Devas T. Rants and Raves!

I'm in transition

2011-05-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

Changes. I've blogged here at Rants and Raves since early 2005. For better or for worse, it served as a testing ground for my burgeoning author career. It advanced my illustration and speaking career. Here is where I discovered my voice.

And it ain't over yet. I'm not closing this blog, I'm only moving it. Please look for Rants and Raves at my newly redesigned website (redesigned by Erik Kuntz). Occasionally I may post something here, but for the most part this blog will remain as an archive.

Thanks for your continued support.

On the road...

2011-04-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

So far April's been a busy month. I've visited schools and presented at book fairs. And then there was the Texas Library Association conference. I haven't been able to do much writing or illustrating. But that changes immediately, as I have deadlines. Here are a few pics from the past few weeks.

Below: I finished off March visiting Windsor Park Elementary in Corpus Christi, Texas. It was a very sharp group of kids.

Below: A week later, I found myself back in Corpus Christi, presenting to kids at the Children's Book Festival. On the night before the festival, there was a book signing in which college students performed two of my books -- illustrated and all. Here I am with a few of the artists:

On the day of the festival, we presented to little under a thousand kids. The two other authors were Keith Graves and Salima Alikhan, pictured below:

Then it was off to present at a local school. Yes, that's me, very tiny, presenting to the the entire 4th grade student body:

Last week was the Texas Library Association conference. This year it was held in Austin. I had the pleasure of signing SHE LOVED BASEBALL with author Audrey Vernick, at the HarperCollins booth. Here's a few random shots:

Immediately following TLA, I hightailed it to Houston where I presented to students at Key Middle School, for their Books, Boxers and Boys: Inspiring Young Males to Read conference. Other authors: Charles R. Smith Jr., Mat Johnson.

But that's not all. I have two more dates in April. I'll be at Hart Elementary school in Austin on the 29th, and then PJ Hoover and I will do The Write Stuff program in Pfluggerville, TX on the 30th.

Highlights Chautauqua, art sales, school visits

2011-04-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week on Twitter, I predicted a good week ahead. And a good week it has been. First of all, I received the good news that I was awarded a scholarship to attend the Highlights Foundation's 2011 Chautauqua workshops. A special thanks goes out to my publisher, Charlesbridge, for making this happen. I've heard nothing but wonderful stories from authors and illustrators who have attended the Chautauqua workshops, so I'm looking forward to it.

On Wednesday, I was contacted by an art collector and former minor league baseball team owner. He was interested in purchasing several original pieces of art from the Effa Manley book, SHE LOVED BASEBALL. At first I was reluctant because I almost never sell my art. Crazy, I know, an artist who doesn't sell art. But I use my art for school visits. I loosened up a bit and decided to sell a few pieces from this book.

On Thursday, I traveled to Corpus Christi, where I presented to students at Windsor Park Elementary school. It's an international baccalaureate school for advanced academics. I'm not quite sure what that means, but the kids were very smart.

Funny though, the situation I found myself in. Between presentations, an enthusiastic parent asked me to visit her child's classroom for a photograph. Upon entering the classroom, I hear the words, "Mr. Tate, would you popcorn dance with our class?" And a little voice in my head said, "Heck no! No-no-no, I don't dance." But before I could stop the scene, I was surrounded by kids shaking their butts, squatting way down low, and then popping up to the sky. I had no choice but to join in, and I prayed my knees wouldn't give out squatting that low. For those of you who know me, this is way out of my character, and when I told my son about it, he literally fell on the floor laughing.

Before leaving the school, one of the classrooms gave me a stack of letters. I enjoyed them all, but I got a big kick out of one letter in particular, where a kid drew a picture of me drawing cartoons. Isn't it great?

Next week, I'll return to Corpus Christi to participate in the 11th Annual Children's Book Festival.

Hanging out at BookPeople

2011-03-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

This morning I visited BookPeople, Austin's local independent book store. I had a ball.

I used to visit bookstores all the time, mainly hanging out in the picture book section. But that was back in the day when bookstores had wall-to-wall displays of new picture book titles, and aisle after aisle of shelves filled with picture books.

Not to diss Dr. Seus or Goodnight Moon or Velveteen Rabbit. These are classics, well deserving of their permanent book space. But I already know about these books. Don't you? I like to visit bookstores to see the new stuff—picture books written and illustrated by contemporary authors and artists. But the newer books are practically gone in the large chains! At least in Austin they are. So what has this meant for books featuring brown characters? Nonfiction picture books? Those written and illustrated by locals? They're not in the chains either.

Recently, I went to Borders looking for a copy of Yummy and Bamboo People, award-winning books published in the past couple years. They told me they no longer stock books by smaller independent book publishers. What?

BookPeople, however, does. And best of all, they continue to stock picture books. Sure picture book real estate at BookPeople has shrunk. And — ahem! — they didn't even have any of my books stocked today (phooey, phooey, phooey). But regardless, they have best selection of children and YA books in town.

Here are a few books that caught my eye this afternoon:

The Secret River. I bought this bad boy. Didn't even have to think about it. Leo and Diane Dillon have done it again.

He Came With the Couch is not particularly new, it published in 2005. But that's what I like about BookPeople, they stock the old, the new, and the classics. Such a funny story, very cool illustrations.

Illustrator Sophie Blackall, she practically has her own section of the bookstore. I love Sophie's illustrations, we have similar styles in that we both illustrate our characters with really big heads. Last year I submitted my work to a publisher, and they rejected me, basically saying: "We know who you are, but you draw your character's heads too big." Then they went on to say that if I ever considered downsizing, they'd consider working with me. Hm, but look at Sophie, I think she's on to something. I'm not giving up my big-headed characters.

And there were so many books by local friends, too:

Noodle & Lou by Liz Garton Scanlon. I actually ran into Liz at BookPeople, so I could have gotten a picture of her holding her book. But we started chatting, and I completely forgot to ask. I feel kinda like a distant uncle to this book because I had the honor of reading an early draft.

Chris Barton's Shark vs. Train and The Day-Glo Brothers. When I saw these books, I wanted to start waving my hands and announce, "Hey, I know this author! I know his wife! I know his kids! His chickens! His rabbit!" At least I think he has a rabbit. Anyway, it's been so much fun watching Chris' star rise and shine.

Now this is fellow Texas Sweetheart Jo Whittemore's book. Not her newest book. But her new book before her newest-newest book. A book that actually releases. . . today! The book above, Front Page Face-off. Her newest book, Odd Girl In.

Bethany Hegedus' Truth with a Capital T. I know so many dog-on cool people, I ought to be cool myself. Maybe I am, too.

Hope for Haiti, written AND illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Jesse in person, I've only chatted with him online. As my grandma would have said, "Jesse is good people."

There were many others that I was excited about—Audrey Vernick's Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten, Bob Staake's Look! A Book!, Kadir Nelson's Joe Louis book—but I had to leave the store before I spent all of my money.

Nice review; Black All Around!

2011-03-11T21:28:00.000-08:00

Black All Around!, a children's picture book that I illustrated, written by Patricia Hubbell, received a nice review from the February 2011 edition of the Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children's media. Interesting thing is, the review came 7 years after publication. I ain't complaining though, it's totally cool. Here's what they said:

"Graceful antidote to the still present ‘white is right’ mentality, the color black is celebrated in its fullest from a sleek black limousine to a shiny black beetle. A little girl is daydreaming in the moon glow with simple rhymes. Fun illustrations conjure up every beautiful black thing she can imagine until she drifts off to sleep. This was a Connecticut Book Award Finalist at first publication."

Black All Around! has received some of the best reviews and comments of my career, I'm happy. Great end to a busy week.

Book Fair

2011-03-03T06:23:00.000-08:00

My son's school had their Scholastic Book Fair today. He picked out many books, but I bought one for myself, too — For The Love of Basketball: From A to Z, written by Frederick C. Klein, illustrated by Mark W. Anderson.

I'm not into basketball at all. I don't play, I don't watch, I don't discuss it . . . ever. And I'm not familiar with the author or illustrator. But I LOVED the illustrations! Crisp, fun, spontaneous. And the illustration of Shaquille O'Neal, outstanding!

Interesting, though. I could not find one image of this book on the internet to post in this blog. No mention of it on Amazon, Goodreads, anywhere. Too bad, it's a great book.

Editorial stuff

2011-01-30T19:05:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-15T06:31:00.000-08:00

This is an old cartoon, originally posted on my now defunct Brotha Buck blog. I revived this strip, used it on my holiday cards, and I sent to a few art directors, editors and licensing clients. Although the blog is now closed down, the cartoons still exist. Looking back, I still think they're funny. When I get some time later next year, I plan to move the cartoons here and continue the saga of Brotha Buck, Tamsy and Kirby.

A note to aspiring authors who've contacted me

2010-12-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

Because I'm a children's book illustrator, and a loud-mouth social networker, I tend to attract A LOT! of proposals from authors with book ideas. I hate turning people away, and I'd love to assist if I could. But please know, I'm a book creator myself. I illustrate. I write. And I'm knocking doors just like you, trying to figure out this crazy business.

If you're an author who's messaged me with a book idea, and I haven't responded to you, please know I'm not intentionally ignoring you. If you've emailed a manuscript to me, and I haven't responded, please don't take it personally — I'm just not sure what to do with it and all the other requests. If I took the time to respond to every email, Facebook personal message, direct message tweet, I wouldn't have time to do what I do -- write and illustrate children's books (and social network).

In the meantime, I highly advise you to join your local and national SCBWI.

Thanks for your patience, I'm rooting for you.

A new book for African American quilters

2010-12-03T06:09:00.000-08:00

Author Kyra E. Hicks included my name in her new book 1.6 Million African American Quilters: Survey, Sites, and a Half-Dozen Art Quilt Blocks. The book is about Black quilt makers -- quilt industry figures including numbers of Black quilters nationally, resources of websites, blogs, and YouTube videos featuring African American quilters and guilds. I'm included in a section called Black Quilters in Cyberspace. Although I'm certainly not a quilter -- though I could be if I wanted to, I'm good with my hands -- I was included because of the fabric I designed awhile ago for David's Textiles (example). The fabric is no longer available, but it's still in demand. To this day people email me looking for the product, or for other fabric featuring African American images.

What a fine resource Kyra has created.

2010 goals met

2010-11-24T11:28:00.000-08:00

In March I finished a nonfiction picture book that I wrote and illustrated. My agent began to shop it around after a few rounds of revisions. You know the routine, rejection, rejection, rejection. Very nice, complimentary, rejections, but rejections none the less. It would have sold quicker in a better book-buying economy.

On the flip-side, several editors have shown interest, and it's currently in the hands of a fantastic editor. I’ve made a round of revisions with her, and it’s under consideration by the publisher. I'm confident an offer will follow soon. Fingers crossed.

In April, a month following shoulder surgery, I began sketching Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite, a picture book written by Anna Harwell Celenza. It’s slated to publish with Charlesbridge late next year. Recovery from surgery went much slower than my doctor predicted. He figured, guy like me — in shape, works out several times per week — would heal quickly. He was wrong. Three months after the surgery, I was still in intense pain, I could not raise my hand above my shoulders, and then my shoulder froze. I began two months of physical therapy.

Because of the time invested in physical therapy, and then the challenges of summer — family reunions, vacations, my grandpa's 90th birthday — I didn't finish the sketches until fall. So I'm a bit behind. But the book has turned out well, and I'm looking forward to painting it soon, this time, in watercolor and ink (I normally paint in oil or acrylic).

In October, She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story, written by Audrey Vernick, published with HarperCollins. Reviews have been favorable, and we even received a star from School Library Journal. Top it off, Audrey commissioned a wonderful book trailer that, to date, has received more than 500 hits -- it's gone viral!

Yesterday on Facebook, I announced my next book project: THE CART, written by the beloved and legendary Eve Bunting. It’s a brilliant story, unexpected, clever, creative, and it ends with a new twist. But that’s all I can say at this time. The book is going to require a bit of research, so I'm looking forward to making a little one-day trip to the east coast in the spring. I’ll visit museums and historic sites, and I’ll meet with a few author/illustrator friends in the area.

Recently I finished a first draft of another nonfiction picture book. The topic is a sports figure. Can you believe, me? writing about sports? Writing a nonfiction picture book about a subject not published before is nerve wrecking. I'm afraid at any day someone else will publish the story, and I'll have wasted my time, money and energy. That has happened to me before. I'd done some preliminary research, ordered and read some books on the subject, began a first draft. And soon afterwards another author came out with the same book -- same title and everything! Ug. Right now my sports book is out to a few critique buddies (I’m so lucky to have such friends) and I’m hoping to do another revision shortly after the new year.

I have only one regret this year. My first authored book didn't publish this year as planned. It was supposed to publish last spring, 2009. Then it was set for the fall. Then again this past spring, 2010. Then again this fall. Then spring 2011. And now it's off for the spring, and , well, no one really knows when, it's all up in the air. Sigh. I’m told this happens sometimes. I'm confident it will indeed publish, someday. I keep telling myself, It will publish when it is supposed to publish, and not a second sooner. That's a good thing.

It's been a great year, I can’t complain.

Book signings and festivals

2010-11-15T10:15:00.000-08:00

Over the past few days, I had the pleasure of participating in two very special book events — a signing at Menchaca Elementary School's Scholastic Book Fair and the Savannah Children's Book festival. I had an absolutely fantastic time at both events, though each one had it's own way of feeding or starving my ego.

Last Thursday evening, I signed books at Menchaca. The librarians there are SO good. They really excited the kids about my book Ron's Big Mission, so much so that it became the hottest seller at the fair. It sold 99 copies and I was honored to be there to sign most of them. Check out the nice display behind the table. I can't thank the librarians enough.

Following that event, I flew to Georgia where I was a featured author-ilustrator in the the 7th annual Savannah Children's Book Festival. This is a top-notch festival, to say the least. More than 30,000 people attended the festival last year, and this year was even bigger. The lineup included included Judy Schachner, “Skippyjon Jones”; Anna Dewdney, “Llama Llama Red Pajama”, in addition to Alan Katz, Brian Jordan, Pat Mora, Vicky Alvear Schecter, Charles R. Smith, others. I was especially excited to meet two very young authors, 9- and 11-year-old Miles and William Rabun, who wrote the book "My Grandma's Backyard." Behind Judy and Anna, they were clearly the most popular authors at the festival.

My book signing (above) was a bit, um, humbling. But that happens sometimes, and I found much humor in the situation.

When I returned, I received this wonderful letter from the mother of an attendee. This made my day and I thank her for sending this along.

Hello Don,
I am the mother of Julia, the little girl with twists you drew at the Savannah Book Festival. She was so honored! This was the first time she wore her hair in twists and you commented on them. She was so shocked! She has told everyone about you and your wonderful illustrations. Her favorite was the illustration with the spoons from The Hidden Feast because of the movement in the swirls. This of course came from your comment about creating movement in a still illustration in the Black All Around book. She is very proud of being a black girl and hearing that story along with the comment on her twists was a high-five to her confidence! Upon returning home she immediately colored your drawing as you had instructed her to do. Her father, as per her request, framed it along with the SBF article of you and it now hangs in her bedroom. So don't worry about the book signing. You signed a little girl's heart that day.

Also from the festival, see me writing on the walls of the Bull Street Library.

She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story. It's release day!

2010-10-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

Today, October 19, is release day for She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story, a book that I illustrated, written by the wonderful Audrey Vernick. The book released with this wonderful trailer put together by Kristen Cappy of Curious City. Ain’t it grand?

But even before release day, She Loved Baseball was honored as a Junior Library Guild 2010 fall selection. And just today, we received more good news: A starred review from School Library Journal! Whoo-hoo!

Here’s what else folks are saying:
Both author and illustrator are on top of their games as they bring this inspiring story to life.
-- School Library Journal

Tate’s muscular illustrations illuminate and breathe life into the events. He skillfully emphasizes emotions, giving every character a distinct personality and demeanor.
--Kirkus

Vernick adds appeal to this straightforward biography with repetitive phrases that emphasize Manley’s activist spirit, while Tate’s slightly stylized acrylic paintings convey both the historical setting and the timeless excitement in the ballpark.
-- Booklist

Tate's energetic illustrations harmonize well with Vernick's fresh and engaging text.
-- Publisher’s Weekly

Thanks, Audrey, for writing such a wonderful and important story. And for having this very cool trailer made.

Texas Book Festival weekend, 2010

2010-10-18T07:32:00.000-07:00

I had a fantastic weekend at the Texas Book Festival. On Friday evening, I attended the coolest party with the coolest people -- authors and illustrators from all over the country. The party was hosted at the home of literary director Clay Smith. I hung out mostly with local austin writers, but I also rubbed elbows with the likes of Peter Brown, David Weisner, Tony DiTerlizzi. I also got to meet Duncan Tonatiuh, a relative new-comer to the children's literature scene, but a shooting star none the less.

On Saturday morning, I had the honor of introducing author Phillip Hoose, National Book Award winner for CLAUDETTE COVIN: TWICE TOWARDS JUSTICE. Phil's presentation was informative, and his passion for the subject lit the dark senate chambers like a light tower. Towards the end of the session, when a photo of an elderly Claudette was displayed, I even felt a bit choked up. This woman played a major part in desegregating the Montgomery, Alabama bus system -- and therefore elevating civil rights for Blacks in this country as a whole. Heck, she started it all, refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger months before Rosa Parks. But Claudette was shunned by history -- likely because she didn't have the right hair, the right background, the right look. And because she got pregnant as a teen. I'm happy this woman is finally getting her story told and taking her due place in history.

Saturday evening, my wife and I attended a cocktail party for Texas Book Festival authors and moderators. It was on the 32nd floor of the Four Seasons hotel. Very classy. Very posh. Somehow all that ritz made us forget how poor we really are -- we were literally lulled into thinking we could dine at a thirty-seven dollar a bowl gumbo restaurant. But the realization of how empty our bank accounts really were sent us fleeing from the restaurant before the waiter could take our water order.

On Sunday, I hung out with a few of my SCBWI writing friends. We gathered together to watch Chris Barton read his book SHARK VS. TRAIN. I also took in Duncan Tonatiuh (DEAR PRIMO: A LETTER TO MY COUSIN), and Cynthia Leitich Smith (HOLLER LOUDLY).

