Hi Everyone! I had the pleasure of speaking to Deborah Kelly, a children's book author and a member of my writer's critique group. Deborah is a retired school psychologist and put a lot of heart into her writing for picture books. Please like and subscribe to the podcast. 

I joined Storyteller Academy and met Becky Lance. She is a wonderful critique leader for our group! I have learned so much from her and the things I can do to improve my writing. I wanted to share the chat we had about how she started on the path to becoming an author.

Link to the interview:
My Creative Life Becky Lance

Thank you for listening!

To see Becky's work on IG.
https://www.instagram.com/beckylancekidlit/

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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