Resolutions Meh-solutions (or is it Me Solutions?)

It's February and the first flush of excitement over a "New Year" is over and you also realize that a year or one month blends into the next, just as a week does and a day does. It all just feels like a constant hamster wheel with hops off for meals, snacks, rest and a look outside in-between. So the question Ive been asking myself lately is what have I done today to move me towards my goals and what can I do to get me closer. Another problem is that like most people, I have goals for several different areas in my life. How does one deal with that without feeling like you're trying to drive to five different destinations simultaneously? Again, back on that damn hamster wheel cause it's safer to feel like you're running, busy doing something without actually going anywhere.

So I've been looking for inspiration and structure with prompts and challenges out there that align with my goals. Signing up for these give me both community and accountability. So here's what I've been up to:

Create More submittable Kid Lit projects in 2023. Unfortunately I begin 2023 with nothing submission ready for my agent. EEK!

- Tara Lazar's Story Storm 30 story ideas in 31 days in January. Yay I did it. Came up with 30 story ideas, in January, sure some were just to make the count. Which leads right into...

 - Julie Hedland's 12X12, 12 Picture Book drafts and/or revisions in 12 months. Yup, in January fleshed out 1 of my story ideas from Story Storm and revising my graphic novel synopsis.

Create More Kid Lit Art and Share It. It's competitive out there and hard to be stand out. Need I say more. 

- Gina Perry's #KidLitArtPostcard or #kidlitartpostcard started in 2021 and getting stronger every year. children's book illustrators design a digital postcard and we all post on the first Thursday of each month. Which is when Art Directors, Editors know when and where to look.  I was able to come up with 12 last year. I will commit to doing the same in 2023. I'll be sharing mine this year on Instagram and Post.news and probably sharing it here too. Check out my January KidLit Art Postcard & 2022 postcard round up blog post.

-Illustration Contests: there's a bunch out there I'll be keeping my eye out for a prompt I like. The SCBWI runs a monthly one called #scbwiDrawThis - February prompt is Worm's Eye View, could be fun - deadline to post is 2/20/23. There are others. Right now I have my eye on one that has a deadline of March 31. I wasn't interested at first but the more I think about it the more intriguing it feels. The benefits of making the piece and entering even if you don't win: a chance to stretch as an artist and to be seen.

Ok Ok I hear you. But what about your own illustration projects? Yes, I do have one and it's a big one, my GN. Right now I'm revising the synopsis ending and doing rough rough stick figure + dialog scribbles. Making a point to do a bit almost daily. This stage alone could take awhile. Which means, I'll have nothing to share from this project for awhile. Hence my interest in doing shorter illustrations that I can share now. Plus I've found if I do nothing but sketches for awhile, I get scared that I will forget how to take a piece to finish.

 

Stock my Art Licensing/Surface Design Portfolio Currently focusing on greeting card designs

- #DHGartspark Design House Greeting on Instagram currently has a call out: Cue the Confetti, celebration themed greeting card designs with a deadline of March 1. I have a sketch on my drawing board ready to transfer to paper. I will show when I finish it.

Well that's my plan for now. Will you be joining me on any of the above prompts and challenges?

Web: dianadelosh.com

Instagram: @dtdelosh

Post: @dtdelosh

Check out my shops:

Greeting Cards: greetingcarduniverse.com/dianascards

Gifts: zazzle.com/deloshdesigns*

Art Prints: wingedrabbit.imagekind.com

 

Happy Year of the Rooster!

Rooster © Diana Ting Delosh
Ink, pen, brush, watercolor

Bye Bye 2016. 

Hello 2017! 

Don't know about you but for me, 2016 was one of those years, as a friend tactfully said maybe it's your transitional year. Perhaps. Whatever. On the plus side and going forward, I did have a few AHA moments that I'll share with you. I guess these are my sort of resolutions.

• To only apply/submit to things that are appropriate for my skills, and tastes. I tried a few paths last year that I knew probably wouldn't work in the name of being open and trying new things. Mind you there are problems with tunnel vision too. Still, I need to be mindful of being true to me and not waste time on long shots... just because it's an opportunity. Balance is needed between the two extremes.

