WPaSCBWI Illustrators

The Golden Penn needs your art!

2012-03-01T16:19:00.001-05:00

The copy for the Spring issue of The Golden Penn arrived on ChrisAnn Goossen's desk this morning with some great articles, and she needs some springy art to go with them. Contributions from WPaSCBWI illustrators would be greatly appreciated. Jpeg and full color work great with our online presentation.

Please send illustrations to ChrisAnn at ChrisAnnKG@verizon.net. If she can't use the piece for this issue she'll keep it on file for a future one.

Thank you for making The Golden Penn a publication our region can feel good about.

Jack Gantos wins the Newbery

2012-01-23T11:12:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Jack Gantos for winning the John Newbery Award for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature!

For those of you who don't know, Jack grew up in Norvelt, Pennsylvania (born in Mount Pleasant), and his mother still lives in the area. The book that won him the award was Dead End in Norvelt, released last September. If you ever have the chance to see Mr. Gantos speak live, I would highly recommend it.

Again, congratulations to one of our own!

Show your work at the Bologna Book Fair

2012-01-13T09:57:00.000-05:00

Submit your illustration work for the SCBWI Portfolio at Bologna

SCBWI will be running a stand at this year’s Bologna Book Fair, the most prestigious gathering of children’s publishers in the world.

The Illustration Display Portfolio (IDP) will be available for browsing throughout the fair and is open to submissions from PAL (Published and Listed) SCBWI members of all regions.

You don’t need to be attending the Fair in order to submit to the portfolio.

Submissions
(see also http://www.scbwibologna.org/display-portfolio.php)

Illustrators are requested to email a low resolution PDF of the
promotional piece they'd like to exhibit to IDP@scbwiBologna.org by
February 14, 2012.

The promotional PDF should:

contain up to 3 images maximum, with your name and contact details clearly visible
be on one side of a letter (8.5 x 11 inch) size page
be in portrait format (i.e. height taller than width)
have a Maximum size of 1MB.

All artwork will then be reviewed for inclusion.

Successful applicants will be asked to make a high-definition (300+ dpi) quality PRINT OUT of their accepted sample page, at A4 size which will then be mailed to the IDP. The print will be included in the Illustration Display Portfolio and taken to Bologna.

Participation in the Illustration Display Portfolio is free but space is
limited so a careful selection will be made of pieces that work for the
publishing world at Bologna.

WPa Illustrators in Gettysburg

2012-01-11T09:02:00.000-05:00

A few of the members of the Western Pennsylvania chapter of the SCBWI are also members of the region's Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators, who publish a newsletter each month for their members. December's issue includes an article covering the Tri-Regional SCBWI conference in Gettysburg last November on pages six and seven. The newsletter is in pdf format, and can be downloaded here:

http://www.pittsburghillustrators.org/Newsletters/PSInside_Dec11.pdf

The Unofficial Tomie dePaola Award Gallery

2012-01-03T18:47:00.003-05:00

Wonder what other entries to the Tomie dePaola Award look like? Take a look at the ones collected on this blog for inspiration:

http://scbwicontest.blogspot.com/

Looking for art for the Golden Penn

2011-12-05T18:28:00.001-05:00

ChrisAnn Goossen is looking for art for this month's Golden Penn newsletter. Pieces with a winter or holiday theme would be great for this issue. Also, any pieces featuring kids and/or literature and art are always appropriate.

Email her at chrisannkg@verizon.net

Tri-Regional SCBWI Conference

2011-11-15T20:42:00.001-05:00


E.B. Lewis signs prints

Abrams Art Director Chad Beckerman

SCBWI's Tri-Regional Conference ran smoothly over the weekend, making camp just outside beautiful downtown Gettysburg. Attendees enjoyed breakout sessions from several industry professionals including Abrams Creative Director Chad Beckerman and illustrator E.B. Lewis. Saturday afternoon included "First Looks" where six faculty members gave their first impressions of illustrations submitted by conference attendees.

Portfolio display at Tri-Regional Conference

2011-11-09T14:01:00.003-05:00

For those of you attending the Tri-Regional SCBWI Conference in Gettysburg this weekend, we now have a space to display our portfolios. Portfolios will only be on display on Saturday as we won't have anyone to guard them, and the room will be unlocked until 11:00 pm for people to use for peer critiquing. The tables will be set up around the perimeter of the large general session room. Each illustrator will be responsible for her/his own work.

SCBWI Tri-Regional Fall Conference

2011-09-08T17:42:00.000-04:00

This year the Western Pennsylvania chapter of SCBWI will be teaming up with the Eastern and Maryland/Delaware/West Virginia SCBWI chapters for a tri-regional fall conference in Gettysburg, PA.

