Moving Into 2018

My plan for 2018 is to stay focused. I can only do that if I time block my work and stay engaged. I can only do that if I strategically organize my work week and stick to it. I can only do that if I plan things out. I can only do that if I eat better and sleep better. I can only do that if I start reading how-to books. I can only do that if I go to the library. I can only do that if I drive my car there. I can only do that if I have a nice car. I can only do that if I can make a living with my craft. I can only do that if I sell a book. I can only do that if I write and illustrate constantly. I can only do that if I stay focused. See how my plan is coming together!

You can see more of my strategery on my Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Cheers to a great 2018.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

(and you can too!)

Smiles,

Wendy

Happy 4th of July

My July wallpaper holds an important reminder. As we celebrate Independence Day, let us be mindful of our complete dependence on God and in faith trust his plan as our country moves forward. Enjoy your family time this week!

Smiles,

Wendy

SCBWI Art Contest Update

I'm excited! I recently found out the illustration from my March post, won an art contest sponsored by SCBWI Carolinas. (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). The SCBWI Carolinas graciously offers a writing and an art contest each year. The criteria for art was to illustrate an emotion- boredom, sadness, happiness, fear or love that was either for the 0-3 or 3-7 age group. The judge was Thomas Truong, Publisher at Little Tiger Group.
Here is my illustration representing boredom for 3-7 yr olds done in acrylics. Many thanks to the hard working SCBWI Carolinas team, especially Bonnie Adamson, Teresa Fannin and Deb Johnson and congratulations to all those who entered their written and illustrated work.

Thanks for all the nice comments on my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/WendyElliottDesigns/

I appreciate the thumbs up. They keep me going!

Smiles,

Wendy

Bubba Collecting Birdies

This week, May 1-7, has Wilmington, NC all abuzz as the town opens its doors to golf enthusiasts and professionals. Eagle Point Golf Club is hosting the Wells Fargo Championship which is part of the PGA Tour. The course is beautiful, the weather is lovely, the participants are generous and thoughtful and the golf is spectacular! Enjoy ya'll.

I thought it would be fun to make a portfolio piece to capture the spirit of things. Here is one of my favorite characters, Bubba, bringing home some birdies! Way to go Bubba! #Bubbaismychamp!

Smiles,

Wendy

Math for the Heart

How do you express yourself?

Recently I took part in the SCBWI Carolinas Annual Art Contest. The illustration prompt this year was to express yourself by choosing a feeling and communicate that feeling in an illustration. The emotion choices were boredom, sadness, happiness, fear or love.

This is my entry expressing B-O-R-E-D-O-M. 

It got me thinking. What emotion do I express most days? How does that emotion effect me, my family, my relationships?

I was not very good in geometry class but I do remember the transitive theorem that states:

If A=B and B=C then A=C. 

If you apply the same theorem to expressing yourself, you could assume that

A= The stuff you feed your brain.

B= Transforms your heart.

C= Determines how you Express Yourself.

Think of all the stuff your brain gets fed in a day. I’m not talking broccoli and lean meats. (Although I’m a true believer in Whole 30 eating-check it out.) I’m talking about feeding your eyes and ears with good stuff, wholesome images and truth. What are you watching on T.V, listening to on a podcast, reading before bed? Is it feeding your brain or attacking it?

Whatever you are feeding your brain, transforms your heart. Are you feeling nourished and energized or is the life being sucked out of you? 

Your heart is the generator that determines how you express yourself. Whatever your brain takes in, your heart expresses.

So, given our theorem:  

if A=B and B=C then A=C

If the stuff you feed your brain transforms your heart and the transformation of your heart determines how you express yourself.

then

The stuff you feed your brain will determine how you express yourself.

Lots to think about so you won’t get  B-O-R-E-D!

PS I just did a Google search about the transitive theorem. Apparently, it’s not really a theorem but a postulate.

I’m rolling my eyes,

Guess what emotion I’m expressing now?

Smiles,

Wendy

My 2017 Tomie DePaola Award Submission

This is my submission to the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for the 2017 Tomie DePaola Award. As SCBWI promotes, this award is given annually to an illustrator of promise chosen by Tomie himself based on a given prompt. Of special note, this will be the last year for this award. I can't thank Tomie enough for all he has meant to me on my illustration journey and all he has done for children's literacy. Even though this award will not bear his name in the future, it will be replaced with the SCBWI Board of Advisors Illustration Award. The prize will continue to be a trip to the SCBWI New York Winter Conference with travel, tuition and hotel included. 

The prompt this year was to cast yourself as a child in a picture book. Show your autobiographical character in a scene and make sure to convey the emotion of your character. The viewer should be able to read the emotion of the character immediately.

I have childhood memories of playing outside all day long in the summer. This illustration shows me with my Grandma Lena, who lived next door. She had a green thumb and could often be found outside tending to her favorite poppy and peony gardens.  I must have followed her around the yard for hours at a time as we became "garden buddies." She had a gentle, kind, spirit and tolerated my antics on many days. But just like her vibrant poppies, Grandma had a fun energy that always captured my curiosity. As this illustration shows, I managed to capture her attention too!

Congratulations to all the talented people who submitted this year. You can see the winner along with Tomie's comments on the SCBWI website.

Here's Your Sign

Our family likes to watch Jeff Foxworthy on Netflix. His humor about some of life's observations can remind us all of funny family settings and experiences. Once in awhile, Bill Engvall will join him on his Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Our favorites are the “Here’s Your Sign” jokes. How could stuff that is so obvious trip people up?

The answer is because we get so caught up in the moment. Whether we feel the emotion of joy, fear, surprise, wonder, amazement, it takes time for our brains to process what is happening around us. And because we respond without thinking, we blurt out the first thing, which often doesn’t make a lot of sense. 

All of these same crazy emotions flowed from what the shepherds had just experienced, the night Jesus was born. They were doing their normal blue collar jobs, nothing special, just trying to watch their sheep in the dark. When suddenly, the night sky lit up with streams of light piercing the atmosphere. If that wasn’t enough, an angel appeared and the glory of the Lord shone around them. You know that had to be bright! 

The Bible tells us in Luke 2:8-20, the shepherds were terrified and this is the point where they were probably ready to say something that didn’t make sense. None of it was making sense. They needed a sign!

So the angel told them-“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Then the shepherds did something that made a lot of sense. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

This week, spend some time processing your Savior’s birth and stand in awe of his wonderful signs of grace.

Smiles and Merry Christmas,

Wendy