Last week, I took a week long watercolor workshop.  And I have signed up to take Will Terry's online illustrator workshop.  I just got my first assignment.  exciting.

I've been trying to take into consideration what I have learned at the conferences.  One thing is to post to my blog more of what I'm doing.  The art director that I met said that publishers, agents etc like to see that stuff.  I have been posting to my FB things that I'm working on, you may have missed it ... which is why I'm trying to start posting to my blog.  I just take the pictures on my phone and can post to FB from my phone.  Having difficulties posting to my blog from my phone.

I have been studying other people's websites to see if I want to move mine because the renewal is coming up in June.  The Art Director that I met was telling about what they look for in a website.

I am trying to get my portfolio reworked because at the conferences, I was encouraged to go with my realistic style because that is who I am.  I had been trying to do a more "cartoony" look with my Grumpy Girl story.  SO, I've put that story on the back burner for now.

I was also encouraged to draw from models.  SO, I have found a few friends online that have volunteered their children.  haha.  and I am about to take an add out in my local paper in search of models.  Going to take advantage of the kids being off in the summer and maybe build my files of children photos.

Once I get 10 - 15 new illustrations of children done, I will update my website and then start sending queries to book publishers, agents, children's magazines etc.  I want to tell them that I will work on assignment instead of just saying that I want to write and illustrate my OWN book.

I am also working on a different picture book idea.  I drive an hour and a half on Mondays to paint with a group of ladies where I work on this particular project.  This is something that I may either self publish or send to Christian publishers.

So, that is what I'm doing these days !!

Going through the watercolors that I have on my palette. Printed a chart to show transparent and opaque colors. Figuring out WHY I have these colors and if I need to continue with them. That's my self imposed assignment today.

I've been taking a watercolor workshop this week from Cindy Brabec King who is an amazing artist.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cindy+brabec-king+artist&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=i0KKUbr1CIvW9ATrw4H4Cw&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=652

Some of you know that I have been having issues with my eyesight.  Well, I to share something very exciting for me.

During the class, I said to Cindy "I can't see the detail".  She told me "You don't have to see it."  I have always painted detail.  I've been told that I am meticulous when I paint.  SO, the problems that I've been having with my eye sight has been so upsetting.  To think that I can't paint or participate in my life that way is just overwelming.  If you look at her paintings, you will see such detail.

So, this class has given me new hope to "see" again.

In a world where God is forgotten, I have to truly give God the glory for this.  Recently, a friend of mine asked if he could pray for my eyes and he did.  He prayed for my eyes, my sight and my artwork.  My eyes may not get better, but my sight surely has !!