PSI’s JUNE issue…

The June issue of PSInside newsletter is now available on PSI’s website at: http://www.pittsburghillustrators.org

There’s an interview with Phil Wilson,  information on what’s happening with illustrators in the Pittsburgh area, some great thoughts about social media, and lots and lots of beautiful artwork!

Its worth the time to check it out!  Rose Gauss’ beautiful entry for the upcoming exhibit Fission of Form appears on the home page!

Remember:

The entries for the HOPE CARD are due June 30th.
Each region of the SCBWI is sending one card of encouragement to the Australian children.    http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/02/bushfires_in_victoria_australi.html The fires for many kids and families will be a life long journey and we want a permanent card of support from the illustrators and authors of the world. During such disasters there is need for shelter and all those important things, but there is also a need for the soul…for sharing a little love & hope.

THE HOPE CARD
They’re calling it THE HOPE CARD  and It will read something like this: “To the children of Victoria from the children’s authors and illustrators of the world, with love and hope”

Because we can send only one card as a representation of our region, we’re asking every WPaSCBWI illustrator (if at all possible) to design a card and send a jpg of the illustration.   Only one illustration will be picked, but we will show all of the entries on our blog. The illustration will be printed 8.5”x11”.   We will ask the  illustrator of the favorite, to supply a high resolution version so we can print the card. But right now we’re just asking for anyone interested to send a low res jpeg 72 dpi, max 612×792 pixels.

The deadline for the images to be sent is: June 30, 2009. Send them to me at: Rose @RoseGauss.com and I will forward them to the group who will choose the card cover. All of the images will be posted here on this blog…probably the beginning of July after they’re all entered.

Thank you,

Rose

PSInside now available

The current and recent issues of

PSInside, the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators’ monthly newsletter,

are now available on their newly designed website at:

http://pittsburghillustrators.org

Critique Group Meeting at Cheryl Johnson’s

Tuesday June 2nd: Our Critique Group Meeting will be held at Cheryl Johnson’s house. (7pm-9pm)
She has two dogs and two cats (in case some one has allergies).
Please RSVP to let us know that you’ll be coming.
If you would like to bring a snack you are welcome to do so.

Leave a coment here with your email address if you need directions.

The current and recent issues of PSInside, the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators’ monthly newsletter, are now available on their newly designed website at:
http://pittsburghillustrators.org/

Tuesday May 5th

Tuesday May 5th Critique Group Meeting.

all are welcome, but please RSVP (you can leave a comment here)

Barnes & Noble at the Waterfront in Homestead

7pm -9pm

Bring some sketches that your working on!

Tonight!

Critique group Meeting at the Barnes & Noble at the Waterfront.

7pm to 9pm

READ MORE…

http://doodlesandnoodles.blogspot.com/

you gotta read this:

Has anyone heard about the new child product safety law? This is an issue that’s been bugging me since it became the law of the land as part of the stimulus package.

As I understand it, any children’s book published before 1984 is now contraband, because the ink it was printed with may have contained lead (no evidence exists that a pre-1984 book has harmed a child, but that hasn’t deterred our intellectual betters in Congress). To sell, buy or even lend one of these books is to risk a fine of $250,000 and/or prison time.

This effectively means that ALL old children’s books—the legacy of our author/illustrator forebears—must be destroyed, according to the law.

I’ve had the privilege of visiting Carnegie Library’s beautiful collection of old and rare children’s books on the third floor. I don’t know what will become of that treasure now.

There will be a rally in Washington April 1st; apparently we can be a part of it via the web. More information is to be had here: http://heartkeepercommonroom.blogspot.com/2009/03/cpsia-rally-and-censorship.html

This is a bipartisan effort to change this law. No matter what your political persuasion, please consider making your voice heard about banning children’s books.

Thanks for your time.

John Manders

Renowned children’s book publisher Brenda Bowen:

Karen Jo sent along this information:

Renowned children’s book publisher Brenda Bowen will lead an intensive three-day workshop at Little Airplane Productions dedicated to the craft of creating quality children’s books. The Little Airplane Children’s Book Academy will run from May 30 through June 1.

The three-day intensive course is designed for industry professionals and beginners who want to learn what it takes to make and sell successful picture books.  The Academy runs concurrent with Book Expo America (BEA) and the $1500 tuition includes a three-day admission to BEA.

During the three-day course, participants will get an overview of every step in the process of making children’s books, including writing, illustrating, editing, design, legal and production.  The course features accomplished children’s book authors, illustrators, editors, and includes a panel discussion with leading literary agents and publishers, who will field questions about how to publish your own work.

For more information about the Little Airplane Academy please contact Tone Thyne at 212-965-8999, tone@littleairplane.com or visit www.littleairplane.com <http://mdpictureit.wordpress.com/wp-admin/www.littleairplane.com>

February 28th’s Sketch Crawl:

The February 28th SketchCrawl at the Carnegie Museum in Oakland was a success! Hosted by: SCBWI Members Susan Walker and Bonnie Funk.

Here are a few sketches & photographs & some thoughts from the attendees:

Bonnie says: “We did get off to a slow start, partly my fault –  I don’t know what was going on with that fire alarm, but we didn’t know if we should come or go. The museum was busy with both a preservation conference and the opening of the new history of the horse exhibit. I enjoyed talking to people as they would peer over my shoulder watching me sketch. The best line from a boy of about 9 yrs old was “Wow! My uncle is an artist. You’re almost as good as he is.” I don’t know who his uncle is, but I’ll take that as a compliment. I was a fantastic day of drawing and I look forward to the next one.

I like the idea of Phipps for the next sketch crawl. Hmm…March 31st is a Tuesday and April 1st is a Wednesday

Susan says: “We got off to a slow start, and after we got our coats checked the FIRE ALARM went off. well, they wanted you to exit the building…when it seemed that we really did need to exit, we got coats, the alarm went off!  So back to put items away….alarm goes off again. Waiting for about 5 minutes…we were able to stay and move on.
We headed to the Dinosaur area. all eagerly ready to get drawing.
so here are a few photos. Also what myself and 6 year old daughter did. We broke for a nice lunch in the cafe’ and broke up again to the animals. Taylor and I went to the artcat table near the fine art where she had a project to find animals in the master paintings and draw parts of them. after completing that we headed home-’bout 3pm!

It was a nice creative drawing day and lovely company.I blogged about it ( http://susanwalkerart.blogspot.com/ ) and linked it to the Pghpicturebook website too in there as well.

some of Taylor’s work.