In a couple days I'll be heading to New York City for the Annual Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Winter Conference, where my portfolio will be on display during the Friday evening showcase. I should be able to exhale at this point... or at least after I've collected my book and any remaining postcards.
I feel confident approaching the SCBWI conference than I did last year. I'm not going to lie - it took a lot to get here. It's hard becoming a giraffe! At least it's hard to make one's portfolio into a giraffe, but here's how I did it:
Step 1: I planted an Idea seed late in the year 2011. The seed was for marketing materials. Yes. Postcards.
Step 2: The idea flourished into "Aww's" and other kudos and encouragements to "turn this (postcard concept on right) into something."
Step 3: The "Something" became a story.
Step 4: The story became a (mild) obsession.
Step 5: The obsession became sketches and artwork.
Step 6: The artwork became completed illustrations, which required placement. The portfolio began as a storyboard sketch.
Step 7: Refinement: laying down that last finishing coat to really LOOK like a Giraffe.
I would like to say "The End," but I think we're just getting started.
If you too are attending this year's NYC conference, feel free to say "Hi!"
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