tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83369720672282263212024-02-18T18:48:32.860-08:00Suzanne: Art and Illustration for Children of All AgesThe work and wonder of illustration, the inspiration and the education...
Explore the site... Share the joy of reading with and inspiring a child... and take a journey...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-26377795699253452712022-04-05T20:10:00.000-07:002022-04-05T20:10:33.643-07:00Imagination Day: April 25, 2022<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Imagination Day is April 25, 2022</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx41qRu4pg07cfr5Xq_V0kdKb2XbN5WuJrMuj0aCGrO56sMEM39Gg_m1rucoQQPrii4ojaLgl3Oc4fSHGu5X_IOTm9nngUuIQ7NSO9bO_tgU3epaum_Hh-E5Y8u7CDAFhJuJeDNyKfAZY/s1600/birthday+invitation.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx41qRu4pg07cfr5Xq_V0kdKb2XbN5WuJrMuj0aCGrO56sMEM39Gg_m1rucoQQPrii4ojaLgl3Oc4fSHGu5X_IOTm9nngUuIQ7NSO9bO_tgU3epaum_Hh-E5Y8u7CDAFhJuJeDNyKfAZY/s320/birthday+invitation.png" width="320"></a></div>
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Celebrate with us as "Imagination, A Journey of the Mind" turns 15.</div>
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15 years doesn't seem like a long time until you gauge it in relation to your own children and their own growth.</div>
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For Example: When the first illustration drafts of this book were being drawn, Fiona was just turning 1 year, and enjoyed crawling along the floor.<br>
Now she is 16 and high-kicking her way through high-school. The boys are now 18, 20, and 21. <br>
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In looking back at the drawings and the verses of the book we celebrate the 15th Anniversary Edition of the book, the original writing with some additional dialogue, illustrations and stories of our own children.<br>
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Teachers and Early Childhood Educators... be sure to connect with us for upcoming teacher packs and activities to bring to your classroom, leading up to Imagination Day.<br>
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Contact us here: <a href="mailto:suzannegibsonartist@gmail.com">Imagine With Us</a> send a note with IMAGINATION in the subject line!<br>
<br>We are looking for some interactive student friendly work to share!!! Join in thr fun!!<br>
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See you soon: Dawn and SuzanneUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-55969102989253498272014-03-07T19:45:00.000-08:002014-03-07T19:45:07.581-08:00Nursery Boxes - Painted Boxes - Wedding Boxes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_G-c0J_S3rbAqmT_YeIopWACsht33lGBRtRWaG-q2HHEl4MP2H9l-AQTyjkx1W0lFOSlcAftxMh61JMOrsY1sscA-CEKoZx2Ixziw7dCj2RDNowAOOOgDPXzX-za6z7k91937kZF5JTs/s1600-h/Nursery+Box+-+Boy" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_G-c0J_S3rbAqmT_YeIopWACsht33lGBRtRWaG-q2HHEl4MP2H9l-AQTyjkx1W0lFOSlcAftxMh61JMOrsY1sscA-CEKoZx2Ixziw7dCj2RDNowAOOOgDPXzX-za6z7k91937kZF5JTs/s400/Nursery+Box+-+Boy" height="299" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120282181875818786" style="height: 251px; width: 335px;" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT3Eu0wGHyvTLLWb0pjUfwrK8bdDKYeZWOIVr7bdBiUloMq4O2rOUHN4op6THkIxVTPlp_aDEB3RrTjV2EVwr4nI1RsL8LEecbAxmUgocXi0PJwO20Hty9bgykuZcbnJ1kH9vlNtTmDY/s1600-h/Nursery+Box+-+Girl" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT3Eu0wGHyvTLLWb0pjUfwrK8bdDKYeZWOIVr7bdBiUloMq4O2rOUHN4op6THkIxVTPlp_aDEB3RrTjV2EVwr4nI1RsL8LEecbAxmUgocXi0PJwO20Hty9bgykuZcbnJ1kH9vlNtTmDY/s400/Nursery+Box+-+Girl" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120282207645622578" style="height: 249px; width: 332px;" width="400" /></a></div>
art for children isn't limited to paper... at least not for me.<br />
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here are some samples of nursery boxes that have been made for boys and girls.<br />
This set was for a pair of twins.<br />
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Custom Orders for Furniture or any other type Hand Painted Item by Suzanne are available...<br />
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Contact me directly for more information: <a href="http://squareup.com/market/suzannes-studio-fine-art-design-art-instruction">ORDER HERE!!!</a><br />
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Ideal Gifts For the Holidays, Birthdays, New Baby, Girls and Boys, or a cool box for the Grad to take off to College. <br />
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Allow 4 - 6 weeks for creating and delivering.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-32678120380754190302013-07-31T15:07:00.000-07:002013-07-31T15:07:12.204-07:00End of Summer Art Contest for Kids<em><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Illustrating Poems has always been a fun hobby for me. Take one of my favorite poems and put your own artwork down on paper!!!! Take a picture or scan it and send it to me!!! I look forward to seeing your own style!!! I'll do some to!</span></em><br />
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Choose from one of these:<br />
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<a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/from-a-railway-carriage/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">"From a Railway Carriage" by Robert Lewis Stevenson</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxC9KTmGBGIroTUXIJlJz_Tg5nM836Rwh303qxWuNsPLW5cihjSWTDBjM5BJrYiiJ0IYrrZNN9ygMeGZ2tWGHV-AV2a4bKKJ0thVPOjAN1xfjLQ71CdXOHI4kmI4_RPO9iNvhONCeFDc/s1600/Dscn0324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxC9KTmGBGIroTUXIJlJz_Tg5nM836Rwh303qxWuNsPLW5cihjSWTDBjM5BJrYiiJ0IYrrZNN9ygMeGZ2tWGHV-AV2a4bKKJ0thVPOjAN1xfjLQ71CdXOHI4kmI4_RPO9iNvhONCeFDc/s320/Dscn0324.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://thehomelibraryonline.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/a-childs-book-of-poems/">"The Grasshopper and the Elephant", Anonymous</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkESjrVhyphenhyphenw9awF6VXnkcvUZFazn1GAj3VVh9uKpjKniewyD6ZhARM3rWIqYeQM9ehRHo1jd8MgEzOsciJ3yOackfcW1CIpubZ3wvn0ixQMWMHXgCfPP0GwM4jF2SJ2QIIJgyLLtV2PZWM/s1600/elephant+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkESjrVhyphenhyphenw9awF6VXnkcvUZFazn1GAj3VVh9uKpjKniewyD6ZhARM3rWIqYeQM9ehRHo1jd8MgEzOsciJ3yOackfcW1CIpubZ3wvn0ixQMWMHXgCfPP0GwM4jF2SJ2QIIJgyLLtV2PZWM/s320/elephant+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174790">"The Daffodils", by William Wordsworth</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87vJ6PGjKEIEaWCV_jglXmHFIe7CwEz4W9RqKjiwIvKqUUOgcjDpYGLUMBclQ-wIjE_YwoAK8ZsFzqs19BFc_5hX2IfRwjoUgUGNvLw_M5UWzgKFEWNfjyK3yPiFNsYe00XvBGccgGS0/s1600/Daffodil1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87vJ6PGjKEIEaWCV_jglXmHFIe7CwEz4W9RqKjiwIvKqUUOgcjDpYGLUMBclQ-wIjE_YwoAK8ZsFzqs19BFc_5hX2IfRwjoUgUGNvLw_M5UWzgKFEWNfjyK3yPiFNsYe00XvBGccgGS0/s320/Daffodil1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/171941">"The Owl and the Pussycat" by Edward Lear</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrDdegcFLYmLhn69M9gyl1nWy8J9v__veNQJf73X1NGp1aQZZ5EIroDZP8g_3euhUFjE49iWssbSPCHv1rx8XbR8eDFaprSw86ILsseQ68hltAKN8EN86Y0N5ilyusVAOJLtcHO4CgZE/s1600/owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrDdegcFLYmLhn69M9gyl1nWy8J9v__veNQJf73X1NGp1aQZZ5EIroDZP8g_3euhUFjE49iWssbSPCHv1rx8XbR8eDFaprSw86ILsseQ68hltAKN8EN86Y0N5ilyusVAOJLtcHO4CgZE/s1600/owl.jpg" /></a></div>
