Thursday, October 17, 2013
"Build An App" contest for InteractBuilder
From Mark Mitchell: Have you ever considered designing an interactive story app as a
way to take your writing and/or illustration art to a new level?
Did you know that you have an opportunity to win a $1,500 Amazon
gift card (and other prizes) in InteractStudio's new "Build an App"
contest?
Don't know what we're talking about? You can learn more about the
"Build An App" contest and watch an introductory training and see
more videos on InteractBuilder and some other apps for touch-screen
tablets here:
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=9mZ6M&m=3dfA0vnjJjmGyon&b=qqaokuTrzVFIUVscEdidgw
Are you excited about the upcoming contest but not sure how to get
started with the InteractBuilder software?
You can join developer Ezra Weinstein and the InteractBuilder
community for a free webinar on Sunday October 27th, 9:00AM Central
Standard Time for a free, hands-on training session (on the
InteractBuilder software that you can download and use for free.)
"This webinar will targeted for our new users who really want to
learn how to use the InteractBuilder and how to start building
apps," Ezra says. "All users are welcome to join. And there's
always something new that you can learn even if you've been using
the software for a while."
Here's where to register for this free online training session:
http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=9mZ6M&m=3dfA0vnjJjmGyon&b=Px7efslnp0o8F3ydRA_kMg
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Best Practices: Digital Publishing with Stacy Abrams
If you're a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers (SCBWI) and Illustrators and you're interested in tech and publishing topics, you might wish to register for a free special 'webinar' that the Carolina's SCBWI chapter plans to broadcast earlier that evening.
It's a free session on "Digital Publishing Best Practices" hosted by Stacy Adams, execuive editorial director of Entangled Teen,
a relatively new indie publishing house:
entangledpublishing.com/category/entangled-teen/
(Before moving to Entangled, Stacy was an editor at Bloomsbury Publishing's childrens division.)
The webinar will be Wednesday Oct. 16, 6.15 pm %u2013 8:15 pm (U.S. Central Time.)
To receive your access link you'll need to register here:
anymeeting.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=E954D980884B38
The webinar is open to all SCBWI members.
Its a live feed, so be sure to sign up! It is the last of the ones this year.
Dyann Callahan
Tonight is our Group Critique- so exciting!
For Mark Mitchell's Make Your Marks and Splashes: A Power Course on Creating Effective Illustrations for Childrens Books, Magazines and Other Media for Children
we have a monthly critique for members.
I always get super excited and butterflies in the stomach!
Here is mine for this month:
I think part of the growth experienced in a course is looking at other's art and getting feedback on yours. Its very supportive and helps not only with improvements, but many bounce off ideas that can help make your art the best it can be when getting it ready for a client, conference, submission, or publisher.
I will post notes on my critique soon!
Dyann
we have a monthly critique for members.
I always get super excited and butterflies in the stomach!
Here is mine for this month:
 | ||
| "Basilisk" watercolor, by Dyann Callahan |
I will post notes on my critique soon!
Dyann
The Best Children's Book Education Courses
The BEST Children's Book Education Courses 2013
The Best Children's Book Education Courses
The one thing I fully recommend is to never stop educating yourself in the field you choose. In the past 10 years, things have changed dramatically in the opportunity for creative. Locality is not an obstacle for opportunity. It also has heightened the talent pool for publishers and clients.Talent is one thing of course, and passion. BUT to effectively be the best you can be, treat this as any other profession and educate yourself.
I signed up for many reasons, including a sense of community and these are some of the best Children's Book Courses to educate yourself to be a Children's Book illustrator and my, Dyann Callahan, experience with them:
* Mark Mitchell's Make Your Marks and Splashes: A Power Course on Creating Effective Illustrations for Childrens Books, Magazines and Other Media for Children
I love this course! I think for a overall experience its invaluable as to the resources and monthly open critiques. My local SCBWI (Society Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) group is mostly writers, so the critiques here are a wonderful way to learn. Each week Mark Mitchell post interviews and open streaming webinars from authors, publishers, or other illustrators and has a Wiggio open board for posts and support.
* Will Terry's Folio Academy courses and blog
I check his blog weekly for great videos such as this:
My Speech To Illustration Students - Part 1 - Will Terry
SVS- School of Visual Storytelling
Will Terry has opened the SVS- School of Visual Storytelling that is a tremendous resource. I am a student a WKU and like most colleges, they do not offer anything but studio art, 2D, or ceramics. Not even a digital painting course. The value and impact of courses like
Painting in Photoshop Power day
The combined power of FOUR instructors in ONE day.
