NOTES from HOUSE on the HILL STUDIO

Surtex is Coming!

2012-02-14T10:45:00.001-05:00

Well, it's that time of year again! It's time to start preparing for the premier art licensing show for the spring in NYC: Surtex. This year, my work will be represented there by my agent, Studio Voltaire Art Licensing.

If you're an artist considering getting into licensing, you should go and walk through this show, and attend a couple of their breakout short courses. There is a $175 fee for artists and those not buying art, if you register before May 4th. But it's $200 after that date, or if you buy at the door.

Why go? Well, it will give you a good idea as to what you're competition looks like, for one. You'll also see what the style trends are for the upcoming year. You'll see how artists and agents display their designs, arrange their booths, interract with potential customers, etc., etc. You just can't get that type of insight watching a video.

IF YOU DO GO, and plan to bring a portfolio to shop around for an agent, STOP!!! Most agents don't have the time to look through a book...they're paid MEGA bucks to have a booth at this show, so they need to devote their time to meeting with buyers. My advice would be for you to make appointments with the agents a few weeks ahead of time...meet there at the show. If you just can't swing the entry fee, but can get to the Javit's, then try to arrange to meet with the agent down in the cafeteria, for example.

You can find lists of agents on the Surtex site here!

Good Luck!

Nancy

HOUSE on the HILL STUDIO WORKSHOPS!

2012-02-04T14:01:00.000-05:00

I'm pleased to announce the debut of my workshop series entitled (drum roll, please!): HOUSE on the HILL STUDIO WORKSHOPS. Most of these will be one to three-day workshops, geared towards the visitor to the Mount Washington Valley.

I've been in touch with other artist-colleagues who are expressing an interest in being a visiting artist. I'm hoping that this is something I'll be able to do starting next Spring.

As a member of the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce (as of this coming week, that is), I will be able to reach out to the vast tourist industry, as well as the residents of this beautiful area.

So if you're interested in what the Workshops can offer you, please visit my "Classes" page on my website...OR...LIKE me on FACEBOOK!

I hope to see you in the Mountains!

nancy

Highlights from my Pastel Workshop at Tin Mountain!

2012-01-29T17:19:00.003-05:00

Well, I taught my first class here in New Hampshire! This was a 4-hour workshop, held at the beautiful Nature Learning Center at Tin Mountain Conservation Center (www.tinmountain.org). This is a wonderful place...the grounds are a treasure-trove of experiences for the nature enthusiast, plus they received a huge donation of taxidermy, so there is animal reference everywhere inside the timber frame structure.

Another cool thing is that they host wedding receptions there! But I digress...

In this workshop, I demonstrated and taught a technique I developed, using soft pastels on specially prepared boards: mat board, gesso, pumice, rice paper and dried leaves, seeds, flower petals, etc. The end result is something very organic in feel.

My students were enthusiastic about this method and produced some interesting pieces the first time out. I've posted some images below...

If you or someone you know is interested in a workshop, or in hosting one of my workshops at your location, please send me an e-mail, or call me at 603-452-5319 to discuss this or my fine art and design services!

Student Work:

The NEW House on the Hill Studio!

2011-12-21T14:02:00.002-05:00

Wow...big changes! I and my studio recently moved to the White Mountains of New Hampshire! What a beautiful area...awe-inspiring views of the whole White Mountain range, from Crawford Notch out towards Pinkham and Evans Notch. Mt. Washington normally greets us in the morning with its majestic snow-capped peak!

The house and studio are situated high on a hill...so I was able to keep the House on the Hill Studio name! The studio is twice the size of my old one in Connecticut, so I will be able to conduct classes and workshops. My students will be treated to a world-class view while working in a comfortable, clean environment.

Scroll down below to see photos of the studio interior!

After the holidays, I will join the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. Through this venue, I will connect with area hotels and motels to create package plans for visitors who would like a learning vacation. Contact me if you're interested in joining my mailing list for upcoming classes and workshops!

My Thoughts on Self-Publishing

2010-02-26T20:30:00.001-05:00

Maybe it's the economic downturn, but lately, I and my colleagues have been approached by would-be children's book writers to illustrate their books on spec because they want to self-publish.

