SCBWI WINTER CONFERENCE 2022

It was my first time going to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators or SCBWI Winter Confrence. It was pretty intense with lots and lots of information, great speakers, art and advice.

Having never been, I have no point of comparison. So I was surprised that it was mostly about Illustration and art versus writing. I didn't hear much of writing techniques or how to improve your writing. No standards on writing, word count or tips on rhyming. The only thing that was mentioned was catagories, like LGBTQ, people with disabilities, girls voices and different cultures.

Now for illustration, there was so, so much that was talked about. The most prevalent message was "You be You!" It was mentioned a lot about an artist having their own voice. That their art should reflect how they see the world. It was mentioned a lot about individuality, not looking like other artist or illustrators. The art directors, editors, and agents all said that they wanted excellent websites and portfolios. That they would prefer one mastered art technique, for example watercolor, colored pencil or digital among other mediums. They want to see a mastery of one meduim usage or technique versus three or four. So if you are really good at doing a spacific digital technique, master that. Don't post art where you sort of know how to do watercolor, digital and acrylic.

As for websites they want you to show your personality, they wanted you to express who you are, what is special about you and give some personal information that expresses why you are perfect for what you do. All the art director's, editors and agents all mentioned over and over about "YOUR VOICE" whether in your writing or illustration that seemed to be the most important common factor for success in a career in Children's Book writing or illustrating. Which was reinforced with the amazing speakers that were invited to share their stories, from Brian Selznick, Paula Yoo and Vanessa Brantley-Newton all of which had amazing stories and definitely their own voices. Same goes with the illustrator sessions with Victo Ngai, Victoria Tentler-Krylov and Juana Martinez-Neal who discussed their creative process and their unique styles or art work all of which were impressive.

Out of all of the speakers who were invited to the conference the speaker who I was most drawn too was Cecilia Yung her clear and expert opinion on what she was looking for as an art director along with her grace and expression of the small details that she would like to see in illustrations really made me feel like I was listening to a kind professional who would be someone all artist and illustrators could only hope to work with.

Needless to say that after the confrence I had a small but real meltdown. I realized that I am not at all where I want to be. Maybe there were others who felt like me, who knows? All I know is that I realized that maybe, just maybe I need to slow down just a bit and work on some of the things that were emphasized over and over again at the conference.

• I want to work on my technique. I work digitally and I realized that I need to work on mastering my process and streamline it.

• I want to get my work to have a common look that shows who I am, expresses my style, how I see the world and that all to common word "VOICE."

• I want to have some finished pieces that show sequences, story telling, cover art and illustrative art that expressed how I interpret the topic, story or scene.

• I want to update my website, share more about me and what makes me special. The website needs to draw people in make them want to learn more about me and my art. I feel like my art needs to speak for me also again that wonderful word "VOICE."

• As for writing, well that is going to be a little harder just because it wasn't really touched on... So that might involve more research on my part maybe even consider some writing courses.

All in all there was a lot of information, a lot of mind blowing, freaking out, meltdowns, re-centering, planning and and finally moving forward. I learned a lot considering that I have been out of the art world for so many years exploring other ventures, being a mom and

wife. Now that I am back though I feel like it will still be an exciting adventure, meltdowns and all!