tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23955495640983507752024-03-07T20:00:51.295-08:00Angelic PursuitsWhen I was no more than five-years-old, my mom gave me a wonderful book of Masterpieces. While examining my favorites, I often wondered about these people painted in time – especially the children! How were we different? How were we the same? This year I have preselected 52 Masterpieces which I will render in a children’s book style and post to social media each Monday in 2021. I hope you'll join me!angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-74741652077500163992020-12-14T19:08:00.306-08:002020-12-26T17:41:37.369-08:00MousterWorks with Angela C. Hawkins<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrw7uo8KTzyhx98bQM9UQBoJCif9HDC0h7A1sSMBi20SfZ5SnqpGP1p7Jhsp9p7TN8iPpFkmLGdhmsK65p6cDcRwf_ZKGzmC4YAkVzLMM57aQzeGKbQLvE7kyG8ozLAROuvp27HKdoeM/s1689/promo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1689" data-original-width="1689" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrw7uo8KTzyhx98bQM9UQBoJCif9HDC0h7A1sSMBi20SfZ5SnqpGP1p7Jhsp9p7TN8iPpFkmLGdhmsK65p6cDcRwf_ZKGzmC4YAkVzLMM57aQzeGKbQLvE7kyG8ozLAROuvp27HKdoeM/w400-h400/promo5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">When I was no more than five, Mom gave me a wonderful book of Masterpieces. I often examined my favorites and wondered about these people painted in time. How were we different? How were we the same? Because I love so many Masterpieces, I have crafted a fun art history project for 2021: <b>Monday MousterWorks</b>. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For this project, I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">’ve </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">preselected 52 Masterpieces to render in my children’s book style. Each rendition will be posted every Monday on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/angelac.hawkins/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/angela.hawkins.169" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and this blog </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">–</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> along with thoughts I have while recreating them. (M</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">ake sure to look for two mice in each illustration!) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Many of these pieces are childhood favorites (Las Meninas by Diego Velasquez being my <i>absolute</i> favorite), but I also looked for lesser-known artists from various cultures. I mostly wanted subject matter kids can appreciate. H</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">opefully this project will encourage kids </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">– </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">and adults </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">–</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">who follow along to ask the same questions I did </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">–</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">and more!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I invite illustrators of all ages to join in the fun! Here are </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Rules</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">:</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Render each Masterpiece in your style (look for the schedule below), making sure to include two mice somewhere in the illustration. You are allowed to play around with various elements (dimensions, ages, species, expressions, medium, color, etc) – <b>but it must contain elements from the original</b> so that it is recognizable as a variation. If you’d like others to see your illustration, post to social media and include the hashtag #MousterWorks2021. Although I plan to do all 52 Masterwork reproductions, I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">m not expecting anyone to do the same </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">–</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> just participate when you can!</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"><b>See a MousterWork you like and want to own a print?</b> Take a look in my </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AngelaCHawkins?ref=search_shop_redirect" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> (I will be adding the best ones as the year goes on). If you don</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">t see the piece you</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">re looking for, feel free to email me: angelachawkins@gmail.com </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">and I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">’l</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">l add it to the shop.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Here is the full MousterWorks schedule</b>, with links to reproductions of the originals (you can also find a compilation of these Masterpieces on my </span><a href="http://www.angelachawkins.com/mousterworks.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">):</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>January 4</b>: <a href="https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/Shen-Zhou-1427-1509-Chinese-Watercolor-Children_35342E6891" target="_blank">Shen Zhou – Chinese Watercolor Children</a> (1427-1509)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">January 11:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Van_Eyck_-_Arnolfini_Portrait.jpg" target="_blank">Jan van Eyck – Arnolfini Portrait</a> (1434)</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>January 18:</b> <a href="https://www.wikiart.org/en/tang-yin/making-the-bride-s-gown-anonymous-copy-after-tang-yin" target="_blank">Tang Yin – Making the Bride's Gown</a> (1470-1500’s) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>January 25:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Botticelli-primavera.jpg" target="_blank">Sandro Botticelli – La Primavera</a> (1482)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;">February 1:</b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Follower_of_Hieronymus_Bosch_-_Adoration_of_the_Magi_-_Upton_House_(open).jpg" style="font-size: 14pt;" target="_blank">Follower of Hieronymus Bosch – Adoration of the Magi</a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> (1485-1500)</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>February 8</b>: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leonardo_da_Vinci_-_Virgin_and_Child_with_St_Anne_C2RMF_retouched.jpg" target="_blank">Leonardo da Vinci – The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne</a> (1503)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">February 15:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raphael_-_Madonna_in_the_Meadow_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;" target="_blank">Rafael – Madonna in the Meadow</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> (15050-6)</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 22.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">February 22:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pieter_Bruegel_de_Oude_-_De_val_van_Icarus.jpg" target="_blank">Pieter Bruegel – Landscape with the Fall of Icarus</a> (1558)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">March 1:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_margaret_museo_del_prado_madrid.jpg " target="_blank">Titian – St Margaret and the Dragon</a> (1565)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">March 8:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:San_Luis,_rey_de_Francia_(El_Greco).jpg" target="_blank">El Greco – St Louis, King of France, and a Page</a> (1590-7)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">March 15:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Calling_of_Saint_Matthew-Caravaggo_(1599-1600).jpg" target="_blank">Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – The Calling of Saint Matthew </a>(1599-1600) </span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">March 22:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rembrandt_-_The_Holy_Family_with_Angels_-_WGA19128.jpg" target="_blank">Rembrandt – The Holy Family with Angels</a> (1645)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>March 29: </b></span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Las_Meninas,_by_Diego_Velázquez,_from_Prado_in_Google_Earth.jpg" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;" target="_blank">Diego Velasquez – Las Meninas</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> (1656)</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">April 5:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Prince_Philippe_Prosper_-_Diego_Velasquez.jpg" target="_blank">Diego Velasquez – Prince Felipe Prospero</a> (1659)</span></div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; color: #2f5496; font-size: 13pt; margin: 0in;"><br /></h2><h2 style="break-after: avoid; font-size: 13pt; margin: 0in;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">April 12:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> </span><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: times;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gabriël_Metsu_-_The_Sick_Child_-_WGA15091.jpg " target="_blank">Gabriel Metsu </a></span></span></span><span class="qijnj" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gabriël_Metsu_-_The_Sick_Child_-_WGA15091.jpg " target="_blank">– The Sick Child</a> (</span></span><span class="qtzou" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">1663</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">-4)</span></span></span></h2><div><span style="color: #2f5496; font-family: times;"><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div><h2 style="break-after: avoid; color: #2f5496; font-size: 13pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">April 19: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johannes_Vermeer_(1632-1675)_-_The_Girl_With_The_Pearl_Earring_(1665).jpg" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">Johannes Vermeer – Girl with a Pearl Earring</a> (1665)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">April 26:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johannes_Vermeer_-_Het_melkmeisje_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" target="_blank">Johannes Vermeer – The Milkmaid</a> (1657-58)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">May 3:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johannes_Vermeer_-_The_lacemaker_(c.1669-1671).jpg" target="_blank">Johannes Vermeer – The Lacemaker</a> (1669-70)</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <br /></span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">May10:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peter_Paul_Rubens_and_Frans_Snyders_-_Christ_and_John_the_Baptist_as_children_and_two_angels.jpg" target="_blank">Peter Paul Rubens and Frans Snyders – Christ and John the Baptist as children and two angel</a>s (1615-20)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;">May 17:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ryukyuan_Dancer_and_Musicians_by_Miyagawa_Choshun,_c._1718.jpg" target="_blank">Miyagawa Choshun </a></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ryukyuan_Dancer_and_Musicians_by_Miyagawa_Choshun,_c._1718.jpg" target="_blank">–</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ryukyuan_Dancer_and_Musicians_by_Miyagawa_Choshun,_c._1718.jpg" target="_blank"> Ryukuan Dancer and Musicians</a> (1718)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>May 24:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lotus_and_Birds_by_Zhu_Da.jpg" target="_blank">Bada Shanren – Lotus and Birds</a> (1700s)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>May 31:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thomas_Gainsborough_-_The_Blue_Boy_(The_Huntington_Library,_San_Marino_L._A.).jpg" target="_blank">Thomas Gainsborough – The Blue Boy</a> (1770) </span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0in 22.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>June 7:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thomas_Gainsborough_-_Mr_and_Mrs_Andrews.jpg" target="_blank">Thomas Gainsborough – Mr. and Mrs. Andrews</a> (1750)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>June 14: </b></span><a href="https://www.wga.hu/html_m/r/romney/carwardi.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;" target="_blank">George Romney – Portrait of Mrs. Anne Carwardine and her Eldest Son, Thomas</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"> (1775) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>June 21</b>: <a href="https://www.wga.hu/html_m/r/romney/russell.html" target="_blank">George Romney – Portrait of Lady Anne Barbara Russell</a> (1786-7)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b>June 28:</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Louise_Elisabeth_Vigée-Lebrun_-_Marie-Antoinette_de_Lorraine-Habsbourg,_reine_de_France_et_ses_enfants_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" target="_blank">Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun</a></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Louise_Elisabeth_Vigée-Lebrun_-_Marie-Antoinette_de_Lorraine-Habsbourg,_reine_de_France_et_ses_enfants_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" target="_blank"> – </a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Louise_Elisabeth_Vigée-Lebrun_-_Marie-Antoinette_de_Lorraine-Habsbourg,_reine_de_France_et_ses_enfants_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" target="_blank">Marie-Antoinette de Lorraine-Habsbourg, queen of France, and her children</a> (1787) </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>July 5:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Francisco_de_Goya_y_Lucientes_-_Don_Manuel_Osorio_Manrique_de_Zuñiga_-_WGA10003.jpg">Francisco Goya </a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 18.66666603088379px;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Francisco_de_Goya_y_Lucientes_-_Don_Manuel_Osorio_Manrique_de_Zuñiga_-_WGA10003.jpg">–</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Francisco_de_Goya_y_Lucientes_-_Don_Manuel_Osorio_Manrique_de_Zuñiga_-_WGA10003.jpg"> Manuel Osorio Manrique de Zúñiga</a> (“Red Boy”) (1787-8)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>July 12:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Madame-Seriziat_Jacques-Louis-David_1795.jpg" target="_blank">Jacques-Louis David – Portrait of Emilie </a>(1795) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>July 19:</b> <a href="http://www.artnet.com/artists/mary-curtis-richardson/the-sands-of-life-0J1Bz4eUpKLON_JVYiAslA2" target="_blank">Mary Curtis Richardson – The Sands of Life</a> (1848-1931)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>July 26:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edgar_Degas_-_Dance_Class.jpg" target="_blank">Edgar Degas – The Dancing Class</a> (1871)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b>August 2:</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Morisot_-_in-a-park.jpg" target="_blank">Berthe Morisot – In a Park</a> (1874)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: normal;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: normal;">August 9:</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: normal;"> </span><a href="https://www.wga.hu/html_m/m/manet/3/3manet14.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: normal;" target="_blank">Edourard Manet – The Monet Family in their Garden at Argenteuil</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; letter-spacing: normal;"> (1874)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>August 16:</b></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: 14pt;"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Claude_Monet,_Woman_with_a_Parasol_-_Madame_Monet_and_Her_Son,_1875,_NGA_61379.jpg" target="_blank">Claude Monet - </a></span><span face="-webkit-standard" style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Claude_Monet,_Woman_with_a_Parasol_-_Madame_Monet_and_Her_Son,_1875,_NGA_61379.jpg" target="_blank">Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son</a> (1875)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>August 23:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Auguste_Renoir_-_A_Girl_with_a_Watering_Can_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" target="_blank">Pierre-Auguste Renoir – </a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Auguste_Renoir_-_A_Girl_with_a_Watering_Can_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" target="_blank">A Girl with a Watering Can</a> (1876) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>August 30:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pierre-Auguste_Renoir_-_Two_Sisters_(On_the_Terrace)_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg">Pierre-Auguste Renoir – </a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pierre-Auguste_Renoir_-_Two_Sisters_(On_the_Terrace)_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg">Two Sisters (on the Terrace)</a> (1881)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>September 6:</b> <a href="https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/IDLE-HOURS/FF1873432684ED8A" target="_blank">Edward Turner – Idle Hours</a> (1876)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>September 13:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Sunday_on_La_Grande_Jatte,_Georges_Seurat,_1884.png" target="_blank">George Seurat – A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte </a>(1883-1886)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>September 20:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John-Singer-Sargent-Carnation-Lily-Lily-Rose.jpg" target="_blank">John Singer Sargent – Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose</a> (1885-6)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>September 27:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Morisot_-_cottage-interior-also-known-as-interior-at-jersey.jpg" target="_blank">Berthe Morisot – Cottage Interior (also known as Interior at Jersey) </a>(1886)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>October 4:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henry-Kept_In.jpg" target="_blank">Edward Lamson Henry – Kept in</a> (1888)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>October 11:</b> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vincent-van-gogh-cafe-terrace-on-the-place-du-forum-arles-at-night-the.jpg" target="_blank">Van Gogh – Café Terrace at Night</a> (1888)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>October 18:</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mary_Cassatt_-_Summertime_-_1894.jpg" target="_blank">Mary Cassatt - Summertime</a> (1894)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b>October 25:</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> <a href="https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/A-Little-Girl/006CA7C24D318BB1" target="_blank">Cecilia Beaux – A Little Girl</a> (1887)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b>November 1:</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ernesta_(Child_with_Nurse)_MET_DT2110.jpg" target="_blank">Cecilia Beaux – Ernesta (Child with Nurse)</a> (1894)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b>November 8:</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Merritt_Chase_-_Idle_Hours_(c._1894).jpg" target="_blank">William Merritt Chase – Idle Hours</a> (1894)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b>November 15:</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edward_Mitchell_Bannister_-_The_Salute_-_1983.95.84_-_Smithsonian_American_Art_Museum.jpg" target="_blank">Edward Mitchell Banister – The Salute</a> (1895) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b>November 22:</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> <a href="https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/sad-memories-979" target="_blank">Edward Mitchell Banister – Sad Memories</a> (1892)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b>November 29:</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eugenio_Zampighi_-_First_step.jpg" target="_blank">Eugenio Zampighi – First Step</a> (1900)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b>December 6:</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edward_Robert_Hughes_-_Midsummer_Eve_(1908c).jpg" target="_blank">Edward Hughes – Midsummer Eve</a> (1908) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b>December 13:</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Henry_Ossawa_Tanner_-_Gateway,_Tangier.jpg" target="_blank">Henry Ossawa Tanner – Gateway, Tangier</a> (1912)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b>December 20:</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> <a href="https://www.wikiart.org/en/henri-matisse/tea-in-the-garden-1919" target="_blank">Henri Matisse – Tea in the Garden</a> (1919)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><b>December 27:</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> <a href="https://wsimag.com/hepworth-wakefield-gallery/artworks/71328" target="_blank">Barbara Hepworth – The Shadow Dance</a> (1919)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"><br /></span></div>angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-20912652790240471792016-10-04T09:08:00.002-07:002016-10-04T09:11:06.300-07:00News & ThingsI'm happy to share a little news about the book I've been illustrating for Deeds Publishing. <i>Thunder & a Lightning Bug Named Lou</i> by Rosalind Bunn launches December 3. Here's the cover:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprPyQ2GItYKbCX2bw9ow8rBHelodxJzVgq-2oW2ectoRVJFZj1NzC8EJc3yZApBPFBdDenOagDw_OURbLzjBawtJ4huXNem_lXj1GbToFBg4vwVlHS19ecbZsJBk2-t8xqxC_5ebGy4A/s1600/Lou_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprPyQ2GItYKbCX2bw9ow8rBHelodxJzVgq-2oW2ectoRVJFZj1NzC8EJc3yZApBPFBdDenOagDw_OURbLzjBawtJ4huXNem_lXj1GbToFBg4vwVlHS19ecbZsJBk2-t8xqxC_5ebGy4A/s640/Lou_cover.jpg" width="507" /></a></div>
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And I can't <i>not </i>say anything about the wonderful RMC-SCBWI Conference I attended last month. It was <i>wonderful</i>! Here are some highlights:<br />
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<li>I got to meet and learn from kind, thoughtful, and inspiring editors (and since my focus is currently picture books, they are the ones I remember - though there were other publishing houses for other genres) from Little, Brown (Andrea Spooner), Schwartz & Wade (Stephanie Pitts), and Paula Wiseman (Sylvie Frank), along with agents (like Minju Chang from Bookstop Literary), and the SCBWI founders (Steven Mooser and Lin Oliver) - who are as genuine and giving as I ever would have hoped for. </li>
<li>The panel of the above (and other) professionals was encouraging, thought-provoking, and most helpful. I felt like they all were glad to be there (I haven't always felt this way) to share their knowledge so we, in turn, can perfect our craft to make books that make a difference in the world.</li>
<li>I won the illustration calendar contest! All who chose to participate submitted a piece that was displayed for all conference attendees to vote on. The top twelve are compiled into a calendar sent to all conference faculty, and the top winner gets next year's conference paid for and their artwork displayed on the RMC chapter's webpage. I wasn't expecting to win, but thanks to my wonderful critique group partner, <a href="http://www.sadeeschilling.com/" target="_blank">Sadee</a>, for helping choose which illustration I displayed, I won grand prize. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAXyYCPMngSxH6jvYRUZpwZ684cAJ10_gSoc4T0qXjQq7SHQ6vL_ThpVUyaNFn5kfOxeVLTfjDYXQkn5khqjP_T2rjcwPIW8XcDYctdjUeNdeS0DAvuZogSmNpjgB6JT9bPvOtrkBCp0/s1600/color14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAXyYCPMngSxH6jvYRUZpwZ684cAJ10_gSoc4T0qXjQq7SHQ6vL_ThpVUyaNFn5kfOxeVLTfjDYXQkn5khqjP_T2rjcwPIW8XcDYctdjUeNdeS0DAvuZogSmNpjgB6JT9bPvOtrkBCp0/s400/color14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<li>I had <i>amazing </i>critiques by Andrea Spooner and Minju Chang. Minju provided really good insight and direction into a picture book I've written and illustrated. Andrea was thorough, perceptive, and encouraging as she critiqued my portfolio. Of course it helped that she felt it was one of the top portfolios at the conference. She pointed out that I could show more color versatility and humor - which, now that it's been pointed out, kind of sticks out like something sore.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li>For the first time at this conference, we had a juried portfolio review. And from what the RMC Illustrator Coordinator, <a href="http://www.windnessbooks.com/" target="_blank">Karen Windness</a>, said, they all were very thoughtful (that was a theme!) and thorough as they looked through every portfolio. I didn't win, but from things editors and others said after the review, my artwork was looked upon favorably.</li>
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My last bit of news is that I've agreed to illustrate a Bible study curriculum for Shine Curriculum this winter. Which means that my career is starting to move along, I guess. Which further means that it's high time for me to roll up my sleeves and get back to the long list of things to do-besides-this-blog-post!angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-49176385748426989402016-09-09T08:33:00.001-07:002016-09-09T08:33:19.930-07:00Cramming it all in<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wow it's been a while. Summer always adds to the trickiness of routine, with my two boys home from school. But they have since returned to school and I've been hard at work on picture book illustrations due mid-October (see previous post) and preparing for next week's RMC-SCBWI Conference (the long wait is almost over!). This has involved perfecting a book dummy (the illustration you see is a spread from the proposed book), finalizing my portfolio, making postcards, reworking my website, etc. </div>
