The 2006 PSI show “Every Story Tells a Picture” is showing on the second floor of the Northland Library (on Cumberland Road in McCandless Twp, North Hills) throughout February. 
It’s a show of new work depicting scenes from novels.
This is Anne Trimble’s: from Thomas Bell’s “Out of This Furnace,” the chronicle of three generations of a family that moved from Hungary to work in the Braddock steel mills.
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Anni sent these:
“Here are 2 illustrators’ blogs with reports on NY conference:”http://leezybloggs.blogspot.com
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Dang—Anni basically said it all! The Illustrators Intensive at the SCBWI Winter Conference was, indeed, extremely intense—but extremely informative and inspirational at sessions with some great illustrators and industry experts. Sessions included copyrighting and archiving your work (whatever the media) to a panel on marketing picture books. I especially was inspired by the illustrator presentations—how long they’d worked, how much time each project took. And their wonderful illustrations!
I was thrilled at the opportunity to present my portfolio to art directors and editors in the industry’s main publishing houses. I now wish I’d counted exactly how many postcards I’d put out to see how many had been taken at the review. Live and learn! Now it’s just waiting to hear if anyone took my postcards…and if my illustration style fits into their “corral” of illustrators.
Though the closed portfolio review was a great opportunity, I would like to have had a chance to get some feedback on my portfolio from other professionals at the conference–maybe smaller critique groups, similar to the writer’s critiques. A couple other illustrators I spoke to echoed my thoughts. Being totally new to this whole process, I don’t know what has been done previously at conferences, or what works with illustration versus writing. Tomie DiPaolo gave his opinion on how to set up a great portfolio, so I need to make a few changes to mine (too late for the review 8-)).
And I definitely agree with Anni – the first day of the main conference was VERY general, and I felt more focused toward writers (though I enjoyed the author-presenters very much). I wished that, out of the eight breakout sessions in the main conference, there had been at least a couple art directors, rather than just editors/publishers. I will note this in my evaluation of the conference. I know that illustrators are definitely in the minority at the conference (didn’t get the breakdown), but there should have been at least an even representation in the breakouts. I did feel a bit lost at lunch when I found myself at a table of writers, who were all mostly schmoozing among each other about writing. Our joint conversations had nothing to do with kid lit. I just gotta get out more (loner that I am 8-))
I was fortunate enough to connect with Pat Easton on Saturday, and she invited me to “the dinner” that evening. (Anni–I really enjoyed the dinner with you and Pat, et. al, though my husband, Curt, and I were at the other end of the table and we didn’t get to chat. We had a great time getting to know Marcy and writers Cindy Cotten and Alma Fullerton).
The Sunday morning sessions were great. I especially enjoyed the panel discussing “The Path of the Picture Book”. Author, editor, marketing director, VP of publicity (all from Scholastic), and an independent bookstore owner followed the path from the inception of a picture book (“Dizzy” by Jonathan Winter) to its place on the shelves of a bookstore. Great conversation!
And I got a book signed by one of my favorite illustrators, David Wiesner—with a personal illustration 8-).
Overall, I tremendously enjoyed the conference, got a WHOLE lot of great information. The main jist of what I came away with is this:
· Smaller publishing houses are the most willing to draw in new talent.
· SCBWI gets you some “Ins” where the masses aren’t allowed.
· All publishers/editors want YOUR BEST stuff (writing or illustration). Quality was stressed in several of the sessions.
As a first-time attendee and an illustrator just sticking my toes into the waters of the children’s book business, I took away so much great information. I learned a whole new set of vocabulary, and learned how the publishing process works—and that I have a lot of work to do to break into the children’s illustration market.
On the way back from the conference, my husband and I stopped at the Brandywine Museum to see Jerry Pinkney’s great exhibit (he was a presenter for the Intensive), and revisit all the great NC Wyeth and Howard Pyle illustrations. So inspiring! I highly recommend this wonderful gallery in Chad’s Ford, PA, for anyone looking for inspiration or a quiet retreat (all the Wyeth’s, family, and Brandywine Valley artists are represented)—there’s also a wonderful inspirational garden/outdoor walk along the Brandywine River.
if you would like to see more of Anne Artwork visit: www.AnneTrimble.com
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On Sunday, February 10, 2008 I participated in the fundraiser for the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. It was the brainchild of RJ Phillips and held at the Rivers Club at One Oxford Center, 301 Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh. They served a brunch from 10:30-1:00.
