Happy Easter!

{Watercolor, 2011}

ESPN Magazine Photo Shoot

{Photo Credit: Kevin J. Miyazaki, Whiteboard Drawings: Candace Camling, 2011}

Click image for larger view.

I was contacted in early March by ESPN Magazine. They were looking for someone to draw some simple whiteboard images for a story about Drake University. You can read the story behind the boys' feature in ESPN Mag HERE. I had a great day working with photographer Kevin Miyazaki and his assistants. The photo-shoot went well and I think the picture turned out great. I am a little sad I missed the newsstand version, but was glad that I looked and found it online too! A Day like this is the kind of day that make me love being an illustrator. You never know when you are going to get a call that lands you in a different world. Imagine me, in my little purple flowered shirt and cardigan, shaking hands with a sea of the tallest and biggest group of young men I have ever seen in real life. They were just as excited as I was!

Sketch for Illustrator Intensive Event

{Pencil Sketch, 2011}

This is part of a larger pencil sketch for an SCBWI illustrator's intensive that I am planning to attend in June. I will post the final piece and explain more about the event after I have experienced it. I'm looking forward to the event and seeing what other illustrators have come up with!

Book Work

{Section of Cover for "Santa's Secret Story", 2011}

This is just a small piece of the cover for "Santa's Secret Story". I'll share more details and show the full cover once the publisher has finished laying it out.

Good Things Come in Small Packages

{The little package I received, 2011}

{Pin by Jenn, 2011}

{Fabric Ring by Jenn, 2011}

{Flower Hair Clip by Jenn, 2011}

{Flower Hair Clip by Jenn, 2011}

My new niece (by marriage but the family tree is too confusing to delve into) sent me this sweet little package earlier this week. It contained a few of my very favorite things; flowers, accessories and a pretty little touch of patriotism. Her husband is currently serving in the United States Marines and my husband is a Marine Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (this is only the first of several parallels that seem to link us.) Jenn is a creator, a thrifter, and seems to share a similar sense of humor. I met her for the first time during Christmas because geographical locations make regular visits impossible. I instantly liked her and I think she is such a wonderful addition to the family! Check out her blog: Jenn Camling Blog I think you'll like it! Her spirit and honesty really shines through.

SCBWI Spring Conference 2011

{Eric Rohmann and Me, 2011}

{Lin Oliver and Me, 2011}

{Des Moines Area SCBWI Members, 2011}

This past weekend was the annual Iowa SCBWI Spring Conference. As always, it was fabulous! Featured guests included:

• Lin Oliver Author and Co-Founder of SCBWI
• Molly O'Neil Assistant Editor at Katherine Tegan Books, Harper Collins Children's Books
• Alli Brydon Editor at Sterling
• Author Candace Fleming
• Illustrator Eric Rohmann
• Diane Muldrow Author and Editor at Little Golden Books
• Gary D. Schmidt Hamline Professor and Author
• Stephen Fraser Agent
• Michelle Bayuk Marketing Director for Albert Whitman

Aside from the featured guests, attendees came from all over Iowa. There were also people from Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, Nebraska and Illinois! We have so many talented people in our group and there are many published authors and illustrators. I'm excited to join the ranks as a published member at next year's conference. During the conference I had a scheduled portfolio review with Caldecott winner and author/illustrator Eric Rohmann. He had wonderful ideas to help improve my chances with art directors and to help polish my portfolio. I was also able to meet Lin Oliver, the co-founder of SCBWI. She is incredibly sweet and very invested in helping writers and illustrators find their wings!