My Marvelous Midwest session on Time Management went really well! I'm hopeful that it helped lots of people. I just sent out my Time Management toolkit in a separate email to those who signed up for it at the conference. Happy planning! |
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I met some amazing artists at the Marvelous Midwest conference this month! (Heard of Zeke Pena and Laurie Keller?!) They both taught wonderful, inspiring sessions. I got a portfolio review with Zeke! We talked about my work and where I want to take it. I highly recommend that artists get a review at all stages when starting their career. It's a great test to figure out where you're at. |
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In Laurie Keller's session, (she's author/illustrator of Arnie the Doughnut and other hilarious books) she led us through an idea-generating exercise using doodles. She said she loves doodling because, "I end up drawing things that I never would have otherwise." I enjoyed sketching with silly shapes, and after the conference I decided one in particular needed to be finished up. |
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And check it out!! My forest piece WON the conference art show! 😆 Whaaaaaat?! And the prize was BOOKS!! Such a happy surprise. |
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Plus, I actually took a whole week off this month!! I went hiking and climbing with some besties up in Idaho. 🧗♀️ |
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This month I've worked through over half of Camp Grandma and Grandpa's sketches. The characters have gone through a couple changes, and I made a few switch-a-roos with the page turns... I hope it turns out okay. 😏 |
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I feel especially proud of this little scene under Grandma's umbrella. Yes, their dog is riding a toy car. 😂 Any votes on what their dog's name should be? |
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There are so many wonderful jokes and shenanigans throughout this story, it's been an absolute blast to sketch out. (you can probably tell I'm having fun with this!) I plan to draw the final linework for this book in pen and ink. (below is where I tried out the style for my initial character designs) I LOVE how it looks, but will drawing finals traditionally take way longer than I think?? ...I guess time will tell! |
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Zeke's comic-style linework works so beautifully for this story of a young girl taking a motorcycle ride with her dad. But like all good books, there are layers to this story. |
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We see the whole town through this girls eyes. How precious every corner is to her, and how her town is changing. What businesses were in your town, but now they've shut down? Are there librarians, buildings, signs, or organ-players that have just always been in your community? |
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How do those things shape the place we live? I highly recommend this read! If not for the beautiful story, for Zeke's wonderful drawings!! |
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It's been a busy month, and spring is in full swing! I've started running again... Seth and I signed up for a half-marathon for this fall, and I want to be ready! 😵💫 See you next month! CB |
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