tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76282935056684054112024-02-22T06:44:37.793-08:00Diana ZipetoDiana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.comBlogger170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-29798618124845389802014-12-28T08:12:00.001-08:002014-12-28T08:13:15.506-08:00New Olive and Max images, plus a featured blog post<h3>
Olive and Max</h3>
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Happy in between the holidays!<br />
Above are some images recently completed for a book series <i>Olive and Max</i>, (Olive: possum, Max: mole) part of the new digital classroom library to be launched by Schoolwide, Inc.<br />
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Blog post featured on KidLit411</h3>
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Also, my <a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/12/23/writing-and-illustrating-becoming-a-pinball-wizard/" target="_blank">recent blog post for the Writers' Rumpus</a> about writing and illustrating picture books was featured on the<a href="http://www.kidlit411.com/2014/12/Kidlit411-weekly-Issue51-Dec26-2014.html" target="_blank"> KidLit411 website</a>. Huzzah! Thanks WR/KidLit411 :)Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-90421432260808645162014-12-13T08:06:00.001-08:002014-12-13T08:06:37.730-08:00HoHoDooDa Challenge Sketch #3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="goog_1817696512"></span><span id="goog_1817696513"></span>Elves, elves, elves! For some reason, they are capturing my attention this holiday season.<br />
I remember as a kid liking the weirdness and intrigue of mistletoe. It was like a game most kids didn't want to play, except if they could be running the show!Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-41041232824484490452014-12-10T04:07:00.001-08:002014-12-10T04:07:55.386-08:00HoHoDooDa Challenge Sketch #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's my HoHoDooDa sketch #2! Another day, another elf! This time, bringing gifts to snoozing citizens of the underground. Check out work by other HoHoDooDa sketch participants <a href="http://sketchedout.wordpress.com/2014/12/04/hohodooda-2014-day-4/" target="_blank">here</a>!Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-89710739459928016362014-12-08T07:14:00.000-08:002014-12-08T07:14:37.407-08:00Ho Ho Doo Da Challenge Sketch #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm getting a late start on Linda Silvestri's annual Holiday sketch challenge: Do a holiday themed sketch every day of December. I am starting on Day #8! <i>"Rudolph and Edgar never got to go on rides together…until today!!"</i>Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-38222859612535213562014-11-29T12:12:00.001-08:002014-11-29T12:12:15.510-08:00Illustration Friday: SLOW; and Finding Your Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week's Illustration Friday topic was SLOW!! I was ironically (or appropriately) too slow in getting it done for Friday, but decided to morph it into a holiday card (which some of you will be seeing soon in your mailboxes). The original SLOW idea showed several other places at the table with already finished boats made by the other elves. And a clock on the wall saying it's close to midnight. But this little elf, Luna, is taking her time, with a sturdy helper, Sergio, to keep her company.<br />
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Also, here's a link to a recent guest post I wrote for the Writers' Rumpus blog on<a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/11/25/your-style-is-your-style-or-is-it/" target="_blank"> Finding (and Borrowing) Your Illustration Style</a>.Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-15795816874170550022014-11-07T09:02:00.000-08:002014-11-07T09:03:23.957-08:00Olive and Max, Kelly Light Interview, Art Show!Here's a blog post mash-up of recent illustration happenings: <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Olive and Max </b></span><br />
Above are recent illustrations I completed for an ebook series about a possum/mole duo named Olive and Max. The books are for a new digital library soon to be released by Schoolwide, Inc. I'll be posting more pics of the small mammals over the next few months, as they explore and learn about their forest surroundings. And encounter bears!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kelly Light Interview</b></span><br />
Also, I had the opportunity to write two guest blog posts for Writers Rumpus: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/">a review of Kelly Light's fantastic new picture book</a>, followed by an <a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/10/28/interview-with-kelly-light-anatomy-of-a-book-tour/" target="_blank">interview with book author/illustrator Kelly Light.</a> Who also encounters bears! (no, not really, that's Olive and Max)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Art Show!</b></span><br />