• Try NOT to wait until the last minute to submit something before the deadline. Unfortunately, if it's a submission opportunity sometimes they close that window of opportunity early due to a flood of submissions. Yup, it happened to me in 2016. Create and submit, ASAP.  Also, my theory is that they start forming their opinions as the submissions come in. So if you wait too long your submission has to be that much stronger. As I said, it's only my theory.

• Must Create Faster. Come up with something unique and beat the crowd to the finish. Of course it's has to be wonderful but sometimes all the fussing may mean that you'll miss out. And then your wonderful idea is no longer unique. You ever notice that as soon as you have a great idea for a star-nosed mole character or other odd animal, that there seems to be a trend for them while you're working on your idea? It's like the universe spied and snitched on your plans.

• BE BOLD. Believe in yourself, ideas etc. - create and submit. Sure you may know everyone else will be creating ABC but if you're thinking MNOP do it. Never mind what everyone else is doing and what you think is expected of you. Follow your instincts. When I did, it worked out really well for me.

Here's hoping we all have something good to crow about SOON!

If you missed it, take a peek at  at my latest post on D2PB: Happy 2017 Reboot 

Web: dianadelosh.com

Illustration blog: dtdelosh.blogspot.com

Blog: arthareswares.blogspot.com

Group Blog: drawntopicturebooks.blogspot.com

twitter: @dtdelosh

Check out my shops:

Greeting Cards: greetingcarduniverse.com/dianascards

Gifts: zazzle.com/deloshdesigns*

Art Prints: wingedrabbit.imagekind.com

Gifts: society6.com/dianadelosh

Check out my ThumbNailer

Happy Year of the Monkey!

Monkey © Diana Ting Delosh - Ink, Brush pen, Watercolor
FYI: this illustration is available as a Year of the Monkey Card at GreetingCardUniverse.com/DianasCards

Wishing ALL a Happy, Creative and Prosperous 2016!

Every January I begin the year with my ambitions, dreams and goals and by the time Chinese New Year, February 8th,  comes around, it's time to re-boot the list. It's about a month into 2016 and I can see what's working, what isn't and what needs to be tweaked.

What's been working is making a realistic daily list BUT more importantly focusing in on what task on the list MUST be done before I go to sleep.  This actually has helped my chronic insomnia. So far so good.

Making a point to make more finished art has been good as it's helped me get to the point where it's almost as natural as my old style. However is it distracting me from progress in other areas? Must balance making more finished art with my other goals such as making that picture book dummy.  Part of the only so much time in the day dilemma.

On Self-promoting, I've been experimenting with putting up more art on my twitter feed. Yes it will get you more twitter followers etc. and it feels great when it gets LIKED and RTed.  It definitely builds your web presence as an illustrator. Not sure about actually landing you work. For that I still think getting out the postcards and submitting proposals etc. Next up old school postcards and submission packs. 

Hope your Year is as fun and surprising, in a good way, as a barrel full of Monkeys.

Happy 2015 - Resolutions

It's that time again. Time for list making and reviewing the past year, all in hopes of making the new year a better year. So what have I resolved to do to make 2015 my best year ever or at least a better year? I won't bore you with my whole list but I will share a few that may be relevant to other illustrators, creatives and freelancers.

FINISH Things!
I seem to have ended 2014 with a slew of unfinished projects or things in need of revisions etc. Probably because in between jobs I worked on personal projects but had to put them aside until...  Now I have a lot of loose ends that need tying up and they're bugging me. So - I will continue to create furiously BUT I will do my best to finish them, beginning with those pesky projects that are haunting me.

Build up my Illustration Portfolio
There's always room for improvement. More Black & White art: line and grayscale art. People. I love drawing animals but I need more people in my portfolio.  Continue having fun with hand lettering. Lastly, experiment with a new illustration technique or two. Have fun. Keep it fresh. If you don't enjoy your art you can't expect someone else to.