Long and short of it: I don't illustrate on spec. If I'm offered a fair advance, then I will consider it. How much, you might be wondering? Well, it depends on a lot of factors: number of pages to the book (a hint: the number of pages in a picture book should be divisible by 8. So: 16, 24, 32, or 40. 32 pages is the norm), the complexity of the illustrations, the subject matter, etc. But the lowest amount would be about $5,000. And that's only an advance against royalties...illustrators also get a percentage of the sales as royalties. Plus keep the rights to their artwork.

Today, on LinkedIn, a person posting asked whether or not an illustrator would consider illustrating a book on spec, with payment only from a percentage of books sold. Because, after all, hiring an illustrator costs money (well, we DO make our living this way!), and well, how is someone to become experienced and published unless both the author and illustrator work on faith (and tons of hope that their book will sell!).

I want to post my reply here, because I think this is something people considering self-publishing should know. Feel free to copy any or all of it and pass it on:

I always advise my students and up and coming illustrators to stay away from these proposals. While something like this can give the illustrator some experience, in the end, it doesn't help them gain ground in the industry.

I can't tell you how many times I've been approached with this very same proposal. Usually the illustrator winds up doing a ton of work for nothing, because the end product is either not marketable or poor in quality.

The sales, and subsequent percentage to the artist, all depends on how this author plans on marketing his books. Self-publishing is a risky venture, and it's expensive. Few people doing this realize, too, that they must also warehouse their books, and do the shipping themselves.

And remember, as long as illustrators do work on spec (because that's what this is, ultimately), they will always be 'struggling artists'.

...illustrators need to strive for...fair pay for fair work.

Everyone thinks they can write a children's book, few are successful. But many don't want to do the legwork that seasoned authors have done, i.e., working on their degrees in writing, attending conferences, joining critique groups and having their writing worked over by people in the industry.

Fledgling authors (and illustrators) NEED to realize that, just because they've opted for the self-publishing route, it does not guarantee that they will have a marketable product. And that's what this whole thing is about: producing a product that will sell.

That's why publishing houses are so selective about what they publish. They're in it to make money and to stay in business.

This year, Book Expo America will be back in New York City. Every year, Book Expo has a section of self-published authors or small presses that only publish a few titles. Nine times out of ten, the artwork is horrible on these books. Why? Because the author can't or won't pay for an illustrator who knows what he or she is doing. So all that money they spent to have this awful looking book (a.k.a., product) produced is down the tubes. Not to mention the few thousand bucks spent on the space at, and travel to, the Expo.

Now, if an author and illustrator wish to collaborate (and this is probably what you're considering), and they have a good, marketable product, then that's their business. But, and I repeat, this is NOT good for illustrators who have finished with their schooling, because it generally gets them no where. They MIGHT end up, however, with a few good samples to send to clients who will hire them for pay. If an author wishes to go into this field without doing the legwork I mentioned above, then they take on the risk of going nowhere themselves.

Authors who want to get published should talk to other authors who have been published. The newbies will find out that these seasoned pros started out by writing articles for newspaper and/or magazines, entering writing contests (there are lots out there), going to school, joining critique groups, etc. BTW, ... a great group for authors and illustrators of children's books is the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators ( http://www.scbwi.org/ ) This is a world-wide organization and will help this author hone his or her work, connect with others in the field, and offers great conferences, classes, workshops, etc., across the country and in whatever state this person resides.

....if [a person] really wants to pursue this, then [they can] contact the nearest college that offers degrees in illustration. A student can take this on as an assignment.

So...if you're considering self-publishing, and all of what I wrote above sounds very foreign to you, then that's a good indication that you didn't do your homework. There are great books on the market for people considering getting into the children's book market, so do investigate those books before approaching an illustrator. Here are a few:

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, 3rd Edition by Harold S. Underdown
The Business of Writing for Children: An Award-Winning Author's Tips on Writing Children's Books and Publishing Them, or How to Write, Publish, and Promote a Book for Kids by Aaron Shepard
2010 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market by Alice Pope

These are only three. And do investigate the SCBWI (http://www.scbwi.org/ ).

nancy