Rozzie Land

Stitchery Love

Photo courtesy of Lucy at Attic 24

Hello my bloggie peeps. Hope you are doing well today. It is pouring down rain here. We've had gallons of it so far this summer. Such a total 180 from the weather in Las Vegas, where we used to live. Speaking of which, we're driving there in a couple of weeks for vacation. Can't wait!

Anyway, I wanted to take a time out from work and share this pretty embroidered piece with you. The lovely Lucy at Attic24 makes these little treasures and is selling them at her blog. The one you see above is mine. =o) Seriously, I just commissioned it. Thanks, Lucy!  Isn't it delightful? 

I have been in love with embroidered applique for many years but haven't made the time to make my own. If you aren't a procrastinator like me, here's a book from my collection I'd recommend. I like how the frayed edges add to the design of the pieces:

Okay, back to work. =o)

Jill Phillips

Totally loving this illustrator's work. Do you know Jill travels to Japan regularly to gather inspiration? Now, that is my idea of fun! I lived in Okinawa for a few years growing up and I would go back in a heart beat!! 

YOU HAVE TO READ THIS

You have to read this.

http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/000932.html
38 ways to be creative.
It is so inspiring.

Thanks to the Lilla Rogers blog for posting a link to it.

Find Positive Energy Here

I discovered Lisa Schroeder's work initially with this lovely bedtime rhyming book and I've been following her career (via blog) ever since. For the next two weeks she is posting on her "Find positive energy here" blog. Very inspiring so take a peek and get motivated while you were on your own goals.

Happy 2008!

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!.

My parents are here and the kids don't go back to school until the 7th of January so I'm still caught up in the cocoon of family time.

But I did want to make time and wish you all a very happy new year. I hope this year brings us all good health, prosperity and great experiences with our loved ones and friends.

Cheers!

Margaret Cusack

It's official. I'm in a slump. Unless I have a deadline, I just can't get myself to create. Isn't that awful? It makes me feel like I'm not a true artist since I'm not creating just for the heck of it. I think when all the kids are back in school my muse will return. She BETTER!  For right now though, all I want to do is pack up the towels and head to the local pool with the kids.
Does it count that I'm thinking about illustration? =O)

Here is an example of one such book that is sparking some inspiration. It has been out for a couple of years now and I finally ordered a copy for myself earlier in the summer.

In ,"Picture Your World In Applique", Margaret Cusack shares her techniques for creating machine stitched applique and includes 7 projects with complete instructions. The assignments are terrific but I enjoyed the section where she shares her studio just as much!

There are some fabulous applique books out there but I think the reason this one appeals to me so much is because she is an illustrator for books, magazines and greeting cards. I get so excited when I find other illustrators that are using tactile images successfully in the publishing genre. Plus, her work is simply gorgeous, the detail!

I would really like to incorporate even more fabrics into my illustrations and this book has given me some great momentum to give it a try... after summer that is.

=O)

Karma Wilson

I want to share an author who is inspiring me at the moment. I'm currently taking Anastasia Suen's Poetry Workshop and in this workshop you have to read several stories in rhyme daily. I can't get enough of Karma Wilson.

Not only are her stories entertaining, her skill for near perfect meter, fun alliteration and catchy refrains are to be envied. (See, I told you I was taking a class, look at all the cool words I know now!)

If I was Karma, I think I would be awestruck by the choice of illustrators for her books. She is one fortunate gal!

Look at, "Bear's New Friend" by Jane Chapman, for example. She creates the most idyllic settings and endearing animals with her acrylics and brushes.

I've been collecting books illustrated by Margaret Spengler, Jeff E. Davis and Buket Erdogan for years. You've guessed it. They've all illustrated a Karma Wilson manuscript. Amazon must be loving me right now. I wonder whose child I'm putting through college with all the books I'm ordering?