Will Terry
Brooke Boynton Hughes
Zac Retz
Kevin Keele
Thanks for reading! If you know of any more, please add them in the comments!
Dyann Callahan
"Maraldia - City of Orphans" children's book cover progression
I sent off a few articles for The Street newspaper last week and we will see if they use them. The air is changing and its hard to believe its October already! A year ago I had the pleasure of illustrating
"Maraldia - City of Orphans" for author Paul Schonschack, Amazon link here and what a treat it was. It is an amazing story full of hope and all profits go to the Zambia orphanage, Living Hope International (LHI).
I had my husband pose his hand holding a Christmas ornament for the cover of this children's book. Originally in natural colors as the story is set in a small village, think a shire like in The Hobbit, I used vegetable dye and hand purposed colors of the forest. He wanted a striped shirt, pirate style, and a golden carved ornament (the whole look of the book was to be sketchy Alice in Wonderland styled pen and inks). It seemed a bit bland, so I did a second cover for the novel in crystalline primary colors to reflect the age group a bit more and have more shelf appeal.
"Maraldia - City of Orphans" for author Paul Schonschack, Amazon link here and what a treat it was. It is an amazing story full of hope and all profits go to the Zambia orphanage, Living Hope International (LHI).
I had my husband pose his hand holding a Christmas ornament for the cover of this children's book. Originally in natural colors as the story is set in a small village, think a shire like in The Hobbit, I used vegetable dye and hand purposed colors of the forest. He wanted a striped shirt, pirate style, and a golden carved ornament (the whole look of the book was to be sketchy Alice in Wonderland styled pen and inks). It seemed a bit bland, so I did a second cover for the novel in crystalline primary colors to reflect the age group a bit more and have more shelf appeal.
The last was the final used on the cover of "Maraldia - City of Orphans" and I love it!
Dyann Callahan
Hello again! Freelancing, stick figures, and keeping it fun
Well, hello again! It's been a busy couple of years at the plate for the perfect blog post, and when you wait for perfection time flies by. Time is precious, so instead I am going to update weekly is more of a learning journey
Welcome to my blog and hopefully we can take this journey together
I have been taking trying to educate myself is so much more is involved becoming a brand than just the actual art. Think 90% success anymore is the perseverance through social media, conferences, and networking.
In the past few years I I've been a full-time freelance writer and illustrator, to further my lifelong dreams and passion for a life of creativity. After working in a dental lab as a ceramist ( glorified tooth fairy!) for over a decade under a microscope, I look forward to everyday as an opportunity to create and hopefully impart information, comedy, and a few smiles with this blog.
My days are full, doesn't seem to be enough hours now that I am truly following my passion ! I can be found usually in the studio creating art surround about my whimsical little creatures - my cresties! and get the question so much - why haven't you done this 10 years ago, 15 years ago, why wait till now?
I think the market has changed so much with the Internet as you don't have to be local or pound the pavement as they say to drop off portfolios in person. in just the last five years alone there are more opportunities now more than ever.
But also there's more competition as distance is really not a factor like it once was. this is good and bad. as a freelancer, every day, the people you compete with have a very low cost for daily life. Ns s It would be nice to spent years getting ready in learning and perfecting my art and just wait for the big contracts to come in. but in reality, I am a working artist a lot of my portfolio are paid projects. I have taken the road to learn as I experience. many blogs are right in saying "do not quit your day job," or keep a source of income intact while developing your portfolio. I can't complain, as every day is different and I look forward to new projects. I used to have a passion for color pencils, graphite art, and pen and ink art. In trying to become a real artist, and taken seriously, I switched to oils. But now I am a freelancer, ironically - the medium I am most hired for is watercolor.
Here are some samples in my portfolio www.freelanced.com/Jynxx - the ironic thing about the site is that I've had the most views of any site with my portfolio, 10,000 views in the first three months, but due to the flooding of workers I rarely get jobs there. Compared to just two years ago, all the freelancing sites really exploded with new workers. Since I like to work in many styles, Viva la Freelancing!
It does get one used to rejection, and I joke to other artists, with freelancing I am rejected to 10 times a day. Don't take it personally, sometimes your style works and sometimes it doesn't - no matter the quality it may not match the vision. I think art is the only occupation that amateurs have the same chance as experienced workers- as it so objectionable. I mean if someone was working on my car with 20 years experience, as opposed six months, I would have more confidence in them. But with art- beauty really is the eye of the beholder- no matter how cliché that sounds.
