tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14583649525014141832024-02-20T21:46:46.321+01:00(Maral Sassouni's Secret Blog)illustration • art • inspiration • observation • imagination • nonsenseM.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-32412945504104273762015-07-30T23:47:00.001+02:002020-04-25T10:42:24.306+02:00Nowadays...<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You may have been wondering why it's so quiet around here lately…</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHkk7H89Xz4ErjfNVBc7R-0RIyIs3bk9L-KAwmWwlZprkev84Q8vZGqRvOQmd4gmO9kcI3CZLRr8_fw4Y94r5siBClulPbtODpxgH7Is0yPnK8aLfI5hNNHFbF_MoljVi0X57j3RR-xby/s1600/1postcard10-2pile-gd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHkk7H89Xz4ErjfNVBc7R-0RIyIs3bk9L-KAwmWwlZprkev84Q8vZGqRvOQmd4gmO9kcI3CZLRr8_fw4Y94r5siBClulPbtODpxgH7Is0yPnK8aLfI5hNNHFbF_MoljVi0X57j3RR-xby/s640/1postcard10-2pile-gd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The answer is I've been hard at work! Above are my new postcards (created with my agents, <a href="http://www.andreabrownlit.com/" target="_blank">ABLA</a>). They're designed and printed in time for the<a href="https://www.scbwi.org/" target="_blank"> <b>SCBWI </b>conference</a> (aka <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23LA15SCBWI&src=tyah" target="_blank">#LA15scbwi</a>), <span style="text-align: center;">which kicks off tomorrow morning bright and early. It takes a good bit of preparation — new portfolio art, new postcards, new dummies or manuscripts. New shoes!</span></span><br />
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Some people begin to prepare months in advance, but I couldn't. I have another project on the go, also demanding my 1000% attention. I'm working on my picture book for <a href="http://www.nord-sued.com/home/index.asp" target="_blank">Nord Süd </a>(North South Books): getting to know the characters ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCcxs690TUIAEghHgK2pm1Q46u0q2xApZl49F2P2cYbauPoqapIGHS5Tyg7S8FDbF8tfNG3mQ0ODPcx1tCFTMrglaBhZoe8gC1kFSxAJ8lReTXhYLF_OuekI6655H7742VsZtgJevGwnb/s1600/1sq-skb18-1rabbit-tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCcxs690TUIAEghHgK2pm1Q46u0q2xApZl49F2P2cYbauPoqapIGHS5Tyg7S8FDbF8tfNG3mQ0ODPcx1tCFTMrglaBhZoe8gC1kFSxAJ8lReTXhYLF_OuekI6655H7742VsZtgJevGwnb/s320/1sq-skb18-1rabbit-tape.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RHbY0pdnKIJKjmU6P9d1yqF64hrJbzYIqPGnMPkJEmX-GgqXJzDvwDXi_Bdd6niIWYeHL_8ONVAJV-_wwNTDanzbxPoZG0gI1QPxrMfaNSAjLpHExWo9SwfrowUPCJjdDnJ5I9RyxDPS/s1600/1sq-skb2-runbear-pencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RHbY0pdnKIJKjmU6P9d1yqF64hrJbzYIqPGnMPkJEmX-GgqXJzDvwDXi_Bdd6niIWYeHL_8ONVAJV-_wwNTDanzbxPoZG0gI1QPxrMfaNSAjLpHExWo9SwfrowUPCJjdDnJ5I9RyxDPS/s320/1sq-skb2-runbear-pencil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and playing around with the hero...</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"> ...with his eponymous green umbrella…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And above all, trying to get the visual narrative to work:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is the famous storyboard clothesline, with earlier versions of many of the spreads. Of course, by the time the book gets into print there will be more changes, revisions and endless effing tweaks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So that's where I have been lately. This blog will probably stay quiet for a little while longer, but nowadays I can also be found on <b><a href="https://instagram.com/maralissima/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b> and even tweeting on <b><a href="https://twitter.com/MaralSassouni" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See you all later — enjoy the summer!</span></div>
M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-14939582254096822302015-03-07T06:00:00.000+01:002015-07-22T06:54:34.616+02:00Good news lately… <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RUEf7kNcwG-QpB5HjpIXBHC0zj5Gc2gJSVcY8Fvmr-b8UI7G5qGgG8qrG2fYQIxxDEq-qqEaLAGIiDMxOBY6rf4KGQXEJUZ5k43o0gJdcMDfBVmMDBIbtMCgUvlD5A7VMRL82GK4Nvkm/s1600/1sq-elephant-squirt-lo-h950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RUEf7kNcwG-QpB5HjpIXBHC0zj5Gc2gJSVcY8Fvmr-b8UI7G5qGgG8qrG2fYQIxxDEq-qqEaLAGIiDMxOBY6rf4KGQXEJUZ5k43o0gJdcMDfBVmMDBIbtMCgUvlD5A7VMRL82GK4Nvkm/s640/1sq-elephant-squirt-lo-h950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I can finally announce that I've been at work on a new picture book! It will be published by <a href="http://www.nord-sued.com/home/index.asp" target="_blank">NordSüd Verlag</a>, the wonderful Swiss publishing house (Lisbeth Zwerger, Oliver Jeffers and Natascha Rosenberg are amongst the artists who regularly work for them). <a href="http://northsouth.com/blog/?page_id=64" target="_blank">North South Books</a> (their American imprint) will also publish it— so it will be available in both English and German! Simultaneously!!</div>
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<i><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/65694-rights-report-week-of-february-23-2015.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly&utm_campaign=4bbde92cd9-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0bb2959cbb-4bbde92cd9-304846045" target="_blank"><b>Publishers Weekly</b> Childrens Bookshelf</a></i> announced the news last week—</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXTyJpBaR94zvfuy6jafrT9H80ygwnTXPFF4e6RG34SfX-EBSeQgdstk9VoU2RLyvLtwuWwbvfiDSlGiFRMP7Q0GDQ-ybYss16g9-c2LeJbJZsVaWT24WxzwGu1WirdiIzc1q8LGRN9Ev/s1600/PW-ChBkshelf-26feb.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiXTyJpBaR94zvfuy6jafrT9H80ygwnTXPFF4e6RG34SfX-EBSeQgdstk9VoU2RLyvLtwuWwbvfiDSlGiFRMP7Q0GDQ-ybYss16g9-c2LeJbJZsVaWT24WxzwGu1WirdiIzc1q8LGRN9Ev/s1600/PW-ChBkshelf-26feb.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Though the announcement says that I'm unagented (I <i>did</i> negotiate this deal on my own), I am now being represented by the fabulous literary agent, <a href="http://www.andreabrownlit.com/agents.html" target="_blank">Jen Rofé</a> (of ABLA— <a href="http://www.andreabrownlit.com/" target="_blank">Andrea Brown Literary Agency</a>). They represent so many wonderful writers and artists in the realm of children's literature… I'm pleased as punch to be among them…</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpU-LrrWvHlzDpEBDWkrQbGyZ-KdZnsQP_DZ6JJTXowH2qtITtADfMh1pAtuNn5AErCERTV0L_t8EQvJkC5WvbCzf6viybgBPwmN2biOgO7fhxTWTKDilkJhz8YXxRwhgfV6uB-8GFy9I/s1600/ABLA-illopagedetail.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpU-LrrWvHlzDpEBDWkrQbGyZ-KdZnsQP_DZ6JJTXowH2qtITtADfMh1pAtuNn5AErCERTV0L_t8EQvJkC5WvbCzf6viybgBPwmN2biOgO7fhxTWTKDilkJhz8YXxRwhgfV6uB-8GFy9I/s1600/ABLA-illopagedetail.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">So if I am more quiet than usual on this blog, it is because somebody or other is cracking the whip and I am galloping full speed to keep up!</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PS. I also answered a few questions on <a href="http://joannamarple.com/2015/01/illustrator-interview-maral-sassouni/" target="_blank">Joanna Marple's great kidlit blog</a> recently. Go and take a look...</span></i>M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-2555808653879791302015-02-11T23:05:00.000+01:002015-02-12T11:29:32.395+01:003x3 Annual No.11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaFHBnqwmdU7CyMXaGmB7pgeDUvP0EalmotmTnxJ6w0hdr9EPKJtWM-iyEjcUZ8V1uyvoYYpMOWP9kb3eprZ5XtOd_oJ1rQICsTOEGuV3Uu9A9rNAuffwQcZ4Xg5ZKYjd4TaodEHyVPOF/s1600/1-3x3no11-crocvic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaFHBnqwmdU7CyMXaGmB7pgeDUvP0EalmotmTnxJ6w0hdr9EPKJtWM-iyEjcUZ8V1uyvoYYpMOWP9kb3eprZ5XtOd_oJ1rQICsTOEGuV3Uu9A9rNAuffwQcZ4Xg5ZKYjd4TaodEHyVPOF/s1600/1-3x3no11-crocvic1.jpg" height="411" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yay, the new <a href="http://www.3x3mag.com/" target="_blank">3x3</a> annual is finally out! It is now available as a printed book and as a pdf, and will soon be released as an iPad app, as well.
