What I learned at Illustrators Day
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I was wondering how you got on at the Illustrator's Day @Marsha-Kay-Ottum-Owen - sounds like it was really worthwhile! Well done on putting your work up there with the rest, even though it is a scary thing to do, it's something in the 'just do it' category and next time it won't feel scary I'm sure... It's great that there was a traditional art speaker there giving advice and encouragement that you don't have to be digital to be successful, that must be really motivating to listen to. Glad you had a good time overall
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@Dulcie Thank you
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Hi Marsha, I was there too. Sometimes, I find that even a friendly crowd makes me want to run away.
However, it was a very laid back event and I enjoyed talking to several new people.
The insight to the Marla-Allyn-Ann (Bobco) trio's working process was indeed interesting. My takeaway was put more story-telling illustrations to my portfolio. And, yes you are right about the eyes. Actually, when it came to displaying my portfolio, I was standing casually (at least I tried) by the wall for a while and watched people browsing through my works. I wished I could see what they were thinking. Probably it went like: "who is that creepy woman and why is she staring me?".
Anyway.
Congrats to your finished projects and good luck with the new book. -
Thank you for sharing your experience! You demonstrated a lot of courage and I can relate to so many of your thoughts and feelings! I need to constantly remind myself to stop self-deprecating, keep on learning and trust that my work cannot do anything else but improve if I stick to it. And yes, showing stuff to others constantly is very important - one has to detach his/her sense of worth from the work in the instant it is finished, so that one can be pro-active in searching critique and feedback. SVS is a really great resource for this!
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Way to go! I felt the same way attending my first SCBWI conference, waiting to be discovered as a fraud and kicked out. Thankfully they were lovey (most of the demons I know reside in my head), but I did have two bad experiences at conferences two years ago. Felt really low when I came home, burned all my stuff, took down my website...and got back to work. Thankfully along came SVS and the monthly subscription! I have a way to go yet but I'm at least on the right path. I like Will Terry's slogan - "Fail Forward". I have failed multiple times since I started this but I learn from it and keep going. Good for you for getting out there, keep it up!
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I can not even begin to tell you how proud of you I am Marsha! You took a huge step on so many levels here and I just know it will continue to lead you to new and exciting experiences in the future. Big huge THUMBS UP to you!!!!
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@Susan-Szecsi Ha! Ha! I wish I woudl have met you. Maybe I did
I was standing by the wall a bit too. Where do yo live in teh Bay Area?Marsha Ottum Owen
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@smceccarelli But you're so good! I am surprised to hear you say that but, i tmakes me feel better. I guess we're all self conscious about our work. Thank fo rthe good advice. I appreciate you!
Marsha Ottum Owen
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@Rich-Green Thanks, Rich! That means a lto to me
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@Marsha-Kay-Ottum-Owen Believe me, no artist is so good that he/she does not struggle with self-doubt and overcoming the fear of exposing one´s work to critique!!! Even very famous and successful illustrators share those feelings! Somebody once told me it is because artists expose a piece of their soul in every work they do - this makes them very vulnerable.
I think this makes them very special too - and I am very proud to be able to push beyond that fear over and over again - like everybody here does! -
@smceccarelli
Thanks -
@Marsha-Kay-Ottum-Owen Yes, it would have been nice to meet. Maybe next time? I live in Berkeley. Where are you located?
I am planning to go to the Laurel Bookstore October 15th.There will be an SCBWI illustrator meeting with Amy Novesky. Also, probably I will attend another event called Social Sketching. It is in San Francisco next Wednesday, September 7th 6:30pm-9:30pm.
They advertise the event on FB it is at the Chronicle Books' space. I am really curious about it. https://www.facebook.com/events/1061948583901540/
Let me know guys if you are coming. -
@Susan-Szecsi I'm in San Jose. I won't be able to make those two. I really don't liek to drive to SF if I can help it. I need to get over that, pronably
My husband works in Berkeley at NERSC in Berkeley Labs. It might be that I could drive in with him for an event in that area at another time. It's always nice to have the carpool lane One of these days we'll be in the same place!