To prove a point I was turned down for a job to draw stick figures ( the type on back of a minivan) at the same time I was in a gallery show at the Morrison gallery Elizabethtown, Ky. actually since then a bit on more jobs will stick figures and I'm always turned down, I consider it a personal goal now!
Thanks for visiting !
Dyann
Welcome to my blog and hopefully we can take this journey together
I have been taking trying to educate myself is so much more is involved becoming a brand than just the actual art. Think 90% success anymore is the perseverance through social media, conferences, and networking.
In the past few years I I've been a full-time freelance writer and illustrator, to further my lifelong dreams and passion for a life of creativity. After working in a dental lab as a ceramist ( glorified tooth fairy!) for over a decade under a microscope, I look forward to everyday as an opportunity to create and hopefully impart information, comedy, and a few smiles with this blog.
My days are full, doesn't seem to be enough hours now that I am truly following my passion ! I can be found usually in the studio creating art surround about my whimsical little creatures - my cresties! and get the question so much - why haven't you done this 10 years ago, 15 years ago, why wait till now?
I think the market has changed so much with the Internet as you don't have to be local or pound the pavement as they say to drop off portfolios in person. in just the last five years alone there are more opportunities now more than ever.
But also there's more competition as distance is really not a factor like it once was. this is good and bad. as a freelancer, every day, the people you compete with have a very low cost for daily life. Ns s It would be nice to spent years getting ready in learning and perfecting my art and just wait for the big contracts to come in. but in reality, I am a working artist a lot of my portfolio are paid projects. I have taken the road to learn as I experience. many blogs are right in saying "do not quit your day job," or keep a source of income intact while developing your portfolio. I can't complain, as every day is different and I look forward to new projects. I used to have a passion for color pencils, graphite art, and pen and ink art. In trying to become a real artist, and taken seriously, I switched to oils. But now I am a freelancer, ironically - the medium I am most hired for is watercolor.
 |
| "Leviathan" By Dyann Callahan, Children's CCG card art illustration |
Here are some samples in my portfolio www.freelanced.com/Jynxx - the ironic thing about the site is that I've had the most views of any site with my portfolio, 10,000 views in the first three months, but due to the flooding of workers I rarely get jobs there. Compared to just two years ago, all the freelancing sites really exploded with new workers. Since I like to work in many styles, Viva la Freelancing!
It does get one used to rejection, and I joke to other artists, with freelancing I am rejected to 10 times a day. Don't take it personally, sometimes your style works and sometimes it doesn't - no matter the quality it may not match the vision. I think art is the only occupation that amateurs have the same chance as experienced workers- as it so objectionable. I mean if someone was working on my car with 20 years experience, as opposed six months, I would have more confidence in them. But with art- beauty really is the eye of the beholder- no matter how cliché that sounds.
To prove a point I was turned down for a job to draw stick figures ( the type on back of a minivan) at the same time I was in a gallery show at the Morrison gallery Elizabethtown, Ky. actually since then a bit on more jobs will stick figures and I'm always turned down, I consider it a personal goal now!
Thanks for visiting !
Dyann
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Do it now, dont wait for magic
I wanted to do a blog for quite some time, but always waited for the perfect timing. I actually wrote this post in Jan 2012. I am happy to say I am in the middle of several projects, and the last illustration for my first official contracted Children's book was sent in yesterday.
I want this blog to inspire you to NOT wait for the perfect time, NOT to put off what you yearn for or love. Even if others consider it folly, if its in your heart it will be there. I wish I could say things like..".this picture was created in glittering moonlight and magic fell to the page in jeweled dew in the perfect nuturing studio space..."
But No, even with a studio I would venture to say a good percentage of art is created between chores, family, and LIFE.
Things have taken off so well, I am estatic! But the days are grueling and there is a lot of work involved. I do not talk about it much, so of course put it on a blog!