Friday-Sunday, November 11-13, 2011
Gettysburg Wyndham Hotel, Gettysburg PA

Complete conference information
Registration
Conference faculty
Workshops
Accommodations

So far, plans are for illustrators to bring their portfolios to set out for conference attendees to view. We'll confirm details as we get them.

For an additional fee, you can also have your portfolio critiqued privately by a member of the conference faculty. Also included Saturday afternoon: First Looks. In an open panel discussion, conference faculty will offer their responses to a limited number of illustrations sent in by conference attendees. Details about critiques and First Looks can be found here.

Plans are still being solidified for shared transportation to and from the conference.

The Golden Penn needs your art

2011-09-08T17:08:00.002-04:00

The WPA SCBWI's Fall issue of The Golden Penn needs art to liven up its pages. This issue will highlight the November conference in Gettysburg, PA. Please send ChrisAnn Goossen (ChrisAnnKG@verizon.net) digital files (jpeg is fine) for a one time use. We'll include a credit line along with your piece. Seasonal art is welcome as well as a variety of subject matter including animals, nature, kids, books, and the writing and illustration professions.

Thanks for sharing your talents with our readers. If you have any questions, please contact, ChrisAnn.

An Interview With Abrams Creative Director, Chad Beckerman

2011-07-18T19:52:00.000-04:00

Chad Beckerman is the Creative Director for Amulet Books, Abrams Books for Young Readers and ComicArts. Here's an insightful interview with him on the childrensillustrators.com Web site. An Art Director from Abrams will be joining us for our fall conference in Gettysburg this November 11-13. Details soon.

"Science to Go" art contest

2011-07-07T18:56:00.004-04:00

The Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh-Area Dunkin’ Donuts Franchisees Partner to Host “Science to Go” Contest

Designed to motivate local science lovers and artists to go “above and beyond”, the contest winner will receive a $700 prize package and the chance to have their design featured on a Dunkin’ Donuts’ Travel Mug later this year.

Age: 18 or older
To enter: Visit http://ddsciencetogocontest.com
Deadline: August 7, 2011
Contact: Dena Rose at 412-481-5807 or drose@rosestein.com

Entrants are invited to submit an original work of art representing their adaptation of what is above or beyond the earth, including the, sky, weather, clouds, solar system, stars, planets, and more. Original works of art can be submitted as drawings, paintings, watercolors, photography, or graphic art. Submission deadline is 11:59.59 p.m., August 7, 2011. Mail-in entry information can be found in participating Pittsburgh-area Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants. Entries by mail must be postmarked no later than August 1, 2011 in order to be eligible.

The winner will be selected on or around August 11, 2011 by a panel of judges from Carnegie Science Center and Dunkin’ Donuts. The winning artwork may appear on a limited-edition Dunkin’ Donuts’ Travel Mug, which will be sold in participating Pittsburgh-area Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants beginning approximately October 1 through December 31, 2011. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Carnegie Science Center’s mentoring and youth training initiatives.

For more eligibility, submission requirements and the Official Rules, please visit: http://www.ddsciencetogocontest.com or any Pittsburgh-area Dunkin’ Donuts Restaurant.

Critiquenic map

2011-07-07T06:22:00.001-04:00

Here's a map to help you find our Critiquenic at Monroeville Community Park:

View Larger Map

And a link to the map on Google Maps in case the map above doesn't load.

Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Time: 5:30 to 9:00 PM
Place: Monroeville Park
What to bring:

A finished illustration to have critiqued in peer critique groups
Either a main dish salad, side dish salad, or dessert

Cost: FREE
Registration: Email patheaston@aol.com and include

Name
Email address
Phone number
What dish you will bring

July Critiquenic for Illustrators too!

2011-07-02T20:22:00.007-04:00

Each year, writers from the WPaSCBWI get together to picnic and critique each others' work, and this year the illustrators will be eating and critiquing right along with them!

Since we're just getting our feet wet and feeling our way as we go, this year our plans will be to critique whatever you want to bring along. We're already making plans for next year's event, but we're open to any ideas you might have that can make this exciting and worthwhile.

Here are the details:

Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Time: 5:30 to 9:00 PM
Place: Monroeville Park
What to bring:

A finished illustration to have critiqued in peer critique groups
Either a main dish salad, side dish salad, or dessert

Cost: FREE
Registration: Email patheaston@aol.com and include

Name
Email address
Phone number
What dish you will bring

Advanced Illustrators Workshop

2011-06-28T07:49:00.002-04:00

Openings are still available for the Advanced Illustrators Workshop offered by the Highlights Foundation September 1-5.

It's designed for illustrators seeking a technique-driven workshop to sharpen their skills in the field of children’s picture-book illustration.