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On top of that, a couple weeks ago I heard that the Sustainable Arts Foundation was holding a competition. Since I'm a parent with artistic dreams (its two main qualifications), I made ready everything needed to enter last week. Chances are slim that I'll win (they tend to favor more contemporary, abstract art), but it's always worth a try. Since the application requested a mini biography that I spent a little time on, I thought I'd post it here for anyone interested to know my journey (so far) to becoming a children's author/illustrator. So for those of you with a little time on your hands and a wee bit of interest about the road I've traveled, here ya go:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While trying to decide my career path years ago, I found a picture
book about a red umbrella. It wove a simple story, yet those words seared a
fiery desire within me to create children’s books that likewise inspired
others. I shared the epiphany with a friend, and she uprooted the dream with a
reminder to “be realistic” about my future. So I dutifully boxed up the idea to
delve into other career options. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still struggled with my career once I graduated from
college with a degree in English. Fate or no, after marriage and moving to a new town I stumbled across <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Writer’s Digest. </i>The forgotten passion
overwhelmed me as I scoured its pages, and my journey as a children’s author
began. Within months, my first story was accepted by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spider Magazine, </i>followed by additional stories, articles, and
activities in various magazine publications.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My oldest son was born in the middle of this. Despite our
rough first year of much crying (his), sleeplessness (mine), and (his) acid
reflux issues, I found small pockets of time to write. I also felt a tug to
pull out pencils and paper, and to acquire watercolors and paintbrushes to give
a go at illustrating – certainly a Mount Everest hurdle in both climb and
vistas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two moves and a second baby later, I was still improving my
craft and enjoying small successes until overuse led to debilitating tendonitis
in my elbows. I despaired I’d never again be able to do what I loved. Over what
felt like forever, my elbows fortunately healed enough for me to write and
illustrate in small time slots. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But my younger son – then a delightful, but needy toddler –
and a handful of moves around the country added to the trickiness of finding
time to craft. I created what I could with two kids and myriad moving boxes in
tow, then ultimately decided these years were mostly meant to enjoy my children
(with the side-benefit of stockpiling my brain’s hard drive with unforgettable
memories). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day came three-ish years ago when both kids entered
school full-time. I eagerly lassoed the inspiration gleaned from my children
and dusted off old supplies to start afresh and full-time. I joined SCBWI, connected
with a wonderful critique group, and have continued to hone my writing and
illustration skills through online classes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I’ve seen success. Within the last two years, several
articles and illustrations have been published in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bulletin </i>(SCBWI)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i>and
this summer I signed a contract to illustrate a picture book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am committed to parenting and my career. Luckily, my
husband supports both. Although there were moments as a stay-at-home-parent that
I wished for more career time, I have never regretted the decision to put my
children first. My kids have endowed me with a beautiful life, and I hope the
pages I can now freely create will reflect this in a way that inspires and
uplifts.</span></div>
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angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-40068881563959731572016-06-28T11:13:00.000-07:002016-06-28T11:13:00.970-07:00Book Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkb95Cm-Czm8wtfqV4miDxyiqLjiPJ0oUEPWxweQSuu9LN4e8sy5FAKMjxyrNv-frMvbqykTGfdUClifuNJzRXbS7KkN8zqS-3f9CLhP-qUkeXTUqtggkax4q3DVdcUfV7gOJRqgaOe0/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkb95Cm-Czm8wtfqV4miDxyiqLjiPJ0oUEPWxweQSuu9LN4e8sy5FAKMjxyrNv-frMvbqykTGfdUClifuNJzRXbS7KkN8zqS-3f9CLhP-qUkeXTUqtggkax4q3DVdcUfV7gOJRqgaOe0/s400/blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm thick in the middle of a picture book for Deeds Publishing. The rough sketches/dummy came surprisingly quickly to me and I'm about halfway done with the final sketches. Here's one of my favorites so far. By the end of this project, I should be really good at drawing trees since there are a ton of them!angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-39709615442431444962016-06-16T21:29:00.001-07:002016-06-16T21:29:32.221-07:00Fun at the Library<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoezKPgyAqSp1wYusvbVOdsTfht5syzjEqOclVfBZ5bY7Eb3p9wwX4G8pJQF0cTIwCW-FfL9OQuRfO8DNPu5GbVVtl5sz9aqUN2T91nyVsJ8YaevC3ksUnGSosDPD0pe04ZVCCshgxvM/s1600/Albert+highlights3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoezKPgyAqSp1wYusvbVOdsTfht5syzjEqOclVfBZ5bY7Eb3p9wwX4G8pJQF0cTIwCW-FfL9OQuRfO8DNPu5GbVVtl5sz9aqUN2T91nyVsJ8YaevC3ksUnGSosDPD0pe04ZVCCshgxvM/s320/Albert+highlights3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is Albert. He's a boy who walks to his own tune. I have big plans for him.angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-43800252748159826402016-06-07T09:45:00.002-07:002016-06-07T09:45:22.296-07:00Random sketchinessJust some doodles from last week - perhaps for an upcoming project. Bugs + big eyes = fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IMF9e6IgcLI1IZ1seBGQOlGhCk4feE3voXBm_0Bfx0LwreY5iVU0yuvVkvrbj_PR6bhTZIZOxif0N9HIGi_mwsIGFzc_3-DDnr2pRLTatroertuOD4uAiBt1oFbpffVx4NUlKmU-Yag/s1600/random+sketches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IMF9e6IgcLI1IZ1seBGQOlGhCk4feE3voXBm_0Bfx0LwreY5iVU0yuvVkvrbj_PR6bhTZIZOxif0N9HIGi_mwsIGFzc_3-DDnr2pRLTatroertuOD4uAiBt1oFbpffVx4NUlKmU-Yag/s320/random+sketches.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<br />angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-332151342561755892016-05-27T15:26:00.002-07:002016-05-27T15:34:50.273-07:00Getting Dummier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKs-5P-6xySy_XBFfK5SkbQK-6GGLBJKIlEXTUMfKK8oyr0ffMndSQSCRLV5Xz8arg176K-evTbVLmxl8GL4GpFPHONLy3dfGouUvwjRdjMl7GAG4FKSi-ReOYV7Tb6ZpU39u4aHfL_Y/s1600/2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKs-5P-6xySy_XBFfK5SkbQK-6GGLBJKIlEXTUMfKK8oyr0ffMndSQSCRLV5Xz8arg176K-evTbVLmxl8GL4GpFPHONLy3dfGouUvwjRdjMl7GAG4FKSi-ReOYV7Tb6ZpU39u4aHfL_Y/s400/2-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6HafWQ8w3CvDVwESBZQzDisUrT-74tiUzM8viHv3SnERod4vsuZrJHvEGjdOm_tJxJlOUbbKOmhY10bgtOTMhvZrz-GWl09SteLv8Jeiqfvij1fDeHVrbDIXkIDuT5N2UrwBtWlYxTc/s1600/4-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6HafWQ8w3CvDVwESBZQzDisUrT-74tiUzM8viHv3SnERod4vsuZrJHvEGjdOm_tJxJlOUbbKOmhY10bgtOTMhvZrz-GWl09SteLv8Jeiqfvij1fDeHVrbDIXkIDuT5N2UrwBtWlYxTc/s400/4-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO2PSs39rGdxeRFHmN0ph2jdljACrXoMZgmS4Y7lZg7m0hSmWmjNjZS9ZMV_np2HB_7kyn1OaB5rzSDVD3YyLW-NhkATYuZOT81bFwbHfnibiO2vsQxoRDo6jx-xpT5NatCFwjva74Sc/s1600/22-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSO2PSs39rGdxeRFHmN0ph2jdljACrXoMZgmS4Y7lZg7m0hSmWmjNjZS9ZMV_np2HB_7kyn1OaB5rzSDVD3YyLW-NhkATYuZOT81bFwbHfnibiO2vsQxoRDo6jx-xpT5NatCFwjva74Sc/s400/22-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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SCBWI members have the opportunity to query Zonderkidz all May. This is nice since Zonderkidz is usually closed to unsolicited manuscripts. At first I hadn't planned on submitting anything, but after noticing that they have a number of leveled readers, I thought about <i>The Missing Smile</i>. It was fresh in mind since I'd already been turning three pages into black and white samples for my portfolio (you can visit <a href="http://www.angelachawkins.com/bwcloseups.html" target="_blank">my website</a> to see them if you want). I thought it would be a good project to give myself the month to redo the dummy and sample images (yes, this meant painting the same spreads I'd just done into color; it helped that all my values had been worked out). </div>
