Family First

Hello my friends. Just when you thought I was back......well, it's turning out to be a bit more temporary than I expected.  In a previous post I wrote nearly two months ago, I explained how my family is going through some serious medical issues. The two most recently being my Mother and my Father in law.  My Mom has been slowly on the mend. Things aren't great, but a bit better, but my husband's Dad has been gravely ill for a few months.  Just this past weekend things took an unexpected turn for the worse, far sooner than we were prepared for, and it looks like he has a very short time left.  Because of this turn of events, and all the stuff life is made up of: kids, house, dog, errands, appointments, etc. I will be unable to post or visit for awhile.  I'm not sure how long, but when things calm down a bit, I also need to concentrate on my work more as well. I hate leaving the blogosphere for so long, you have all become an extended virtual family of sorts - but....I'm sure you can not only understand, but many of you can relate to this situation as well.  I'll have the comments off while I'm away, not only to keep things a bit quieter, but also because just yesterday, some of my posts from six months ago were spammed in Chinese, I actually translated it and it's not pretty - just what I need to deal with, going back and deleting 15 comments!  I will however be keeping in touch through email and my family blog.  If you do not have my email, it's susanbethstudio@gmail.com (it's also on my profile page). I have decided this will be my last detailed family post, as I want to start keeping this blog looking a bit more professional.  If you are interested in how things are going, just send me an email and I'll send you back an invitation to be able to view the private blog.  I'll also be deleting this post at some point in the future too.  I apologize if I haven't been able to visit your blog in awhile, I promise I'll make it up to you!  Thanks a million everyone - peace.

Illustration Friday - Equipment and NESCBWI Conference Recap!

Here is all the equipment you need to infuse factor with a port

Normally I'd explain those somewhat scary medical things above, but I'm late in re-capping my conference experience - so I need to focus on that! If by chance you do have any questions, by all means ask away!  My brain took a leave of absence this past weekend in regards to photos - unbelievably, I don't have any from the conference, I was so focused on stuffing my brain with info - so you'll just have to take my word for it, I really was there!


I have to say.....if you are at all interested in illustrating or writing/illustrating for kids, this IS the place to be.  I don't know if I'll ever make it to a national SCBWI conference, but I won't mind because the New England regional totally rocked!  I had no idea just how good it was until I met up with several other attendees. Both locals and some from as far away as Wisconsin and New Mexico who had attended other regional USA conferences before and expressed how disappointed they were, so made the trek here.  I was not only fortunate enough to be just two hours away, but also able to attend with my local friend Lucy - who has been to this conference twice before, so I had a little guidance!


Well, I'll tell you, I've never had such long days that went by so fast!  A real whirlwind of meeting great new friends, workshops and soaking in the best advice from the pros. As most of you know I am interested in writing picture books (at some point in the future) as well as illustrating them, but what you may not know is I'm also a huge fan of YA/MG fiction as well. I read or listen to these books not only to learn what's going on in the market for my own kids, but because, well they're just darn good reading!  So it was exhilarating for me to not only listen to New York Times bestselling picture book and YA author Cynthia Leitich Smith give the Saturday morning keynote address and Sunday morning interview, but also get a chance to chat with her for a moment as well. Cynthia lives in Austin TX and we were so lucky she agreed to come out to Massachusetts to inspire us. She's also incredibly funny!


Other incredible YA authors there included Mitali Perkins and Jo Knowles.  I attended a wonderful web presence workshop given by Mitali and publicist Deborah Sloan.  Another workshop I signed up for was a very challenging but fun writing prompt class by Jo.  Mitali, Jo and Deborah were all so genuine and generous with their time, I am truly grateful to have met them.


On Saturday afternoon there was another inspiring keynote delivered by Vice President/Publisher of Beach Lane Books, Allyn Johnston and the unbelievably talented writer/illustrator/Caldecott Honoree Marla Frazee. It seems that these two talented ladies are best friends and neighbors out in San Diego CA, and came all the way to the east coast to inform us and make us laugh.


To wrap things up on Sunday, I attended three awesome workshops by three wonderful illustrators.  Lots of you are familiar with Dani Jones of Dani Draws.  Dani gave a great workshop for artists looking to improve/increase their online presence. I also learned about Ustream where Dani draws live every Tuesday through Friday 10:00 AM EST.  I first experienced her tutorial today and it was a blast, come join the fun!  I learned ten new cool photoshop techniques with illustrator/author Jennifer Morris  - well let's just say I learned about them - to actually apply them will take, uh....awhile!  I also had fun in the workshop taught by Frank Dormer, 'Think before you draw' where we had to take one word and an object or two and convey a feeling in five minutes.  The most challenging prompt was the first one - "Show good and evil using an ant, a pot and a spoon" - mine didn't turn out well!


All in all, through learning so much, the most important things I came away with is just HOW much I still have to learn, how much work I still need to do and how much I love this field.

Thanks for reading everyone!

Latest WIP

Please click for larger view

After a few attempts at adding new portfolio pieces, I've finally decided that my portfolio is greatly lacking in illos showing kids in everyday situations.  Here is my latest effort.  This is based on a photo I took at a farm many years ago.  I love the composition and look of sheer joy on the little boy's face.  This will be in full color with lots of atmospheric perspective.  Will keep you posted!

Illustration Friday - Fearless

Well, once again I reach into the pages of one of the books I illustrated about hemophilia - this one if from Infusion Time.  In this book, we show the process of how a child with hemophilia infuses with a 'port-a-cath' - as opposed to a butterfly needle directly into the vein - this is very typical, especially with kids under eight or so.  Young veins are very small, and can be 'blown' easily and scarred too soon for later use.  Although it takes two surgeries (one to place the port, one to remove it), in the interim of the many years you can get from the long life of the port, it is well worth it.  I won't go into the whole procedure here of course, but you get the idea from my illustration - which once again didn't scan well!  Anytime a weekly prompt comes up having to do with bravery or fearlessness - this is the first thing I think of - you gotta be pretty fearless to get any kind of needle stuck in you multiple times a week, week after week, year after year, especially those awesome kids!


I won't be posting this Sunday, so I'd like to wish all the moms out there a wonderful, very happy Mother's Day!  I hope you can spend it with the people you love most, and get to do something fun just for you.  I'd also like to invite you to check out my friend Louise's blog What Scares You? for an incredibly interesting Mother's Day post.  You remember that acorn I drew last Sunday?  Well you won't believe what she did with it - enjoy!

Long, Long Ago, In A Lifetime Far, Far Away......

Acorn - Sunday Sketches & IF Cocoon

This quick sketch is performing double duty for Sunday Sketches and Illustration Friday.  Please click for more detail.  Sunday Sketches is hosted by Sophia. For more great sketches please visit her blog.


Everything a sturdy oak tree needs is cocooned in this little acorn.  While planting flowers last weekend, I came across many such emerging oaks scattered across our yard, starting to take root.  I'll be tossing this one back to Mother Nature deeper in the woods to give it a shot.

Have a wonderful week everyone!