Join award-winning illustrators Floyd Cooper, Eric Rohmann, Melanie Hall, Suzanne Bloom, and Lindsay Barrett George as they guide you through today’s best techniques.

Complete information and application form are available online at: http://www.highlightsfoundation.org/pages/current/FWsched_advancedIllustrators.html

Sewickley Public Library call for entries

2011-05-17T06:55:00.000-04:00

Sewickley Public Library will host Hello Kitty, an exhibit of cat paintings, drawings and prints (woodblock, litho, etc.; no photographs or photo-based images) during the months of July & August. Artists of any age are invited to submit entries. The library has a hallway of lighted and secure display cases, and receives over 25,000 visits per month.

Entries must be no larger than 30” x 30” and mounted on a material firm enough to stand on an easel; framing is not necessary. You may submit up to two entries via email to: sewickleydisplaycase@einetwork.net.Your entry should include title, medium and size, as well as your name, address, phone number and email.

The deadline for submission is June 1st. A jury of four cat lovers and art professionals will select the works for the show, and a “Best of Show” will be selected. If your cat image is selected for the exhibit, you will be notified by email or phone by mid-June. All artists will be responsible for delivery and pick-up of their art work.

Good luck and happy painting!

Golden Penn call for art

2011-03-03T17:14:00.000-05:00

The Golden Penn, Western Pennsylvania's SCBWI quarterly newsletter, is asking for illustration submissions for upcoming newsletters.

Now that The Golden Penn is online, color jpeg files (computer generated or scans) are acceptable. If you have any pieces with a spring theme or that show kids reading or just being kids, please consider submitting them. If they aren't used for this issue, they will be kept on file for future issues. It's a great way to participate in our region's chapter and to get your art out there for others to see and enjoy.

Please email files to: ChrisAnnKG@verizon.net

And thanks for your contributions, past and future!

Kadir Nelson at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture

2011-02-24T14:11:00.002-05:00

Kadir Nelson details his work on We Are the Ship,
a book he both wrote and illustrated.

Illustrator Kadir Nelson spoke at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture last Sunday afternoon as part of the Black, White and Read All Over series from Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. His illustration work for children has earned him several awards including Caldecott Honors for both Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom and Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad. Moses also garnered him an NAACP Image Award and both Moses and Ellington Was Not a Street have received Coretta Scott King Awards.

Prior to Nelson's talk, a handful of illustrators from SCBWI met for lunch and to review and discuss his many books for children. We noticed his varied styles from book to book, which he actually addressed during his presentation, saying he wanted to try something new with each book. His styles have ranged from watercolor and gouache to oil painting to fabric collage.

The afternoon included a slide presentation of not only his completed illustrations but also sketches, reference photos (he uses himself as a model), artwork he created as a child and concept art for the Steven Spielberg movie Amistad. He spoke about how his book We Are the Ship grew from single paintings submitted to Sports Illustrated to a 96-page, fully illustrated book.

While showing his childhood paintings and drawings, he shared a story about how his mother taught him to take hold of his dreams. "He gives his mother credit for teaching him to dream (in very specific terms)," Rose Gauss noted, "and then to work hard and practice long to make them come true."

"Dream big but work for it," Leda Miller agreed.

Kadir Nelson was soft-spoken, humble and inspirational, and I personally felt very privileged having been at the Center to hear him speak. But I doubt I was the only one. "Listening to him speak renewed my own confidence," Leda remarked. "There are no free rides and no magic pill."

Anne Trimble discusses
the various styles
in Kadir Nelson's
picture books.

After speaking, Mr. Nelson answered questions from the audience and then signed books and programs in the lobby of this beautiful downtown building.

Also in attendance:

Anne Trimble
Judith Lauso
Nora Thompson

Kadir Nelson at the August Wilson Center

2011-02-01T17:02:00.001-05:00

It looks like we won't have enough people confirmed to purchase tickets as a group for the Kadir Nelson talk at the August Wilson Center, so anyone who plans to attend will need to purchase tickets individually. Tickets are available online through the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust:

http://www.culturaldistrict.org/production/25029

Individual tickets cost $10 and include Nelson's talk, a Q&A, a book signing and refreshments. The program begins at 2:00 and runs until 5:00 on Sunday, February 20 at the August Wilson Center, downtown.

We will meet at the Panera Bread at the Waterfront at 11:00 for lunch and to discuss Nelson's books before we carpool to the program. Be sure to bring any books you may have that are illustrated by Kadir Nelson including ones you've borrowed from your library. Please feel free to meet us for lunch at Panera even if you don't plan on attending the program that afternoon.