In the afternoon, I attended a very interesting and scholarly discussion with author-historian Neil Foley. He discussed his book, QUEST FOR EQUALITY, which deals with civil rights and race relations between whites, Blacks and Mexicans in Texas and California. Very enlightening.

I ended the day with sessions given by Tony DiTerlizzi and M.T Anderson. I’m jazzed now, but I’m also a bit behind. Time to catch up on my own literary projects.

More pics on my Facebook album.

Photos taken by my wife, and authors Jo Whittemore and Jeanette Larson.

How I became a Texas literary scoundrel

2010-10-12T19:50:00.001-07:00

Let me tell you how much of a pain-in-the-butt I can be when I want to. Recently I was invited to join forces with six Texas authors, to promote children's literature. The group calls themselves the Texas Sweethearts. You've probably heard of 'em already, cute little things they are — P.J. Hoover, Jessica Anderson, Jo Wittemore. Sweethearts through and through, no doubt. There was just one little problem: I ain't no Sweetheart and don't be calling me one.

I was honored to have been invited to join the group, they've made quite a name for themselves in the children's literature community. I immediately accepted their invitation. But the name, the name! What were we going to do about that?

I told my wife, "Honey, I'm joining a group of girls, we're calling ourselves the Texas Sweethearts."

And she asked, "So you're pledging a sorority?" That was enough for me, we had to change the name.

I made some suggestions: Texas Sweethearts And one Dude; Texas Sweethearts And a Somewhat Nice Guy; The Texas Sweethearts And Their Brotha From Anotha Motha. None of these names truck a chord with the ladies.

They made suggestions, too: Texas Sweethearts & Arts; Texas Sweethearts & A Sweet Hunk; Texas sweethearts and one Texas Ranger; Texas Sweethearts and one Cowboy. None of these names struck a chord with me. I don't see myself as a sweetheart or a cowboy either.

I sensed frustration. I didn't want to cause a headache with the ladies, but Sweetheart . . . come on, now. Seriously.

Finally, one of the new Sweethearts – Jeanette Larson — suggested a name that I absolutely loved: Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels. I could do that!

So it was final. We are calling ourselves the Texas Sweethearts & Scoundrels: Seven Authors and Illustrators Who Write for Teens. The team: P.J. Hoover, Jessica Lee Anderson, Jo Whittemore, K.A. Holt, Emma J. Virján, Jeanette Larson, and me, Don Tate aka, Devas the Scoundrel.

So, what do we do now? We'll visit schools. Do conferences. We'll highlight other authors on the blog. Support each other in our marketing efforts. Most of all, we'll have a lot of fun!

Blog tour: One Million Men and Me, featuring artist Peter Ambush

2010-10-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

In celebration of the Million Man March 15-year anniversary, author Kelly Starling Lyons embarks on a two-week virtual tour, which will highlight her book ONE MILLION MEN and ME (Just Us Books). The tour includes interviews about the book, information about Kelly’s writing life, guest posts and many other surprises.

Today I have the pleasure of hosting the tour here on my blog with an interview of Peter Ambush, the illustrator for ONE MILLION MEN and ME.

Peter is an award-winning fine artist and illustrator. His portfolio includes artwork for newspapers, greeting cards, book jackets and children’s books. While I’m a fan of his commercial art, it’s his fine art – specifically his portraiture work -- that blows me away. They are simply stunning.

I’m honored to host this interview with Peter:

Don: The Million Man March came to symbolize unity, atonement and brotherhood among African American men. Can you talk about how these principles manifest in your own life?

Peter: Being an African American man, a lot of things that have happened to our race affect me in some way or another. But, I'm a Christian first and I have been most of my life, so my principles and values have been based on God's Word long before the Million Man March. My goals have always been to love God and then love my fellow man, whatever color that may be.

Don: My favorite image from ONE MILLION MEN and ME is the cover. It features a tender moment between father and daughter. Please discuss how you went about capturing the emotion in that scene.

Peter: I'm more of a realist artist be nature, I tend not to exaggerate too much in my art. The emotion that I get comes from interacting with whomever I'm working with. It's a push and pull relationship. I asked for something and they give me what I want or something unexpected.

The main challenge was finding the right models to represent Nia and her daddy. At first, I thought of using my daughter for the part, but she was a little older than the little girl in the book. A fellow choir member at my church and his daughter agreed to be my models. As far as research is concerned, I get it from everywhere I can, from Kelly the author or the publishers or just searching online.

When I start reading a story, images come to mind and then I sketch them out with somewhat of an idea of what I want to convey. But, then I'll start shooting my photos for references and wonderful unexpected things happen that sparks new concepts. The model will look a certain way or have a great expression on their face that works a lot better than what I originally thought of.

Don: A School Library Journal reviewer noted how you successfully varied the scenes to include both warm close-ups and wider views. What challenges were presented in creating large crowd scenes, and how did you solve the problem?

Peter: Well, as far as book illustrating goes, I kind of let the story tell me what it wants to be. Like I said before, images will come to me but I try to vary each from another to keep it exciting.

Don: When did you first realize you had an interest in art?

Peter: Back when I was about 5 or 6yrs. old. I think it started when I saw a pastel drawing my father had done of a nativity scene for our church. After that I started drawing cartoons like Mighty Mouse and Bambi all the time.

Don: As a child, how did your parents and family support/encourage your artistic endeavors?

Peter: My parents never stopped me or said anything against me drawing. But I was not necessarily influenced or inspired to make it a career. I don't think they — or myself for that matter — thought I would make being an artist my choice in life. I really didn't decide to go to art school until my senior year in high school.

Don: Do you consider yourself a fine artist, commercial artist, how would you characterize your artwork?

Peter: I would say I'm an artist first, and then depending on what I have to do that day, I could be a computer graphic artist, a portrait artist, an airbrush artist, the list goes on. I love a lot of different styles and mediums of art, which gets me in trouble sometimes. There's so many different things that I would like to experiment with that it keeps me from focusing on one thing. It's the "Jack of all trades and master of none" scenario.

Don: Your comment about styles hits a nerve with me because I tend to use more than a few styles, too. Do you think having several styles hinders or hurts an artist?

Peter: I've heard that having a lot of different styles in your portfolio can hinder an artist, because if you're showing it to a gallery, they want to be sure you can be consistent with creating the same thing over and over again. I've spoken with other galleries that love for you to have different styles to keep having new things to spark excitement with their customers. Really, for the most part, the most successful artists I've seen out there have one or maybe two styles of working. I think the key is to use that one or two styles in many different genres. I think it's best to discover that one thing you love to do, that totally comes from your spirit and seems natural to you. When you're happy with what you do, it show's in your work and people will recognize it. I love to airbrush. I use it in fine art, portraits, illustration, T-shirts and the list goes on. It's something that I've done for many years and I believe it's something that I was born to do. I still have plenty to learn, but I'm having fun doing it.

Don: What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

Peter: I love being able to create something out of a thought that I have or some outside influence and being able to talk to people about it. My wife calls me a social butterfly. I just love talking to people.

Don: What advice can you give to aspiring children’s book illustrators?

Peter: Well, this is something I wish someone had told me early in my life. Learn to draw and keep drawing. Draw from life and take extra classes when you can. It's the foundation to all representational art. And, I don't know if this is good advice or bad advice. I spoke a little about it earlier. I have found it to be somewhat good to be able to do a lot of different types of art. Sometimes people are looking for computer graphics, newsletters, logo designs, fliers or a pencil drawing, painted portrait or even their Winnebago airbrushed painted. With my background in working in a lot of different fields of art, I'm able to flow with tides, so to speak. I'm not stuck in one place waiting for winds to blow my way. Also, when working on a project, think about it, make a plan and stick to it.

Don’t miss the remainder of the tour:

October 12 – Scribbly Katia

October 13 – Mitali’s Fire Escape

October 14 – Kristi’s Book Nook

October 15 – Bowllan’s Blog and 4:30 p.m. Reading & Meet the Author event at All Booked Up Used Books & Collectibles

October 16 – 15th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MILLION MAN MARCH — 11 a.m. Storytime & Reading Hour at International Civil Rights Center & Museum

October 18 – 6 p.m. March Anniversary Program at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture

Burnt Orange almost burned me

2010-09-11T07:56:00.000-07:00

This is an illustration I created for an article in the Statesman called Longhorns clothes, Cakes, Trivia and more. It represents the ultimate Texas football fan wearing his UT Snuggie, ball cap, H2Orange water bottle, burnt orange wall paint and foam hook 'em hand.

It's all good, but what happens when a non-sports person like me receives an assignment to create an image representing the religion of Texas Longhorn football? Well, mistakes can happen. My first attempt almost made the paper. And the mistake I made, I'm told, would have been a punishable crime.

Click here to see the original image.

Do you see what's wrong? Well, apparently, displaying a Longhorn logo upside down is considered sacrilegious in Longhorn country. If the original illustration had run in the paper, I'd have been hailed a folk hero by University of Oklahoma fans, and I'd have been tar-and-feathered here in my own city.

Making the change caused me to miss the VCFA graduation party for Anne Bustard and Lindsey Lane, but at least I can now safely walk the streets of Austin.

Making a picture book dummy for Duke

2010-09-02T07:06:00.000-07:00

Recently I finished sketches for Duke, a picture book to publish with Charlesbridge. And if I can say so myself, they turned out very nice. I say that modestly. Yesterday, I made photocopies of my art, and made a dummy.

The author, Anna Celenza, brilliantly wrote the story in such a way that didn’t bind me to the text, as can happen sometimes with nonfiction. With this book I got to interpret the text however I saw it, within the confines of the subject matter, Duke Ellington and his creative process. I got to create just like the Duke!

This is the first time that I’ve made an actual physical picture book dummy. In the past, I’ve created flat layouts with photocopies of my art with galley text. Or I scanned my art into the computer and made dummies using a computer program like Quark or InDesign. The idea of building a picture book dummy with an Exacto knife and glue stick seemed tedious to me at most. A waste of time at least. But with Duke, I decided to give it a try. It was well worth my time.

As I hold the book in my hands and flip through the pages, I can see problems early on, problems that might otherwise have gone overlooked on a large layout with crop marks. With a trimmed and bound dummy, images that get swallowed in the gutter jump right out. And I've noticed a few other problems, things that might not have been noticed until staring at them in a book store.

Yesterday, armed with sketches, a ruler, and a proportion wheel, I completely staged an invasion of my local Kinkos (my own photo copier is near death). I spread out everywhere, which annoyed everyone around me competing for tabletop space. Because my sketches are so large, most of them required several scans which I pieced together when I got home.

She Loved Baseball ARCs arrived

2010-08-11T21:31:00.000-07:00

Received an ARC (advance reader copy) for SHE LOVED BASEBALL: THE EFFA MANLEY STORY, a book I illustrated for HarperCollins. It will publish later this year, in October.

My editor, the art director and designers were meticulous with details and color reproduction. I've seen at least 5 color proofs of the cover over the past year, and I had to make several detail changes caught by copy editors (thank God for copy editors!). And I'm happy, the cover sings!— er, in the spirit of baseball, the cover hits a home run!

My dedication reads: For five extraordinary women who changed my life: Tamera D-T (my wife), Sharon T. (my mom), Dorothy B. (my mother-in-law), Autumn S. and Jheris T. (my daughters). Of course, there are other women who influenced me, and now I feel bad that I didn't name them, my aunts Eleanora and Polly. My grandmother Hazel. So many others.

The above is my favorite spread. It's a bustling Harlem street scene. When I was a kid, I loved studying illustrations in books. And my favorite scenes provided many faces to study. Here, in addition to illustrating the author's words, I wanted to provide the reader with many opportunities to wonder about the other people illustrated. Who are they? Where are they going? What are they thinking? Doing? I think about each person I illustrate even if they aren't a part of the storyline. Hopefully this isn't distracting.

If I had an opportunity to do one illustration over, it would be the image below. I don't know, the guy with the cheesy smile is just plain goofy. Early on in my career, an editor told me that I needed to make my characters look happy, to make them smile. I took her advice too seriously, I think, and I tend to make my people look all smiley. Even when it's not necessary. Anyway...

If I didn't mention before, this book has already been selected by the Junior Library Guild. What an honor! And the author, Audrey Vernick, what a treat it has been to work with her. Anytime I had questions, she was there, volunteering to go over-and-beyond to get a piece of information for me.

Last but not least, I want to thank my editor, Kristin Daly Rens. Publishing is a competitive business. Kristin could have selected any of numerous illustrators for this project. But she selected me. I appreciate that.

Graphic reporting: My other career.

2010-07-24T06:02:00.001-07:00

I've been blogging about my children’s book career for nearly 6 years now. But I’ve rarely discussed my other career: Graphics reporting at the Statesman.

I spend just as much time illustrating and preparing graphics at the Statesman as I do illustrating for children’s publishers. And the Statesman pays better, too.

So, what in the heck is a graphic reporter, you ask? Simply put, a graphic reporter is one who tells and supports news stories with drawings — charts, maps, diagrams, illustrations. I draw for the newspaper!

Here I am today interviewing a couple of Austin police officers about their new in-car video surveillance system. As a graphic reporter, it’s my job to explain to readers, visually, what this system is and how police will use it.

In the photos, I’m taking notes and sketching as officers answers my questions. Am I nervous sitting there in the drivers seat of a cop car? Heck yes! But I play it cool, best as I can.

In the top photo, two reporters and I lob questions at the officers. After the interview, we return to the newsroom to brainstorm ideas on how to best present the graphic. In this case, it's decided that I’ll draw the pictures while Rob V. organizes and lays out the text with my drawings.

Here’s a look at the final graphic and a link to the story.

Don and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2010-07-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

Alexander doesn't have a thing on me. My day has been worse:

--Bought a car battery to install myself, but couldn't find my tools.

--Dug through the messy garage, found a wrench, but cable nuts were two different sizes.

--Searched unsuccessfully for a second wrench.

--Found an adjustable plumbing wrench, but stripped and ruined the nut.

--Found needle-nose pliers, which slipped on the stripped nut, hit metal against metal, sparked and shocked myself.

--My heart stopped. No, literally, for a second, I think it did.

--Decided to take the car to Goodyear, but the spark must have shorted out the electricity and my doors wouldn't open.

--Gave up. Called road service.

--In the meantime, I tried the key manually. The door opened, but it set off the alarm.

--Unable to shut off the alarm, I drove to Goodyear — two miles away — through traffic, with the alarm blaring. Dweeb.

--Left the car at Goodyear, walked two miles home.

Car will be ready in two hours, so I have to walk two miles back to get it because I have to be at work by 3 p.m. Sweaty.

Around Our Way on Neighbors' Day.

2010-07-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

Hey all, my colleague, Tameka Fryer Brown, at the Brown Bookshelf has a book coming out in little less than a month. It's called Around Our Way on Neighbors' Day. It will be released on August 1st, and has already received a nice review from Booklist.

Now here's the thing, in this economy, bookstores are reluctant to take a chance on stocking books by first-time authors (especially books that feature brown faces). So how does one get exposure? Well, as Tameka says, "It will take a 'movement on the ground.'"

Here's what you can do:

1. Purchased a copy of the book, RIGHT AWAY!

2. Call or visit your local independent bookstore, or chain bookstore (Borders, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, etc.) TODAY and tell them you'd like to purchase a copy.

3. Purchase online.

4. PASS ALONG this information. Blog, tweet, email, Facebook.

We must support each other.

Some recent work. My varied styles.

2010-06-22T20:31:00.001-07:00

Recently I spoke to a children's literature class at the University of Texas, and someone asked a question that comes up often in regard to my various illustration styles: Why do you illustrate in so many styles, and does it help or hurt you?

And my answer: I don't know. But I like working this way.

To each is own. But for me, having many styles has worked to my benefit. I get a variety of illustration projects because I offer variety. Art directors have rummaged through my portfolio like they were selecting taffy from a candy store. "Oh I want this one and that one and this one!" But some have argued that by having so many styles, an artist never gets very good at one thing.

To that I say, maybe.

I understand that because I have so many looks, people might not know who I am. It's like covering my face with a mask, a different one every day. That might confuse people, I don't know.

I'm a self-taught illustrator. I took a few so-called illustration courses in college. But they weren't instructional, so I learned how to illustrate on my own by trial and error. I read instructional books and studied other artists works. I learned to paint with acrylics by painting and painting and painting. But I never settled on one style because I was always eager to try something new.

Early on in my career editors and agents advised me to pick one style and stick with it. Preferably, they advised, a portraiture style or something very realistic, since my career would likely focus on books with African American subject matter. They advised me to develop a portfolio of 10 to 15 pieces of my best work—to make it my trademark. It's about branding, yes—But ack!—sameness is not fun for me and neither is realistic portraiture.

I don't want to create the same thing every day, any more than I would want eat chicken for every meal. And I love chicken!

Lately, however, I've been giving sameness more consideration, particularly for trade books. There's a good argument to be made for having a trademark style. Problem is, I'm not entirely sure which look to settle on. My personal favorite, which has drawn high praise as well as painful pans, would be this look. Some love it, others hate it. We'll see.

Father's Day

2010-06-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

I just got off the phone with my 89-year-old grandfather. I called to wish him a happy Father's Day. I'm glad I did; I almost didn't.

Last year he was diagnosed with dementia. I feared he wouldn't remember me. I talk to him about two, maybe, three times a year. But I hadn't called in awhile.

The call went like this:

''Hello," he said, answering the phone.

"Hi grandpa, this is Donny."

There was a very long pause. My throat tensed. My face warmed.

"Hi Grandpa," I said again, louder.

"Hi," he said. "Who is this?"

"Donny . . . it’s me, Donny."

"Donny, who?"

"Donny Tate,” I said, over enunciating my words. “Your grandson.”

There was an even longer pause.

He didn't remember me. Fourty-seven years my grandfather, and he doesn’t recall my name? He can't remember the go-cart he and I built together when I was 10? He doesn't remember my working for him as a teenager, at his janitorial business? Our washing windows together? Moping floors? Cleaning toilets? He's forgotten about the camping trips? The big argument we had when I was 17-years-old?

Suddenly he spoke again.

"Donny! How are you doing, son?"

"Good, grandpa, I’m good!"

"How's your wife and that wonderful little boy doing?"

“Good, they are doing really good. Happy Father’s Day, grandpa.”

