I’m still collecting my thoughts (plus all my photos) about the Summer SCBWI Conference.
It was a place where I made new friendships and strengthened old connections. It was a place where my brain was filled to the brim with different styles and approaches to writing and illustration. It was a place where I was surrounded by people similarly passionate about what they do. It was a place where authors and illustrators bared their souls with stories of their turbulent childhoods in hopes of explaining what shaped their writing and artwork and how looking into ourselves can shape our work too. It was a place where I was reassured that what I’m doing is important and the way I’m doing it is right simply because it’s who I am. It was an experience that was both draining and absolutely wonderful.
So as I work to collect all the ideas and kernels of wisdom that touched me, enjoy this write-up by the fabulous Art Director Joy Chu that features some of my classmates and myself about the work we produced in her Illustrating Picture Books class. Classmate and artist Andrea Zuill went on to win a Mentorship Award in the Portfolio Showcase. We’re all very proud of her.