But with bills and such, I always worked hoping someday to "be an REAL artist" or it would just come. I landed a good job in cosmetic dentistry and after a decade one day when working overtime, fell. I had 5 surgeries on my right hand rebuilding the ligaments and tendons- Inter Carpal Liagment reconstruction. 18 months in a cast and thats a later blog. I just remember sitting in Dr. Breidenbach's office with my hand bound as he explained I would probaly not be able to write for a while, and never well again. When my husband asked about art- he just shook his head quickly and looked down like they do when someone dies. I will never be 100%, and for a lot of time thought I could never pursue art again. My husband would send videos of people painting with various body parts- but that was not a help. He was trying- but it had been part of me so long - believe me, do not do that. Didnt help.
Anyhoo, now sometimes I am hit with trying to remember a big chunk of time missing art wise. I am like- Oh yeah- thats when my dreams shattered. The scars have faded. When a niece or nephew asks what happened as its a scar from the base of my thumb past my wrist, and a few on my hand- I joke I was running with scissors!
Well, this is getting long but heres an entry post from Jan this year below. I was happy to land a few art jobs. Today I am working on 4 books that are contracted, and I have 5 books of my own that will be out before the Holidays. I made a goal to do 10 books for clients, and 10 of my own by Jan 2013- a year from a new beginning!
Dyann Callahan
I had always wanted to do children's book illustration since I feel in love with Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit. The delicate watercolors and expressive animals are one warm memory from my youth. I have always pursued art and had one iron in the fire, whether I was in a full career or going back to school.
It makes me wonder now how come I didn't pursue it seriously? I think it was a dream that was lost in the shuffle. Many things happened over the last few years. One being I went back to school to finish my nursing degree. In doing so I became a staff writer and editor of an Award winning Newspaper. It rejuvenated all those childhood dreams to write and illustrate my own children's books.
My semester ended, and a friend of mine, Theresa Demario, is an amazing writer. She introduced me to the world of writing for hire-not a world of just sending submissions off- but on the spot hiring. I had been producing so many articles for the Street Newspaper, I had no idea that people bought good writing without months of waiting and low pay.
In having a journalism background after 2 years on the paper and being a student half my adult life, I am kind of a research nut and am used to cross referencing facts for the newspaper. So its is such a big help in article and content writing. Our biggest and longest term customers still are doctors who want ghost written medical content for newsletters and websites.In looking through sites like www.guru.com and www.ifreelance.com I saw calls for writing. I also saw many, many calls for children's books illustrations. I hope to revive a lost dream. Nowadays, its as easy as submitting samples over the internte. Not too long ago you had to be in the location and a lot fo footwork was there. In reading supportive blogs- like the amazing Will Terry's www.willterry.com - I know that a supportive family and nuturing enviroment when young can go a long way in making an artist. I did not have that as a kid.
I know NOW that my mother was a failed artist and my father a failed writer. As a kid you do not know that. You just get rolled eyes and a grimace when you say you want to be an "artist." They saw you kind of like this:
I know my mother was a fantastic artist with such a grace to her work, I find pictures of gallery showings. I am not sure what happened. I remember finding a H.G. wells type book my father had written stashed away.
I actually went to ASU for accounting and fine art- hoping to do a double major- but like an idiot quit when I started a new career of a "real job" in orthodonic restorations which was rather art-y and intense work under a microscope. I did that 10 years and always some type of art on the side.
I have painted wildlife for years and specialty art for the dogs I show like Afghan hounds and Chinese Cresteds and sold it on Ebay or personal collections. But with Ebays fees and them only using Paypal, the fees add up. Plus you have to rely on the Post office. People want the cheapest shipping possible, but they blame you if anything goes wrong. In 3 countries- Aust.- and esp the Euro countries it seems there were too many problems with the customs and International Despot in NY. Plus there is a ceiling. I literally can say my 1800 score on ebay is about 80% art I produced. It was fun, but everything I did was one of a kind so no reproduction value unless it was a gold or silver piece. The biggest thing with ebay is no interaction really. I used to quip- " if I see money, they liked it, if I do not- then they didnt." But there is no legacy or prints to be had.
I Dyann Callahan, am still in the "Honeymoon Phase" and am just surprised that right there in front of me are calls for art. Its a dream come true. I will post my process of becoming a Children's Book Illustrator as I go.
I want this blog to inspire you to NOT wait for the perfect time, NOT to put off what you yearn for or love. Even if others consider it folly, if its in your heart it will be there. I wish I could say things like..".this picture was created in glittering moonlight and magic fell to the page in jeweled dew in the perfect nuturing studio space..."
But No, even with a studio I would venture to say a good percentage of art is created between chores, family, and LIFE.