'I need an illustrator; God sent me to you.'

2010-05-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

Every so often, I receive an email that looks something like this: "Dear Mr. Tate, I'm an African-American author whose written a children's book. I want to have it published, but so far, I've only received rejections. I've prayed about it, and God has led me to you. Will you illustrate my book?"

First of all, that's not how trade publishing works. Authors do not need an illustrator to pretty up their manuscripts before submitting. If a publisher likes and acquires a manuscript, they will hire an illustrator -- and no, it probably won't be the author's cousin Ensol who dabbles in spray painting the walls of abandon buildings.

I don't mean any disrespect to Christians or believers of God. I'm a believer myself. But when authors try to guilt me with God, I get very uncomfortable. How am I supposed to say no to God?

Most times authors seek general publishing advice. They're lost and need a map to guide them through the complicated and confusing publishing path. I used to respond to these emails. Felt it my duty to reach back and help, especially African Americans. That's how I got published, by the good will of others willing to offer guidance. Rarely do I respond now. Time doesn't allow, and with so much information on the internet, answers can be found with a simple Google search. I didn't have the benefit of the internet when I started out, so I'm thankful for people like Pat Cummings, Floyd Cooper, Brian Pinkney, Andrea Pinkney for answering my questions. And I didn't throw God at 'em either.

I hope this post doesn't sound mean, cocky or disrespectful. That's not my intention here. I just feel that authors who are serious about getting published will approach other published professionals . . . professionally. So if you're an author who is a believer, let it show through by example. No need in clobbering other authors, illustrators -- and heaven forbid -- agents and editors over the head with it.

Interesting thing, I've worked with several Christian publishers. I AM MY GRANDPA'S ENKELIN and THE LEGEND OF THE VALENTINE, were published by Paraclete and Zondervan respectively. I've also worked with Group and Sadlier. My religion never came up in any of our negotiations or discussions.

Oh my...

2010-04-23T13:23:00.000-07:00

...I had no intention of displaying the cover of the book, SHE LOVED BASEBALL along the top of my blog, and especially not this big. While I did experiment with putting it on the side of the blog, I couldn't figure out how to downsize the image within the dashboard, so I gave up. Never published it. When I came back today — bam! — there it is, monster book cover, front and center.

But I kind of like it, so I'm leaving it for now.

Willie and Roky

2010-04-20T14:21:00.000-07:00

Update

2010-04-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

Ok, you're right, I haven't blogged here in awhile. Haven't had the time or, quite frankly, the interest, what with Facebook and Twitter and my other social networks. But my blog isn't as much a social network as it is . . . well, I don't know what it is anymore. So for awhile, I'll micro-blog here - you know, short, twitter-ish-type post, on the fly. We'll see.

In other news: I finally purchased my copy of Jerry Pinkney's THE LION & THE MOUSE, and as you already know, it's absolutely gorgeous. I had worried that they'd given him the Caldecott simply for political reasons, because it was overdue to be awarded to someone of color. But that's nonsense; he earned that bad-boy with this wonderfully illustrated book!

Five weeks following surgery, my shoulder is much better. Kinda. Seems like each time I sit down to write about how much better I'm doing, I realize it's only my glass-half-full attitude speaking. In all honesty, my stuff hurts. And what bothers me is that my surgeon says the pain should have subsided a few weeks ago. Thankfully, I can still paint and draw. But ug.

As I type this post, my writer and illustrator friends are hanging out at the TLA (Texas Library Association) conference in San Antonio. At 11:46 p.m., they're probably gathered for dinner and late night drinks, chatting the trade book business, excited about famous author sightings, and bragging about the ARCs collected from the exhibit floor.

I didn't go this year. Why? Many reasons: A heavy illustration schedule; a desire to finish my picture book dummy; my weak arm; my mom's long awaited arrival. Just wasn't a good time for me. But guess what. I'm not sorry. My picture book dummy turned out nice. Got my house cleaned up for mom's visit. Got a good start on a nice little EDU book for Scholastic. I'll go to the conference next year. It will be in Austin, and I'll have two new books out.

Trying to draw two weeks after shoulder surgery

2010-03-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I injured my labrum, cartilage that lines and pads the shoulder joint, but sometime during the past 5 years, I did. Tore in three places, both shoulders. I'm told this type of injury is frequent among baseball pitchers and car accident victims. But I haven't been in any serious accidents — knock on wood — and baseball has never been a part of my vocabulary, other than occasional catch with my son.

On the morning of the surgery, the anesthesiologist explained the nerve block procedure he'd use to put me under. Then he told me, almost jokingly, how much pain I'd have afterward. "This won't be a walk through the park," he said, like I was silly to even consider having such a painful operation. "This is one of the most painful surgeries to have."

No doubt he was right. This surgery has been the most painful experience of my life. Had I known about the pain, I wouldn't have had the surgery. Before the surgery, the pain was nagging. But now it's fierce! I don't do pain well. Guess that explains why my surgeon never mentioned it.

The procedure itself was no big deal. After a hospital technician hooked me up to an IV, we discussed bodybuilding and powerlifting (yes, she was a powerlifter). Before I knew what was happening, I found myself waking up groggy, next to my wife and a nurse, who were trying to rig my arm into a sling.

The nerve block rendered my arm numb for 24 hours. My arm felt dead. I couldn't move my fingers or feel my wife's touch. After several hours, I grew impatient waiting to get my feeling back. But when that happened, my shoulder and arm burned like fire. My hand swelled so fat, my son kept giving me compliments on how "smooth and young" my fingers looked.

The night after the numbness wore off, I slept upright on a chair in the family room. But I couldn't fall asleep. I just couldn't get comfortable. The sling was awkward, but without it my arm felt like it was hanging from my shoulder by a hot nerve. Pain, pain, pain! And as each day passed, things got worse. The chair caused neck and back pain. Finally I started sleeping in the bed, but if I turned in my sleep and made the wrong movement, the pain caused me to awake myself — and my wife — to an involuntary yell.

The first couple of days following surgery, I was on Vicodin. But I stopped taking it because the stuff made me drunk. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind being intoxicated from time to time. In fact, against my wife's wishes, I oftentimes get myself that way intentionally. But Vicodin puts me to sleep, too. So finally, I started using over-the-counter Tylenol, and just tolerated the pain best I could.

My doctor prescribed a series of gentle exercises that would prevent my shoulder from getting stiff, but he warned not to lift my arm any higher than my waist. I wish. Thing is, 11 days after surgery, my arm still dangles from my shoulder, limp like a spaghetti noodle, when it's not in a sling. I couldn't lift it as high as my waist even if I wanted to.

On Friday, I started trying to draw again. It hurt like heck, and I couldn't do it for long, but I was able to make some legible chicken scratches. And I drew all day today, too. According to my doctor, it will be several weeks before the pain subsides, so he told me to get used to it and to "draw around it. "

It will be at least another 7 weeks before my shoulder is healed enough for me to draw normally, but my wife says, after looking at my sketches, "You draw better than me even with an injured arm."

Sweet.

Doodling in Photoshop

2010-02-23T19:02:00.000-08:00

I started training on a Mac in the early 90s. At the time, I was working as a publication designer for an educational publishing company. As the art department made the transition from drawing board to computers, we had many discussions about how the computer would affect the future of commercial art. We knew the future would never be the same. No more Zip-A-Tone or Letraset. No more rapidographs for ruling lines. No more Amberlith cutting for prepress. No more hot waxers. Have I aged myself?

Although we all agreed the computer would change production art, none of us believed it would ever replace pens, pencils, brushes, paint. Even early versions of Painter — which I dabbled with a little — didn't produce anything that remotely resembled natural media. But that has certainly changed.

I use Adobe Illustrator every day in my work. I have since day one, and I love it. I've used Photoshop and Painter to create special effects in my illustrations, too. And I've used Painter's clone technique to make a photo look hand painted. But I hadn't had any real success freehand painting on the computer, mimicking natural media — paint, chalk or pencil. I just couldn't wrap my mind around the concept of digital brushes. But suddenly, I'm coming around. With a point in the right direction from the amazing CY, freehand sketching and painting in Photoshop is starting to make more sense. I doodled the above with digital brushes that mimic pencils, using my Wacom. I didn't say it was a good example, so stop laughing. Plus I do all my digital work with my left hand — long story — even though I'm right handed. But I'm on my way.

New work: Governor candidates and their hair

2010-02-21T15:10:00.000-08:00

This is a recent illustration that ran in Saturday's paper. It's for a Features story about the Texas governor candidates, their hair, and what it says about them.

I was happy with the end result, thought I captured the likenesses well. I was a little nervous, though. Politics these days are so . . . touchy. Have you read the comments section of any online news story? Pure evil lives there. Figured I'd get a bunch of hate mail from readers unhappy with how I portrayed their political heroes. Thankfully, that didn't happen. As far as I know of.

Pictured are Governor Rick Perry (whose hair has it's own twitter account), Kay Bailey Hutchison, Debra Medina, Farouk Shami grasping a hot comb, Bill White.

I rendered this with Adobe illustrator and added brush effects in Photoshop.

Workin' my manuscript

2010-02-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

The other day, my lit agent sends an editorial letter to me along with my manuscript. He tells me to take a deep breath before I read it. Says I should read with an open mind, and then set it aside for a few days before I address any changes. He even invites me to curse him out if it makes me feel better.

WTF?

I know some authors cringe at the idea of an agent doing anything other than selling their works. But for me, a first-time author with one book under my belt, I welcome guidance from an agent and one-time children's book editor. I can rest assured that when my manuscript hits the market, it will be polished and print ready.

So I open the letter and read his suggestions, and I'm relieved. There's lots and lots of red marks! Lots of questions. Lots of suggested changes. This is good. I've been an illustrator for little over 26 years. I've been writing for 6, I have absolutely no training as a writer, other than online courses and SCBWI conferences. Had he returned the manuscript with no mark-ups, I'd have been suspicious.

I've sat the manuscript aside, but only because my hands are full with other stuff right now. I'll pick it up again later this week. I'm feeling really good about the direction this manuscript has taken, and I'm much more hopeful about my future as an author.

And he's also talked me into creating some spec sketches and paintings, so that I can propose myself as the author and illustrator, something I had decided against, preferring to focus my time on the next manuscript.

Thankfully, I'm still working

2010-02-03T11:23:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted any work lately, so here goes. The above illustration is for the Effa Manley book that I finished last September. I recently received color proofs, and I'm happy with how the book is turning out. It will publish with HarperCollins later this year.

The above are 2 of 8 images I recently created for National Geographic Kids.

Above: 3 of 11 paintings I created for a friend's business, Kingdom Calling.

Above: A poster image for the Take 190 West Arts Festival.

Above: Two of many, many, many images created for National Geographic.

SCBWI Destination Publication 2010 Conference

2010-01-31T07:37:00.000-08:00

(Photo borrowed from author Jo Whittemore's Facebook page, and thanks to the mother-in-law for my favorite sweater.)

The Austin SCBWI Destination Publication 2010 conference was a total success. The speakers were topnotch. The organizers were gracious and tireless. The attendees enthusiastic and energized.

Highlights (for me): Hanging out with my literary agent, MarkMcVeigh. On Friday afternoon, after picking him up from the airport, and getting him checked in to his hotel, we sat down and discussed my work. He offered valuable feedback on three of my manuscripts, and we discussed a plan of action for getting them ready for sale. We also discussed my YA novel WIP, now at over 10,000 words, first draft.

After discussing my manuscripts, we, um, went shopping. My wife will never believe it, but I did. And I didn't complain or make a mean face, not once, I don't think. Mark was looking for vintage cowboy boots, so I took him to several Goodwill and Salvation Army stores. He schooled me about clothing and designer labels, ties, men's and women's shoes, purses. Did you know that Prada was much more than a word in a movie title? Mark is a class act. Unfortunately for him, though, Austin is more about cargo shorts and flip-flops, so he didn't find Couture anything. But I found something: THE LITTLE RASCALS remastered on VHS, for $1.00.

Other highlights:

--The pre-conference party at the home of Greg and Cynthia Leitich-Smith. The food, yum! I didn't go the the post conference party. I'm not exactly a socialite, so after one party and a full day of conferencing, I just needed to get away from people and hide.

--Caldecott Honor illustrator Marla Frazee's keynote, followed by a sit-down discussion with author Liz Garton Scanlon. They discussed their true collaboration on the book, ALL THE WORLD. I was so affected by the discussion that I will never approach a picture book project the same. I think through my picture books before sketching, of course. I plan and I create thumbnails, too. But Marla takes this process to a much higher level. She raised the bar, and I spent much of the evening considering how I need to change my work habits to reach that level. I was amazed by Liz. I already knew she was talented. I've had the honor of reading a few of her WIPs. But I didn't know the backstory behind ALL THE WORLD. Wow, she's truly a rock star.

--Chatting with up-and-comer illustrator-author Clint Young. If you don't recognize that name, you soon will. Believe me.

--Hanging out with award-winning illustrator Mike Benny.

--Carmen Oliver received the MEREDITH DAVIS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD, which was so well deserved.

All of the speakers were fantastic, but I especially enjoyed Lisa Graff's talk, "Write Like an Author, Revise like an Editor." She described herself as "being a little bit goofy," and yes she was, but that's what made her presentation so much fun. You can tell she writes for teens. She reminded us to read books with the eye of an editor, which is something I've already been doing, and explains why I know nothing about the current book I'm reading. I'm reading it, but I'm not focused on the story at all, I'm asking myself questions like, "Why did the author begin her dialog here?" and "What motivated the character to do this?" You do learn a lot by reading this way, but it's definitely kills the fun of the story.

The day ended with a panel that included many successful Austin authors and illustrators, including Chris Barton, Jessica Anderson, Liz Garton Scanlon, P.J. Hoover, Jennifer Ziegler, Shana Burg, Philp Yates, Patrice Barton and Jacqueline Kelly. Each offered a golden nugget of wisdom, and I especially cracked up at the wonderful poetry of Philp Yates, who wrote and shared an ode to Austin's talented children's and YA community.

Lowlight: Walking up to Newbery Honor author, Kirby Larson at the Leitich-Smith party, and asking her, "So, are you an agent, editor, author or illustrator?." Then asking her, "What have you written?"

Great day, it was. Too bad my handwriting is so sloppy, I can't even read the notes I took.

5 quick writing tips

2010-01-24T20:32:00.000-08:00

So this guy sends an email, asking me for writing advice. Says he’s looking for a “good older writer” to make his stuff better.

Cute.

Anyway, I’m honored he thinks I’m a good writer, and I’m thankful he offered his compliments. But instead of responding to him directly, I’m quickly posting a few tips.

1. Write everyday. Doesn’t matter what you write – stories, poems, whatever. Just write.

2. Read everyday. Yes, it does matter what you read. Read the kind of stuff you want to write. Want to write novels? Read lots of novels. Want to write poetry? Read lots of poetry.

3. Join a writers group. SCBWI is a good one if you're writing for kids. If you’re in Texas, The Writer’s League of Texas is another. But there are others. In these groups, you’ll find lots of writers like yourself who are asking the same questions, and lots and lots of published writers who can answer them.

4. Take a writing course. Now if you’re like me, you don’t have time and can’t afford one. But that’s no excuse. There’s lots of online resources that can teach you about correct grammar, punctuation and general writing tips. Where do you think I learned to write bad metaphors.

5. Um, write some more. Practice makes perfect. Revise (throw it away, start over).

Of course there’s more, at least there is when you get more into storytelling. Voice. Point of view. Tense. Story and character arc. Rising and falling action. Similes . . . on and on and on and on. Just enough stuff to make you want to tear your hair out. But that will come later. For now, simply write. And have fun!

And please forgive my typos and spelling and grammar, because I'm learning, too.

Specific advice to the guy who wrote the letter to me: Spell it out. “R U happy 4 me?” is a great way to express yourself in a text message. But probably a bad habit to lose early on, though keep in mind, all rules are made to be broken.

Acid head

2009-12-26T17:26:00.000-08:00

I created this illustration for a Features story, where battery experts discussed tennis shoes. No, I kid. They talked batteries, of course.

I’m 46 today. I haven’t worn baggies in 30 years. And I still don’t pimp walk.

2009-12-21T06:28:00.000-08:00

"Ain't nothing like a fresh pair of baggies," Morris Day of The Time sang, in a popular 80s song. That was my mantra in high school, too. Baggies were a style of pants kids wore back in the day. Don’t confuse them with the sagging, thug-style pants kids wear today. Baggies were dressier. Inspired by the zoot-suit style pants of the 20s, baggies were usually pleated at the waist, extra roomy in the leg, narrow at the ankle. They were worn high on the belly, sometimes with wide suspenders. I had a pair in every color of the rainbow — slacks and jeans.

The summer before my senior year, my uncle took a buddy of mine and I to Kansas City to purchase baggies at Harold Pener, an urban men’s wear store. The pants were sold at stores in Des Moines, too. But we wanted baggies like no one else had. We wanted big-city baggies!

When we arrived in Kansas City, my uncle got out the car and led the way into the store. He walked with a strut. A "pimp walk," as we used to call it. That’s where you stick your chest out, skip-step one foot forward, twisting at the waist. Then s-l-o-w-l-y drag your other foot forward while bouncing your head like you’re listening to James Brown. It’s a slow and artful cadence. Don't try this out in public if you ain't cool, you'll look like a dweeb.

My friend snickered, reached over and poked me in the back and then pointed ahead. My uncle wore a cheap pair of sneakers. His green warm-up suit was a size too tight, with one pant leg rolled up to his knee. He topped-off this outfit an apple hat, his salt-and-pepper afro jutting out in every direction, like it wanted to escape from the scene.

"Your uncle looks like he works for some kind of senior citizen pimp squad," my friend said, laughing.

I didn't laugh. Well, maybe I did, I was 17.

My uncle was a well-known barber, the coolest of cool dudes in the Black community. I loved him. He had a slightly oversized belly, just like his dad, my grandpa. It stuck out beyond his body, even though he wasn't an overweight man. He was in his mid 40s, but had been ageless to me up until that second.

For the first time, I began to see my uncle as an old man. Wrinkles suddenly appeared on his face. His salt-and-pepper gray hair suddenly got saltier. His pimp walk wasn’t so cool. I promised myself I'd never grow old, or at least not look old. I'd stay in shape. Never get an oversized belly. Never let my hair go grey. I'd always dress in the current styles of the day. And I’d never, ever, pimp walk.

