by akikowhite

SCBWI SWTX Workshop with Richard Jesse Watson

Our assignment for the SCBWI-SWTX workshop with Richard Jesse Watson
This is an illustration that I did for our 2013 workshop with illustrator and writer Richard Jesse Watson. Our assignment was to put  a Paradigm shift in the hundred acre woods. 

“What day is it?”
“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
“My favorite day,” said Pooh.
Illustrate a character(s) from A.A. Milne’s Winnie The Pooh books (illustrated by Ernest Shepherd). Shift paradigm by changing time period and context. Express the character’s essence or change by showing an emotional response to environment or situation. How might the characters change?

This is my initial sketch of my project.

My Recent Submissions

My submission of a full colored handcrafted dummy booklet, 
SASE, a postcard with check boxes, and the manuscript. 
I recently submitted a finished picture book to several publishers. At the moment I do not have an agent, so I am responsible for all inquiries. It is not an easy task nor is it inexpensive. I spent a lot of time and energy researching, printing, and constructing my book dummy. I sent out 9 packages in the mail to various publishers. (9 doesn’t seem like a lot but when each package cost about $20 each, it starts to adds up!) I have received 4 of my packages back, 1 never reached the publisher, 2 with form letters, and one that I was very pleased with. It wasn’t a contract but it was a form letter with a personal note attached to it. I want to thank Al Krysan from Finney Company for taking the time to actually write something positive and constructive. Just a few personal notes from an editor or art director gives me a little hope that maybe someday I will be able to share my stories and illustrations. 
Personal note from Al Krysan, Finney Company.
And the form letters…
Boyds Mill Press enclosed the 2013 Highlights Children’s Writers and Illustrators workshop calendar. It was a nice addition to the form letter but, I’m not sure if it was for my enrichment or that my writing was so bad they thought I could use some help! I’ll assume it is for perfecting my craft of writing and illustrating. 🙂

Portfolio

Here is an image that I am using as a cover for the Oil section of my portfolio.
Oil on canvas (8 x 8)
Working on my portfolio for the SCBWI Winter conference in New York City. Can't wait to meet everyone and see so many amazing writers and illustrators! Mo Willems, Shaun Tan, Meg Rosoff, Margaret Peterson Haddix, and Julie Andrews will be there with her new poem book that she cowrote with her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton.  These are only a few of the writers and illustrators that will be there. Click on the link above to see the rest of the line up! 

Happy New Year!

Hope the light of the New Year brings you much luck!!

We had a wonderful time over the holiday break. We also had a New Year’s bash with our friends. This is an image I painted of the paper lantern that we let go into the beautiful night sky. If you have never done this I encourage you to find a paper lantern the next time it is firework season. It is amazing to watch as it floats up into the starry sky.

Twelve Drum fish Drumming

(Oil, 5 x 7) Click here to bid

So my 12 days of Christmas challenge has come to an end. I have enjoyed creating these images this year. It was difficult at times to find time to paint with all the Christmas rush…But I did it! Yay! I hope you have enjoyed my post and most of all have gotten a smile out of it along the way! Have a very Happy Holidays. 

I am going to take a much needed break to be with my family this week. Hope you will do the same.

This painting is a little more animated. It is a Christmas bell on the hook. Looks like they are all trying to decide if they want to make it ring. I’ve had fun painting these last 12 days. Also I am planning on making an image with all the 12 days on it. Maybe a poster and a card for purchase on my Etsy page.


Happy Twelfth day of Christmas and a Very Merry Christmas to you!


Eleven Pipe Fish Piping

(Oil, 5 x 7) Click here to bid

I will be challenging myself to paint a painting a day for the twelve days of Christmas song. The paintings may not always be exactly what the song says, but I will promise to make them interesting.


This was fun to come up with…Eleven Pipe Fish Piping! I love these little fish. When we were down at the coast this last summer, I saw the smallest pipefish that I have ever seen. It wasn’t more than an inch long. They are so cute and come in so many different varieties. They must be closely related to a seahorse. Their heads look very similar.

Happy Eleventh day of Christmas! and a Wonderful Christmas Eve Day!

Ten Lords a Leaping

I will be challenging myself to paint a painting a day for the twelve days of Christmas song. The paintings may not always be exactly what the song says, but I will promise to make them interesting.


I’m only one day off…Or not…Let just say that Christmas day is the 12 day (Not Christmas Eve). I thought this would be a funny post. We all know that their is a frog Prince(Lord) out there somewhere to kiss. At this little stream there just happens to be 10. 

It has been quite a challenge to have to paint everyday before Christmas. My dishes are piled up, there are crumbs on the floor. The kids are eating what ever they can find (Cookies and candy) and Presents still need to be wrapped, but I have enjoyed coming up with fun ways to paint the twelve days of Christmas.

Happy Tenth day of Christmas!


Nine Painted Ladies Dancing

(Oil, 5 x 7) Click here to bid
I will be challenging myself to paint a painting a day for the twelve days of Christmas song. The paintings may not always be exactly what the song says, but I will promise to make them interesting.


Ok, so there really aren’t butterflies in the song…but I thought this would be a fun painting to do so here it is. Nine Painted Ladies Dancing.

Happy Ninth day of Christmas!

Eight Maids a Milking Dancing




I will be challenging myself to paint a painting a day for the twelve days of Christmas song. The paintings may not always be exactly what the song says, but I will promise to make them interesting.


I just love my little goats. Instead of eight maids a milking I have painted eight goat kids milking off their moms. We have 4 Nubian does who are ready to have babies in the near future. This will be the scene at my farm soon! Nubians are a dairy breed of goats. They are known for their rich milk. We make cheese, yogurt and kefir with our milk as well as drink it daily. Our goats are very friendly. My herd of goats love to have a scratch under their chin or a treat now and then.

Happy Eighth day of Christmas!

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