Tomie DePaola Award

On the last day of the conference, an awards ceremony was held to announce the winners of the illustrators display contest.
A panel of judges picked three illustrators. There were over 150 submissions. What a daunting task, the entries were fabulous!
Results:
3rd place http://www.wilsonswain.com/
2nd place http://www.lisafalkensternart.com/
1st place http://www.roccoart.com/

Then Tomie DePaola came to the podium to announce his winner for the illustrator display.
Before he announced the winner,though, he wanted to acknowledge 3 other illustrators. Guess what? I was one of those three illustrators.  Holy cow, it's a moment I'll never forget!

To make the moment even more thrilling, the other two illustrators acknowledged were both friends of mine.
Patrice Barton, fellow pbj member
and Lula Chang

YAY Patty and Lula!!!!

Many congratulations to the Tomie D award recipient, Brian Gerrity. His acceptance speech was very touching, although I wouldn't really call it a speech because he was too emotional to speak. =o)
Very sweet.

* I must confess that I found out the names of all the winners via Courtneys blog.
It was such a treat to meet her in person. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of her work in the near future.
Her 'grandmas' are a hoot!

NYC SCBWI Conference

As I write this I am imagining the tune, "I've had the time of my life" playing in the background because I truly did just that, had the time of my life!

I regret that I am the lamest photographer in the world. I did try but when I uploaded them this morning the majority are just smudgey messes. What a disappointment. Barb has taken some great pics as well as written a great overview of the conference. I would hightail it over there to get a look, if I were you.

*addendum*
More links for the conference:
Liz
Ruth
Courtney
Dee

You really have to go to one of these things to really get the most out of it. As I sit here looking at the few notes I did manage to jot down, they are lifeless. The delivery of the words and the aura of the speakers brought just as much to the experience as what they had to share.

Still, here are a few quotes that I have taken to heart and will cherish as I continue on this journey. I can't wait to go again next year!

Susan Cooper - Author/ The Dark Is Rising
Such a mesmerizing speaker. Could have listened to her all day.

"Don't let the noise of the marketplace drown out the whisper of your subconscious."

Anne Barshares- Sister Hood of the Traveling Pants
Such a lovely lady.

"I don't know what I'm doing. Really, I don't know what I'm doing."

(Of course this is a joke, working hard at her craft is what she is doing.)

Elizabeth Van Dorn- Editorial Director/Harcourt

"Make it meaningful."
"Don't lose heart, if you find your story out there, change it up a little."

Donna Mark - Bloomsbury Art Director

Regarding Dummies 
Focus more on the quality of the work you are sending rather than just the presentation.

"If you're going to wrap an empty box, it's still empty."

Jane Yolen ....JANE YOLEN!  =o)

"Learn to love yourself and your own work. Stand by your work, warts and all."
"Savor revision."

Brian Selznick- Author/illustrator
BTW you have to read his book, "Invention of Hugo Cabret". Such an innovative way of building a story with text and illustration. I read it on the plane ride home and it's marvelous. What a delightful speaker he was. So down to earth and transparent.

"Struggling and fear is part of the process."
"What matters is what happens at the turn of the page."

Katherine Patterson- Author / Bridge to Terabithia
Simply moving speaker.  I was either laughing or crying the whole way through. What a storyteller.

"Dare failure. If I didn't dare failure I may never have become a writer at all."
"Emotional memory, rather than photographic memory."

Betsy Lewin- Illustrator/ Click Clack Moo

"I'll never be them, I have to be me."

Theme for 2007

It's that time of year again! Time to look forward to the future with fresh eyes and clean slates.  My favorite thing to do around now is reflect on what the theme for the year ahead will be.

2003 was, "balance" - I felt the need to find a happy balance between home life and my illustration career pursuit. I was very stressed out.

2004 was, "believe in yourself"  - I knew to advance in my career I had to be more optimistic and accept myself for who I was and where I fit.

2005 was, "no limits"  - I wanted to be open to opportunities and not so tunnel visioned.