4 Postcard Mailings
I've been resolving to do 3 - 4 Postcard mailings for years but last year was the first in long time that I actually did 3 mailings. One of the things I "got" in 2014 because I finally figured it out. Step 1 - Update my Master List as I go. Step 2 - Create lots of new art -so I have something to pick from when it's time to create a new promo postcard. Must create to have something to promote.

Document my creative process
In 2014 I sketched/created oodles more than in previous years but half the time I never posted/tweeted etc. about it. Unfortunately in the digital age it seems as if things only exist if you have posted tweeted or shared it digitally in some fashion. I am resolving to blog/share with purpose to get the "right" eyes on my art.

Wishing all a Happy, Creative, Productive and Prosperous New Year!

2013 New Year - new possibilities

Here I sit with my brand new wall and weekly  calendars, happily anticipating the future that the pages represent. The possibilities of what's to come and what I can accomplish in 2013. Which brings me to that annual tradition of making goals and resolutions. And yes there is a difference between goals and resolutions. Goals are where you want to be by the end of the year. Resolutions are HOW you plan to achieve your goals. 

2013 Animal Fair Calendar by deloshdesigns
Look at other Animals Calendars at zazzle.com

The problem with goals is that if your's are like mine: make gazillion dollars or get a big fat contract with dream client, unfortunately reaching said goal is not 100% within your control. You can not wish it to come true. Sadly other parties have a big say in whether you get that dream assignment so you make mucho bucks etc. Goals are only your north star. Something to focus on so you don't get lost.

Resolutions on the other hand, are something you have control over. Here are mine for 2013:

• Create 10 pitch-ready projects

• Pitch/Submit to 10 different places

• Send out 6 promo-postcard mailings

• Create Seasonal products for my POD stores 2 - 3 months ahead

• Series of Grimm's fairytale inspired illos

• Illustrated type -perhaps a series of sayings or famous quotes

I could go on and on but I think that's plenty to work on as well as plenty of fodder for future blog posts.

If: RESOLUTIONS!

Bunny Resolutions

© Diana Ting Delosh

Bunny's Resolutions for 2011 starts with number 1: To be hoppy. 

Here is my illustration for IllustrationFriday.

My resolutions for 2011 are a little less simplistic. 

I have decided to put the focus back on creating art/writing 

and submitting projects/samples on a regular basis. Of course  - I still have to continue to tweak, network and  all that stuff.

Here's wishing all a very 

Happy

Creative

Productive

and Prosperous

2011! 

IF: RESOLVE!

Hamster Resolves - © 2009 Diana Ting Delosh.
Ink Illustration.


I, like Hamster, resolve to do many things in 2009. My list, when boiled down to it's essence:

1 - Create art daily!
2 - Do concrete artbiz actions daily!

Felt the need to make Creating Art Daily a Major Focus this year because so much of being an illustrator involves mundane tasks: updating, tweaking,promoting,networking, paperwork, etc. that time for actually creating art seems to be endangered.

Happy 2009

2009 Scribble Type - © 2008 Diana Ting Delosh
I begin 2009 with guarded optimism, despite all the gloomy news around me. For me 2008 ended on a hopeful note that better things may be round the corner art biz wise. So here goes: What worked in 2008 that I plan on doing more of in 2009:

• ChildrensIllustrators.com/DianaTDelosh - made a point of doing monthly tweaks that led to increased site exposure, several job leads and work. Will continue with the monthly tweaks.

• New in 2008, my website dianadelosh.com - gave me credibility and exposure which landed the assignments. Continue tweaking & updating site.

• Targeted Submissions - resulted in contracts. Must do more!

• Promo Postcards - Did 2 mass promo campaigns. Did see increased traffic to my website. Yay! As well as direct replies to my mailings. Shoot for 4 campaigns in 2009.

• GreetingCardUniverse.com/dianascards - focused on creating cards for holidays and quadrupled my sales from 2007. New goal: double my sales. Add new designs weekly.

• WingedRabbit.ImageKind.com - updated to a platinum account in Nov 2008 for the premium site exposure and gallery space. Images are definitely getting more views - which hopefully will lead to more sales!

• Networking via forums, listservs, IF, etc. I get the most referrals to my website and POD stores via SCBWI discussion board and CBIG.