And finally, some of my illustrations are now on display through Nov. 30 at the Tyngsboro Public Library. It's a sweet little library, you can even get a cup of coffee while you peruse the art! Thanks to Rhonda Buck, curator, for inviting me to show my work. No bears were harmed.<br />
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<br />Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-47539989155492859892014-09-25T03:43:00.000-07:002014-09-25T04:12:08.825-07:00Illustration Friday: NOVELTY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week's Illustration Friday theme is: NOVELTY. This picture is dedicated to and *utterly* influenced by the Bird Banding Workshop I attended last weekend at the <a href="http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/joppa-flats/about/bird-banding" target="_blank">Plum Island Bird Banding Station </a>near Newburyport, MA. At the station, temporarily captured birds each receive a sparkling metal band, an id bracelet that assists researchers in efforts to understand and help conserve wild bird populations.<br />
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I am pretty sure released birds are not showing off their novel new bling to their friends, but I wanted to "dovetail" this week's theme into recent experiences, and to create an image I could send to the Station.Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-22381158084403717182014-09-03T13:41:00.002-07:002014-09-03T13:42:37.057-07:00Blog Casserole: Dummies, Dr. Seuss and Secret Sketches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Book Dummy</h3>
A new, freshly printed picture book dummy is always exciting. After months of discovery, fun and hard work. I sent mine off for its first agent review last week! <br />
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Song for Dr. Seuss</h3>
Here's my <a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/08/26/a-song-for-dr-seuss/" target="_blank">recent Writers Rumpus post</a> / Neil Young tribute song about being a Dr. Seuss fan. Inspired by watching the Open Mic night event at the May NESCBWI conference. And the NYC Public Library exhibit on <a href="http://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/abc-it" target="_blank">Why Children's Books Matter</a>.<br />
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Secret Sketches</h3>
I'm working on new <secret> sketches for a <potential> new illustration assignment! More to come.<br />
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<br />Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-4169883234676241422014-07-22T13:43:00.001-07:002014-07-22T13:43:59.384-07:00Guest Post: Battling Resistance in IllustrationReady? Set? STOP!!!<br />
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This week's <a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/07/22/challenging-resistance-in-illustration/" target="_blank">Writers Rumpus post</a> is all about fighting the things that stop you from getting your work done. Check it out! (Thanks)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FRp50z4WCKV8xu-XVcsaHsks-28a4_kNtRYZqPpeIM2K87jqn9yHwqWFZslUFbvs14rMhWKTGNmaTKQsB_y-9Rb0JeCvVG9xF1ElQprB5oPWAFCyretpYy9MbXHgSgEoDIkA5IiT93E/s1600/securedownload-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FRp50z4WCKV8xu-XVcsaHsks-28a4_kNtRYZqPpeIM2K87jqn9yHwqWFZslUFbvs14rMhWKTGNmaTKQsB_y-9Rb0JeCvVG9xF1ElQprB5oPWAFCyretpYy9MbXHgSgEoDIkA5IiT93E/s1600/securedownload-1.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/07/22/challenging-resistance-in-illustration/">http://writersrumpus.com/2014/07/22/challenging-resistance-in-illustration/</a></div>
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Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-1077829487156557082014-07-18T07:09:00.001-07:002014-07-18T07:09:20.603-07:00Marlo's Scissors: Spread #2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Spread #2 from Marlo's Scissors near the end of the story. Marlo has won over her Just-So neighbor and he's let her create an animal topiary in his backyard!!Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-11231880045833040442014-07-11T03:37:00.000-07:002014-07-11T03:37:01.719-07:00Marlo's Scissors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qZW4Snfxqqvl6Mc872XjModlY760AB6_eCajn8hp8AmltuwhLThH5eE6ag-Ck3UlxaMyhDw_tyvjiTE2zv1NIAR5G-Zm1jrvK07-47nO1aEw3bTAcBE9P55wMWrHxBQobIijmoTusY0/s1600/HedgeLovedCutting7_11_14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qZW4Snfxqqvl6Mc872XjModlY760AB6_eCajn8hp8AmltuwhLThH5eE6ag-Ck3UlxaMyhDw_tyvjiTE2zv1NIAR5G-Zm1jrvK07-47nO1aEw3bTAcBE9P55wMWrHxBQobIijmoTusY0/s1600/HedgeLovedCutting7_11_14.png" height="322" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is a spread from a picture book dummy I am working on for the SCBWI Carolinas Dummy Challenge.Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-57460065134071503402014-07-04T04:09:00.000-07:002014-07-04T10:38:25.901-07:00Illustration Friday: BEARD!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week's Illustration Friday topic is BEARD. I've been listening to a fantastic audio book -- <u><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/410127.The_Wild_Girls" target="_blank">The Wild Girls</a></u> by Pat Murphy. There is a powerful scene where the two young friends paint each other's faces with mud war paint. I adapted it here to use with this week's theme. An homage.<br />
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The book is about friendship, coming of age, and finding your own creative voice. It is beautifully and forcefully told, with imagery, metaphor and ideas that stay with you and inspire.Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-57208010424588374142014-06-20T03:41:00.001-07:002014-06-20T03:41:28.394-07:00Illustration Friday: MASK!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Charlotte's friends had given her the most beautiful gift. Her costume was now perfect. </i>Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-77093774098668313322014-06-12T05:16:00.001-07:002014-06-12T05:24:04.149-07:00Illustration Friday: CONTRAPTION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week's Illustration Friday challenge is CONTRAPTION!<br />
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<i>Finally, one of Trudy's machines worked! And it was helping her friends. Best. Day. Ever.</i><br />
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Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-55004999645377101382014-06-09T08:38:00.001-07:002014-06-09T08:38:52.141-07:00Career Day at Wood Hill Middle School<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking with 8th graders at Wood Hill Middle School. Screen shows a photo of the art teacher I had who inspired me to be an artist.</td></tr>
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This past Friday, I had the opportunity to present at my niece's 8th grade Career Day at Wood Hill Middle School in Andover, MA. I presented to 3 groups of 13-14 year olds on the kinds of jobs you can have as an artist and the kinds of jobs I have as an artist. <br /><br />I probably crazy over-prepared, practicing my presentation in the car and the shower and trying to pack my PowerPoint full of interesting visuals to help tell my story, but I was nervous! I don't quite remember a Career Day when I was in the 8th grade, but someone I know said that she became a graphic designer because of a presenter at Career Day. This seemed like high stakes!<br /><br />I wanted to engage and inspire the kids -- any of them -- maybe especially a girl in the room who might want to be an artist but feel like drawing wasn't something she was good enough at -- to follow and find their dreams of being an artist. I presented not only on the jobs I have now as a designer and illustrator, but on what it was like to think about being an artist when I was in the 8th grade.<br /><br />There are no presentation stats I can go check to see if anyone really got something from the presentation, no way of knowing if any of what I said or showed made any kind of impact, but I do know that it seemed like a good thing to have done. I now also have more of an appreciation for teachers who do this every day.<br /><br />The presentation also marked a sort of place I am at in my own career. Having the opportunity to articulate and come up with a statement about my career forced me to admit I am HAVING a career and really be clear on what things I am doing, what I enjoy about it and why. It is a good exercise! I told my art story, starting when I was in the 8th grade and finished with what I do now and where I am headed. I told them that no one does art in exactly the same way that they will, and it is there for every one of them to find if they want to. (too sentimental? I hoped not)<br />
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I also got a chance to check out some student art on the walls, and inspiring meme-like postings up in the girls' bathroom. The Personal Coat of Arms assignment below was particularly cool. And the quote about doubt -- another one to tape to my drawing table.<br />
