A Little Peek

A little peek at some work for a recent project.

SCBWI Workshop

I attended my local SCBWI chapter workshop today.  It was basically about how to use mentor texts to learn how to write better.  Several research tools were shared by the first speaker, Carrie Charley Brown,  such as Notebook and Goodreads.  She read several picture books and explained her process of researching.  Her own website looks very helpful as well. Her worksheet was loaded with recently published picture book titles to learn from.  The second speaker focused on middle grade and YA texts, also very informative.  I've already gone online and submitted requests for library books to study.  Always great to hear SCBWI speakers and talk with other writers and illustrators.

National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature

I had the opportunity to visit the national Center for Children's Illustrated Literature in Abilene, Texas last week and view the Jon J Muth exhibit.  How fun and inspiring to walk around and view his paintings!  I have always wanted to visit this museum.  I look forward to seeing another exhibit in the future!

NCCIL 

Caillebotte Exhibit

My husband and I visited the Kimbell Art Museum in Ft. Worth, Texas recently and viewed a beautiful exhibit!  I have always loved Caillebotte paintings, but this exhibit introduced me to so many I have never seen before.  His wealth allowed him to spend lots of time painting without concerning himself about income.  He also designed sail boats and was a serious collector of stamps. Art museums are such a great way to get the creative blood pumping!

Mother/daughter writers and illustrators

So busy with projects and preparing for school visits, I have not taken the time to blog lately.  Today, I took a little break to tackle a house project, replacing grout that had cracked in one of the bathrooms.  I have never done this before, but I actually enjoyed mixing and applying it. It reminded me of clay.  The only part I did not like so much was the clean up.  I have learned through the years, though, that everything in life has the less enjoyable parts, so the best thing is to just move forward, knowing it is simply all part of the job.  I took another break and read this article about a mother and daughter who both write and illustrate children's books.  Refreshing!  The article, that is, not the grout.
Shirley Hughes and Clara Vulliamy