Fast forward almost 30 years. I stopped at a convenience store after dropping my son off at school. When I got out of my car, guess who I saw in the window of the store: My uncle. An older Black man with graying hair, wearing a warm-up suit (one leg rolled up), cheap sneakers. I laughed out loud because it wasn't my uncle after all. It was me last month. That 17-year-old kid would not have approved.

Today's my birthday. I'm 46-years-old. One year past 45. Closer now to 50, than 40. I'm a grandfather, too, with three grandchildren. Four, possibly five or six, if my daughter doesn't slow down soon.

I'm OK with being 46. I'm still here, alive and kicking. All of my body pieces still work. I have a wonderful family, a career that I love, a bright future. And I have friends, too. I've never been able to say that until recently.

I do struggle with the belly-thing. My pant size is at 33, down from 34 at my largest. But I'm in better shape now than that 17 year-old kid who wore a size 27 baggie, smoked cigarettes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and never worked out a day in his life. I’m good. And I’ve never pimp walked.

Halloween illustrations

2009-11-01T15:34:00.001-08:00

Just a few Halloween illustrations that ran in the paper this weekend, for a story about your scary social networking friends — people like your parents, or those who offer links to things everyone already knows about.

This isn't as easy as it looks

2009-10-28T06:54:00.000-07:00

First off, I'm not venting. I'm simply highlighting a recent project that proved difficult. Everything isn't always ice cream and bubble gum here. It's not always easy. Sometimes it's work. Here's how it went:

They basically provided me with this photograph, and asked me to render it in a loose, painterly style.

Here's a portion of my sketch and the final painting:

They didn't like it. They thought the girl looked older in the painting than in the photo (which, I agree, she does), and they thought, not very attractive.

So, I created this new sketch, with a focus on making her more attractive.

They didn't like the revision, and I didn't like the idea of trying to make her more attractive. More attractive to who? I also felt the sketch no longer looked like the girl in the photo.

So, I sent this revised sketch, making her eyes bigger. I thought it worked. They didn't like it.

So I sent this new sketch. They didn't like it.

So I sent another sketch. They didn't like it.

So they sent this new photo, which they felt was more attractive, and asked me to render it instead.

And I created this sketch.

The project was canceled. Not because of my work, they said. But because both photos are of a famous person, and there are copyright issues that weren't considered. On to my next project.

Again, I'm not complaining. I got paid fairly for my work. The publisher is one of the best, and the art director was absolutely fabulous, one of the sweetest people I've ever worked with.

Where The Wild Things Are, my thoughts

2009-10-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

I was there on opening day, and I wanted to hate the movie. I wanted to leave the theater cursing the director. How dare someone ruin the best picture book ever with Muppets and actors. I entered the theater with a mixture of bad attitude and anxious anticipation. But I left eagerly awaiting its release on DVD. I absolutely loved it.

My wife wasn't interested in seeing WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, and my son was too afraid, so I went alone. Good thing I did, because he would have been scared, and we would have left early. Then he would have slept in bed with my wife and I for weeks following.

It was a totally fun experience. I especially enjoyed comparing the differences between the movie and the book, though I think they did a good job of keeping to the basic premise of the story — kid misbehaves, makes his mother angry, takes a trip to a far-off island, becomes king of the Wild Things.

In the book, Max is sent to his room, which then transforms into a jungle. But in the movie, he runs off into the night, comes upon a boat, and sails off toward the island. Little details, like the explosive mishap with his mother — tipsy from a glass of wine, and kissy-kissy with a boyfriend, made the story-line more true to contemporary life.

I loved the monsters. Visually, they were right on target. They perfectly matched the cross-hatched characters from the book, and their adult personalities added icing to the cake. They reminded me of people I know, which suggests I know quite a few crazy folk. My favorite part of the movie was when Carol shared with Max his hand-made model of the island. It represented his dream of a perfect, happy, kingdom, which he didn't believe could ever happen. But Max convinced Carol to believe, and all the Wild Things came together to build the fort, based upon the model. Nice job of filling in details left to the imagination in the book.

There were some uncomfortable moments, too. Quite a few actually. The scenes with the owls, Bob and Terry, who were abruptly, and brutally, stoned to the ground in mid-flight by KW, the Hippy-ish Wild Thing, and love interest to Carol. My stomach turned when the birds were stoned, and I never quite figured out if they were truly friends of the Wild Things, or captives.

I thought the dirt fight was distasteful, too. It reminded me of a real-life brick fight I had as a child, which, just like Alexander, the littlest (and sweetest) of the Wild Things, left me bloodied with a gash in my skull. The scene was cruel, and my son would not have liked it. And the scene with Douglas' wing getting ripped off — ack! They could have left that scene out.

I was afraid the movie would render the book irrelevant to future generations of kids. What kid would want to read the book, in it's simplicity, after seeing the movie? But no worries, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE is not a movie for kids. So give the kiddos the book, leave them at home, and go enjoy the movie without them.

My brushes with TV greatness

2009-10-10T07:06:00.001-07:00

I had my first experience with broadcast television in college. My cousins and I read for a part in a movie to be filmed at a local movie studio in Des Moines. One of my older cousins actually snagged a starring role, and I was called back to fill in as an extra. They told me to bring a few friends.

The next couple of weeks were on-and-off with the movie studio. My friends and I would show up at the set only to be told to go home and wait for another call. After we finally got the call, we ended up sitting in a room in the back of the studio for two days straight, sleeping on cots and eating. They fed us well even if they only paid us $50.

I finally got my chance behind camera toward the end of the second day. My part: A gang member. They tied my head up with a bandana scarf, and had me lay on a hospital gurney, as though I'd been beaten up in a gang fight. I laid there, breathed hard, occasionally moaned. That was the extent of my movie career.

But yesterday I had the opportunity to star in my own half-hour presentation to students all over the Killeen school district. The shoot was held in the studios of Channel 17, at the Jackson Professional Learning Center. The segment is now running every two hours and will continue to do so over the next year. I had the option of having the segment broadcast to a wider Texas audience, and even to have it available to schools as a downloadable podcast. But I worried about losing future school visit opportunities, so I opted to keep the broadcast local to Killeen.

The audience of 4th graders was very quiet at first, subdued. They didn't respond much to questions or applaud. My readings were followed by an awkward silence. But I think they were nervous. They were on TV, too, surrounded by three huge cameras, and sitting in the dark. But half way through the presentation they loosened up. They asked great questions and interacted with me quite enthusiastically.

Good thing I'm past my fear of public speaking (for the most part), because the experience behind camera — with 50,000 kids watching — would have freaked me out. It was a fun day and a very nice opportunity. Once I get the raw footage, I plan to edit together an abridged version to use as promotion for my school visit program.

Next on the program, a SKYPE school visit, direct from my home studio, with high school kids looking on. What fun that'll be!

(click here and scroll down to see photos from an older tv segment)

Food tats

2009-10-05T20:34:00.001-07:00

This is a recent illustration I did for the newspaper where I work. The story was about . . . well, do I really have to say?

Kudos to Zetta

2009-09-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

Check out Zetta Elliott's Something like an open letter to the children's publishing industry.

Good stuff.

10 years an Austinite: Blow-up sofa meets Ms. Snooty

2009-09-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

So there we were, me, my wife and my then 16-year-old daughter, near an air pump at a South Austin convenience store, unsuccessfully trying to stuff an inflatable sofa into the back of my pickup. Can you picture this? Well, this scene played out within the first month after we moved to Austin.

The sofa was my wife's idea. Before we'd moved to Austin, she insisted we sell our living room furniture. She never liked our set because I'd purchased it before we got married and, apparently, she had a dislike for overstuffed brown and plaid tweed.

Actually, she'd insisted many times before that we get rid of the furniture, but I was more of a practical person. Sofas were for sitting, not for looking at, or for matching the curtains. I'd paid for that furniture, it was less than five years old, so it didn't make any sense to get rid of it. But we were moving to a new city, and I was ready to begin life anew. I sold our living room set for practically nothing. Go figure.

We moved to Austin at a time when everyone else in the country was moving here, too. The occupancy rate for apartments was something like 99 percent, so I was lucky to find an empty apartment for my family.

We rented a small, newly-built, three-bedroom apartment in South Austin. It had central air, an automatic dishwasher and garbage disposal — a new experience for us. We were living large compared to where we had come from, with the exception that we were sitting on the floor. The move hadn't cost us a dime, but we didn't have enough money to purchase another living room set.

While shopping, my wife purchased a sofa that fit our budget perfectly. She brought it home one evening in a Target shopping bag. It was no heavier than a blanket, silver and see-through, retro-looking. Inflated, it looked like a miniature model of The Hindenburg. Or a Marine rescue boat. Had we lived in a flood plane, there would have been no worries.

The sofa was larger than average, and it sat higher. To sit down, you practically had to climb up on it. And worse yet, it filled the entire apartment with the aroma a shower curtain.

I thought: Is she kidding? I'm in a brand-spanking new apartment, in a brand-spanking new city, with a brand-spanking new job. I'm not furnishing my home with an over-sized birthday party balloon. I objected, but my objections were overruled by our budget. We kept The Hindenburg with a plan to get new furniture when we had a house built.

On most days it wasn't an issue. We didn't know anyone in Austin, so we didn't have any visitors . . . well, except for one: Ms. Snooty. My daughter had become best friends with a girl at her school. Her mother was one of those bourgeois people who had acquired a little money from her in-home nursing business and looked down her nose at anyone who didn't drive a Lexis nicer than hers.

Ms. Snooty and her daughter lived in a beautifully furnished house, in the upscale and affluent Circle C subdivision. I'd been there many times to drop off and pick up my daughter, and Ms. Snooty often offered advice on the proper ways to raise a teenage daughter — like we had been doing it wrong all along. One time, she even offered to keep our daughter for us, because, she said, our daughter would be much happier living with her. Biach!

After a football game one evening, the girls had planned to sleep over with us. So before the game, Ms. Snooty dropped in for a visit to check things out.

"Lovely place you have here," she said, as she walked in to our apartment. Her tone was disapproving. She scanned every inch of the kitchen and living room, which was mostly naked with the exception of a small dinette set, a television, and The Hindenburg.

"Have a seat," I said, reluctantly, stretching my hand out towards a chair at the dinette. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Water," she said, dryly. The girls scurried off to the back bedroom and slammed the door. My wife removed a bottle of water from the refrigerator, poured it into a glass and handed it to Ms. Snooty, whose eyes were frozen on The Hindenburg.

"It's just temporary," I said, giggling nervously. "We plan to get new furniture after we buy a house." I made small talk about the Austin housing market when Ms. Snooty unexpectedly walked over to the sofa and sat down. The friction from her leather skirt and the plastic made an unfortunate, flatulent noise. If it were possible for a Black woman to turn red, Ms. Snooty would have been purple.

My wife and I looked at each other, wanting to crack up. We didn't because, suddenly, the side of the sofa that Ms. Snooty was sitting on began to sink, while the other end began to rise. Within seconds, The Hindenburg was standing upright near a 45-degree angle. Squatted down there with her butt on the sofa — and one hand on the ground for balance — she looked like the Center in a football game, ready the hike the ball. Our so-called decorative pillows had slid down and piled against her side, which made her balancing act even more awkward.

The three of us continued to chat for a half-hour, acting as though nothing out of the ordinary were happening. When Ms. Snooty had enough of our plastic airship she quickly made an exit. It was a humbling experience for everyone involved.

We lived in that apartment for six months before we moved into our new home. The Hindenburg currently resides in our garage, folded up in a corner, to be sold at our neighborhood garage sale later this fall.

I couldn’t find an image of the actual sofa, but I did find the chair version. Just imagine it four times the length and twice as tall.

10 years an Austinite: The interview was much about hair

2009-09-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

A few days before my interview at the Austin newspaper, I made an appointment with a barber to have my dreadlocks cut off. I really wanted the job, and I didn’t want my hair to stand in the way. Dreadlocks weren't mainstream in the late 90s, at least not in Des Moines, Iowa — not even with Black people.

I hadn’t been to Austin, Texas before, so I didn’t know about the city’s laid-back atmosphere. I didn’t know about the "Keep Austin Weird" slogan, or that Austin was known as the Live Music Capital of the World, a place where dreadlocks were considered tame in comparison to purple spikes and the gothic vampire look.

I didn’t keep my appointment with the barber, though. I loved my dreadlocks and knew I'd be angry with myself for cutting them, especially if I didn’t get the job.

After my plane landed in Austin, I took a cab to my hotel. As I stood in the shower, I began to scold myself. Are you stupid or what? You should have cut the things off. Maybe I didn't want the job. Perhaps I was too scared to move away from Des Moines, the only place I'd ever lived. Did I intentionally sabotage my interview? I dried myself off, slipped into a suit and tie, and pulled my dreadlocks back neatly into a ponytail. Then I crossed my fingers and went down to the lobby, where I was to meet the newspaper’s graphics editor.

Nervous about the interview, I stepped outside to get some fresh air — which, in retrospect, was ridiculous considering it was about 110 degrees out there. I paced the sidewalk, taking in Austin’s beautiful downtown skyline. The picturesque view put me at ease. Within a few minutes, a small black racecar with a dingy paint job pulled up and parked near me. It’s engine rumbled loud like a modified Harley Davidson motorcycle.

An African American man, about my same age but a full head taller, opened the door of the car and stepped out. “I’m the graphics editor for the newspaper,” he said, shaking my hand. His dreadlocks — almost twice as long as mine — bounced wildly around his shoulders as we shook hands.

I had a great interview. And, yes, in between talking graphics and journalism and Austin oddities, we talked dreadlocks. I got the job.

10 years an Austinite: From the capital of corn to the live music capital

2009-08-24T21:18:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe, but this week marks ten years that my family and I have lived in Austin, Texas. It took forever for me to refer to myself as a Texan, because I was a proud Iowan. As far as I was concerned, I only lived in Texas, temporarily. I would return to Iowa someday.

My wife and I, and my then 16-year-old daughter, moved to Austin in late August of 1999 from Des Moines. On the day we left, the weather had been unusually cool, but once we hit Texas, temperatures skyrocketed to something crazy like 110. I remember feeling like I was going to smother under the weight of the sun. My skin burned, and I was astonished by the number of people who were actually outside jogging. My shirts were perpetually damp from sweat, and I gave up on the idea of ever smelling fresh again. No amount of antiperspirant was a match for Texas heat.

Those first few years in Austin were the most exciting time of my life. Everything was so new — new job, new apartment, new people. Dishwasher! The apartment we moved into was brand-spanking new and it had a dishwasher. It was the first time in my life I'd ever had such a convenience. There were new places to eat, new stores to shop, new parks to explore. Every day served up a new adventure.

We've been here ten years now, and we love Austin today the same as the first day we move here. I can say it now, "I'm Texan."

For the next week or so, I plan to write about my journey to Austin. What brought my family from the corn capital of the world to the live music capital? What were our highlights over the past ten years? The low points? And what's on the road ahead?

-------------
Pictured: I tried to find the perfect picture to post, one of my wife and family when we first moved to Austin, but I couldn't find one. The picture above is of me and two of my three brothers on the day before I moved to Austin, at a going-away party given by my extended family.

Cover ideas

2009-08-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

For the most part, I'm finished with interior illustrations for She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story. Some paintings might could use a bit of tweaking, but nothing very time consuming. I hope.

At this point the editor and art director, and I are discussing ideas for the cover. And it's tricky. The story itself is quiet, as are most of the interior illustrations. But they would like a lively cover. So I'm going to kick around a few ideas over the next week, inbetween my other projects (snagged a good one yesterday).

Now here's the funny part. I wasn't happy with two of the interior illustrations. In fact, I had planned to redo them but ran out of time. With one spot I kinda went over-the-top with my color choices, and I wanted to tone down the palette. With the other spread I wasn't sure what to do, but I felt like something was wrong.

But guess what? The spread I wanted to throw out is my art director's favorite. And the spread with the wild colors is my editor's favorite — go figure. In fact they like the colorful spread so much, they want me to use a similar palette on the cover.

Art is so subjective, there's really no right or wrong. Just do it and have fun.

Huge contrast

2009-08-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

This has been my work area the past few days while I revise my picture book biography, unstaged (notice Tweetdeck on my computer screen, and excuse the strawberry decor).

This is my typical work space. As I sat down to work today, I couldn't help but notice the contrast.

Wearing my writer's cap

2009-08-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been acting more like a writer than an artist. While last week I prepared for the AAW workshop, this week my focus has been on revisions for Bill, a picture book biography which will publish with Lee & Low Books next fall. I’m having a ball revising, but I’m also finding it very tricky.

It’s been almost four years since my editor offered me the opportunity to revise the manuscript for publication, and more than two years since it was actually acquired. It’s been almost a year-and-a-half since the last revision. In all honesty, other than When’s this book ever gonna publish? I haven’t thought about it much. Looking at it now is almost like looking at it for the first time. For instance, I found myself getting all salty with my editor, thinking she had added her own phrases to the manuscript. Those words are too good to be mine, I thought. But looking closer at past versions, I realized the words were mine. Somewhere around revision 26, I forgot.

Seeing the manuscript fresh has helped me to see problems I might otherwise have not. But I have to be very careful when making changes – even little ones. The story is nonfiction. My word choices were made very carefully, based on research. So each time I make a change, I have to go back to my research to double-check that I’m not messing up history. What I’ve discovered is that, although one word or phrase might sound or flow better, another word or phrase might suggest something inaccurate.

In addition, the illustrator for the book and the editor have a few questions. The answers will affect the art. Problem is, finding these answers haven't been easy because my story involves a slave. Slaves were considered property, like a horse or a mule, and the census didn't go knocking door-to-door counting mules — or Black people, for that matter.

It's been interesting swapping roles, artist to author. But I've learned that I love telling stories with words as much as I do with paint.

Now, it's back ~~to the drawing board~~ to the manuscript for me.

