Le phoque

'Le phoque' by Caroline Lamarche, illustrated by Goele Dewanckel

I am completely, out of my mind in awe of the art from this book.

Elegant simplicity gets me every time. Of course it doesn't hurt that I'm usually surrounded by seals whenever I take my kayak out. Still, the art kills me it's so gorgeous.

go for two!

Lightning can strike twice in the same place!

I have received another two-book offer from HarperCollins. The first is about a determined girl named Petunia and her quest for a perfectly awesome pet. The second book will be another Petunia story, which will be described once I dig up an idea and write something.

It's been a busy year for me. Looks to get even busier!

wow wwa

I attended the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators annual conference for western Washington state over the weekend (SCBWI WWA). As last year, the event was flawlessly organized, inspiring and a heckofalota fun.

I finally met my uber-agent Steve Malk in person, and got to know a few other Malketeers, such as the frighteningly talented Adam Rex and Hizzoner Jon Scieszka. The boys certainly proved my theory that the nicest people end up at the top. At least in the kid-lit world.

Listening to Nancy Pearl, Elizabeth Parisi from Scholatic and others share their experiences and expertise, clearly the common thread was a passion to provide great books for kids.

da boids

The tanager's are back! Makes me feel as though I'm living in the tropics.

for my next act...

When I was growing up in Chicago, I used to watch Bozo's Circus on our old b/w TV. I liked the band. The clown was lame.
I remember one show vividly. Bozo had a guest act. A plate spinner. The guy had 7 or so vertical rods on which he placed ceramic plates, setting them spinning with his hands. The act was putting all 7 plates on the rods and keep them spinning fast enough so they wouldn't topple off. He wasn't very good at it.

Anyway, even as a kid the act really stressed me out.

There have been many times in my life when I've felt like that plate spinner. Running to and fro frantically, sweating unglamorously, trying to keep too many projects spinning at the same time. Desperate not to let a too-long ignored project topple and smash.

Expecting any moment to hear the tune the band played when someone blew it.

What do other writers or illustrators do to stay focused on the important project? I know what is my top priority, I just keep getting pulled away from it.

don't worry, be happy

In one month I have to turn in the final art for my first self-authored children's book.

This is my least favorite stage of the process. The concepting is done, the design has been worked out, the only thing left is to deliver on the promise. To draw the dang thing. Turning the vision into the visible. This is where the art ends up being great or less than I had hoped. It never is as good as one imagined it would be.

So I've become anxious. And tight.

I suppose that is why at this crucial point, with time running out, that I dropped everything to write a new story. Delaying the inevitable, avoiding the difficult.

This is where I need to pull out all the tricks to fool myself that everything is fine and dandy, there's no rush, the art'll be brilliant. If I can regain a relaxed confidence, things will flow along nicely with less effort.

The art of warring with oneself. It's a mind game.

remembrance

Although it has been more than 25 years since my grandfather died, at times I still miss him deeply.

Albert Schmid was an artist of many talents. Landscape painter, engraver, wood carver, in the 20's he owned and ran his own commercial art studio in Chicago. During the depression the number of artists in his studio gradually declined from around 20 to just 'Papa' himself. Hard times.

He was an accomplished watercolorist. One of his buddies on weekend outdoor painting trips was the famed Haddon Sundblom of the Coca-Cola Santa Claus fame.

I remember him as a gentle, quiet, wise man. He was one of those 'Good Men'. I was in my early 20's and in art school when he died. In the course of my own life and career there has been many times I've wished him at my side to lend advice or just a understanding ear.

As a child I had so much admiration for the man he was and the things he accomplished. I still use the easel you see in the picture of him. I hope to pass it on to my daughter when the time is right.