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<br /><br /><br />Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-47200569262052320672014-06-04T06:40:00.001-07:002014-06-04T08:02:41.352-07:00Illustration Friday: TEMPTATION!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week's Illustration Friday topic is TEMPTATION. After doing sketches of kids in candy stores, bears near forbidden pots of honey, this little sketch spoke to me most. <i>A drum setup! Elise couldn't wait to start smashing away! </i><br />
(Not sure I did the idea justice, but, from looking at reference, I finally understand how a cymbal ends up so close to the drummer!)Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-38090140262680426422014-05-27T12:51:00.000-07:002014-05-27T12:52:25.111-07:00Writers' Rumpus Guest Post: Six Things Children's Book Illustrations NeedCheck out my <a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/05/27/six-things-childrens-book-illustrations-need/" target="_blank">guest post</a> this month for Writers' Rumpus! Wisdom stolen directly from motivational guru Anthony Robbins.<br />
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<a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/05/27/six-things-childrens-book-illustrations-need/" target="_blank">http://writersrumpus.com/2014/05/27/six-things-childrens-book-illustrations-need/ </a><br />
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<br />Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-74731409437618594592014-05-17T05:23:00.000-07:002014-05-21T05:36:16.934-07:00NESCBWI 14: 3 Days in Carpeted, Windowless, Kidlit Heaven!<br />
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<a href="http://www.peterhreynolds.com/" target="_blank">Peter Reynolds</a> and me and NESCBWI 14</div>
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For me, the annual New England Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators Conference has become synonymous with
Spring. The forsythia blooms, and hundreds arrive in
Springfield, MA hotels with manuscripts, portfolios and business cards; ready to network, get info, and get inspired.<br />
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<b>The following is a list of my Top 10 Experiences from the 2014 NESCBWI Conference:</b></div>
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<b>10. Had energizing
conversations with complete strangers (or people I only know online) </b> </div>
At this conference, you can walk up to almost anyone and start talking and end up in a fun and interesting place. Several people I met I found out I already knew online! Illustrators <a href="http://lisamgriffin.com/" target="_blank">Lisa M. Griffin </a>and <a href="http://matusic.com/" target="_blank">Greg Matusic</a> and writers <a href="http://t.co/LMRCZ32Tn9" target="_blank">Hayley Barrett</a> and <a href="http://papajfunk.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Josh Funk</a> were among the many people I connected with at the conference.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9. Attended a workshop
about something that’s a little beyond where I am at.</b></div>
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When choosing workshops for the conference back in February,
I threw in one about successful school visits with author/illustrator <a href="http://www.martykelley.com/" target="_blank">Marty Kelley</a>. Have I published a
book yet? No. But I plan on it! So why not sit in on a session that deals with
issues beyond where I am currently at in the process? The session was full of
great tips gleaned from Marty’s many attempts to corral, entertain and inform
large groups of elementary school kids. (Marty's Tip: Showing an animation of a kid
making arm farting noises help!)</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8. Attended a workshop
that’s exactly where I am at.</b></div>
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Workshop highights for me were a dummy workshop with <a href="http://www.rwalley.com/" target="_blank">R.W. Alley</a> and a pacing workshop with <a href="http://www.deborahfreedman.net/" target="_blank">Deborah Freedman</a> and <a href="http://www.frankwdormer.com/" target="_blank">Frank Dormer</a>. Both
workshops addressed the topics I currently need to address: how to use the
book format effectively to tell a story, create tension, and keep readers
engaged and excited. (Deborah's Tips: USE THE GUTTER! USE THE PAGE TURN!) </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7. Sat in on keynotes and panels
with publishing industry rockstars</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYD7RK3XnFIugSjGvHqJ4kp2bBsqUlrIVIWP9yTujoEIpKS2AwvC1b6GWaZRro8zhim5HnzEY7bjuVU_L1Cc8o_rAYXixP0CCJOg90feE_erediSehbgRWiPJmr-GgACOGzb6dw2P9Xo/s1600/Lindsay+Currie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYD7RK3XnFIugSjGvHqJ4kp2bBsqUlrIVIWP9yTujoEIpKS2AwvC1b6GWaZRro8zhim5HnzEY7bjuVU_L1Cc8o_rAYXixP0CCJOg90feE_erediSehbgRWiPJmr-GgACOGzb6dw2P9Xo/s1600/Lindsay+Currie.jpg" height="290" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/lindsayncurrie" target="_blank">Photo by Lindsay N. Currie </a><br />
