Interviews

Cynsations

Seven Impossible Things - Lucky Beans

Seven Impossible Things - No Mush Today

Lee and Low

The Brown Bookshelf

Big A little a

Lucky Beans NEW Coloring Page!

The Elephant in the Room

Very interesting topic of conversation spurred by Elizabeth Bluemle at the Shelftalker blog. Check out the illustrations, too!

Warm-up sketch: crazy-silly cartoony

Warm-up sketch: 3 preteens

I saw a stock photo of three preteen kids walking along in a field. Two were close together, one was a little further back. Why? Maybe the two forward characters were in a fight with the third? Or is the third one harassing the two? What's unique about number three?

These were the questions running through my head as I sketched them. I noticed also that I didn't "study" the reference photo and try to make the drawing look like it. I rarely do that unless they are photos I took myself. It's like I use the photos as a launching pad for ideas.

Warm up sketch...with china marker

Warm up sketch...with ink

More warm ups

Warm up sketches

Often I like to sketch "warm-up" drawings before doing "serious" drawings. Shakes the cobwebs off, reminds me how to coordinate my hand/eyes/brain.

Sometimes I use photo references to get started, sometimes not. Here's one from a stock photo reference, of a preteen girl with her guitar:

The Horn Book!

LUCKY BEANS by Becky Birtha was reviewed in the May/June issue of the Horn Book!
It was written by Susan Dove Lemke, which feels like coming full circle, because it was an article written by her in the Horn Book called "The Faces in Picture Books" years ago that sparked me into launching a career as a children's book illustrator.

NESCBWI Conference

For an event I wasn't ready for, it was a whirlwind of fun, learning and inspiration. Anindita and Greg, with all the volunteers did an awesome job. It was neat to see my art on the big screen, too. :) Surprisingly, we've now outgrown even this new conference space. I wonder if we'll end up in or near Boston...which would be an awesome experience, especially with all the excellent restaurants so close to each other.

I wish I could have gone to more than one workshop! A device where you can be two places at once...hmmm...didn't work out too well for Hermione. Oh well.

Major highlights would be getting portfolio feedback. (Not pictured) Interestingly, I heard the same comments from published professionals and green newbies, so the truth is the truth! My "favorite" pieces don't necessarily work in this current portfolio, time to retire them!

The illustrator academy was such fun! It was a rare treat to see behind-the-scenes sketches and book dummies. I also wished I could have seen every portolio critique instead of those just at my table.

I also hoped we'd have more time to work on improving sequencing from the homework assignment. Four hours sounds like a long time, but it flies by. Watching the progression of David Costello's book was wonderful, very eye-opening. What a treat!  Speaking of treats...the food was just okay...so how did I gain four pounds???

NESCBWI Conference!

It's this weekend! I'm glad it will be raining...that way I won't feel guilty about not spending time in the garden...:) It's tough to  balance two passions like those.

Doodle and Squeak drawings

Dancer

Nez Perce Illustration

Memories - warm toned

Adopted sibling rivalry

In this illustration, I wanted to tell a story of parents who already have an adopted child, and have adopted another. Clearly the boy isn't happy about it at first, but his little sister reaches out and warms his heart. I love the colors on this - working on the experimental Strathmore paper which I seem to like better than the expensive Fabriano.

Sadness

"If it should be....
If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
and pain should keep me from my sleep,
then you must do what must be done,
for we know this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand,
but don't let grief then stay your hand,
for this day, more than the rest,
your love and friendship must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years,
what is to come can hold no fears.
Would you want me to suffer? So,
when the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend,
only stay with me until the end,
and hold me firm and speak to me,
until my eyes no longer see.

It is a kindness that you do to me,
although my tail its last has waved,
from pain and suffering I have been saved.

Do not grieve, it should be you,
who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears."

-- by Julia Napier, copyright 1999

Email trouble...

If anyone has tried to contact me through the email link on my (sadly neglected) website, I have been having trouble with that address. Please try nickietart at yahoo dot com if you've been trying to reach me. Art buyers can try reaching my agent, Chris Tugeau, at chris@catugeau.com.

Sorry, and thanks!

Wheaton People!

Wheaton did a nice profile, you can see the photos and interview here.

"Multicultural" Fantasy art

Having heard about the new publishing company Tu Publishing, I was so excited and was gearing up to send along a submission of my favorite fantasy artwork. Unfortunately, I was also working away at my latest book, and put the project aside. Now I've heard the news that Lee and Low acquired Tu and now it's called Tu Books! I was delighted, having worked with Lee and Low on NO MUSH TODAY and am still working on new art for a fantasy submission. They are looking for middle grade & YA right now, not picture books so I have time. Meanwhile, I've updated the fantasy page on my blog, here's the link: http://nicoletadgell.blogspot.com/2008/11/fantasy-art.html

I've always enjoyed fantasy. I loved to "pretend", I loved fairies and elves. I read voraciously when I was a kid, and when a teen I would lose myself in the worlds of McCaffery, Tolkien, Weiss & Hickman. I watched Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who, and so many more. And I didn't realize until much later how few of the characters looked like me, or how much it would hurt to have that unspoken "this isn't for you" message. Well, it's becoming more and more for you...for everyone. Imagination is not limited to ethnicity or skin color, wealth or poverty.

Blue Rose Girls: Welcome TU Books!

Blue Rose Girls: Welcome TU Books!

Lucky Beans is on 7-Imp!

I had fun visiting with the folks at Seven Impossible Things! Check out the blog.

Blue Rose Girls: entropy

Blue Rose Girls: entropy

Shabby Chic Sis!

My sister's fledgling blog My Shabby Streamside Studio has been 'discovered' by one of the biggest 'shabby decorating' blogs in the US!  Please use the link below to see it.

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2010/02/let-me-introduce-you.html

hand study

Found this...from when I was in a watercolor class at the Worcester Art Museum.

Found

Found some art I had done a long time ago...it's undated so I don't know when. Probably 2002-2005. Anyway...I did these on a different kind of paper. I think it was a strathmore watercolor pad - student grade. But I really love the way the color sits on the paper more than the expensive "artist-grade" Fabriano artistico I'm using now. I'll have to get another pad and experiment some more.

 

quick inkies

Found some old sketches, decided to play with the ink pens...keeping it loose. Some were really small - 2".

Hermit Thrush!

Wow!! A confirmed sighting of a hermit thrush in our yard yesterday! I had glimpsed them in the past, but never got a good enough look to be sure. Confused as to why they are here now, having read that they don't come into our area until April. I do so hope that they build a nest or at least SING this spring! I love their song. Haunting, echoey, spiritual.

pretty fairy!