Taxidermy, Editors, Art Directors, Writers, and Illustrators

The SCBWI-Iowa conference was often held at The Lodge, in Bettendorf, Iowa. Enthusiastic children's book illustrators and writers from the midwest, as well as authors, illustrators, editors, and art directors flown in (usually from New York) to Iowa for the Regional SCBWI conference would find themselves in a theme hotel surrounded by incredible medieval furnishings.

(SCBWI= The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)

It certainly was different to attend book sales in a Bavarian street, share some night time beverages beside a life-sized black bear, and meander through gaslit halls.

I took just a few pictures yesterday at the conference as it will be the last time I get to see those umpteen taxidermy deer heads on the walls. 

Make way for a new hotel. The theme will most likely be modern, not Bavarian. And although I found the portrait in my room that one year just a little creepy (hung a towel over it), I think I might actually miss the humor and quirkiness--- 

just a bit?

A Show, A Show, An Illo Show!

 "When Bows Were Big"

I am participating, along with 10 other illustrators from across Iowa, in a SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) exhibit at the Gilded Pear Gallery in Cedar Rapids. 

The opening is this Saturday, September 29th from 4-6:30 pm and will run through November 10th. 

The opening night will have all of us there displaying not only our gallery pieces, but many of us will have our portfolios and published work on display at that time as well. If you have kids who are at all interested in a career in illustration, this is a great opportunity for them to see a varied range of styles and applications, so please bring them along!

The illustrators who are exhibiting are:

Jeni Reeves

Claudia McGehee

Dorothia Rohner

Natalie Groves

Patty McGrane Harms

Jane Metcalf

Becky Wirfs

Peggy Gratton

Erin Taylor

Candace Camling

and me

If you can make a day of it, I'd like to suggest a visit to the great New Bo neighborhood and a visit to New Bo books (the new Prairie Lights affiliate in Cedar Rapids). Also, take in the fantastic Alphonse Mucha exhibit at the newly renovated Czech Museum. 

If you can't make it to Cedar Rapids this Saturday, it would be wonderful if you could visit our show and the restored Cedar Rapids neighborhood some other time.

Again, thank you for your support of the Arts!