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Panels can be mini-reality checks for me. While the
panelists are answering questions about the state of publishing or what kinds
of projects they are likely to accept, I am flooded with the sense that THESE
PEOPLE EXIST. Every day, they are looking at imagery and manuscripts
from people like me. This awareness is like a ticker tape running along the
bottom of the panel experience for me, giving me more information than just what is
being said.<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6. Took pictures with aforementioned industry rock stars (see photo of Peter Reynolds above)</b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5. Received portfolio
feedback from art directors</b></div>
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This is the second year I have had my portfolio critiqued by
art directors from Boston area publishers. Each time and each critique has
brought great feedback that pushes me to do things that maybe I thought I
should be doing anyway, but needed an extra outside push to do it. (ADD
TEXTURE. LEAVE ROOM FOR TEXT. MORE VARIED POINTS OF VIEW. GIVE HIERARCHY TO
YOUR LINEWORK.)</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. Received portfolio
feedback from fellow illustrators</b></div>
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More feedback that helped focus me on the things I am
doing right and the things I really do need to do.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. Got to chill with
my local critique group peeps </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRXtgu-h5Qb_GIYA94i6B-pjmwXdqXbeV1vztj_qG_opBh5iihcg_bLla0yqxROvggBiWTPdkMf9NfAzVw94jFgceK5vEDV0W7SUyVdcaVLFUuupuPUZH5OW4ZzCuk_OltaK5mi60d8Q/s1600/10175988_783631315003664_1480702578577480603_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyRXtgu-h5Qb_GIYA94i6B-pjmwXdqXbeV1vztj_qG_opBh5iihcg_bLla0yqxROvggBiWTPdkMf9NfAzVw94jFgceK5vEDV0W7SUyVdcaVLFUuupuPUZH5OW4ZzCuk_OltaK5mi60d8Q/s1600/10175988_783631315003664_1480702578577480603_n.jpg" height="490" width="640" /></a></div>
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I spent some quality time (morning/noon/night) with people I
usually only see once a month or once every 6 months at critique groups or book
readings. Here is a group that had dinner Friday night. (From left: <a href="http://ajjerrett.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">AJ Jerrett</a>, <a href="http://www.studiowink.com/" target="_blank">Nancy Goulet</a>, <a href="http://www.kirsticall.com/" target="_blank">Kirsti Call,</a> <a href="http://www.carolgordonekster.com/" target="_blank">Carol Ekster</a>, <a href="http://paulczajak.com/" target="_blank">Paul Czajak</a>, a person I didn't get to meet, and <a href="http://www.carriecharleybrown.com/" target="_blank">Carrie Charley Brown</a>)</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Shared my stapler
with my workshop neighbor</b></div>
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In the dummy workshop with R.W. Alley, we worked on
cutting/taping/sketching story text and drawings. I liked the challenge and
push out of my comfort zone to be working alongside fellow author/illustrators, even for an hour
or two, sharing ideas verbally and non-verbally about how we approach
book-making. This kind of camaraderie felt valuable and energizing. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. Felt a sense of
belonging and purpose.</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7aARKr911zkBazoU2qtE45e7PiU6S3870mTg8udgZlnaJbmrxU1YowEd7706d7shq3Maw7LOcUCOEHtq3giOBU5NdgXgbyT8JQ4TWK_umA7-NeBPyvUEMR1KgK4fZrjMibV2rjMZAQk/s1600/download.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7aARKr911zkBazoU2qtE45e7PiU6S3870mTg8udgZlnaJbmrxU1YowEd7706d7shq3Maw7LOcUCOEHtq3giOBU5NdgXgbyT8JQ4TWK_umA7-NeBPyvUEMR1KgK4fZrjMibV2rjMZAQk/s1600/download.jpg" height="332" width="640" /></a> </b></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/literaticat" target="_blank">Photo by Jennifer Laughran </a></div>
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The conference always gives me a sensation that I am a part
of something bigger, that there are lots of people in the same pursuit and
struggle. This could, of course, make me feel like ugh, there are SO many great
people who are pursuing this, why should I even try? But, at this stage in the
process and hopefully forever, I feel inspired.