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My illustration (above) got an honorable mention —it is from <i><a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/search/label/No%20Crocodiles%20in%20Town" target="_blank">No Crocodiles in Town</a></i>. To see all the winning illustrations online, go to 3x3 then click on the <b><a href="http://www.3x3mag.com/about/whats-happening-now" target="_blank">Online Annual No.11</a></b> button. It includes work for the Picture Book Show, as well as the Professional Show and the Student/Newcomer entries. So many fantastic illustrators from all over the world!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PS. Here are some interesting places to click—</span></i><br />
<a href="http://librarything-svetlana.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Russian books for children</span></i></a><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://valeriovidali.com/" target="_blank">Valerio Vidali</a> has refreshed his website</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://annikaoyrabo.dk/" target="_blank">Annika Oyrabo</a></span></i></div>
M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-45824379264807753852015-01-01T19:30:00.001+01:002015-01-01T19:31:05.677+01:002015 already!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy 2015… wishing you an inventive and effervescent new year, full of reasons to celebrate the whole year through. Champagne's on me!</div>
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M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-50030176128516927452014-12-24T20:33:00.004+01:002014-12-24T20:33:57.569+01:00Merry and bright!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwQ5l-B1LXJoKvdD4NBNS2FDR7D3zVKjnHWcnme8ixVO5nrnW3np0hyHR0K2MR7o_RVGgiBfi9lOlXhwxlImkjtGb3lAihKbZx2FzyJgLzt67aEOCk3dJq1-oQJcwKXq_3UpIxxiOERK8/s1600/1fete-lo-xmastx-h900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwQ5l-B1LXJoKvdD4NBNS2FDR7D3zVKjnHWcnme8ixVO5nrnW3np0hyHR0K2MR7o_RVGgiBfi9lOlXhwxlImkjtGb3lAihKbZx2FzyJgLzt67aEOCk3dJq1-oQJcwKXq_3UpIxxiOERK8/s1600/1fete-lo-xmastx-h900.jpg" /></a><br />
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Wishing you all a very very happy holiday… see you in the new year!<br />
xoxM.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-59543789516474227972014-11-10T11:02:00.000+01:002020-04-23T19:37:25.119+02:00IBBY Congress, Museo Franz Mayer, and crocodiles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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My crocodiles have been getting around lately... they travel much more than I do! This time they were spotted in Mexico City, at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Mayer_Museum" target="_blank">Museo</a> <a href="http://ingles.franzmayer.org.mx/" target="_blank">Franz Mayer</a> (home of the largest collection of decorative arts in all of Latin America!). I am thrilled to bits...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaulUvcTMIzHrmwYWC9FG2Iqt3NXb6egPJZXZpJsDTkDsCARiJRS4G8zFQSDW3AIAMxJ7ckafY7b8IHX6PCfp1ABmzl049ttUpz2TA5C6BUIHZsmoQflqxRTAtQXQye23B2FhAv9URS8Na/s1600/mayer-isla+nami+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaulUvcTMIzHrmwYWC9FG2Iqt3NXb6egPJZXZpJsDTkDsCARiJRS4G8zFQSDW3AIAMxJ7ckafY7b8IHX6PCfp1ABmzl049ttUpz2TA5C6BUIHZsmoQflqxRTAtQXQye23B2FhAv9URS8Na/s1600/mayer-isla+nami+poster.jpg" width="471" /></a></div>
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As you can see by the poster, it was an exhibit of the winning artwork from the <a href="http://www.namiconcours.com/main.php" target="_blank">Nami Island Illustration Concours</a> (where <i><a href="http://maralsassouni.com/Crocodile-Shoes" target="_blank">Crocodile Shoes</a></i> won an honorable mention in 2013, <a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2013/03/nami-island-international-illustration.html" target="_blank">as you may recall</a>). Nami Island, the sponsor of the <a href="http://www.ibby.org/index.php?id=1352" target="_blank">Andersen Awards</a>, holds this competition every two years. There is an annual and an exhibit which first opens in Korea, then goes on tour around the world — ending up wherever the IBBY Congress is held, I think.</div>
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As you can also see by the poster, the exhibit closed over a month ago. But for those of us who didn't get a chance to catch it, here are a few items to give a sense of it. </div>
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First, some photos from the gallery:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hCl_NASbhZsptaE7tDJ1bSf0rFv-a0AFSNd2bUxqfhB8nBGKDIBrdTzog6z91QAkrWu_H-89bgJXCZcJ7TIxJV_E50saVEVE8rk3T-DQ8w26hfShFjX2rXTdyvucY_NHWHSjeM-RJly5/s1600/ana-entry-nami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hCl_NASbhZsptaE7tDJ1bSf0rFv-a0AFSNd2bUxqfhB8nBGKDIBrdTzog6z91QAkrWu_H-89bgJXCZcJ7TIxJV_E50saVEVE8rk3T-DQ8w26hfShFjX2rXTdyvucY_NHWHSjeM-RJly5/s1600/ana-entry-nami.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBNSaPFNQTVFy0ZB_KHSlaC42wr51aqUwyIduIYMidwjrNb1JYA59r5Ckm_JsfwndcAR8PefZ_AA4tZ90NlX4Ujv-KWozoYsR0Ia7ZzspBI_V70t79XpNGeqDI_Eml7at8ZMcpmATeYNi/s1600/ana-gallery-nami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBNSaPFNQTVFy0ZB_KHSlaC42wr51aqUwyIduIYMidwjrNb1JYA59r5Ckm_JsfwndcAR8PefZ_AA4tZ90NlX4Ujv-KWozoYsR0Ia7ZzspBI_V70t79XpNGeqDI_Eml7at8ZMcpmATeYNi/s1600/ana-gallery-nami.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CtideoCE0F30ZBV0wtt31WNdmYW8MYMcCP5eLOpvxN8bnKn-wQx-j53kwp9REgKA81cj9tGgTR8MoAJe_um0K0M-BWUmS0psTfpXIM_KeKPeQJxJVCFQaCcVQ7iPqNqC8cWivqqrULLk/s1600/ana-croctown-blurb-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CtideoCE0F30ZBV0wtt31WNdmYW8MYMcCP5eLOpvxN8bnKn-wQx-j53kwp9REgKA81cj9tGgTR8MoAJe_um0K0M-BWUmS0psTfpXIM_KeKPeQJxJVCFQaCcVQ7iPqNqC8cWivqqrULLk/s1600/ana-croctown-blurb-crop.jpg" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hey...that's me!</i></td></tr>
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The museum also hosted another children's illustration show at the same time, <a href="http://www.podiomx.com/2014/08/dibujando-el-mundo-en-el-mayer.html" target="_blank"><i>Dibujando El Mundo</i>.</a></div>
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It featured many of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152349003188335.1073741886.180096403334&type=3" target="_blank">my illustration heroes</a> — Kveta Pacovska, Shaun Tan, Sara Fanelli, Javier Zabala, Isol and many others. </div>
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<a href="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/3a/7d/eb/franz-mayer-museum-museo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/3a/7d/eb/franz-mayer-museum-museo.jpg" /></a></div>
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Between the museum's lovely ambience and the art on display, I really wish I could have been there! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33fr2tK0WsJ3yeKxv11LaUgaqfi9y2oUpP3BY8oA9eNFYp8IIVEsxpS0r1C8bVGqfBSYZ1m9wSi4gk13FtwOf8L7pXzAMdwJbo0Sb9WhszrvQAxfrGPj7rmqMOMzeGRshqrMvl050jdXo/s1600/ibby_logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33fr2tK0WsJ3yeKxv11LaUgaqfi9y2oUpP3BY8oA9eNFYp8IIVEsxpS0r1C8bVGqfBSYZ1m9wSi4gk13FtwOf8L7pXzAMdwJbo0Sb9WhszrvQAxfrGPj7rmqMOMzeGRshqrMvl050jdXo/s1600/ibby_logo.gif" /></a></div>
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Both of the illustration shows were timed to coincide with the <a href="http://www.ibbycongress2014.org/en/about-the-congress.html" target="_blank">IBBY Congress</a> — a bi-annual shindig bringing together all kinds of people from the world of children's books. It's held in countries all over the world, a different one each time. I would <i>so</i> love to go one day! (The next one's in <a href="http://www.ibbycongress2016.org/new-zealand/" target="_blank">New Zealand, in 2016</a>... plenty of time to save up!)</div>
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<a href="http://www.ibby.org/" target="_blank">IBBY</a> (the International Board on Books for Young Readers) is a fantastic organization — an NGO, in fact, with official status in UNICEF and UNESCO. With chapters in 72 countries worldwide, IBBY plays a role in policy-making regarding children's books, as well as recognizing and awarding excellence, playing a crucial part in the <a href="http://www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it/en/home/878.html" target="_blank">Bologna Children's Book Fair</a> since its inception.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZkiPtLWPTT9GJ-bA5XusdrZbfjdYJRl_6YyOZegTyEx1caMb1LNKuX1Ojdq0nsNlgEALYJ81BECmsmq1uLsj4rZz3ap2SNKPW4eJwSnneN0pQT8xcbYaG131cUHt5oHtxNBlbO4QZE3C/s1600/jella3-wood-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZkiPtLWPTT9GJ-bA5XusdrZbfjdYJRl_6YyOZegTyEx1caMb1LNKuX1Ojdq0nsNlgEALYJ81BECmsmq1uLsj4rZz3ap2SNKPW4eJwSnneN0pQT8xcbYaG131cUHt5oHtxNBlbO4QZE3C/s1600/jella3-wood-c.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
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I've been reading this book about Jella Lepman — the gutsy, outspoken, imaginative woman who founded both <a href="http://www.ibby.org/index.php?id=261" target="_blank">IBBY</a> and the <a href="http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2010/04/12/library-appreciation-day-meet-the-international-youth-library-its-a-bloody-castle/#_" target="_blank">International Youth Library in Munich</a>, a wonderful place from the sounds of it. </div>
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<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Childrens-Books-Autobiography-Remarkable/dp/0862787831/" target="_blank">A Bridge of Children's Books</a></i> well worth a read. At the request of the American government, she returned to her native Germany after having fled the Nazis nine years previously. Arriving in 1945 just after the shooting had stopped, the grim rubble of postwar Europe she describes (not unlike <i><a href="http://www.filmsite.org/thir.html" target="_blank">The</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Third_Man" target="_blank">Third</a> <a href="http://observer.com/2000/01/thriller-of-the-century-the-third-man/" target="_blank">Man</a></i>) is where she did her work of helping children starved for stories and hope. What she started is still thriving today! You can read more about that <a href="http://www.ibby.org/index.php?id=398" target="_blank">here</a>, if you can't find the book...</div>
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Lastly, this year's Nami Concours is in progress— here's the <a href="http://www.namiconcours.com/apply/apply_01.php" target="_blank">shortlist</a> of illustrators for the final round. So happy to see friends and acquaintances included here... well done, everybody!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PS. A shout out to <a href="http://www.anaranda.com/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Ana</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://anaranda.canalblog.com/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Aranda</a> who took the photos in Mexico City — she's a wonderful illustrator I met at the SCBWI Conference, where she won the <a href="http://kidlitartists.blogspot.ca/2014/09/interview-with-new-scbwi-mentee-ana.html" target="_blank">Mentorship Award</a> for her excellent portfolio. Merci, Ana!!</span></i></div>
M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-70172972752824561262014-09-28T01:08:00.000+02:002014-09-28T23:59:36.755+02:00Change of season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDUflvSszSGWoFZICMmkLzXG0sV5XxmFt5a7UltahjFC5NNg0OFgwh3_KuJLakr2V5WpAnNF3_Bo9vrKtu4yZo6DcuRNFbNHbGKba3ytF1jl59nfjyGZbNspyv20yyTrawX1dpkkjgtK7/s1600/1jacgal-bigfleur-TOOT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzDUflvSszSGWoFZICMmkLzXG0sV5XxmFt5a7UltahjFC5NNg0OFgwh3_KuJLakr2V5WpAnNF3_Bo9vrKtu4yZo6DcuRNFbNHbGKba3ytF1jl59nfjyGZbNspyv20yyTrawX1dpkkjgtK7/s1600/1jacgal-bigfleur-TOOT.jpg" height="238" width="640" /></a></div>