Reminder: RSVP for Kadir Nelson

2011-01-20T09:58:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder that if you plan on going to Kadir Nelson's talk at the August Wilson Center with the WPaSCBWI group on February 20, you'll need to RSVP Rose or Nora by January 30.

Rose: RoseGauss@comcast.net
Nora: illustrations@nora-thompson.com

We need to know ahead of time so we can purchase group-rate tickets. If you don't know that you will be able to make it to the event by January 30, you can still purchase a ticket on your own through the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust after this date. Tickets on your own will cost $10.

Also a reminder that we will be meeting at the Panera Bread at the Waterfront that morning at 11:00 for lunch and to discuss Mr. Nelson's work before carpooling to the event. If you would like to meet us for lunch but can't make it to the event itself, please feel free to join us anyway; no RSVP necessary.

Please see the previous blog post for more detailed information.

Kadir Nelson at the August Wilson Center

2011-01-06T20:31:00.002-05:00

The Carnegie Library’s yearly Black, White & Read All Over series this year includes double Caldecott Honor recipient Kadir Nelson speaking at the August Wilson Center at 2 pm on Sunday, February 20.

On the morning of the 20th, and prior to Nelson’s presentation, the illustrators group from WPaSCBWI will be meeting for lunch and to discuss Mr. Nelson’s children’s books. Please bring any and all Kadir Nelson books in your possession, including those borrowed from your local library.

Discussion can include:

his illustration styles
page compositions
color choices and palettes
lighting
details added that weren't part of the text
perspectives (camera angles)
the "why's" for all of the above
and what makes his books worthy of the Caldecott Honor

The group will meet for lunch at the Panera Bread at the Waterfront at 11 am and carpool to the August Wilson Center that afternoon. Tickets are $10, but rates are discounted if a group of five people or more attend and we order tickets online in advance. Please RSVP by January 30 and let us know if you plan to attend.

RSVP:
Rose Gauss: RoseGauss@comcast.net
Nora Thompson: illustrations@nora-thompson.com

Black, White & Read All Over

Sunday, February 20, 2011

2:00 pm
August Wilson Center
980 Liberty Avenue, Downtown

Rachel Abrams from HarperCollins

2010-11-13T10:49:00.004-05:00

Rachel talked about what publishers want from their authors in reference to social media. They need authors and illustrators who are media savvy, who are already online with a presence and followers so a book's marketing and promotion can hit the ground running.

Cool.

Panel session

2010-11-13T09:21:00.005-05:00

Writers Kitty Lagorio, Carla Mooney, Sally Alexander and Regional Advisor, Pat Easton.

Friday night at the Radisson

2010-11-12T23:04:00.000-05:00

Well, the 2010 WPaSCBWI pre-conference writer's critique is in the books! These guys are good. It's such a great asset to have another set of ears listen to your story, but to be able to have people with loads of experience and intriguing ideas listen just ices the cake.

Thanks to the moderators: Pat Easton, Marcy Canterna, Kate Dopirak, Dick Easton, and Carla Mooney.

(Sorry if I missed anyone; I couldn't find at least one of the groups, and I'm debating if it even existed!)

#WPaSCBWI 2010 Conference

2010-11-06T13:23:00.001-04:00

One week from today—save the date.

The Western Pennsylvania chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators will be hosting their annual conference at the Greentree Radisson in Pittsburgh next weekend, and I'll be speaking about social networking.

First, the info:

Practical Solutions for Tough Times

Friday, November 12

Pre-Conference Event

(You must also attend the conference)

7pm–10pm

Reception and cash bar followed by informal round-table critiquing.

Bring a 5-page manuscript to read aloud.

Saturday, November 13

Conference

8am–5:30pm

Faculty include:

Emma Dryden Dryden Books
Rachel Abrams HarperCollin's Children's Books
Deborah Vetter Cicada and Cricket magazines
Quinlan Lee agent, Adams Literary

Second, the details:

I'll be leading two workshops titled Social Networking—I Don't Wanna! The first one (session B-2) from 11:30-12:15 will be geared toward a general audience, mostly writers. The second one (session C-4) is scheduled for 3:15-4:00 and will be geared toward illustrators, but I will also accommodate anyone who may have missed the first session.

I have the presentation set up to answer attendee-specific questions including:

Why do I have to social network?
Where do I start?
What do I say?
When am I supposed to do this?
How do I get it right?

I'll also include tips on how to use social media creatively along with listings of online tools and sites to get you started. I'll be posting to this blog throughout the conference (technology permitting) with info and tips from the speakers. I'll also be tweeting images on twitter, with the search hashtag: #WPaSCBWI.

Once I get the presentation finished, I will upload it here:
http://www.nora-thompson.com/wpascbwi.html