2006 was, "Be still, be quiet, listen" - I wanted to get better at trusting my instincts instead of second guessing myself all the time.

And this year?
2007 ... "EXPLORE"

Loud and clear. I feel so powerfully the desire to have some fun trying new things. When I look at people I admire, this is a common thread in each. They know how  to embrace experimentation. In the end , I always see great growth in them and their work. I want that for myself as well. I mean, it took me 2 years to try the felt after the initial idea came to me for goodness sakes! How silly is that?
Explore.

Here's wishing you all the best for 2007.  I hope you reach the desires of your heart with great success. Most importantly, whatever your dreams may be, don't let this be the year that you throw in the towel. Doggedly pursue it with all you have.

Happy New Year!

Disney Vacation

Hi all!

Sorry to be so quiet but the family and I took a much needed vacation last week to Disneyland. Yay, what a wonderful time we had! I spent 7 years of my childhood living in California and Disneyland was my favorite place in the world. It still is. And what a treat to take my own children there for the first time and see them have such a great time.

I won't bore you with family photos but I will share with you one of the highlights of the trip for me. Hubby surprised me with an early Christmas gift when we visited the watch shop on "Main Street".

I adore Eeyore and fell in love with this  the minute I saw it.

What is most exciting , when you purchase your time piece you also receive the original artwork used to make your watch.
Mine was created by artist, Dave Smith. It is watercolor on hot press paper. I love that you can see the pencil marks underneath the paint. This will soon be framed and hanging in my studio! Try to find Smiths' signature. See it? (click image to enlarge)

Unfortunately I missed meeting Dave but took a picture of Eric Scales who was working on a lovely Daisy duck illustration. I could have sat and watched him work for hours.

I will cherish my eeyore watch for years to come!

A Place to Bark!

Check out this great blog created by a multi media artist who also is working very hard to build her own rescue shelter. It looks like she will be holding an art auction (is looking for artists to participate I think)to help earn some money for her rescue efforts. Very cool. Go take a look and please help spread the word!

A PLACE TO BARK

Illo friday- MONSTER

Well, there she is again, batting her eye lashes trying to invade your thoughts.

Miss Prissy, Little  Pain In The Bottom, Green Eyed Monster.
She can be a pesky monster that likes to mess with your self esteem, make you question your talent and direction. She even has a clever knack of skewing reality and reeking havoc on your state of mind.

Don't let her do it to you. Tell her to be on her merry way and bother someone else because you have better things to do than spend time with her!

We've all been there and it's something we're not proud of admitting. But let's face it , this field gives one ample opportunities to get a little green. I'm a freelance children's book illustrator because ....I want to illustrate children's books. When one of my ever so talented friends gets that "dream assignment" or achieves the goal that I have set for myself yet haven't quite reached...sure it affects me.

But you know what? I don't think "envy" is really the appropriate label for this feeling. I think we're simply experiencing, yearning. A yearning because we too want to be a success at what what we do.

So how do I handle Miss Prissy, Little Pain In The Bottom,Green Eyed Monster?

*Well, first I take a soak in a hot bath and sulk.

*Then,I try to remind myself that we all have a purpose in this world and since I truly feel like this career is where I belong...then the opportunities will come...when it's time.

*And then I try to focus on what I have achieved so far and count my blessings because there are many.

*Then I scold myself for a few minutes when I realize that I should be more grateful and stop comparing myself to others.

*And finally, I work on a plan. What can I work on next? What can I do today to get one step closer towards my goal?

Yes, Miss Prissy ,Little Pain In The Bottom ,Green Eyed Monster I see you there batting your eyelashes at me. Go on now,scoot,I have work to do.

=o)

Sketchbooks

I learned 2 important things last week:

1) Never throw away my old sketchbooks.

2) Make time to doodle  instead of just using my sketchbook as a place to record phone messages and grocery lists!

This most recent illustration was inspired by this sketch from 2001!