Things have taken off so well, I am estatic! But the days are grueling and there is a lot of work involved. I do not talk about it much, so of course put it on a blog!
But with bills and such, I always worked hoping someday to "be an REAL artist" or it would just come. I landed a good job in cosmetic dentistry and after a decade one day when working overtime, fell. I had 5 surgeries on my right hand rebuilding the ligaments and tendons- Inter Carpal Liagment reconstruction. 18 months in a cast and thats a later blog. I just remember sitting in Dr. Breidenbach's office with my hand bound as he explained I would probaly not be able to write for a while, and never well again. When my husband asked about art- he just shook his head quickly and looked down like they do when someone dies. I will never be 100%, and for a lot of time thought I could never pursue art again. My husband would send videos of people painting with various body parts- but that was not a help. He was trying- but it had been part of me so long - believe me, do not do that. Didnt help.
Anyhoo, now sometimes I am hit with trying to remember a big chunk of time missing art wise. I am like- Oh yeah- thats when my dreams shattered. The scars have faded. When a niece or nephew asks what happened as its a scar from the base of my thumb past my wrist, and a few on my hand- I joke I was running with scissors!
Well, this is getting long but heres an entry post from Jan this year below. I was happy to land a few art jobs. Today I am working on 4 books that are contracted, and I have 5 books of my own that will be out before the Holidays. I made a goal to do 10 books for clients, and 10 of my own by Jan 2013- a year from a new beginning!
Dyann Callahan
I had always wanted to do children's book illustration since I feel in love with Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit. The delicate watercolors and expressive animals are one warm memory from my youth. I have always pursued art and had one iron in the fire, whether I was in a full career or going back to school.
It makes me wonder now how come I didn't pursue it seriously? I think it was a dream that was lost in the shuffle. Many things happened over the last few years. One being I went back to school to finish my nursing degree. In doing so I became a staff writer and editor of an Award winning Newspaper. It rejuvenated all those childhood dreams to write and illustrate my own children's books.
My semester ended, and a friend of mine, Theresa Demario, is an amazing writer. She introduced me to the world of writing for hire-not a world of just sending submissions off- but on the spot hiring. I had been producing so many articles for the Street Newspaper, I had no idea that people bought good writing without months of waiting and low pay.
In having a journalism background after 2 years on the paper and being a student half my adult life, I am kind of a research nut and am used to cross referencing facts for the newspaper. So its is such a big help in article and content writing. Our biggest and longest term customers still are doctors who want ghost written medical content for newsletters and websites.In looking through sites like www.guru.com and www.ifreelance.com I saw calls for writing. I also saw many, many calls for children's books illustrations. I hope to revive a lost dream. Nowadays, its as easy as submitting samples over the internte. Not too long ago you had to be in the location and a lot fo footwork was there. In reading supportive blogs- like the amazing Will Terry's www.willterry.com - I know that a supportive family and nuturing enviroment when young can go a long way in making an artist. I did not have that as a kid.
I know NOW that my mother was a failed artist and my father a failed writer. As a kid you do not know that. You just get rolled eyes and a grimace when you say you want to be an "artist." They saw you kind of like this:
I know my mother was a fantastic artist with such a grace to her work, I find pictures of gallery showings. I am not sure what happened. I remember finding a H.G. wells type book my father had written stashed away.
I actually went to ASU for accounting and fine art- hoping to do a double major- but like an idiot quit when I started a new career of a "real job" in orthodonic restorations which was rather art-y and intense work under a microscope. I did that 10 years and always some type of art on the side.
I have painted wildlife for years and specialty art for the dogs I show like Afghan hounds and Chinese Cresteds and sold it on Ebay or personal collections. But with Ebays fees and them only using Paypal, the fees add up. Plus you have to rely on the Post office. People want the cheapest shipping possible, but they blame you if anything goes wrong. In 3 countries- Aust.- and esp the Euro countries it seems there were too many problems with the customs and International Despot in NY. Plus there is a ceiling. I literally can say my 1800 score on ebay is about 80% art I produced. It was fun, but everything I did was one of a kind so no reproduction value unless it was a gold or silver piece. The biggest thing with ebay is no interaction really. I used to quip- " if I see money, they liked it, if I do not- then they didnt." But there is no legacy or prints to be had.
I Dyann Callahan, am still in the "Honeymoon Phase" and am just surprised that right there in front of me are calls for art. Its a dream come true. I will post my process of becoming a Children's Book Illustrator as I go.
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