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Summer officially ended a few days ago, and I for one am glad to see it go. There is only so much sweltering and sweating I can stand. Hello autumn, my favorite season! Doesn't it always feels like a new year starts with the autumnal equinox?</div>
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But still, I'll be sad to see the end of jacaranda season. In the part of southern California that I find myself in, the streets are lined with jacaranda trees which bloom with glorious purple blossoms from April to September-ish. And over the last few months I've photographing them...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlkzjWexlkVPMcdLcCg55mp0OZAHjkZNdeblhaw0tOHvpuCUBFiUxV18sLmAEB8kG_Yn15FkpRbzOfDGGSbxTvViTxDOPoALa_V2vV9SLsQot-XY-1M-x3GEESQNI2-Vvcr16N56RGvyj/s1600/1jacaranda7-color-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlkzjWexlkVPMcdLcCg55mp0OZAHjkZNdeblhaw0tOHvpuCUBFiUxV18sLmAEB8kG_Yn15FkpRbzOfDGGSbxTvViTxDOPoALa_V2vV9SLsQot-XY-1M-x3GEESQNI2-Vvcr16N56RGvyj/s1600/1jacaranda7-color-c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On my street. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzGb-whQK0MkbVcqgGWF1Em4Tqd1K6xG9pleLzUMR98GZZb0Y5kshaZ8t-qCgO1ujMJuqKs6oJeEozYHtcuTINg2ljNV9RJG3AOXTgjGX-2xtNabRvyUo2n_aHrbil690lbWpZ60bTpVf/s1600/jacaranda-hollywood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwzGb-whQK0MkbVcqgGWF1Em4Tqd1K6xG9pleLzUMR98GZZb0Y5kshaZ8t-qCgO1ujMJuqKs6oJeEozYHtcuTINg2ljNV9RJG3AOXTgjGX-2xtNabRvyUo2n_aHrbil690lbWpZ60bTpVf/s1600/jacaranda-hollywood.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is on Hollywood Boulevard. A different kind of glamour!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgB1r44ZhMC7KCXKm3FFEOrxzdmP7YIijRpSzSKgN_QLdvAYCTDEIpjFCgqvKqS2ABdP4MsBnVeprT7DY2yMU1H4Zv77tu9nfnYxEVvDWulvk2F1PGAhNczz9zxEWLOwDqdVaAI0Ooqeb/s1600/1jacgrass1-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgB1r44ZhMC7KCXKm3FFEOrxzdmP7YIijRpSzSKgN_QLdvAYCTDEIpjFCgqvKqS2ABdP4MsBnVeprT7DY2yMU1H4Zv77tu9nfnYxEVvDWulvk2F1PGAhNczz9zxEWLOwDqdVaAI0Ooqeb/s1600/1jacgrass1-c.jpg" height="640" width="457" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fallen blossoms on the grass.<br />
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The fallen blossoms have been my playthings over the summer months, too —<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMwwhIV0Xg8WL8TvmJ4vt6lxZTjjYfltxA4avPKkGPfnCkMx_zHeOIiPuydhtCZX99YUMZHgN_owYRdeJSEP3MhhM2E9ZrZgtX7zOd2hu7qpBZlB1tv935HVJdahBR4uJPcZmv2DWPEQf/s1600/1jacaranda-telescope1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMwwhIV0Xg8WL8TvmJ4vt6lxZTjjYfltxA4avPKkGPfnCkMx_zHeOIiPuydhtCZX99YUMZHgN_owYRdeJSEP3MhhM2E9ZrZgtX7zOd2hu7qpBZlB1tv935HVJdahBR4uJPcZmv2DWPEQf/s1600/1jacaranda-telescope1.jpg" height="640" width="402" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRpZPXoLWg-mqO0br0mqXE9IOUkwJ-EHHw4ySWanshz-wkwJkLUeyojFrMXsh3HDgCCX4UURAsIOtTioxeNprmjOJyIT7JN5eUtK2vxs9nHYRFZ_avwZQxM3r34AnszZ4SOIW3W55FX55/s1600/1jacaranda-leg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRpZPXoLWg-mqO0br0mqXE9IOUkwJ-EHHw4ySWanshz-wkwJkLUeyojFrMXsh3HDgCCX4UURAsIOtTioxeNprmjOJyIT7JN5eUtK2vxs9nHYRFZ_avwZQxM3r34AnszZ4SOIW3W55FX55/s1600/1jacaranda-leg.jpg" height="640" width="408" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMy-kX5Pm4Q96TM7BanD-WsokuSYotfFP8zjqSNvbVjQ3ovtA-mJlE2Oc9s89p-bi-krFjpi2HIe28FNGy0WGkVtKKRru1XjwDDIdCpwJ0cvLjFj2Q-AcS1Aixu9tQ4jcor97h-uhziR4o/s1600/1jacaranda-bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMy-kX5Pm4Q96TM7BanD-WsokuSYotfFP8zjqSNvbVjQ3ovtA-mJlE2Oc9s89p-bi-krFjpi2HIe28FNGy0WGkVtKKRru1XjwDDIdCpwJ0cvLjFj2Q-AcS1Aixu9tQ4jcor97h-uhziR4o/s1600/1jacaranda-bird.jpg" height="640" width="466" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGxRCFuaWxfMoFfqGd2QsZeh2JamcnUl7gWz5yPektzGMzq73qe-eQssjUD19wUFSBqabDitdMB9KCVguX0p6NkQAtP67SJo0IbkYXlwy9eaODX4oyWgBnR0KqUpZISp8SkfemaYha2PA/s1600/1jacaranda-diver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGxRCFuaWxfMoFfqGd2QsZeh2JamcnUl7gWz5yPektzGMzq73qe-eQssjUD19wUFSBqabDitdMB9KCVguX0p6NkQAtP67SJo0IbkYXlwy9eaODX4oyWgBnR0KqUpZISp8SkfemaYha2PA/s1600/1jacaranda-diver.jpg" height="368" width="640" /></a></div>
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And with that, I am ready to dive into autumn— bring on the woolens and the pumpkin pie! I'm buckling down for new work, so stay tuned!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PS. Speaking of playthings, have you seen <a href="http://www.stop-watch.nl/" target="_blank">stop-watch</a>? Tineke Meirink has a very playful eye!</span></i></div>
M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-14207158777637950832014-08-08T03:10:00.000+02:002014-08-22T00:51:35.355+02:00Recharging my batteries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3hS9DtgHBzLORtzeE7Vv0xIrLbQTNOkk-8aMDK3mlr-d3qNdHAikEtjQEZbmvIB2uJfmL-HzL7ez5iF2Ifg5DMj0kAxzV80iw4x0Xii2lALrwEL2WQgTvu6FRasRBJhlc9wMI5owott_/s1600/mini-reader-lofix-h850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3hS9DtgHBzLORtzeE7Vv0xIrLbQTNOkk-8aMDK3mlr-d3qNdHAikEtjQEZbmvIB2uJfmL-HzL7ez5iF2Ifg5DMj0kAxzV80iw4x0Xii2lALrwEL2WQgTvu6FRasRBJhlc9wMI5owott_/s1600/mini-reader-lofix-h850.jpg" height="518" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the summertime, I need to rest. I usually like to step away from the computer (and other glowing screens) and use my time to paint, write, catch up with friends, go places and look around. Sit under a really big flower. Do whatever I need to do to recharge my batteries. </div>
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One of the results of my happily splashing about in stories and paints was the image above. Part of an ongoing series, it emerged in <a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2014/02/scbwi-bulletin.html" target="_blank">the usual ways </a>— cut paper, monoprint and oils <span style="text-align: center;">...first the character and the sketchy background:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00KTSBezrh9EtwpksMWXrTyC1C9viMorHKjCmTby-x68APjQjue3GkoK0AdlqrGi0JA9ab9EAl8kBBjYv4_M0SXIZzCChUXuErD41TOIG0d9DS7vEw3BS9FwO5OcWMGWiC_wR5grdTh6i/s1600/1readergal-wip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00KTSBezrh9EtwpksMWXrTyC1C9viMorHKjCmTby-x68APjQjue3GkoK0AdlqrGi0JA9ab9EAl8kBBjYv4_M0SXIZzCChUXuErD41TOIG0d9DS7vEw3BS9FwO5OcWMGWiC_wR5grdTh6i/s1600/1readergal-wip.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></div>
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And a few quick tests for tonal values and color choices:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBC5ScZ9T98imwP-Ghuc784yAH9hxdNyFKIObXt5lqXOuOgOg-rMwI49oX4GOPozIC75JnbhmvVjt20Go79GMPgWCblfZj9bWvmlWG9xPV7VbQTgOmpCDaM9hRT7gKYEfVkiwKzPxVz2o/s1600/1test1-bw-color-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBC5ScZ9T98imwP-Ghuc784yAH9hxdNyFKIObXt5lqXOuOgOg-rMwI49oX4GOPozIC75JnbhmvVjt20Go79GMPgWCblfZj9bWvmlWG9xPV7VbQTgOmpCDaM9hRT7gKYEfVkiwKzPxVz2o/s1600/1test1-bw-color-c.jpg" height="640" width="436" /></a></div>
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And then (as it is summer), I left all methodicalness behind and waded in with my arms flailing. Trial and error, intuition, exploration— a great pleasure, but they are things that I sometimes can't afford when the meter's running and the deadline's looming. Of course the result is never guaranteed, but I liked this one so much I made it into postcards:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoj9hrmNayY7Z5mfivnt8pWZr_yBpPAtpujabUvFuZpjL910XW7CVa3IGtjL0C7qb68bw0Skf8bwsb-1_JBUyfYJnndP7LMiWCABFWhFuQsBERBCYlUpr4klI_bSOdKgfmR97vIpUEcxp/s1600/1postcard1-fan-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoj9hrmNayY7Z5mfivnt8pWZr_yBpPAtpujabUvFuZpjL910XW7CVa3IGtjL0C7qb68bw0Skf8bwsb-1_JBUyfYJnndP7LMiWCABFWhFuQsBERBCYlUpr4klI_bSOdKgfmR97vIpUEcxp/s1600/1postcard1-fan-c.jpg" height="601" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just in time, too—I wanted to mail them out and give them to people I see at events. Which brings me to the <a href="https://www.scbwi.org/events/43rd-annual-summer-conference-in-los-angeles/" target="_blank">SCBWI Conference</a>: the other thing I do to recharge my batteries in the summer. I went to my first one out of curiosity a year ago — with <a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2013/08/hello-i-must-be-going.html" target="_blank">unexpected, life-changing results!</a> And ever since then, I've been going every chance I get. Each time I come away exhausted, happy and inspired—seeing old friends and new, questions/answers/feedback swirling around. Learning learning learning! And above all, the workshops and the talks leave me motivated, stimulated, challenged, and encouraged. And apparently incapable of choosing a single adjective. </div>
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My batteries are now recharged — bring it on!!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PS. You can read more about it on this piece from today's<b> <a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/63570-imagination-inspiration-and-finding-your-voice-notes-from-the-scbwi-summer-conference.html?utm_source=Publishers+Weekly&utm_campaign=facf9a4b71-UA-15906914-1&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0bb2959cbb-facf9a4b71-304846045" target="_blank">Publishers Weekly</a></b>, and on the <a href="http://scbwi.blogspot.com/2014/08/la14scbwi-we-blogged-we-tweeted-we-sang.html" target="_blank"><b>SCBWI Blog</b></a> (don't miss the clip from the gala party — thousands of illustrators and writers poolside, celebrating <a href="http://www.tomie.com/books/index.html" target="_blank">Tomie de Paola's</a> birthday!) ... and especially on the <b><a href="http://scbwiconference.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">SCBWI Conference Blog</a></b> (where you can find quotes and photos). Enjoy.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Happy what's-left-of-summer....</span></i></div>
M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-28435745215819334152014-06-21T02:12:00.000+02:002015-01-21T05:01:12.793+01:00Honorable mention in the new 3x3!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SGtcCzawxW8C2wMy0uYyNFgggO-M4gPRt4EviRkS_kMDd0Hq2INsx6K0uoI7O2KnzHHJcZeIJIh7AALIakn7gu_GRUo0vCj-Z4_R-OqW8bNZOUoWg4u-V_bxHFxttmWb_fLdv1LlvZ9Q/s1600/croc-victorian-lo-w1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SGtcCzawxW8C2wMy0uYyNFgggO-M4gPRt4EviRkS_kMDd0Hq2INsx6K0uoI7O2KnzHHJcZeIJIh7AALIakn7gu_GRUo0vCj-Z4_R-OqW8bNZOUoWg4u-V_bxHFxttmWb_fLdv1LlvZ9Q/s1600/croc-victorian-lo-w1000.jpg" height="640" width="544" /></a></div>
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Breaking news: I am very pleased to announce that one of my illustrations has been awarded an honorable mention in the latest <b><a href="http://3x3mag.com/shows/picturebook-shows/pictureshowwinners">3x3 Picture Book Show</a></b>! It's an image from <i>"No Crocodiles in Town"</i>, a picture book I'm currently working on.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0_3arD1lBH4SHdbNn-fdGsD8TY7XMP1mI-MAlg6itnT_4uZZ9AUsetl7nfH11Z08xkwi39gXsiwp4QH04rR9uG_7e1dmusr8swuGJHa6-G7XXLHcIovzRtHrGrpdWJOMshHfICTkjbTh/s1600/croc-victorian-animal-518-667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0_3arD1lBH4SHdbNn-fdGsD8TY7XMP1mI-MAlg6itnT_4uZZ9AUsetl7nfH11Z08xkwi39gXsiwp4QH04rR9uG_7e1dmusr8swuGJHa6-G7XXLHcIovzRtHrGrpdWJOMshHfICTkjbTh/s1600/croc-victorian-animal-518-667.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VQwRTXSOvfHeJIqaTXc_Z3qZj3ZJEy3ZgiVirYoO_73FstXOaXSsLER7UObqAGJQdDVqD98OQaxcPhF1pM4uBU1vL4A7qJ13Mri3mmUJuEvqsRaKYTvNh0JBZqeRtGK83NybKQHN8su3/s1600/victorian-pencil-fullpg-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VQwRTXSOvfHeJIqaTXc_Z3qZj3ZJEy3ZgiVirYoO_73FstXOaXSsLER7UObqAGJQdDVqD98OQaxcPhF1pM4uBU1vL4A7qJ13Mri3mmUJuEvqsRaKYTvNh0JBZqeRtGK83NybKQHN8su3/s1600/victorian-pencil-fullpg-crop.jpg" height="297" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early pencil sketch</td></tr>
