Growing up, a winter past time was working on massive puzzles with my parents. We would go to the "pic 'n save" and spend hours choosing the "perfect puzzle" with lots and LOTS of pieces.
So, when my parents came out this Christmas,we decided , hey why not, let's do a puzzle! I had forgotten what a pleasure it is to sit and mull over a complex puzzle. Mum and I would stay up til the wee hours of the morning "puzzling" and gabbing determined to get it finished before they had to go home.
I enjoyed working on this so much that the "puzzling" continues and I highly recommend it if you are looking for something to do to relax.
(Emily and I recently finished this cute puppy one.)
We start ours on a large piece of poster board on our dining table and just have it sitting there for when the mood strikes...which is usually while I'm cooking dinner or right before bedtime.
Okay, so what does this have to do with illustration? Well for me, the more I'm working on these, the more I'm thinking about how fun it would be to have puzzles out in the world with my artwork on them.
I've decided I'm going to work up some designs this year and start submitting to publishers that produce puzzles. Check out your CWIM book and you'll find several listings if you are interested in submitting your work as well. Storybook artwork is perfect for puzzles. And sitting here working on these, gives me a good sense of what works/what doesn't as far as colors and design.
Another idea ...what a fun gift a puzzle would be for family members. Imagine next year, giving your children , favorite niece and nephews a puzzle to work on that you designed!
I googled "personalized puzzles" and there are several companies out there. I think the one I'm going to try is "Positively Puzzled". Looks to be a pretty easy process. You send a high resolution jpg in the appropriate dimensions and bing bang boom..a puzzle is made. I'll let you know how it goes.
Happy puzzling!
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.
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!
Okay, we're in the thick of summer and I'm trying to be a good mom , I really am. I love my kids, I enjoy having them around and I cry the first day they go back to school...but ...they are driving...me...crazy. =o)
That is why I really appreciated that Anastasia posted this article link written by Susan Barnson-Haywardover, "Caution-Parent at Work".
It's geared to writers but applies to freelancers period.
I have to keep reminding myself with these words daily, "memory maker". I can't remember where I heard this first but it related to spending time with your family and remembering that each moment is a memory that you are giving your child. When they are grown and they look back on their life, how will they remember it? Are they going to remember mom as the crazed woman speaking incoherently at her computer monitor (yes, my son actually drew a picture of the back of my head and a computer once - - I was gutted) or are they going to remember the time mom played 'horse' and nearly won with her backwards shot.
I need to get some work done ...and these tips are great...but I need to also remember that when they've asked for the hundredth time when are we going to go there and when can we go do that...
Memory Maker Roz, Memory Maker.
Don asked in the comment section to elaborate on the Pb writing course I'm taking.
This is a 4 week on line course focusing on the art of writing Picture Books.
For a detailed description of what is studied, visit Anastasias site at:http://www.asuen.com/workshop.htm
I've been doing this for nearly two weeks now and I highly recommend it. Love it.
Anastasia has authored 67+ and really knows her "stuff"!
=o)
Hi All,
I just wanted to write and recommend my new web host, SAB GRAPHICS, which is run by Shawn Burgei. If you are looking for someone to help you develop your website, logo or stationary design, I would highly recommend you go to this guy. He is sweet and so very helpful. His banner is on my sidebar so just click on there to take a gander at his services. ( I actually had the privilege of designing his logo)
Shawn , if you read this, thank you again for all of your help and patience with me! You're awesome! ;o)
Imagine my surprise as I'm shopping around the HEB (grocery store chain here in Texas) to hear on the loud speaker that there are authors & Illustrators signing books at the front of the building near the second entrance. WHAT, Are you kidding me?! Since when do they do book signings at grocery stores!!
"Watch out people, crazy woman with a cart coming through!!"
Sure enough there they were , about 5 authors and an illustrator set up with people in line signing and chatting away.
I have to admit that I don't remember everyone that was there signing because I zeroed in on the illustrator first and foremost. His name is Bill Reed and has illustrated this fun book by author Paul Epner entitled, " There's A Dachshund In My Bed!" 
I was so tickled when Paul was signing my copy of his book and says , "oh, are you Roz Art Studios?". "YES I AM!" Well, you know that made my day. (recognized my name from the email lists)
I never would have guessed that an HEB would be such a great venue for book signings but I'll tell you from where I was standing it looked to be a great marketing idea. I saw Pauls book in several carts around the store. Food for thought. ~ Ack...sorry for the pun.
Regaining my focus to continue with my shopping list was very difficult to do. But fear not, I remembered the dog food, grapes and tissues.
* TIP of the day: Always carry business cards with you. I was asked atleast 4 times for one and I didn't have anything to give them. Lesson Learned.
If you're interested in writing for the children's market, this is a fantastic resource. Write4kids has a free e-zine that you can sign up for on their website.
Also, another must see is Anastasia Suens website. I'm going to be taking her PB online writing course in April. Here is a link to her workshops. I have heard wonderful things about her classes. I can't wait!
Blog surfing this morning turned up a gem that I have to share with you. If you haven't seen this blog already you are missing out like I was. What an inspiration this author/illustrator is. If you've ever wondered if your words and art can make a difference, well this blog will show you that it truly can. All I can say is wow.
Inspiration of the week:
Happy January 1st! And so it begins , a new year full of potential.
I thought I would tell you about a really cool online magazine geared to children's writers/illustrators. It's called, http://www.kidmagwriters.com/.
If you enjoy writing for kids I would definitely scour this site. Great resource!
Recently ,Agy Wilson (arts smarts columnist) asked several illustrators about their new years resolutions for 2005. Here was my contribution:
Roz Fulcher: "2003's was 'balance'-- I needed to work on finding how to balance my freelance life and home life better. I wasn't managing my time well and I was getting very stressed. Last year it was 'Believe in Yourself'-- common sense, but for some reason I wasn't speaking as positively about myself as I should and boy did make a difference. How powerful our words and thoughts are! By simply reworking that, I had such a more productive year!
"This year that neon sign is reading 'No Limits'! I am staying open to the possibilities this year. I'm not going to limit myself as to where my career will go. I'm going to be receptive to opportunities and not say NO even if it scares me to bits! We do that you know... put hurdles in our way without realizing it sometimes. The ones that succeed are the ones that jump those hurdles and soar. I want to SOAR this year!"