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If any of these look familiar, about three years ago I worked on this dummy and created finished pieces for my then portfolio (you can see how they differ from today's <a href="http://angelicpursuits.blogspot.com/2013/10/sent-off.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://angelicpursuits.blogspot.com/2014/10/finished-today.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) <i>The Missing Smile</i> was actually published in <i>Clubhouse Jr </i>magazine in 2007 when my youngest was a baby. Once he was in school and I had a lot more time to work on my career, I thought that this story was a good start for a leveled reader. So I did some tweaking of words and worked on the dummy (which was hard and satisfying work). It was my 3rd dummy, but I still felt very much like a beginner. </div>
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This time around, I felt very confident in putting everything together. <a href="http://www.svslearn.com/" target="_blank">SVS</a> has been integral in teaching me better ways of doing this, as has learning about <a href="http://marlafrazee.com/studio" target="_blank">Marla Frazee's process</a>. It's kind of amazing what good instruction and a lot of practice can do!</div>
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And now, I'm on to my next dummy!</div>
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angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-83850397527421675132016-05-19T14:37:00.001-07:002016-05-19T14:40:00.545-07:003rd Thursday and Website<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKbHbpGyZJ02A0uBp_qr2fisk1RQ6yHuKeXmbKKh4oe-BJhCd2SLM3e3f3KTZ_qaCqtu7psUYEIYrX_06YDV9ZOX6G3QDpgxcRGOPdsszDwT7qjRF54G1b-an3Ild6leUHvk1dwBYbaQ/s1600/Angela-C-Hawkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKbHbpGyZJ02A0uBp_qr2fisk1RQ6yHuKeXmbKKh4oe-BJhCd2SLM3e3f3KTZ_qaCqtu7psUYEIYrX_06YDV9ZOX6G3QDpgxcRGOPdsszDwT7qjRF54G1b-an3Ild6leUHvk1dwBYbaQ/s400/Angela-C-Hawkins.jpg" width="400" /></a>Whew! I've been busy refining my website and refinishing a personal book dummy (which I hope to submit by the end of the month). But earlier this week I realized that 3rd Thursday was fast approaching and, since I really enjoy participating, I carved out a day to put together the submission above. The prompt to was to illustrate a saying from a fortune cookie. My "fortune" (if you can call it that) was: <i>Look to the future but don't forget to enjoy today</i>. This is something I have to tell myself all the time, so the scenario I chose came rather quickly to mind! I opted to do it in black and white since I'm looking to add to the bw section on my website.<br />
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And speaking of my website, you might enjoy taking a fresh look <a href="http://www.angelachawkins.com/" target="_blank">here</a> since it's new and (hopefully) improved. Thanks to a suggestion from my wonderful critique group friend, Sadee Schilling (check out her amazing work <u><a href="http://www.sadeeschilling.com/" target="_blank">here</a></u>), I added a section to showcase some of my sketches. I <i>love </i>sketching kids, so here's one I chose to include of my youngest jumping into the pool (thanks to my husband for snapping the shot).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-ListcA1_XT6BGfnp7ebZviuBzfahMdmTurDqtiLFF_N7FW2vRW5MD8LvFRTam0eRdpR9cIypDZ9emjgtqak3niAVtsmWjX0TAzknW9I-md-VRMQCJVyuix4k_4oJXuS226AU4c2mx4/s1600/sketch5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-ListcA1_XT6BGfnp7ebZviuBzfahMdmTurDqtiLFF_N7FW2vRW5MD8LvFRTam0eRdpR9cIypDZ9emjgtqak3niAVtsmWjX0TAzknW9I-md-VRMQCJVyuix4k_4oJXuS226AU4c2mx4/s400/sketch5.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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<br />angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-77565674118149932582016-05-10T11:56:00.001-07:002016-05-10T11:57:18.496-07:00Visits to the library<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyP1fAf0JQCkNYsMCBBgUNtMqLXfgWGX0KlZYwaLoL8aK-j0rFdNXTPOo8t38vDZYnCuuD6OiIwYGnW02wrdPKGvKFlLmmpEmUdDsu211xQbAjDw84nui9s6MatQYcCdEgw9gDhqJd_A/s1600/library+color6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyP1fAf0JQCkNYsMCBBgUNtMqLXfgWGX0KlZYwaLoL8aK-j0rFdNXTPOo8t38vDZYnCuuD6OiIwYGnW02wrdPKGvKFlLmmpEmUdDsu211xQbAjDw84nui9s6MatQYcCdEgw9gDhqJd_A/s400/library+color6.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Our family visits the library at least once a week, and this illustration is an accurate depiction of the affair. I always leave heaving a stack of picture books (perhaps not with <i>quite</i> as many as above) while my oldest grabs the latest mythological novels and my youngest seeks every computer programming guide available. My husband utilizes the library as well, but takes more advantage of their audio books than anything physical. Indeed, we are a book-loving family!<br />
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Since January, I've been focused on reworking my portfolio and website. It's now in a shape I'm happy with. Take a peek if you like (www.angelachawkins.com); you'll certainly recognize many pieces, <i>and</i> there are several others I haven't posted anywhere else. Now that <i>that's</i> done, it's time to dust off my personal projects and keep moving forward!angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-47986131289900180642016-04-20T10:47:00.002-07:002016-04-20T10:47:39.580-07:00SCBWI DrawThis: ArrivalMay's submission for SCBWI's DrawThis:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScHfpnR5P6yBZ_xDlMOxK9py4VyoeEyGa9JOAbX8kMxCtkFPjntpOIIaoBC6YT9S7aguuQiBlccvyLZZGblMxabTK6fvJ_AoWZ60A-o7qgCOF2JiAI1on-DbF5N0KCHHiFmdkUTw50es/s1600/Arrival_Angela_C_Hawkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScHfpnR5P6yBZ_xDlMOxK9py4VyoeEyGa9JOAbX8kMxCtkFPjntpOIIaoBC6YT9S7aguuQiBlccvyLZZGblMxabTK6fvJ_AoWZ60A-o7qgCOF2JiAI1on-DbF5N0KCHHiFmdkUTw50es/s640/Arrival_Angela_C_Hawkins.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
<br />angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-28516542845064244342016-04-07T14:05:00.003-07:002016-04-07T14:06:23.438-07:00April 3rd Thursday: A Big Problem for LucyHere's the illustration I was talking about yesterday. I think it's done, but I might tweak some more another day. Since the text might be a little small for you, it says:<br />
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This was a pretty BIG problem, but Lucy was confident. She popped open her magic toolbox and immediately found the perfect tool for the fix.<br />
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As much as I'd like to win the contest, I'd love even more to be chosen for a critique to know how to take this to the next level 'cause I don't know.<br />
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angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-55435520632075985262016-04-06T13:51:00.003-07:002016-04-06T13:51:27.827-07:00Design 100 Kindergarteners #2Here's #2. I have to say I don't like it as much as my first, partly because her anatomy looks too off. My preliminary sketch looks better, but since I'm choosing not to lightbox things and since I try out new ideas on the fly, it didn't work out as well. But isn't that what this project is about?<br />
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If you're interested in what else I'm working on, I'll be done with my SVS illustration very soon. (I'm very excited about it!) I've also worked on other illustrations I'm not ready to post, and I wrote and sent out two articles (one of which was rejected). Still, between last week's spring break for my kids and other distractions this week, it's taken too long to be as productive as I want!<br />
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<br />angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-76244790112725188702016-03-25T12:05:00.002-07:002016-03-25T12:05:59.883-07:00Project: Design 100 Kindergarteners <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last year, Jake Parker issued a challenge to Design 100 Somethings (here's his youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxa01j9Ns7o). I am intrigued. My illustrator friend, Jill Bergman, designed 100 trees in 100 days (find them here: http://www.jillbergman.com/100-trees/). She may or may not have heard about Jake's challenge, but regardless, her collection is impressive.<br />
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Since I've thought about experimenting stylistically anyway, here goes. Jake encourages specificity to push creativity, and suggested we use a medium we're less comfortable with. My subject is 100 Kindergarteners. (It might not be as specific as Jake asks, but I love the idea and I'm gonna do it since kids are my favorite thing to draw.) I'll be using a quill pen and watercolor. Long ago before one of our many moves, I purchased a quill pen set and ink for experimentation. Now it's high time to actually use the stuff. And once upon a time, I only painted with watercolor - but that was once upon a time and the disuse is highly evident! But I'm in love with how watercolor mingles and pools, so here we go with #1. Also, I don't plan on one a day; just when I have some time.<br />