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I've been absent from this blog the past few months for both good reasons (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marals/sets/72157642127858435/">a fantastic trip to New York</a>, where I met with lots of my favorite publishers, attended the <a href="http://www.scbwi.org/">SCBWI Conference</a> and caught up with long-lost friends) ... and for not-so-good reasons (involving hospitals and unbearable dread). In the midst of it all, I have tried to continue sketching and grappling with new manuscripts. But this blog fell by the wayside, somewhat :-( . Hopefully this won't happen again...<br />
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Now that I'm here, I <i>did</i> want to mention—horribly, ludicrously late—that I finally received my copy of <a href="http://shop.3x3mag.com/collections/books-annuals/products/3x3-annual-no-10">3x3 No. 10</a>, the annual from last year (!!) ... and it's a beaut! Look:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazC1Ge2CVYpTu1rEK9LobQZtvVeoWGU-ge1eZXkjqYCQuOBqWNYstLurqaqZcMJDsWWIwtyQKLqAfvs-2XsqMfrsSyFT1EEIUV_R6QwTQu9J_wy29dUBYmx-D1ZFI450VlFi0v9j-x_Uh/s1600/1-3x3-1box-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazC1Ge2CVYpTu1rEK9LobQZtvVeoWGU-ge1eZXkjqYCQuOBqWNYstLurqaqZcMJDsWWIwtyQKLqAfvs-2XsqMfrsSyFT1EEIUV_R6QwTQu9J_wy29dUBYmx-D1ZFI450VlFi0v9j-x_Uh/s1600/1-3x3-1box-c.jpg" height="499" width="640" /></a></div>
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Beautifully printed and hard-bound, it unites work from all three of the shows (Picture Book, Pro, and Student Work) in a single volume. Below is my page, featuring the cover and four spreads from <i>"Crocodile Shoes" </i>(my as-yet-unpublished picture book, <a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2013/11/year-of-crocodile.html">discussed</a> <a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2013/08/3x3-picture-book-show.html">ad</a> <a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2013/03/nami-island-international-illustration.html">nauseum</a> on this blog already).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq2lHc-taM2DTSeGNMX91UkcRie6pZDECtJ2JZbmzg2ZyyBwHnk2Di61MAUgtP0sQcFcXKtXLDhC9-ieY_XpuG1eQ9t2jDvKwPQITVRRg-mxr1vqMPjtdj2y85YRFWWz5KGjRg22uacGJ/s1600/1-3x3-5me-solo-cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq2lHc-taM2DTSeGNMX91UkcRie6pZDECtJ2JZbmzg2ZyyBwHnk2Di61MAUgtP0sQcFcXKtXLDhC9-ieY_XpuG1eQ9t2jDvKwPQITVRRg-mxr1vqMPjtdj2y85YRFWWz5KGjRg22uacGJ/s1600/1-3x3-5me-solo-cc.jpg" height="609" width="640" /></a></div>
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In a happy coincidence, the page next to mine had images by my friend <a href="http://www.zackrock.com/blog/">Zack Rock</a> whose <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20549474-homer-henry-hudson-s-curio-museum">new book</a> (<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20549474-homer-henry-hudson-s-curio-museum">"Homer Henry Hudson's Curio Museum"</a></i>) will be published very soon! Go Zack, go! In fact, the whole annual is overflowing with wonderful work, definitely worth a look.</div>
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For those of you who are interested, the 3x3 annual No. 10 is available in both print and digital formats — <a href="http://shop.3x3mag.com/collections/books-annuals">click here</a> to see!</div>
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M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-15353638811086840302014-03-22T08:56:00.000+01:002015-01-21T04:59:50.326+01:00Bologna or bust!<div style="text-align: left;">
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It's that time of year again: the <a href="http://www.bookfair.bolognafiere.it/en/home/878.html"><b>Bologna Children's Book Fair</b></a> is starting in a few short days! But right now, I'm 6152 miles away from it — and that's something that would normally give me a bad case of the Bologna Blues. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4W2SBvY10J_7PEr8BFAmykOwlJ41-aT_aIdAjWP19w6aCLwDxxSfw-dzocpMY0W5RVxuTGu6OQdTAPn2DqoDTgN_MQ-QqLbwjlHtzvc-w0YUO98lZuF7zxG1GnhXqyKt1onfdGnA73Ja/s1600/1croc1-junglecrop-w955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4W2SBvY10J_7PEr8BFAmykOwlJ41-aT_aIdAjWP19w6aCLwDxxSfw-dzocpMY0W5RVxuTGu6OQdTAPn2DqoDTgN_MQ-QqLbwjlHtzvc-w0YUO98lZuF7zxG1GnhXqyKt1onfdGnA73Ja/s1600/1croc1-junglecrop-w955.jpg" height="528" width="640" /></a></div>
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BUT WAIT!! I've had a bit of good news ... my illustrations (from <i><b><a href="http://cargocollective.com/maralsassouni/Crocodile-Shoes">Crocodile Shoes</a></b></i>) are among the <i>finalists</i> in the <a href="http://bologna.scbwi.org/scbwi-bologna-book-fair-2014/2014-illustrators-gallery-2/">SCBWI-Bologna Illustration Show</a>, and I am very honored!</div>
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Ever since 2004, the <a href="http://www.scbwi.org/">Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators</a> has maintained a regular <a href="http://bologna.scbwi.org/">presence at the Bologna Book Fair</a> — their stand there hosts many activities as well as the Illustrator's Gallery. Participation is open to SCBWI members internationally, and it attracts illustrators from all over.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_APaH78BkVcKkEFYQNVWai1Mhnad4v9WlRaQ8r-YL1C-6RZQAf_6XW5sIwYvpOCQ8hWEl7eiYpi4GlVUImgM-sn5sJaTFJMWJ2k7-H5TDDlWjwB7Zwk5CWgmTIP70GMecD4i0Qs1nkb2w/s1600/web-banner-10yr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_APaH78BkVcKkEFYQNVWai1Mhnad4v9WlRaQ8r-YL1C-6RZQAf_6XW5sIwYvpOCQ8hWEl7eiYpi4GlVUImgM-sn5sJaTFJMWJ2k7-H5TDDlWjwB7Zwk5CWgmTIP70GMecD4i0Qs1nkb2w/s1600/web-banner-10yr1.jpg" height="135" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm in good company this year — the wonderful illustrators <a href="http://studioroxas.com/">Isabel Roxas</a> and <a href="http://www.maplelam.com/">Maple Lam,</a> to name just two. And in previous years, there has been a stellar cast of artists from around the world: <a href="http://sophieblackall.blogspot.com/">Sophie Blackall</a>, <a href="http://wheelerstudio.com/">Eliza Wheeler</a>, <a href="http://www.constanzevonkitzing.de/">Constanze Von Kitzing</a>, <a href="http://www.illustrationcupboard.com/artist.aspx?aId=111">Jane</a> <a href="http://www.janeray.com/">Ray</a>, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/gallery/2011/mar/14/satoshi-kitamura-illustrator-pictures">Satoshi Kitamura</a>, <a href="http://www.jenniferthermes.com/">Jennifer Thermes</a>, <a href="http://gbriank.wordpress.com/">G.Brian </a><a href="http://www.gbriankaras.com/index.html">Karas</a>, and <a href="http://www.barbaramcclintockbooks.com/">Barbara McClintock</a>... among many, many others. Not too shabby!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig43zTq0tt8RaywivvdhVaxNA196KL-_T2ayjU-QrO6-cZPf8tt1KOmQ2x0HMNYuebHYqMr0v1aMLjClCWfm3l_36U_DU5ONWTTNH4pxEKbtmy3rxi1eGAHm7zuxXvJs_W7LD3QxWHKEnI/s1600/1Bolo-floorplan-me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig43zTq0tt8RaywivvdhVaxNA196KL-_T2ayjU-QrO6-cZPf8tt1KOmQ2x0HMNYuebHYqMr0v1aMLjClCWfm3l_36U_DU5ONWTTNH4pxEKbtmy3rxi1eGAHm7zuxXvJs_W7LD3QxWHKEnI/s1600/1Bolo-floorplan-me.jpg" /></a></div>
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So if you <i>do</i> find yourself in Bologna (lucky you!), the SCBWI stand is at <b><u>A/66 in Pavilion 26</u></b>... that's the area that usually has a majority of English-language publishers present. Stop by and say hello!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PS. When I went to Bologna a few years ago, I wrote about it <b><a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2011/05/bologna-book-fairpt1.html">here</a></b> and <b><a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2011/05/bologna-part-2-discoveries.html">here</a></b>.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PPS. <b><a href="http://www.annacastagnoli.com/">Anna Castagnoli</a></b> has posted this<span style="background-color: yellow;"><b> <a href="http://www.lefiguredeilibri.com/2014/03/21/fiera-di-bologna-2014-una-guida-di-tutti-i-luoghi-segreti-di-illustratori-editori-agenti/">handy guide</a></b></span> of Bologna's museums, bookshops, various events, plus places to eat and drink. Lots of good suggestions, check it out -- grazie, Anna!</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PPPS. <a href="http://laurawoodillustration.blogspot.it/2014/03/after-bologna-childrens-book-fair-2014.html">Laura</a>'s got some advice</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4W2SBvY10J_7PEr8BFAmykOwlJ41-aT_aIdAjWP19w6aCLwDxxSfw-dzocpMY0W5RVxuTGu6OQdTAPn2DqoDTgN_MQ-QqLbwjlHtzvc-w0YUO98lZuF7zxG1GnhXqyKt1onfdGnA73Ja/s1600/1croc1-junglecrop-w955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></a></div>
M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-14811435838210143012014-02-18T04:33:00.001+01:002014-02-28T05:39:37.839+01:00SCBWI Bulletin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazekzWRyynlwP8NpsWL2gKHOz4rJ9C1ni2E9rFJZMxlIYNpVEmTtX4n47nlMHn2UgLmjO-ib-H7z1UoypHlK_jMShkifzDgCIoOrHXfNnS53SEorI3Kbeffm58qfxyD1AZoyAg3Dn4Qvg/s1600/1caterpillar-scbwicover-507-h633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazekzWRyynlwP8NpsWL2gKHOz4rJ9C1ni2E9rFJZMxlIYNpVEmTtX4n47nlMHn2UgLmjO-ib-H7z1UoypHlK_jMShkifzDgCIoOrHXfNnS53SEorI3Kbeffm58qfxyD1AZoyAg3Dn4Qvg/s1600/1caterpillar-scbwicover-507-h633.jpg" /></a><br />
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I'm very proud to have my illustration on the cover of the current <a href="http://www.scbwi.org/">SCBWI </a><a href="http://www.scbwi.org/online-resources/scbwi-bulletin/">Bulletin </a>(January/ February 2014). As always, the requirement is to include within the illustration an image of a kite — the logo of the SCBWI. </div>
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I did a lot of searching and had a lot of different ideas (including giant children in Paris, and even an octopus flying eight kites at once). But once I saw the image of a butterfly-shaped kite, it was suddenly obvious to me that a caterpillar should be flying it. Perfect! Transformation, inspiration and imagination are what children's books are all about!! Now all I have to do is pull it off...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_q-a_hPvMoQnH_zXyerpWvHXR53i1cEptvl2rx6zr5TvpTMw3njztdKUo1Eh2uYCqO-_6JHqHg65yAJfVK81TuFOOmWTetqu2Wd5RD74Rtg6Q47JWqn5Snh3Yctip6-GveBeMhtjjvUs/s1600/1-2up-caterpillarsketch-tonals-lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_q-a_hPvMoQnH_zXyerpWvHXR53i1cEptvl2rx6zr5TvpTMw3njztdKUo1Eh2uYCqO-_6JHqHg65yAJfVK81TuFOOmWTetqu2Wd5RD74Rtg6Q47JWqn5Snh3Yctip6-GveBeMhtjjvUs/s1600/1-2up-caterpillarsketch-tonals-lo.jpg" height="483" width="640" /></a></div>
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I sent along a few variations of this idea to SCBWI, and we all agreed on the one on the left so I then got to work. After refining the composition and characters, I did a number of color studies, like so:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8y9MoL4ltAsDkC7xG7WfIUuK1DWnlwbfXIsqgWcYaTBWIcE4zDQjinQrDJsaK0WaHVe7zayaiAoo-ahzYMBGqv7xeZ_1ikuxWaqHUtS1ME5_tzq03oat5PNaGBTQqdTgj3gpGKqR30K5/s1600/1colortest2-4up-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8y9MoL4ltAsDkC7xG7WfIUuK1DWnlwbfXIsqgWcYaTBWIcE4zDQjinQrDJsaK0WaHVe7zayaiAoo-ahzYMBGqv7xeZ_1ikuxWaqHUtS1ME5_tzq03oat5PNaGBTQqdTgj3gpGKqR30K5/s1600/1colortest2-4up-c.jpg" height="640" width="436" /></a></div>
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Once the colors are decided, I can go on to the next steps. My illustrations are done in mixed media, with both hand-painted elements and collage in varying amounts (depending on the subject and on the amount of time). Some collage elements are prepared in advance according to the chosen color scheme, while others are happy accidents. This is true whether I collage with paper ephemera...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirK415iB5NG_oUBI8E5uinc6139_cun8c63pF5SdpreURkJJDfW53YrLTDtzmeFk3BPFslVqWqm99RYJxDf9HtSZSRs7YyGVTKKXtD5bHDUschvlkRpWV0-sLsPP_hh_-KfN67_knCFFIm/s1600/1wip3-paperscrap-grn-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirK415iB5NG_oUBI8E5uinc6139_cun8c63pF5SdpreURkJJDfW53YrLTDtzmeFk3BPFslVqWqm99RYJxDf9HtSZSRs7YyGVTKKXtD5bHDUschvlkRpWV0-sLsPP_hh_-KfN67_knCFFIm/s1600/1wip3-paperscrap-grn-c.jpg" height="451" width="640" /></a></div>
