Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Happy Mother's Day - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the social media files
of children's author and educator
Barbara Jean Hicks,
Guest Columnist

When holidays roll around, I usually share a poem that relates to it. Sunday is Mother's Day. Before I started looking for a piece for today's blog post, I read something written by my colleague and Facebook friend, children's author and illustrator Nina Laden, and it moved me so much that I decided I wanted to share it instead of a poem. I hope it moves you as it did me.

Nina lives in the great Pacific Northwest, which I am soon to call my permanent home. She is the author/illustrator of 15 picture books, including such great titles as The Night I Followed the Dog, Private I. Guana, When Pigasso Met Mootisse, Peek-A-Who?, Roberto the Insect Architect, An Ant's Day Off, and her most recent, Button Nose.

Nina's mother died when Nina was only 24. One of the things she left her daughter was a library of books, complete with handwritten notes. Recently Nina came across a letter her mom had written her and stuffed in a book of Walt Whitman's poetry. It's a wonderful love letter from a mom to her daughter, and Nina has kindly given me permission to share it. I hope you'll visit Nina's blog and read the entire post. It's lovely! And it's no wonder that Nina is a writer and artist.

Priscilla Burris - Illustration Tip of the Day

One of the most talented, generous, and wonderful members of the SCBWI board is Priscilla Burris. Illustrator of over ninety books, Priscilla has coordinated the illustrator area of the SCBWI for years. With a joyous heart, Priscilla gives her Illustrator Tip of the Day.

SCBWI Winter Conference - Interview with David Diaz

The SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City is always a blast. It gives me the opportunity to listen to and network with authors, illustrators and friends. This year at the Saturday night cocktail party, I pinned down my good bud, the fabulous Caldecott winner David Diaz, and interviewed him for the blog.

School Visits: An Author's Perk! (Barbara Jean Hicks)

from the files of
Educator & Children's Book Author
Barbara Jean Hicks

One of the great joys of writing for children is being with children!

I love visiting schools to talk to kids about writing and art, and it was a very special treat for me one day last Spring to go back to Central Elementary School in Ferndale, Washington--the school I attended as a child--as a featured workshop leader for their Young Artist's Fair. I spent all day working with several second grade classrooms, reading from MONSTERS DON'T EAT BROCCOLI and teaching an art lesson on color and pattern.

The great experience doesn't end with the visit. Often, teachers have their students write thank you notes that arrive a week or so later and make me understand anew why I do what a do. It's all about the kids!

Sketchbook Art - Bethlehem

I love to repeat this post every Christmas.

I have been lucky enough to have visited the town of Bethlehem on Christmas day.  It was one of my parochial school kid's dreams come true.  Our Jewish mother tour guide took us to the Church of the Nativity on Christmas night.  The line was hours long to go down to the cave where the baby Jesus was born, but our guide knew of a secret door that is open only on Christmas. We followed her down and viewed the glorious Nativity scene--surround by chicken wire, just in case someone wanted to take baby Jesus home.  As we sang Christmas carols on our way back to the hotel, the brightest star I have ever seen shone over the land.

On this blessed day, Merry Christmas to all.

How I spent my summer...Rushmore!

I made a promise to myself when my manuscript for Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose was acquired in 2005 that I wouldn't go to Rushmore again without the book in my hand.  Here I am this summer on Mount Rushmore, promise kept!
I was in South Dakota doing book signings at and near the memorial.  It was a magical, fun time and a thrill to see the mountain again.  All the years of wanting to tell this story has finally come true.  This picture might look like I photoshopped the presidents in, but I am thrilled to say I didn't--they are the real thing.   I plan to go back for signings at least once every year!

Abelard and the Bad-Weather, Why-Bother Blues - Barbara Jean Hicks

Have you ever written a story that you just couldn't seem to sell to anyone but loved anyway? I can't even tell you how many years ago I started work on a story about a boy named Abelard, his Gran-Daddy Gill, and a cake that tasted like summer. At one point, Knopf had the manuscript for six months and seemed very interested; the art directors, my editor told me, were "salivating over it." Very exciting--but in the end, Knopf said "no." Then Random House (London) had it for months on end and even commissioned several artists to do sample illustrations. But again, in the end, RHUK said "no" as well. By that time, so much time had passed, and the picture book market seemed in such disarray, that I stopped shopping it.

