I had WAY too much fun this weekend at this amazing book festival hosted by Chris and Sally at The Curious Reader in Glen Rock, NJ. They did such a wonderful job organizing everything and getting everyone together. I just loved being around so many book creators and meeting the children who read my books. I don’t get to do that enough! The rain and wind was crazy that Saturday but the crowds kept coming. It was such a special day and went way too fast!
morning routine
I’ve been working in my sketchbooks a lot lately. After making coffee, I sit down and write whatever ideas pop into my head. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the type of book I’d like to do next. I have a lot of ideas but it isn’t until I start sketching and loosely painting in gouache that characters form and I begin to go a different direction. I think scribbling concepts, bits of dialogue and notes lays the groundwork but the illustrations always seem to guide where I want to go. Trying not to put pressure on myself…writing takes time—and even though some ideas sound fun, if they don’t flow, it’s time to shelve for now and switch gears.
small world
I got the news this week that my little “Lovey” was renewed for another five years in mainland China. She has been translated into a few languages since her debut in 2015. “The Grumpy Pets” was also translated.
I am still amazed how books can reach little kids so far away! Love that!
Some good news in a very bleak time. The war in Ukraine still rages on and it is truly horrific. Each day I wake up and hope a peace agreement has been made. It’s still so hard to believe this happened.
on writing
I’ve been working on some new stories lately. It seems the writing process works best for me if I write in images versus words. I can see my story in pictures quite clearly, so I usually do small thumbnails to pace it out and then move to drawing out larger, more detailed images.
But the creative process isn’t always so linear. Sometimes i just need to go somewhere peaceful and let my mind wander. I will scribble notes, write a simple narrative, play with prose and very often return home to make some fairly large edits. Then I start drawing again. Eventually I will print and trim out each page and move them about in my studio until the story flows just so. Sometimes I make decisions purely in regard to the visuals and other times to correct the story’s pacing. I use my well worn Blackwing or Ebony pencil and a highlighter pen for layouts that need editing.
In between all this, there is lots of coffee, long walks, chats with friends, snuggles with Boo and tidying up the utter mess I’ve made in my studio. But it works for me, somehow. :)
the long winter...
I must say I was prepared for the winter this time. It always feels so long and I am dreaming of swimming again by mid January—but this time, whilst in a pandemic—it feels that much longer. I’ve spent it working very long days in my studio and taking walks as much as the weather allows. These are some crazy times but I find that staying busy is key. Everything has changed! But there are always positives and I love the focus that this time brings. I’ve been writing some new books and working on the dummies. Sometimes I forget how much fun it is to just draw straight out of my head. I remember an editor telling me how she thought that must be so satisfying back when we met in the city to review a story idea. (It is!) But writing is painful. It is just so incredibly hard to get the pacing just so.
I still miss the city more than words could ever express, but we just need to get through this latest strain. My bus line is still shut down, so I may as well use this time to dig in (and out with all that snow!) The winter light is beautiful and the days are starting to get longer now. My watercolor book comes out in just a few weeks. I got an author copy in the mail and was surprised how big it was! I will have to write more about that on another post, but for now I am just wishing everyone peace and good health. I can’t wait to be with my friends again! Spring is coming!