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Fun for the Month of August - 2013</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-44481972598939488922011-05-14T07:53:00.000-07:002011-05-14T07:53:13.843-07:00Imagination. A Journey of the Mind<strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">A Creative Playdate Coming to a Backyard Near You!!!</span></strong><br />
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Anyone wanting to host a summer reading party for little ones (Pre-K - 2nd Grade)... this is a great idea for a playdate....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sLKoDXMCnLnIeAb0B9jIoMpx-MexQ1bXa0_KayRix-pbq8T_CybamN7whjG1iEAqEwr51A1nEsgDNmyhQU225kgr4V2SooSf7kTcggFQBc9__EnMKDgn51eczc7VeUuOSaoHvZ9gosw/s1600/Book+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sLKoDXMCnLnIeAb0B9jIoMpx-MexQ1bXa0_KayRix-pbq8T_CybamN7whjG1iEAqEwr51A1nEsgDNmyhQU225kgr4V2SooSf7kTcggFQBc9__EnMKDgn51eczc7VeUuOSaoHvZ9gosw/s1600/Book+Cover.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Grab a bunch of kids (and parents) and bring some dress-up clothes, props, and your imagination. We will read the book and then explore some creative activites together...<br />
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Contact me for more details!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-60472122982859655502011-05-07T12:13:00.000-07:002011-05-07T12:13:22.337-07:00A Good Avocado knows how to Chill Out and Mellow!!!I was inspired by my friend Kel, who is "ga ga" for Avocado. And lucky for her I have a tree in my back yard that produces the most glorious and scrumptious of these treats... and I just need to text her a photo of a freshly picked one and her response is always with a big smile...<br />
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So,... as we enjoyed dinner and a glass of wine last night, I kept having this animated illusion of what was going through her mind as she gleefully eyed the 3 avocados that were sitting peacefully in front of her. They need to "mellow" and "ripen" before they are eaten... and as Kel loves to hang out in the California sunshine (don't we all love to relax a little?)... this is what came to mind.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi61MxeEetFPQBRE-avvVqEaPlYJvpf8aqG0HfouQOJM3Kf6wPNqAs77mMOGTgseTRNNSAA8A-o1GNGMsAjs0DO-suLCjplU7FoqrILs0GlYThtOuieCihcSb79mlFUvFDjJaaVXwG00/s1600/Mellow+Fellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi61MxeEetFPQBRE-avvVqEaPlYJvpf8aqG0HfouQOJM3Kf6wPNqAs77mMOGTgseTRNNSAA8A-o1GNGMsAjs0DO-suLCjplU7FoqrILs0GlYThtOuieCihcSb79mlFUvFDjJaaVXwG00/s1600/Mellow+Fellow.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-88767194050526492982010-12-30T09:45:00.000-08:002010-12-30T09:45:03.394-08:00Art and Illustration 20112010 has been a productive year, and 2011 is going to be just as busy. New Projects, New Ideas, and some New Supplies to help me get going... <br />
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New Events for 2011.... <br />
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SCBWI South Bay Writer's and Illustrator's Group... <br />
Meeting throughout the year.... More info on dates, times, and locations will be posted on the regional calendar soon.<br />
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My Portfolio is taking a whole new direction... with some solid goals in mind too...<br />
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<ul><li>attend the SCBWI Summer Conference in August....</li>
<li>I am planning to visit NY in October, with Portfolio in Hand....</li>
<li>Alpha Card Samples</li>
<li>Get Graphic Novel Manuscript & Dummy Book presentable... to take with me...</li>
</ul>Okay, so now with a few goals written... I have a start to 2011... May your journey with me be productive too! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-88646636928010814972009-11-09T19:55:00.000-08:002009-11-09T20:10:10.268-08:00Illustrator's Day - 2009I had the wonderful experience of attending the SCBWI - LA / Tri-Regions's Illustrator's Day for the 2nd time in as many years. A wonderful experience for any illustrator or writer who wants to learn, observe, improve and be inspired by other illustrator's who have a common goal... getting beautifully illustrated, good quality material into the hands of our young readers.<br /><br />From picture books to teen fiction, there was quality information to be shared by everyone. Portfolio reviews by seasoned professionals, and advise from art directors on how to present a portfolio and what should be in it. <br /><br />In a nutshell: Keep the portfolio simple, and make sure it represents the BEST of your work, and the WORK you want to be doing. If you don't like a piece for any reason, don't keep it in your portfolio or it may skew the art director or publisher into a different direction. If your portfolio represents several styles of work, make sure the different styles are segreagted properly, so that there is flow and continuity in what you are presenting.<br /><br />For more information about SCBWI... and other upcoming events.... click on the SCBWI link...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-89538085407446445232009-09-13T12:06:00.000-07:002009-09-13T12:12:43.278-07:00New SketchesTrains and Timberwolves<br /><br />Pirates and Princesses<br /><br />Bumblebees have Bedtimes Too...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-36248767853708382402009-04-19T09:52:00.000-07:002009-04-19T10:18:22.279-07:00Jake the DinosaurI had the pleasure of attending Taft High School's annual PASSPORT TO READING event yesterday. Attended by students, teachers, librarians, and young children from surrounding schools, I was able to chat and share my illustrations. During my workshops I shared my process and fun of creating images to go along with words.<br /><br />To add to that experience, I had some paper up on a drawing board at the front of the room, and asked the kids to give me a word to illustrate. I had already put up a few words and images: an angry alligator eating and apple pie - to demonstrate the angry eyes, furrowed brow, and snarling nose (Something I found the boys love to see me draw)... and it's a quick sketch that I am becoming well practiced at.<br /><br />The most enjoyable encounters I had were with the very youngest of attendee's.... average age, 7.... 1st and 2nd graders, and one very special young boy named Jake. I immediately fell in love with his bubbly personality, and before I could say the word "Imagination", he was reading our book to me. We had so much fun that he asked for some paper and he starting drawing, and writing his own story. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuY_g_dEUyZ89qxglktTHl0Sl7XWgdh3TujRLp73PiSpY8cIZMr2BmWMNY1OLItMRl4jgSFKrTNGCFgw8cdNfiTf9YeBWLHAHaDrdoRVd8wj5o8RuFQtLQKym5-R7IvFO3nY4F0t5kAk/s1600-h/Jake+the+Dinosaur+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuY_g_dEUyZ89qxglktTHl0Sl7XWgdh3TujRLp73PiSpY8cIZMr2BmWMNY1OLItMRl4jgSFKrTNGCFgw8cdNfiTf9YeBWLHAHaDrdoRVd8wj5o8RuFQtLQKym5-R7IvFO3nY4F0t5kAk/s400/Jake+the+Dinosaur+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326446980237408290" border="0" /></a>WE worked together and created a large headed Dinosaur. Possibly a Brontosaurus with a head of a T-rex... who stepped onto a sailboat. We chatted as I drew up on the board. The image above is the quick sketch result. We had a lot of fun.