Derek Anderson at Ames Public Library

 {Derek Drawing a Dragon, 2012}

 {Derek Anderson, 2012}

 {Lots of Books for Sale, 2012}

 {Close up of the Drawing Demo by Derek, 2012}

 {Derek Anderson and I, 2012}

{Drawing on the Library Walls, 2012}

I had the pleasure of going to Ames, Iowa today to hear Author/Illustrator, Derek Anderson, speak. What a sincerely nice and entertaining guy! Judging from today, I am 100% sure he does an amazing school visit! (a talent in its own right) He really connects with the kiddos. He's originally from Ames, so you can tell the area is near and dear to his heart. He spoke about himself as a kid, read from his new book and did a demonstration of a dragon drawing which is a main character in his new book with Jane Yolen, "Waking Dragons". It is a darling story that will be appealing to children and adults. It was fun to hear him talk about some of the hidden things in the illustrations. (I'm keeping that a secret, in case you ever get to spend an afternoon hearing him speak.) Derek was also nice enough to stay after and sign books and meet with a few of us SCBWI-Iowa members and give pointers. I definitely got some golden nuggets of information, which is one of the greatest things about getting to meet favorite authors and illustrators. I've heard he speaks in Ames annually, so I plan to definitely go see him again. Also, in case you are wondering why he's drawing on library walls, the Ames Public Library is renovating, so they permitted some graffiti illustration! When they open back up, I'm sure that probably won't be an approved activity anymore.

Illustration Friday - Perennial (Uncolored Version)

{Ink on Paper, 2011}

I did a drawing of flowering plants that are perennials here in Iowa. I have each of these plants in my own garden. Can you guess what plants they are? I will be posting a digitally colored version later this week, as well as identifying what plants they are. Aside from illustration, gardening is one my my most favorite activities and I especially like when illustration is inspired by gardening!

Des Moines Art Center "Vault" Auction

{My Donation to the Des Moines Art Center, 2011}

{Up for auction, May 12, 2011}

{The newly constructed vault at the Des Moines Art Center}

Thursday night I had the pleasure of attending "Vault: Letting Our Guard Down" a fundraising auction with donations of over 100 artists from Iowa and around the world. I donated the American toad painting above. I have worked as a faculty member at the Art Center for the past few years and I loved the idea of being able to give back to my workplace and thank them for all they have given me. My husband and I were there during the middle of the silent auction and only stayed a short time. With over 350 guests in attendance in such a small place it was uncomfortably warm and we couldn't afford to bid on anything anyways so we took a few pictures, said "hi" to a few people, snagged an hor d'oeuvre or two and left. At that time my piece was up to $150, which made me proud and happy. I don't know if it ever topped that but I was more than ecstatic that it made it that high. Its not that I don't think it is worth that much, but I have donated artwork for charity auction before and seen it sell for ridiculously low amounts. (which makes it barely worth your time. And its embarassing) The Art Center handled the bidding nicely. They started all works at $50 and people could bid in $25 increments. All in all, a nice affair that you can read about at this Des Moines Register link.

Darling Notions: Illustrative Works by Candace Camling

{Artist Statement Layout Design by Iowa State, 2010}

{Entrance to Iowa State Memorial Union show, 2010}

{Pioneer Room with "Darling Notions: Illustrative Works by Candace Camling, 2010}

{Ames Tribune, Review and Information, 2010}

Click on Above Image to Enlarge Text.

Go to the article online HERE.

Currently there are over thirty-five of my illustrations on display in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Works will be on display until November 8, 2010. If you are in the area make sure you go check it out! I took a few shots of the layout of the show when I was in Ames today. The Pioneer Room gets used for a lot of conferences, meetings, luncheons, ect. which is why the third photograph has chairs scattered about.

Movies in the Park

{Digital, 2010}

I just finished this poster for the 2010 Summer Movie Series at Colby Park in Windsor Heights, Iowa. They have some fabulous movies planned for this year! If you are in the area, hope to see you at one of the flicks!
On a completely different note, I will be in England and Ireland for the next few weeks. This means minimal or possibly no internet/e-mail/blog access. I do not plan to update my blog during that time... but I AM carrying a sketchbook, so I promise to share my sketches with you when I return!

May Show at Sanford Museum in Cherokee, Iowa

{Photo Courtesy of Cherokee Chronicle Times, 2010}

{Illustrations on Display at the Sanford Museum in Cherokee, Iowa, 2010}

For the month of May, my illustration work will be on display at the Sanford Museum in Cherokee, Iowa. If you are in the area, please stop by and check it out! The staff at the museum are wonderful people and the museum also has a really fabulous collection of Native American artifacts and fossils. The Cherokee Chronicle Times also did a nice article for the local newspaper. You can read that HERE.

Iowa State Fair Fine Arts Show

{Posing With My Painting, 2009}

I am pleased to announce that I have two pieces showing in the Iowa State Fair 2009 Juried Fine Art Exhibition. I am even more excited to say that one of my pieces, "Rhinestone Treasures" won 3rd prize for Best Overall. 

{Ribbon With Painting, 2009}

Here is a list of the other winners:

Best in show: Kathleen Rivera, oil painting

1st prize Best Overall: Nancy Thompson, pastel

2nd Best Overall: Jessie Larson, jewelry

3rd Best Overall: Candace Camling, oil painting

Merit Awards: Ben Harle, pottery

   Richard Hasen, watercolor

   Jane Baty, mixed media

   Nancy Briggs, pottery

   Victor McCullough, acrylic/tempera

   Eric Neuman, drawing

Oil Media Award: Leslie Leavenworth

Acrylic/Tempera Media Award: Jill Anderson

Watercolor Media Award: Scott Stouffer

Drawing Media Award: Joylynn Andersen

Pastel Media Award: Susan Hansen

Mixed Media Award: Nichole Tolson

Prints Media Award: Ann Klingensmith

Pottery Media Award: Dennis Ferns

Sculpture Media Award: Judy Veeder

Jewelry Media Award: Abigail West

Art Glass Media Award: Rosemary Fee

Fibers Media Award: Helen Degner

Adult Honorable Mention Awards: Dennis Schmoker, Sculpture

John Brommel, Sculpture

Ann Klingensmith, Print

Chris Vanderhaar, Pastel

Sean Herman, Pastel

                

{Video from 2008 Fine Arts Festival}

This is a video from the Iowa State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition. You can see the camera scan by THIS piece at 0:10. I discovered this video today while searching for information. It was produced by Iowa Public Television and does a nice job of explaining the mission of the Iowa State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition.

Hope for Children and Families

This is an illustration I'm doing for an auction for Children and Families of Iowa. 60% of the proceeds go to charity. The theme is "hope", so of course I thought of doves, which are a symbol of hope. I also thought that without imagination or creativity, often things can seem hopeless. That is what I hope to portray. It will be done in oil...and I only have 5 more days to finish it! AHHH Can I do it? I'm concerned it will be a disaster because, well... I'm always concerned that every illustration will be a disaster!

And I got this lovely card from Erin Waineo today. She made it. It's a thank you note for letting her stay at my house with our other friend Jenn last weekend. They drove to see me all the way from Michigan. On top of that...a gift certificate to go out to eat! How nice can you be? I was SO glad to have some female company for once. Normally I just spend time with my husband Ken and our two sugar gliders (Conan and Pip) ...both MALE! We spent the weekend shopping at antique stores and checking out hip boutiques, and maybe a margarita or two! I should be thanking THEM for visiting ME! Thanks guys, it was so great having you around for a weekend that flew by.