MNSCBWI Summer Workshop

There is a great workshop coming up this Saturday at Elva Resa Publishing! We will learn all about the publication process at small presses. Elva Resa has published a couple books with the lovely Christina Rodriguez (The Wishing Tree and My Dad's Deployment). Their imprint, Alma Little, published Cedric and the Dragon this June! It was such an honor to work with the folks at Elva Resa. They were so supportive and kind, I feel very fortunate that they took a chance on me and gave me such a fantastic opportunity! Hope to see you there!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

noon-3pm

Elva Resa Publishing

1890 Wooddale Drive, Suite 100

Woodbury, MN 55125

$25 members/ $35 non-members

Three Swans

Here is one of the paintings I have in Owatonna right now, I realized that I hadn't blogged it yet! My storyboard thumbnails have all been approved (yay!), so I have begun sketching. Got to show my Aunt Sandie everything this morning and she seemed to like it so far. My kids are excited for the book to be done so they can each have their very own copy. I was lucky enough to have a Collaborative Studio Day on Saturday with Christina, and it was so great! She gave me all sorts of invaluable tips and advice, like she always does... she is wonderful! Christina's new book, The Wishing Tree, just came out. It is a sweet story and her illustrations are amazing. Well, time to get some drawing in. The Fall Conference is almost here- how exciting!!!

Chapter One

After being contacted by Alma Little, sending in sketches, and signing the contract; I am now starting to work on the storyboard and layout for the book. I feel a bit relieved because everyone I have talked to at Alma Little has been extremely nice and helpful. Plus, I can always count on my wonderful art friends for advice and support. The artist's reception for the gallery show was nice, and I did a lot of painting this weekend (in my kitchen and dining room). I am bummed that my mentorship with Christina is almost over, and I am excited for the next mentorship winner because they will get a chance to work with Shawn McCann. So cool.

The Cat Is Out Of The Bag!

First of all, Christina Rodriguez is way too wonderful for words! I just read her blog and all the nice things she said....wow! It took me a while to clear off my desk, but I have officially begun working on my very first picture book! I can honestly say that I am winging it, but feel very lucky to have Christina and the rest of the Art Ninjas to lean on, along with all the super nice people at Alma Little (who have been supremely supportive and helpful already). And of course, my family and friends (am I having my Sally Field moment or what!?!). Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Nina's desk....
p.s. Alma Little is an imprint of Elva Resa Publishing, based in St. Paul, Minnesota!

Respect Your Elders

This came from a conversation Christina and I had not so long ago. Apparently, box elder bugs like to gather outside her home and then perish in unison. Not so cute. So, here is a cute version of these pesky bugs, especially for my friend and mentor, Christina. For those of you who know me (and my affinity for lame puns, or so-called "Nina Jokes"), I am sorry. I just can't help it. I just crack myself up.

Hats Off to Christina!

Hello there! I would like to thank the amazing and gifted Christina Rodriguez for being so wonderful! She is an extremely talented children's book illustrator, and I was lucky enough to receive the 2007-08 Minnesota SCBWI Illustrator Mentorship so I could get a chance to work with her! Hopefully, I can be the human sponge and learn as much from her as possible! (She even wrote some really nice things about me in her blog ). I just can't put it all into words... Christina's advice, insights, and encouragement have been invaluable- I could never thank her enough!