-05-26T14:42:00.000-07:00

My daughter was playing with "googly eyes" yesterday. Couldn't help myself...I had to get in on the fun.

Early (Illustration Friday on Monday)

2010-05-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

The theme for the week is early. As a high school swimmer, I feared diving in too early at the start of the race. (And thus, I was consistently the last person off the blocks.)

Equipment (Illustration Friday on Tuesday)

2010-05-18T19:29:00.000-07:00

Theme for the week: equipment. A cardboard box is the most versatile piece of equipment around, at least in our house.

Honorably Mentioned...

2010-05-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

I just learned that I am one of three illustrators selected to receive an honorable mention for the Don Freeman Grant from SCBWI. I am thrilled! SCBWI rocks. Thank you judges.

Fearless

2010-05-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

My Illustration Friday image for the week! The topic is "fearless". Please stay tuned for updates about my picture book in progress, Buglette the Messy Sleeper.