<br /><br />Perhaps Jake the Dinosaur (As I named him at the end of the day)... will become a bigger story. <br /><br />Stay TunedUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-9838920620822184262009-02-18T22:12:00.000-08:002009-03-31T17:17:09.581-07:00Taft High School - Passport to Reading<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHREa5e8ifVf9szE5SeMOj_MQ3vopLvLjQ4jKJExwbeoZuYG8Qi0rutbW6hJXbyhYKudfbwvpRT69YM-U_OKf-GJr2aWdD4oFre1x-JhWhOnYKP1WgRFfLqENpvxqFHUhoXJupf2BRDk/s1600-h/Imagination+Cover+Art+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 392px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHREa5e8ifVf9szE5SeMOj_MQ3vopLvLjQ4jKJExwbeoZuYG8Qi0rutbW6hJXbyhYKudfbwvpRT69YM-U_OKf-GJr2aWdD4oFre1x-JhWhOnYKP1WgRFfLqENpvxqFHUhoXJupf2BRDk/s400/Imagination+Cover+Art+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319508134236584274" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Dawn and Suzanne will be presenting the book,<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Imagination, A Journey of the Mind</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />to students and visitors at the annual <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><br /><br />Passport to Reading event at Taft High School.</span><br /></span><br />Saturday - April 18th.<br /><br />Demonstrations of Quick Character Sketches,<br />Q. and A. with the author and illustrator...<br /><br /><br />For More details: <a href="http://www.tafthigh.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=90188&id=0&rn=4974276">Click Here!!!</a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-11606834424203735362009-01-21T22:10:00.000-08:002009-01-21T22:11:02.736-08:00Local SCBWI event - South Bay Writer's and Illustrator's<strong>One Rhyme at a Time--My Road to Picture Book Publication.</strong><br />Guest Speaker June Sobel shares about her road to publication and shares the journey from messy first drafts to press ready final lines. She will bring illustration sketches and discuss the collaboration between illustrator, author and editor.<br /> <br /> Bobaloca<br /> 210 North Aviation Boulevard<br /> Manhattan Beach, CA 90266<br /> Please RSVP before Saturday so that we reserve enough seats.<br /><br /> Bobaloca's Map and Directions<br /><br /> Located between Artesia Blvd & Manhattan Beach Blvd, at 2nd Street Londoner Hair Salon, is in the same strip of little businesses. Bobaloca's is right in the middle.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-34992705435250354062009-01-21T21:52:00.001-08:002009-01-21T21:54:42.549-08:00New Works<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Utde8ln3QYLZuwJgrh5cKinM8-uQh_z1Cb0LIHkwzNcqX-NkTln2kvua3KY6Qg8bJ2XqEvXh0ArRRfDFdw2N8mga1VtKZONo8SCFJH58OBHs6j1jmIIKkFYd6rJLJdcGut5uhBp0UFg/s1600-h/Little+G+Swims.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Utde8ln3QYLZuwJgrh5cKinM8-uQh_z1Cb0LIHkwzNcqX-NkTln2kvua3KY6Qg8bJ2XqEvXh0ArRRfDFdw2N8mga1VtKZONo8SCFJH58OBHs6j1jmIIKkFYd6rJLJdcGut5uhBp0UFg/s400/Little+G+Swims.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293992350620128146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJb6ALSfawL5y_iTJMYwSN63PGIth9Lv4_yxftLOkjneTVGCnw2fR8e4v8ukAXuZZyB6mqvjqfjgzRBIyNFiID3H-3KqQCXbG7x6cPrB0m8nSd5hTc3oMOZx3ypzYlFtA0B1ygPrDh8o/s1600-h/Little+G+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJb6ALSfawL5y_iTJMYwSN63PGIth9Lv4_yxftLOkjneTVGCnw2fR8e4v8ukAXuZZyB6mqvjqfjgzRBIyNFiID3H-3KqQCXbG7x6cPrB0m8nSd5hTc3oMOZx3ypzYlFtA0B1ygPrDh8o/s400/Little+G+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293992351418124210" border="0" /></a><br />Inspirational drawings for a new project...<br /><br />Whimsical Dolphins!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-39772399545085135222008-08-05T23:43:00.000-07:002008-08-06T00:24:41.960-07:00Words from Margaret Peterson Haddix<p class="style4" align="justify"><strong><strong><span style="color:#007575;"><a name="haddix" id="abbott21"></a></span></strong><a href="http://www.haddixbooks.com/home.html"><span style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><b>MARGARET PETERSON HADDIX</b></span></a></strong> is the author of more than twenty books for children and teens, including the <em> Shadow Children</em> series and the newly launched <em>Missing </em> series. Her books have won numerous state readers choice awards and the International Reading Association' s Children' s Book Award. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" ><br /><strong><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:180%;" >Dig In</span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:";font-size:7;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Growing up she always ended up doing things the hard way:<span style=""> </span>proving to 2 older brothers…<span style=""> that she was just as good, or better. Do we have </span>FEAR as children? We are FEARLESS as children.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Approaching writing is much the same. Ask questions:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">What is safe enough?<span style=""> </span>How much risk?<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Danger? Depict realistically. Use REAL life experiences. (White water rafting)…. “dig in”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Focus – this is what really matters RIGHT NOW…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">What are my characters focused on?<span style=""> </span>What are they doing?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Surprises: Johnny One note? – commentary is original? </span><span lang="FR-BE" style="font-size:85%;">Important…<span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;">what is your character trying to do?<span style=""> </span>What is their motivation ? Think deeply about what makes them deeper than paper dolls?<span style=""> </span>When all of your characters are alike, then there is no room for character advancement or development.<span style=""> recalls childhood of </span>Betsy McCall Dolls.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Does it make a difference which character makes a comment, say the dialogue?<span style=""> </span>Know your character’s better. Good example given was the movie <a href="http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/thedivingbellandthebutterfly/">The Diving Bell and the Butterfly<br /></a></span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size:85%;">What words in your mind will make you “try your hardest” to get your message across?<span style=""> </span>Purist, simplest motives.<span style=""> </span>Innocence.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Entering contests helps because of “deadlines” and strengthens skill and motivates, amasses a body of work.<span style=""> </span>Even rejections can be seeds for other stories.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">focus of life – deadlines and “distractions”..<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">“Just Ella”</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Ella"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CzT4Je_CMbfL5R7bVW-DFsI-haqTyhDAJKmUxB6239Hb-FkpQ0to6bWRJkVmk_dlU-HiW_DwQHX1D-Enl70vuP6AhoBBew0yeOUdhXu52ZF7yZYoEcMBgSkYj3RRafe0rjR1tOnPDEU/s200/Just-Ella.