Awesome Austin Writers workshop, '09

2009-08-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

Awesome Austin Writers, The Outsiders, top row: Brian Yansky, Donna Bowman Bratton, Patrick Swayze Bottom row: Shana Burg, Debbie Gonzales, Don Tate

I'm pumped! Yesterday I attended the Awesome Austin Writers workshop, along with 20 other published and near-published children's and YA authors. The event was hosted in the beautiful home of Austin SCBWI founder Meredith Davis (think: Beverly Hills meets Lake Austin).

The day-long critique session kicked off with a tasty breakfast, but then it was down to business. We split up into four groups of five people. My group: The Outsiders. There were also Frogs and Toads, Wild Things and Ramonas! Cool? I'm sorry I don't have pictures to post. I carried my camera with me but didn't feel comfortable snapping pictures, everyone knowing they'd end up right here on my blog.

Two months before the workshop, each writer submitted 10 pages of a work in progress and each team was given copies. We spent almost an hour critiquing each person's work. It was a definite growing experience for me because I was forced to read different genres that, typically, I avoid. Like sci-fi. If a book even looks sci-fi I won't pick it up. But Brian submitted a sci-fi manuscript, and I read it and enjoyed it. I even realized one idea I've been kicking around might be considered sci-fi.

Between critiques we had group discussions on various topics ranging from social networking to speaking events -- when and when not give free appearances.

As far as I could recall, I was the only art-guy-author there. But I felt welcomed, and I value the feedback I received.

I submitted a 1,200 word picture book biography, which included an authors note and an afterward. Without giving away my story, here's what I learned:

My subject has a compelling story that can be told from many angles. Unfortunately, I chose every angle. I'll need to focus a bit.

Although most biographies are told in chronological order, I don't have to begin telling my story at the beginning.

I'm a "but" man, apparently. I used the word "but" 16 times in a 1,200 word manuscript. I'll need to work on that.

Even though I don't know how it smelled or felt or tasted in the 1800s, I can assume it smelled and felt and tasted the same as it does today. I need to use more sensory details to bring the story alive.

I saved the passion for my afterward. Everyone seemed moved by my authors note and the afterward. So I'll need to figure a way to weave in some of that passion into the story itself.

The day ended with a first-page reading. Most everyone submitted one half of the first page of a work in progress, which was read out loud. Originally I'd planned to submit a humorous, rhyming picture book I've been working on. But I shied away from that, knowing most other submissions would be YA or middle-grade chapter books. I'm glad I made that decision.

At the last minute, I dug out one particular picture book manuscript that I really, really love, but hasn't sold yet after two years. I think it's a story that would have sold with no problem a few years ago. But things have changed. So I decided to rewrite it as a chapter book (ages 4-5-6). I stayed up late the night before rewriting the first page. And everyone laughed! In all the right places! It was great!

Self observation

2009-07-29T11:49:00.000-07:00

I've learned something about myself. I'm either more dyslexic than I thought, or I have absolutely no idea how to correctly hold a baseball bat.

A grueling four months comes to an end

2009-07-28T18:26:00.001-07:00

When I think about my accomplishments over the past four months, I
feel both gratified and exasperated. Here's what I've been up to:

Finished painting She Loved Baseball, a picture book biography about Negro League Baseball owner Effa Manley, written by Audrey Vernick. This book required 23 pieces of art, possibly 24 since the cover has yet to be determined.

Gave 10 speaking presentations at school libraries, writing conferences, and book fairs.

Completed 4 small, in-and-out in a day freelance projects for educational publishing.

Spent 4 days in North Carolina with my Aunt Eleanora, following the sudden passing of her husband, my uncle Zack.

Attended and participated in no less than 20 end-of-the-year school activities, sporting events, summer camp programs, Scouting events.

Wrote and revised a humorous picture book (out to an editor); wrote a first draft of a picture book biography.

Read 10 pages from 5 manuscripts for an upcoming writing/critiquing event.

And don't forget, I work a part-time job at the newspaper three days per week, which allows me to do all these other things.

Things I haven't accomplished:

Working out. Yes, I'm out of shape, fat around the edges, and weak. And to make matters worse, every bodypart jiggles, including those that should be stationary.

Vegas vacation. My wife and son spent 11 days in Las Vegas without me.

My son's track meets. There was no way I could forfeit entire days in order to watch my son run in a 30-second track event. Kudos to my wife who did this.

Several get-togethers and a road trip with local authors and illustrators.

Church. Even though I sleep through most sermons, I don't like to miss church because I think it's important for my son to know I value going to church.

Illustration update

2009-07-14T19:56:00.000-07:00

In addition to illustrating children's books, I also work for the newspaper, The American Statesman. My official title is Graphics Reporter, which means I report stories with maps and charts. But I illustrate, too. Here are a couple of recent illustrations.

For a story about teaching your child to grow ingredients to make a pizza.

For a story about mothers who blog, and how powerful (and profitable) this has become.

************
In other news: Ron's Big Mission received a nice review from Children's Literature review journal. And they had pleasing comments about the illustrations, too: "Don Tate's illustrations are richly colored and vividly expressive. The town's wide-eyed citizens are foolish but well-intentioned; Tate conveys their lack of aggression through the use of sloped, curved lines and quizzical expressions."

A few years ago when I had some down time, I created a bunch of little car images. My licensing agent, Suzanne Cruise, was able to license them to various product manufacturers, particularly scrapbooking companies. When an editor at HarperCollins/HarperFestival discovered the cars on display at a Surtex, a huge licensing show in New York, they hired me to illustrate the pop-up book Zoom: A Book of Things That Go. Recently the cars have been licensed by Miss Elizabeth, A Dollar Tree line of products, and are being used on gift bags. So, if you're so inclined, give ZOOM as a gift, and give it away in a matching bag!

On the picture book front, I'm almost finished illustrating Effa. I'm a little behind due to a sudden burst of speaking engagements toward the end of the school year, followed by a family emergency, followed by one thing after another. But I'm almost there and, I think, it's looking good.

In the meantime. . .

2009-07-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

I made my deadline last week . . . well, sort of. I shipped all but a few spreads to HarperCollins, with a promise that the remainder of the art would straggle in over the next few weeks. I felt terrible, but the art director reassured me it was okay, that actually I was "on time" compared to delivery of art by many other artists.

Since I'll be knee-deep in painting for the next few weeks, no telling when I'll be posting here again. So in the meantime, I wanted to help spread the word about a new picture book by writer friend, Chris Barton. His book, The Day-Glow Brothers, released this month to rave reviews and much buzz over the kidlitosphere. In particular, I'd like to direct you to a feature about him and his book on Cynsations. And they're giving books away! Check it out.

And if you're in Austin next weekend, July 11, drop in to BookPeople where the official launch of The Day-Glow Brothers will take place. See you there.

The King of Pop meets the King of Kings

2009-06-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson is dead. For me, the headlines haven't quite registered yet. Over the last few years of his life, he generated so many bizarre headlines, this simply seems like another one. Unfortunately, this will be his ultimate.

I wish I had more time to write about him, but I don't. So I share this simple cartoon that I quickly drew this morning.

You'll notice I chose to portray the Michael that I grew up with. The brown skin Michael with hair like mine. I never really accepted his change. I drew this image from memory. I didn't use reference. This is the image of Michael Jackson that is burned into my memory forever.

I miss writing

2009-06-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling kind of bummed-out lately. I'm in the final stages of painting a book, and as much as I love, love, love, drawing and painting, the last few weeks before a big book deadline is simply not very much fun. Paint, paint, paint, nonstop, nothing else. No writing, no working out, no family, equals stress. And yes, I’m very grouchy, as my wife will attest.

I miss writing and blogging terribly. I haven't posted here or written on my other, super secret, blog in awhile. Writing had become stress relief because I did it for fun, without the worry of whether it appealed to a gatekeeper — an editor, agent, book buyer. And while it sometimes crossed the line — edgy big-time — people tuned in anyway.

This morning, I Googled my old blog, which lead me to a tribute from an apparent reader. It really lifted my spirits (Note: I deleted the blog name from the following quote):

"When we were told to read one of the two blogs written by an African American, I was immediately drawn to Xxxxxx Xxxx's blog. Not only is he a talented writer, he is a cartoonist. I think that is a main reason why the majority of the class read his blog.

Xxxxxx Xxxx talks about issues from buying $70 popcorn from a Cub Scout to the presidential election. I sat reading his blog for literally an hour. His posts are easy to read, because they are short and sweet. I noticed from the comments being left, that he has a strong connection with his audience. Xxxxxx Xxxx does not ask questions to lure in comments, instead his readers are interested in his everyday occurrences. I think a lot of people can relate to Xxxxxx Xxxx, that's why he gets several comments on his blog. He has a funny and sarcastic personality which makes his blog more enjoyable to read. The pictures, videos, and cartoons included in his blog are hilarious.

My attention was immediately grabbed. After reading one post, I wanted to keep reading further and further. His opinions may be controversial but they bring up good discussion amongst the readers.

And another reader said this:

"I agree with you. Xxxxxx Xxxxx's blog was hilarious and he did a good job of connecting with the reader. He is very easy to relate to even though I'm not a parent. It was really interesting to see how his personality as a blogger developed throughout his entire blog."

Thanks a lot, whoever you are. I love writing for children, but what I discovered about myself through the journey of having that blog, is that I love writing for adults more. Maybe I should polish off a few of those old post, and see if I could get them published as a collection of humorous essays and cartoons that would appeal to adults. Hm.

My final visit of 2008-'09 rocked!

2009-05-22T15:16:00.001-07:00

I just returned from a school visit at Great Oaks Elementary, in Round Rock, Texas. Their music and arts program (MAE Day), is an annual end-of-the-year program, and the kids were very excited.

I spoke to the entire student body in three groups — 7 classes of 4th-graders; 13 classes of kindergarten and 1st-graders; and 15 classes of 2nd- and 3rd-graders. Following the last presentation, an unplanned autograph session broke out. My son, who'd acted disinterested all morning and sat unimpressed in a corner, suddenly came to life and became my spokesman. He answered questions intended for me, and then whispered in my ear that I hadn't mentioned him enough during my presentations. He corrected that.

One student was so impressed, she asked my son for his autograph, too. Suddenly, everyone wanted his autograph, so he proudly signed along with me. It was so funny to see my son standing there surrounded by a bunch of 3rd-grade girls, with their arms extended to him for a signature.

I almost forgot that schools no longer teach cursive writing. The kids were so impressed that my son — same age as them — could sign his name neatly in cursive! Many of the students complimented him on his beautiful writing.

This was my son's first time visiting a public school, and I worried. My son attends a small Christian school, with a student body of about 215 students total. His school has two 2nd-grade classes and one 3rd-grade class. His school has a tiny library. There is no gymnasium at all, and the students wear uniforms. I worried he'd feel like he was missing out on something. But afterwards when I asked if he'd like to attend a public school, where he could wear his favorite street clothes and the desired mohawk, he responded with a resounding "no!" He liked the school and the kids, no doubt. But I think he was overwhelmed by the number of kids.

This was my last school visit for the 2008-09 school year. I'm looking forward to returning to schools in the fall, though I've decided to change my program. I use my original art at these presentations, and the pieces have taken quite a beating. Eventually I'd like to sell a few pieces, maybe exhibit them somewhere, but can't happen if they're dinged-up and torn.

Painting, painting, painting Effa

2009-05-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Novel inspiration from an old friend and days gone by

2009-05-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, I Google the names of my friends from high school and college. Most of the time, I never find anyone. But today, I found the name of my very best high school buddy, Jimmie M.*

I was elated when I saw his name, but I was saddened to discover that, three years ago, he was sentenced to a twenty-five year prison term for conspiring to deliver a controlled substance, a Class B felony. Although his name is common, I knew it was him. He was a small-time drug dealer in high school, our school's main supplier. Guess he never gave that up.

To this day, I don't know how I, the shiest — and probably the most timid — kid in high school, ended up best friends with one of the most notorious kids. But I was. In fact, it was Jimmie who gave me the nickname Devas T. (devastate-ing) that I use on this blog.

Jimmie was popular. Whatever the goings-on at school, Jimmie was at the center. If there was a fight, Jimmie was in it. The big story of the day, Jimmie was the subject. A rumor, it was about Jimmie. Everyone knew and loved him, and even though most of the student body was self-segregated racially, Jimmy was just as popular with the white kids as he was with the blacks. I wasn't popular. In the mornings and between classes, when Jimmie and the cool kids hung out in the hallways, I took the side stairwells and hid out in my art or photography classes.

Jimmie had a nice car. He leaned hard in a burnt, cherry red, '69 "Stang" with hot-rod rims and black leather, bucket, seats. Later, after his older brother died in a car accident, he inherited a large sum of money, and his parents let him buy a used Monte Carlo. He gangsta'd it out with gold-spoke rims and black tinted windows. His car was the talk of the school, and when I was in it, I leaned just as hard as he did (leaning was what you did to be cool -- lean down in the seat, on the arm rest, as far down as possible). When I wasn't riding shotgun in Jimmie's car, I drove an old Plymoth Duster that I purchased from a junkyard for $300. It ran off-and-on, occasionally.

Jimmie was a player, too. He had so many girl friends, he didn't know half their names. Girls would carry his books for him to classes, and oftentimes they would do his homework. He would throw his arms around a group of girls in the hallway, and call himself a pimp. He bragged to me about things he would do with them late at night, but since we usually hung out after school, and worked a burger joint together at night, I couldn't figure out when he had time to do all that stuff. I had a couple of girl friends, too, here and there. But never the harem that Jimmy had following him through the hallways.

We had nothing in common, really, but for whatever reason, we stuck together like tape our entire four years in high school (back then, high school was 9th through 12th grade).

When I think back to the situations I allowed myself to get into hanging with Jimmie, it scares me. It's only by grace that I didn't end up in jail myself in high school, or worse yet, dead.

After graduation, Jimmie and I went our separate ways. With his good grades and inheritance, he attended a big name, predominately, Black college in the south. I stayed home and went to a local community college, mostly on Pell Grants. He was in school less than a year before he dropped out. I was excited when I found out he had returned home, but disappointed when he didn't contact me. Turned out, he was hanging with a group of guys I'd have been much too scared to hang out with anyway.

When we finally did get together, I noticed something had changed in Jimmie. He had hardened. I don't know what kind of people — or substances — he had gotten himself mixed up with while away in college, but he wasn't the same person I'd known all those years.

It would be another 10 years before I crossed paths with Jimmie again. I was at the mall with my young daughter when I saw him from a distance. As he approached, I called out his name and waved to get his attention. I was ready to catch up, maybe even repair our friendship. But his eyes were like ice. Even though we were face to face, I wasn't sure if he saw me. He appeared to look right through me. I looked away and kept walking.

Excuse me for blogging off topic, but recalling my old friend and long-gone high school experiences, I think I may have found that bit of inspiration that's been lacking, that something I needed in order to pick up and resume working my novel (after I finish painting the Effa story).

*name changed, of course.

My unintentional April tour report

2009-04-28T06:46:00.000-07:00

Whew! The past month has been a whir wind. I painted, presented, spoke, traveled and signed books — and did it all on only an ounce of sleep. I've had a ball, but I'm tired, I'm out of shape, and my throat is so sore. In normal everyday life, I don't talk much, so I think I've strained my vocal chords.

Since the first of April, I've traveled to Houston, Corpus Christi, Dallas, and Charlotte, N.C. In total, I've given approximately 30 presentations. All of the events were special to me, each in a different way. But I am especially giddy having participated in the first African American Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators conference in Charlotte.

The conference was inspiring, healing, uplifting, life-changing. There was something magic about attending a conference made up of children's writers and illustrators who share a common experience: The African American experience.

Pictured above is my aunt, Eleanora E. Tate, author of Celeste's Harlem Renaissance, and me. Here are a few more pictures from the past few weeks:

The African American Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference was small — less than 60 attendees — but folks were so excited, and at times, emotional. Take note of the two male attendees. They were given special recognition prizes. . . lol!

Eileen Robinson, of F1rstPages, and Sara Ketchersid, senior editor with Caldlewick Press, discuss what makes Where The Wild Things Are the perfect picture book.

Lovely and elegant, Kelly Starling Lyons, author of One Million Men and Me, conducts a breakout session.

Scholarly and commanding, Christine Taylor-Butler, author of No Boys Allowed! holds class. Her hands-on discussion was about editing your manuscript.

My session was mainly geared toward the illustrators. I talked about my path to publication, and how I've slowly evolved into the illustrator I am today. The point I was trying to drive home is that you have to persist in this business, and that it doesn't always happen overnight, like it may seem to happen for others.

Other presenters, who I don't have photos of, include Karen Stong, who also served as moderator for the conference, and whose class act kept things flowing smoothly.

Books, books, books, by and about African Americans. Our numbers may be small proportionally in this business, but compared to twenty years ago, the numbers have grown. One conference attendee made the point that when she was a kid, there weren't many books with characters that look like her. But today, that's simply not true, and that we shouldn't be so quick to complain.

The day before the conference, I presented to the entire student body of Windsor Park Elementary. I was just as excited to be there as the kids were to have me there. I'd never presented in N.C. The kids wrote letters and made these gifts for me.

The remaining pictures are from the Dallas Children's Book and Literary Festival and the Corpus Christi Children's Book Festival:

The Dallas Book and Literary Festival

2009-04-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning at the Dallas Children's Book and Literary Festival, authors, illustrators, city leaders, organizers and supporters shared breakfast with approximately 2000 kids, who had been invited especially because of their high grades, good behavior and overall performance in school. Authors and illustrators were encouraged to spread out and mix with the kids while eating.

I sat with a group of young men and women from A.W. Brown Charter School. They were approximately 8 to 11 years old. I was there to inspire them. But they inspired me.

When young African American males make the news, it's usually because they did something bad. In movies and on TV, they are often portrayed as thugs. Heck, let's be honest, many African American males celebrate that thuggish image, perpetuated by rappers and the hip-hop culture.

But the young men and women I shared breakfast with were none of that! Like the 1972 Nina Simone song, they were Young, Gifted and Black. These young men made me proud. They were articulate, smart, mannerly, courteous, funny. They engaged me in conversation. Asked intelligent questions. They talked about their career aspirations, which included computer programming and engineering. And in addition to rap and hip-hop, musical interest included old-school R&B, jazz, techno, heavy metal and country. "Everything except opera," one kid said, making me laugh.

These kids were not forced to be at this festival. They enthusiastically celebrated literature, discussed their favorite books, danced, sang, answered questions—wow! They were great.

