Posts tagged Small Business
In the Fields
 
 
Out beyond ideas of
wrongdoing and right-doing,
There is a field.
I’ll meet you there.
— Rumi

I recently created this illustration, and after that, I wrote a poem inspired by it! I do not often write poems, so I was surprised to encounter Rumi's poem by accident. It struck me how relatable it was. (True creative process magic in action there!)

Marc Chagall also inspired this illustration. While teaching a digital art class, I used Marc Chagall's work to demonstrate various drawing and composition techniques to my students. This prompted me to explore Chagall's art more deeply, and I found myself moved by his beautiful creations and remarkable life stories.

Like Chagall, my artwork often reflects themes of movement and transition to new places, language, belonging, and multiculturism. These universal, archetypal, and timeless themes reside in our subconscious as we create art. For instance, I often depict a woman floating in the sky, expressing a feeling of being caught between the heart and the earth and conveying a sense of only belonging anywhere.

This concept resonates with Rumi's idea of fields—spaces between our conventional understandings, like bustling city centres, where people can meet and converse beyond their differing views and beliefs.

I would like to know if these fields could become places where we create art and connect spiritually, spaces where we can move, dance, and share our humanity under the same sky.

Marc Chagall Painting 

My poem! 

 
Here are my three pieces of advice for your time at the Bologna Children's Book Fair:

Following my first-ever visit to the Bologna Children's Book Fair, I wanted to share some advice: BCBF is a mecca for children's book writers, illustrators and publishers. As a designer and illustrator, I was fortunate to attend this year's fair as part of the team of Green Bean Books, helping them with design and art direction for social media, and photography. While it was a last-minute decision, the experience was invaluable, and I've come away with some excellent advice for anyone looking to make the trip next year.

First, the vibe in Bologna in early April is tough to beat—sunny warmth, world-class food and wine, and a city overflowing with incredible children's book art and talent. It's truly a feast for the senses and creative soul.

However, as unique as it was, I did have some challenges that were easily avoided with proper preparation. So, for those looking to get the most out of next year's fair, here are my top tips:

Prepare Well in Advance

  • To avoid last-minute stress, have your portfolio pieces, business cards, postcards, dummy books, etc. printed and ready weeks beforehand.

  • Book your accommodation as early as possible when rates are lower and availability is better.

Travel with Friends/Colleagues

  • It's much more fun and enriching to experience the fair as part of a group

  • You'll make industry connections more easily

  • Group dinners and downtime are more enjoyable with familiar faces

Apply for Exhibitions/Portfolio Reviews

  • Many exhibitions, competitions and reviews are happening - apply early

  • Prepare something special for the Illustrators Wall to stand out

  • Research publishers attending to identify potential meetings

The energy, creativity, and connections at Bologna are unmatched. While chasing down printers for my postcards at the last minute caused some stress, just being immersed in that world of children's book art and storytelling was an incredible experience.

By planning, leveraging your network, and putting your best work forward, you'll be primed to take full advantage of everything the fair offers. The Italian setting, food and culture alone are worth the trip, but coupled with the professional opportunities, Bologna is a must-visit for anyone in this field.

I can't wait to attend again, prepared to soak it all in. Arrivederci Bologna!

I met the lovely ladies from the Good Ship Illustration, hung my artwork on the illustrator’s wall, worked with the Green Bean Books team, and had fab dinners with them!

Check out my Reels from Bologna here.

Check out the funny WES ANDERSON-inspired reel I created for Green Bean Books here.

Don’t forget to like and comment or say HI!

Happy New Year 2024!

Hello, creative friends!


Firstly, I want to wish you all a happy new year! I have been away for a while, dealing with the events of October 7th. It has been a challenging journey, but I am slowly returning to my creative space. I hope you are doing well and had a restful break filled with warmth and relaxation.

Now, for the exciting part! I invite you to a free "Here and There Creative Coffees" meeting on Zoom, which will be filled with virtual and actual fun. During our meet-up, we will focus on setting creative goals for the year, using the design process as a guide. We will start by creating mind maps and mood boards. If you are interested in joining, please reply, and I will share all the details with you.

Lastly, I have a small list of recommendations for you for 2024. It may seem a bit nerdy and productivity-focused, but that's what it's like when you run your own business :).

 

My top tips for the upcoming year:

  1. If you are addicted to audiobooks like I am, you can now listen to them on Spotify! I cancelled Audible and now get everything from Spotify: one subscription, no more separate apps.

  2. I recommend reading "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle for managing mental health in uncertain times. It emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and has dramatically helped me in the past few months.

  3. Let's talk about tools! Procreate has been helping me overcome creative blocks and illustrate my book. Even my 9-year-old daughter has started using it while she spends time on her iPad. I highly recommend it. Stay tuned for a post on my Procreate journey and tips. If you have any questions on how to start, you can hit the reply button and ask; I will do my best to help you get started. Here is a free brush kit to get you started! 

  4. For my bilingual friends, Grammarly is a game-changer for writing. It's an AI tool that helps with editing, suggests new sentence structures, and corrects spelling mistakes. I am using it right now to write this!

  5. Calendarpedia is a good solution for all your calendar-related needs. As a business owner, I swear by planning; my diary is my constant companion. Check out the 2024 calendar edition here: I plan to design my calendars every year but often delay due to work, kids, and current events. Maybe next year?

  6. For films, I would recommend watching Jews Don't Count—especially if you live abroad and are Jewish! But also if you are not. This is an exciting perspective on how Jewish people are perceived; it is worth a watch.

  7. Last but not least, I just noticed that Amazon has now discounted my book "My Heart Is Here and There." It is an absolute bargain price, and only four copies are left. It can be a fantastic belated "Happy New Year" gift for everyone who has moved to a new place, whether children or adults.

I wish you all 2024 filled with peace, harmony, and much light to banish violence and hate. Let's make this year remarkable with our intentions and plans!

I look forward to hearing back from you here and there! 

Thank you,

Sharon Vidan-Kashti x