This is Boyd's Mills house where the workshop was held and we had all of our meals. It is such a beautiful and peaceful area that it is a perfect setting to be creative.
These are some of the cabins. They are so cute and comfortable that it felt like being home (only a lot quiter).
This was my cabin. I wish it would have been warmer because I would have loved to sit on that rocking chair to enjoy the beautiful forest view.
Unlike what my husband thought when he saw this picture, this had nothing to do with whiskey. While we were in our workshop an entire flock (is that right? I know it's not a herd but there were a bunch of them) of turkeys ran past. By the time my camera took the picture only one was left. That's what that little dot is. Anyway, I thought that a flock of turkeys is really neat.
If you don't to come for the information at the workshop, come for the food. Marcia is the most incredible chef. These were just some of the appetizers we got before the meal. Those are homemade potstickers, spring rolls and an incdredible artichoke dip. The actual dinners included: Lobster lasagna, shrimp encrusted talapia and pumpkin creme brule. We were in heaven.
This is Tim Gillner, Art Director for Boyd's Mills Press, in his office. Great guy with very helpful feedback on portfolios. His office is rather interesting with all those piles of stuff. ..
Part of the facutly included Dominic Catalano, Kelly Cunningham (Art Director for High Five Magazine), Suzanne Bloom (author/illustrator) and Tim Gillner. We also spent time with Cynthia Farber Smith, Art Director for Highlights Magazine, but I was so enthralled all evening that I forgot to pull out my camera.
This is Lindsay Barrett George, author/illustrator, spent time with us on Friday evening and Sunday and was so helpful when looking at our work. She had great insight and advice which I think will really help me greatly.
This is one of Lindsay's illustrations. She had such a wide range, but her wildlife illustrations were just breathtaking.
Here is Nick while reviewing all the Caldecott winners. Yes, he brought with him every single Caldecott winner since the first one in 1938.
All the Caldecott Winner since 1938. Reviewing each one was really interesting.
I'll let you all know when it is available next year.
This is the new and revised look:
Here is Pat with Michelle, Juana and myself at the workshop. The person missing is Kathy Parks who was such an integral part of getting this workshop put together. Thank you Michelle, Kathy and Juana for your hard work in getting this workshop put together. As always you surpassed expectations.
Here is Pat with Megumi during the portfolio review. Everyone attending was able to have some one-on-one time with Pat to get advice on their artworks and portfolios. Thank you Pat for all your insightful comments.
Tom, Lewis, Annette and Kathy taking diligent notes during Pat's informative address.
Listening attentively. I don't think there was a single person that did not enjoy and appreciate receiving Pat wisdom.
Here's Kathy with Christine (sorry that I cut your head off), MaryBeth, and Debbie going over how she handled the assignment. Kathy's the hone holding the paper.
Reviewing everyone's assignment was very inspiring. I always feel that you can learn just as much from another person's art as you can from your own.
I don't know a single illustrator that would not be tickled to learn more about any one of these topics let alone all of them.
Hope to see you there.
Seeing that I grew up in Australia I came accross the work or Graeme Base many years ago. He is one of the first illustrators that really spoke to me. Not to me directly, but his work per se. I love looking at each of his images. The longer you look at them the more you discover. You can literally get lost in the spreads of his books. All I could think of was how wonderful it would be to illustrate books like that one day.I stumbled across the following essay that talks about his work and carreer in more detail.
http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,0_1000002108,00.html
Let me know your thoughts. :)
That's my computer area. As you can see I'm getting ready to do some blog posting. :) 
That's my easle and drawing table, etc. The TV is not hooked up right now so it's just using up valuable space. My window looks over a little park which is nice, but it's hard watching people have fun outside while working (even if the work I do is fun) inside.
My solution?
Take over the rest of the house! Yup, I now paint in our dinning/family room area. It's actually kinda fun because I'm with the rest of the family and not so isolated. Thank you family for letting me spread my paints out everywhere.
At the book signing in El Yunque, we met Jaymee Weinreich. She is an incredible artist and also writes about Puerto Rican artists, writers, etc. for a monthly free publication in Florida called "El Playero." She requested to interview Mr. Rodriguez, Marisa and myself for an article in one of the upcoming issues of El Playero. We all met, at Mr. Rodriguez Golf Resort, El Legado, outside of Guayama, Puerto Rico. We explained how "There's a Coqui in My Shoe!" came to life and what the journey entailed.Thank you Jaymee for your interest in our story and we are looking forward to reading your article soon.
The three of us again, at Mr. Rodriguez Golf Resort, El Legado. What a beautiful area, even if you are not a golfer. But if you do golf, make sure that you visit El Legado Golf Resort, home of Chi Chi Rodriguez, http://www.ellegadogolfresort.com/ . Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez for your hospitality. Thank you also Maria (Morales, Marketing Director) for everything.
Here I am with Mr. Rodriguez and Marisa de Jesus Paolicelli, the author, and Pablo Cruz, Forest Supervisor, from the El Portal Rainforest Center. The day was a huge success and there was lots of traffic for the entire time we were there. Mrs. Rosa informed us that we had sold well over 100 books that day which was a record for the store. Thank you to everyone who made the day such a huge success.
If you are ever in the El Yunque area of Puerto Rico, make sure that you visit the El Portal Rain Forest Center. The facility is absolutetly beautiful and is the entrance to the actual rain forest itself. For more information about the center, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/ .
Here are a couple more photos of the day:
Here is Marisa and I meeting some of the visitors to the Center and the book signing.
Here Mr. Rodriguez is making us laugh again. What a fun day we had.
Here is Mr. Rodriguez and Marisa with my family, my husband Kevin with the girls who are not cooperating as you can see. I couldn't resist, though. Afterall, how often does one get a chance to take a photo with a legend?
Posts
All Comments