The students came to the festival dressed in their finest clothes — suits and ties, dresses and bows, polished shoes. I wore jeans. Next time, I'm dressing up for them.

This isn't to forget the wonderful festival I attended on Friday in Corpus Christi. There I presented to about 1200 kids, in 10-minute sessions. By the time the day was over, I'd made about 25 back-to-back presentations, and then followed it up with a school visit. I absolutely love the people of the Corpus Christi library system.

Illustrating and conferencing, but no blogging (probably)

2009-04-11T20:50:00.000-07:00

Now is when things are going to get stressful. I'm already halfway through April, and I have so much to accomplish before the first of May.

To keep on schedule, in the next two weeks, I need to finish three spreads for Effa, a picture book for HarperCollins. So far, I'm happy with how the illustrations are shaping up. But I need to stop and begin working on my keynote for the AACBWI conference coming up in two weeks.

In addition, this coming Thursday and Friday, I'll be in the Corpus Christi Book Festival, which will involve a school visit on Friday afternoon. Friday evening, I'll take a plane to Dallas, and then on Saturday I'll be in a Children's Book and Literary Festival there.

But that's not all. I have several other little projects in the works, not to mention I'd like to contribute in some way to The Brown Bookshelf. So if I'm incognito over the next few weeks, you now know why.

I'll still be Twittering and FaceBooking, however, because micro-blogging doesn't take up too much time.

************
In other news: The celebration at BookPeople today, with Kathi Appelt and Cynthia Leitich Smith was very nice. Each author introduced the other. They showed trailers of their books, Eternal and The Underneath. Then they interviewed each other and read letters from their readers. A very warm, well attended event. I'm glad I was there.

A family piece

2009-04-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

This is a small portion of a painting that I just finished. It was commissioned by Nance Galleries. This was one of the toughest pieces I've ever created because I'm more of a commercial artist, and this is a fine art piece.

I've never done a fine art piece before, at least not that I know of. I'm used to creating art for a specific purpose — art for an advertisement, a book, art to be reproduced and resold as a product. But art for the sake of art?— shoot, I got bills to pay.

In this case, the only boundaries were that it had to be family related. Beyond that, I could do whatever I wanted. I got stuck. The folks at the gallery had seen some of the images posted at THE BEST KID IN THE WORLD, and suggested that I paint my family. So that's what I did.

Keep in mind, I have two adult daughters who, when they read this, will completely take this the wrong way. I didn't intentionally leave you out, girls. This isn't meant to be a literal portrait of my family (though it does kind of look like us); I was going for composition here. One man hugging three grown women and a little boy simply wouldn't work.

I scanned the art and am considering offering prints at a later date.

As of tomorrow, I will be working the Effa Manley story, full time until July.

Back to the grind following TLA09

2009-04-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

I had a ball the past few days, mixing it up with librarians, authors, editors, publishers at the Texas Library Association conference in Houston. My signing on Thursday with Penguin went well; almost every copy sold. I signed again on Friday with Texas Overlooked Books, where I sat alongside the talented Rob Espinosa.

Here are a few highlights:

— Chris Barton's contagious enthusiasm about the field of children's publishing, and especially about his forthcoming book, The Day-Glow Brothers. Chris wore that excitement all over his being-- figuratively and literally speaking. I hope he'll still hang out with us once he goes big-time.

— Getting mobbed by six librarians, three minutes upon entering the exhibit hall the first day. (I think it was the "author" name badge).

—The disabled guy who rode the exhibit floor with copies of my artwork hanging from the front and back of his cart. I didn't stop and tell him I was the artist.

— Drinks with my roomies and Mark Nobleman. Mark is the author of Boys of Steel.

— Sharing drinks with my August House editor, Liz Parkhurst and author Toni Simmons (whose book I will begin illustrating later this year). Also present were a host of August House authors and storytellers, including Tom McDermott. I hope Liz wasn't disappointed; I am not the outgoing humorist as one might assume from reading my Facebook updates.

— Getting celebrity treatment from the wonderful folks at Penguin.

— Turning a perfectly ruinous lunch fiasco with Diane Roberts, Sue Ward and Chris Barton into a totally fun time (long story).

— Testing out my new GPS Navitator, which impressed the heck out of Kathy Duval and Varian Johnson, who followed in a car behind mine. No one — including myself — knew how to get where were going for dinner. But the navigator got us there.

— Meeting two of the ReaderGirlz Divas. How did I ever miss Justina?!

— Having a librarian spill coffee on me during the Black Caucus breakfast, and then having her invite me to speak at four of her schools in May.

— Having Dr. Loriene Roy go over-and-beyond to get a last-minute seat for me at the Black Caucus breakfast.

— Getting lost on my way to the Black Caucus breakfast, and then getting directions from a librarian, who turned out to be the outgoing President. She expressed her interest in having me speak at next year's breakfast.

— Chatting with friend, author Spelile Rivas, who was at the publishers reception — not as an author, but as a librarian! Huge career change she's made since we last spoke. Good for her!

For fear of leaving someone out, I won't even try to list everyone I ran into. But it was so nice to see and chat and celebrate with the wonderful group of people that make up the children's literature community in Texas.

P.S. I lugged my camera around that conference for three days, and did not take one picture. Duh. Which explains the photo of my exhibitors badge.

Tweeting from TLA

2009-03-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

Well it's that time of year. Time to mix it up with Texas librarians, authors, illustrators, editors, publishers at the Texas Library Association conference in Houston.

I will be traveling with author Chris "Day-Glow" Barton. We, along with author Brian "Proton" Anderson, will divide up hotel accommodations, and as long as they don't mind my very loud snoring and possible sleep screaming, it will all be good.

On Wednesday evening, we are planning to have dinner with author Marc Tyler Nobleman. Then on Thursday I will sign Ron's Big Mission at the Penguin booth (1405) from 2:30 to 3:30, and then at Follet from 3:30 to 4:30.

Later that evening, I'm looking forward to attending the publishers reception, and then having dinner with my editor at August House.

On Friday I will sign books with my friends at Texas Overlooked Books.

I plan to post tweets while there, if possible, though I haven't been able to figure out how to post pictures from my cell phone. You can follow me here at Twitter.

If you will be there, be sure to holler!

Breaking for basketball

2009-03-28T19:17:00.000-07:00

I am not a basketball person at all. But K is. So I took a break from painting today, to get in a quick game. We ended up playing all afternoon. Huh!

A shout-out to my writing friends

2009-03-26T06:20:00.000-07:00

Check out my post at Crowe's Nest: Encouragement from friends on my path to publication.

Caricatures; doodling

2009-03-25T06:57:00.001-07:00

I created this caricature of a coworker. Yesterday was her last day at work, so I wanted to do something special.

I had a tough time with this. It's much easier to do a caricature when the subject is, well, funny looking. But my coworker isn't a bad looking lady, so I wasn't sure what facial featured to exploit.

The first thing I did was to create a sketch of her from memory. The mind tends to remember and identify with certain facial features. Her smile is what I remembered most, and how she squints her eyes. My initial sketch was way off, but I used the sketch along with a 10-year-old photo I'd found of her, and this is what I came up with.

She's from England and has a very strong English accent, which explains the royal Queenly theme.

I colored this in Photoshop.

This is a doodle of Duke Ellington, I created one day while talking on the phone. While talking, I didn't even realize I was doodling from the screen saver on my computer. I tend to doodle so much, I don't even think about it. I liked how this one turned out.

Following mom's example made calling my dad much easier

2009-03-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

Last week my dad was admitted to the hospital. As it turned out, he'd basically drunk and smoked himself to near death. He now has congestive heart failure, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), and alcohol induced dementia. He doesn't fully understand what's going on; his brain has atrophied after decades of alcohol abuse.

When I first heard the news, I wasn't sure how to feel or what to think. How does one feel when something bad happens to an almost total stranger? My parents separated when I was 15 years old. They divorced two years later. When my dad moved out, he cut himself off from his family, divorcing himself from his four boys, too. Since then, my relationship with my dad has consisted of, maybe, four brief conversations in 27 years.

Following my parent’s divorce, my dad moved in with his longtime girlfriend. Soon they married and started a family. My brothers and I watched our mom suffer through a depression that lasted for years.

There were race issues, too. My dad's new wife, the woman who broke up our family, was white. I won't go into the complexities this added to the situation, but I thought my dad finally had what he wanted — light-skinned children with straight hair. But when that marriage failed, too, he cut himself off from those children.

Today I don't hate my dad. The reason? My mom.

My mom was the ultimate model of Christian reconciliation and forgiveness. She forgave my dad. She forgave the other woman. It took a few years, but in time, she treated them both not with resentment, but with love. There were many times when my mom did things that made no sense to me. I didn't understand the many acts of kindness she bestowed on my dad and that other woman — blessings she continues to give even today.

Then, I thought my mom's actions revealed an awful weakness that made me feel ashamed. Today I view my mom's actions with honor and pride. Her example of strength, courage, forgiveness, selflessness, her unwavering faith in God provides a path that I want to follow to becoming a better person.

Last week, I contacted my dad at the hospital, as did two of my three brothers (the other will call, too, I'm confident). Calling him wasn't hard to do. I just thought about my mom, and I did what I thought she would do.

So, what was she doing? She was at the hospital, visiting my dad. He called her first, the one person in this world he could depend on in his greatest hour of need.

I'm so technologically (is that a word?) out of date

2009-03-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

This kind of thing keeps happening to me: My mom sends pictures for me to view at an online photo album, but I can't view them because I don't have the current Flash player installed. I can't install the current Flash player because I don't have the current version of Firefox installed. I can't install the current version of Firefox because I don't have the current operating system installed. I don't have the current operating system installed because my computer is too old. I don't have an up-to-date computer because, well, who can afford a new computer in an economy like this?

Kudos to Ron

2009-03-10T07:09:00.000-07:00

From JLG Monthly, April/May 2009 issue: Although the segregated South might seem distant to many young readers, this story makes history feel personal.

From author Corinne J. Naden: "Rose Blue and I were talking to the library staff in Lake City, South Carolina which is Ronald McNair's hometown. One of them mentioned that Ron was well known there, not just because he was an astronaut and had died tragically in the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle in 1986, but because he had opened the library system in that small town. The tale sounded intriguing. I think even beyond the delightful pictures, the book is special because—with a few embellishments perhaps—it's true."

From Don Tate: "My seven-year-old son served as the model for many of the facial expressions . . . I took hundreds of pictures of him, to the point that I finally got on his nerves. But he loved the final product."

I will attend TLA (Texas Library Association) on April 2nd, signing Ron's Big Mission at the Penguin booth, #1405 from 2:30pm – 3:30pm, and then again at the Follett booth from 3:30 p.m – 4:30 p.m.

Interview with NPR's Rodney Lear

2009-03-06T09:43:00.000-08:00

Check me out chatting with NPR Cincinatti's Rodney Lear. This was extremely difficult for me to listen to; I don't like hearing my own voice. But the end result turned out better than what I anticipated.

I'm home again!

2009-02-28T16:42:00.000-08:00

I just returned home from a two day visit in Killeen, Texas. On Friday I presented to five groups of kids at two schools. My morning visit was at an elementary school on the Fort Hood military base. On Saturday I was a featured author/illustrator in the Take 190 West art festival. I had a great time. But I'm tired. So tired.

Here are a few photos:

This is a group from . . . I forget which school. But I did three half-hour presentations to the entire student body in the afternoon (the group was so big, I had to piece three photos together to show all the kids). Great kids, very enthusiastic.

This photo is deceiving. What you see is me autographing a valentine for one child, with another child waiting. What you can't see is the line directly in from of me, with about 50 other autograph seekers, who found every single bit of scrap paper in the library to have signed. Kids are great; they'll treat you like a rock star.

Friday evening, Pat Anderson of Texas Overlooked Books hosted a get-together for visiting authors and illustrators. Pat calls himself an amateur chef, but there was nothing amateurish about the meal he prepared. It was absolutely one of the best meals I've ever had. I think Pat should reconsider peddling books and open a restaurant. Seriously.

Not wanting to drive with a buzz, I didn't drink any adult beverages at the party . . . I waited until I returned to my hotel room, where I had a nightcap. Here I am getting loopy with myself, a mirror and my camera (excuse me, I'm kinda off).

On Saturday, I was one of the featured guest on hand to sign books, and I shared a table with author/illustrator Brian Floca (who I'm convinced will win a Siebert Award for his forthcoming title MOONSHOT: THE FLIGHT OF APOLLO 11). Brian and I also sat on an illustration discussion panel with author/illustrator Keith Graves, and illustrator Nathan Jensen. It was a lively and informative session for an audience of . . . three people, maybe four.

I also shared company with author David Davis and Jan Peck.

Keith Graves gives a painting demonstration.

Here's a more complete list of the children's and YA authors and illustrators featured at the festival:

Keith Graves, Sherry Garland, Brian Floca, David Davis, Jan Peck, Xavier Garza, Dotti Enderle, Christine Ford, Shirley Smith Duke, Nathan Jensen, Clare Dunkle, Jackie Mills — and graphic novelists Christina Strain, Ben Dunn and Rod Espinoza.

I was thrilled to walk away with a signed copy of Brian's The Racecar Alphabet. Here Brian signs my copy (And he bought a copy of my Ron's Big Mission, too).

My to-do list: Contact my editor; contact the man upstairs

2009-02-24T20:08:00.000-08:00

Editorial Anonymous has a post on her blog entitled "The Joy of Layoffs." Basically, if you haven't heard from your editor in awhile, you'd probably better contact them. He/she might be gone due to layoffs, and if that happens, your project might end up in limbo.

One of my projects is in limbo.

I haven't heard anything from anyone concerning my Duke project, and it's been almost six months. I submitted thumbnail sketches last August, but then it was put on editorial hold, indefinitely. I moved ahead to my next project, Effa, and I've hesitated to contact them, fearing a scheduling conflict should they need me to jump back in.

In addition, I've agreed to do another project following Effa, and I've just received an inquiry about illustrating yet another. So I think it's time to make contact with someone. I hope everything is not too far off track.

And while I'm at it, I'd probably better make contact with God, too. I still have a job. If you haven't heard, newspapers aren't doing so well. The paper I work for is up for sale and voluntary separation packages have been offered to longtime employees. I'm praying there won't be any involuntary separations in my near future.

Take 190 arts festival in Killeen

2009-02-22T11:26:00.000-08:00

The City of Killeen, together with the Killeen Independent School District (KISD), the Killen Civic and Conference Center (KCCC) and Visitors Bureau, and the Killeen Art Guild will host the Take 190 West Arts Festival beginning February 22, 2009, and continuing to February 28, 2009. Events include a student art show, a student film festival, writing and drawing workshops and an artists and authors event.

The event will include artists, authors of adult literature, graphic novelists, authors of teen literature, and children's book illustrators. Children's authors and illustrators include Keith Graves, Sherry Garland and me (Don Tate).

My participation in the event begins on Friday, with two school library visits (one taking place on the Fort Hood military base). On Saturday, I will participate in the festival, sign books, have a great time, and then head home for a long-needed nap.

A fleeting feeling, or maybe I'm hearing things

2009-02-16T20:43:00.000-08:00

Tonight as I put the final touches on an illustrator interview I'm featuring tomorrow at the Brown Bookshelf, I heard this little voice. It asked: "Does it really make sense for you to spend so much of your valuable time promoting other illustrators, when you could use some promotion and higher visibility your dog-gone self?"

It wasn't an audible voice; it was more like an uncomfortable feeling that I gave words to.

I don't know, I'm gonna shake it off and hope in the long run I'm doing the right thing.

Are you addicted to Facebook?

2009-02-15T20:06:00.000-08:00

I found this article interesting. It asks: Are you addicted to Facebook? For me, since I use MySpace, Twitter, JacketFlap, Wordpress, Blogger and Facebook, the question applies more to social networking in general.

Here are the questions and my answers:

10 warning signs that you may be addicted to Facebook (social networks)

1. Facebook is your home page.
No. Yahoo is my homepage. Drudge is usually next. Facebook follows close behind.

2. You update your status more than twice a day.
I update my Facebook status at least once per day. Occasionally twice. More than that, I'll use Twitter which, designed for frequent updates, is less likely to irritate people.

3. You have over 500 "friends" half of whom you've never actually met.
I have little over 200 Facebook "friends" and the list keeps growing. I know, or have personally met about 50% of these people. The rest I've met through the internet. I use Facebook for trade networking, so most of my "friends" are children's publishing professionals that I've met at conferences, literary festivals, through SCBWI, or long term through the blogosphere. MySpace — with its crazy animated graphics, music, backgrounds and noise — crashes my browser, so I never use it.

4. As soon as you step away from your computer you're on FB on your phone.
No. Occasionally I will text message an update. Probably good I don't have an iPhone though.

5. You are a FB stalker. You qualify as a FB stalker if you:

a) click on someone's profile more than once a day even if they haven't messaged or tagged you in a photo.

b) have dragged and dropped more than 3 FB photos (not from your own profile)

c) actually go to a place mentioned on someone's page in hopes of seeing them in real life...creepy!
Never. None of the above.

6. You change your profile picture more than a 12-year=old girl.
I've changed my profile picture one time in the year I've been signed on with Facebook. On inauguration day, I changed my profile to a drawing I created of Obama.

7. You have checked your FB page while reading this article.
Nope. Well, except to get a count of my "friends."

8. You clean up your "wall" so it looks like you spend less time on FB.
Listen, I don't care what people think about my Facebook time. As long as I'm making my deadlines, it's nobody's business.

9. You are a member of more than 10 groups and respond to every event invitation "attending" even if you have no intention of going.
I belong to about 10 groups, but I haven't been able to find them ever since the Facebook redesign. And most of my event invites come from New York, so no I (regretfully) ignore them.

10. You change your relationship status just to mess with people.
Since my wife is anti-social-networking and does not have a Facebook account, I've never changed my relationship status. When she joins, I'll make an update.

Now, here's the weird thing: There are people I know who will talk to me on Twitter and Facebook, but who will walk right past me in person and not speak a word. Hm.

Artist to artist: An interview with author/illustrator Greg Foley

2009-02-13T16:47:00.000-08:00

Wait a minute, don't leave! Your eyes haven't deceived you; you're at the right place. Devas T. Rants and Raves is not always about me, sometimes it's about people I admire. Today it's about author/illustrator/producer/designer Greg Foley, a man of many hats.

