A Darth Portrait

This is a portrait I did for a friend at the end of last year. It was a gift for her son's birthday. I took the photo with my iPhone and sadly wasn't able to get a good scan before I gave the gift. Always make sure you get a good scan/photo of all your work!

Also for the next 5 days on Facebook I will be posting 3 illustrations/sketches. I'm going to try to keep from posting anything I've posted here. The present illustration excluded, though. I haven't shared that with enough people yet! 

Interview With Bobbie Dacus

Today on my blog I have a fantastic illustrator by the name of Bobbie Dacus! I just love the bright colors that Bobby uses in her illustrations. I don't know what it is about her work that just reminds me so much of all the good parts of my childhood!

Make sure you scroll down past the end of this interview. Bobby has shared her studio with us! I love seeing the creative spaces of other people. How else could I steal their organizational ideas for my own evil gain?

Bobbie is one of the illustrators that contributed to the free Monster Chores Coloring Book  that Jennyann Carthen is now hosting on her website! Bobbie's illustration will teach you the proper monster way of feeding your pets. This is something that is vital for your little monster to know!

Dani: Why Illustration?

Bobbie: I love art.. and anything art related. Years ago, going to the library and finding picture books with my kids led to my supreme interest in picture book illustration. At the time I was a fine artist and made the decision to transition to illustration. I've been in the field of graphic art/design for many years so it seemed to be a natural progression.


Dani: Is corporate graphic design truly evil?

No, not really.. I’m sure there are many aspects where it appears pretty evil. I worked in corporate graphic design for many years. I felt sorta like I didn't fit in but I will say it enabled me, as a single mom, to take care of my kids at the time. Later I worked at a design agency and that was certainly more fun!

Dani: Finish the following thoughts:

1. I hate…

Negative people and braggy people on Facebook.. Ugh..Get a life!


2. Dreams are…

As necessary as food and water.


3. My Favorite…

My favorite vacation is visiting Paris. I want to go back. Sigh. I could drink in the art FOREVER.



Dani: What's special about your work?


Bobbie: I think I use color in a way that expresses who I am and I think that’s special in a way. I think the challenge is to do that consistently when you’re constantly surrounded by trendy colors that other illustrators are using. It’s also a challenge when you’re constantly seeing what’s hot at the moment and is selling.

Dani: What is your ultimate goal in life?

Bobbie: I guess my ultimate goal is to live a good life and be happy. That may sound sappy but when you’re doing what makes you happy everybody wins… especially those around you!

Follow Bobbie: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bobbiedacus

Blog: http://artsyteapot.blogspot.ca/

Website: http://www.bobbiedacus.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BobbieDacusIllustration

Google+: https://plus.google.com/102959772208868367799/about

Bobbie: Here are a couple of pics of my studio:

Awesome Blog Goals 2015!

This year I'm going to do all those lovely things that I wanted to do in 2014, but just didn't get around to doing them. I also have some new ideas for this year, so I'm hoping that this year will be awesome both personally and for my blog. I think my goal last year was for 2-3 blog posts a week and I think my average was 2. This year my goal is 4 posts a week.

Blog Goals for 2015:

* Continue What's Up Wednesday! posts. It keeps me on a good schedule.
* Continue weekly interviews. If you want to be interviewed let me know!
* Since I'm an illustrator: Post an illustration once a week. Should be an obvious addition.
* Find bonus things to post every week like book giveaways, guest posts and contest/challenge announcements.

Special Events for 2015:

"Bad" Picture Book Blog Hop: Starting February 9th I will start off the "Bad" Picture Book Blog Hop (name subject to change) on my blog. I have about 7-8 other bloggers who will be posting throughout that week and the next week. We will all be posting old Picture Books that we did as kids in High School or before. It will be hilarious and cute!

Picture Book Dummy Month: This will likely be in August. I know that other people do similar challenges, but I think this is one that's well needed. I still have a lot of planning left to do for this. I believe the goal will be just to get the drawings for a Picture Book Dummy finished (finals I'm not sure about yet). I know quite a few people, so I'll see how many guest posts I can get for the month! I would also be thrilled if I could get some prizes to give out for this. So excited about hosting this event!