Yep, even if it's just chicken scratch, it's enough. Enough to get the old wheels turning.

cheep cheep!

YAY! "cheep cheep" is finally available. I discovered this book several months ago and fell in love with the cover. Isnt' it clever?

I'm hearing through the grapevine that it is doing incredibly well. I can't wait to see what the rest of the illustrations are like.

I've had my eye on this book ever since I saw it at my daughters' school book fair.

At the time I just couldn't warrant a reason why I "needed" this book...but that has flown out the window. You win Amazon. You taunted me with a bargain and I caved.  I just can't resist a good doggy book and If you have a pooch, you'll enjoy it too.

B&N Trip

Took a trip to the book store yesterday and I always get the same feeling when I walk in the children's section. First ,I dream that I will one day see a book I've illustrated displayed on the main wall - you know the one I mean. Second, how in the world am I ever going to manage that, look at all this talent!

Here were some fun discoveries...

Janee's adorable Valentine book is still on display. I would have taken a photo ,Janee, but they had an ugly 50% sticker on all the valentine books. Congratulations to Janee, she's very busy right now with a lot of fun projects. Your hard work is paying off in a big way!

Here is the second in a series of books by Lisa Kopelke about a toad learning his manners.They are a hoot! Lisa lives here in Vegas too.

I only recently discovered Lisa Schroeder's blog and it was such fun to see her book on display. (on the wall of fame I was just writing about!) Very cute book appropriate for a bedtime snuggle with your kiddos. Love the artwork with an eye catching cover don't you think?
(illustrator- Viviana Garofoli)

And then I came across a couple of books that were new to me and I just fell in love with them. Do you ever visit the bookstore and jot down illustrators or authors' names and then later research everything about them that you can? Me too.

Penny Ives
I just loved the concept of this story where you are given the perfect recipe for bedtime.The illustrations are absolutely delightful. Looks like pencil and watercolor, just so sweet. Wish I could show you some of the interiors.

Carolyn Jane Church
Can't find much about her but you can find several of her books on the UK amazon rather that the US. I'm in love with how she creates her illustrations. Viewing them on line doesn't do them justice. The "dear bunny" story is a sweet love story between two shy bunnies. The illustrator incorporates such interesting papers (textured, possibly hand made) plus real pressed flowers I think! Just yummy.

I wish I could have afforded to buy all of these books but I had to temper myself!
I went on a mission to buy Kate DiCamillos new one, "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane".  Thanks to Book Moot for posting this link to Kates interview in the NY times. Oh how I love Kate DiCamillo's "voice" and can't wait to get started on this one!

Ruth McNally Barshaw

Surely, you all have seen this already but I wanted to post about it as well because I am such a fan.

Check out Ruth McNally Barshaws illustrated journal account of this years SCBWI National New York conference. I just finished and it is a hoot!

I want to say a public congratulations to Ruth for selling her book idea to Bloomsbury.  She is so deserving and her enthusiasm over it is contagious! It just goes to show again that the "heart" in a persons work really shines through and will grab an editors attention. Yay Ruth!

Happy New Year

I can't believe another year is drawing to a close. Time to erase the slate and get ready for new opportunities,very exciting!

Here is how 2005 looked for me as far as work.

* Maintained a blog for one year where I have opened up and shared my journey. This in turn has resulted in an article for, "Children's Writers & Illustrators Market Book 2007" about blogging.

* Illustrated a book dear to my heart that is distributed in hospitals. "Not Afraid of Needles!"

* Found an interested NY literary agent for a board book that I have written and illustrated (Emma Felt). Fingers crossed that she finds a home this year!

* Spent 2005 with an educational rep that resulted in some near misses. Unfortunately, near misses aren't good enough so we have parted ways amicably. It was a great experience and it has resulted in contacts that I can continue to pursue on my own.

*Took Anastasia's writing course to learn more about writing for children.

* Got an assignment right before Christmas for a 4 page b&w take home book due in the New Year.