Greg is the author and illustrator of the award-winning Thank You Bear books — Thank You Bear, Good Luck Bear, Don't Worry Bear. The stories are told with very few words, and the illustrations are refreshingly simple. With expressive but simple lines, flat colors and soft shading, Greg has captured something special, a series of books that have charmed young and old alike.

Thank You Bear has received starred reviews from School Library Journal, and in 2008 it won the Charlotte Zolotow Award, given annually for outstanding writing in a picture book.

His most recent book, Willoughby and the Lion, publishes with HarperCollins this month! And it looks to be a winner, too.

Raised in Austin, Texas, Greg now lives and works in New York.

So without more fuss, here's my chat with Greg:

Don: With the books Thank You Bear, Don't Worry Bear and Good Luck Bear, where did the character come from?

Greg: Originally, Thank You Bear was inspired by an office meeting at one
of the magazines I work on. Someone was showing photos for an
editorial, and everyone at the table had a different reaction–ranging
from indifferent to comically cynical. It occurred to me that the
adage 'everyone's a critic' could make a good story. When I was first
thinking about the story, the main character was a boy carrying around
a paper bag and asking people to look inside. Then when I sat to write
the first draft, animals just jumped into the character spots. What
clinched it for me, was that the bear's best friend was a little mouse.

Don: Your books are fun yet simple stories that any child can relate to. What is your secret for telling a great story?
Greg: When telling stories, we all have to stick to what we know. But
we're all human, and for me the best stuff is in emotions–doubt
becomes relief, fear becomes friendship, frustration leads to joy. The
details are only a frame around the internal dialogue, which all kinds
of people can relate to equally.

Don: What inspired Willoughby & the Lion?

Greg: One time, when I was visiting my sister in Bermuda, I got some
change from a store and noticed that their penny had a little furry
pig on it. It struck me that even coins are telling a story in as
little as one picture. It took a while for the rest of the story to
fall into place, but I knew it should be based on a boy finding a coin.

Don: What is more of a challenge for you, writing or illustrating?

Greg: For me they both come with a great deal of effort! I'm not the most
natural at anything, but if I can see it in my head and feel it in my
heart, then it deserves to be brought into reality. Both patience and
tenacity are the keys.

Don: In a SLJ interview, you mentioned that cartoonist Charles Scultz was a
huge inspiration for you. What was it about his cartoon series that
spoke to you, and how did it affect you as a writer/illustrator?

Greg: As a kid, the Peanuts strips just tickled me. I'd stay up late
reading the paperback collections of them. But much later, when I
started looking more closely at story-telling, Charles Schultz's work
ethic just struck me. It seemed that he loved his work and that it
offered him a peaceful place to exist for the most of his life.

Don: You're a man of many hats — Creative Director with
Visionaire, V and VMAN magazines, instructor at Parsons School of
Design, and you were nominated for a Grammy for an album cover you
designed for the Pet Shop Boys. What drew you to children's
publishing?

Greg: Most of the creative work I've done–branding, packaging, design–
helps shape some kind of a visual story, but rarely does it actually
tell a direct story about a character and their concerns. Back in
1991, when we started Visionaire I was already interested in character
design. But it took a few years to realize that those characters
needed real emotions to drive them. So I started from square one, with
a children's writing workshop. It was in that first workshop that
Thank You Bear was conceived.

Don: Are there any other hats that I've overlooked?

Greg: I've directed a few music videos–mostly to learn how it's done.
There's a graphic novel I'm developing with one of my best friends,
and some musical tracks to go with it. The music is something
different–my collaborator is a super talented beat-maker from Jamaica
Queens. Eventually, it would be great to direct the whole thing as a
show or a film.

Don: What medium do you use in your art?

Greg: Most things start as pen or pencil doodles, but eventually
everything ends up in the computer. Lately I've been using more
collage of found material and manipulating it digitally. Ironically,
the challenge of working this way is that you save lots of versions,
which forces you to edit yourself more.

Don: As a creative person, what inspires you?
Greg: To learn new things and make things better.

Don: When you're not creating, what are you doing?

Greg: Visiting with friends, soaking up nature and stuff that other folks
have created.

Don: Who are your cheerleaders, those who cheer loudest for you along the
way?

Greg: My mom, dad, sister and family. Of my very close friends, there are
many who give honest advice and a few who lend their professional
opinion–which has helped me face up to my limits and find ways to grow
beyond them.

Don: What advice can you offer to aspiring writers and illustrators of
children’s books, or young artists in general?

Greg: Ask more questions and find answers to those questions. Collaborate
often and look for the magic in your mistakes.
Don: Thanks for the interview, Greg, and considering our little mixup — shhhh! — I appreciate the time you took to answer my questions.

Who'da thought, me an author?

2009-02-10T18:33:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I read my Bill Traylor manuscript for the first time in several years. It won the Lee & Low Books New Voices Honor Award for 2005, and it was acquired by the publisher in 2008. I received an email from my editor today, with final revision requests (well, maybe not final, this is publishing). I've shared the manuscript with friends, but other than that, I haven't had a reason to read it; I've been writing other things.

My editor sent two versions of the manuscript. One was the original manuscript, following our last round of revisions nearly three years ago. With the other, she'd made editorial changes and cuts.

I read my original manuscript first. Reading it felt strange. Somehow I felt detached from it, like I was reading the work of another author. Do other authors ever feel this way? Maybe it was because I hadn't read it in so long.

I read the second version next. My editor had made a few cuts, and she had changed a few phrases, but it looked good. The cuts were necessary to get the word count down (I'm a man of few words, except for when I write). I do plan to rewrite the phrases she added, using my own words. This book will have my byline on it, so every word will be mine. Thankfully, in no way did she change the story, which, because it's a biography, probably can't happen anyway.

The title of the book and bylines read like this:

IT JES HAPPENED
When Bill Traylor Started to Draw
by Don Tate
illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Reading this was both exciting and bizarre. Seeing my name as the author? And not the illustrator? I wouldn't have believed it possible a few years ago. Me, who stumbles through the spoken word, and who routinely uses bad English like, "I'mma go git me some sammiches." Or "Happy Birfday?"

People often ask if it's awkward for me to have another illustrator illustrating my story. And the answer is . . . well, no and yes.

When I wrote the story, there was no question in my mind that I could adequately illustrate it. What I didn't know is if I could actually finish a first draft. Make revisions. Or sell it. So I removed my illustrators hat, and popped on my writers hat, and I focused only on writing the best story I possibly could. I thought about what the visuals might be, of course, but I was more concerned about getting my words right. I submitted the manuscript with a note to the editor, stating that if the manuscript was acquired, I'd be fine with another artist illustrating it.

After the manuscript had been acquired, I had second thoughts. I wanted to illustrate it, too! I submitted illustration samples, but that's when things started to get complex.

First, I already had one book in the works, Ron's Big Mission, and I had received offers to illustrate two more. Originally, Bill was to publish this year. Second, my editor wasn't sure if she wanted to use my stylistic, whimsical illustration style, or go with something edgier, grittier. Time was running out, a decision hadn't been made, and those other advances were talking to my empty bank account. So we mutually agreed to go with another illustrator.

I do feel incredibly lucky that my editor let me choose the illustrators we would approach to illustrate the story. And I'm so pleased that Greg signed on. When the book publishes, it will be perfectly clear why Greg Christie was the perfect artist to bring this story to life.

Still, yes, a little bit awkward. But all is good.

I'm stuck, seriously stuck...

2009-02-08T10:46:00.000-08:00

...that's why I'm blogging instead of sketching.

I have this spread I'm working on. In it the character is writing a letter, and thinking. And feeling. She's thrilled, hopeful, and outraged, all within the span of three sentences.

There are many names used in the text, people the character is writing about, so I could picture some of the people. But the problem is that all of these people will be used again on the next spread, as cameos. Picturing these people again, people whose faces will not be immediately recognized by anyone, seems redundant to me. Their names, in my opinion, will be more important to readers than their faces, at least on this particular spread.

In my original thumbnail sketches, I proposed showing the character sitting in a chair, writing letters. No, that's not particularly exciting. In fact, it's downright static. So as I expected, my AD asked for something different. But she asked for something more active. I'm struggling with how to make a quietly-written scene more noisy.

I've sketched out dozens of ideas — mostly active, imaginative, almost collage-like images — but I keep returning to my original sketch. I had hoped to finish these sketches by the end of this week, but I have the feeling I'm going to be stuck on this spread for a few more days. But I do like a challenge, so this isn't a bad thing.

Back to the drawing board.

Missed opportunity

2009-02-07T05:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I spoke at Cedars International Academy. I was invited by the school's art teacher, and my SCBWI cohort, Christy Stallop. She introduced me with kind words and compliments, then I rushed into my presentation without thanking her, or acknowledging to kids that Christy herself is a talented and accomplished children's book illustrator.

So I say here on my blog, thank you Christy for the opportunity to share my artwork and experiences with your students, and I thank you for working so hard to sell my books.

Christy did. I have a pile of unsold, out-of-print books, The Legend of the Valentine, that I purchased from the publisher. I only grabbed about 15 copies, but Christy saw to it that they all sold.

So, thanks again, Christy, from a huge fan of There's a Yak in My Bed.

What a mess...

2009-02-05T06:31:00.000-08:00

... no not my studio, my schedule. This morning I checked my emails, like I do every morning, and I discovered a note from an illustrator friend, who had invited me to speak at her elementary school. The email basically said: "...see ya, tomorrow."

I panicked. I didn't know for sure if I had a school visit tomorrow. The school had changed several times, so I wasn't completely sure. Following a flutter of emails, I got things straightened out.

My next email was from the guy at Overlooked Books. He wanted to know if I'd planned to bring my books to the book festival, or if he should plan to bring them himself.

I thought, "What book festival?"

I knew he was somehow involved in Killeen's first book festival, and in fact I'd even met with him, festival planners, and the press back in December. But no one told me that I was in the festival. Who'da known?

I have it all worked out, now. Well, sort of. I will definitely present at Cedars Academy tomorrow. Then the week following next, I will do the Killeen event.

So if you thought my studio was a mess, you ain't seen nothing yet.

**

Dirty studio pics

2009-01-31T13:43:00.000-08:00

I do my best work in a dirty studio (untidy, that is). Or maybe that's an excuse I use to explain away my chronic sloppiness. Whatever the case, it's time to clean up because I can't find my kneadable eraser or my lucky Pentel drafting pencil.

Problem is, I'm afraid a cleaned-up studio might throw me off my stride.

Oh well. You got a dirty studio, too? Share a pic!

I have overactive email name recognition

2009-01-29T17:45:00.000-08:00

So, earlier this week, I shot off an email to my art agent, Nicole T., basically begging her for a project. My hands are full with trade picture book projects now — I'm working on 2, and a third is in the works. But I need a smaller, quick-hitting, quick-paying project soon. Before they turn my cable TV off.

Well, she didn't return my email, so I figured I must have irritated her, so I decided to leave her alone and find my own project. But then today, I received an email from Nicole T. Not that Nicole T. This Nicole T. Turned out, my email recognition got confused and sent my message to the wrong Nicole. Got me to worrying. How many editors and art directors — male or female — might have received the steamy email messages I tend to send to my wife when I get lonely sitting her in my studio all by myself. All. Day. Long.

Nicole thought the email was actually for her and felt sorry for me. So she responded with a few people I might contact for work. Of course, I got the whole thing straightened out now, and I never did bother my agent. But I'm gonna have to be extra careful about sending messages to my wife, without paying attention to who the email recognition is sending to.

Whew.

Much talk about the Coretta Scott King Awards

2009-01-27T19:17:00.000-08:00

A great conversation has resurfaced. Happens this time every year. The question(s): Why are the CSK Awards only open to Black folk? And how is Black defined, at a time when racial lines are getting blurred so fast, we don't know who's made up of what anyway?

Esme Codell expressed her thoughts, and she made some good points. She said: "I have a very hard time with an award that claims to 'commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood,' and yet uses the author’s race as a criteria. I find this contradictory."

Esme is absolutely right. I read some of the other comments posted there, and her readers presented fair arguments.

Then I reread Marc Aronson's piece, Slippery Slopes and Proliferating Prizes. For the most part, I agreed with him, too. Rewarding great literature based upon the color of its creator's skin probably isn't the best (or fairest) way to bring more kinds of books to more kinds of kids, especially at a time when our country just elected its first Black President, an accomplishment that happened only because people looked beyond skin color.

But then I reread Andrea Davis Pinkney's rebuttal piece, Awards That Stand on Solid Ground. I agreed with her more.

Ms. Davis talked about "unintentional neglect," and how many of the . . . awards givers . . . for lack of better words, come from backgrounds with limited exposure to people and experiences beyond their own.

For that reason alone, I'm glad we have the CSK Awards, and that their guidelines are set the way they are. My fear is that if the CSKs changed their guidelines, awards season might roll around each year with very few, if any, Black recipients.

So even though some folk "have a very hard time" with the award, I'm willing to swallow that pill in exchange of an awards season that breeds literary stars like Jerry Pinkney, Kadir Nelson, Floyd Cooper, Ashley Bryan, Sean Qualls, Nancy Devard, Shadra Strickland . . . in addition to the others.

Gives me something realistic to aspire to.

My Soul Looks Back and Wonders: The Black Experience in Illustration, 1773-2010

2009-01-24T17:11:00.000-08:00

My Soul Looks Back and Wonders is an exhibit highlighting the long and varied contributions of African American illustrators to the field of art for the printed page. In the 1600's African Americans arrived on the shores of America as slaves. This is where our exhibit begins, with the cover art for the first book written by a slave, Phillis Wheatley, and illustrated by a slave, Scipio Moorhead in 1773.

The exhibit is intended to introduce and educate people to the incredible variety found in the art of illustration, everything from books to record albums to advertisements, works for newspapers and magazines; and to document how the art of the African American illustrators followed the arc of American history. For example Patrick Henry Reason created covers for Abolitionist booklets and pamphlets; Henry Jackson Lewis was the first African American political cartoonist in the 1800s.

Divided into four historical periods, the exhibit will include text panels that illuminate the historical contexts in which the works were created.

1773 to the 1920s
1920s -1950s Harlem Renaissance
1960's -1970's
1980's -Today

In the Sept. of 2010 the Society of Illustrators will mount a six-week exhibition of African American Illustrators.

I'm thrilled, honored, humbled . . . and just plain lucky to be included.

Here are a few other names that I know of who will exhibit*:

1773-1920
Henry Jackson Lewis
Scipio Moorhead
Patrick Henry Reason

1920's-50's (Harlem Renaissance)
John Henry Adams
Elmer Simms Campbell
Ernest Crichlow
Alan Rohan Crite
Aaron Douglas
Elton Fax
Oliver Wendell Harrington
Lois Mailou Jones
Jackie Ormes
Albert Alexander Smith
Mozelle Thompson
James Lesesne Wells
Laura Wheeler
Hilda Rue Wilkerson

1960's-1970s
Pedro Bell
Mal Cann
Donald Crews
Leo and Diane Dillon
Tom Feelings
George Ford
Del Harris
Roy laGrone
Charles Lilly
Don Miller
Fred Pfeiffer
Jerry Pinkney
Ivan Powell
Reynold Ruffins
John Steptoe
Nancy Toleson

1980s-today
Gil Ashby
Thomas Blackshear
Barbara Higgins Bond
Colin Bootman
Alex Bostic
Ashley Bryan
Bradford Brown
Elbrite Brown
Yvonne Buchanan
Carole Byard
Gregory Christie
Bryan Collier
Floyd Cooper
Nina Crews
Pat Cummings
Shane Evans
Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Cheryl Hannah
James Hoston
Leonard Jenkins
Joel Peter Johnson
E. B. Lewis
Kadir Nelson
Overton Loyd
Aaron McGruder
Chris Myers
Gerald Pernell
Robin Phillip Pendelton
Brian Pinkney
James Ransome
Anna Rich
Faith Ringgold
Aminah Robinson
Synthia St. James
Javaka Steptoe
Jean Pierre Targete
Don Tate
Toni Taylor
Mike Thompson
Ezra Tucker
Cornelius Van Wright
Eric Velasquez
Eric Wilkerson

*This list may or may not be conclusive.

Public notice: Children's publishing is in danger of being wiped out!

2009-01-23T07:40:00.000-08:00

I received this email from my art agent, who received it from an editor at a smaller independent publishing house (excuse the long post and bad breaks, I don't have time to edit this):

Hello, everyone

Sorry for the mass e-mail but the children's book biz is in a bit of a
crisis and we need your help.

As an unintended consequence of too hastily passed legislation, (The
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act or CPSIA), intended to protect
children from lead covered toys, children's books have been thrown into the
regulatory hopper.

This well-intentioned but terribly written law could very well put an end to
independent publishing, result in thousands if not millions of books being
pulled off store and library shelves across the country, and leave our
culture with much less diversity in books for our kids. Not to mention the
loss of jobs in children's publishing.

If the CPSIA is applied to paper-based books, all existing paper-based
children¹s books such as The Cat in the Hat, Goodnight Moon and Harry Potter
as well as thousands of textbook titles — tens of millions of books — currently
on the shelves of our nation's classrooms, public and school libraries,
bookstores and in warehouses may simply be removed and destroyed because
they cannot feasibly be tested to assure compliance with these unfounded
toxicity concerns. This would be a financial catastrophe for schools,
libraries, bookstores, and publishers already suffering under a weak
economy.

All new paper-based books — not plastic toys in the shape of books — will be
needlessly subjected to expensive and time-consuming testing that will
overwhelm the few laboratories accredited for testing of actual children's
toys and other children's products potentially leading to real threats of
lead toxicity.

These scenarios will have severe adverse effects on our children's
education.

**
There is no significant lead in children's books. Paper-based books are
completely safe (novelty books are already tested up the wazoo). This is
like testing milk for lead. However the law was carelessly passed and
now we have to alter it or we (me, my colleagues, schools, libraries,
your kids) could be faced with a catastrophe.

_Action required_: Contact the representatives listed below, and make it
clear that children's books must be exempt from the Act. It has been
documented that paper-based children's books pose no health threat to
readers, and requiring this unnecessary testing places an undue burden
on the publishing industry. Explain that you are very concerned that this is
a potentially catastrophic misapplication of a well intended law and that
you want to add your voice to the concern. There is a script below for your
use.