Then I learned how to publish my out-of-print romance novels as ebooks and started to think, "Why not Abelard?"

Santa in Paradise- Art for Art's Sake

I love to draw Father Christmas. You might say I am Santa obsessed, call him what you'd like--Kris Kringle, Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas or my personal favorite, Sleigh Boy. As he was to most kids, he was my hero, a patron saint who doled out what we really needed...toys and candy. And I still believed in his power of good.

Of course Santa is a workaholic. How else could he run the corporation of Elves R Us?!  But I always wondered what he did with his leisure time. What books did he read?  What toys did he like? And of course, what was his favorite dessert?

This is a quick sketch of Santa on vacation in Tahiti. I think of him having a red and green hut over the water. I bet he uses SPF 50 sunblock. Santa is whiter than white!

The Little Shepherd's Christmas - Carol Heyer - book launch info

My good buddy, award winning author/illustrator Carol Heyer, wrote and illustrated a wonderful Christmas story, out just in time for the holidays. Here is the book launch info. If you are in the area go to the launch and support your local independent book seller.

THE LITTLE SHEPHERD'S CHRISTMAS

December 3rd
,11:00 - 1:00

Mrs. Figs' Bookworm

93 East Daily Drive  Camarillo, CA 93010-6332
(805) 482-1384

What a great gift this is from Ideal Books. Here is a summary of The Little Shepherd's Christmas.

This is Reuel's big chance to prove that he can tend sheep just as well as his older brothers. All he has to do is keep a watchful eye on his little flock. But distracted by his brothers' teasing, he looks away just long enough for a little lamb to wander. Following a frantic search, Reuel finds his missing charge . . . and also finds himself in the midst of the biggest announcement ever made. The Christ Child has been born, and Reuel is one of the first chosen to hear the news! After racing through the streets of Bethlehem, his misstep becomes a blessing when he encounters the Baby who will one day become the Shepherd of Men.

A School Visit Nugget: Meeting Visual Arts Standards - Barbara Jean Hicks

from the teaching files of
Barbara Jean Hicks

I admit it, I’m envious of both the talent and the opportunities available for picture book illustrators and author/illustrators. What fun it would be to create something visual, in the moment, for a group of spell-bound students-- and inspire them to create artwork of their own!

In these days of budget cuts for schools, the arts often get short shrift. But most states have academic standards in the arts that educators must address. What better person to help them do so than a real live illustrator?!

Golf Club Art

At one time I was known for my giant, wall size golf course paintings. Being a golfer, I went through a period of painting all the courses I played.  This is the 7th hole at Calabasas Country Club. I loved this hole when I painted it, so picturesque, but a year later I hated it!  It is a par 3, which means you should be in the hole by 3 strokes. That year in the club championship, I got a 10 on this stinking hole!  I went from one sand trap to another, back and forth. I almost put this painting away for good, but then I met a client who actually got a hole in one on this hole and bought the painting for his office.  Believe me, I wasn't sorry to see it go.

Venice - Travel Art

I have been lucky enough to travel and see some truly remarkable places. Venice, Italy is one such place.  I have been there several times, and I am always struck by its Disney-esque quality.  The picture here is a giant wall painting I did of a view from Saint Mark's Square. It was featured in an art show but I didn't have the heart to sell it.  Now and forever it hangs in my home.

SCBWI Summer Conference Costume Ball - 2011- Tina Tooth Fairy

For the past seven years I have fed my inner ham by dressing up for my one performance art act of the year, at the SCBWI Summer Conference.  The theme this year was vague: "40 Winks."  Most people will probably show up in their pj's, but I wanted to do something from children's literature. And who doesn't love the Tooth Fairy, who exchanges teeth for coins in the dark of night when kids are catching their forty winks?  I look forward to the conference and all its opportunities for networking, workshops and revisiting old friendships. In these distressing times, a writing conference is solice for my creative soul.

Kenji's Light of Hope Art Sale - Help elderly in quake-stricken Japan.

 

We all want to do something to help Japan. My good friend, music therapist, Yoshiko Yeto helped organise an auction fund raiser for the quake-stricken area of Japan. Here is the information.

