HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Wishing everyone a very safe, happy and silly holiday... and a HAPPY, HAPPY New Year...

Dem some BIG BOOTS yer steppin into....

I am trying to remember the approximate date that I met Christine Tripp online. I had illustrated a big corporate job, and one or two books for Scholastic LPFEY... and I had just joined the SCBWI forums.
I watched, and learned for a bit - and noticed one person, in particular, was responding to people's questions in a very thoughtful and professional manner. As time went by I realized she was CANADIAN!!

I was still pretty quiet online, until one day I was offered a trade book contract.

The contract was not ideal. But in my rookie state I was just excited to GET a contract at all - to write and illustrate MY own books. I posted a few vague questions about rights, royalties etc. and Christine was amazing in her thoughtful, and eloquent responses. I also thought it was cool that she said she knew my work (which may or may not have been true, but it felt awesome to have someone say that)

What she did for me over those few weeks of negotiations was far more helpful than even helping me to negotiate a better contract - she helped me to understand how the system works. She explained it to me from a Canadian context - which IS different than anywhere else, and she helped me develop something else - a backbone for negotiations.

It was not until I finally went to a SCBWI conference at Kempenfelt, in Barrie, that I met her in person. She is one of those people that as soon as you meet them - you feel like you have KNOWN them your whole life. She is funny and passionate and SUPER, SUPER talented. She has a humble demeanour and did I mention funny? Actually, ALL the organizers were awesome. I also met Lizann Flatt and Alma Fullerton that weekend too.

I am an involved person. I have a hard time saying no... which is why I end up on boards and committees and parent councils - that's me. Not because I have endless amounts of time, but because I care, and I can't go to an event without trying to help.

SO, it is with excitement and trepidation I announce officially that Chris has stepped down as Illustrator Co-ordinator for SCBWI Canada East, and I am stepping up to take the reins. I look forward to working with Chris still, Lizann, Alma, Rachel and Michelle. I am thrilled they have taken me into the fold...

So, THANK you Christine - you rock.

Zombie Fish

Having lots of ideas surrounding this guy lately. He lives at our house. He is a zombie fish, but the other fish in the tank are not afraid of him because he really wants to eat their brains, but he has no teeth. It's pretty hopeless. He'll likely be undead forever.

Halloween

Well, I am finished the costumes for this year - this is an abnormality for me, as I am usually putting the final touches on the night before. Z is easy this year - she wants to be a princess/mermaid/spiderman, we have some evidence of all of these in the dress up trunk. Mo decided on Saturday morning that a Bald Eagle was a good idea. I was pretty excited about that choice actually. So I drew up a little diagram to explain what I was going to do. He is seven, and keen on details...

I also do not work from patterns, ever, really. I like to work balls to the wind and see what happens - just my style. So, with sewing maching revved up, kidlets crafting beside me and piles of fleece we went at it.

This year (unlike last) my sewing machine stayed the course, and the results (in about 4 hours of work) were very fun. He is very excited about his costume... and then his sister decided she wanted one too. I told her next year for sure - hope she grows fast.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Illustration Friday - BOOK TWO!

Not sure if I am allowed to enter this twice, but what the heck. It is too much fun trying out the new tool... I really think I am in love with digital art... the possibilities are ENDLESS!

Illustration Friday - BOOK!

Illustration Friday is a chance for me to try different things - just for fun. Sometimes, when you get to draw for a living, you forget that you started out to have FUN... here is my very first try at Painter. I think I will like it a lot once I get in there a lot more...

My new Job

Well, it's official.
I am a professor.

I love it.

That, is also an understatement. I love the students, watching their work develop, and being along for the ride. I love the schedule, while though it's been a LOT of night time prep work, has allowed me to be home most days both before and after school, AND two days a week all-together. I underestimated how much time I would have for other things - but that is ok, cause it all works out.

Turns out, the leap was worth the trip - at least so far. I am learning so much... and it is liberating. I always said I would love to go to school forever, and as a prof - I totally get to. There is so much more give and take in the college classroom, so many ideas and so much inspiration.

Can't wait to see what the next few weeks hold...