Saturday, December 27, 2008

Hello There!

For the last couple of months now I've had a desire to start an online critique group for aspiring children's book illustrators. A lot of groups are for writers/illustrators, writers, or they are all full and not looking for more illustrators. I've been invited to a couple, but feel the need to create one for other illustrators I know of who don't have a crit (slang for critique) group. Although I much appreciate the invites, and look forward to possibly becoming a member of those, to leave a fellow illustrator behind just isn't an option.

What I'm hoping for this blog to be is a way for illustrators, of all levels, to come together and lean on one another. It's competitive out there....very competitive, and it's just not possible without a support group of fellow artisans. I miss the group I had while in school. A huge rectangle table, all of us sitting around doing our homework till the wee hours of the morning, helping each other, chatting, and becoming support beams. Even in class, during the five hour long crits, I direly miss.

So it's my prayer that this group becomes a solid part of an illustrator's life, and a strategic move for their career. All of us need it, we all know it, and we all know the importance of our portfolios.

If you're interested in joining here are some guidelines, which you'll also find a link in the right hand column.
  • Be a member of SCBWI
  • Finished with education (currently not a student)
  • Have a strong desire to work hard
  • Understand that criticism is to help us move forward, and to never take it personally, we're talking about the work and want to help it grow. We are not judging character or the individual
  • Join with an open mind
  • Be prepared to be challenged. If it's not hard, then you're not learning
  • Must participate. Critique groups do not work without feedback
  • Understand some constructive language. We are willing to help you build that communication, but "It looks great." isn't constructive. What's great about it? Why? Those are constructive questions
These are the general guidelines, and in my mind, as a teacher and as an artist, they're guidelines we all already follow. If you know that this is something you want to be a part of, then please contact me, sara.b, and I will send you an invite to join.

God bless and be well.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the invite Sara! Will you be posting rules for members?

sara.b said...

Well...I've never done this before...so I wouldn't know exactly what the rules would be. I'm sure I could come up with a few that I use with my kids in class. But why not have an open discussion about it.

I will start a new thread for the rules. :) Thanks Lyon for the heads up.