* Got an assignment from a publisher that was on my dream list...Ladybug Magazine!!!

* Most importantly the year has ended with me feeling very comfortable in my own skin and I'm not questioning my work or where I fit. This is a major achievement for myself and I can't even tell you when it happened. Ha! Yes I can if I'm honest. When I got the call from Ladybug. It was a major validation for me and what I do.

But really it wasn't just that. The last image I did of the cows for my upcoming promotion was probably the first time I actually enjoyed myself as I worked. I have reached a benchmark. I remember reading an article by cyd moore that speaks about it. In it she says,

"Begin to let go. Live and LOVE what you do. Period. Stay with it. One day, you will find your inspiration. You will give in to that perfect moment, and you will see that you are no longer trying to do it, but that you are doing it...effortlessly. When that happens, embrace it...you are an artist at that moment."

Every year I feel like there is a theme for the year that lies ahead. For 2005 the theme was "No Limits!". I wanted to be open to opportunities and soar. I never would have dreamed that a move to another state was coming to pass. Talk about being open to new opportunities!

My theme for 2006 is, "Be still, be quiet. Listen."

For the first time in 6 years of pursuing children's illustration, I have a confidence that I've never experienced and a knowing that I'm on the right track. But I need to relax, savor the journey and enjoy it. I need to take the time to listen to what my instincts are telling me and most importantly trust and not second guess every move I make. I waste so much energy this way. Not this year.

Here's wishing you all a wonderful 2006. I look forward to sharing the highs and lows with you again this year. I hope your dreams come true, and that you accomplish you goals with great success. Most importantly, when the obstacles come ...and they will, I wish you the strength to keep going and make the most of every situation.

Happy New Year!

Women who create

Oh my gosh, I just discovered this book and I really, really want it!

And look at this one coming out in March 2006! Another one I'm adding to my list.

Home Sweet Home/Studio

Hi all! Well, this is where we are going to be calling home for the next 2-3 years. We moved in over the weekend and boy is it nice to have some room again.

It's a really cute place and I'm especially excited because I have a room I can call my own for my studio (in our last house it was one side of our bedroom). I tried to take some pictures of it before our household goods arrive in the morning.I had a hard time photographing it without a wide angle lens but maybe you get the idea.  It's a room that leads you from the living room to the kitchen/dining area.

 

It's a decent sized room, I'll be able to squeeze everything in there...I think.

I want to put my work table, supplies, computer and book collection in here. My dilemma is, I won't be able to close it off from the world so I want to come up with a way to make it look pretty yet functional.

I have been researching on line and I'm even thinking of a computer armoire --for my art work, not computer--so that I can close it up when i'm finished working yet still have everything laying in place when I'm ready to come back to it. Then have the computer on a table and shelving unit for books.  Just thinking outloud. It will be fun to plan...especially since the next few weeks it will be full of boxes that I'll want to avoid opening!

Any ideas/suggestions? I'm all eyes!

While we're talking about studio space here are some of my favorites. I love seeing other artists' studios, don't you? I'd love to be a fly on the wall in all them!

Jenny B Harris

Susan Hartung

Marla Frazee (click on studio)

Heidi Schmidt

Sally Mavor

Philomena O'Neil

Rebecca Thornburgh

Checking in

Hi my friends!

We are officially in Vegas and have been here for about two weeks now. It has been about 18 years since I lived here and boy has it GROWN! The weather is gorgeous this time of year,I had forgotten how lovely the mountain skyline can be. I will post pictures soon because I also want to show you the goodies I bought along the way from Texas to here!

We are still living in a hotel and out of suitcases. ugh..Yes, it's getting old! Hopefully that will be changing in the next week or two. We are all so ready to get back into a routine. And I'm especially ready to be cutting some felt! A lot of ideas have been brewing these past few weeks and I'm ready to play again.

