THE FABRIC OF CREATIVITY

I had a phone call today from a stranger, who is now not a stranger, but fellow creative with a purpose! Passed on by another friend (Mel Brown) it would seem I have made a new creative friend in Fabric. Fabric is run by the Gray's. It was Sam who called me asking if I would be part of '26 Stories of Christmas 2011' A new authorial project he is running that will mean interpreting a short story in two weeks.. Fabric, from what I can see is a place where creativity happens in the space in between all those things we do for money and so we can live our lives. So the enjoyable spaces we make for friends and chilling out at the weekend, is where the best creativity can happen, and from there small ideas are turned into reality. Something I am very much in like with and hope that I achieve in a small way by passing on links and connecting people through events and networking....Anyway go see for yourself..here

MAKING GREAT ILLUSTRATION

Here is a great book I found that had just been published, which has a blog to go with the book...http://makinggreatillustration.co.uk/wp/...

Here is also a great book about collage i found yesterday...Cut & Paste-21st Century Collage

And while we're on a illustration slant, there's this shop in Truro Lemon St Market...Illlustrated Living. Go see for yourself and say hi to Rosie. 

ILLUSTRATION PAGES AND HANDY INFO

I'm starting again in terms of getting my illustration out there, and although I mentor people who want to get into the business and lecture on the odd occasion in schools and colleges about Illustration, I am starting over! So I'm having to read my own advice and then looking for new advice too. I found these bits on the web which I thought would be useful. I found some good advice on this page. This agent, Anna Goodsoon is via my friend Andy Potts site...here's the link. In there is a link to this website which I thought was an interesting one and useful. Hire An Illustrator.

Categories:Blogging

Here is My Top Ten on “How To Become a Productive Working Illustrator in Today’s Industry.”

July 23, 2011Anna Goodson7 comments

1. Find yourself a great Rep or Agent to represent you.  There are so many advantages in having someone who is well connected and hard working out there trying to drum up business and take care of promoting and marketing you.  That way you can concentrate on your work.  If you are lucky enough to get a great Rep or Agent with a good reputation, then you wont have to worry about the rest of this list.  If you are going solo or have not had the opportunity to sign on with someone yet, then here are few of my recommendations.  Make sure that when you do contact a rep that you never contact a Rep or Agent by addressing your email, “ Dear Sir/Madame” or “To whom it may concern”. You should take the time to address your email to the person whom you want to represent you. Never send out mass emails and especially never cc several Reps or Agents at a time. Do your homework and research before contacting anyone.  Make sure that you contact the right person for you.

2.Perfect your style. Work on having a distinct style that you have mastered over time.  If you work in several styles, choose one and focus on it.   Your work should be recognizable. Your style should belong to you.  If you can achieve that, then that’s a huge advantage.  Think of the illustrators that you love; you can always recognize their work right away when you see it.  Never try to copy a style that you think is successful, create your own, be original.

3. Think globally and not locally.  This is one of the great advantages of being an illustrator.  You can live anywhere and work with clients everywhere.

4. Create a personal website.  It doesn’t need to be complex or complicated.  Think of it as your online portfolio to showcase your work.  Keep it simple, clean and easy to navigate.

5. Sign on to some of the great websites that promote illustration.http://www.hireanillustrator.com, is a great one to get started. There are several out there and always do your research before signing on.

6. Keep busy working on your style even when you have no commissions in hand.

7. Get out of your studio or workspace to go for walks or a run or to take some fresh air.  It’s important to get away from your work and take some time to “smell the flowers”. You will feel much better and be in a better mood when you get back.

8. Participate in International contests.  This is a great way to get your name known and bring you some recognition if you are selected.  Look for contests that are reputable and not the ones that are just out there to take your money.

9. Always be sure to get everything in writing.  Make sure that you send your clients a written quote before starting a job and make sure they sign it or at least reply to an email that they agree with your conditions.  If everything is in writing , there will be no surprises.

10. Believe in yourself.  Enjoy what you are doing.  Never give up and stay passionate about your work.  Love what you do and success will come.  Nothing is more important than being happy in your career.

Here is another site with US competitions etc...http://www.artshow.com/juriedshows/

PROFILE OF THE MONTH - KOLA

I've done the first profile of the month and it's about local band Kola. Go have a read and look them up... Heading for great things, Ryan Jones and his new band Kola are beginning to make their mark on the world so catch them now while you can...tell them I sent you.. cheers...click to the right.. over there ----->

ART TAKES MIAMI..I need your vote!

I NEED YOUR HELP ....BY MIDNIGHT FRIDAY....

I know I post a lot, but I need your vote, for me, for my work. please? please can you pass it on too.
I'm participating in ART TAKES MIAMI....in Miami!
HERE'S THE LINK TO VOTE..and see the pics I've entered
http://CarolinePedler.see.me/atm2011
hope you can help thank you...x

DANNY FOX AT THE PLUMBLINE AND ORCHARD

Debbie at Plumbline and Orchard Gallery in St Ives, has a new exhibition by Danny Fox this month. The private view is Sat 22nd Oct 7 til 9pm and looks like a great show and the gallery is really cool too! worth a visit for sure. Here's a link to his work on the Millenium Gallery site.

CREATIVE BOOM

I found a post about Zoe Barkers book about 'Values' and a creative way of highlighting how they've changed! Values being an important part of a healthy and happy life, but today meaning an offer in Tesco's. Shame. Anyway here's Creative Boom link where I found this and a link to the Creative Boom home page....

EMERSON MADE ON DESIGN TONIC

Emerson made are a company I love and lucky enough to own one of their items of clothing, but it's not the interview I'm posting but the site. Looked interesting and I'm hoping to work on my links with the US. I've done a fair bit of work for the US card and book market, but hoping to branch into the art / illustration market and sites like this always help. Emailing them with an interesting lead on your work maybe? anyway here you go...http://designtonicmag.com/2011/emersonmade/

BRODY NEUNENSCHWANDER

My lovely friend Mel from Have a Mooch, up at PCAD (Plymouth College of Art and Design) got sent a link to the artist Brody Neuenschwanders work. Beautiful. He's a calligrapher and text artist who explores the boundaries between text and image. He does installations, sculpture, collage etc so go and see his gallery and you should be delighted at what he has there. Especially if like me, you love the work of Cy Twombly, Antoni Tapies, Rauschenberg or just beautiful hand drawn text. I was also delighted that it was he who did the calligraphy for the series of the Peter Greenaway films, which all had such a huge impact on me and my work at college, and although I have yet to see it, his repertoire includes work for the Pillow Book. Great find, thanks Mel. I feel inspired to watch all the PG films again!