What's Up Wednesday! January 7th (A.K.A David's Birthday)

Today is my son's birthday! He started out the day eating a package of strawberries. That was my fault. I somehow didn't think he'd eat the whole package. Not having much of a party today, but he did have his friend over all day. 

I'm getting my interviews set up now. This is the order so far! I made a mistake and that's why Bobbie's interview is late. I forgot to send her questions of all things! I have all her answers, and apologized, so you will see her interview this Friday!

Interview Schedule:

January 9th - Bobbie Dacus

January 16th - Elizabeth Maginnis

January 23rd - Auri Lynn 

January 30th - Sheila Kelly Welch 

February 6th - Rue Cole

WHAT I'M READING

Anthology Still!

WHAT I'M WRITING/DRAWING

Working on my blog goal post for tomorrow. Want to map out what I'm doing this year. Some fun things coming up this year, so be sure to come back tomorrow! I already posted most of my other art/writing goals here: http://daniduckart.blogspot.ca/2015/01/2015-will-be-awesome.html

I will be working on dummy and portrait work this week. Have a lot to do to catch up after being sick. 

Every Day Possible

2015 Planning and dummy work.

Wed 01/07 What's Up Wednesday Post. Done! David's Birthday Today!

Thursday 01/08-  Planning blog things for 2015 and doing some artwork!

Friday 12/09- Interview with Bobby Darcus! 

Saturday 12/10- Dummy work and portrait

Sunday 12/11- Hopefully not coughing. 

Monday 12/12- Living the dream... not sure what it is, but I'm going to be living it!

Tuesday 12/13 - Putting my child in a playground cage and letting him wreak havok. 

Wednesday 12/14 - What's Up Wednesday! 

WHAT WORKS FOR ME

Making chocolate peanut butter muffins!

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Toddler Minding 

He's turning 4 today!

Ect.

Starting to feel better. Think my husband is getting sick now. 

*What's up Wednesday is part of Jamie Morrow's summer writing intensive: "Ready. Set. WRITE!" There are other host blogs including: Erin L. Funk, Alison Miller, Katy Upperman, and Elodie Nowodazkij.

2015 Will Be Awesome!

I wrote a list of things I'd like to accomplish in 2015 a few days ago and I have yet to post it here! Last year I decided not to do a New Year's resolution. The reason for this is that people make resolutions and give up once they start messing them up. The following is a list of goals I would like to achieve. I try to list more than I can reasonably do in the year, so if I do all these things then I'm doing great!

I'll try to post my blog goals Thursday! These lists are probably not complete. These goals are not in order of importance. I'll probably add to them later.


Publishing

* Send work to the maximum (10) agents for 12x12 and sign with an agent.
* Send out at least 5 non-fiction articles to be published.
* Send out an email art package (or single illustration) to every children's magazine/publisher that accepts e-submissions (at least the ones printed in Children's Writer's and Illustrators Market.)
* By April send out 20 art packages to editors (Book or Magazine) by mail.
* By March find at least 10 alternative places (Not in publishing) that need illustrators.
* Sign a book contract.
* Send out at least 10 illustrations/stories for magazine publication.

Other Art/Writing Goals

* Finish 2 dummys in January.
* Create at least one full dummy a month.
* Get The Pattern Pals webcomic online and update weekly.
* Write at least 2 new stories a month.
* Create new Sci-fi themed paintings (12-20) for VCON this October.
* Keep up with the 52 Week Illustration Challenge.
* Create at least 20 portraits.

Monster Chores Free Coloring Book!

Hi everyone! I wanted to share with you this wonderful collaborative coloring book. Monster Chores is a free downloadable coloring book that Jennyann Carthen organized and is hosting on her website. We have had several illustrators participate in this collaboration. Illustrators Jennyann Carthen (of course), Tori Deaux, Telaina Muir, Bobbie Dacus, Teresa Schaefer, Cecilia Clark, Kim MacPherson, Mary Flynn, Annina Wildermuth, Jennifer Vanderbeek, Leila Nabih, Lezette Markham and yours truly, Dani Duck, worked together to create this book.