 

Kenji's Light of Hope art sale, a fundraiser will benefit The Igari Music Therapy Research Center (MTRC) in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.  The art sale at http://www.etsy.com/shop/KenjisLightOfHope?ref=pr_shop.

Some of the featured artists and musicians include: Alice Cohen, Phil Franklin, Georg Gatsas, Sam Henderson, Tim Hensley, Nigey Lennon, Naoki Mitsuse, Richard Sala, and Christine Shields.

Valentine's Day

When I was a kid, Valentine's Day was a popularity contest--how many valentine cards one got and who they were from. Remember that?

Things changed, thank goodness. As an adult, I turned Valentine's Day into my own personal national holiday and looked for creative ways to express my affection for my hubby.

This painting is a sketch for a picture book idea that I kicked around a few years ago. The manuscript for The Valentine Kitty is still in a drawer, but the painting I made into a card. My husband got it that year for Valentine's Day from our cats! 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.

The Scribe's Magical Journey

At the summer conference I worked hard to make my presentation interesting to the group. So I produced a five minute video, starring me, about a scribe's journey to the SCBWI Summer Conference.  I played it at the beginning of the workshop to show that "I've been in your shoes, too!"

Here's the Scribe's Magical Journey...

Toulouse - Pet Paintings

I've never been one for self portraits, but I always love painting my pets. This is one of the keyboard kitties. Toulouse is a girl and a twin.  I named her sister Monet. Toulouse is an inside kitty who loves the highest kitty condo in the house (they have four kitty condos). I started letting the cats out for a few hours to sun on the deck and watch the waves. Toulouse, being a wannabe hunter, took off on a binder.  Needless to say, I was worried sick. She came back two days later; I suspect she'd been locked in a garage. Toulouse still gets to hang out on the deck, but her wandering days are over.

Bad Manuscript Art

My first attempt at writing and illustrating a book, many years ago, is embarrassing to me now. I had never taken a writing class and I knew nothing of the business or the market. I was so naive at the time that I thought a cat, a fairy and forced rhyme would make a great children's book! Lucky for me, a kind literary agent quickly steered me towards the SCBWI and saved me years of grief. The sucko manuscript is dead forever, but the art still makes me smile.

Sketchbook art - Mykonos - Greece

Mykonos is sort of the Disneyland of the Greek Islands. The white buildings with their blue roofs lend a charming fantasy feel to the towns. During the high season the streets are jammed with tourists, and the white sand beaches, where tops are optional, are loaded. The shopping is fun and the locals friendly. Like everywhere in Greece, Mykonos has its own mythology. This was where Heracles killed the giants. The rocks around the island are supposedly their corpses!!!

Art for cash sake - Murals

I have painted many murals over the years. I have a love/hate thing with them. They are way too much work for way too little money. They are intensive manual labor. When you are done with them you can basically kiss them good-bye. Eventually they are painted over. With that said, I do enjoy an occasional mural. There is nothing like art on a massive scale.  The one pictured here was for a Mexican restaurant and the owners wanted some bright and festive flowers. I did have a blast with this one. I heard later that the restaurant was sold and I don't know if they kept the mural, but it is still alive in my heart.

Old manuscript art

Now it seems overdone, but at one time the publishing houses were crazy about pirates. I loved to create pencil drawings on colored Canson paper. I experimented with a drawing for an ABC book on pirates. This one is E for eye patch.  My ever obliging husband agreed to pose for the drawing. I never did publish that pirate alphabet, but my critique group member, June Sobel did.  Shiver Me Letters is a wonderful pirate alphabet book and I recommend it to all.

Sketchbook Art - Kyoto - Japan

For something like 1000 years, Kyoto was the capital of Japan. Home of ancient palaces, museums and temples, this remarkable city is a feast for any artist.  Everywhere design and style have come into play.  This is Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. It was built  for a retired Shogun and became a Zen temple after his death. Like many temples, it has wonderfully harmonious gardens, but what makes it unique is that it is painted in gold leaf. When the sun is shining, the temple glows.

