Posts tagged illustration
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!

The Robots Are Coming!

Illustration: Sharon Vidan (c) - Photoshop work.

Do you worry about AI's speedy progress? Do you see the title AI everywhere you go on the web? If so, please keep reading my initial thoughts on this whole thing!

Most of my recent conversations with friends and colleagues over the past few weeks have been about the rise of AI; having read sci-fi most of my teenage years and also during my 20s (thanks, Moti Vidan, for letting me read your Asimov books, Roger Zelazny's, and not to mention William Gibson's) And also, because I'm a neophile I find this whole thing super intriguing. I might title this piece of writing Confessions of a Neophile.

While I also feel uncertain about the future of art and design in the face the speedy AI progress, I must admit that I already use AI tools daily:

 

  • I use dictation to write on a Word document (following Joanna Penn's podcast advice about the AI-assisted author)

  • I use Grammarly to edit what I've dictated.

  • I use Chat GPT to outline marketing post ideas and play around. 

And what about Photoshop? Procreate? Would you not consider these tools to be man/woman and machine working together? I have been using Photoshop for more than a decade now! 

Since I come from a visual arts background and am an artist/designer, the only things I have kept shy from so far are Dall-E and Midjourney, Which are the visual art AI tools. I tried using Dall-E briefly, and the results were creepy. 

Also, I love the craft and process of hand drawing and drawing from life and observation. But I will give it a go to understand better what it is about rather than use it for commercial purposes. To understand the competition! :)

AI will also give rise to people gathering in small groups to do crafty activities, cooking together, drawing, and making art. Maybe even hiding in secret groups around the deep dark web. This has already happened in Patreon, for example.

Therefore, on the optimistic side, handmade crafts, writings, and music might have more value in the future than before. If art is about connection and relationships, how can you build relationships with machines and robots, aka AI? Time will tell.

 

Should we start building our artsy caves in the mountains yet?

Sharon x