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231298953444120498" border="0" /></a></div> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Turnabout/Margaret-Peterson-Haddix/e/9780689840371">“Turnabout”</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Writing is like falling in love.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Anticipating a 15 ½ year old that is learning to drive getting on the road for the first time…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Kids are changeable as they LEARN their new skills – adaptable, always evolving<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Dramatic changes – tougher for adults than it is for kids/teenagers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">We have 20 – 30 years of experiences to draw from.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">More concerned about loves and hates from one minute to the next.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hang out with kids to get inspirations…<span style=""> </span>watch kids play…<span style=""> </span>play games…<span style=""> </span>naïve<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">What reminds you of being a child…. Journals, diary’s, artifacts?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">You will go in the direction that you are looking!!! FOCUS<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Flashes of Awe – Dig in – Inspiration for writing.</span></span></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-size:78%;" >Transcribed from notes taken 8/1/08 at the SCBWI conference - afternoon session - by Suzanne Gibson</span><br /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-69579069166629245152008-08-05T14:28:00.000-07:002008-08-05T14:29:10.108-07:00Other Links to Blogs about the SCBWI Conference<a href="http://cwim.blogspot.com/2008/08/im-leaving-l.html#links">Alice's CWIM Blog</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-27647517398479252302008-08-05T14:02:00.000-07:002008-08-05T14:18:14.892-07:00Keynote address by Mark Teague 8/1/08<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3aL-Rx1pPRBVoS6eOTunPutG_BpwpDLgHgxx1qS4aqr60WiTVRa2QALaYSKrARoqlaRKAEN2RFmpdxqmly2isr-3PxZmLThRx_PipO5BzGMydfV9d6wmDv9Lf6Tjc46qdRebohCo7NE/s1600-h/author_mark_teague.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3aL-Rx1pPRBVoS6eOTunPutG_BpwpDLgHgxx1qS4aqr60WiTVRa2QALaYSKrARoqlaRKAEN2RFmpdxqmly2isr-3PxZmLThRx_PipO5BzGMydfV9d6wmDv9Lf6Tjc46qdRebohCo7NE/s400/author_mark_teague.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231142762854081234" border="0" /></a><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style=""><a href="http://www.scholastic.com/titles/authors/teague/">Mark Teague</a><o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="">My 20 Years in Children’s Books: A Survivor’s Tale<o:p> </o:p></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">I am Picture Book Creator<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">when stopped by people who claim to have a good idea, and are interested in the business, he gives them the SCBWI contact information to steer people in a direction – to pursue their "great" ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Picture books were a start – childhood drawings – create stories and draw pictures<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">His parents basically viewed work as one of options</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""> Divine human experiences: those that lead to poverty, and those that don’t<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Art categorized as “poverty”….<span style=""> </span>Art school… graduation? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">San Diego born / UC Santa Cruz – confused by studying American History – and UNEMPLOYABLE<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Reading Jack Kerouac – road trip – create a good successful story – launch a career (minus the alcohol and despairing death)…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Dodge Dart – head east – cross country in winter? A huge FLAW….<span style=""> </span>Mom wouldn’t send $$$ if ran out… GET A JOB…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">In NYC and got job at Barnes and Noble corporate offices. 1986, before National – still a regional book store. Books that were “over print” – Remainder books – books that were overstocked.<span style=""> </span>Job: Advertise this Big Boxes (palette) – learn how to create book cover (copies)…groomed on the job.<span style=""> </span>It was art school / got paid for it </span><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">J</span></span><span style=""><span style=""> </span>B&N Jr, Children’s Only store – more concentrated on Children’s picture books / art books of the 1980’s / fully saturated color art – William Joyce, (Rolie Polie Olie / Robots)… Stories with picture and words in big colorful packages.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Roughly autobiographical – kid moved to big city – homesick – contrives to take a magical journey – the Trouble with the Johnson’s – a family of dinosaurs – illustrated it – idea to make a dummy (not knowing it was a dummy)…<span style=""> </span>no computer, but had access to a great assortment of professional display tools.<span style=""> </span>DISPLAY DEPARTMENT / Mike Cavanaugh – the B&N Book Buyer…Target – Chris Van Allsburgh’s editor =<span style=""> </span>Walter Lorraine / took it to Houghton-Mifflin – tried his publisher / editor.<span style=""> </span>It was a personalized rejection letter.<span style=""> </span>“I can’t figure out what you are trying to do here”….<span style=""> </span>Focus / Emotional Distance created while it’s away / Grounded / read revision and notice the flaws… could see truth in notes from WL…<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">What is NOT working – can’t get enough focus or clarity in the work… try to tell a story – make it work in 32 pages…<span style=""> </span>in general – conflict boiled down into something that works in a few short sentences…not too complex.<span style=""> </span>Tighten this form of communication.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Communication has to be direct.<span style=""> </span>Not condescending, Not Indirect…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Scholastic offered an interview – thanks to MC – looking for “young talent”… reviewed it… liked it…. Bought it…<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">4 – 5 Months to get the contract…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Got married – <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">$5000???? WOW!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Struggled – Jean Fiewel – Got out of “rut” pasting – Scholastic sent “free lance “ work…<span style=""> </span>practice, work, and improve… / pseudonym?