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My goal is to be messy and less precise. Today I achieved this in some ways more than I hoped for. But I plan to showcase this project without altering it in Painter to show my progression.angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-78218403311634719702016-03-22T15:14:00.000-07:002016-03-22T15:14:30.873-07:00Sweet Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaa1IpwzHfQFVh87GxeVHxrYpSxBPJAPxdDaBcG_Y4ZvhdyZ4_SBjpxctFSs2M4vg4uSz27EE6vLeKh4xZ6m2q4iaRinSNjp9-ubWCT5WTZ4HVx0B_aVub7fdti4yMk0Di6zcI3SQxrLU/s1600/color12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaa1IpwzHfQFVh87GxeVHxrYpSxBPJAPxdDaBcG_Y4ZvhdyZ4_SBjpxctFSs2M4vg4uSz27EE6vLeKh4xZ6m2q4iaRinSNjp9-ubWCT5WTZ4HVx0B_aVub7fdti4yMk0Di6zcI3SQxrLU/s400/color12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's an illustration I started back in February and finished today. (Maybe.) It was intended for the 3rd Thursday competition, but a few complications deterred me and I opted for the blue lovesick pig I posted earlier. Now that I've fixed most of the complications, I unveil the illustration for your notice.<br />
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This color palette feels luxurious to work with and all that candy was a treat to paint. It was tricky making sure it didn't overwhelm the pig, since he is the focal point. The tree was similar - making sure it looked like a tree at night without stealing attention away from her. I'm mostly happy with how it turned out. The only concern I have is about the perspective. Technically it works in my thumbnails, but I still feel like something isn't quite right. If you have any ideas, my ears are open!angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-4596624639357171742016-03-15T13:57:00.003-07:002016-03-15T13:57:40.492-07:00Mischief at Show & Tell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGLlqbjqB9h4T29kySALZZKNcdrYTssx9BKDJAxO2vSnsZGbOJO_vY7TCHhjdlAKjQz5Lpgrk8PiC9f8FaOMBxDP0t0PSoMQaRUS3RLmHgbEk6wdtAq6BSNzsQnYoUMaWCEdWqS6bUKg/s1600/color4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGLlqbjqB9h4T29kySALZZKNcdrYTssx9BKDJAxO2vSnsZGbOJO_vY7TCHhjdlAKjQz5Lpgrk8PiC9f8FaOMBxDP0t0PSoMQaRUS3RLmHgbEk6wdtAq6BSNzsQnYoUMaWCEdWqS6bUKg/s400/color4.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
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Will there be an end to the mischief this naughty bear can make? And how long can his little friend work with it?<br />
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This was created for March's SVS challenge: Haven brought it to Show & Tell . . . even though she never got permission. I hope you like it!<br />
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<br />angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-29443161828512599952016-03-03T14:30:00.000-08:002016-03-03T14:33:46.146-08:00A Trip to the MoviesI've added a trip to the movies to my girl and bear collection. It still has a few things that need work, but I'm going to let the illustration germinate to help me better isolate what really needs doing. My biggest problem was that I'd made it really dark (almost twice as dark as what you see). Since Will Terry warns that a lot of editors get scared by anything too dark, I lightened the whole thing. Now it might be <i>too</i> washed out. Do you have an opinion?<br />
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And here's an earlier version of the same idea. I liked where it was headed but wasn't satisfied with certain aspects - especially that the girl didn't look enough like the original girl playing hangman. After working it to what you see below, I took my SVSLearn.com crash course and began trying a lot of new ideas. Which led me to create the illustration where they read together (see a few blog posts down). I liked its more subdued feeling, and it led me to rework the movies (and hangman) to fit.<br />
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angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-84968009447881964782016-02-23T13:06:00.002-08:002016-02-23T13:06:26.162-08:00A Little Flamingarina<br />
SCBWI's monthly art challenge for March is Dance. I considered various ideas, but what came out were dancing flamingos. Here's the final product:<br />
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But it didn't start out that way. Here are both sides of the (small) sheet of paper I used to brainstorm ideas and then scratch out flamingos in various poses. It got my mind and fingers tingling with excitement:<br />
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I liked the idea of showcasing what goes on <i>before </i>dance class begins, so I honed in on the flamingos stretching casually (see bottom of the longer sheet). I realized, however, that a lot of the illustrations I've created looking at a group from a distance rarely turns out as well as I hope, probably because the focal point isn't as clear as it needs to be. So I remembered what it felt like for me when I would look in on more advanced dancers and tried telling the story through those eyes. This is how far I got with this idea:<br />
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I didn't finish it, although there were (and still are) elements that I like about it. But when my husband looked over my shoulder, he felt like the perspective was lacking something and suggested an alternate idea. Even though it meant essentially starting over (and it took half a day for me to find a perspective and composition that produced the feeling I was going for), I'm so glad he pushed me to do better because I am so much happier with the final outcome. I feel like the composition, focal point, and characterization are so much stronger. And once I figured all those things out, my first painting was a good starting point for the lighting, color, and textures I used and it didn't take long for me to crank it out.<br />
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Which is good, since the deadline to turn it in to SCBWI was fast approaching . .<br />
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angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-50835504278357543872016-02-16T19:51:00.002-08:002016-02-16T19:51:22.039-08:00LovesickHopefully Valentine's Day didn't make you too lovesick this year like this poor pig. Perhaps he needs to reevaluate what he loves most?<br />
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This is my submission for SVSLearn's monthly contest, the prompt being "Love."<br />
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<br /><br />angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-44115958904542338762016-02-01T13:00:00.003-08:002016-02-01T13:00:54.208-08:00Reading surprise!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's my latest girl and bear illustration (I'm working on a series of them). It might need a few days of simmer to see what could improve it, but here's the first completion. Since I love a little bit of messy, I'm working toward that here with my choice of textures. Some day I hope to heighten that messy feel in my work, but I think I'm getting closer.<br />
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This illustration started out with a small thumbnail where I worked out composition and value. Next, I enlarged it so I could trace over it on my lightbox before scanning it into Painter to do the rest.<br />
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For this illustration, I utilized an off-white/yellow underpainting. I really like the mood it created. And, like in my previous illustration (see last blog post), I pushed to create a focal point using value, shadow, and light. I think it's working. Perhaps it still needs a little more contrast? What do you think?<br />
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<br />angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-58578927046540680522016-01-26T10:09:00.001-08:002016-01-26T10:09:50.637-08:00Emerging from My Chrysalis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJj8HffvB_u0YnM78q-cHUHE3UgYe87iXiwsgSaH3ZyVbiGKebVd6q_CHafDV90dk5Yl6fNtYyJDhsCqWc74JSqWStZcvYku0y0r-JbiRab_BJA7igwRsAczowBN3RhFk5ZpWI7d0GRfU/s1600/breakfast+lightened.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJj8HffvB_u0YnM78q-cHUHE3UgYe87iXiwsgSaH3ZyVbiGKebVd6q_CHafDV90dk5Yl6fNtYyJDhsCqWc74JSqWStZcvYku0y0r-JbiRab_BJA7igwRsAczowBN3RhFk5ZpWI7d0GRfU/s320/breakfast+lightened.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been a social hermit for more than a month. But lest you tut your tongue and warn that my life's been a-fritterin', I've actually been incubating and metamorphing inside an art school chrysalis. I feel like I'm at the point in a movie where the heroin emerges after a training, soul-searching hiatus with superhuman powers. I hope.<br />