Before we left San Antonio I treated myself to an scbwi conference hosted in Austin. It was such a treat to visit with friends and make new ones. I met up with some of my pbj gang...Laura, Janee and Patty. It's always such a blast to see them up close and personal. And chatting with Chris Barton, Chris Schechner and Christy Stallop was a hoot!

I highly recommend scbwi conferences.  Try to make time and save your pennies for them when you can because it is such a great opportunity to connect with like minds. I always leave feeling rejuvenated and ready to get back to work.

For me, the gist of this conference was staying true to yourself and instead of trying to fit the market, do what YOU DO best. Basically, they can tell when it's from the heart and will work with you if they see something in you.

As far as submitting goes ... There is no black and white standards and it is all very personality driven. The job is finding the editor that your work will appeal to.

Also ,that we have to speak up for ourselves and ask meaningful questions to help us grow.

And for those of you that may be feeling like you HAVE to have an art rep to succeed, think again. I got the distinct feeling at this conference that it isn't the only way to go. If you are good, you'll get work and you will be discovered.

Hang in there gang. There is room for all of us, we just have to stick with it and be the best we can be. Focus on your work and getting it out there in a professional and eye catching manner.

Again, I want to say thanks to all of you that have taken the time to comment while I have been absent. I have missed chatting with you all and I promise i'll be visiting blogs and chatting again as soon as I'm back on my regular computer and no longer on DIAL UP! ACK!

Hugs to all.

Illo Friday- Dream

 Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it.~ Anonymous

I really like this quote.

It's so exciting when we have a dream, isn't it? A vision of something that we want to accomplish that keeps us up at night just thinking about all the possibilities!

Then... the hard part comes, working our dream into a reality. GROAN. It may take weeks, months or even years to reach our goals and often along the way we will encounter discouragement and uncertainty.

One of the most self-sabotaging things we can do is compare ourselves to others.  I have been guilty of this myself and if you want to set yourself off course, well by golly, that's a guaranteed way to do it!

Don't go there. When you see others doing well in an area that you are pursuing, celebrate their accomplishments! One day it will be you. I truly believe that there is a great plan for all of us. More importantly, everyone's journey is unique and often we have to keep our blinders on and stay true to our own path. Timing is everything.

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to "pollyanna" you to death with this post! But I do feel I can talk from experience.

I have been illustrating professionally for nearly 6 years.  If I look at it day by day , I've accomplished my goals at a snails pace. But what is important is that I HAVE accomplished goals and achieved things I never would have dreamed starting out! And the same will be true for you once you start stepping out in faith and putting that extra effort towards your goal.

Yes, you will experience rejection. Yes, you will hit roadblocks and detours. But I can tell you with complete certainty that if you embrace the set backs, they will lead you in directions you may not have even considered otherwise.

Here's a good article by fellow illustrator , Amy Moreno. She sat down and reevaluated her goals and shared them this week on her blog.

What are my dreams?

*To have Emma Felt published and in the hands of toddler girls everywhere.

*To have a series of "Felt" books.

*To be illustrating numerous toddler books in my felt collage style.

Okay...time to get to work on making that a reality!

Inspiration

I love reading about other people who have taken something they love to do and turned it into a career.

What I love even more is when they share their struggles, failures and wrong turns that eventually turned into right ones.

I can relate to those stories and it helps keep me motivated that I too can accomplish my goals and that it's possible to be successful doing what you love.

Inspiration is everywhere around you.

One of my favorite channels is the food network. I don't cook much myself -maybe because my kids are in that phase where they think Mcdonalds is a major food group - but still I love to watch. One of my favorites is Paula's Home cooking. I first began watching her because, oh boy, I love her kitchen and garden! (they film her at home)  The more I watched, the more I saw passion for what she does just oozing out of her.

Here's her story. It wasn't an easy road for her and it didn't present itself to her immediately. And again... it was a road filled with potholes.  I hope this inspires you today as it did me.

ps. To read all three pages of her journey, you click on the green labels above the text.