Make Art That Sells E-course

{Project 1, Cell Phone Case, Digital, 2014}

Prints, Phone Cases and Skins Available for sale HERE

I recently signed up for a 6 month long e-course with agent Lilla Rogers. It's called "Make Art That Sells". This past weekend I finished my first project for the course and had a pretty good time doing it! I have to say, the cost of the class seems like a bargain as it has really lit a fire inside me to really create the kind of art I am inspired by. You know the art school speaker adage, "Do the kind of work you want to do"? It's true! Except, when I was in art school I didn't really know what kind of work I wanted to do. My style will probably always be a little all over the place, but it helps get a variety of jobs and it keeps like interesting. However, this class is helping me hone some of the skills that have sat dormant for months (maybe even *gulp* years). I'm feeling really hungry for some good, strong work that I'm really excited about. This class, so far, is doing exactly that.

Shiny New Bookmarks!

{Promotional Bookmarks, 2012}

 {Promotional Bookmarks, 2012}

I'm going to an SCBWI Iowa event this weekend and I wanted to have a fun little promotional freebie to give away. I'm not planning to send out postcards until the spring ( after baby is born and my book project is done) so I thought about something that could be a non-mailer. I decided on a bookmark to start getting the word out about the book I'm currently working on. The bookmark has one of the illustrations from the book and all of my contact information. For the conference, I punched holes in the top and added a coordinated ribbon to fancy it up! I still have several that are unpunched in the event I want to mail a few out. As always, I recommend Overnight Prints because the quality is good, the prices are fair and they ship really fast (even at standard rates).

New Business Cards

{Business Cards, 2012}

{Business Cards, 2012}

My new business cards arrived today. They are nice and glossy and I liked the idea of having a small teaser image to show what my style looks like. Sometimes it's easier to show someone how you paint rather than trying to explain it. Last time I ordered business cards I ordered 1000. This time I only ordered 500 because I enjoyed doing the mini painting so much! When I run out of these I will probably do another small painting and go with a similar layout.

Second 2010 Promotional Postcard

{Postcard, 2010}

{Postcard Front, 2010}

{Postcard Back, 2010}

I received my postcards from Overnight Prints*today. This is my second postcard for 2010. I just sent some out in February so I will probably wait until May to send them out. I am really pleased, once again, with the quality for the price.

*I am not sponsored by Overnight prints... I just really like them!

First 2010 Promotional Postcard

{Front of Postcard, 2010}

{Back of Postcard, 2010}

{Watercolor, 2010}

It was important for me to start this year out with a brand spankin' new promotional postcard. I plan to do a few more this year too. I just sent them to the printer, so I really hope that they meet or exceed my expectations. Usually I am pleased with the printer I use, so I will be anxious too see! I only ordered 100 this time, because I usually order way too many and they sit around forever!

UPrinting Giveaway Winners Announced!!

The winners were chosen via random.org, congratulations to:

NICOLE ALFARO
CARLI MOUA

You both win 500 postcards for your own professional endeavors! I will let Uprinting know you are the winners and they will contact you shortly!! Happy postcard-ing!
Don't forget to visit Uprinting for all your postcard and brochure needs!!

UPrinting Giveaway with Candace Illustration Blog

Want to win 500 postcards for your very own promotional purposes??
UPrinting is sponsoring a giveaway in conjunction with this blog! Winners (there will be 2) will be chosen on Wednesday, May 20th, 2009 at 1pm Central Time. UPrinting is an online printing company offering several products which include postcards and color brochures. Make sure you check them out!

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Post a comment explaining how you would creatively use 500 postcards!

2. Please make sure you include an e-mail address so I can contact you if you are chosen.

3. Winners will be chosen on May 20th via random.org.

4. Winners in US and Canada get free shipping, but all other countries get free product only and MUST pay shipping. Please keep that in mind if you are an international contestant. Winners will be announced in a separate post on May 20th after the drawing.

GOOD LUCK!!!

SCBWI:Iowa Conference

{Portfolio Display, 2009}

The SCBWI:Iowa (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrator's) conference was this past weekend. This was my first time attending, and WOW, it was so amazing. The wealth of information at this regional event is so vast! They had quite a bit of information for illustrators, even though of the 83 attendees, there were less than 10 of us. The guest speakers or this three day event included:

• Harold Underdown who has been an editor for several books within children's publishing and the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books". 
  
