Conferencing, Mingling, Illustrating

Well all this week I am helping out with the Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers conference in Sandy, UT. I fortunately get to assist in Kevin Hawkes' illustration workshop every morning and then attend workshops in the afternoon put on by amazing writers, illustrators, agents, editors...it's awesome! The best part is hanging out with people who are passionate about what I love...children's books. I become inspired and rejuvenated (although exhausted at the same time). During morning workshop, I get to listen in and then I just work in the back of the room on my personal current book job (the penguin book, mentioned in other blog posts). Here's a close up of the little baby penguin. I can't show you final images right now, but hopefully you get an idea of the feel and look from this close up.

In addition to the conference, I was put in charge of a potluck mingle for all the local professional authors and illustrators as well as librarians, booksellers, publishers and all the visiting presenters to the conference. "The King's English" Bookstore in Salt Lake City hosted the event and it was a lot of fun. We have AMAZING talent here in Utah I must say. So many award winning children's book authors and illustrators.
But now, I am worn out. It's time for some rest before beginning again tomorrow. But I will enjoy the next three days as much as the first two (and thankfully get some work done as well).
I would like to thank my husband, mother-in-law, and babysitter for taking turns watching the little ones at home while mom's not in the home studio. Getting out and socializing with my peers has been nice. We illustrators get a little lonely in our studios from time to time.

6 comments:

  1. Some day I want to go to that conference again. I went when I was a student...now I have kids and I can't figure out who can watch them all week. That's great that you have people who can watch your kids. Hope you have a great time!!

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  2. I pay babysitters for two days, have my husband watch them for one (take a day off work), and use neighbors, farming the kids out for the other two. I write off what I spend on taxes.

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  3. It sounds like you had a wonderful time! It's really great to find other illustrators so that I know there is a net of support out there. I can't wait to attend my first conference.

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  4. Julie, it was great to hang out with you at WIFYR this week. Good times for all.

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  5. Your illustrations are so wonderful!

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I'm a freelance illustrator working in the children's book industry. I love kids and raising my own 4 children. They are the inspiration and the passion behind all I do in art and in life. See my website at JulieOlsonbooks.com

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