Sketchbook Art - Musee d'Orsay

One of my favorite museums in the world is the Musee d'Orsay.  In the center of Paris on the banks of the Seine, opposite the Tuileries Gardens, the museum was installed in the former Orsay railway station. I am a nut for French Impressionist art, but I also love the architecture of the museum, which displays collections from the period 1848 to 1914. I leaned on a bridge, with hundreds of people passing by, as I quickly painted this muddy sketch. I usually spend two entire days in this fabulous museum. One of the jewels of the Musee d'Orsay that I always visit is an American painting, "Whistler's Mother."

Museum of Fine Art Boston

Whenever I am in Boston I have to go to the Museum of Fine Art Boston. One of the finest museums in the world, the MFAB has a wonderful rotunda featuring John Singer Sargent murals.

One of my favorite American portrait painters, Sargent lived most of his life in Europe. He painted house sized portraits of the wealthy and the aristocracy. Tired of painting portraits (the rich probably bitched too much!), Sargent turned to landscapes.

Near the end of his life, he painted the entrance to the MFAB, and he worked on the MFAB murals until his death. For me, the entrance to this museum has the holy feeling of Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. I've been told that the new wing to the MFAB, now under construction, will have an entire gallery devoted to John Singer Sargent.

Sketchbook Art - El Deir - Petra - Jordan

Petra is an ancient, hidden city carved out of rose rock. It is a hiker's dream. El Geir, known as the Monastery, sits at one of the highest points in the city.  One afternoon I hiked donkey trails, cobblestone steps and sheer cliffs to sketch this well preserved building.  There were other people on the top of the cliffs, but I was able to perch on an outcrop and work on the sketch undisturbed. At sunset, I was the only person left. Done with the drawing, I was able to take in the peaceful beauty of the desert below.

Ventana Canyon - Golf Art

Occasionally I got to play the golf courses that I painted. Ventana Canyon in the rolling desert hills near Tuscon, Arizona, was inspiring to play. On this par-3 hole, the bulls-eye greens were guarded by giant cactus. If you were lucky, you bounced out. If not, you were stuck in the Sororos and penalized a stroke!

Sketchbook Art - Bora Bora

Of all the places I've traveled, Bora Bora is one of the most beautiful. I can see why Gauguin chucked rainy Paris and moved here.

The island huts, built over the water, made me feel like I was living right on the ocean. Our hut even had a glass coffee table that opened to the water below and lit it up. We could actually feed the colorful tropical fish that swam beneath us.

I painted Matira Beach several times. We could walk out about a mile on velvet white sand in waist-high turquoise water.

The locals were friendly and gorgeous. The French Polynesians are uninhibited, and to my husband's delight, most of the beaches were of the topless persuasion!

Monet Barbecue Cover

Summer is coming and this is a repeat post from last year. After a year on the beach deck, this barbecue cover STILL looks great!

There is nothing I hate more than those black barbecue covers,  especially when they become weather beaten. So every year or so, I paint mine. This year it is Monet's lily pads.  In five easy steps, you can paint one too!

Sketchbook Art - Athens

Athens is a friendly city as well as an ancient one. As is true in Paris with the Eiffel Tower, the Parthenon can be seen from many parts of the city. I was once there during the World Cup finals. Soccer is an obsession in Europe, and when the games were on, all business stopped and TV's blared from every square for everyone to view. The Parthenon is lit at night and rooftop gourmet restaurants are scattered below.  I sketched this in one of those restaurants at a long and leisurely lunch involving many refills of expensive wine and soccer chats with the waiters...

100 Hands - Torture Art

I was cleaning the studio and came across a giant sketchbook filled with nothing but hands. When I was in college, I had a figure drawing teacher we called "Porky" who found great pleasure working the class to the bone. Nothing ever pleased her, and she was convinced that if we did a Death March of Drawing we would become true artists.  One of her homework assignments was to draw 100 hands in one week. These are four of the 100.  I don't know if it made me a true artist, but I know I never had a boss as tough as that teacher.

Qala'at ar-Rabad - Sketchbook art

Jordan is one fabulous place. In traditional Arab fashion, tourists are treated like guests in the homes of Jordanians. When my girlfriends and I were there, we were treated with gracious hospitality by the locals and guides alike.