In these pages you will see these coloring pages and learn all about what it is to do chores if you are a monster. My page will teach you to dust like a monster. You will also see my awesome InDesign work in play. You can get the book here: http://paintisthickerthanwater.com/projects/monster-chores/

Jennyann will be interviewing everyone for this coloring book. Once a month you will be learning about each person who contributed to the book. My interview won't be until October. I got to choose the month, and what better month than my birth month? None, that's what!

Did I mention this book is free? Why haven't you downloaded it yet? You'll thank me later.

Interview With Julie Murphy

Today on my blog I have a captain of the creepy crawly; a shepherd of those that swim in the sea; an aficionado of things that both run and fly! Who is it that I have on my blog? It's Julie Murphy trained zoologist, zookeeper and nonfiction writer of all things animal.

Julie's most recent book "Environments and Responsibility" just came out in November. She has written too many books to mention! Some of Julie's other recent books include: "Anglerfish", "Whale Sharks" and "Whose Baby Is This?".

It doesn't matter what kind of animal you like, chances are Julie has written a book for you! Even if you like the slimy animals or the ones that scurry across the floor. There is something here for everyone. I hope you all enjoy this interview with Julie Murphy!


Dani: Why non-fiction?

Julie: That’s a trick question because I like writing fiction as well as non fiction. I haven’t had any fiction Picture Books published yet though, despite some very close calls. They say persistence is a key requirement for being a children’s author!

What’s so good about non fiction? Lots! From a writer’s viewpoint, it offers a challenge that’s a bit like completing a huge jigsaw puzzle. First, you need to pick a fun and interesting topic. Then you search for lots of interesting facts about that topic. Next, you sculpt the facts into a form that is even more interesting and that kids in particular will relate to, and you finally need to package it all into an overall story that flows smoothly like a river. Easy! (Not.) But it is lots of fun.

From a reader’s point of view, non fiction is great because it offers an attractive alternative to fiction, which isn't everyone’s first choice. Plus it is a fun and interesting way to learn about the world around us.


Dani: What's the ickiest bug you know?

Julie: Hmmm, that’s tricky because I like most bugs. I have worked with bugs, both when I used to work as a zoologist and as a zookeeper. I think bugs are cool. I have even written a Stick Insect Husbandry Manual for junior school kids. (See photo of me with a Stick Insect.) But the ickiest bug…hmm…well, can I cheat and say a leech, even though it is technically not a bug? I am not very keen on leeches.



Dani: Finish these thoughts:

1. My favorite animal...

Is the Common Wombat. It’s an Aussie like me, stubborn like me, and cute like…well, two out of three ain’t bad! (Here’s a link to a photo from Encyclopedia Britannica Kids - http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/art-55505/Common-wombat)



2. I always drink...

Coffee, and plenty of water.



3. My first story...

Julie: My first story that I can remember was about a girl who was trapped overnight in a museum, and a dinosaur skeleton came to life and became her friend. (This was way before the Night at the Museum movie starring Ben Stiller.) I still have the “book” which, coincidentally, also contains a non fiction section describing different species of dinosaurs. I have included a photo of a page from that book, which demonstrates why I am not an illustrator!

I think it would be great if all parents gave their children the opportunity to make books of their own. The books don’t have to be fancy – just some paper stapled together would do the trick, although there are some impressive bookmaking apps available these days too. There is something special about writing your own story, making it into a book and seeing your name on the front cover. It provides great encouragement to a child’s imagination and literacy skills.




Dani: What's special about your work?

Julie: Well, I think all books are special. They give readers a chance to spend time in someone else’s head, and in other worlds. Books foster imagination, empathy and understanding of diversity.



Dani: What is your ultimate goal in life?

Julie: To help make the world a happier place. Some of my happiest moments as a child were spent with my head in a book.





Follow Julie:

Website: www.juliemurphybooks.com
Twitter: @juliekidsbooks.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Murphy/e/B0032N0TX0/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/157536.Julie_Murphy
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jmurphy1399/

Next week I will be featuring Bobbie Dacus on my blog! Sorry I did not have her on this week. There was a mix up that was all my fault! She will be here next Friday and it will be spectacular!