scbwi winter conference 2010

This weekend I attended the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators 2010 Winter Conference here in very wintery New York City. It was a marathon of seminars, speeches and interactions with other professionals in the field of children’s publishing. Some incredible authors and illustrators were there, such as Jane Yolen, Jacqueline Woodson, Peter Sís, Kevin Hawkes, the hilarious Jim Benton, and Paul Zelinsky. And best of all, I entered my portfolio in the illustrators’ competition and won 2nd prize! 

Now I’m really looking forward to a full night’s sleep. And then it’s time to make pictures again—no rest for the weary!

illustration friday: clumsy

This week’s word is “clumsy,” and yes, it’s only Tuesday. I’m getting a jump on things in preparation for the SCBWI conference here in NYC on Friday. Until then, I’m steering clear of toy cars.

illustration friday: wilderness

annaraff.com—the big onion

Announcing some changes at annaraff.com: I’ve updated my illustration portfolios, and added new links within the news section. Aside from the big onion, I’ve added direct links to this blog, and to my daily birdie blog, ornithoblogical.

Speaking of news...real news, I will be participating in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Winter Conference here in New York City at the end of January. I hope to see you there!

killing 2 birds, or more, with...

This week I’m finally joining in the fun at Illustration Friday, with an interpretation of the word: confined. Handy that it relates to my recent imagery, isn’t it? For more of that, you can check out my birdie blog, ornithoblogical.

my six-word memoir

About a year ago, I submitted a six-word memoir to Larry Smith of smithmagazine.net, creator of "Not Quite What I Was Planning," a collection of very short missives by the famous and obscure, which went on to become a New York Times bestseller. With full awareness of what category I fit into, I was hopeful that my piece would make it into their next book. 


Lucky me! Page 152 of "It All Changed in an Instant: More Six-Word Memoirs" features my loonball radar piece seen here, right after Daily Show correspondent Rob Riggle. Also included in this edition are Art Spiegelman, Gloria Steinem, Tony Kushner, Bob Barker, David Heatley, Malcolm Gladwell, and Gay Talese.

the long wait for spring...

mini lake louise

This miniaturizing thing is really addictive. Here’s a photograph from my trip to the Canadian Rockies a few years back.

world headquarters

Happy New Year!
For those of you who haven't seen it, here is a view of my studio. If it looks a little like a photo of a dollhouse, that's for good reason. This morning, I learned how to make images look “miniaturized” in PhotoShop.
If you'd like to try it yourself, here's the tutorial.
Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2010!