Imagination Day: April 25, 2022

Imagination Day is April 25, 2022

Celebrate with us as "Imagination, A Journey of the Mind" turns 15.

15 years doesn't seem like a long time until you gauge it in relation to your own children and their own growth.

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.
Now she is 16 and high-kicking her way through high-school.   The boys are now 18, 20, and 21. 

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.

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.

Contact us here: Imagine With Us  send a note with IMAGINATION in the subject line!

We are looking for some interactive student friendly work to share!!!  Join in thr fun!!



See you soon:  Dawn and Suzanne

Nursery Boxes - Painted Boxes - Wedding Boxes

art for children isn't limited to paper... at least not for me.

here are some samples of nursery boxes that have been made for boys and girls.
This set was for a pair of twins.

Custom Orders for Furniture or any other type Hand Painted Item by Suzanne are available...

Contact me directly for more information: ORDER HERE!!!

Ideal Gifts For the Holidays, Birthdays, New Baby, Girls and Boys, or a cool box for the Grad to take off to College.

Allow 4 - 6 weeks for creating and delivering.

End of Summer Art Contest for Kids

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!


Choose from one of these:

"From a Railway Carriage" by Robert Lewis Stevenson

"The Grasshopper and the Elephant", Anonymous

 

"The Daffodils", by William Wordsworth

 

"The Owl and the Pussycat" by Edward Lear

 

Fun for the Month of August - 2013

 

Imagination. A Journey of the Mind

A Creative Playdate Coming to a Backyard Near You!!!

Anyone wanting to host a summer reading party for little ones (Pre-K - 2nd Grade)... this is a great idea for a playdate....

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...

Contact me for more details!

A 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...

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.

Art and Illustration 2011

2010 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...


New Events for 2011.... 

SCBWI South Bay Writer's and Illustrator's Group... 
Meeting throughout the year....  More info on dates, times, and locations will be posted on the regional calendar soon.

My Portfolio is taking a whole new direction... with some solid goals in mind too...

• attend the SCBWI Summer Conference in August....
• I am planning to visit NY in October, with Portfolio in Hand....
• Alpha Card Samples
• Get Graphic Novel Manuscript & Dummy Book presentable... to take with me...

Okay, so now with a few goals written... I have a start to 2011... May your journey with me be productive too! 

Illustrator's Day - 2009

I 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.

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.

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.

For more information about SCBWI... and other upcoming events.... click on the SCBWI link...