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...or with monoprints that I make myself— here's a<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marals/sets/72157627473715591/"> peek </a>at a set of photos showing printmaking in progress.</div>
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Once I've printed the monoprint sheets in the colors that I'll be using, then I begin cutting and gluing. I usually start with the background—</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEnxQ5zeVpOi3Wpm_BKtCC2yLVPaHbvQ8jJG_0SgtOU7xNnKN1W-lY7S2uWoaOWM-6TYo8uZCCb0-xikVhbyNLSQtIRPXZqRWZEbkPR8VGBFCZJEomeSCqjloeX44T52fy0_eaZ3G1n3X/s1600/1caterpillar2-bg-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEnxQ5zeVpOi3Wpm_BKtCC2yLVPaHbvQ8jJG_0SgtOU7xNnKN1W-lY7S2uWoaOWM-6TYo8uZCCb0-xikVhbyNLSQtIRPXZqRWZEbkPR8VGBFCZJEomeSCqjloeX44T52fy0_eaZ3G1n3X/s1600/1caterpillar2-bg-c.jpg" height="640" width="457" /></a></div>
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And then I create the characters and foreground elements. Here's our hero...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbvqtUu6AXf673II6DZn9TdvRl_UcL2dgd3tJSXAo9dKnJM4j_Azi3-QaRUSadhi5a46rALF6uBrn3BV04TNNvsviapTo-3std5VNxQABRdkdUbY4reTKMvSA5Zwk3lPgNPcQTf-5f9zj/s1600/1wip9-caterpil-paint-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbvqtUu6AXf673II6DZn9TdvRl_UcL2dgd3tJSXAo9dKnJM4j_Azi3-QaRUSadhi5a46rALF6uBrn3BV04TNNvsviapTo-3std5VNxQABRdkdUbY4reTKMvSA5Zwk3lPgNPcQTf-5f9zj/s1600/1wip9-caterpil-paint-c.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and his faithful sidekick:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wuXEPTt9PPo-_pWVIhOPYtXnNRW-qsSsWm61k24n9NnnX1_AIqOieMlPU0F2MeGcg7SWPtQSdpK82p4yV_vsQXS6GfNcSrHwFm-EC0AezgIIscROpX3WBt5CudEevOrLhBawrkYoWJRW/s1600/1wip2-snail-scissor-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wuXEPTt9PPo-_pWVIhOPYtXnNRW-qsSsWm61k24n9NnnX1_AIqOieMlPU0F2MeGcg7SWPtQSdpK82p4yV_vsQXS6GfNcSrHwFm-EC0AezgIIscROpX3WBt5CudEevOrLhBawrkYoWJRW/s1600/1wip2-snail-scissor-c.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can see, the individual elements that make up a character (limbs, shoes, clothes, face, hair...) are created separately then assembled. I paint some of the details with acrylics and, after I've glued them all together, I go over it again with an oil glaze to add a bit of dimension and oomph. Sometimes I scratch back in — <i>sgraffito</i> — or even sandpaper it, until it resembles what I have in my mind's eye as much as possible. Needless to say, it's not an exact science...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjXpRJwskRtx7CNzbk5WhufIUnwO2N4Y3ppqsBpAf6R4mvIehy6V5WNQHn975hIzfrHV4UYPLPixKNAC_MmJ_ioRDFqyXDEpR3IcnRYKIoJ7KXf9bSo8rlmpCahf2BpSppIZSODdVKgGt/s1600/1caterpillar1-colortest-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjXpRJwskRtx7CNzbk5WhufIUnwO2N4Y3ppqsBpAf6R4mvIehy6V5WNQHn975hIzfrHV4UYPLPixKNAC_MmJ_ioRDFqyXDEpR3IcnRYKIoJ7KXf9bSo8rlmpCahf2BpSppIZSODdVKgGt/s1600/1caterpillar1-colortest-c.jpg" height="640" width="441" /></a></div>
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Finally, referring to my color study, I assemble the composition as a whole — first gluing the background elements then the foreground ones. In this particular illustration, there was a lot of foreground foliage which framed the image. Some were collaged, and some painted in india ink. Here's the finished piece:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXHMaUU34pCY17-Q4YqvtR4R7AuqJ4y3hqJzZlcjYPuUMBER0Ig3UWtMwl8hDJxYEub8hXJ6m9cdXQVs_WMQz-R_IdYBsmHSqO-vRYmNfVfzyOW7taXiaMbq6IHx0RUJ0yw22v5gFF-J3/s1600/caterpillar-hat-72-w700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXHMaUU34pCY17-Q4YqvtR4R7AuqJ4y3hqJzZlcjYPuUMBER0Ig3UWtMwl8hDJxYEub8hXJ6m9cdXQVs_WMQz-R_IdYBsmHSqO-vRYmNfVfzyOW7taXiaMbq6IHx0RUJ0yw22v5gFF-J3/s1600/caterpillar-hat-72-w700.jpg" height="640" width="418" /></a></div>
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<i>Voilà!!</i></div>
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PS. If you're a SCBWI member, you can view the Bulletin online <a href="http://www.scbwi.org/online-resources/scbwi-bulletin/">right here</a>. It even includes an interview with yours truly in it!</div>
M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-41222045081267475462014-01-01T23:48:00.000+01:002015-01-01T19:31:28.285+01:002014!2014 already?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3IdBf20OZfJd-NZkCjLU8afTCi4VaNGo9VU9i-z3uNKfXHIrdGa28pu5jHMEBmC8RqZ_iZhQjzTb-dL88UxMVC3ppDPlZQNh6XlA8TeHizMDlAbRle6QCzHhUtNvrQ3fxerYzcoRo7nI/s1600/conga-nobleed-bonne-w1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3IdBf20OZfJd-NZkCjLU8afTCi4VaNGo9VU9i-z3uNKfXHIrdGa28pu5jHMEBmC8RqZ_iZhQjzTb-dL88UxMVC3ppDPlZQNh6XlA8TeHizMDlAbRle6QCzHhUtNvrQ3fxerYzcoRo7nI/s640/conga-nobleed-bonne-w1180.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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A very happy new year to all of you! </div>
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The thought for the day comes from <a href="http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2011/12/my-new-year-wish.html">Neil Gaiman</a>, whose new year's wishes are inspiring, energizing and liberating. A teeny snip:</div>
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<i>I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.</i><i> </i></div>
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<i>Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before...</i></div>
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<i>So that's my wish—for you, for all of us and for myself:</i></div>
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<i>Make New Mistakes</i></div>
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<i>Make glorious, amazing mistakes.</i></div>
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<i>Make mistakes nobody's ever made before.</i></div>
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<i>Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect...</i></div>
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<i>Whatever it is you're scared of doing, DO IT.</i></div>
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<i>Make your mistakes, next year and forever...</i></div>
M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-87408498779443663042013-11-22T02:40:00.001+01:002015-01-21T04:58:46.490+01:00Year of the CrocodileWell I never!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0llJ-NUgh7J14khzxKapsyuJZ8N8H91MzP09Q_RJljRb2GBDSbLVGbdysB1AYi__JwHMCUuq5YB_RkUgqJ7eBsJDnKiRWCD_Kbb_Hq7vGexNYvKBVpBkpHm1lmb0RIqTYGnYEY3wIolI/s1600/1crocfactory-w960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0llJ-NUgh7J14khzxKapsyuJZ8N8H91MzP09Q_RJljRb2GBDSbLVGbdysB1AYi__JwHMCUuq5YB_RkUgqJ7eBsJDnKiRWCD_Kbb_Hq7vGexNYvKBVpBkpHm1lmb0RIqTYGnYEY3wIolI/s640/1crocfactory-w960.jpg" height="429" width="720" /></a></div>
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I've had a fantastic surprise in my inbox ... the <a href="http://www.societyillustrators.org/About-the-Society/History/History-Overview.aspx" target="_blank">Society of Illustrators</a> has selected four of my images for <a href="http://www.societyillustrators.org/The-Museum/2014/UIAM/Illustrators-56--Part-One.aspx" target="_blank">Illustrators </a><a href="http://www.societyillustrators.org/The-Museum/2014/EB/Illustrators-56--Part-Two.aspx" target="_blank">56</a>. The artwork (from <i><a href="http://cargocollective.com/maralsassouni/Crocodile-Shoes" target="_blank">Crocodile Shoes</a>, </i>my unpublished book) will be on show at the <a href="http://www.societyillustrators.org/The-Museum/Overview.aspx" target="_blank">Museum of American illustration</a> in New York City starting in early January. I hope to be able to see it in person when I go visit (my first trip back to NY in over a decade—talk about timing!). There will also be a lavishly printed annual, coming out later in the year. More on that soon.</div>
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Thank you to the Society of Illustrators, for giving me such a good reason to celebrate on this damp grey weekday (Champagne, and lots of it. You are welcome to join me!!). And congratulations to the <a href="http://www.societyillustrators.org/About-the-Society/History/History-Overview.aspx" target="_blank">other artists</a> selected for this show... a very inspiring lineup indeed.</div>
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OK, it's time to get back to work now. Nose to grindstone, shoulder to wheel, eyes front! But <i>you</i>, lovely reader, may want to look at these:</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">•<a href="http://www.hbook.com/2013/11/choosing-books/horn-book-magazine/writing-young-emotional-deja-vu/#_" target="_blank">Charlotte Zolotow </a>(children's author and editor who died a few days ago): remembered <a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2013/11/21/charlotte-zolotow/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.hbook.com/2013/11/blogs/read-roger/r-p-charlotte-zolotow/" target="_blank">here</a></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">•Masako Kubo making a print (<a href="http://vimeo.com/43586656" target="_blank">1:35 video</a>) </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">•Parov Stelar <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ueJ4-lTa1s" target="_blank">dancin' up a storm</a>. More happy energy: this is what I'm doing today, between sketching and sipping bubbly!</span></i></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5ueJ4-lTa1s?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-32377832855526529812013-09-08T03:52:00.000+02:002013-09-09T19:49:15.293+02:00And now for something completely different<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I drew a robot!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATn9qlmaHmqSnIZ3utAX-i4rVaIpkTtfmrT4D1DmuVpmj51HyHuLuweac_TmCDr2YEu0YClV2pQly19IGD6KVRay2eCMI1Z0WOXGnd1LRxWSgRO02TmI8Mln4Yt5S7WBZwxCZicYG61qx/s1600/1bigrobot-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATn9qlmaHmqSnIZ3utAX-i4rVaIpkTtfmrT4D1DmuVpmj51HyHuLuweac_TmCDr2YEu0YClV2pQly19IGD6KVRay2eCMI1Z0WOXGnd1LRxWSgRO02TmI8Mln4Yt5S7WBZwxCZicYG61qx/s1600/1bigrobot-c.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I participated in Tom Franck's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tomfranck/media_set?set=a.10150410188846938.358695.560086937&type=3" target="_blank">sketchbook</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tomfranck/media_set?set=a.10151537214486938.1073741829.560086937&type=3" target="_blank">project</a> which has the theme Evil Giant Robots. <i>"Cute"</i> and <i>"friendly"</i> is more my line of country, so the end result is rather like an enormous mechanical clown toy, with just a soupçon of King Kong for good measure. </span><i style="text-align: left;">Scary!</i></div>
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This sketchbook is traveling the world, with contributions by a mix of illustrators, children's book creators, and comic book artists. There's an enormous variety of participants (drawings by winners of the Caldecott, the Anderson prize and even the Oscar!!)—I saw robots by <a href="http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=2189" target="_blank">Jon</a> <a href="http://jonklassen.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Klassen</a>, <a href="http://wheelerstudio.com/" target="_blank">Eliza Wheeler</a>, <a href="http://danyaccarino.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dan</a><a href="http://www.danyaccarino.com/dy/" target="_blank"> Yaccarino</a>, <a href="http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=1771" target="_blank">Chris</a><a href="http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/raschka/" target="_blank"> Rashka</a>, <a href="http://nydamprintsblackandwhite.blogspot.com/2011/04/mary-azarians-wood-block-prints.html" target="_blank">Mary</a><a href="http://www.maryazarian.com/" target="_blank"> Azarian</a>, <a href="http://garybaseman.com/" target="_blank">Gary Baseman</a>, <a href="http://rodolfomontalvo.com/" target="_blank">Rodolfo Montalvo</a>, and <a href="http://emilyarnoldmccully.com/" target="_blank">Emily Arnold</a><a href="http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=2367" target="_blank"> McCully</a>! And so many others, including...<br />