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""> </p><p>able to quit that job at the yellow pages<br />then able to quit working as Elroy Frehm<br />later stopped having scary gaps between<br /></p><p> then one job after another came in</p><p> next step = able to work with great stories<br />and 20 years later -<br /></p><p>thats where I am now<br />gets letters from children we have to do good work<br />these kids are are ultimate audience</p> <p>when I was first starting out<br />I didn't know if I was doing this right<br />I just wanted some one to tell me<br />this is what you do, so do it<br />and no one ever told me that</p> <p>and that uncertainty is now what I love about this job<br />= the field is wide open there are no rules</p> <p>people have expanded this field tremendously<br />the only rule is = it must work</p> <p>the job IS a flying leap<br />you always get something when you're willing to take risks like that</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Notes transcribed by Suzanne Gibson with input from Anastasia Suen 8/05/08</span></span><br /><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-21779715373860467712008-08-05T13:22:00.000-07:002008-08-05T13:52:59.723-07:00Keynote address by Bruce Coville 8/1/08<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="">The first speaker at the SCBWI conference after the introductions of the faculty was by Bruce Coville... I must admit, being new to the industry I am only now learning the who's who, and who does what in the industry. So I listen intently and take notes and make use of the references made available to me before and after the conference. Again, where possible and appropriate, I've added an active link... so you can explore as you wish...</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7bY8_MS2mTRY6LKAni-Je2etWjqmkD3ft4o69RZZp-jI7GkxHaEXtqbuwvxyeAM0EXvP91yyZz1wdqfZIf5Lt8QTeKirHTqGzh22n5Nvw5OmqyQ-uYoGN2HOeiBy16Fcbwe9HlDclrY/s1600-h/Bruce+Coville.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7bY8_MS2mTRY6LKAni-Je2etWjqmkD3ft4o69RZZp-jI7GkxHaEXtqbuwvxyeAM0EXvP91yyZz1wdqfZIf5Lt8QTeKirHTqGzh22n5Nvw5OmqyQ-uYoGN2HOeiBy16Fcbwe9HlDclrY/s400/Bruce+Coville.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231137838270719890" border="0" /></a><span style=""><a href="http://www.brucecoville.com/">Bruce Coville </a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">The Art of the Heart: Writing True for the Child<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">noting a <a href="http://www.shakespearesociety.org/">Shakespeare Society of America</a> – ritual disrobing, Bruce began his address by getting comfortable,... taking off his jacket and rolling up his shirt sleeves. In a pleasant and contemplative voice he acknowledged the audience and the gathering of the tribe – one is missing – <a style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);" href="http://www.sue-alexander.com/html/home.html">Sue Alexander </a>(the co-founder of SCBWI who suddenly passed away in the beginning of July)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">We are part of A lonely thing – with 1000 people, who make their living telling lies to little children <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">“look at me” – in a quiet way – a giant attention getting speech<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> He subtly reminded us that we were about to embark on </o:p>4 days that just might change your life – have an open mind – open heart – <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">If you are asking: Should I be a writer?<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Well, if you come home and have had one of “those day” edgy experiences….<span style=""> </span>Both you and your significant other are the same – pushing the buttons of crankiness…. with the full knowledge that you should not say these things… and then think to yourself "MMMMmmm… this is good stuff" (content for a book or scene)…<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">are you willing to converse with strangers – and tell you life story (of embarrassing moments of your family)<span style=""> ??? </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p></o:p>NOT GETTING RICH - we all hope for, but know that it is not why we are here... (JK is the exception) <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p><br />Reach the Hearts of children – that’s the direction we are all heading... or should be heading.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style=""><o:p>Ask... </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Why are you here? – why? Why do you want to write for children… my heart is filled with stories… Why?<span style=""> </span>Push that “why” to the next level… deeper and deeper into the level of Why?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Fully understand what you are doing, because the children in America are in a state of crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Stages – one – the child as economic contributor to the family – contribute with hard work, heart warming… it wasn't asked of.. it was expected... and just part of the family dynamic.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">After WWII – economic prosperity to – Object of Love – child is now doted on – want for a better life… lots of attention… the work wasn’t crucial<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Third stage – 5 – 15 years ago – Keep the economy moving by being consumers – BUY STUFF culture. But not necessarily good for the heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Secret to happiness: Real work that you love (Catherine Hepburn reference)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Kids are NOT expected to help.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Kids want to be contributing<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Kids want heroes – that’s how we create ourselves <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><span style=""> </span>Take on their personalities - emulate the characters they have a connection with, or want to have a connection with.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Where to find good role models: in Children’s books<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Who do I want to be like?<span style=""> </span>Invite people we want to be like…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">7 deadly sins: are the motivators<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Lust, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Gluttony – if you are not… you are not in the right business, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Greed, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Sloth – sit down and do the work, ASS GLUE, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Wrath – Cherish your wrath – it’s a great motivator<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Envy – ref. Harry Potter – WHY (jkr)NOT ME, GOD?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Pride – Be Proud of our Work<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Bruce’s seven sins<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Dullness – defines where the story begins<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Repetition – repeating yourself – we don’t want to rip off HP, but if you have anything like it…….<span style=""> </span>Make a trend, don’t follow it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Cliché – slide off the mind of the reader – it’s too easy – Find them and re-write them<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Sloth – not working at your best…<span style=""> </span>(it’s so easy) exceed expectations – give more than they are expecting - <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Inattention- not thinking it through – if A, then B…. but B is the start of C, D, E and so on….<span style=""> </span>What happens next?<span style=""> </span>Where do all the ripples go?