My whole family is participating in the Last Resort Players production of Annie. I snuck away for a few minutes, and went to the art show tonight to take pictures of my pieces for this blog post. When I got there I found out that I'd won third place.

Today Karylynn, Jessalynn, and I all moved art into the Brownsville Art Gallery. We have card holders and a display for tiarras on their way, but otherwise it went smoothly. The wonderful ladies that run the gallery were extremely helpful and kind. I think we will love it there.

The following is the link to Susan Hill's web site contest.

https://susannahill.com/2017/10/27/the-7th-annual-halloweensie-contest-aahhhrrrooooooooo/

​I found out about the contest this morning and thought it sounded like too much fun, not to play. Also, when given the words that had to be included this rough draft almost wrote itself. Please note this is the first version and that I had to include certain words and could only have 100 words plus a title. See the site for full rules. Also, I am an illustrator. What fun this will be to paint!

​My idea stems from my day job as the EL teacher in Florence, OR. I work with students from all different cultures and we usually have conversations in October about the differences between Day of the Dead and Halloween. This story is more about Dia de Muertos, because my students need more children's stories for them. Part of my job is teaching them to write, and I love encouraging them to write stories about their traditions. Someday I hope several of them will write children's books from their perspective.

In the mean time here is my attempt:

On Halloween Night


 We’ve been preparing,
for Day of the Dead isn’t for scaring.
They’ve tricked or treated gathering candy
but, I’m spending November second with Granddaddy.
Our celebration has no monsters it’s true
though, I also like scary parties with you.
There’s a picnic with sugar skulls treats,
not  just candy corn but traditional sweets.
My families in the cemetery to play, to dance,
to honor relatives this is our chance.
After weeks planning our altar display,
we’ll gather around it, tell stories, or pray.
Dias de Muertos isn’t a shadowy meeting,
instead it’s a remembrance though too fleeting.  

 I am having fun with pastels again this week. I have multiple more layers to go on this picture, but love the movement so far.

​This week, my youngest daughter and I started our exhibit at The Studios Jayne Smolley Gallery in Florence, OR. I have my illustrations, and she gets to present her wire trees. It is so exciting to have two generations showing for the month of October.

These are not our dressed up for the show pictures, but still fun.

​Next month I start at the Brownsville Gallery, and two of my daughters have been accepted there as well.

Ruth Sanderson issued a challenge, for students that have been in her program, for August and September. Those who chose to play would produce a finished 6 by 12 double page board book design. By the first of September the concept sketches were due, and then the finished piece was due no later than today. 

My original sketches included dragons. Ruth, in her helpful critique, mentioned that a board book is generally for children 0-2. So, fantasy is out and things they actually see are a better choice. So, my final now has kittens.

Whoever wins this challenge will win a one month independent study.

Congratulations- Deanne Sander! She is the winner!

Moving in is taking forever, the rain this year is slowing us down. But, we are starting to work again.

      It has been two years since I have had a studio to work in, outside of summer school. Well, last week, I was finally ready; I found a wonderful spot in Florence.
     Unfortunately, the weather is not cooperating with us getting all moved in; we are slowly getting relocated. It is taking forever between rain storms.
      The building  is more than twice as big as the last place, and set up better. We are not as squished. It is close to the Florence Event Center and town. The WiFi works! I think It is going to work perfectly. which is a good thing, because we have big plans. 
     I really needed a studio, because I am planning to launch a craft magazine! If I can work all the kinks out we are planning to launch in February, with a soft start for the January Music Festival.
     I started planning this magazine four years ago. It got put on the back burner because I wasn't ready yet. So, I set out to get ready. I went back to school and got a Master's Certification in Children's Book Illustration from Hollin's University.  Yes, that is the best place I could have gone. I then merged my certification into a MFA in Children's Book Writing and Illustrating. Included in that package has been wonderful classes that covered information, that I was going to need for this journey. For instance workshops and sessions on non fiction writing, which gave me information I needed for a magazine.I am three years into the program and having the time of my life. I have met so many amazing people. 
     In addition I applied to enroll in the RAIN program iterate classes. These are business classes that gave me a ton of information about how to set up the business correctly. I finished the first group of classes and am anxiously awaiting the next batch. But, the magazine can't wait. I have the first two years worth of projects already outlined. It is time to go, it will just get better as I learn more.
     Now, with a new studio-I have no excuses to not be creating more often. And Illustrating is an important part of my new improved schedule. 
#hollinsuniversity, #artstudio

Yesterday, we met to illustrate and practice skills. Illustrator Karylynn Keppol demonstrated the tear drop shape of her body frames.

A few days ago, while I was running around with family at six flags, the layout editor of the Oregon Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) emailed me. She asked to use What Mommy Doesn't See ​in the next newsletter. What a fun day.
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