Children’s book illustrators, artistrators, writers take note:
These guys kind of say it all. The trailer is by animator, web designer, online comics creator Erik Kuntz (who also happens to be our SCBWI chapter’s webmaster.)
Briefly, the Second Annual Austin SCBWI Digital Symposiumis October 6 at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. But for the schedule and more details on the workshop and presenters, go here.
Google+ tools for artists and illustrators — a free workshop
* * * * * Children’s book author-illustrator Mark Mitchell is also the author of this post. See Mark’s short video about the “best drawing secret” here.
I get a kick out of how the thumbnail on YouTube shows me in the crowd, getting a hug from illustrator Marsha Riti. So of course I had to include it here.
Erik, our web designer and webmaster and Nick, our chapter’s social media strategist produced the video around Amy Rose’s wonderful portrait photography. They put it all together on the fly — while the event was still happening, in time to show the attendees at the day’s end.
You don’t want to miss hearing the Muppets in the video’s second half.
My own photos will never be as good as Amy’s — but they’re illustration-centric and include shots of the illustrators’ intensive session by Patti Ann Harris, senior art director for Little, Brown and Co.
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Yes, it was all back in February! But the experience feels fresh still. Highlights for me were a session Patti did with Random House (Golden Books) editor and author Diane Muldrow on the art director/editor relationship at a house – and a special award that our chapter presented to two of its beloved members: Authors Cynthia Leitich Smithand Greg Leitich Smith. The award recognized this married pair for being our chapter’s friends/mentors and Ambassadors for the Austin Kid-Lit Community to the world.
I loved how the Girllustrators organized the illustrators’ print and original art donations for the silent auction and ran herd on the portfolio room and portfolio competition (won by Jeff Crosby.) They represented our group splendidly.
Others’ thank yous were given out many weeks ago. But I’ll add mine now — thanks to the Girllustrators, our terrific guest faculty, especially author Lisa Yee, Debbie Gonzales, our chapter’s regional adviser (RA) and assistant RA Carmen Oliver, also Meredith Davis, Shelli Cornelison, Samantha Clark, Sheryl Witschorke and so many volunteers, and Sister Donna Jurick, Ramsey Fowler, PhD. and Rebecca Rodriguez of St. Edward’s University who allowed their beautiful campus to be our base for the second year in a row.
The “Girllustrators” who coordinated the Portfolio Showcase and portfolio contest. Left ro right standing are Emma J. Virjan and Shelley Ann Jackson, seated – Divya Srinivasan, Marsha Riti, Patrice Barton and Amy Farrier — with Emma J. Virjan, Marsha Riti, Patrice Barton, Amy Farrier and Shelley Ann Jackson at the Mabee Ballroom at St. Edward’s University. Not pictured are Lalena Fisher, Tiffany Vargas and Amanda Williams.
The Crystal Kite is given by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators each year to recognize the best books from 15 regional SCBWI divisions around the world. Peers, children’s book authors and illustrators in the 15 divisions, vote for their favorites. Mine!was the winner for the Texas-Oklahoma Division.
Last summer we interviewed Patty for Marks and Splashescourse students. In this excerpt from video interview Patty did for students of the Marks and Splashes course she talks about working on the illustrations for Mine!
And remembering Maurice Sendak
Who brought many of us back to children’s books — when we thought we’d left them behind long ago.
University of Texas BFA grad Marsha Ritiworked at her first creative love, ceramics before she saw an opportunity to make some extra money with her studio art craft — illustrating books for children.
Her technique of patching together and occasionally manipulating her watercolor illustrations in Photoshophas served her well.
Her blog that she fills with her images and interviews with her illustrator and artists friends caught the attention of an agent, which led to a contract to illustrate a series of chapter books for the Little Simon imprint of Simon & Schuster.
In the slideshow below you can see Marsha garbed as her witch-in-training heroine at last month’s book launch party.
She’s joined by friends from her Austin SCBWI illustrators’ critique group, the Girlustrators who came out to support, babes and broomsticks in tow.
Marsha Riti signs at BookPeople, surrounded by her Girlustrator pals.
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InteractBook contest winners announced
Our judging team has named the winners for the create your own iPad
book app contest by InteractBooks.
The first place winner in the contest for creating an interactive book using the InteractBuilder software received an iPad2 and a publishing contract.
Other contestants received prizes, too.
First Place – It’s Time for Carrots by Dan Byrne
Second Place – Put the Ow in Meow by Adreienne Jervis
Third Place – The Magic of Lizzie Boo by Leslie Dennis
Coming in fourth and neck in neck with third place – CAE Club gets Ready for a Great and Scary Halloween by Ann Kesselman.
Congratulations to all contenders!
Stand by for some videos about the entries, an interview with the winner and news about the next InteractBooks contest.
