NESCBWI Conference

Hi!

I'm just back from the New England SCBWI conference held in Springfield, MA.
I'm not gonna lie, it was a little bit daunting as I went on my own and it's a pretty big conference -- (300+ people? Or is it 500? It's large, either way!) especially when compared to the last conference I attended in Oceanside, OR, which was capped at about 50, but it was great!

It was a blast to meet some on-line friends in person; turns out several people (Joy Nelkin Wieder, Katia Wish, and Kristin Schroeder from Perfect2020PBS (the debut Author/Illustrator/Author-Illustrator group I'm part of) were there, in addition to many people I simply hadn't seen in awhile. Beyond that, there were many highlights, including the  inspirational keynote address given by Euka Holmes whose art I am completely enthralled with. Of course it doesn't hurt that she's a cut paper/collage artist. Never before have I wanted to win a door prize SO SO VERY BADLY --especially when she mentioned that, in addition to books and who knows what else, there were actual, tiny scraps of paper from her studio included in the basket! It was as if she were speaking to me personally when she spoke about how she can find inspiration in tiny bits of paper...sigh.

Another highlight was attending a "Fireside Chat" with Caldecott-award-winning author/illustrator Brian Lies. Not only did he provide the group with a very real (though admittedly scaled-down) fireplace by which to chat, but he also sweetly (pun intended) provided the makings of s'mores which he shared with the attendees. We were treated to the remarkable story of how he found out he'd won the Caldecot, among other things.

As if that all wasn't enough, I was positively delighted to meet Sarah Grace Tuttle, (who happens to share my agent, Anna Olswanger of Olswanger Literary) and is the author of Hidden City,  as well as Dot, Stripe, Squiggle, and the her newest release Spot, Spike, Spiral.

Visit to Schiffer Publishing

I took a road trip last week to Atlgen, Pennsylvania to visit Schiffer Publishing where I had the pleasure of meeting Cheryl W.,  editor of my board book, GOOD NIGHT! (slated for a Fall/Winter 2020 release). What fun to be met in the hallway by the horse, owl and this welcome sign!

Cheryl toured me around the facilities -- a farm-like setting with a fantastic selection of outdoor sculptures interspersed  throughout the property. (Especially fun was the moment I realized the resting cows nestled into the landscape were actually...well, resting cows!) Then it was on to the conference rooms, marketing department, photography studio and followed by a walk to the storage warehouse, filled with stacks and stacks and stack and stacks of books (seriously -- imagine an IKEA filled only with books) published by the company. I could have spent all day there, checking out the titles...

Sketch to Final in Progress

It's a beautiful day and I'm here in the studio with the windows wide open. With snow in the forecast for tomorrow, I figure I ought to take advantage! Here's recent sketch I did, based on the 2016 SCBWI Tomie DePaola prompt from Philip Pullman's version of Little Red Riding Hood:

"Once upon a time there was a little girl who was so sweet and kind that everyone loved her. Her grandmother, who loved her more than anyone, gave her a little cap made of red velvet, which suited her so well that she wanted to wear it all the time. Because of that everyone took to calling her Little Red Riding Hood.

One day her mother said to her: ‘Little Red Riding Hood, I’ve got a job for you. Your grandmother isn’t very well, and I want you to take her this cake and a bottle of wine. They’ll make her feel a lot better. You be polite when you go into her house, and give her a kiss from me. Be careful on the way there, and don’t step off the path or you might trip over and break the bottle and drop the cake, and then there’d be nothing for her. When you go into her parlour don’t forget to say, “Good morning, Granny,” and don’t go peering in all the corners.’

‘I’ll do everything right, don’t worry,’ said Little Red Riding Hood, and kissed her mother goodbye.

 Her grandmother lived in the woods, about half an hour’s walk away. When Little Red Riding Hood had only been walking a few minutes, a wolf came up to her. She didn’t know what a wicked animal he was, so she wasn’t afraid of him."

I've had fun with the sketch and thought I'd make it into a cut-paper piece.  I'm heading to a children's book conference this summer, so maybe once it's finished, Little Red will come along for the ride!

Little Red Riding Hood in progress...

i{heart}rhody

My interview with i{heartrhody} is up! The blog is put together by Erica and The Bear, who learn and tour their way around the ocean state, exploring the sights, sounds and tastes of Rhode Island. On occasion they feature local artists -- and happily for me, this week they have interviewed Susabean Studios! Take a look: http://www.iheartrhody.com 

If you're interested in the holiday or other cards featured -- or any other Susabean Studio items such as framed or matted prints or originals, take a look at my Esty shop. If you don't see what you're looking for, send me an email through my website, www.susabean.com. I'd love to hear from you!!

Interview Time!

Just putting the finishing touches on an interview for the blog i{heart}rhody -- a great site, all about the ocean state. I am looking forward to seeing the interview along with images of cards new to my "Look Who's Squawking" line of greeting cards.

Click on the link to my Etsy shop, as well -- there are several new cards -- just in time for the upcoming holidays!

Susabean Studio Cards Available in Little Compton, RI!

I've just returned from a beautiful drive to the Simmons Cafe and Market in Little Compton, RI. The weather was gorgeous -- definitely the "peak" time of year for leaf peeping!!

I am happy to announce that they are now carrying my "Look Who's Squawking" line of greeting cards. They have a wonderful assortment of Holiday, Birthday, New Baby, Thank You, etc. cards. Make sure to grab a latte on your way out! 

Simmons Market and Cafe, 78A Crandall Road, Little Compton, RI

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Simmons-Cafe-and-Market

A Rainy Day for the Fall RISD Sale

The tents are down, the rain has stopped, and it's gorgeous outside. It's only too bad that today's weather isn't what we experienced yesterday! 

But it was still great to be part of the show. I had fun (as always) visiting with many friends, new and old who stopped by as well as with some of my favorite RISD artists -- notably, Pia Peterson -- who in addition to her fabulous oil paintings (the sheep are to die for) is now making pillows that are...delicious. Soft, squishy, and beautiful,  I purchased two.  The photo below was taken prior to the tiny leak which wreaked a bit of havoc on a bit of inventory and before I had to cover the table in some rather uninviting plastic! And a shout-out to Beth, who helped man the booth and kept me company!