<span style=""> </span>All the implications, all the details<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Perfectionism – the enemy of achievement – throttles creativity – Let go and let someone read the draft…. Work and avoid the fear…<span style=""> </span>First Draft – cut away everything that is NOT the subject….<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Clumsiness – where does the story begin (Lack of craft) – master the craft – misplaced modifiers – READ IT OUT LOUD… DOES IT MAKE SENSE<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">7 heavenly virtues – transposed for writers<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">1: Passion – Great work comes from passion<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">2: Temperance / sensuousness – loving descriptions of the sensuous world / 3 out of 5 senses should be engaged… texture and style to pull in the reader<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">3: Wisdom – what have I done? What have I learned / take a sheet of paper into 6 boxes/ columns: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (elementary grade memories for each level) recall and access those ideas… / find that the bulk of the responses are BAD… we are hard wired to remember what went wrong… and LEARN… - - - don’t touch a hot iron theory – and learns – every day doors close in children’s hearts, it is our job to KICK those doors open… have courage in our own writing… write down those 6 stories<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">4: Guile – the magician’s trick – “look” bamboozle and pop the “deceit” and “Darth Vader / “Luke, I am your father” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">6: courage – be Bold in what we do / that’s sounds scary, I better do it – don’t be afraid of rejection – forget your ego… no editor has raced to your one’s house and smacked down as you open the door.<span style=""> </span>When you get to the cliff – jump – you may get wings… Let go and GO… reach inside and pull out the painful story.<span style=""> </span>Take advantage of your fears…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">7: Joy – is the birthright of a child – make a child happy – it is all around us – celebrate every day joys and help children see those moments and experience them. The joy should be in the process as writers.<span style=""> </span>Live through the “oatmeal” days to get to the screaming while you write JOY days.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">5: humor – God has humor – why did he put the playground and the plumbing so close together.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Joy is not Cheap - Joy is Free!!!<span style=""> </span>We are born with tears… create Laughter to bring out those tears.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">But our first emotion after birth is laughter…<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Humor is a high achievement… to act with JOY is celebrate . not react to fear.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Long Term – the story tellers start the “ideas” that become real events<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Story tellers – the stories are what survive in our memories – <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Create Empathy though stories – learn skills through our characters – loneliness, live someone else’s story<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Plot, Structure, character development---- but more important – capture the hearts of children<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">Humanlessness is a “humorless” act.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">TEMPERANCE<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="">May you write with joy, passion, and courage, may your words dance across the page, may it be heart-affirming work…</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">THAT WAS AN INCREDIBLE 1 HOUR KEYNOTE ADDRESS!!!! WHAT A START TO THE CONFERENCE!!!<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 204);"> Transcribed by Suzanne 8/5/08 </span><br /><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-10769897911969994622008-08-04T08:59:00.000-07:002008-08-04T18:32:55.778-07:00The first year as a SCBWI member!!!Today is Monday, August 4..... and for the last 4 days I, amongst 915 of my newest and closest friends, have been pleasantly entertained by each other... the writers, illustrators, editors and agents who create and produce the colorful, whimsical, and educational books and reading materials that come into the hands of our children.<br /><br />The Society of Book Writers and Illustrators Annual Summer Conference is an experience to be had by anyone "considering" a career or writing opportunity involving children.<br /><br />The following is a "brief" synopsis of what I have experienced... what I have learned, and who I have learned from... There will be active links and resources.... but what you won't find is a "word for word" essay.... because that would take away the personal experience and dilute the one on one encounters... The information is "my" interpretation and opinion, and for you to enjoy and learn from. If you have questions, comments, or corrections - as I am only human and may have heard something wrong... then Please let me know... I'm happy to learn more.<br />the SCBWI website also will have a webjournal account of EVERY seminar - so check that out too!!! <a href="http://www.scbwi.org/">www.scbwi.org</a><br /><br /><br />1: Be a member of SCBWI - I joined in June 2007 and attended my 1st conference in August 2007... One year later I am SoOOOOooo excited I made that decision! I knew no-one and just quietly kept to myself. I observed, listened and learned as much as possible. Each keynote speaker and seminar instructor taught me something valuable... my portfolio review was informative and humbling, and I was realizing that it was the Best Next Step in becoming a children's book writer / illustrator.<br /><br />2: The next step... get involved. I quickly realized that I needed to meet other illustrator's and writers, and jumped on line to the Tri-regions website (SCBWI.org) and checked out the calendar of events. What was happening in my area... I found out that my local South Bay (Southern California - Beach Cities) area Schmooze coordinator had stepped down and that there was a need for someone to take charge of events in the area... being so new I was hesitant to take on something I really didn't know much about.... but kept an interest in what it was all about.... what was a schmooze anyway? It sounded fun and intriguing... but what was it? It was not a critique group... it wasn't "show and tell" either... <br /><br />3: Attend other events... I attended several SCBWI events. "Down the Rabbit Hole", an annual field trip hosted by the LA-SCBWI... and illustrator schmoozes both in West Los Angeles (Santa Monica area) and in Orange County, CA.... each event giving me a new perspective, insight and valuable tools to become a better illustrator, and made me realize I'm not too bad at the writing thing either... so I'm a "WI" combo.... I also realized that the South Bay was in need of someone to run the SB Schmooze - So... 6 months into this wonderful organization... I became the South Bay Schmooze Coordinator. <br /><br />4: The support is wonderful... The SCBWI organization is so supportive. Within a week of me taking on the Schmooze role... I had coordinators from all over the region offering advise and encouragement to keep me motivated... and the response from other SCBWI's in our local area has been wonderful...