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<a href="http://www.shauntan.net/" target="_blank">Shaun Tan</a>:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIDFN1EvBc4o8bCSw4FuYESkFB1SjcLeoU50ekB_nofqR7sV_1HQGr4SU3IRW-MgKmthg9kxBDyXbWuRZ1RzckV9FzIjyx4f5j6LSetL1Y50ypJjn4FVz-cwm1wiFmTHW6lEJ2S8S8V0B/s1600/1bigrobot-shauntan-h742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="635" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGIDFN1EvBc4o8bCSw4FuYESkFB1SjcLeoU50ekB_nofqR7sV_1HQGr4SU3IRW-MgKmthg9kxBDyXbWuRZ1RzckV9FzIjyx4f5j6LSetL1Y50ypJjn4FVz-cwm1wiFmTHW6lEJ2S8S8V0B/s640/1bigrobot-shauntan-h742.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.paulozelinsky.com/index.html" target="_blank">Paul</a><a href="http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2012/03/scbwi-bologna-2012-author-illustrator_19.html" target="_blank"> O. </a><a href="http://www.ruzzier.com/paul-zelinskys-picture-book-list/" target="_blank">Zelinsky</a>:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lbBayecsMjHJaVQyDVxJHIh8WIbD4v4PGeYWUnuJzWacpJrC2gxccXQwEQwaz11yZQH7xbrXP2-Wi8-bMusa5IjifyWDGGdIw0JnPMq1lUkMB0HXOI_uUXlaoi_gl5STcBmJApLkLLyo/s1600/1bigrobot-zelinsky-low-h859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lbBayecsMjHJaVQyDVxJHIh8WIbD4v4PGeYWUnuJzWacpJrC2gxccXQwEQwaz11yZQH7xbrXP2-Wi8-bMusa5IjifyWDGGdIw0JnPMq1lUkMB0HXOI_uUXlaoi_gl5STcBmJApLkLLyo/s640/1bigrobot-zelinsky-low-h859.jpg" width="491" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://dansantat.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Dan Santat</a>:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOG7YWLhbtUtmhQ2MJGswefp9F1NRI00PTDDonJftYloQOvX9WGtfXurBEHHNY8bq5D7P_-NIBbyiCsYTVLb-4D5OWo25-WVCG9PfmPBMp7HqYD9bSRmfhoRjdyvIRtIA2TRbYCfJHOF0/s1600/1bigrobot-dansantat-low-h543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOG7YWLhbtUtmhQ2MJGswefp9F1NRI00PTDDonJftYloQOvX9WGtfXurBEHHNY8bq5D7P_-NIBbyiCsYTVLb-4D5OWo25-WVCG9PfmPBMp7HqYD9bSRmfhoRjdyvIRtIA2TRbYCfJHOF0/s400/1bigrobot-dansantat-low-h543.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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... and <a href="http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=2526" target="_blank">lovely </a><a href="http://idleillustration.com/" target="_blank">Molly</a><a href="http://idleillustration.com/blog/" target="_blank"> Idle</a>:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp7KA-vFUZAD8IHuy9MoQEJvUVPfkVFCacU_AtHHAnlCJuoe3fqqUUVEeKCCM6rI14dJtlrX6pZkJEHDdQr-DT-epUFi8OMsRjEj9pP8uvoA1zPGOzam97pbhXCL00QxoQfoivi9YmXWS/s1600/1bigrobot-molly-low-h839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIp7KA-vFUZAD8IHuy9MoQEJvUVPfkVFCacU_AtHHAnlCJuoe3fqqUUVEeKCCM6rI14dJtlrX6pZkJEHDdQr-DT-epUFi8OMsRjEj9pP8uvoA1zPGOzam97pbhXCL00QxoQfoivi9YmXWS/s400/1bigrobot-molly-low-h839.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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In other news, I am <b><span style="color: orange;">Illustrator of the Day</span></b> on <b>CIF</b> (<a href="http://childrensillustratorsonfire.wordpress.com/2013/09/06/illustrator-of-the-day-maral-sassouni/" target="_blank">Children's Illustrators on Fire</a>), a new-to-me blog. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(De-activeate your smoke alarms, then go check it out!)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .</i></span><br />
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PS. <a href="http://gille-monte-ruici.over-blog.com/categorie-12472557.html" target="_blank">Home-made robot lamps</a>, from Gille Monte Ruici</div>
M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-36141308973574444892013-08-24T19:27:00.001+02:002015-01-21T05:02:34.392+01:003x3 Picture Book Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHKxNbWE2Qd6Zomlw9CjvXMEfRnp2Hloo9p6P96uQY0NQai7ya21587OH12w-tL_4lNFp467cJwCVtgK0ck0UcDKso-N9gxzhZfqfsKrYcNFW_5hoGM4OfLU8PbgMpkZmI5gatpVi_6it/s1600/ROUND2-shoebed-croc-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHKxNbWE2Qd6Zomlw9CjvXMEfRnp2Hloo9p6P96uQY0NQai7ya21587OH12w-tL_4lNFp467cJwCVtgK0ck0UcDKso-N9gxzhZfqfsKrYcNFW_5hoGM4OfLU8PbgMpkZmI5gatpVi_6it/s640/ROUND2-shoebed-croc-2.jpg" height="637" width="640" /></a></div>
I seem to be on a roll lately. First the <a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2013/08/hello-i-must-be-going.html" target="_blank">SCBWI Grand Prize</a>, and now this:<br />
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<a href="http://3x3mag.com/" target="_blank">3x3 magazine</a> has decided to include my work in their upcoming <a href="http://3x3mag.com/No10/pictureshowwinners" target="_blank">Picture Book Annual</a>. <a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2012/07/3x3-childrens-show.html" target="_blank">Again!!</a> A set of five illustrations from my book <b><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">"Crocodile Shoes"</span></i></b> received a Merit award (in the category of Children's Book, unpublished) --above is a little vignette from it. If you'd like to see a few more images from it, click <a href="http://cargocollective.com/maralsassouni/Crocodile-Shoes" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I am thrilled to be included among such <a href="http://blog.3x3mag.com/2013/08/3x3-picture-book-show-winners-announced.html" target="_blank">wonderful illustrators from all over the world</a>— some very familiar artists, as well as new discoveries whose work I am eager to see. The annual should be available in a few months time...I am really looking forward to it.<br />
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Thanks very much to the judges and to Charles Hively. And now... I've got to go do some dancin' in the streets!<br />
<br />M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-18778275720974647922013-08-14T02:15:00.000+02:002020-04-23T19:43:06.195+02:00SCBWI Portfolio Showcase Award!!!My blog and I are still in summer mode, but I want to poke my head in to say hello....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0aCY3kJj3IzTqpTC5WrcYlrmGqIMfvWhAHMDBgSAjKDeTl9R2STpXHeKf4X66Mk-rSujwY4KmFUvBUTac6Eu1mbKNNKtobKrTojcrXwYg9HcaMdcNf_Qcz-kW5ft6sj_9beemrXP42aP/s1600/waving-h790-gal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0aCY3kJj3IzTqpTC5WrcYlrmGqIMfvWhAHMDBgSAjKDeTl9R2STpXHeKf4X66Mk-rSujwY4KmFUvBUTac6Eu1mbKNNKtobKrTojcrXwYg9HcaMdcNf_Qcz-kW5ft6sj_9beemrXP42aP/s1600/waving-h790-gal.jpg" /></a></div>
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...and to make a happy announcement: <span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">my <a href="http://scbwiconference.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-2013-scbwi-summer-conference.html" target="_blank">portfolio won the Grand Prize</a> at the <a href="http://www.scbwi.org/Conference.aspx?Con=12" target="_blank">SCBWI* Conference</a></span> </b></span>(held in Los Angeles every August). WOW, talk about an unexpected turn of events!!</div>
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It is of course a massive honour — and the prize is an all-expense paid trip to New York City, as well as an "Open Sesame" to publishing houses for children's books. I can't wait!! More on all of this later, of course.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJQTjkOMbMUbW2FVhxJM65YIi7x-PgeuouU7Xv5ts6pUNT7rIg4qRP4YFq7qQ4lti-Umru_GtvLtibN-tQm-xFHUxOpHO5CyEtatlpWGlk7NuTWJQ5X6lKZCnNIqJbxferLnByMg6yRW5/s1600/1portfolio3-cls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUJQTjkOMbMUbW2FVhxJM65YIi7x-PgeuouU7Xv5ts6pUNT7rIg4qRP4YFq7qQ4lti-Umru_GtvLtibN-tQm-xFHUxOpHO5CyEtatlpWGlk7NuTWJQ5X6lKZCnNIqJbxferLnByMg6yRW5/s640/1portfolio3-cls.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is that winning portfolio (btw, it wasn't easy to find a "landscape" oriented portfolio of just the right dimensions—thanks to <a href="http://juanamartinezneal.com/" target="_blank">Juana</a>** for all the<a href="http://juanamartinezneal.com/blog/" target="_blank"> great advice</a>!). It contained 17 images, many of which can be seen on my <a href="http://cargocollective.com/maralsassouni" target="_blank">website</a>, while others have yet to be uploaded... stay tuned! I also showed a full-colour dummy of Crocodile Shoes (which I both illustrated and wrote). Some images are <a href="http://cargocollective.com/maralsassouni/Crocodile-Shoes" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2013/03/nami-island-international-illustration.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUGKszEgO1HKUFl_tiPQ9VP6Xdhlt6g2oYwDbC-iTGDRYz3LjIeNrHeQqeeNHcfI0n4FrC6NdYIUFpo2iAfi_RRWXvXi-vluVfwMi74A_eYsrTJNBeLDOrRyqwRe0hPNAsr2u9l2qebzz/s1600/1portfolio-table5-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUGKszEgO1HKUFl_tiPQ9VP6Xdhlt6g2oYwDbC-iTGDRYz3LjIeNrHeQqeeNHcfI0n4FrC6NdYIUFpo2iAfi_RRWXvXi-vluVfwMi74A_eYsrTJNBeLDOrRyqwRe0hPNAsr2u9l2qebzz/s640/1portfolio-table5-c.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The Portfolio Showcase was held in a huge pavilion/ballroom at the Hyatt in Century City, with hundreds and hundreds of portfolios (and book dummies) all laid out on rows of tables. A lot of people came to look, as you can see...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp5ntlBYvu_mlEvOTAzuypZ0C03mjIyof3B5rz1co8hR9L2fmZOKK2IxFzhrHFgZdxgHBanq4euvuzm2QZ2Oy1_eDujF7QIAntCJa0NE6PgWkX-7X_G8qNdi69CndFW3s5Rak2G4EXaf7/s1600/1portfolio-show1-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvp5ntlBYvu_mlEvOTAzuypZ0C03mjIyof3B5rz1co8hR9L2fmZOKK2IxFzhrHFgZdxgHBanq4euvuzm2QZ2Oy1_eDujF7QIAntCJa0NE6PgWkX-7X_G8qNdi69CndFW3s5Rak2G4EXaf7/s640/1portfolio-show1-c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A lot of talent under one roof!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqdlNiPizKjhibOzh0GKehAWkf_7JGYaevAykWspSvQo5Bw27NCzYCA7VyFN_HTEL-9IIPZM_zB0raQ0Kxj12ZUp8QOKVrIJWIaT-RZJz5t5LHfcgf_tYBV-rrO5P_vx2DQmrEdLGb0ZT/s1600/1maral-prize4-vgood-v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqdlNiPizKjhibOzh0GKehAWkf_7JGYaevAykWspSvQo5Bw27NCzYCA7VyFN_HTEL-9IIPZM_zB0raQ0Kxj12ZUp8QOKVrIJWIaT-RZJz5t5LHfcgf_tYBV-rrO5P_vx2DQmrEdLGb0ZT/s400/1maral-prize4-vgood-v1.jpg" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am, beaming.</td></tr>
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More soon. Thank you again, SCBWI —I am so delighted!!!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PS. For my readers in Europe and elsewhere: *<a href="http://www.scbwi.org/" target="_blank">SCBWI = </a><b><a href="http://www.scbwi.org/" target="_blank">"Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators"</a>. </b> This organization has <a href="http://www.scbwi.org/Pages.aspx/Regional-Chapters" target="_blank">chapters all over the world</a>, hosts many interesting events and is regularly <a href="http://www.scbwibologna.org/" target="_blank">present at the Bologna Book Fair</a>. Just sayin'.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PPS. <a href="http://juanamartinezneal.com/" target="_blank">**Juana Martinez Neal</a> is a fantastic illustrator from Arizona by way of Peru. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">She was awarded the SCBWI <a href="http://juanamartinezneal.com/blog/2013/05/21/mentee-portfolio-vs-grand-prize-winner-portfolio/" target="_blank">Grand Prize for her portfolio in 2012</a>... and just recently, she did a wonderful <a href="http://juanamartinezneal.com/blog/2013/08/22/a-cover-for-scbwi-bulletin/" target="_blank">cover for the SCBWI Bulletin</a>. Check her out!</span></i></div>
