Kidsillio

Putting Together the Pieces

When I asked my publisher (I still love saying that!) if I could take a shot at creating the cover art for my book, I knew that book covers are more than just art, they are mostly marketing. Meaning, I needed to do some serious studying, and praying. It would be very possible that she would end up saying, “Yeah, nice … but we can’t use it.”

Still, I wanted to try!

After scouring online articles on book cover concepts, I researched other contemporary middle grade book covers, both best sellers and not, hoping to see a trend. Guess what? There were no trends. Not that I saw, anyway. I did notice that shades of teal and orange were very popular, but the style and art were all over the place! I found everything from cartoon characters to photographs, silhouettes, text only, and fine art.  I also found nothing even similar to my art style or medium, which made me wonder if that was a good thing, or a bad thing. I hoped it would make my book stand out…in a good way.

My first sketches for any project have always looked super amateur – like a three year old drew them. My nerves were making these look even worse. I wanted to give up, but I kept sketching and sketching until I finally had one that was approved by my publisher and a few of my artist friends. So, I started choosing my colors and buying paper. Did you know they make papers in prints that look like leather? That was SO exciting! You’ll see why when you see the saddle I made.

A few days into the next phase, I panicked. I’d already taken so much time on the drawing and color scheme. What if I couldn’t pull this together, and my publisher would have to find someone else to do it? What if there wasn’t time for that? If you are imagining me laying awake at night with my brain in freak out mode, you are so right on.

I think it was the day I decided to experiment with making folds in the paper to make my girl on the cover’s shirt look more like fabric, the way I saw another paper artist do, that I finally thought, Wow, that looks pretty cool. I think I got this!

Here are a few photos of my mess, my color scheme inspiration, and a peek at my progress. I’m almost done with the cover now, and it really feels good to be using the creative gifts God gave me. I can’t wait to show you!!

Submission Land!

Well I’m back in writer/submission land, and it feels pretty good.

Some people are able to create at a steady pace.  Me, I work in spurts. Because of this, I really battle with negative thoughts.  You know them, right? “I’m not a real (writer, artist…fill in the blank).  I’ll never get published, because I don’t work hard enough.  Whaaa, whaaa, whaaa.

But then I remembered the published writers and successful artists I’ve read about over the years who work in spurts-like me!  I realized everyone has a different momentum to their muse. Just because some people thrive on the constant call of creativity doesn’t mean that others, like me, who get a little distracted with family and day jobs, can’t also become successful–in our own time.

This month I have been revising a novel; I love revision but this one is a challenge, and I refuse to let it kick my butt.  I finished a picture book that I LOVE, and I pray someone in the industry will too!  I’m stirring up some ideas for cut-paper pieces that could be marketed for children’s room decorations.  And, yep, I still have that HUGE canvas waiting for paint. Most importantly, after a long lull, I’m submitting my writing again. Stay tuned, wish me luck, and NEVER GIVE UP!

Cinda

Postcards ready for Liberate Your Art!

I got the postcards in the mail today that I had made for Liberate Your Art postcard exchange.  Can’t wait to start getting fun mail!                     http://kateyestudio.com/liberate-your-art-postcard-swap

Time to Get Busy!

I can’t believe it, March is almost over! It’s time to dig those picture book manuscripts out, dust them off and send them out to a new batch of publishers. After all, no one will publish them if they are sitting on my desk, now will they?  I’m afraid I lost my submission momentum when the publishers got so busy they decided not to reply to manuscripts unless they were interested.  I understand, really I do, but it sure leaves us writers feeling a little lost.  I need that closure of a rejection, even if it is just a form letter. (Of course, a CONTRACT would be MUCH, MUCH better!)  It’s like my signal that it’s okay to move on to the next great publisher on my list.

I’m working on something with those feathers I posted, too.  Hopefully, I’ll post a picture soon.  Enjoy this beautiful weather. 🙂

Not sure what to do with this little guy yet. There’s a story here somewhere.

What should I name you, Ladybug?