• Abigail Samoun, an editor at Tricycle Press since 2000. She had a lot of love for illustrators as well as writers. (very exciting to hear!)
  
• Amy Lennex of Sleeping Bear Press, which is in Michigan. I always get excited to hear about Michigan!
  
• Ruta Rimas, who is an editor for a brand new imprint of Harper Collins called Balzer + Bray. She was so witty and fun to listen to.
• Larry Day, an illustrator, who has illustrated several books, including "Not Afraid of Dogs", which I bought at the book sale, and he signed for me! He also gave me a portfolio review, which gave me some interesting things to think about, and revise.

There were also several published authors from Iowa in attendance (also presenting) as well as a few published illustrators. The next SCBWI:Iowa conference is the weekend of October 24, 2009 and will be held in Des Moines. (I am super excited about not having to drive three hours for that!) I can hardly wait to go again. SCBWI members are always very encouraging and engaging.

{Weekend Snapshots Collage, 2009}

From top left clockwise: Attendees enjoying portfolio displays, Canadian geese and goslings alongside the Mississippi river on the Iowa side, Attendee checking out fellow Iowa illustrator, Claudia McGehee's portfolio display, some John Deere equipment in Moline, Illinois, a few of the conference guests (from left to right: Abigail Samoun, Harold Underdown, and Ruta Rimas), and some lovely and fragrant blossoms.

Promotional Postcard Spring 2009

{Promo Card Front, 2009}

{Promo Card Back, 2009}

{Finished Product Photo, 2009}

{Finished Product Photo, 2009}

My promotional cards were delivered Monday, so I thought I would post some pictures of them. I always like to see what other artists do for promotion, I think its interesting to see different approaches to trying to catch some attention from a potential client! Hope these bring me a little work!!

Spring 2009 Promotional Illustration and an Interview

{Watercolor, 2009}

After starting over, I finally got this piece finished! I worked against myself to try to keep the atmospheric perspective, because I always want everything BRIGHT! I think the lighter background helps keep the foreground objects a.) in the foreground and b.) as the focal point. I will be putting the image on a postcard and sending it out to some places that I think might be interested in seeing more of my work! I will post a picture of the postcards once they have been printed.

Also, Des Moines Juice writer and fellow Des Moines artist, Brent Houzenga did a nice interview with me HERE. DM Juice is a young professional publication that is part of The Des Moines Register newspaper. Thanks Brent!

New Business Cards!

{Finished Product, 2009}

{Front Design, 2009}

{Back Design, 2009}

Few things are more satisfying for me than making my own promo materials. I enjoy designing them because I am my own client. When I ordered, I opted for rounded corners and UV coating because I think it gives the card a nice quality and it won't be totally destroyed if someone sticks it in their back pocket! In the end, the best part is getting the finished product in the mail after you've been stalking your UPS tracking number for the last 4 days. I have some SCBWI events coming up in quickly, and I think something as simple as a fresh business card might add a little pep to my step.

Twirling Through Spring!

{Rough Sketch, 2009}

After messing with this, for what seemed like, FOREVER! I think I am finally satisfied with the composition. I probably drew this about 5 different ways. I'm sure when I go to transfer the drawing to the paper, I will make minor adjustments, but overall, its SUCH an improvement. Pieces like this always make me proud, because I buckle down and work on them. Things that come easily, often pass easily too. Hopefully the end result turns out as nice as I hope it will. I plan to bring it to the Omaha, Nebraska SCBWI event later this month.

Etsy Children's Showcase All Day Friday!!

{Mac Screenshot from Etsy.com}

Hey all! I reserved an Etsy Showcase spot for today, Friday, December 12, 2008. Here is a haphazard screen shot with my little spot circled. Here is a link to the showcases, and then go under "childrens", NOT kids and toys. As far as I can tell, you cannot link to a specific showcase section. Need presents?!? 

Illustration Friday- Fierce

Jumping off of a diving board makes you pretty "fierce" with the neighborhood kids!

This is my promo for summer...I finally finished the painting (this is the redo). I've decided not to post the one I didn't like, well, because...I don't like it!!!

Drying Off From A Quick Dip!

This is part of my summer promotional stuff that I've been working on. It's been sort of tough getting to this, because miraculously, freelance picked up. There is a painting as part of this little packet...I will post it as soon as I have added a few little finishing touches. I want to color and re-post this digital girl too... but other duties take priority. Soon, friends, soon...!