The more I learn, the more I improve, the more I work. It feels like it’s all
going someplace good. Back to work! (That's me on the far left by the water pitcher. My tip: Always sit in the front row.)</div>
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Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-33264732485732349712014-05-14T04:34:00.006-07:002014-05-14T04:34:53.763-07:00Illustration Friday: VOYAGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuZVgOMrQYBscSgUis_MDq25-6B50JGW4Le3IcNWry8UpQKYfisfEdVjmRGMNy0o3VhVIoDdpBaNzuY-ZXgruT2PzjpgBYshPAo8Kg5xW_K05jznBbduUdLHD3gMPFNDuCkBvL7Ch4wM/s1600/5_14_14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuZVgOMrQYBscSgUis_MDq25-6B50JGW4Le3IcNWry8UpQKYfisfEdVjmRGMNy0o3VhVIoDdpBaNzuY-ZXgruT2PzjpgBYshPAo8Kg5xW_K05jznBbduUdLHD3gMPFNDuCkBvL7Ch4wM/s1600/5_14_14.png" height="496" width="640" /></a></div>
This week's Illustration Friday topic is VOYAGE!Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-43390043054726038102014-05-08T18:09:00.002-07:002014-05-08T18:10:02.871-07:00Illustration Friday: REVENGE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtCOL_YU03hD5_wpLKmx_UOJqcHEsUqfgf0GoNRZIJtgUhFbrnJoLVVDpY8vw4izUNHEECI-ufLxWuobFD-WafILyqLwhmtiCE-G3D5U94TSVkKO_ulzjdOaGjx8_7s-YVkC_BfJo8-w/s1600/5_8_14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtCOL_YU03hD5_wpLKmx_UOJqcHEsUqfgf0GoNRZIJtgUhFbrnJoLVVDpY8vw4izUNHEECI-ufLxWuobFD-WafILyqLwhmtiCE-G3D5U94TSVkKO_ulzjdOaGjx8_7s-YVkC_BfJo8-w/s1600/5_8_14.png" height="640" width="492" /></a></div>
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This week's Illustration topic is REVENGE!! Just back from a children's book conference, I am trying out some advice (use different points of view! leave room for text!) and getting back into the swing of doing Illustration Friday.<br />
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The scene is perhaps every little sister's dream come true -- Chloe finally finds a way to outsmart her strategy-minded brother!Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-71409686570299954572014-04-27T06:42:00.002-07:002014-04-27T06:43:42.628-07:00Wedding Anniversary Surprise (Shhh!!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIKExNYRbowMlg0Jg8qs_N7yB5iv9V1Kcvmd2oI2p2SpPQYcmmjBl94jj1S5tCkq9NZN5BSKZu3zjhS5p4c5zwK57hwK42CA4hh_ZCENkoPCQ2Nk629F0CKz_QTpJDY6JhhlNUYCmiwg/s1600/MarriedFinal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIKExNYRbowMlg0Jg8qs_N7yB5iv9V1Kcvmd2oI2p2SpPQYcmmjBl94jj1S5tCkq9NZN5BSKZu3zjhS5p4c5zwK57hwK42CA4hh_ZCENkoPCQ2Nk629F0CKz_QTpJDY6JhhlNUYCmiwg/s1600/MarriedFinal.png" height="160" width="640" /></a></div>
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I just had the opportunity to do a 3-image illustration commission for a wedding anniversary gift, documenting the moments when a couple met, got engaged and were married. My client wanted the images to be black and white, in my children's book style. It was a challenge and a wonderful experience to try to get their moments right, and hard not to cry while drawing them! Such a sweet story. Their anniversary is today!Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-76502905969963048482014-04-22T08:49:00.002-07:002014-04-27T06:44:56.091-07:00Guest Post: Seeking the Specific in IllustrationPlease check out my <a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/04/22/seeking-the-specific-in-illustration/" target="_blank">latest guest post</a> on the <a href="http://writersrumpus.com/" target="_blank">Writers' Rumpus blog</a>! It's all about trying to get more specific when creating characters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGxm2VNEVNPyQ6K7h6Gw2vOhFi5KeBM3uDO5g4vivt3ue2m5frr7am1gEG1KLO20yHiMZtarhucQqXH3ynxztK24wpv6UjHuF7q6NAPsoapaVC7onNNB8UACz0pGEHwVB3DVqh5Ubkyo/s1600/CharPageLarge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGxm2VNEVNPyQ6K7h6Gw2vOhFi5KeBM3uDO5g4vivt3ue2m5frr7am1gEG1KLO20yHiMZtarhucQqXH3ynxztK24wpv6UjHuF7q6NAPsoapaVC7onNNB8UACz0pGEHwVB3DVqh5Ubkyo/s1600/CharPageLarge.png" height="532" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/04/22/seeking-the-specific-in-illustration/" target="_blank"> http://writersrumpus.com/2014/04/22/seeking-the-specific-in-illustration/</a><br />
