Illustration Friday_Sight

Just a little something for illustration Friday, the saying is a Moorish proverb.
Thanks for stopping by :o)

My Sketchbook Project: Limited Edition 2012

Hi everyone, Its been mayhem, sorry I haven't blogged for a while finally I have a KERNEL of time to blog and share some new work.

A few of my followers may know already I decided to get involved in a fabulous project called the Sketch Book Project Limited, anyone can join in...and I will most definitely do another. The title I chose was The Secret and How to Tell It.

Here are my favorite spreads from the project.

It's a very tactile book, full of texture and colour. Its not neat but very organic and feels natural... very sad to let it go :o) Not many people have a Naomi original. But it will go to a good home because the Brooklyn Art Library archives your original sketchbook and exhibits it to the public.

I have also ordered my first blurb book copy so I don't miss it too much. If you'd like to own a copy of my sketchbook you can purchase it here, paperback will be cheaper and out in June.

And it will be on show from the 22nd June 2012 at the Brooklyn Art Library.

Illustration Friday - Heights

Hello creative people, 

I've been doing a mixture of things: procrastinating, resting, thinking and getting ready for next phase of my goal of getting more illustration commissions especially in children publishing. I received some very direct and honest feedback, which I needed to process and accept, thankfully nothing major or disheartening but things I can do and move forward to higher heights.

I do push myself very hard and you think I'd be used to it by now but no... my road to self-improvement and reaching my dreams it a long and at times - hard one. Luckily being a visual person you can literally see the progress..which steers me on and I love what I do too and I promise to myself to bask in the glory every time I hit one of my goals.

To List

Continue/Complete Sketch Book Project

Start drafts for latest commission

Continue Alphabet Project

Follow up contacts from Bologna

Work on new promo-mailer and send out

There are about five more things I want to add and may do but that can be on my second to do list. 

PS Here is my bear development I mentioned in an earlier post, click image for larger info on my flickr.

 

Happy Easter

To you and yours.

Bologna De-Brief - Swamped with Info

I'm back from Bologna's Children's Book Fair 2012. It was truly inspirational and a creative hub of news and knowledge for illustrators. There are so many publishers under one roof it can seem very overwhelming at first, but you get used it and most of the publisher were friendly enough, some even had allotted time for illustrators to chat to them and show their folios.

My Highlights

Met Fav Publishers
I have a top 5 dream publishers I'd love to work with and I managed to talk to 3 of the publishers on my wish list and many other international publishers. Nosy Crow are on my wish list were very helpful, I still have a bit of work to do before they consider me but the love my Alligators, promotion leaflets and badges....and had some practical advice :o) Will follow up with contacts in 3 months.

Folio Review and Crit
I booked in for an SCBWI portfolio review and critique with Kristen Carlson, which was positive and enlightening, she had specific and easy to follow advice for me to move forward. The SCBWI have to be the friendliest bunch I have met at the fair. They are very approachable, professional, have so much energy and advice from professionals in all areas of children's publishing. I'm seriously considering becoming a member very soon.


Talks in Digital Cafe and Illustrators Cafe
There were informative seminars, talks in all areas of the fair - Illustrators Cafe, Authors Cafe and Digital Cafe with talks every hour in each. Totally impossible to go to all but the most interesting
for me was a discussion with Paul Zelinsky, Piret Raud and Andre Letria called What's an Illustrator to do? Classic Artist Consider the Digital Illustration World - illustrators discussing openly how each feel about children's books being designed/translated into apps etc and how it will affect us as illustrators and storytellers.

Absorbed the Art in Illustration
The illustrator's exhibition was amazing and showcased the art in illustration and the skill involved in creating fantastic pieces of children book art. Illustration is celebrated in this fair and I recommend authors and illustrators to visit next year if you can.

Bologna Here We Come

Before I leave for Bologna Children's Book Fair, I just wanted to leave you with this piece I designed for my give-away. It is the front of a concertina folded leaflet. It will also be my banner / head for my facebook page when I do the change over for facebook timeline. 
More to show when I get back :o)

Mother's Day Cards

I'm doing a little clearance of some of my stock. So updating Etsy gradually with some discounted stock and offers. Main sale will be in early April when I have a little more time, but these are up now for anyone that needs Mother's day cards.

Hope you all have fab weekend, I'll be working on my promo leaflet and new business cards.