SVS Virtual Studio JANUARY 2023

[Asyas_illos]

Welcome rabbits old and new to a brand new year! I hope it finds you in good health and brings prosperity and joy, in all your artistic endeavors!

It’s an honor to take over the SVS virtual studio. I don’t usually make resolutions but this year I want to make a promise to myself to get more traditional work done, and I’m looking forward to sharing with all of you!

Now, as my predecessor @burvantill would say (but in slightly different words) let us stroll through your studio, wherever that may be, your spare bedroom, garage, or in my case the kitchen table, and let us peek at what you are working on. We are NOT here to critique, but to support and encourage, applaud, and of course ooh and aah.

[Asyas_illos]

I’ve been considering licensing lately so I’ve been easing off the ‘story’ part of my illustrations. I have also been struggling with my mental health this December but Im finally beginning to feel like myself again, and have been catching up on missed artistic time.

[mag]

@Asyas_illos Ooooh and Aaaaah! I looove your shapes and colours and everything! You are so imaginative.

This year, I would like to make more traditional art too, I tried a couple of things last days and it was a big great flop , so it really might be the right time to catch up on pen and ink again!

After listening to one podcast episode of 3PP, I decided to try self-publishing on Amazon too. I have two small kids, so I spent a lot of time doodling images for them to color - and as I am a practical woman , I draw these things on my computer, so I can re-print whenever I need. Aaaand - it hit me! I could so easily do a coloring book out of these! So I did, thanks to the 3PP podcast! Haha! And as I was doing this, I thought I might as well try and publish one of my old picture books. My publisher has rights only for czech and slovak language, so I can do English by myself. Thus, I had no choice really but to start my own publishing company! Sort of.
I thing it might be a great thing to do for a lot of artists actually - it looks like there's a big market of coloring and activity books for kids on Amazon, a lot of the books that are already there are filled with only stock images... I think real artists might be able to create so much nicer workbooks, and if you already have a database of your own illustrations you can use, it doesn't take up so much time! Of course, I have no financial data yet, since it's sitting there for like a week, but if anyone here's interested, I can keep you updated.
So now, in January, I will try to promote these books, do not forget I actually have some other work beside this fun self publishing project, clean up my book dummies so they are ready for my agent and yes, do more traditional art. But when? I have no idea!

[Asyas_illos]

@mag thank you! And what a clever idea, I hope it proves profitable for you!

[marek.halko]

@Asyas_illos This is some very nice fish!

[Asyas_illos]

@marek-halko thank you ️

[kirsten-mcg]

@mag your coloring book idea is great! I would love to hear updates on how your book does. I've considered doing something like this myself, because I have drawings I've done for my kids as well.

[Asyas_illos]

I just finished this one with thoughts of puzzles on my mind.

[ArtistErin]

@Asyas_illos I wonder if there is a way to create your own line of puzzles and sell them independently? Maybe do a kickstarter, or some other kind of crowdfunder, to develop a line of puzzles, as a collection? I am thinking in your style you would be super good at creating themed collections, for sure! From what I am learning about marketing, Amazon being a nice alternative to traditional publishing, this could be a great way to get your work out there.

Just rambling thoughts...

[ArtistErin]

@kirsten-mcg Yes I love this idea... I made a coloring book for an author I worked with years ago. Loved it! Something so cool about just line art and letting someone else color it in... I agree there aren't great coloring books in the current market! @mag I love your concept here! Kudos for taking on the proactive measures to make your work! I was just saying to Asya maybe developing a line of puzzles, and launching a kickstarter, along with setting up something with Amazon could be a way to get out there. It's sooo exciting to see how artists can take the proactive approach to their careers. So thank you for showing how this can be done.

[ArtistErin]

Love the funny way penguins slide, this piece is jenky now as I'm learning frame sequencing and everything, but I'm having a ball doing this. Not trying to animate a full feature, just working out the notions stirring around my brain.

[kirsten-mcg]

@ArtistErin these little animations you’ve been doing are so cute! I have zero experience with animation, so it might as well be magic you are doing. It’s on my very long term to do list…

[ArtMelC]

@Asyas_illos Ooo I want this fishy blanket 🥰

[kirsten-mcg]

It's been a long time since I did something like this...just a simple character illustration without overthinking story or composition. It felt so good to paint in watercolors and gouache again. I've been pushing hard to learn digital this fall, and missing my traditional mediums. Happy New Year everyone!

[Kim Rosenlof]

@kirsten-mcg This is so cute. I really like that you used traditional media!

[Asyas_illos]

@kirsten-mcg I love it! It’s nice to break out of the “illustration” zone once and while get back to the art.

[ArtistErin]

@Asyas_illos agreed!! I'm heading this direction too. Craving the traditional vibe, just need to get my materials organized, and my desk cleaned off! Might be today's project.

[Melissa_Bailey]

@mag I just downloaded HAIR to my Kindle -- can't wait to read it! Congratulations on self-publishing TWO books!

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Asyas_illos LOVE these colors and the shape of your fish!

[Melissa_Bailey]

Took a bit of a break from social media and things to focus on personal work -- getting picture book dummies ready to submit to agents. The goal is to start submitting this month. Here is an illustration from one of the dummies: