tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post2982715345311258833..comments2024-02-14T00:28:37.521-08:00Comments on Shirley's Illustrations: SCBWI 4th Annual Illustrator's Day at the Fort Mason, San FranciscoShirleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04703768956294366254noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-22017959713882555112010-09-25T14:49:32.291-07:002010-09-25T14:49:32.291-07:00I just found you wonderful blog while taking a jou...I just found you wonderful blog while taking a journey through some blogs and I have so enjoyed reading your posts and your most wonderful illustration, I think they are so beautiful.<br /><br />I loved reading your experience of this day, it must have been a wonderful!!!<br /><br />I am making sure to join your site so I don't miss any of your wonderful posts. Have a beautiful day. xxxFoxglovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16570433029463916044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-3421678439600967522010-09-16T08:49:03.047-07:002010-09-16T08:49:03.047-07:00Thanks for sharing your account of this fun day! Y...Thanks for sharing your account of this fun day! You are wise to listen and learn from experiences, but as an artist you also have to follow your heart...I know your heart is leading you towards great rewards! :o)michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14354005893364951302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-73236111626554933972010-09-15T19:51:10.595-07:002010-09-15T19:51:10.595-07:00Heya Shirley, cute meter? Heh, well I always thoug...Heya Shirley, cute meter? Heh, well I always thought your work was great. Cute? Well cute is so diaphanous. I think your imagery and delicate technique takes me back to childhood books, something that I can identify with. <br /><br />The flying bunny wasn't one I would have shown them - as you have so much good work with lots of things going on to demonstrate your skills. I love that image on the postcard - lots of depth we can explore <br /><br />Good luck, I'm sure you will be grabbed.Andrew Finniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08877768852340470022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-60997260593502568302010-09-15T12:41:37.061-07:002010-09-15T12:41:37.061-07:00LUBS YOU!!! he he he he!LUBS YOU!!! he he he he!Vanessa Brantley Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00103644990786273164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-73841306570349224322010-09-15T09:28:55.776-07:002010-09-15T09:28:55.776-07:00It was a fabulous post! Looks like you had an ama...It was a fabulous post! Looks like you had an amazing time and how wonderful it must have been to be surrounded by such talented illustrators and writers. I would have been in heaven. Thank you for sharing your adventure. It was well worth the read. :) TheresaTheresa MacNaughtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16034781876024849974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-78742283239778961182010-09-15T07:26:23.663-07:002010-09-15T07:26:23.663-07:00Hi everyone! I'm glad to read all of your thou...Hi everyone! I'm glad to read all of your thoughts/concerns, and just want to let you know that I am always so thankful of your generosity! I am doing great with the feedback so hope it doesn't come across that I am feeling badly...oh, no fretting for sure, as I am working hard, and definitely having FUN along the way with all of this. My illustrations come from a happy place and it's so awesome to hear that it speaks to some of you in that way.<br /><br />I am comin' round to ALL of you who have stopped by....I've been stuck under a pile o' work-work and will peak out soon. Hugs to you - ShirleyShirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04703768956294366254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-38096364778162250952010-09-15T04:07:08.374-07:002010-09-15T04:07:08.374-07:00Hey Shirley, I had a root canal on yesterday so I ...Hey Shirley, I had a root canal on yesterday so I was in no condition to talk to you. Eric had to talk me through the whole thing I was so scared. He is such a good brother. I am feeling better today. I need to go and take some pain killers after I comment. Dear heart, I love SCBWI. I really do. I remember my first conference and how it changed my life. I also remember the ones that followed. You have done the hard work Shirley!! I do mean the hard work. Each day I get email from people who want to know how to break into the children's illustration world. They want to know how to get their foot in the door. I get these wonderful email daily now. You, E, Bella, Brad, Michael, Ces, and few others are family to me. I care about you all so very much. There is so much hard work that goes into Children's book illustration. Not to mention the rejection, and the hard criticism that sometimes come along with it. It's funny how one person will view our work and then another comes along and says something so encouraging that you think you can FLY! It just send your spirit higher and higher and you know in your heart that this is what you have been created for. I don't know that cute was the right word to use when referring to your work. Mo Willems encouraged my heart so much with his wonderful story about how he got started. They didn't like his story and told him so. He was rejected , I believe, at least 30 times or more on "Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus" on his last attempt someone took a chance on him and now look where he is!!!! I feel this same thing for your Shirley. There are people who are watching what you do. Your illustrations have been a bright spot for me!!! What I want to know is DO YOU LOVE YOUR WORK???? I believe you do. You create the most fabulous scenes that stay with us. Book deals are coming and maybe even some tv things as well. Products are coming. They are going to find you doing what you love. Be of good, good cheer!!!! I see great things in the works for you Shirley, just keep doing the hard work just as you are. I am soooooooooooo proud of you. If you can take the hard comments about your work, then you are built for this business cause you are a FABULOUS illustration. A Illustrator to know for sure. Be encouraged and keep it moving forward.<br />Love you,<br />VVanessa Brantley Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00103644990786273164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-37445295903147739262010-09-14T21:02:37.668-07:002010-09-14T21:02:37.668-07:00Hi, Shirley! I've just email you, but I'll...Hi, Shirley! I've just email you, but I'll also post here.<br />Thank you for posting my name! <br />It was first time I attended this kind of events.<br />It was so inspiring.<br />I got energy to create more work!!!Chiakihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00832769468090785521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-23105333208637810372010-09-14T19:21:23.914-07:002010-09-14T19:21:23.914-07:00Wow Shirley, it really sounds like you got a lot o...Wow Shirley, it really sounds like you got a lot out of this event. I'm so happy for you and I think you are on the right path. I know you'll get a book published soon enough, just keep on keepin' on ;) <br /><br />And thanks so much for sharing your experience, that's really sweet of you. I can't wait to check out all of the illustrators you've mentioned. <br /><br />P.S. How fun that you got to meet some blogger friends in person. I'm so jealous :P<br /><br />xoJulissa Morahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00243745823822383657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-72087806742370165922010-09-14T13:06:55.551-07:002010-09-14T13:06:55.551-07:00Loving your new business cards, they look so clean...Loving your new business cards, they look so clean and well designed with the focus being the ART! Imagine that!!! :)<br />Thanks for sharing your pieces and experience at the event.Lisa M Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17845272919323202624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-65658378211051430702010-09-14T12:27:01.447-07:002010-09-14T12:27:01.447-07:00Hi Shirley! What a great post! Sounds like it wa...Hi Shirley! What a great post! Sounds like it was a wonderful conference. It was really fun to read about! :)Brooke Boynton-Hugheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00875323972842490859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-71595346136315294812010-09-14T11:10:56.397-07:002010-09-14T11:10:56.397-07:00Thank you so much for posting this! I was so jealo...Thank you so much for posting this! I was so jealous when Tracy and Laura said they met you in person. Sounds like an incredible day with lots of direct useful feedback. I received some conference feedback that made me think about my direction, but ultimately my plan is to follow the course that is most self-fulfilling while also giving some thoughts to the marketplace. I just wish I could have gotten 10 more critiques to hear even more opinions. That stuff is gold as I'm working to better myself. I know you will get it all sorted and I'll be seeing your books out there real soon!Angela Mattesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15814233499129314323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-76212836453524106132010-09-13T22:13:21.068-07:002010-09-13T22:13:21.068-07:00Hi Shirley, it was nice to meet you at the confere...Hi Shirley, it was nice to meet you at the conference. I love your work and your blog is so nice. Thank you for posting about the SCBWI conferece and my name.I will come back to your blog very often. Happy Illustrating!Sansuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05705821450369643483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-116419179701632572010-09-13T20:10:51.861-07:002010-09-13T20:10:51.861-07:00It sounds like a really great conference. how exci...It sounds like a really great conference. how exciting for you! :) I love your vertical business cards too-- a perfect blend of professional, classy and yet adorable with your little water color. how you do you produce those? Are they professionally printed or do you use your inkjet printer or what?Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17712046924863763290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-39504105630216304482010-09-13T19:07:26.470-07:002010-09-13T19:07:26.470-07:00Love the post Shirley. It sounds like it was a pro...Love the post Shirley. It sounds like it was a productive and helpful event and I hope that you take from it only what you feel you need while staying true to yourself. I think that this is part of how we grow as artists :). You also must remember that essentially it is all opinion(and as we know everyone has one that is his own) and you will get a lot of differing information based on personal likes and dislikes. But it is great to be able to get that kind of feedback from someone in the business right? How awesome, and I agree with Bella, it is just a matter of finding the right match.k.h.whitakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04987337506335691981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-19379587574055243212010-09-13T18:49:22.706-07:002010-09-13T18:49:22.706-07:00Noooooooo! lease do not misunderstand me. I have n...Noooooooo! lease do not misunderstand me. I have nothing against critics, they do their job and serve a purpose but I am so wary of critics in general. Kate Greenaway would have never made it today for her illustrations were CUTENESS TO THE MAX! And then there was Maxfield Parish who was a fine artist, not a line illustrator. I think it is good to have many styles and meet the needs of the market, but in the end, you lose your identity. Look at Edward Gorey. We see his illustrations today, we know, it is a Gorey. And so today, I see Bella's illustrations and WHAMO! - that's a Bella Sinclair, much like Susan Branch or Mary Engelbreit and then you! There are no illustrations like yours, you are so Shirley Ng Benitez. I can spot your art ten book cases away. But we need to be pragmatic today, yes but I hope you don't deviate from your style. My children love your characters and they are, well, teenagers. I am hoping praying for that publishers with a keen sense for the beautiful. SHe, no doubt will agree with me.<br /><br />But truly, we need the professionals' points of view. They study the market. I am so happy that she was kind and helpful.Ces Adoriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17338000465619901229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-25110826455143483682010-09-13T17:53:18.290-07:002010-09-13T17:53:18.290-07:00Hey Honey Bunny, just read your post and I am left...Hey Honey Bunny, just read your post and I am left without words for some reason. You and I have to talk over the phone honestly. I agree with our fellow bloggers and illustrators and that is all I will say right now. Everything and I do mean EVERYTHING happens for a reason and what doesn't kill us fatten us for the journey. You have a journey ahead of you and one day you will speak to many students and children and adults as well and tell them about all this. We will speak soon. I plan to come you soon. Having a root canal done on tomorrow. Pray.VVanessa Brantley Newtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00103644990786273164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-19550907199064862542010-09-13T13:34:52.110-07:002010-09-13T13:34:52.110-07:00Great, great, GREAT post! I was captivated to the...Great, great, GREAT post! I was captivated to the end. Sounds like a very constructive and informative day. And I guess it's always helpful to receive feedback, even if it does sting. <br /><br />I must agree with Ces. I do not think your illustrations are too cute or less marketable. I think you capture an innocence and purity that children love and that parents crave. It can be a heartbreaking process, but absolutely, there is a publisher who will go nuts over your illustrations. It's just a matter of finding the right match. I think of all the wonderful books that were passed over many, many times before becoming what is now considered a classic. <br /><br />I recently read a book written by accomplished artists and illustrators. In it, Maurice Sendak wrote that the more styles you have, the better!<br /><br />P.S. Alice with the looooong neck scared the bejeezus out of me as a kid!<br /><br />P.P.S. Yes! Go Cheeze!Bella Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02139728758198482234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-2234248663009977432010-09-13T09:45:51.940-07:002010-09-13T09:45:51.940-07:00PSS - Mr. Saltzberg - you rock. Thank you for your...PSS - Mr. Saltzberg - you rock. Thank you for your kind email and visit to this blog.Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04703768956294366254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-16381805398770391422010-09-13T09:44:24.212-07:002010-09-13T09:44:24.212-07:00Ces, and dear readers! I'm so thankful that yo...Ces, and dear readers! I'm so thankful that you've read the long post..but I hope that I may also add that my reviewer was also very kind to state that some of my pieces were "perfect" for a different publisher. So I thank Renee for stating that as it helped me to feel that the work was worthy as it stands. <br /><br />Thank you Ces for your always candid comments. It is so great to hear of past illustrators and your perception of how their work was viewed by children, as well as books you gravitate to and purchase...thank you for this! I appreciate your kind words about my work and I do hope to find my place in the marketplace. I do not wish you to be upset, as I do hope to convey that I am so happy to receive feedback of all kinds. I hope all of you readers know this. I am new to receiving editor's reviews, so this feedback is also good to hear, and with it, I grow (at least I hope so). <br /><br />Ces, I'm off to visit ya know...<br />thanks for reading everyone!Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04703768956294366254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-8169290225662841552010-09-13T09:01:57.476-07:002010-09-13T09:01:57.476-07:00Hi Shirley,
I really enjoyed reading this blog, i...Hi Shirley, <br />I really enjoyed reading this blog, it must have been a great but challenging day. As I have discussed with you before your beautiful illustrations transport me back to childhood and I think you should stay true to your style. Everyone has a style and although we all strive to improve/develop, untimately we can no more change our style than become another person. If we do there is a danger that we are actually in an uncomfortable, unfamiliar skin.<br />Keep up the great work, I don't care if they are called cute either - they rock! Greetings to you from the UK,<br />Jane xJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11742664269417361941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-73787064194874186742010-09-13T08:50:09.927-07:002010-09-13T08:50:09.927-07:00Great post Shirley!! I can't wait to check out...Great post Shirley!! I can't wait to check out your links to other great illustrators you mentioned. I have to agree with Ces, I really like your style and the innocence of your characters. They do remind me of the classics too, and I think children will love them. Have you had any other art reps look at your work, it would be interesting to hear what another had to say. But you are right, every little bit of constructive criticism is so helpful and food for thought. Sounds like it was a fabulous conference, and very inspiring- awesome!!<br /><br />BTW your new business cards are great!Suzanne Del Rizzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05812943590775019806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-13933512405825906582010-09-13T08:46:10.182-07:002010-09-13T08:46:10.182-07:00Dear readers, my sincerest apologies to Mr. Barney...Dear readers, my sincerest apologies to Mr. Barney Saltzberg for incorrectly stating that he "doesn't illustrate" well. It was definitely not what he meant as well as what I meant though I now know it can definitely be taken wrong. I have emailed him and I hope he does accept my apology as I do not wish to incorrectly portray someone who in fact inspired me. The key takeaway for me from his presentation was that he stayed true to his inner voice and is able to by his means (acrylics, watercolor, pen and ink, computer) tell stories. His insistence to sketch, doodle, create and focus on the telling of the story was definitely spoken about and I unfortunately did not get the story to all of you correctly. I'm sorry about that. <br /><br />I agree, it was a great day being with people who love illustration and writing. It would have been super to extend to two days!Shirleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04703768956294366254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-70630198502607160342010-09-13T08:08:58.023-07:002010-09-13T08:08:58.023-07:00I had a wonderful day with all of you. I am hopef...I had a wonderful day with all of you. I am hopeful people were inspired by things I spoke about. Reading your recap concerns me that I might have said that I don't illustrate well. That wasn't my intent. There are illustrators who can technically draw 'better' than I can, but that in and of itself doesn't mean they can illustrate a picture book. If I couldn't illustrate well, I wouldn't be publishing books. <br /><br />I was really happy to see so many people who love picture books and are interested in keeping this incredibly special genre of publishing alive. We needed two days to really get to sink our teeth into the subject and visit more. Again, thanks for having me! Sincerely, Barney SaltzbergBarney Saltzberg Author, Illustrator, Songwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06127456295906870056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8461198241914317094.post-28400887198022959352010-09-13T07:37:07.703-07:002010-09-13T07:37:07.703-07:00So glad you had a good time and were able to get s...So glad you had a good time and were able to get such great information! Your new cards look, fab, btw! :)Nina Crittendenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05138797244541248080noreply@blogger.com