Bologna De-Brief - Swamped with Info

I'm back from Bologna's Children's Book Fair 2012. It was truly inspirational and a creative hub of news and knowledge for illustrators. There are so many publishers under one roof it can seem very overwhelming at first, but you get used it and most of the publisher were friendly enough, some even had allotted time for illustrators to chat to them and show their folios.

My Highlights

Met Fav Publishers
I have a top 5 dream publishers I'd love to work with and I managed to talk to 3 of the publishers on my wish list and many other international publishers. Nosy Crow are on my wish list were very helpful, I still have a bit of work to do before they consider me but the love my Alligators, promotion leaflets and badges....and had some practical advice :o) Will follow up with contacts in 3 months.

Folio Review and Crit
I booked in for an SCBWI portfolio review and critique with Kristen Carlson, which was positive and enlightening, she had specific and easy to follow advice for me to move forward. The SCBWI have to be the friendliest bunch I have met at the fair. They are very approachable, professional, have so much energy and advice from professionals in all areas of children's publishing. I'm seriously considering becoming a member very soon.


Talks in Digital Cafe and Illustrators Cafe
There were informative seminars, talks in all areas of the fair - Illustrators Cafe, Authors Cafe and Digital Cafe with talks every hour in each. Totally impossible to go to all but the most interesting
for me was a discussion with Paul Zelinsky, Piret Raud and Andre Letria called What's an Illustrator to do? Classic Artist Consider the Digital Illustration World - illustrators discussing openly how each feel about children's books being designed/translated into apps etc and how it will affect us as illustrators and storytellers.

Absorbed the Art in Illustration
The illustrator's exhibition was amazing and showcased the art in illustration and the skill involved in creating fantastic pieces of children book art. Illustration is celebrated in this fair and I recommend authors and illustrators to visit next year if you can.

Bologna Here We Come

Before I leave for Bologna Children's Book Fair, I just wanted to leave you with this piece I designed for my give-away. It is the front of a concertina folded leaflet. It will also be my banner / head for my facebook page when I do the change over for facebook timeline. 
More to show when I get back :o)

Mother's Day Cards

I'm doing a little clearance of some of my stock. So updating Etsy gradually with some discounted stock and offers. Main sale will be in early April when I have a little more time, but these are up now for anyone that needs Mother's day cards.

Hope you all have fab weekend, I'll be working on my promo leaflet and new business cards.

Illustration Friday Intention

My intentions for my alphabet book, are well it’s well under way. 

B took a little while because I had trouble with my bears.

Originally my B illustration was Bee in a balloon, too easy… with this project I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. Although I will indulge myself with the odd bird (can't help it) I need to prove to prospective commissioners’ and myself that I can create more than cute singing birds and insect characters.

When I started I realized the Bears I had created where more “memory bank bears” for example they looked too familiar: Forever Friends, Winnie the Pooh, Paddington Bear etc. So I had to sketch my way well out of going down that root. I’ll be showing you my bear character development in due course.

I finally got there and here is my bear.

I love retro/vintage colour schemes so I intend to use this colour palette

Inspired by this lovely Book "Counting Rhymes", World Distributors 1957. Illustrated by Virginia Parsons.

Other news I’m off to Bologna Children’sBook Fair soon so lots to do before I go:

Folio update, promo material, new business cards etc. It will be great to meet some of my peers, collect contacts, receive feedback from publishers in person and sight-see in Bologna, Italy.

If you have a flickr account and want to join the Alphabet fun please do so, here’s my group.

Have a fab week,

Ni

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