<br /><br />This year, attending the conference has been a WONDERFUL ride... Each classroom and seminar was filled with people I knew,... some from last year at my first conference... Others from the local area where I'd attended schmoozes... and of course the select group of ladies from the South Bay who I've been schmoozing and corresponding with over the past few months. It's amazing how knowing just a few more people makes a difference in a sea of 900+ people.<br /><br />For anyone who hasn't attended an SCBWI event.... clear your calendar,... look at what your local region has to offer and GO!!! Get to know people and learn what you can... from that your writing and illustrating will gain a life that is ready to leap off the pages.... <br /><br /><br />To see a "who's who" from the LA Conference - go to the SCBWI website and click through to events... a full synopsis of each person, lecture and topic will be there for you to read. The notes that I will be sharing are my own... with my perspective and my personal experience rendered in there... so forgive me if I get "too" detailed or lengthy - but that's why I came here... to learn and share....<br /><br /><br />----- Stay tuned for more Conference notes.... I took a lot, and it will take a few days to extract them all and make them legible...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-78919470009320189312008-07-24T15:55:00.000-07:002008-07-24T16:14:37.528-07:00Meet my new Spider....<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHURb_Pe5NHTgyUmfqLBCmi6_JnRWnrL0Ba7NQik0hbylGpcR7Lne6FV0Fllj7-kp8RFeI761JOZuO4sWU1i_bJsimT93kfTEiu9CvIJD6zxi9o2jEkbTqu1HtRoslMcwCj8vX-s6DtQ/s1600-h/Spider+Image+1+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHURb_Pe5NHTgyUmfqLBCmi6_JnRWnrL0Ba7NQik0hbylGpcR7Lne6FV0Fllj7-kp8RFeI761JOZuO4sWU1i_bJsimT93kfTEiu9CvIJD6zxi9o2jEkbTqu1HtRoslMcwCj8vX-s6DtQ/s400/Spider+Image+1+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226720090052374786" border="0" /></a>The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1io8fBwegprbxtLw7k6JXdOGjqkAHYgDi0CiedLRRzy1qMoWMdnz4C2sPjLpXR5E7ILLBPm2WqlmIs6iw4FkDyMxJK1IDsDHIWtQ6OztUO6ilo4N1UBqy2f-ryxGBi2_BonWHoonDIUw/s1600-h/Spider+Image+2+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1io8fBwegprbxtLw7k6JXdOGjqkAHYgDi0CiedLRRzy1qMoWMdnz4C2sPjLpXR5E7ILLBPm2WqlmIs6iw4FkDyMxJK1IDsDHIWtQ6OztUO6ilo4N1UBqy2f-ryxGBi2_BonWHoonDIUw/s400/Spider+Image+2+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226720088452696994" border="0" /></a><br />Down came the rain and washed the spider out...<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzLnZ1a4Szx2mkKgvJBR_uPZpI-A3EvVgZ_YF4oUOhylOTELZ4f4eIMOwKWZFsBqAAzZCr7l-4g53IPuIdnF2QbS7_mKZc08e8OJBU5z3pp0qFie5noYPThjoJVXQz1lOHgFfw083m6w/s1600-h/Spider+Image+3+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzLnZ1a4Szx2mkKgvJBR_uPZpI-A3EvVgZ_YF4oUOhylOTELZ4f4eIMOwKWZFsBqAAzZCr7l-4g53IPuIdnF2QbS7_mKZc08e8OJBU5z3pp0qFie5noYPThjoJVXQz1lOHgFfw083m6w/s400/Spider+Image+3+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226720094312275122" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Out came the sun and dried up all the rain...<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheT-pZQE9R_2ORs2XC91meG6gnoXJpPhMGDB-JWlJB-lp8t4jl8M8qMsuE6NkzYx-B9uo1XbN5ykMBtcKcPHwgHZ8UnjKgJNmVw7xqp6ueNzMGMdm4JKzR4ueYmKdqzYiC4TOSqwJfd4E/s1600-h/Spider+Image+4+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheT-pZQE9R_2ORs2XC91meG6gnoXJpPhMGDB-JWlJB-lp8t4jl8M8qMsuE6NkzYx-B9uo1XbN5ykMBtcKcPHwgHZ8UnjKgJNmVw7xqp6ueNzMGMdm4JKzR4ueYmKdqzYiC4TOSqwJfd4E/s400/Spider+Image+4+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226720103437608274" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout again...<br /><br /><br />from a new collection of illustrated poems and bedtime stories...<br />e-mail me directly at: gibsonandgibson@socal.rr.com<br />for more information<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-17264003680687603002008-06-30T07:56:00.000-07:002008-06-30T07:58:13.300-07:00A Midsummer's Day Schmooze......<div style="text-align: center;"><br />This is an event to spawn creativity in a tranquil, natural setting. <a href="http://www.ci.long-beach.ca.us/naturecenter/default.asp"><span style="color:#0000ff;">El Dorado Park Nature Center</span></a> in Long Beach is lush with trees, trails and the occasional bunny and squirrels playing tag. Several lakes and streams with fish, turtles, ducks and the sounds of the birds. The ideal place to sit awhile and sketch, write, and come up with a lovely children’s story… So join us, writers and illustrators alike, and enjoy<br /><br /> A “Midsummer’s Day Schmooze” – creative writing and quick sketch day at El Dorado Park – Nature Center… (Long Beach)<br /> <br /> 10:30 – 11:30 – session 1 (write or illustrate, inspired from something in the park)<br /><br /> 11:30 – 12:30 – session 2 (team up writers and illustrators, and elaborate)<br /> <br /> Picnic at your leisure…<br /> <br /> 1:00 – 2:00 – Tell our stories, open discussion and critique<br /> <br /> RSVP: space is limited to 20<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-41203165545765279362008-04-29T08:07:00.000-07:002008-04-29T08:26:13.740-07:00Artist at work!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOaT8er6AmXuixFdVqjj3GbmhnH-cxXcy913wW6Jw-FbZ9sMkfkkCM7b7aADVuVwvzPeBJ-K5h1AmwYS26hDjJCKWtsb6zEvdA4h1IJv_UyPJ4O6NhZzrnwAjkzHh6sRlhlvSJnlpTms/s1600-h/April+11,+2008+044.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Young Artist at Work</span></span></span></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOaT8er6AmXuixFdVqjj3GbmhnH-cxXcy913wW6Jw-FbZ9sMkfkkCM7b7aADVuVwvzPeBJ-K5h1AmwYS26hDjJCKWtsb6zEvdA4h1IJv_UyPJ4O6NhZzrnwAjkzHh6sRlhlvSJnlpTms/s1600-h/April+11,+2008+044.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOaT8er6AmXuixFdVqjj3GbmhnH-cxXcy913wW6Jw-FbZ9sMkfkkCM7b7aADVuVwvzPeBJ-K5h1AmwYS26hDjJCKWtsb6zEvdA4h1IJv_UyPJ4O6NhZzrnwAjkzHh6sRlhlvSJnlpTms/s320/April+11,+2008+044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194686505672770898" border="0" /></a>David is quickly becoming an Amazing Artist... He loves to create, and "knows" what he wants to see... I recently took him to El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach California, where we spent a good part of the afternoon sitting lakeside, sketching and experimenting with chalk pastels.<br /><br />David was determined to draw a purple car and a tow truck... not exactly what I was trying to teach him... so I suggested he sit and look around (see above photo) and then use that as his inspiration. He started off with a bridge (Monet-ish, don't you think?), he added trees and was quite true to the landscape...<br /><br />He opened his sketchbook to a 2 page spread, and then...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbwwU-5t0H1lI9rfbFE4liP0fo4sQddiOk1__dI74PMQHATjt8eRIXAO9G9Zpkzd8mqWR3KTH8_t3QktcVwIa_Hp1ScxAem6soZGdanIVYJQ8OFDQ4tOEAbhNpqpZg3TXmxURbtv4RkE/s1600-h/David's+Bridge+-+El+Dorado.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbwwU-5t0H1lI9rfbFE4liP0fo4sQddiOk1__dI74PMQHATjt8eRIXAO9G9Zpkzd8mqWR3KTH8_t3QktcVwIa_Hp1ScxAem6soZGdanIVYJQ8OFDQ4tOEAbhNpqpZg3TXmxURbtv4RkE/s320/David's+Bridge+-+El+Dorado.