Middle Grade vs. Young Adult Novels

Yesterday was my glorious critique group day. I look forward to this meeting every two weeks. Maybe it's because of what I learn from them, but mostly it's how good it feels to be around people so passionate about the same things.

We had a discussion on what genre our current WIP should be under--middle grade or young adult. We tossed around the notion that the protagonists age could determine the audience, but pointed out several books where that didn't work. We thought about word choice and dialogue, and that seemed to vary significantly between the two types.

The area we all agreed upon is the degree of complexity of content between MG and YA. What the protagonist is going through and how they grow throughout the book, will often determine the ages of the largest target audience. I know I don't want my MG reader to be absorbed in a book involving sex, adult language and violence. There will be plenty of years to read, witness and understand the realities of our imperfect world. If I can help her maintain her innocence for a wee bit longer, I'll do it!

I came across this article on the Guide to Literary Agents blog and thought it was a great resource for this continuing discussion. "Five Articles on the Differences Between Middle Grade and Young Adults."

My Article Dot Painting with Kids on the Artists for Conservation Blog

I'm a bit late in promoting this article I submitted for the Artists for Conservation blog, but hey, better late than never. I've been a member of this organization for two years. Some of my most inspiring fellow animal artists belong to the group. I am so proud to be included on an artist list that has names such as Robert Bateman, Guy Coleleach, and John Banovich. I hope you check out my article.

YouTube Showed me How to Paint Clouds

Clouds in my "Great Indian Bustard" painting

Landscape painting scares me, mostly because I don't know how to do it. 


In my next picture book, "Through Desert Eyes," I am really pushing myself outside my artistic comfort zone. I'm not going to ignore the place these magnificent animals live in, which means I must embrace painting landscapes...ugh.


So, today I went on YouTube and started off with how to paint clouds. I just spent the past two hours painting the storm clouds in the piece above, and I actually like it.


I'll be spending some more time on the details of the clouds and rain, but I'm pretty happy with what I've got. My parents spent all that money to send me to college, where I majored in art and graphic design, and I'm learning technique through YouTube! Ha!


Tomorrow, I'll be going back to YouTube to learn to paint the rest of the landscape.

Earth Day Coming Up

I visited a first grade classroom last week to celebrate Earth Day -- it's coming up on April 22nd. I read my book and then created the handout you see in the photo for the kids to paint in dots.


If you would like to download this outline, to dot paint I've uploaded it on my Web site. I've got several other handouts there as well.


I will have to think of something special to do with my own kids on that day to celebrate the importance of respecting the Earth. I'll blog about that when I figure it out;)


Happy Day to You!

Exciting Convention in Seattle

There are a lot of very lucky students out there that have wonderful art teachers. I've had the pleasure of meeting so many of those teachers these past couple of days.

I'm having a wonderful time in Seattle. It has been such a treat meeting my publisher and marketing director from Finney Co. Imagine working on a project so important in your life, with people you have never met face to face, and then getting to spend hours with them. It has inspired me to work harder and finish my illustrations so we can get the next book out for children, parents and teachers. I've been touched by the positive feedback my book has received and know I'm on the right track.

I am also going to start learning more about artist-in-residents programs and find a way to apply to elementary schools to be included in a rotation. There was a man in one of the sessions that shared how he travels to schools to collaborate with teachers on art projects. How cool would that be?

Perhaps there is still hope that I won't have to return to an office in the near future:) I can find a way to make a living that will allow me to continue sharing my passion for art and animals with children. At the moment, I'm going to enjoy all of these opportunities and the thrill of meeting so many amazing people.

Preparing to Speak

It was so funny, I was chatting with someone about my upcoming presentation at the National Art Educators Convention, and she said "you must be terrified to talk in front of all those people." I simply laughed and told her that I absolutely LOVE speaking in front of people.

I've had my fair share of embarrassing moments being up in front of people, yet I've always been compelled to go back to the "stage." In middle school I sang solos, and one performance I was clearly not as good as the other soloists so I stomped off the stage in a huff. Needless to say, I don't stomp off stages anymore and did have the chance to sing again in front of an audience in college.

As long as I know what I'm talking about when I'm speaking, I'm okay.

Travel, Contest, Articles, oh my!

I have no idea who this girl is,
but gosh can I relate to her.

Stepping forward, backward and off the road. Roads and how we take them are such great metaphors.

The Gotham Writing Contest announced the top six out of 20 winners today. I wasn't one of them, but I feel like being in the top 2% really told me something and I've put a lot of work into my next book. It was the kick-start I needed to embrace pausing my progression on one novel to work on another.

I have traveled to two schools this week to read and promote my "Through Endangered Eyes" book. A third grader (who I met last year at the school doing a reading) came up to me today after my reading and told me that I inspired her to experiment with acrylic paint and she loves it. I think it's those kinds of moments that make it all worth while.

I also had and opportunity to visit my nephew's school Rancho Rosal school in Camarillo,California and had a wonderful assembly. If you would like to read more on the event, click here (the photographer that covered it took some amazing shots.)

I am working on my next  painting for the desert book. The desert pupfish is taking on a unique set of colors:) I'm really excited to update the site next week with a possible finished image!

The last bit of news is in regard to an article I wrote about my technique for Wildscape Magazine a conservation wildlife art magazine in England. It is due out in Europe in a couple of weeks. I'm really looking forward to seeing the issue when it is released.