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Now don't roll your eyeballs when I mention SVSLearn.com yet again. No doubt my husband is ready to move on from my constant info-dump about 30/3 rules, inclusion shadows, spotting bean shapes and all sorts of other high-fallutins. But that team knows its stuff and generously shares it with the masses for a very small cost. (And no, they aren't paying me to say this.) I finally understand <i>why </i>I've felt dissatisfied about some of my work and <i>what</i> I need to do to improve it. Now it's time to apply what I've learned. Future posts will likely refer to much of this new knowledge in my constant quest to achieve better results.<br />
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Starting with the illustration above. Here, I've worked to create a focal point using light and shadow more effectively. I know that this boy would stand out more with a colder, darker background. But since I wanted to keep it light since the (unfortunately-true-for-my-family) subject matter is rather lighthearted, I tried not to overdo it. What do you think? Does it work?angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-956211301108009792015-12-18T14:49:00.000-08:002015-12-18T16:22:29.696-08:00Looking Back (and Merry Christmas!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoeBiKdo9NgOvycdFW3bR1rYWZyUyAaI7m3IZR6Ui-KXHTDsiOi-XOPRftuDo46C7T90a1chwZkQPph2TgQnXnNnN3XpGMkivDCsf9fDU97L5l-RRbzP6I3GZyRS1QLGq42237fqO_7Y/s1600/elves+to+the+rescue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoeBiKdo9NgOvycdFW3bR1rYWZyUyAaI7m3IZR6Ui-KXHTDsiOi-XOPRftuDo46C7T90a1chwZkQPph2TgQnXnNnN3XpGMkivDCsf9fDU97L5l-RRbzP6I3GZyRS1QLGq42237fqO_7Y/s320/elves+to+the+rescue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's good to reflect and see personal growth - especially when self-doubt wraps its chilling fingers to strangle creative endeavors. Since I'm currently working through this, I'm setting aside time to applaud the good I've accomplished this year:<br />
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1. Sketching has become my friend as I've set aside time each day to do it. Its influence is guiding my fingers in ways they didn't move before.<br />
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2. I submitted a couple projects to editors and agents and received personalized rejections that were helpful and confidence-boosting.<br />
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3. I submitted five articles to The Bulletin (SCBWI's magazine), had three of them accepted, and one has already been published. The accepted article ideas came from studying children's books, sketching, and experimenting with using textures in my work.<br />
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4. An illustration I submitted to SCBWI was published in their most recent Bulletin.<br />
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5. An editor approached me about illustrating a Sunday school curriculum. The timing didn't work out this time around, but she said she'll contact me again next year.<br />
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6. I met with my amazing critique group every month this year. (Well, maybe I missed a couple near the beginning?) They are wonderful friends, great confidence-boosters, and most helpful in their critiques of my work.<br />
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7. Two weeks ago I bought a Wacom Intros Pro (as opposed to the bottom-of-the-line model I was using previously). I already feel an upsurge in the quality of my work. (That pen makes a <i>huge </i>difference!)<br />
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It isn't always easy feeling successful in the field I've chosen, but I hope that with continued effort next year will continue to yield results I will feel proud of. To leave you with merry greetings, you've already seen an illustration I created for SVS's 3rd Thursday contest (Santa's reindeer have the flu, so he used . . .). Special thanks to my husband for giving me the idea.<br />
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angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-5380775008903307722015-11-12T08:47:00.002-08:002015-11-12T08:54:48.556-08:00Online critiques to watch (from real instructors)My last post highlighted a piece I'm submitting for SVS's 3rd Thursday competition. I just finished watching their critique of last month's four pieces, and WOW! The information they offer is so helpful and generous! I'm hooked. I can't wait to watch more of them, but I've got work waiting for me . . .<br />
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If these are something you'd like to watch and learn from, here's a link to their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/SVSLearn" target="_blank">youtube channel</a>. Scroll down and look for the 3rd Thursday videos. (There's a lot more great stuff to learn from, too!) And they offer very reasonably priced classes to learn professional techniques.</div>
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And since blogposts are boring without something visual, below is a recent page from my sketchbook. Which leads me to ask, have <i>you</i> sketched today? Fifteen minutes a day can go a long way. (Hey, I sound like one of those commercials out there . . .)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEioTkv3pS2hMzeuZGu5dLrsNdejg22BfzFMieHLRcRLpRmr8WHjpW6u9Jy-Jk-qwImr-wn_PbqsY18fOw21RRD9SUr44f-qrOn_-Ey_ruLtDoBAEIeH3mSBzhPatqOX4EIfoe9eq-e4/s1600/sketches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEioTkv3pS2hMzeuZGu5dLrsNdejg22BfzFMieHLRcRLpRmr8WHjpW6u9Jy-Jk-qwImr-wn_PbqsY18fOw21RRD9SUr44f-qrOn_-Ey_ruLtDoBAEIeH3mSBzhPatqOX4EIfoe9eq-e4/s640/sketches.jpg" width="489" /></a></div>
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angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-59585919752592337602015-11-10T11:53:00.003-08:002015-11-12T09:01:19.876-08:00Something Completely DifferentOkay, so I normally draw cute kids.<br />
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But today I got sidetracked into something much more experimental - and it was quick and fun. SVS hosts monthly <a href="http://svslearn.com/" target="_blank">competitions</a> (this is a link to their website; look for 3rd Thursdays), from which they pick a handful to critique and offer prizes. This month's prompt asks for an Edgar Allan Poe cover featuring his stories. Well here ya go. I have to say that I <i>love </i>sketching, so doing a caricature of Poe was a lot of fun, especially since I didn't have to make him perfect. I also find it great fun experimenting with textures in a way that I might not typically do with my more traditional art. (But maybe I should . . .)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOikcLOGS9MQHMS_GHmnK0BTTYHhuVFj8G_SN2LAndMx_7eZtU1oW85UhWpBtTdw6aFC3Yk_3XTOrcmrs49h7aNOJgfSL-m4a9r_Q-gl1-FLqEsqpS5c_yDQeV90pTvC1u7G224h5aM5s/s1600/Angela%253AC%253AHawkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOikcLOGS9MQHMS_GHmnK0BTTYHhuVFj8G_SN2LAndMx_7eZtU1oW85UhWpBtTdw6aFC3Yk_3XTOrcmrs49h7aNOJgfSL-m4a9r_Q-gl1-FLqEsqpS5c_yDQeV90pTvC1u7G224h5aM5s/s400/Angela%253AC%253AHawkins.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<br />angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-46122403959188793522015-11-03T11:11:00.001-08:002015-11-03T11:11:33.370-08:00Little Red Take 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVJ7KgVQkH8FIoLVqaguuZUhYjiC_WEdAZr2Y4LZUzzlsczTUv69EhJdlX8cXYoC4VHqCJ7xTjzRNaXmCC-AHPlzm5R8PYYVk8gSJiXGnDAY61VZbWcd6Y-nYw96ym9YWTMAhMNZK2D4/s1600/red+hood+3small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVJ7KgVQkH8FIoLVqaguuZUhYjiC_WEdAZr2Y4LZUzzlsczTUv69EhJdlX8cXYoC4VHqCJ7xTjzRNaXmCC-AHPlzm5R8PYYVk8gSJiXGnDAY61VZbWcd6Y-nYw96ym9YWTMAhMNZK2D4/s320/red+hood+3small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's yet another red riding hood, which again took so much longer than I anticipated it would! Keeping things consistent and helping what's most important stand out took some finagling. Hopefully I'll get better (and quicker) at doing this. I'm not sure it works perfectly, but my mind can't process what needs doing at present. If you have any suggestions, I'm open! I'd also love to hear which of the three Red Riding Hood pictures you like best.<br />
