Illustrating for Self-Publishers

Another thing I got to do recently, was visit a writer to discuss illustrations for a great new story. I listened to her book idea and we discussed the age of the intended audience and also illustration styles and ideas. I find working for self-published people very different from the idea of a traditional illustrator, who is hired on the grounds of their style, and left more or less to their own ideas.
With self-publishers, the writer often has a strong idea of how they see the pictures, and though usually a bit flexible, they want you to come up with their vision, more or less.
This can be tricky, because you have your own thoughts, so it has to be a compromise. You have have to try and understand how they want to see it and introduce your own concepts and improvements to that. It really is a collaboration. And, depending on your agreement (get it signed in writing always) you may be parting with your pictures forever at the end, so make sure you factor that into the fee, because your work may get used by them for other things. It's a bit of a learning curve at times! One other thing I just wanted to say was that sometimes books you are asked to illustrate are being funded by a grant or done for charity. It's at your own discretion of course, but don't rip yourself off because it is being done for a good cause. The book may be funded, but the people you work for are generally working for a wage, so why shouldn't you? You can always give a little extra for free, but you deserve to be paid for your hard work (however fun!).

Reading Books Via Video

This week, via video link-up I got to speak to hundred of children around NSW, for Book Week. I got to pretend I was real author and read my book and answer questions to 11 different schools. Thought a bit nerve-wracking, I thought I was doing a dignified job until, suddenly I had to join with the other author to do a rendition of 'The Wheels on the Bus', complete with actions. Well, I am not beyond acting like a goose, but I prefer to choose my own moments! In any case, though apparently I laughed a fair bit, I got through it and the children seemed to enjoy having a sing along. This was all done via video link-up using smart-board technology. What a planet-friendly way to visit schools- marvellous! The possibilities of these wonderful tools are endless. The other day for instance, my sons English class got to read through a play with another school, sharing the roles between them. So Cool!
All in all it was a really fun experience and I feel lucky to have had this opportunity. Thanks universe!

Living Fully and Creatively

The Artist's Way book has been a valuable tool for my creative recovery and continues to be so. It amazes me (but in a way, not) how relevant each chapter is for that particular week in my life. So, the pot is well stirred, the juices are flowing and lots of wonderful projects are in my life, offering me passage once again down the road to creative fulfilment and extreme happiness. But, the truth is, I've been here before. Many many times. It most certainly is a first step, but obviously it isn't quite enough for me, else I wouldn't be here. Again.
The universe obviously listened because I went into work at the bookstore, and one small white book was on the bench(with a beam of sunlight falling on it!. Just kidding) , waiting to be put away. I'd never seen it before, so I picked it up to have a look. It was called 'The Art of Uncertainty' by Dennis Merritt Jones. I had a quick look through it and knew it was exactly what I needed. I have been reading it, bit by bit ever since (small nibble and time to digest) and my life has been changing dramatically as I go. It is about many things and I haven't finished yet, but mostly it's about living consciously (though I have many books on that) and leaning out over the void of uncertainty and bravely, stepping off. It's also about listening to the 'stories' you tell in your life that reinforce negative patterns "I'm no good with money", "I never finish projects", etc. Also it is about noticing the ruts in your life and, not only explaining how to leave them, but remains with you while you do it. I have read many books on 'life tools' but they don't stay with you for the duration.
So I have my ticket and now I have my companion for the journey and she is simply me, being conscious and being brave for as long as it takes to leave forever these trenches, this mile-deep maze, made by me.
I'll send postcards I promise.

Harry Potter Party

Direct from the icepack on my head, I finally have a party to report!
Last Saturday we had our (now) annual mid-winter celebration. This year, it was obvious I had to choose Harry Potter as the theme. Hence I have been preparing over the last month, with lots of set and prop-making, food ideas and considering of costume. In other words, I have been having a lot of fun playing!
I hired a magician for entertainment. This wasn't so easy as most of these people work through agencies and it all costs big bucks. Also, though the theme may be based on YA books, this was a party for grown-ups. Luckily the wonderful Harry Mak volunteered and his show certainly helped make the evening magical.
Some people dressed up, (costumes were excellent), others wore black, but I think everybody had a lot of fun getting into the spirit (and butterbeer) of the evening.
A very lovely friend also made me my own set of Olivander wands. I was just as excited as if I had been at the store itself!