M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-8625535675052535732013-05-17T20:37:00.000+02:002013-08-13T22:04:52.720+02:00Hurray for May!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeX3hpo5yEDEux0WiD3PluQMrZXhYu9asUXAvyH8yIMg3lt3ZQSU1RVDCxuOP29gNomdTP96Dcu44mj-OkyCxOObosz0qWfqBv2TkPjFE1GigX94P_OGXZm6QlyT8SMlGbxw8-NO40LoK/s1600/tuba-detail-flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeX3hpo5yEDEux0WiD3PluQMrZXhYu9asUXAvyH8yIMg3lt3ZQSU1RVDCxuOP29gNomdTP96Dcu44mj-OkyCxOObosz0qWfqBv2TkPjFE1GigX94P_OGXZm6QlyT8SMlGbxw8-NO40LoK/s640/tuba-detail-flower.jpg" width="604" /></a><br />
It's about time, too...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzABbZ-9zrNI1zq7SBzZb41hBxCaxRXmGqngPH9IZ8jTaumkaROLWl0vgPQel8c1vPB5Lmk1z473I8oLfJQ8T8dXz8dVAEE67wdjLOa31b_qWVrMtOzi8fEJGNRFXvCmhGh4hN1VeW6vY/s1600/tuba-low.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzABbZ-9zrNI1zq7SBzZb41hBxCaxRXmGqngPH9IZ8jTaumkaROLWl0vgPQel8c1vPB5Lmk1z473I8oLfJQ8T8dXz8dVAEE67wdjLOa31b_qWVrMtOzi8fEJGNRFXvCmhGh4hN1VeW6vY/s640/tuba-low.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Of course, once all the flowers start blooming, it's very difficult <i>not</i> to be inspired!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFqTsdZFwR5tcivFTzIj0OkLfZM0MqYGeCVpufdescY4ABn-IpImzsuIW0WpfUotz3Kt42F9oOUbmDUOB3moK3BOeBwsjqy7BUrbIAjZiUKLkb7D4whKy3jmUiy7jpxgar94HbWBnZI21/s1600/1lantana2VERT-cls-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFqTsdZFwR5tcivFTzIj0OkLfZM0MqYGeCVpufdescY4ABn-IpImzsuIW0WpfUotz3Kt42F9oOUbmDUOB3moK3BOeBwsjqy7BUrbIAjZiUKLkb7D4whKy3jmUiy7jpxgar94HbWBnZI21/s400/1lantana2VERT-cls-c.jpg" width="311" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGc5bnaLGbkfxhsohjKnleqTookTCIpBADZU8hbBqvykuy-dLbksRPar6j-t_IVmN6VrF0tKd4jZpGjylPTTXBUDiHL6YNcDK-DqeLcvMD0lAw2BOfSLSkAEgNydGFRR66C8kZSLnf7bQ/s1600/1poppies1-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGc5bnaLGbkfxhsohjKnleqTookTCIpBADZU8hbBqvykuy-dLbksRPar6j-t_IVmN6VrF0tKd4jZpGjylPTTXBUDiHL6YNcDK-DqeLcvMD0lAw2BOfSLSkAEgNydGFRR66C8kZSLnf7bQ/s400/1poppies1-c.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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And then there's...</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2y87cPCLKfJyRv12LG4s24FmtB3H7CrgU82iZInk8Wkw7VuoxhHe2Q282DrawkFP21zz6V42PwetPhzEyibsDfU3KdwwIIcH1e7KdmhkVBW00hCf-1HSzVKXKteMlB7BfE73tcO34jm-l/s1600/1raccoon-YOGA-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2y87cPCLKfJyRv12LG4s24FmtB3H7CrgU82iZInk8Wkw7VuoxhHe2Q282DrawkFP21zz6V42PwetPhzEyibsDfU3KdwwIIcH1e7KdmhkVBW00hCf-1HSzVKXKteMlB7BfE73tcO34jm-l/s640/1raccoon-YOGA-c.jpg" width="479" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Raccoon yoga</i></span></div>
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Have a wonderful weekend!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*<a href="http://www.orianedufort.fr/historiae-naturalis/" target="_blank">Historiae Naturalis</a> —Oriane Dufour's cut paper exploration of the natural world</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*<a href="http://www.bearwithmebook.co.uk/" target="_blank">Bear with me</a> — collaborative book project from Britain</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*<a href="http://www.amvictoria.dk/HUSM17.HTML" target="_blank">Hus mit hus</a> — A.M. Victoria's painted wood project</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div>
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PS. This blog will most likely be very quiet over the summer, as I work on a few projects and recharge my batteries. I'll be back in September.... see you then!</div>
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M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-10193847319910133002013-05-11T23:29:00.000+02:002013-05-12T01:04:25.726+02:00Ta-da!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just a little announcement to let you know that I have a new website — it is still being worked on and added to, but you can have a look at it <a href="http://cargocollective.com/maralsassouni" target="_blank"><b><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #e06666;">here</span></b></a>:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi299SxD1cu-dPCEbGCT4NDB5WgPX3JKMIqL5cmZRJF7yO99HvYbYGFwlVUO13MM6FySVFCWdspL3EIbzwYZZuaBRgaC5WW8gmT-IIyahQ73T-8p-6BKiSxHTRmW455qT9o2xVdsKypbKrb/s1600/castle-LCplayb85-reds240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi299SxD1cu-dPCEbGCT4NDB5WgPX3JKMIqL5cmZRJF7yO99HvYbYGFwlVUO13MM6FySVFCWdspL3EIbzwYZZuaBRgaC5WW8gmT-IIyahQ73T-8p-6BKiSxHTRmW455qT9o2xVdsKypbKrb/s1600/castle-LCplayb85-reds240.jpg" /></a></div>
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There is a new (-ish)<span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666;"> </span><b><span style="color: #e06666;"><a href="http://maralsassouni.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc; color: #e06666;">tumblr</span></a> </span></b>too — but I will continue blogging here at my Secret Blog ™ as the content will be a bit different, I expect. Check on both, if you are so inclined.</div>
<br />
Also, I've just been informed that this blog was a Featured Blog on the Jacket Flap Publishing blog reader! If you don't already know, <a href="http://www.jacketflap.com/" target="_blank">Jacket Flap</a> is megablog focussed on the universe of children's books, uniting illustrators, writers, editors, publishers, agents and so on. So much to look at, it's easy to get lost for hours—I am pleased to be in the spotlight there! The content's the same, but here's the <a href="http://www.jacketflap.com/megablog/index.asp?blogid=4669" target="_blank">link</a>.<br />
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Have a great weekend...M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-57951572872732233062013-04-09T06:34:00.003+02:002013-04-10T04:44:32.058+02:003x3 Directory<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKwCzgBJfHNJzUkjFD4HHP7_IoT9K-4hGBr3EuuS_AYiBHV1TVp7iekh6GEBoCUQaGK7pBjxcQPD-VKY2kaz1OT9_KkpkU5TfTTZCRUJDCun5b5UlXgYsQXCURXbf2Zz-iq8bSg8lGLZF/s1600/1-3x3-5-croc-hand-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKwCzgBJfHNJzUkjFD4HHP7_IoT9K-4hGBr3EuuS_AYiBHV1TVp7iekh6GEBoCUQaGK7pBjxcQPD-VKY2kaz1OT9_KkpkU5TfTTZCRUJDCun5b5UlXgYsQXCURXbf2Zz-iq8bSg8lGLZF/s640/1-3x3-5-croc-hand-c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've been meaning to mention...I finally got my copy of <b><a href="http://www.3x3directory.com/index.html" target="_blank">ILLO 13</a></b> (the <a href="http://www.3x3directory.com/about.html" target="_blank">3x3 International Illustration Directory</a>)! I am very pleased to tell you that I have a couple of images in it. My crocodile illustration can be found in the "<a href="http://www.3x3directory.com/animal.html" target="_blank">Animal</a>" section. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZKFUEf9mBJ8Z-h2oIo-cfoOO7RdoPvWQRAh2Tj5Y4xh9yy2iHWAELwVdI6Q07zXZJMiXBCz2uXf4Cy9Qpl51Naw3iosjWwc2C90BUcq1Jc302oQ6QZgaFUBIQkAfJEwlbi-Ft35MW35Y/s1600/1bolo-croc-endpp-w1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZKFUEf9mBJ8Z-h2oIo-cfoOO7RdoPvWQRAh2Tj5Y4xh9yy2iHWAELwVdI6Q07zXZJMiXBCz2uXf4Cy9Qpl51Naw3iosjWwc2C90BUcq1Jc302oQ6QZgaFUBIQkAfJEwlbi-Ft35MW35Y/s640/1bolo-croc-endpp-w1200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This image is the basis of the endpapers of my children's book project, <a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2013/03/nami-island-international-illustration.html" target="_blank">mentioned previously</a>. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(</span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">click image for bigness)</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBPOo32-HlAZvH9zVcfPkwnyLGn2BgshPOe5loJovlrkeYwWst3fDEqTg3tfr2SPqaAWvJPMBKzQngpxJOTniEbTaImcN-aPZ3fDmQOzAHHmP7KdTN2qm8lS8oNLHZkwCu1wzkcOUM9jD/s1600/1-3x3-9-mouse-hand-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBPOo32-HlAZvH9zVcfPkwnyLGn2BgshPOe5loJovlrkeYwWst3fDEqTg3tfr2SPqaAWvJPMBKzQngpxJOTniEbTaImcN-aPZ3fDmQOzAHHmP7KdTN2qm8lS8oNLHZkwCu1wzkcOUM9jD/s640/1-3x3-9-mouse-hand-c.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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And in the "<a href="http://www.3x3directory.com/children.html" target="_blank">Children</a>" section of the directory is this mouse, forever contemplating the camembert. Some of you might remember seeing her before, <a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2011/03/eyes-on-prize.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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You can look at the <a href="http://www.3x3directory.com/index.html" target="_blank">website</a>: there are a lot of good illustrations to peruse. Then there's a <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/illo13-3x3-international-illustration/id598713879?mt=8" target="_blank">free app</a>, which you can get from iTunes— and that is available to everybody. And, of course, it exists in book form as well. In fact, if you are an art director, editor, graphic designer or art buyer, you can <a href="http://www.3x3directory.com/signup.html" target="_blank">request a free copy</a>.<br />
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Here's what it looks like— the cover art is by the Dutch illustrator, <a href="http://www.aadgoudappel.com//" target="_blank">Aad Goudappel</a>....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6TiP_Bq0p4XyrIgH7UyTOB-ECde400zPLrOEY6-e4R9Dhs7dK8H1OPswLqK3Eiv5LJxZI84lDlQEAWM_6S3EZS6EMBknWPvEN6oN0VXT3fSTFZQ-DfCUSauZdpXUZWxQfH9ktdrtK7TH/s1600/1-3x3-2-cover-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6TiP_Bq0p4XyrIgH7UyTOB-ECde400zPLrOEY6-e4R9Dhs7dK8H1OPswLqK3Eiv5LJxZI84lDlQEAWM_6S3EZS6EMBknWPvEN6oN0VXT3fSTFZQ-DfCUSauZdpXUZWxQfH9ktdrtK7TH/s640/1-3x3-2-cover-c.jpg" width="543" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In conclusion, <i><b>YAY!</b></i></span></div>
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M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-18823407368076229642013-03-31T05:09:00.000+02:002013-03-31T05:09:28.632+02:00Happy Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QslOecB2BS1sXiQfjkreSBacRiX7Psf_HdxRuwJfxhw5Vde3lStTHzv_dI9yW0Q4Vdaesb76k0hh6qhDec0vA2n38cGQHFf7udHi0av6PY7XepJJFLzPHWx6hiuFPvRM7YEHa9E6Oy-a/s1600/1omletstroll-stripegg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 100em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QslOecB2BS1sXiQfjkreSBacRiX7Psf_HdxRuwJfxhw5Vde3lStTHzv_dI9yW0Q4Vdaesb76k0hh6qhDec0vA2n38cGQHFf7udHi0av6PY7XepJJFLzPHWx6hiuFPvRM7YEHa9E6Oy-a/s1600/1omletstroll-stripegg.jpg" /></a></div>
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Have a good one ... from me and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/marals/sets/72157632633523129/" target="_blank">Omelette</a>!M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-39647094287019567822013-03-11T00:20:00.001+01:002015-01-21T04:57:02.960+01:00Nami Island International Illustration Concours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsVBJgxiBB32Yh_6Ht-cOcuNKhzClaLfkFcrRUqpA_eVqzRTa67e9EVRS4k0W3oMUKsE3hi3qntigZsRYbk05lnn9TME9yIBN2Qg64aous24IVENgmBk6XYsebijcOrWF8jgzoSosbz2t/s1600/1bolfactory2-furnace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsVBJgxiBB32Yh_6Ht-cOcuNKhzClaLfkFcrRUqpA_eVqzRTa67e9EVRS4k0W3oMUKsE3hi3qntigZsRYbk05lnn9TME9yIBN2Qg64aous24IVENgmBk6XYsebijcOrWF8jgzoSosbz2t/s640/1bolfactory2-furnace.jpg" height="640" width="440" /></a></div>
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Good news — my illustrated book project has been selected for the <a href="http://www.nambookfestival.com/" target="_blank">Nambook Festival</a> (aka Nami Island International Illustration Concours) !! It has to stay under wraps at present, but I can still show you a few glimpses from my selected project. You'll get a flavour of what I've been up to lately, even though it's out of context.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOf7G_Yfn71lSbBXjAyUukEJ__klI3pIohhkx-UGEhL10-PyvpS5G6iH3ao6oP1tav9mBrt13hHyRNDtshSzhuwRI32DRv7VtHQZ7GfxEiDuZaUBuCo6MljHnrjSF2AIGRbuNKCAbUiuHq/s1600/1bolworkshop1-cat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOf7G_Yfn71lSbBXjAyUukEJ__klI3pIohhkx-UGEhL10-PyvpS5G6iH3ao6oP1tav9mBrt13hHyRNDtshSzhuwRI32DRv7VtHQZ7GfxEiDuZaUBuCo6MljHnrjSF2AIGRbuNKCAbUiuHq/s640/1bolworkshop1-cat1.jpg" height="640" width="409" /></a></div>
