Yesterday I attended this event through the northern California chapter of SCBWI. My friend, Jennifer, who is also an aspiring picture-book author, went with me. I found the experience truly inspiring and enjoyed it very much:
SCBWI NORTH BAY SONOMA COUNTY MEETING
Saturday, February 28, 2-4 pm
HOW TO BECOME A PICTURE BOOK CREATOR:
Freeing the child within
by Author-Illustrator Elisa Kleven
When
Feb 28, 2015
@ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PMWhere
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
282 S. High Street
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Contact: mailto:ctmarkee@gmail.com
Join Elisa Kleven as she describes the inner childhood origins of her illustrations and stories, and conducts an interactive drawing session, which will bring out the creator in you! As a child, Elisa Kleven used her imagination and her hands to create intricate, magical dollhouse worlds. When she grew up, she continued to make enchanted little worlds — within the covers of her picture books.
Elisa Kleven, a self-taught artist, Elisa is the author and/or illustrator of over thirty picture books. Her books have received honors from the American Library Association, The New York Times, The Junior Library Guild, School Library Journal, The American Booksellers Association, and the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Her books The Paper Princess, Hooray, A Pinata! and The Lion and the Little Red Bird have been adapted for children’s theater productions in the U.S. and Europe. Her illustrations in Abuela, by Arthur Dorros, are currently touring Children’s Museums around the country as part of “Storyland”, a traveling, interactive exhibit of seven well-known children’s books. Visit her http://www.elisakleven.com/.
Members registration online: $10, at the door $15
I ended up buying two of Ms. Kleven’s picture books (as odd as it may seem to be buying children’s books for myself):
Afterwards, Jennifer and I talked a lot about my attempting to illustrate some of her work. I look forward to trying anyway! And, of course, I need to keep working on my own.
A couple of strange occurrences: On the way to Sebastopol, we hit a freakish little storm that was nothing like I’d seen in a very long time. Suddenly the sky was pitch black, rain was pounding down so hard I could barely see the road – which was so drenched it felt like trying to drive on a river; and there was lightening flashing all over the place!
NOTE: This photo is NOT of Petaluma, CA (I think it’s in the UK).
Ten minutes later, it was GONE. The sun was out, just some fluffy clouds overhead and not a raindrop in sight. VERY WEIRD.
Then after the meeting when we got in the car, I discovered that I’d left my headlights on (from when it was raining) and my battery was dead! LUCKILY, someone from the meeting was still there in the parking lot and was able to jump-start my car.
When we got back we were able to enjoy a glass of wine and talk about our picture book projects. All in all, I think it was a pretty good darn day!