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194686518557672818" border="0" /></a><br />he added the purple car crashing off the bridge and the tow truck....<br /><br />I'm so proud of him!!!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-46723980318165739132008-04-01T15:05:00.000-07:002008-04-01T15:16:46.189-07:00Color Theory<p class="MsoNormal">My son, Alex, recently questioned me on the ‘blending” of two colors, resulting in a new color.<span style=""> </span>Simple color theory, right?<span style=""> </span>He is 4 years old, and is starting to understand this…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>He asked..... I responded: </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What does <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">red </span></span>and <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:180%;" >blue</span> make?<span style=""> </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;" > Purple</span></span>…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What does <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">yellow</span></span> </span>and <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">red</span></span> make?<span style=""> </span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> Orange</span></span>…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What does <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">red</span> and <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">red</span> make?<span style=""> </span>More <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">red</span>…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What does <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">green</span></span> and <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">yellow</span></span> make… a <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">pretty color</span></span> that you see on a <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 153);font-family:lucida grande;" >bird</span></span> or a <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >dragonfly</span> (he saw me painting like this recently)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>What does white and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">red</span> make? <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);font-size:180%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 204);">Pink</span></span><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What does <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);font-size:180%;" >yellow</span> and <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">blue </span>make?<span style=""> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Green</span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I then asked him some similar questions…<span style=""> but his answers were astounding.... </span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What does blue and green make?<span style=""> </span>An ocean<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What does blue with white make?<span style=""> </span>The sky…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And what does black and white make?<span style=""> </span>A zebra…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, everyday, we are exploring the world, we are sharing what we know, <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And we demonstrate to the younger children in our lives that color is all around us…<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Have a colorful, whimsical day!!! I think a new children's book is being written by my son... what do you think?<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-78733107867392238642008-03-27T16:23:00.001-07:002008-03-27T16:38:54.851-07:00The Butterfly Song: If I were a Butterfly!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRKMlv8miw6j8PYs2faC4BtUIWLKXIr3qmAq7TGILbN7NRjUit8nTJd-Xt_BDK5Bi7P7P8mZquhFFwRYAvfRFuDtRGVOED920jmGt1bSG18E6fLjz-1zpcvECZbs26a2mXW3HHUUCKGA/s1600-h/Master+Butterfly+Color+Print.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRKMlv8miw6j8PYs2faC4BtUIWLKXIr3qmAq7TGILbN7NRjUit8nTJd-Xt_BDK5Bi7P7P8mZquhFFwRYAvfRFuDtRGVOED920jmGt1bSG18E6fLjz-1zpcvECZbs26a2mXW3HHUUCKGA/s400/Master+Butterfly+Color+Print.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182566450992017458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">If I were a butterfly, I'd thank you Lord, for giving me wings<br />If I were a robin in a tree, I'd thank you Lord, that I could sing,<br />If I were a fish in the sea, </span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MZ4MbX56NRMrREEyGm_sjrsdOuOrs5gZT-rZESsOm36jEBMY9GALs9rWRjlKa7U4ufUomVGK68G5k6xgFNj0nwEZgRtLF1FIAwkJrMiZNFUP-xHkOKCTidnqgTAL8SSnR3ptZ7yc9xo/s1600-h/Fish.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MZ4MbX56NRMrREEyGm_sjrsdOuOrs5gZT-rZESsOm36jEBMY9GALs9rWRjlKa7U4ufUomVGK68G5k6xgFNj0nwEZgRtLF1FIAwkJrMiZNFUP-xHkOKCTidnqgTAL8SSnR3ptZ7yc9xo/s400/Fish.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182567705122467906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">I'd wriggle my tail and I'd giggle with glee,<br />and I just Thank you, Father, for making me ME!!!<br /><br />and so "The Butterfly Song" written by Brian Howard begins...<br /><br />If you are interested in seeing more of the illustrations by Suzanne Gibson, please visit my <a href="http://artbysuzannegibson.blogspot.com/">portfolio</a>, or submit a request by <a href="gibsonandgibson@socal.rr.com">e-mailing me</a>. <br />I'd love to hear from you!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-family: arial;">See another project written and illustrated by Suzanne & her father, David... The Adventures of Sam Strawberry... become a pen pal to Sam and Suzy at </span><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-family: arial;" href="http://www.samstrawberry.com/">www.samstrawberry.com</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-28404954821749948382008-01-18T16:45:00.000-08:002008-01-18T16:48:59.622-08:00Current Project & PortfolioSelections from: A Child's Garden of Verses<br /><br />An Illustrated Story: Alice in Wonderland<br /><br />An Illustrated Collection of Poetry for Children<br /><br />100 Simple Stories - Bed Time stories for Parent and Child<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://samstrawberry.blogspot.com/"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The Adventures of Sam Strawberry</span></a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-91315778645352360492008-01-18T16:42:00.001-08:002008-01-18T16:43:20.486-08:00I've been busyI've been busy getting my studio space ready to WORK!!! <br />New Artwork will be posted soon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8336972067228226321.post-51387022939229567222007-12-10T19:42:00.001-08:002007-12-10T19:58:24.237-08:00Happy Christmas... 2007!!!This is a season for dreaming, and sharing, and learning about the dreams of others... and just by chance you have the ability to help someone else achieve their dream, or realize that they are capable of getting just a little bit further on their path... then it's your time and your turn to do so.<br /><br />Take a moment this holiday season... regardless of what others say... and do something nice for someone else... <br /><br />I don't know what my thing will be yet... but I'll know it when it happens.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0