They asked the guests to bring a pair of pajamas that would then be donated to the shelter.
For the children that attended the brunch they had a separate room where they could color, listen to a storyteller, and purchase an autographed book from an author, illustrator that attended. I was there and so was the illustrator Erin McGonigle Brammer, illustrator Rhonda Libbey, and photographer Alexander Patho.
I donated 10 of my children’s picture book “The Raindrops’ Adventure” to the women’s shelter, a basket with a book, crayons, markers, and colored pencils that was for the auction table. Rhonda Libbey donated two beautiful giclee prints done by Alexander Patho Photography of Glenshaw, PA, for the auction table.
This was a wonderful way to give back to the community.
If you are interested in helping the women’s shelter Ellen Gamble is the Development Director. Her email is gamblee@wcpittsburgh.org. Phone: (412) 687-8017 x331
And later that same day I attended the presentations of four local illustrators that are members of The Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators at The Heinz History Center. This is in conjunction with their Pittsburgh Recast Show there at The Heinz History Center. Admission was only $9.00 and parking was $5.00. I was able to go through the museum, attend the art exhibition and learn valuable information from Ron Thurston, Ilene Winn-Lederer, Gina Scanlon, and John Manders. They got a late start but talked from 1:30-4:30. I took a lot of notes and I highly recommend attending the next session which is on Sunday, March 9. see post below for more information: “Recast Talks”
You can purchase Kimberly Kerr’s book at www.amazon.com or straight from Kim at: http://www.westhillsart.org/KimKerr.html …where you can also view more of her Artwork
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I’m back from this year’s SCBWI Mid Year Conference in NYC and as usual, wondering how I ever even considered not going! It’s always tricky to extract myself from a freelancer’s schedule but so worth the effort. I’ll try to restrain myself from overuse of exclamation points in this report, but will start out by saying it was GREAT!!
Aside from the beneficial information delivered at the truly intense Illustrators Intensive on Friday was the Portfolio Exhibition for the 200 illustrators attending. Skepticism about the promised “art buyers” actually attending disappeared when we arrived at pickup time and witnessed the swarming crowd within. Priscilla Burris, National SCBWI Illustrators Coordinator, beautifully finessed the event. Each portfolio was displayed with the illustrator’s stack of promo cards. My stack was 8 short afterward, and another established illustrator friend had 7 taken. We considered that a good average and are hopeful that a follow up will occur, if notwith an assignment at least a request for more samples or some expression of interest. I know from experience, however, that it’s not guaranteed, but still a good feeling to know that your work has been noticed.
The Illustrators Intensive was well worth the price of $175 since a mass mailing can cost that much or more, and here you had art buyers looking at entire portfolios in a relaxed setting. The prize winning portfolios showed superlative drawing skills, which I found heartening.
This year’s conference breakout sessions were all editor presentations, no art directors, so those slots were not particularly to our advantage unless you were an illustrator/author. However, the panel discussions and keynote speakers were enough to make it well worth attending.
One entertaining side note had Harry Potter editor Arthur Levine singing Happy Birthday a la Marilyn Monroe to Jane Yolen onstage as she was presented with a bouquet of roses. (Do moments like this occur when lawyers or orthodontists gather? J)
Caldecott winner David Weisner showed very early work revealing his early influences of Dali and Edward Gorey and led us through his wordless picture book, Flotsam. At Friday’s intensive Jerry Pinkney said that his inspiration was N.C. Wyeth so it’s gratifying that his work is being shown now at the Brandywine museum. Harry Bliss showed images of his hilarious cartoons and covers for the New Yorker.
