A long time ago

© copyright Alicia Padrón

colored pencil

People ask me how I got to be a children's Illustrator and the answer is never a short one. Truth is sometimes, specially in crazy deadline days, I get a glimpse of me as if I were a third person, and I always ask myself, how did I get here? I'm still amazed by that and so grateful.

I always knew I wanted to do something creative. I knew I could never be a lawyer or an accountant. Nothing against lawyers or accountants, they are much needed in this society, just not my thing.

I really need to create something in order to feel alive.

I studied graphic design and that helped me realize I wanted to focus on illustration rather than design. I started illustrating more on my own and that made me realize I didn't feel pleasure rendering realistic objects or scenes. What was the point of copying something you could very well accomplish with a photograph? It made no sense to me. I wanted to create more.

Until one day I was sitting down on my living room with a huge belly, pregnant with my first baby, and it hit me. I wanted to be a children's illustrator. That was it. I finally got to where I needed to be. A moment where I could clearly see a finishing line. I just needed to start running towards it.

From that moment on, that thought never left my mind. I knew that is what I wanted to do with my life. Of course once the baby was born, all my focus went to him and then came the second baby and it took me a while to get where I am today. I worked on a sort of a portfolio during all that time which helped me experiment with mediums and styles. More importantly the thought of being a children's illustrator never left my mind, if only the desire grew stronger with each passing day.

Until one day, I realized my kids had grown to a good age where I could finally go for it. I did and here I am today.

The thing is, life hints you. Life is like a maze full of corridors with different possibilities. We are in it, blindfolded and wondering around. Destiny watches us, it can give us clues along the way but can't really tell us which path to take. We have to figure it out on our own.

Once we do, the hardest part will be over.

We just have to follow that path to happiness. :o)

© copyright Alicia Padrón

Looking back, looking ahead...

2007 was an absolute whirlwind.  I'm so grateful for it, but it was the busiest, craziest year of my illustration life.  I worked non-stop (yay), and most of the jobs were creatively satisfying.  The highlight of my year was illustrating a large handful of poems for a Simon & Schuster Poetry Anthology, which I just put to bed a few days ago.  It was a wonderful way to cap this momentous year.  I learned quite a lot about myself as an illustrator, and better realized what I want to do and what I'm actually capable of doing.

Balance in work and home life has always been an issue for me, having a small child and trying to illustrate full-time.  Glancing ahead at 2008, I'm going to be totally realistic about my goals and abilities.  We are joyfully expecting a baby girl in April, and I know from past experience that I cannot have it all--or I should say, have it all--at the same time.  I'm going to enjoy my babies, doodle when I can, continue playing and learning, and take on a project ONLY if it fits.  

Here's wishing everyone out there a beautiful new year--full of hope, promise and happiness!!

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Close your eyes for a second and a whole year can whiz by, that was 2007 for me.

It started out with a trip to NY, taking a class with Tomie DePaola and ended with a weekend retreat with Jane Yolen. My demanding bead business kept me so busy last year, it felt like illustration was a fools' hope.

So looking ahead, I have some tough questions to ask myself. Is this a hobby or do I want a career as an illustrator? Do I need to experiment more with my style, possibly expanding beyond printmaking? Or do I need to just get off my rear and submit like there is no tomorrow? (Well that I need to do no matter what.)

The good thing about a new year is that you can stop, take stock and make course corrections if you have wandered off. Thank goodness for my pbj's for keeping me tethered to the world of illustration while I have been growing and exploring in other areas of my creative life!

looking

Looking back
I had some nice firsts last year - illustrating my first picture books and my first story for Ladybug magazine, went to the NY SCBWI conference for the first time, and lined up four more books to illustrate. It was a very challenging year professionally and personally. Like my buddy Janee, support from good friends and a beautiful family helped keep me in the saddle. Love them all!

Looking ahead
I'm very tickled to be in the middle of illustrating two books right now. My creative goal this year is to keep it fresh, keep growing, refining, improving, and expanding my art. Just to keep looking.

Looking back and looking forward

(2007 Winter promotional piece)

The past year was an incredible year for me professionally. I love what I do and I am thrilled I am working in this industry and doing the kind of work I've always wanted to. It's really a 'pinch me' life to be doing children's art professionally for me. What a wonderful thing, to have - to make - your dreams come true. (They do happen, folks!!)

Accomplishments are all very wonderful, but looking to upcoming goals and how to accomplish them is really where I am at now!! Reach for the moon, and at least you'll reach the stars, right?? ;) I am looking forward to another great year in 2008, and I wish everyone a wonderful 2008!! May we all reach for the moon!!!! :)

Looking Back/Ahead

Here are snippets from my favorite assignments last year.

Looking ahead , I plan to do at least one new illustration for my portfolio a month. That will give me 12 new pieces and that excites me!

Looking Back; Looking Forward

Looking back at 2007, it's hard to remember the high points. We found out that my husband is ill and that kind of overshadows everything else.

The high points that really stand out though are all the instances where my friends picked up the load for me. The PBJs took over the promotion of my book for me when I just didn't have any time or energy to spare for it, my online groups have sent good vibes, prayers, and wishes, and friends and family have taken me to lunch, sent cheery care packages, or listened to me freak out for hours on end.

Looking forward at 2008, my focus is going to be on time-management, working on projects that bring me joy, and paying some friends back for being there for me. :-)