I’ve hit a turning point in my career. It’s called Children’s Book Illustration. For many years I have enjoyed painting children, especially with animals and doing other various things that kids do. When I was in my booth at an art festival, many people would come into my booth and ask me if I illustrate for children’s books. I would politely say no, and the conversation would go on about how my work looks illustrative and how I really should get into that field. So, the seeds had been planted quite awhile ago, but I didn’t really listen and I didn’t nurture those seeds. So they have laid dormant in the back of my creative brain, just waiting for their time to hit me over the head with a rake or hoe! I can just envision a seed hitting me over the head with a gardening instrument! See? I have these visions that I would love to draw up! My sense of humor is a little silly. So what better place to put me…than smack dab in the middle of what children would love to see and read! Tell me a child who wouldn’t like seeing a seed hitting the gardener with a hoe or rake? I mean, really!

To start me on my journey, I have become an associate member of the Society of Children’s Book writers and Illustrators, SCBWI. To become a Full Member, I have to have three (3) works published. So, there is goal number 1. I also found a New England Chapter through that Society and have joined that. There, that should be plenty to get me on my way, to learn what I can about this industry.

I’m very excited about this. But to help make this work for me, I have had to drop some other things that are distracting. I’m not renewing my membership to the Canine Art Guild. While that is a wonderful club with many great things happening for them, my path doesn’t lie with them. It’s something that I had to do some soul searching with, as I have many friends there, but I must move on.

I’m also going to drop my etsy store. It isn’t doing anything for me either, but taking up my time and funds.

I’m staying with the Equine Art Guild, as they are still an important part of my art. I still am going to pursue the American Academy of Equine Art, AAEA and some other horse art fields. I still love those horses and hope to continue to paint them. I also love painting children, so if I can paint the two together….well, I think you guessed I would be in art creating heaven!
Just this week, I’ve been puting together portfolios to send to book publishers. Then finding the publishers who work with artists that have similar styles as mine. Usually a publisher will not hire an artist who does not produce work to what they are always looking for. Makes sense…right? That is quite a job in itself! But I must say,,,, I have a ton of them at my fingertips right in my own living room! I have 2 boys. 8 & 13 years. We have belonged to the Children’s book of the month club for 13 years! I LOVE new books! I really LOVE new children’s books! The illustrations, the fun stories…I think I am on the right track. I want to be a part of making a child smile, giggle, learn something new, be inspired…..I want my art to have meaning.

~DebDebbie Flood, Artist. Equine, Wildlife, and the natural world.

http://www.debfloodart.com

©Copyright 2009 by EquineArtist Admin. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.