One of my three evenings left open for fun was spent with WPA SCWBI Regional Advisors Pat Eastonand Marcy Canterna, at a nearby Italian restaurant. Rose Gauss suggested Marcy as a roommate prospect and we had such a good time getting acquainted we’ve decided to room together again next year.
I know from having attended two earlier fall conferences that the first night is most difficult to link up with people, especially if you’re rooming alone as I did my first year. I planned ahead by emailing another illustrator from Ottawa I communicate with on the SCBWI website’s online discussion boards. We met at the hotel’s restaurant that evening and brought our portfolios to get acquainted. The discussion boards are a good place to start when looking for advice or ways to connect with other attendees.
Over the weekend there are many opportunities to strike up conversations with others, while having coffee and bagels (although, admittedly, I go straight for the Danish) or when taking a seat for the programs. Everyone is friendly and eager to connect, and willing to share.
While the Illustrators Intensive is geared at a level for those already working in the field or at least trained and prepared with a good portfolio, the conference can serve those wanting to add to their knowledge about the field of children’s publishing and be informed on updates.
Is it worth the cost? I find the excitement generated by being in New York City in a great hotel and meeting a lot of others who share my interest in children’s literature a wonderful mini-vacation. It’s not a magic bullet or a direct path to a contract (although I know firsthand that does happen to some) but there is a lot of information to be gained by the weekend immersion that will help anyone find his or her way in the field.
And hey, I love the chance to have my Robert Sabuda pop-ups signed by him personally! J
If you would like to view more of Anni’s Artwork: visit her rep’s site: www.CMartreps.com and www.picture-book.com
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Last evening’s Critique Group Meeting was great. Anne T. brought her finished portfolio for us to view; it is wonderful, and I’m sure a lot of Art Directors and Art Buyers will want to see it! She’s off to the Mid Year Conference in New York; maybe we can talk her into writing an article about her adventures when she gets back.
There were also some beautiful MARDI GRAS illustrations. A few of them are linked to comments on the “February Critique” post.
If you would like to share your illustration just scan it and post it on your blog and add a link in a ‘comment’ to this posting. Thanks.
The challenge for the March Meeting is: Metamorphosis!
Please join us…and if you cannot make it to the meeting; and would still like to join us for the challenge: add a link here.
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In conjunction with the PITTSBURGH RECAST Illustration show the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators, The Heinz History Center and The Heinz Endowments are proud to present ”RECAST TALKS”, a speaker series with a select group of the exhibiting artists. Gain insights into the illustrator’s creative process as they discuss their works, their RECAST themes and answer your questions. This is a wonderful opportunity for fans of illustration, students as well as professionals to interact with these award-winning artists and enjoy more of their work.”RECAST TALKS” will take place at the Heinz History Center in the 3rd floor multi purpose room with no additional charge beyond museum admission.
ARTISTS INCLUDED:
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 10TH, 1:00-3:00 PM
GINA SCANLON- Evolution of a portrait- scientific illustration and fine art
ILENE WINN-LEDERER- Discussion of RECAST piece and her process
RON THURSTON- Design and composition
JOHN MANDERS- How children’s books get illustrated
SUNDAY MARCH 9TH, 1:00-3:00 PM
ANNI MATSICK- RECAST pieces and the theme of tradition
KATHY ROONEY- RECAST piece and the Rooney family history
MARK BENDER- My approach to illustration
More info on the show at: http://www.pittsburghrecast.com//
Heinz website: http://www.pghhistory.org//
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February 5th at the Barnes and Noble at the Waterfront in Homestead (under the Homestead Grays Bridge, formerly the High Level Bridge) 7pm to 9pm
Remember your Mardi Gras Illustrations…and if you’d like to celebrate with colorful dress or whatever…you’re more than welcome; that will be ‘Fat Tuesday’ (Mardi Gras) evening!
Please respond if you’re coming, by leaving a comment here…and if you cannot make it and would still like to share your illustration: post it on your blog and leave a link here…we’d all love to see it!
Keep warm!
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There are book signing opportunities here. If you would like more information contact: rj@rjphillips.com before February 1st.
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