The Nambook Festival is a yearly children's book event in South Korea, about 70 km south of Seoul on an beautiful tranquil island with groves of giant redwood trees. Nambook is affiliated with <a href="http://www.ibby.org/" target="_blank">IBBY</a> (the International Board on Books for Young people), as well as being an official sponsor of the <a href="http://www.ibby.org/index.php?id=1199" target="_blank">Hans Christian Andersen Awards</a>.... presented to the winners each year at the<a href="http://www.bolognachildrensbookfair.com/en/home-page-bologna-childrens-book-fair/878.html" target="_blank"> Bologna Book Fair</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2hDnO-CICQm5c3VxWP92BzYrxkCgJGJApJa2E6YWToH6FH_TegXlkG61NAMt_2i8acM9T5_bi8jGnPY6xbvJJtC150BAnlQV2Fl2plTGfVnGi8WZSQxEjsCYQWty_xhJKsrBtWYP1UJo/s1600/1boltown1-vespa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2hDnO-CICQm5c3VxWP92BzYrxkCgJGJApJa2E6YWToH6FH_TegXlkG61NAMt_2i8acM9T5_bi8jGnPY6xbvJJtC150BAnlQV2Fl2plTGfVnGi8WZSQxEjsCYQWty_xhJKsrBtWYP1UJo/s400/1boltown1-vespa.jpg" height="400" width="336" /></a></div>
The <a href="http://www.nambookfestival.com/39" target="_blank">list of winners</a> is pretty impressive—an array of international talent that includes many illustrators who have also been selected for <a href="http://www.bolognachildrensbookfair.com/en/home-page-bologna-childrens-book-fair/878.html" target="_blank">Bologna</a>, <a href="http://www.bibiana.sk/index.php?id=29&L=2" target="_blank">Bratislava</a>, <a href="http://3x3mag.com/No9/No9_CBSWinners.html" target="_blank">3x3</a>, <a href="http://www.ilustrarte.net/EN/ilustrarte12.htm" target="_blank">Ilustrarte</a>, <a href="http://www.sarmedemostra.it/" target="_blank">Sàrmede</a> and other places where children's book illustrations are recognized and celebrated. The grand prix went to the wonderful Korean illustrator <a href="http://www.picturebook-illust.com/special/pop_en_specail_interviews.php?uid=5" target="_blank">Sung-Hee Kim</a>. A few of the other names that jumped out are: <a href="http://davidpintor.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">David Pintor</a>, <a href="http://www.evamontanari.com/index.html" target="_blank">Eva Montanari</a>, <a href="http://www.sonjadanowski.com/" target="_blank">Sonja Danowska</a>, <a href="http://www.rashinart.com/" target="_blank">Rashin Kheiriyeh</a> and <a href="http://iirma.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Irma</a> <a href="http://www.deplastilina.com/" target="_blank">Gruenholz</a>. And so many others... I'm looking forward to discovering their work!<br />
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The illustration exhibit at <a href="http://jrpoulter.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/nami-island-childrens-book-festival_brochure.pdf" target="_blank">Nami Island</a> takes place from 25 April to 31 May. There will be a catalogue/annual of the art show as well. And if any of you are going to Bologna for the book fair (from 25 to 28 March, in two short weeks from now!), the Nambook Festival has a stand (A36 / H29). Stop by and say hi!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">UPDATE</span></b>: For those of you going to the Bologna Book Fair, the Nami Illustration Concours will give a brief presentation at the <b>Author's Café</b> on <span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">Wednesday 27 March at 16:30</span> — jury members and illustrators will be on hand for a show-and-tell session. Wish I could be there, too...</span></i></div>
M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-44089943582898787532013-01-04T03:08:00.001+01:002015-01-01T19:32:36.076+01:002013!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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I want to wish you very happy new year — better late than never, eh? I've been a bit AWOL in recent times but I hope to be more present in the year to come. Until I return to regular posting, here's an offshoot from something I've been working on, to wish you bonne année, and <i>auguri per tutto— buona vita, buon lavoro, buon futuro...</i></div>
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Can't say better than that!!</div>
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<br />M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-61085141760206222672012-11-27T23:17:00.000+01:002020-04-23T19:52:32.407+02:00Brussels+Montreuil road trip...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYYsc-31FKgwOVq4IT7KZZ17F3XA7TABOAlMMvDBaVy9ZOAhWj6R3CJYr9RMmqGuQC-dWN3nasikxiNswgkO_NiaOlbrxH5whcvvjKS5IbEOn9gbYU7WJ_fHUJ3g2o-DYQPC4SXTj8U7t/s1600/111immagini-fantasia_Bruxelles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYYsc-31FKgwOVq4IT7KZZ17F3XA7TABOAlMMvDBaVy9ZOAhWj6R3CJYr9RMmqGuQC-dWN3nasikxiNswgkO_NiaOlbrxH5whcvvjKS5IbEOn9gbYU7WJ_fHUJ3g2o-DYQPC4SXTj8U7t/s640/111immagini-fantasia_Bruxelles.jpg" title="" width="700" /></a></div>
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Just a quick reminder that Sàrmede's <i><b><a href="http://www.sarmedemostra.it/" target="_blank">"Immagini della fantasia"</a></b></i> exhibit will now be on display in Brussels. At the <b>European Parliament!</b> The opening takes place tonight at 18:00, at the ASP area on the third floor (balcony side). Definitely worth a peek, if you're in the neighbourhood... I wish I could be there too! (more details, <a href="mailto:giancarlo.scotta@europarl.europa.eu" target="_blank">here</a>).</div>
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And if you still need something more to do— well, you could always drop in to Montreuil: the<a href="http://www.salon-livre-presse-jeunesse.net/" target="_blank"> Salon du Livre Jeunesse</a> begins tomorrow morning, 9:00 sharp! </div>
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Have fun!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqMTcwlBc2cATh0BP_mK5o8yVdHO0LDg6MqZwgzvNuS0X4FJ5nwauHF_qjHMUuNw5LhcKrhRPaiwj39mrmIeT4QH-RpQ_F0Pe7XYhcx4zH4qMnRIqmTfDrs2FOA9rh6cLfh3VkrN-s-Fi/s1600/2012_poster-SLPJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1128" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqMTcwlBc2cATh0BP_mK5o8yVdHO0LDg6MqZwgzvNuS0X4FJ5nwauHF_qjHMUuNw5LhcKrhRPaiwj39mrmIeT4QH-RpQ_F0Pe7XYhcx4zH4qMnRIqmTfDrs2FOA9rh6cLfh3VkrN-s-Fi/s640/2012_poster-SLPJ.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PS. The beautiful poster/invitation for <b>Immagini della fantasia</b> is by <a href="http://www.octaviamonaco.com/" target="_blank">Octavia Monaco</a></span></i></div>
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<br />M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-37064582607190249812012-10-06T04:43:00.002+02:002013-01-04T02:55:28.853+01:00Tales from Russia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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I'm very pleased to announce that my <a href="http://www.sarmedemostra.it/eng/le-immagini-della-fantasia-30/tales-from-russia-the-school.html" target="_blank">artwork has been selected</a> for Sàrmede's<i> <a href="http://www.sarmedemostra.it/eng/le-immagini-della-fantasia-30.html" target="_blank">Le Immagini della Fantasia</a></i> exhibit. The theme this time is "Tales from Russia"— a topic and visual culture that I find especially inspiring. I chose to illustrate a scene from The Firebird.</div>
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The exhibit is a fantastic gathering of talent from around the world —over 350 illustrations by a real <a href="http://www.sarmedemostra.it/eng/le-immagini-della-fantasia-30/panorama-2012.html" target="_blank">dream team</a>* of <a href="http://www.sarmedemostra.it/eng/le-immagini-della-fantasia-30/tales-from-russia-the-artists.html" target="_blank">illustrators</a>! Needless to say, I'm very honoured to be included among them. A big <i><b>grazie</b></i> to Monica Monachesi for extending the invitation.<br />
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This year's edition of<i> Le immagini della Fantasia</i> is not only the 30th anniversary, but also the grand opening of the long-awaited <a href="http://www.sarmedemostra.it/eng/le-immagini-della-fantasia-30/le-immagini-della-fantasia-30.html" target="_blank"><i>Casa della Fantasia</i></a>, a new building which will house the exhibit space and art workshops. So expect even more celebrations and activities than usual — including readings, <a href="http://www.sarmedemostra.it/ita/corsi/laboratori-autunnali.html" target="_blank">workshops</a>, and meetings with the artists including <a href="http://www.sarmedemostra.it/eng/le-immagini-della-fantasia-30/guest-of-honour.html" target="_blank">Roberto Innocenti, this year's guest of honour</a>.<br />
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The exhibit opens on 27 October and runs through to 27 January 2013, after which it will go on tour in Italy and across Europe and beyond. It's well worth a visit — I would go if I could. Check the site for <a href="http://www.sarmedemostra.it/eng/le-immagini-della-fantasia-30/opening-hours.html" target="_blank">address and hours</a>... highly recommended!<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">PS. *Dream team includes: <a href="http://www.beatricealemagna.com/" target="_blank">Beatrice Alemagna</a>, <a href="http://www.joellejolivet.com/index2.php" target="_blank">Joëlle Jolivet</a>, <a href="http://www.javierzabala.com/" target="_blank">Javier Zabala</a>, <a href="http://violetalopiz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Violeta Lopiz</a>, <a href="http://simonerea.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Simone Rea</a>, <a href="http://mortezahedi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Morteza Zahedi</a> and many many others, all of them fabulous...</span></i>M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1458364952501414183.post-39031523959707450182012-07-23T04:49:00.001+02:002013-04-11T10:00:57.340+02:003x3 Children's Show<br />
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I've been in summer mode lately, but I just had to pop in today to tell you my news: I just found out that my artwork has been selected for the <a href="http://3x3mag.com/" target="_blank">3x3 magazine</a>'s <a href="http://www.3x3mag.com/No9/No9_CBSWinners.html" target="_blank">Children's Show</a>. And not only that, but it was also singled out for Distinguished Merit in its category! It goes without saying that I am stunned, and completely delighted.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaAWBiRv8pJNHXsac1dyIBOpFoy5zGHmcRoIIGsOWnD2NSnSlvGsgG3pev_H0V_zHgc5_xrFsKJbc9vSb0w5EpxxewkSvNdxGnVdC5OCjxN4zwNMVl0Ju4D6QevQ28GwStSBryCcipCLk/s1600/tigerhole-v2FIX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="873" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaAWBiRv8pJNHXsac1dyIBOpFoy5zGHmcRoIIGsOWnD2NSnSlvGsgG3pev_H0V_zHgc5_xrFsKJbc9vSb0w5EpxxewkSvNdxGnVdC5OCjxN4zwNMVl0Ju4D6QevQ28GwStSBryCcipCLk/s640/tigerhole-v2FIX.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>
The image is one that you may already be familiar with: it was created for <a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2011/09/tales-of-india.html" target="_blank">Tales of India</a>, and<a href="http://maralsassouni.blogspot.com/2011/11/immagini-della-fantasia.html" target="_blank"> took part in the exhibit</a> <i><b><a href="http://www.sarmedemostra.it/eng/preview-29th-edition.html" target="_blank">Le Immagini della Fantasia</a></b></i> of <a href="http://www.sarmedemostra.it/" target="_blank">Sàrmede</a> (still touring in Europe).<br />
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The annual, No. 9, will be coming out later in the year... I will give you a heads-up when it does. Congratulations to the winners (check out the list, <b><u><a href="http://www.3x3mag.com/No9_CBSWinners.html" target="_blank">here</a></u></b>)— I am really honoured to be in such good company. And many thanks to the jury!M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14655560554887602227noreply@blogger.com14