Jordan is also one of those Middle Eastern countries that has been conquered and occupied  by hundreds of armies over the years. The desert landscape is dotted with castles and walled towns. Qala'at ar-Rabad  is one such castle.  Between Aman and Petra, the ruins still stand tall on the top of a mountain, strategically located for watchmen to spot trouble coming out of the surrounding valleys. Most of this castle was built underground to protect its inhabitants, but I chose to sketch the view from one of the remaining watchtowers.

Apple Bay - Tortola - Gallery Art

Sometimes sketchbook art becomes gallery art. Tortola is a beautiful island in the British Virgin Islands. My brother has lived there for the last thirty years, and I have spent many hours sketching, drawing and painting the pristine beaches. I used oil paints for this painting of Sebastian's, a beach bar on the west side of the island. Oil paints are rich in color but take forever to dry, and it took days to pick bugs off this canvas. In the end this very lumpy piece sold at a local gallery.

Golf Art - Calabasas Country Club 18th hole

 One of the many series of paintings I have showed and sold falls under the category of Golf Art. I love the sport that I only begrudgingly took up as a good girlfriend but later thrived on as a wife. I find that golf courses are almost like Japanese gardens, weeded, trimmed and landscaped beautifully. But, while you meditate in a Japanese garden, you do anything but on a golf course! A frustrating, crazy game, golf has at times made me less of a lady and more of a lunatic. Just when I thought I would have a great game, a little hazard would come my way. I must have hundreds of golf balls in the water hazard that surrounds this 18th hole at Calabasas Country Club--and maybe even a club or two.

Contest Art

I'm big into contests. I find that they motivate me to experiment with new art techniques and to sharpen up manuscripts. Over the years I have entered many illustrators' and writers' contests. I've lost more competitions than I've won, but the experience is always worthwhile. This is a piece I did for an SCBWI Writer's Day illustration contest. The theme was "Happily Ever After with Books." I won runner up!

National Portrait Gallery

Often when I am stuck for an idea for a book or painting, I go to museums. Back in art college, the instructors used to take us to the galleries and make us copy the masters. This was helpful for studying composition, light and color. It also gave me, the ham, an opportunity to gab it up with all the museum goers. I find history fascinating, and every painting has a story behind it, whether the subject is person, place or thing.  One of my favorite museums is the National Portrait Gallery in D.C.

Tourist Art

There are many ways to make a living as an artist. One side biz I did for a while was creating tourist art. I would paint a black and white sketch of some famous local tourist spot, run a limited edition at Kinkos, then watercolor each print. This example is from a series I did on Laguna Beach. I took on an alias and signed my sketches Chic V.

Chemainus - Mural Town - Vancouver Island B.C.

Last summer I had the opportunity to drive through Vancouver Island and visit many small towns. One town that I had to visit, as a muralist, was Chemainus, known as Mural Town.

Art for Love - Ariel

Occasionally, I will do a painting for friends.  This painting of Ariel is one of those.  Ariel was a great dog who was well loved.  She would show up on my doorstep dressed up as a bee for Halloween.  Our dog, Star, was invited to many of Ariel's birthday parties, where all the dogs munched on Doggie Birthday Cake from Three Dog Bakery and came home with chew toy party favors.  Ariel could catch a tennis ball on the fly that had been thrown two stories straight up in the air.  But mostly she was a gentle soul who would lay her head on my lap and make me feel loved.  Ariel passed a few years ago, but she is still missed by all.

Hubert Laws - Gallery Art

Gallery Art lends itself to what I call "Inspirational Art."  My musician series fed on inspiration.

I am a huge fan of Hubert Laws, the classical and jazz flutist.  As I've done with all my musician paintings, I played Hubert's music while I was working.

I felt a camaraderie with the jazz musician because with both gallery art and jazz, you take the vow of poverty to pursue the passion.

Tuscany - Sketchbook Art

 

 

I have been fortunate to have spent time sketching while traveling through Italy. Tuscany is an amazing place--  rolling, lush hills, vineyards everywhere and charming, ancient towns.  It was difficult to do sightseeing when all I wanted to do was stop in every square, have a glass of wine and draw. In the small towns throughout Tuscany, very few people spoke English, but art is a universal language.  Most of the time waiters brought me free food and refilled my glass. Sometimes I gave the owner of a cafe the sketch I was working on. Always, the painting was accepted with great fanfare and gratitude. Or at least that's what I thought was going on.  My Italian is so bad, they could have been telling me about the next day's menu!