While lawyers at all the major publishing houses and the American
Association of Publishers are working on this issue 'round the clock,
the deadline looms (the first deadline for the industry is Feb 10!).
PLEASE use the URLs to send a message or call today.

AND, please *pass this on* to anyone you think may be interested in
helping the cause of keeping publishers in the business of publishing
children's books.

Please use the information below to contact the Representatives listed.
Use the script as a jumping-off point, or feel free to use it exactly as
printed, both for phone calls and for submitting online comments.

Representatives to contact:
Speaker Nancy Pelosi / Online contact form

Washington, DC Office (202) 225-4965
San Francisco Office (415) 556-4862

Senator Chuck Schumer / Online contact form

Washington, DC Office (202) 224-6542
New York City Office (212) 486-4430

Representative Henry Waxman / Online contact form

Washington, DC Office (202) 225-3976
Los Angeles Office (323) 651-1040

Senator Daniel Inouye / Online contact form

Washington, DC Office (202) 224-3934
Honolulu Office (808) 541-2542

Senator Jay Rockefeller / Online contact form

Washington, DC Office (202) 224-6472
Charleston, WV Office (304) 347-5372

*Suggested Script

I am contacting you to express my concern over H.R. 4040, the Consumer
Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
While well-intentioned, I believe that this bill is deeply flawed in the
extent to which ordinary children's books are included.

It has been documented that typical paper-based children's books pose no
health threat to readers. The new testing requirements of the CPSIA
place undue burden on the children's book publishing industry --
unnecessarily imposing large costs and inconvenience on publishers and
booksellers -- that can have irrevocable repercussions for our industry,
our customers, and ultimately consumers.

We are in the business of enriching the lives of children through books,
and do so ever mindful of their health and well-being. I urge you to
re-evaluate the CPSIA as it applies to the children's book publishing
industry before irreversible damage is done. Thank you for your time and
consideration.
* *

African American Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference

2009-01-22T06:01:00.001-08:00

The First Annual African American Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Conference will take place on April 25, 2009.

The conference will be held at the Hilton Charlotte University Place, in Charlotte North Carolina.

Speakers and faculty:

Sarah Ketchersid—Senior Editor, Candlewick Press

Eileen Robinson—Children's book editor, editorial consultant and creator of F1rst Pages. For almost 10 years, she has acquired, developed, and edited children's books for both Scholastic as Executive Editor, and Harcourt publishers, as Editorial Manager. She has also worked on projects for National Geographic, Santillana USA, Marshall Cavendish, Weekly Reader, and others. Having published many new authors, Eileen believes in helping newcomers get their feet in the door, as well as working with experienced fiction or nonfiction authors.

Eleanora E. Tate—Award-winning author of over 15 fiction and non-fiction
books for children, preteens, and teens (Celeste's Harlem Renaissance!)

Don Tate—Award-winning illustrator of over 25 children’s books (Sure As Sunrise: Stories of Bruh Rabbit and his Walkin' Talkin' Friends; Ron's Big Mission)

Christine Taylor Butler—Author of more than 40 books (A Mom Like No Other)

Jacquelin Thomas—"Divine" young adult novel series author (Simply Divine)

Kelly Starling Lyons—Picture book author (One Million Men and Me)

Christine Young-Robinson—Picture book author (Chicken Wing)

Register early!

This is going to be such a fun weekend! In addition to speaking at the conference, thanks to Kelly Lyons, I'll visit at least one school.

So, why do we need an African American children's writers and illustrators conference? I mean, we already have an SCBWI, right?

Well, I've been in this business for almost 25 years. Those who deny that race plays a factor in children's publishing are simply in denial. I've illustrated for many other industries — newspapers, magazines, advertising, education, toys, textile, apparel. In no other industry has the color of my skin been such an issue.

I'm not complaining, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Many publishers depend upon African American's to fill a need. Filling that niche creates great opportunities for African American illustrators like me. I'm honored and proud to create children's books that reflect my skin color, my history, my people. But topics pertaining to these special needs are probably not covered at other writing conferences. And I've been at conferences where publishing folks uncomfortably dance around the topic when questions are asked.

For African American children's authors and illustrators, the challenges of writing a book, getting published and staying published are the same as for everyone else. But within our community, there are issues uncommon to others. The more information we have as African American youth literature creators, the better equipped we will be in a competitive and tightening book-buying market.

Thanks to Sabra Robinson and AACBWI for addressing this need.

Barack H. Obama; 44th President of the United States

2009-01-20T09:43:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I felt compelled to sketch this image of then President-elect Obama. Today, ironically, during the inauguration ceremony, I was sketching an image of a 1940s protest organized by the Citizen's League for Fair Play. They were protesting white-owned businesses in downtown Harlem who would not hire blacks.

Wow, have we come a long way.

My wife and I watched the inauguration together. She took the the day off from work not wanting to miss a minute of history. But an hour before the ceremony, an electric company worker knocked on our front door and announced that they were about to cut off our electricity to repair a transformer. And he didn't care that we we were watching the first Black President being inaugurated. That's why I ended up sketching instead of watching TV.

Needless to say, the wife called the electric company and gave them a good piece of her mind. I called a friend to see if we could drop in on him to watch the ceremony, but our electricity was turned back on just in time to watch the Obama children entering the Capitol area.

The experience was emotional, but the only time I got misty-eyed was when I looked over at my wife during the Rick Warren prayer. Her head was bowed, and she prayed along, and her smile was worth thousand words.

28 Days Later, 2009

2009-01-19T05:51:00.000-08:00

It happened today, MKL day, one day before our country swears in it's first Black president, and one week before a Caldecott is awarded (possibly) to the first African American...

...for it's 28 Days Later campaign, The Brown Bookshelf announces it's selection of 28 of the best and brightest authors and illustrators in children's literature! Be sure to check it out.

Progress with Effa. And the gym.

2009-01-09T06:20:00.000-08:00

Effa, a picture book biography I'm illustrating for HarperCollins, is progressing well. I've completed sketches on four spreads and plan to finish all by the end of this month or middle of next. I had been worried about this book. A jumbled schedule on Duke last summer really threw things off. In addition, a slowdown in freelance work (income) over the summer forced me to take any little project that came along in the fall. I had a LOT of little, low-paying projects, so now I'm way, way, way behind. But I'm getting back on track.

Back to the gym!
Believe it or not, my favorite place in the world is not at my drawing board. It's at the gym. I'm an artist, yes, but I'm a gym-rat at heart. I love the smell of sweaty fake leather, the rhythmic buzz of cardio machines, the clank-clank-clank of weights being dropped. My new gym has none of these things, though. It's incredibly clean and has rules against weight-dropping. But at $10 per month, I can't complain.

Other than running, it's been more than four months since I've worked out. Sometime during the last few years, I dislocated both my shoulders, which resulted in tears to my labrums (ligaments in the armpits). This normally happens to baseball pitchers or auto accident victims. I'm neither. The problem was revealed in an MRI, and my doctor said that if they didn't heal, I'd have to have them fixed surgically. Ouch.

Yesterday's workout went just fine, and muscle memory was in order. My guns and glutes were — like — boom!

Now it's back to Effa.

A new year; A new blog

2008-12-28T20:28:00.000-08:00

I started a new blog today. It's called The Best Kid in the World! It's a place where I can write exclusively about my experiences with my son. It'll get pretty sentimental and sappy up in there sometimes. I'll celebrate, complain, tell stories, share pictures. Talking about my son won't feel off topic like it does here at Rant and Raves because this is what this blog will be for.

I won't often link to this other blog, it will just exist and people will find it when they click around.

Well, I'm signing off all blogs for awhile. Catch you in about a week. Happy New Year!

Holiday goodies made for a big soft belly

2008-12-27T09:22:00.000-08:00

I'll definitely have to wait until after the holidays to get myself back into shape. I haven't worked out since way before the Trail of Lights 5k run, and we have too many sweets in the house to think about chiseling my abs.

Here's a list of all the holiday goodies we received from friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, and teachers over the past week:

-Beer batter bread
-Oatmeal cranberry cookies
-Lemon bars
-Homemade fudge
-Pumpkin bars
-Fruit cake (really good!)
-Sugar cookies
-Chocolate chip cookies
-Several varieties of trail mix
-Ginger cookies
-Gingerbread loaf (3)
-Apple streusel loaf
-Homemade cinnamon tortilla chips
-Rum balls
-Oreos dipped in white chocolate

This is only a partial list because I've already eaten many things and can't remember now, and this doesn't include things like the deep-dish pumpkin pie and cheese cake we had for dinner at friends, or the goodies my wife bought home from her Christmas party at work. My belly is overlapping my belt, and I'm so badly out of shape, my muscles are sore from playing Wii Sports.

What a great kid I have

2008-12-25T13:13:00.000-08:00

This is a photo of my son, taken minutes ago. He's playing his new Nintendo games, so he's on a DS high.

I have an abnormally well-behaved-at-Christmas-time kid. He wasn't up at the crack of dawn, begging to open gifts. He slept in until 10, and then he greeted me with a Merry Christmas. Then he sat patiently near the tree and waited for his mother to wake up.

When my wife finally got up, my son tore through the gifts under the tree. But he wasn't looking for his own, he wanted to see that his mother and me received ours first. Before opening his gifts from family out of town, he thoroughly read the cards and then reminded us that we needed to send thank you cards to everyone.

He didn't show any signs of disappointment from the books or clothes he received, and he set aside playing his new DS games and Wii to call family.

No trick ending here, this is for real. What a great kid I have.

I totally loved reading Alvin Ho

2008-12-23T18:08:00.000-08:00

For the holidays, I had planned to set aside reading youth literature and focus more on books written for grown folks. So I purchased Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. But my plans didn't last for very long.

Last night, I woke up at about 2 a.m. with a terrible headache. I couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to read. I reached over the side of the bed to grab Blink, but instead I found Alvin Ho, by Lenore Look. I couldn't put it down and read the whole thing.

The author of Alvin Ho is a storytelling genius. She completely nailed it. The book is funny, smart and clever in all the right places.

Alvin Ho is an Asian American second grader. He is afraid of everything—elevators, tunnels, heights, scary movies, shots, girls, school, the dark. Even though he keeps his PDK (Personal Disaster Kit) nearby, it doesn't always help because you never know exactly what you'll need in a personal disaster, and it has to be updated every school year.

What especially struck me about the character Alvin Ho was how accurately Look portrayed a shy kid, without ever using the word shy, bashful or introvert. His actions (like his inability to talk when he entered a school), his thoughts, the way he solved problems, clearly illustrated his crippling shyness without ever having to label him. I was a shy kid, so I could totally relate to Alvin Ho.

And just like Alvin Ho in the chapter Psychotherapy, my parents also sent me to a psychotherapist at about his same age to find out why I wouldn't talk. That chapter in Alvin Ho's life ended on a much funnier note than mine — I didn't curse out the "psycho" in Shakespearean lingo — but Alvin's experience struck home with me.

Children's books like this are so necessary — books with everyday, contemporary Asian characters. Stories that aren't necessarily about being, say, Chinese, but just so happen to be written from the POV of a Chinese child . . . who thinks he's a super hero and who actually thinks chicken pox are cool.

Just as successful are LeUyen Pham's ink illustrations. They're funny and will have you laughing out loud.

Catching up

2008-12-21T18:59:00.000-08:00

When you sign up for a Face Book account, you have to enter your birthday. When your birthday rolls around, they announce it to all your "friends," who in turn send happy birthday well-wishes. Today on Face Book, I think I received more happy birthday wishes than at any point in my life! It's kinda cool.

But here's the funny thing: My mom, who religiously calls on my birthday to sing the song (yes, I'm 45, and she still sings the song to me), didn't call today. Not that she forgot. Let me reassure you, she didn't. She just has her days mixed up. She is gonna call me first thing tomorrow morning to "surprise" me, but the surprise will be on her. . . he-he-he-he! I'm so bad.

********

I haven't blogged in awhile, so here's what else is going on in my world:

I've finally become a Twitter-er. I've been posting tweets several times throughout the day. It's a little strange, though, I must admit. Tweeting is like talking to yourself, except "followers" might be listening. I'm not sure how long this muse will last. I'm getting bored with it already.

We took a family vote and decided not to get on the road to Iowa for the holidays. It's just too dangerous. Wind chills in Iowa are at record-breaking, below-zero temperatures. But my wife and I are from Iowa. We know how to do cold. The larger problem would be blowing snow, which can cause total behind-the-wheel white-outs. We've had some pretty scary experiences along the I-35 corridor during the winter — being forced off the highway to spend the night in an army barracks, having a semi truck skid off the highway, inches from smashing my then Nissan into a pancake. I'm just not up for dying this Christmas.

At the Brown Bookshelf, we've made our 28 Days Later selections for Black History Month. 28 Days Later highlights an African American children's book author or illustrator each day during the month of February. We will announce the selections and make a 2009 poster available for download soon. We'd greatly appreciate your helping us spread the word once the announcements are made.

It's been almost a full year that I downgraded my full-time position at the newspaper and went part-time. I did this so that I could devote more time to my freelance children's book illustration business. But overall, I have mixed feelings about my decision.

On the one hand, I am much happier. This new arrangement offers a balance in my life that I couldn't achieve before. I'm at home more often, so I can be a dad and a husband, and not the guy who wakes up here in the morning. I can help out more around the house — I actually do dishes! I can participate in church related activities, that were out of the question before. I actually get to enjoy things about Austin that I'd always heard about but could never participate in because I was always at work in the evening — things like running groups with my wife in the middle of the afternoon. The other night, the wife and I took in an Anthony Hamilton concert . . . on a weeknight! That's a big deal for us, ya'll!

But on the other hand, when the economy crashed earlier this year, so did my freelance work. The problem is industry wide, at least my art agent says so. This has presented a huge financial strain on my family. Surviving from month to month has been a juggling act. Bills are going unpaid. Things are now sinking so fast, if they don't change soon, I'll be forced to do something different — get second part-time job or, maybe, find another full-time job.

On the up-note, I have two trade picture books in the works — one with Charlesbridge, another with HarperCollins. And another I've just accepted! All three are excellent quality manuscripts with above average advances. So far as my children's book career goes, things couldn't be better (well, things could always be better, but I am happily content).

DonTateStuff

2008-12-19T07:56:00.000-08:00

It's been my goal now for awhile to sell artwork online, but I'd never got around to doing it. So when I realized another year was about to pass without reaching the goal, I decided to do something about it. So I created this little site, DonTateStuff.

Nothing fancy because I did it myself. I'd planned to hire a web designer to create something with a bit more pizzazz, but with my limited budget as of late, I had to do it on the cheap.

I'm using Wordpress to host the site, and I'm using PayPal and Payloadz to conduct transactions. PayPal collects the cash, Payloadz automatically delivers digital art to my customers without my having to get involved.

This was all very scary for me at first. I had to verify my PayPal account by providing them with my bank account information, and then I had to give Payloadz access to my PayPal account. Seemed like a recipe for identity theft, but I checked around with other people who are selling this way, and no one had had any problems.

For now, the only things I have for sale are 12 x 12 digital scrapbook kits. Crafters and scrapbookers can download and use my artwork as backgrounds and embellishments for their projects. In the near future, I'll also sell original artwork and prints from my children's book work, which means that I'll look at future projects with an eye for resale in the future.

I'm not sure if Wordpress and Payloadz were the right choice. Selling from my own domain might have been a better. Or maybe using a service like Etsy — a lot of artists are going this route. Services like Etsy have an established community of buyers and sellers, so I'm kind of out there by myself. And because Payloadz is a paid service, I'll actually need to sell a few things each moth to cover the expense.

The name — Don Tate Stuff — is kinda lame. If you have any better ideas, throw them my way.

Change Has Come, my interview with the artist, and my thoughts

2008-12-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

I posted an interview today at The Brown Bookshelf with artist Kadir Nelson, where he discusses his upcoming book, Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit. The book couples drawings by Kadir Nelson with the words of Barack Obama, Simon & Schuster, Jan. 09.

A couple of things about the interview stood out to me. For one, because the idea for the book didn't happen until somewhere shortly before or after the election, and because the book will publish in time for inauguration, Kadir only had 10 days to complete the illustrations. For those of you who are not illustrators, that's like magic. It's practically impossible to illustrate a 32 page trade picture book in 10 days, unless they truly are sketches — and I don't know if I could create 32 publishable sketches in 10 days. This was truly a feat.

Second, what a brilliant idea on Simon & Schuster's part. Not only will this book publish near the historical inauguration, but also at the same time Kadir sweeps the ALA awards — Coretta Scott King (for sure) and Caldecott (possibly) — for his book We Are The Ship. Can we say ca-ching!

What a great deal for a talented artist.

And here's the rest of the story...

2008-12-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

...from the Killeen Herald.

Killeen Rocked!

2008-12-12T16:31:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately I had to miss lunch at Central Market with my author/illustrator friends of the Austin youth literature community (missed you, guys!). But I had a great time lunching instead with authors, illustrators and librarians in Killeen, Texas. And the press showed up to cover us!

The folks in Killeen are planning their first annual book and literary festival to be held in February, so they invited — and paid! — a few Central Texas authors and illustrators to mix and mingle with event organizers. Authors included were Nathan Jensen (author/Illustrator), Scott Sutton (author/Illustrator), and author Claire Dunkle.

The atmosphere was upbeat, lunch was delicious, and we were treated like celebrities. I'm past my fear of speaking, but I still get a little jittery when the press — with their monster-sized TV cameras — is present.

I began my presentation with a poetry reading by Jack Prelutsky, and then I read Black All Around!, and talked about a few of the illustrations. Librarians were very receptive and several promised to have me back to visit their schools.

A special thank-you to Pat Anderson of Overlooked Books, who invited me to be a part of the event, and has been promoting my books to librarians across Texas.

Author/illustrator Scott Sutton discusses his middle school chapter series, The Adventures of Dinosaur Dog.

Author/illustrator Nathan Jensen discusses his book, Don't Ever Cross That Road: An Armadillo Story.

A packed room of, maybe, 50 to 60 people.

Photos taken by the talented artist and student Dewayne Lacey.