I had the honor of creating an illustration for a real super hero kid for the super hero project. They are a nonprofit that connect artists with children that have a disability or disease. It's a great cause. Here is more about them from their website.

Visit their site: https://www.superheroprojectkids.org/about-us
They are currently looking for artists to pair with a super hero kid. They have a contact page you can reach out them. 

I was pleased to interview June Jo Lee, children's book co-author of Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix, and Sandor Katz and the Tiny Wild (Published by Readers to Eaters) for this My Creative Life Podcast episode.

I was fascinated with the discussion of how she integrates her food ethnography with her love of children's books. I wanted to learn more about writing a nonfiction children's book with a co-author. Learned a lot!

To learn more about the books visit Reader to Eaters.
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Link to the interview: https://lnkd.in/eDVa22aR

Thanks for listening!
Please like and subscribe.
#podcast #mycreativelifepodcast

My illustration of a family having a Korean BBQ was selected for the August SCBWI Draw This prompt! SCBWI Draw chose Allison Strick and Sanne Dufft. It is an honor to be included!

Here is their websites: 
Allison Strick
Sanne Dufft
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Hi Everyone! I spoke with Morgan Huff, a children's book author and illustrator, and she was kind enough to share her creative process and journey in this interview. She has such a wonderful heart and perspective about the work we create as artists. Here is a bit about Morgan:
Morgan is a children's book illustrator and author based in the Pacific Northwest. I write and illustrate picture books as well as graphic novels for middle-grade audiences. Her clients include; Dreamworks TV, Harper Collins, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Zondervan Kids.

Link to My Creative Life Interview.
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To see her work visit:
https://www.morgansketch.com/
https://twitter.com/artofmorgan
https://www.instagram.com/morgansketch/
Thanks for listening!

​Hi Everyone! I had a lovely chat with Lauren Emmons today! She is delightful and such a great resource for information on children's book writing and illustrating. Here is a bit about Lauren:
Lauren Emmons is an illustrator based in the cold tundra of North Dakota. She completed her Master's degree in Children’s Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England. Her clients include S&S and Peachtree Publishing.
To see her work visit:
https://www.laurenemmons.com/
https://www.instagram.com/heylaurenemmons/
https://twitter.com/Lauren__Emmons
Thanks for listening!

I made this video to share how I make a quick book dummy that requires only copy paper and scissors. As a children's book illustrator I like to have a mini dummy and then a larger full size dummy to experience what they page turns will be like.  For me to have only a digital dummy is not enough. Even in the past when I've created them in Issu or InDesign I didn't get the feel for the page turns. I want to create the most impact with my page turns. It makes more sense if you try it yourself. Here is a link to the video below. Feel free to subscribe!

I bought an archival Canon printer. This printer will make archival prints up to 13 in x 19 in in size. You have to purchase Lucia Pro Inks so that the prints would be archival. That means that the inks are pigment based versus dye based. The pigment base inks are archival. I forget all the technical details, bu this article can help explain. I used Canon Matte print paper. I also liked the paper by Koala.

​Pigment vs Dye Inks Mac World

I had to make prints any ways to test for my physical portfolio. You say, "Why a physical portfolio?" I like them and people like handling real things. If I attend a conference or go to meet up with a client in person I have printed hard copies. I think it helps when your files are digital to also see how they will print. I had 4 extras and I decided could I sell them with an impromptu post on IG and FB. Yes it worked and all 4 sold. I learned that the fastest images that sold were the animals. 

This was a test to see what would be appealing for those people that like my work. If I start selling my pieces on Etsy I want images that don't have specifics like children. I think buyers of prints prefer animals then kids that they don't know. It's different if it's for my children's book portfolio. Then I want lots of children in the art. Being aware of who is buying what is helpful.

I'll keep everyone posted when I get my Etsy shop going. I did have a friend of mine that helped provided me guidance should I get my Etsy shop going. Maddie Donahue is a watercolor artist based out of China. Her watercolor prints and cards are available on her Etsy shop. Maddie Donahue Etsy.

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I've been working on this new illustration for my portfolio. I'm taking a break from the writing of picture books (pb) and trying to get this new illustration started. I want to make a series of 5 illustrations. Design a page with a full page and possible some spots telling a story of a brave little boy knight that rescues someone. 

This may seem like a lot for one illustration doing all these value and color comprehensives, but I find it makes me feel more confident working on the next steps of drawing and cutting. With these comprehensives it should now be a breeze in my process as a cut paper illustrator. Not doing these steps in the past hampered my ability be a better illustrator. That's why I struggled working my entire process digitally. I found when I did all digital art I got a bit lazy. That's probably not the case for most digital artists, but I found I would put things off because I could try and fix them later digitally. That's really a recipe for disaster. 

Word of advice learn to love the process! I did and I enjoy doing my value and color comprehensive because I see new things I can do the improve the work!

Happy Illustrating!

Nancy So Miller
Illustration

I found myself reflecting recently on the amount of self promotion a freelance illustrator must do to get their work out to the buyers. At times I felt like it was overwhelming as the sole owner and employee of Nancy So Miller Illustration to keep up with it all. Here are some tips I tried and they worked for me. In no way do I make claims that this will lead to work. For me it has been managing my time and how I can get the self promotional work done and then my real illustration work.

1. Schedule Send Emails 
Every week I send out 25 emails to art directors, buyers, editors and local businesses that might be interested in my skills. I will schedule send them. I have a template saved in Gmail. I schedule them to go out mid week. This really helped my anxiety for sending out the work.