Rumer the Cat

Along with holly, cookies and presents, another Christmas tradition for me is the holiday commission. This involves the painting of grandkids, vacation landscapes or beloved pets.  If I am lucky, I have a few months before delivery. But usually what I get is a last minute request requiring a few late nights.

This is Rumer. I had a few months to complete him, but I struggled for a long time with the photos I'd been sent. I'm glad I waited till I was truly inspired by the play of color and light. When I finally delivered Rumer, everybody was happy.

Armadillos - Old Manuscript Art.

Like many authors and illustrators, I have a ton of sketches and old manuscripts living in my flat file just waiting to become a story again. This is a piece I did for a manuscript called "Bowling Armadillos."  It is about a family of armadillos who travel to New York by becoming bowling balls.  No takers yet, but the story still makes me laugh.

Sketchbook art - Hawaii

Sketching gives me the freedom to be a real ham. Hawaiian beaches are always loaded with people, so finding a private place to draw was next to impossible. Art is a magnet for all sorts of folks. Sometimes they are shy about talking to me, but I enjoy gabbing it up. This sketch is one of a series of five.  I actually got a portrait job from sitting on this beach, sketching and just being goofy me.

Priscilla the Kitty Fairy - Old Manuscript Art

Years ago, one of the first stories I wrote was about a magical kitty fairy. In those days, my writing stunk and I didn't realize that the story needed to be nailed down before a dummy could be made. I gave up on the story, but someday I might rework it. The art is fun and still lives in my flat file.

Paris - Sketchbook Art

When I visit Paris I always stop to sketch.  It is one of the most beautiful city in the world.  The buildings are classical and ancient.  This is a city of art. Museums, galleries, art movements and the most beautiful women in the world.  At times these super model Parisians would take my breath away as they strolled by in their high fashion and very very high heels.  I stuck with my Nikes, sweatshirts and watercolors.

Tasmania - Sketchbook Art

On the island of Tasmania there is a wildlife preserve that allows the kangaroos and the koala bears to roam freely.  I quick sketched the scene and then hand-fed the kangaroos.  It was some surreal experience as the kangaroos, ever so gently, held my hands and ate.  They moved like prima ballerinas with their graceful jumps.   The koala bears gripped the trees through out the preserve and allowed us to pet them.  The only critter caged up was the  vicious Tasmania Devil.  The little darlings only ate dead meat.

Sketchbook Art - Egypt

 Traveling through Egypt was a remarkable experience.  The unexpected hospitality of the people, the delicious food and the awe inspiring ancient ruins made for a memorable experience. Up and down the Nile towns sprawled around five thousand year old temples with covered markets that sold everything from gold to cucumbers.  Horus was the falcon god of  whatever pharaoh happened to be living at that time.  The most amazing aspect of this temple in Kom Ombo was that parts of the ceiling still had the original paint.

Peter Island - Sketch book art.

One of coolest things about the Caribbean is everywhere you look there are little islands.  Some are British, U.S., French, Dutch and some are privately owned. If you have the bucks, anyone can go to Peter Island.  It is a fabulous resort island without cars, streets, little kids and only one guest per ten acres. Crystal blue Caribbean water and white powder sand.  My brother, who lives on the next island over, often took me to lunch there when I visited.
This is a quick sketch from the ferry.

Sketchbook art - LPGA

Being golfers, every now and then, my husband and I have played in P.G.A. or L.P.G.A. charity Pro-Am events. They are  held the day before the real tournament begins.  Here I was up in the bleachers sketching the 18th hole as my husband played in the Pro-Am.  His partner, Si Ri Park not only gave him tips all day, but she also went on to win the tournament that year.

Tracy Arms - Alaska

The Inside passage has it share of glaciers.   The ship sailed back into these small inlets to view these massive mountains of ice.  Of course it was freezing cold as I stood on my deck to quick sketch in the drizzle.  It paid off with a drawing and a sighting of a pod of killer whales.