<br />Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-8078673712397175362014-04-11T14:22:00.001-07:002014-04-12T06:10:51.745-07:00Anatomy of a Children's Book EventTo promote his new children's book, <a href="http://www.evenmonsters.com/" target="_blank">Even Monsters</a>, author/illustrator <a href="http://www.ajsmith.net/" target="_blank">AJ Smith</a> put together a stellar event at Jabberwocky
Bookstore in Newburyport, MA last weekend.<br />
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Watching from the
stairs, I got a bird's eye view of the entire event, jam-packed with
entertainment, activities, and STUFF for kids and parents. Below is a
photo that explains the anatomy of a great children's book event.<br />
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<b>1</b></h3>
<b>Have a Big Picture!</b><br />
AJ had a laptop and big screen so kids could watch/follow as AJ read the electronic version of his book.<br />
He used the screen later to show drawing activities on his website.<br />
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2</h3>
<b>Use Real Monsters!</b><br />
AJ had older kids from a local theater group in Newburyport wearing painted cardboard cutouts of his book characters. In exchange for promoting their summer theater program for kids, they assisted AJ by personifying monsters from his book and handing out fun book-related Stuff to kids.<br />
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3</h3>
<b>Pretend to Have Cooties</b>!<br />
Hard to see in the photo, but AJ had some orange fuzzy pom-poms that looked like the little cootie creatures from his book. While reading, AJ would periodically adhere a pom pom to himself, kids would yell, "COOTIES!" and one of his monster helpers would spray AJ with a squirt gun 'till the cootie fell off. Uproar and laughter ensued. Genius! One little boy in the audience yelled out, "My sister says I have cooties!" A monster helper came over to give him a bottle of cootie-be-gone fluid.<br />
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4</h3>
<b>Let 'Em Draw!</b><br />
After the reading, AJ had the kids volunteer to come up and draw one of the monsters from his book, which he had broken down into simple shapes and made into an <a href="http://www.evenmonsters.com/howTo_glubb.pdf" target="_blank">activity sheet on his website.</a> The kids were CRAZY EXCITED to come up and draw a piece of the monster -- the body! the head! the squiggly ears! -- and AJ got to promote his site and challenge kids to post their own drawings to his website. He's going to make a music video with the top 20 monster drawings at the end of the summer. Keep them engaged!! <br />
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5 </h3>
<b>Ask Tons of People!</b><br />
Lots of promotion, newspaper, radio, internet coverage seemed to me to be the key to the amazing turnout at the event. AJ/Jabberwocky also cross-promoted the event with <a href="http://chococoabaking.com/" target="_blank">Chococoa</a>, the bakery next door; anyone who bought a book could go there for a free whoopie pie and trading card. Everybody winning here??<br />