2. Advertising in Shows
I recently decided to show in the Blue Print Show Online. This show is a virtual show for art licensing and surface pattern buyers. Here is a link if you want to find out more about the show. ​https://blue-print-online.com/blue-print-online.com/

3. Advertising on Websites for Illustrators
There are lots of sites that promote the work of illustrators. I decided I would look around and do some research. I talked to illustrator friends to see what was working for them. I decided to spring for it and go with Illustrators For Hire. They cap the number of illustrators to 200. I liked the idea that it's curated. Because they limit the number of illustrators on the site I had to be patient and contact them several times till they had an opening. Shout out to my illustrator friend Steph Calvert Art for the heads up! Steph is an illustrator based out of Atlanta, GA and she works on a variety of fun quirky illustrations. She is a highly skilled illustrator so go check out her work!

There are tons of other sites like iSpot, Illustration Directory, Workbook, ChidrensIllustrators.com. Think about where you are in your career and what you can budget for in a year. What site caters more to the markets you want to work in. That something you want to be mindful of. 

Btw, I do not get any kick back for mentioning these sites. I wish!

4. Volunteer To Be A Guest Speaker
I'm pretty comfortable in sharing my working process, art, and anything children's book illustration related. I offer to speak to my art teacher friends and their classes about my work. I like to keep my speaking skills practiced. It's fun and I get to meet some young art students. Volunteer to speak to some local classes.

5. Network With Other Artists
I have friends that aren't illustrators that I've sent postcards and stickers incase they run into someone that needs a cut paper illustrator for children's books, art licensing and pattern design. Start a social group of illustrators you can meet with on a regular basis as well.

I got this advice from Ryan Sanchez, one of the most business savy artists I have ever learned from and he's a wonderful painter! These people will cheer you on for the wins and also make you laugh at the low points. Shout out to Keith Lee Illustration for making me laugh! Keith is a Hong Kong based illustrator that I met during my graduate studies. He's an editorial illustrator and he's won tons of awards. I give him a hard time about that. Lol!

Informational interviews are great for learning and networking. Consider talking to someone in the industry that you want to be in so you can get some advice. If you are sincere and honor their time they will want to share. They remember how hard it was getting started. If you don't have the courage to do it. Feel free to listen to some podcasts. One of my favorites is the Illustration Department Podcast and of course my own My Creative Life. I've interviewed over 100 creatives in various fields. I ask so I can learn more about their industry. Plus it is a lot of fun! I also don't make any money off of it. It's purely for learning and getting to know people I admire for what they are doing.

6. Check Who Follows You on IG, FB, Twitter
I took some time one day and started to look at my followers on various social media accounts. I was fortunate to see the very people I want to reach with my art. I made sure that I sent the mailers and reached out. You never know who is watching. So make sure you keep your social media feed relevant and professional.

7. Sent Out Postcards
Sending out physical promo cards may seem dated, but it works. I was thrilled when I saw a post on the Twitter of an art director that there team had gotten my mailer. See the image below. They notice! I about died from joy that real people get them! YEAH!!! Quarterly mailings is what I plan to do. I also like having printed business cards, and letterhead. 

8. Participate In # Events
Depending on the industry you are targeting they have their own monthly or bimonthly # tag events. The one I participate in on Twitter and IG is KidLitArtPostcard. This was invented by the wonderful Gina Perry. I'm a children's book illustrator so that makes sense for me to participate in that month event. It's the first Thursday of the month. #kidlitartpostcard. Agents are looking for new talent and there maybe a future commission. See the image of my recent #kidlitartpostcard. I have to thank TeMika Grooms, children's book author and illustrator for this advice. Thanks TeMika! Please check out her work!

Also try Twitter Pitch Events, Portfolio Day, Inktober, and the conferences you attend will have special # tags for the event. Make sure to # tag the event! I also started a # tag for myself and my art. Incase I need to direct someone to all my posts.

9. Join an Organization or Take a Class
I'm a children's book illustrator, art licensing, and surface designer. Where do I find my club, association or organization? I talked to others and Googled. I joined the Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators and I took a surface design marketing/business class by Elizabeth Silver. I also took a classes at Storyteller's Academy, Schoolism, and SVS Learn. 

What the benefit? You are able to attend events, a network of other people pursuing the same dream, and sometimes access to professional industry experience and zoom sessions to get your questions answered. For me it helped to be accountable to keep creating new work.

Consider volunteering with that organization. I mentioned this prior, and I state it again it's a nice way to meet people. The nonprofits can always use more help. It's a great way to meet people if you tend to feel shy about networking. I got that advice from Jamie Zollars. She is fabulous author and illustrator of children's books!

10. Don't Stress Keep Going!
These measures are no guarantee if you only do them one time. It's about repeat sending of your work. It takes multiple times to have people consider you a real entity and creator. I started thinking if I was an art director or buyer what would I think if some random person contacted me out of the blue? I would think it was spam and hit delete. Sometimes when you don't hear back it is because they are busy. Everyone is busy. It could be not right now but maybe later. Don't stress keep sending your work out! You never know.

​Awarding winning children's book author and illustrator, R. Gregory Christie once said it is like casting seeds out in the open. Some of them will take root and grow! 

If I forgot anything please comment and share anything that worked for you!

​Happy Illustrating!