My coworkers and I recently took a "strengths" assessment to find the 5 strongest qualities that influence the way we work. These, for the most part, seem spot-on, and also influence my freelance work. I thought I'd post the rundown here.
My #1 trait was found to be "strategic". This theme "enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. This perspective allows you to see patterns where others simply see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, you play out alternative scenarios, always asking, 'What if this happened? Okay, well what if this happened?' This recurring question helps you see around the next corner.
You entertain ideas about the best ways to reach a goal, increase productivity, or solve a problem. First, you think of alternatives. Then you choose the best option. Driven by your talents, you may see solutions before other people know there is a problem. You might start formulating answers before your teammates, coworkers, or classmates understand the question. Sometimes you generate numerous ideas before sorting to the one that makes the most sense in a particular situation. Instinctively, you are a self-reliant person who needs time alone to think and work. You generate innovative ideas and propose systematic programs of action."
I'm 100% efficient, folks!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Interview With Emily Bannister
Emily Bannister is/was the Art Director at Caterpillar Books.
Read the full interview here
Q: In your experience, how do publishing houses differ regarding their approach to making picture books?
A: After working at several companies now on picture books, I would say the approach is always the same...a great text or idea is always needed as a starting point! Different publishers perhaps do have distinct “house styles” however I believe that all publishers always want to try to something new and develop artists so that their list keep evolving.
Q: What or who influences your decision when it comes to selecting an illustrator for a project?
A: When we are looking for artists to use on a project, the novelty will often dictate the type of illustration we select. If we are creating a very young baby book, we would be looking for a bright, graphic style of artwork compared to something like “ By Lantern Light” which is a cosy bedtime book and required a more picture book feel. All of the artists that we select for projects are discussed together in the Caterpillar Studio with the Publisher and editors before we commission anything.
Q: Do you have a particular 'house style' when it comes to illustration and what will Caterpillar Books be looking for from illustrators over the coming year?
A: Over the next year for Caterpillar, we intend to grow the types of books that we are doing therefore the styles of artwork that we will be looking for will be much broader than in previous years. However, we are always looking for someone that has a real warmth and personality to their artwork, be it for a very simple board book or much older non-fiction novelty. Colour pallet is always very important to us and the characterisation.
Read the full interview here
Q: In your experience, how do publishing houses differ regarding their approach to making picture books?
A: After working at several companies now on picture books, I would say the approach is always the same...a great text or idea is always needed as a starting point! Different publishers perhaps do have distinct “house styles” however I believe that all publishers always want to try to something new and develop artists so that their list keep evolving.
Q: What or who influences your decision when it comes to selecting an illustrator for a project?
A: When we are looking for artists to use on a project, the novelty will often dictate the type of illustration we select. If we are creating a very young baby book, we would be looking for a bright, graphic style of artwork compared to something like “ By Lantern Light” which is a cosy bedtime book and required a more picture book feel. All of the artists that we select for projects are discussed together in the Caterpillar Studio with the Publisher and editors before we commission anything.
Q: Do you have a particular 'house style' when it comes to illustration and what will Caterpillar Books be looking for from illustrators over the coming year?
A: Over the next year for Caterpillar, we intend to grow the types of books that we are doing therefore the styles of artwork that we will be looking for will be much broader than in previous years. However, we are always looking for someone that has a real warmth and personality to their artwork, be it for a very simple board book or much older non-fiction novelty. Colour pallet is always very important to us and the characterisation.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
First Crush Exhibit
It's been a month since this art went up on the walls, but I've been
busy and distracted and forgot about these pictures. Anyway, they are
still there if you're near Potsdam NY and want to stop in to a great
little coffee shop for a delicious panino and some culture.
Stop by First Crush today!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
Why I Will Not Illustrate Your Book
Saw this article on a LinkedIn group I belong to, and I really like the plain way it's laid out. Now I'm not saying I'm turning down book offers left and right, but even I get more of these useless offers than real offers.
My Top 5 Reasons Why I Will Not Illustrate Your Book
Basically, those reasons are:
1. Money: Just like everyone in this world illustrators need money to buy food, pay bills, pay the mortgage and even money to buy art supplies.
2. Not the right job for me: No, I can't change my drawing style. My drawing style is who I am....it's my personality.
3. You don't need an illustrator: If you are submitting your book to a mainstream publisher you don't need to have it illustrated.
4. Exposure: You're only going to print 50 copies of the book. So basically no one is going to see this book?
5. Time: If I think you might be picky or hard to please then I am going to run for the hills.
!!! Mega props for numbers 1 and 5, especially !!!
My Top 5 Reasons Why I Will Not Illustrate Your Book
Basically, those reasons are:
1. Money: Just like everyone in this world illustrators need money to buy food, pay bills, pay the mortgage and even money to buy art supplies.
2. Not the right job for me: No, I can't change my drawing style. My drawing style is who I am....it's my personality.
3. You don't need an illustrator: If you are submitting your book to a mainstream publisher you don't need to have it illustrated.
4. Exposure: You're only going to print 50 copies of the book. So basically no one is going to see this book?
5. Time: If I think you might be picky or hard to please then I am going to run for the hills.
!!! Mega props for numbers 1 and 5, especially !!!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Massena Spring 2013 Exhibit
Finally getting around to putting up some pictures of the Massena Artists Association spring exhibit, now 2 days before it closes :P It takes me forever to get pictures off my phone. Anyway, here are some of the pictures I took of some of my favorites, as well as two of my own in the last photo.
If you get around to it, stop by before it's all taken down this weekend!
If you get around to it, stop by before it's all taken down this weekend!
Monday, May 13, 2013
A Niche For All
I recently smacked myself on the head because in all my work creating a portfolio of books covers, I have been neglecting possibly my favorite genre: middle grade fiction.
I had previously lumped everything post-picture book and pre-adult fiction under the umbrella of "Young Adult" but in reality there needs to be some separation there. Older YA fiction novels have taken off on their own, and really deserve their own category of mysterious and magical photo manipulations. Which I love, don't get me wrong! But I often find myself taking a different path.
So I started to look up some great middle-grade book covers, and I stumbled upon Gilbert Ford's blog, which has some great examples to get me inspired:
So much color! So much creativity! So much playfulness! Let the games begin!
I had previously lumped everything post-picture book and pre-adult fiction under the umbrella of "Young Adult" but in reality there needs to be some separation there. Older YA fiction novels have taken off on their own, and really deserve their own category of mysterious and magical photo manipulations. Which I love, don't get me wrong! But I often find myself taking a different path.
So I started to look up some great middle-grade book covers, and I stumbled upon Gilbert Ford's blog, which has some great examples to get me inspired:
So much color! So much creativity! So much playfulness! Let the games begin!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)