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After the reading: Book signing. Line of happy people and kids. Monster cutout photo booth. <br />
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Total time elapsed: 30 super-fun saturated minutes. <br />
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I
left the event pretty exhilarated/exhausted. Got my free whoopie pie
next door and spiked my blood sugar for a bit. Oh, and looked at AJ's
framed art on display on the bakery walls. This guy did it right!!!</div>
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See more of AJ's work here: <a href="http://www.AJSmith.net/">http://www.AJSmith.net</a></div>
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Collect some trading cards here!: <a href="http://www.evenmonsters.com/cards.html">http://www.evenmonsters.com/cards.html</a></div>
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<br />Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-79183011909966556482014-04-04T09:34:00.000-07:002014-04-04T09:34:06.052-07:00Illustration Friday: SIZZLE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5hfOtMG4nwYk6Mpyd25lkw4NYfGuOr5GOMJtMhTgFad89Aw2z_FdoQAH7kBNYQpjiFkNuczW-5XuWkTSj03OQx7qtx-Bp6ycnlQUmFa_b6uSILsNtE4gZt2QloZ1WNBCmgGyjKM8YJE/s1600/Scan-140404-0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5hfOtMG4nwYk6Mpyd25lkw4NYfGuOr5GOMJtMhTgFad89Aw2z_FdoQAH7kBNYQpjiFkNuczW-5XuWkTSj03OQx7qtx-Bp6ycnlQUmFa_b6uSILsNtE4gZt2QloZ1WNBCmgGyjKM8YJE/s1600/Scan-140404-0001.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
This week's Illustration Friday topic: SIZZLE! <br />Almost grilling season. I can remember feeling (and still do!) awe and trepidation at sizzling food on a barbecue. Fear of fire is somehow genetically part of us!! I can also remember the feeling of pride when I got to successfully flip something on the scary fire food cooker.<br /><br />
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<br />Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628293505668405411.post-65511660021535894882014-03-28T08:40:00.000-07:002014-03-29T08:09:27.451-07:00Writers' Rumpus Guest PostI had the opportunity to write a guest post for the awesome <a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/03/28/illustration-friday-a-portfolio-building-tool/" target="_blank">Writers' Rumpus</a>, a blog dedicated to children's literature writers and illustrators. I am posting the link to my post here, but check out the rest of the site while you are there, too! Lots of helpful tips, stories and posts to inspire and inform.<br />
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I decided to write my post about Illustration Friday, since it's been such a great tool for me in developing a children's illustration portfolio. <br />
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<a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/03/28/illustration-friday-a-portfolio-building-tool/">http://writersrumpus.com/2014/03/28/illustration-friday-a-portfolio-building-tool/</a><br />
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<a href="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/03/28/illustration-friday-a-portfolio-building-tool/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://writersrumpus.com/2014/03/28/illustration-friday-a-portfolio-building-tool/" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-2106" src="http://writersrumpus.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/4prints.png?w=600&h=450" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1068396128"></span><span id="goog_1068396129"></span><br />Diana Zipetohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10464252022536224659noreply@blogger.com0