We had a lovely Thanksgiving day. I still needed to work some today, so friends of ours took pity on us and invited us to dinner so that we wouldn't need to cook an entire feast ourselves. We *did* contribute butter rolls (a thing my daughter's back is not an impediment to making), my husband's famous cheesecake and fresh cranberry compote. But that was it. For that cheap admission fee, we got to go share in lovely company and eat ourselves silly.Dinner conversation at one point turned to "The Fairy Chronicles" because our hosts' youngest daughter had posed for some of the fairies in the first couple of books. Grandma was terribly pleased by the whole prospect and we had some fun art discussions over yams and stuffing.
And speaking of the Fairy Chronicles, I've been informed that a couple of them were selected as recommended books by the Association of Books for Children (an independent book sellers organization). If you want to see, you can scroll down the nearly-illegible-low-res catalog to page 10 and they are listed on the right hand side.
Also just sent me was a notice that the Chicago Book Clinic declared the first two of the series to have 'outstanding craftsmanship in design and publishing', in the Children's - Young Reader category. (I don't think this year's awards are posted on the site yet.)
So being that it is Thanksgiving, I thought I ought to express my gratitude that my very kind publishers took a chance on a completely obscure illustrator to take on a project of this size and scope.
As hard as some of the insane deadlines have been, I *am* grateful for how much I am learning - much just by the sheer DOING of it in impossible time frames. I am much quicker at this than when I started. I am also 'seeing' better all the time, which is hopefully also reflected in my work as I go. (I'm looking forward to when I can show you my latest cover. It is so encouraging to be able to visibly track ones' progress...)
I am grateful to be *working*. And consistently. That is a new thing for me, I'm used to a much more sporadic schedule. I've had commissioned work now for over 2 years - *solid*. And although occasionally I think that I would like nothing better than a break, I do realize how incredibly lucky I am to be gainfully-employed doing the thing that I want most of all to be doing.
So, feeling grateful to be able to do so, I am on to book # 10...
Happy Thanksgiving.
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15 comments:
wow. wow. wow.
What a day you had. And it is all good news.
I am glad to see that realism is still in vogue or coming back, as it were.
Norman Rockwell and I sent post cards back and forth and I once asked him about realism vs Pollock-type art. I was into illustration then, primarily for magazines and magazine editors, and he said or suggested I stick to my realism because the ordinary man can recognize the art you create without any outside descriptions. And the other type requires a bit of head scratching.
And thank you for visiting my blog and for commenting there.
Tara what exciting news!! I have the first 4 of the Fairy Chronicles and I surely enjoyed the stories and your illustrations truly bring the characters to life! You feel each character as you illustrate them! The eyes in the illustrations come to life for me! Certainly "inside YOU is the power to do anything!"
I am blesed in having to get to know you and your sharing spirit!
Wishing you so much more success with your passions and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! hugs NG
Hi Tara, Congratulations! I'm glad things are going so well, you deserve it. And Happy Thanksgiving!
Congratulations on the recognition for all your hard and beautiful work. I have been fortunate to witness your growth as an artist over these past 6 years. It's true that as difficult as deadlines can make our lives there is nothing like it to light a candle under us and push us into doing our very best.
Hi Tara, I came here via Nature Trail. I am happy to find your blog and your books. Congrats! I will have to get some for my grands this Christmas. Of course I will have to read them before I send them to them. ;)
Yes,well done. You have earned your elation.
And well done, daughter, turning out all those rolls!
Yes I don't know which is more impressive - so productive and creative.
Best wishes
I am in awe of the kind of schedule you have maintained, and love that you appreciate the regular work, doing what you love, in spite of the stress. I'm thankful for your blog when I need a little break.
Yum, Yum can you bring those to my house!
They look delicious!
Sandra Evertson
Wow how many people were going to be at the dinner, look at all those rolls !
Glad too see we are no the only ones who love your art work ~ love Julia x
i am so proud of you and all you have accomplished..book 10...and each better and better...i love to walk through a bookstore and say...she's a friend of mine...LOL...you always amaze me...doing commissions for 30 years has taught me many things...now learning to be me with my art is the challenge...hugs always...blessings, rebecca
I'm so so happy to read your news and that your work has been not only so well received by your publisher, but also by other professionals in the book industry. And dare I say I'm so proud of you!!! I can't wait to buy the whole series for my little fairy niece once she is old enough to read and enjoy such books. Congratulations Tara and may commissions continue to come your way, hopefully with humane deadlines. Talking about work deadlines, I'm on one now... so I'd better get back to my task :-)
Every book shelf should contain at least one fairy book.....
Congratulations Tara!
Fabulous news, and very well deserved!
Erica
xxx
so talented and you can cook!
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