Harry Potter Fun

It was obvious, as I jumped up and down with excitement over the Harry Potter poster at work today, that the expression on my co-worker's face was not that of enthused delight. Alarm? Pity? It was hard to tell as I was too busy looking at Harry, Ron and Hermione and getting very excited about the final movie installment this week. I'm devastated too, like any fan, than this is the last morsel we shall be fed...but let's go with the happy thoughts shall we?
I'm torn of course; I really want to see the movie, but will be too busy preparing for my Harry Potter party this coming weekend, to go.
I just spent a week away with my family. Well, we were in the same location but they were doing sporting stuff involving snow (looks lovely but is really cold and wet) and I was indoors: warm, drawing,writing and sitting at a table drinking hazelnut hot chocolate whilst looking out at the mountains. Not too shabby. Among my activities were some decorations for the party which were a lot of fun to make. Just a lot of colouring- in hours. And I found a gorgeous mate at the shops...

The Artist's Way to Harry Potter

Theres one thing I had forgotten the joy of recently until I was grinning like an idiot, elbow deep in Derwents, and that is playing.
My self-led artists recovery course happens to co-incides with our annual Mid-winter party. This is a yearly excuse for me to decorate our house in some kind of theme and have a party to celebrate mid-winter (I celebrate the winter, my husband the end of it). As the final Harry Potter movie is to be released [ :-)/:-( ] about the same time, it seemed an excellent theme for the party. I usually do make some effort at props and styling, but this year, reconnecting with my creativity has meant I have become, well, obsessed. Ideas are coming out like a clay pigeon shooter and though I have no idea how I will have the time to do them all, the main thing is that I am having a ball (albeit alone on my little nerdy planet- "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."). This opportunity to play with something fun has been a great party-starter for my brain. I promise to proudly show off whatever ridiculous lengths my playing reaches!
If you have lost your creative joy, try putting on a themed party, make a cubby house, design your dream campervan, make a clay gargoyle or put on some eyeliner and do Singstar. You know your inner child wants too!

The Artist's Way

I haven't posted here for a quite a while. I admit the reason was, that for much of this year, I found myself in a creative vacuum.
At the end of last year I had been given a green light to send my manuscript in to a publishing house. All I had to do was rewrite it for a teen audience. Duh! I was relieved that I had new found direction and you would expect then, having been given such a good opportunity, I would tuck right in and do the job. But I didn't. Admittedly it was a busy time of year with retail work and school holidays, but an excuse is only an excuse if you use it. And I did.
Months later and feeling like some invisible opportunity door was closing, I began, but I struggled to write. I wondered whether my novel was not meant to be for teens. I just couldn't work out my inability to write. Things trickled to a halt. I gave myself deadlines I ignored. I had stopped doing any art as well. My work areas became cluttered and became more fodder for the excuse mill.
It wasn't until I worked hard at clearing all my excuses and sat down to work that I realised I was in serious trouble. There was nothing there. I didn't feel like writing and my art was reluctant and feeble. I did try to do it anyway. Anyone creative knows you can't rely on the fickleness of creative moods.Bum-glue was administered. Still, nothing happened.
I continued to attend a few writing and art related things but I felt hollow and empty. I didn't want to be there and I felt like an impostor and an outsider. I found it hard to listen to other creative people and I didn't want to talk about my problem because I could hear how miserable and dead I sounded. Eww, who wanted to listen to that? I didn't!
Anyway, after one particular bout of creative constipation, I sat down to find a book to kick-start some inspiration. My eyes fell on my copy of 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron. Ten years ago I was going through a troubled time creatively and the universe sent three random strangers to mention this book to me. I thought "Okay I get it!" and bought the book. It is a self-led 12 week course on creative recovery. It worked like a dream then, and I felt it would work again.
Aside from having to write out three pages of whatever is in your head each morning, and to take yourself out for an inspiration date each week, the book contains lots of great quotes and exercises for you to do, all related to helping you recover creatively.
So, two weeks ago I began the course once again and noticed almost immediately that the universe lined me up with some small and easily digestible opportunities, positive and encouraging people and a tiny yearning to get creative. I still have another 10 weeks to go and who knows what will happen after that, but I will certainly put whatever happens down here. In the meantime...
"Hi, My name is Natalie and I'm an artist."