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<br />angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2395549564098350775.post-80590841131122259052015-11-02T08:32:00.001-08:002015-11-02T08:32:13.914-08:00Kids and Craft: Making Both Work<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_FJ2khvhaDFlme-_ym1MOkBjg8jqoaUBLpIeFhzLxCBuuIat68-bOwdh7LJ7YH2b8TqdZp3YPN8ekiXFLSOz73q7i-hVRcb7IDBTt19I5uYqGlCUOUcgi3GyP7HqVSi42oDkk1QZMKA/s1600/Angela-C-Hawkins1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></a>
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This blogpost (http://artonthepage.blogspot.com/2015/10/my-creative-life-motherhood.html) by an author/illustrator friend, Jill Bergman, shares what it means for her to be a mother/author/illustrator. It made me think about an article I wrote months ago (see below). Although I speaks from my own mother/children's book maker perspective, others might glean ideas about making other<i> </i>chosen crafts work. I'd love to hear your thoughts. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Kids and Craft:
Making Both Work</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Angela C. Hawkins</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq3gtNPQBI-ecWbWDSB20uWMIoodazaOutiFsIc4eER3zRkUbz8tToHZGjPeVWVhKzDLIyC0fx0l5I_uHm4EUBo3UvKbLeUEc1EqkFndEKK8aCh8MWYuxh3SKuUjb4vFYMaIooIMmXUs/s1600/Angela-C-Hawkins5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">For the last ten
years, I’ve opted to be a stay-at-home-mom. It’s wonderful, but it does come
packaged in creative limitations. I’ve teetered between ignoring my craft until
my kids grow older and growing my craft while ignoring my kids. It’s not a
one-size-fits-all game, but here’s how I try to balance both:</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq3gtNPQBI-ecWbWDSB20uWMIoodazaOutiFsIc4eER3zRkUbz8tToHZGjPeVWVhKzDLIyC0fx0l5I_uHm4EUBo3UvKbLeUEc1EqkFndEKK8aCh8MWYuxh3SKuUjb4vFYMaIooIMmXUs/s1600/Angela-C-Hawkins5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq3gtNPQBI-ecWbWDSB20uWMIoodazaOutiFsIc4eER3zRkUbz8tToHZGjPeVWVhKzDLIyC0fx0l5I_uHm4EUBo3UvKbLeUEc1EqkFndEKK8aCh8MWYuxh3SKuUjb4vFYMaIooIMmXUs/s200/Angela-C-Hawkins5.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"></span></div>
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<i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Most days
have pockets of creative time</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. A writing professor knew a published
stay-at-home mom who nabbed twenty minutes a day to write. Sometimes a mind-numbing
break while my kids have napped, snacked, or played is tempting, but I've rarely
regretted choosing to create. </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Much</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> can
be done in focused swatches of time.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 9px;"> </span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 9px;"> </span></span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Notepads
are essential. </i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">They’ve kept my creativity streaming while I’ve nursed,
watched kids, and prepared food. They’ve kept me engaged and ready for those creative
time pockets.</span><br /><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></i></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Watching
kids is productive</i></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>.</i> Watching my children play has been an opportunity to
soak up beautiful memories </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">and</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> improve
my writing and illustration. It has flooded my notebook with story ideas, and
my artistic mind has captured ways of working light, color, and </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">child-like fun
into my illustrations. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoiqbo1jAFUOi-HIRa3FsNbpFIwwvSPahPxpRZyGDbOu2Yxgx9AwOWFv3jVPcNYggRb9zD8IBSLVXyovXsh-R2e6osojM1pkMDf5PIogE-G-ar8Whi3K9okDMwI46uh3PtOy6bXHiMyI/s1600/Angela-C-Hawkins6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoiqbo1jAFUOi-HIRa3FsNbpFIwwvSPahPxpRZyGDbOu2Yxgx9AwOWFv3jVPcNYggRb9zD8IBSLVXyovXsh-R2e6osojM1pkMDf5PIogE-G-ar8Whi3K9okDMwI46uh3PtOy6bXHiMyI/s200/Angela-C-Hawkins6.jpg" width="200" /></a><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A
stay-at-home mom doesn’t have to mean a play-at-home mom</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. I </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">do </i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">play with my kids, but I feel that all day play is misleading
and debilitating for all of us. I try to show by example and expectation that lots of happiness can be found through ambition, hard work, sharing, creativity, and
productivity.</span><br /><br /><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Learn and
create together.</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> Although it takes longer, learning and creating in tandem
with littler ones has honed my brainstorming, artistic, researching, and
teaching skills.</span><br /><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoiqbo1jAFUOi-HIRa3FsNbpFIwwvSPahPxpRZyGDbOu2Yxgx9AwOWFv3jVPcNYggRb9zD8IBSLVXyovXsh-R2e6osojM1pkMDf5PIogE-G-ar8Whi3K9okDMwI46uh3PtOy6bXHiMyI/s1600/Angela-C-Hawkins6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Learn from
kids</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. I’m often entangled in planning and details. My kids create
uninhibitedly, experimenting easily with new ideas and mediums. It reminds me to
let go and have more fun.</span><br /><br /><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Daily reading
is a boon. </i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">It’s important for my kids and my craft to read a lot – and I
can accomplish both at once!</span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Reading to
them has fine-tuned my understanding of rhythm, rhyme, word choices, and
pacing.</span><br /><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Kid perspectives
are insightful</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. While reading together, I observe what engages their attention,
finds their chuckle bones, or leaves them distracted. I notice which covers,
titles, illustrations, and blurbs reach out to them.</span><br /><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpFUQqyR8cvFw1NmSRK6Q8hbcf6Tb7Rgxs-MbaKnRrysPCBKYUnoRmwUNdRvC0xBpObviERiCr_sIvMzVl-YvvxoBQrLdAtIvX3D-S6UbE7r42bf7ZLJVVJck1woqkHzUuh-7GpioHwQ/s1600/dinosaur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpFUQqyR8cvFw1NmSRK6Q8hbcf6Tb7Rgxs-MbaKnRrysPCBKYUnoRmwUNdRvC0xBpObviERiCr_sIvMzVl-YvvxoBQrLdAtIvX3D-S6UbE7r42bf7ZLJVVJck1woqkHzUuh-7GpioHwQ/s200/dinosaur.jpg" width="200" /></a><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Kids dish
out great advice.</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> When I've encountered story and illustration problems, my children
offer meticulous advice from the way they see things. Since I </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">am</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> writing for kids, that perspective is
a sparkling asset. </span><br /><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Sharing my
work with them is an investment</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. Not only are my children my greatest fans,
but I love how my example inspires </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">them</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
to create. Which inspires </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">me</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> to
create. Which inspires </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">them</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> to
create. Which . . .</span><br /></div>
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Since my family will always be
first, there are days when I set my dreams aside. But with a little thought and
lots of perseverance, on most days I can squeeze in both.<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpFUQqyR8cvFw1NmSRK6Q8hbcf6Tb7Rgxs-MbaKnRrysPCBKYUnoRmwUNdRvC0xBpObviERiCr_sIvMzVl-YvvxoBQrLdAtIvX3D-S6UbE7r42bf7ZLJVVJck1woqkHzUuh-7GpioHwQ/s1600/dinosaur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoiqbo1jAFUOi-HIRa3FsNbpFIwwvSPahPxpRZyGDbOu2Yxgx9AwOWFv3jVPcNYggRb9zD8IBSLVXyovXsh-R2e6osojM1pkMDf5PIogE-G-ar8Whi3K9okDMwI46uh3PtOy6bXHiMyI/s1600/Angela-C-Hawkins6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div>
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angelic pursuitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07319618272567958251noreply@blogger.com2