Hazel Mitchell Children's Illustrator and Writer

Book Festivals are fun!

2013-05-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

Book Festivals - I love them! Not only do you get to meet great kids who are excited about reading, parents who are excited about kids reading, you also get to visit with lots of great authors and illustrators.

Yesterday I was part of Cape Elizabeth, ME, Book festival - their first and they did a great job! Over 30 exhibitors and a wonderful flow of people all day. Makes the heart sing!

Here are a few pics of the day ...

A young fan in disguise with All Star Cheerleaders.

The Big Apple tells all.

Scott Nash and Stephen Costanza, duelling illustrators.

At the ready ...

Toodles!

Hazel

Cape Elizabeth Author Festival, May 11th

2013-05-09T06:17:00.001-07:00

Will be at

Cape Elizabeth, ME

Author Festival

Saturday May 11th 2 -5 pm.

Fantastic line up of authors and illustrators! Check out this link...

http://capeauthorfest13.edublogs.org/2013/03/12/author-fest-line-up/

If you are in the area, bring yourself, bring your children, bring your friend's children and come along for a fantastic afternoon!

toodles!

Hazel

PS - I will be doing a doodle for every child! Don't miss it.

Book Blog Tour

2013-04-26T06:22:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by my friend Jennifer Marsh Morris to participate in a blog tour. I've known Jennifer several years now (hell we were even roomies at a conference) and she's ALWAYS busy! She has two books out soon: the first is called The Ice Cream Shop. It's being released by Scholastic next summer (2014) A second book called The Sea Monster is scheduled for the fall. Here are the critters who inspired the stories ...

... read more about Jenn's books here http://jemorris.blogspot.com/2013/04/i-was-tagged-by-my-friend-sue-fliess-to.html

Here are the questions that I am supposed to answer...

1) What is the working title of your next book?
The title is 'One Word Pearl' written by Nicole Groeneweg.

2) Where did the book idea come from for the book?
Nicole is the winner of The National Association of Elementary School Principals Foundation Annual National Children’s Book of the Year Award Contest - the winning book is published by Charlesbridge Publishing. It's a very cute story about a little girl who loves to collect words!

3) What genre does your book fall into?
It's a picture book.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Hmm ... I think it would be an animated story. I am thinking Emma Watson for Pearl.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Pearl loves to collect words and uses them whenever she can - until one day the words go crazy and chaos ensues!

6) Who is publishing your book?
Mackinac Island Press, an imprint of Charlesbridge.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
In this case the manuscript was already written, so my job was to create a rough layout of the book which took me about 2 weeks.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I think Pearl would relate to Madeline, Fancy Nancy, Lady Bug Girl.

9) Who or what inspired you to write and/or illustrate this book?
Pearl reminded me of ME in a way, I was always cutting out words and pictures and making up stories when I was young, so it wasn't hard to relate. The story also allowed me to work in a more abstract way with some of the images and with collage, the language used is a lot of fun and inspiring!

10) What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

Definitely the use of words. This is a great book for teachers to use with young children, to get them thinking about words and how they can be used in with the core curriculum. I hope the reader will enjoy the fun pictures too!

Pearl is available on pre-order http://www.amazon.com/One-Word-Pearl-Nicole-Groeneweg/dp/1934133531/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1366981322&sr=8-1

Here is the next link on this blog tour... Russ Cox at Smiling Otis Studio! http://smilingotis.blogspot.com/2013/04/book-blog-tour.html

Toodles!
Hazel

My new school and event booking agent ... Creative Bookings!

2013-04-06T01:33:00.000-07:00

PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT I JUST SIGNED WITH CREATIVE BOOKINGS AS MY REPRESENTATIVE FOR SCHOOL VISITS AND EVENTS!

://authorvisits.com/hazel-mitchell/inquire-about-a-visit/it/

Creative Bookings is boutique booking agency owned and operated by Anna J. Boll. Anna arranges school, library, conference, and event bookings for select children’s authors and illustrators. Her award-winning clients offer a variety of presentations appropriate for students, librarians, educators, parents, writers, and illustrators. Together they present a diverse mix of writing and illustrating styles, genres, and specialties to meet the needs of a wide audience.

Anna is an author, illustrator and educator with an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts and MSEd from University of Southern Maine. For Anna’s blog or more information about her creative writing, freelance editing, and curriculum writing services visit Creative Chaos.

One Word Pearl - Coming August 2013

2013-03-07T06:17:00.001-08:00

Welcome Pearl!

http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781934133538

Pub Date August 2013

ONE WORD PEARL

Nicole Groeneweg

illustrated by

Hazel Mitchell

published by Mackinac Island Press

(a Charlesbridge imprint)

1,2,3 by the Sea - publication day giveaway!

2013-03-01T05:19:00.001-08:00

'1,2,3 by the Sea' is officially here!

And to celebrate I'm having a giveaway for 2 lucky winners!

TO ENTER

FOLLOW THIS BLOG

AND LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST.

(Alternatively send me an email if your comment will not post, to hazel-mitchell@hotmail.com)

Open internationally - draw will be made from entries 10pm ET March 8th 2013.

There will be TWO great first prizes ...

Prize ONE will be a signed copy of the book

and the ORIGINAL cover sketch, also signed!

Prize TWO will be a signed copy of the book

and a signed giclee print of the first page.

Which one would you like to win?

Good luck!

(remember you must be a follower of the blog and leave a comment on this post to be in the draw!)

Toodles - Hazel
'1,2,3 by the Sea' is available to buy on line at

and the print is available on my ETSY store.

The Parallels of Writing and Illustrating.

2013-01-10T06:38:00.000-08:00

Over on Turbo Monkey Tales today I am chatting about why I find the skill sets of illustration and writing pretty similar, using examples from my new book from Kane Miller, 1,2,3 by the Sea, by Dianne Moritz.

Use this link to check it out.

http://turbomonkeytales.blogspot.com/2013/01/why-illustrating-and-writing-arent-so.html

Watch the book trailer on Youtube!

Toodles!

Hazel

Page 32

2013-01-08T05:35:00.000-08:00

If you're a picture book illustrator you'll know the significance of Page 32. It's the end of a long haul during which you created illustrations for the 32 pages of a picture book, plus cover and possibly end pages. You've put together a pdf for final proof and you've pressed 'send'. A strange kind of peace descends. The moment before you launch into whatever else is lurking on your to-do list. It's the quiet when the wind drops and the snow falls soundlessly. Ahhhh.

You try not to think about the spreads that weren't quite as you saw them at the moment of conception. When they existed only in your head after you read the manuscript. Of the character you met and the world they occupied. Of the colours you might use. Those first frantic days of scribbling in notepads and the 'yes' moments (and the 'no'). Of how vital the first pencil strokes were as you made marks and textures and bold, incisive strokes.

Of how you struggled in the middle. And how the redraws of the first ideas diluted the energy. The long hours, nights and many cups of tea working to get it back.

Then you got to the colour and it was a surprise, because now there was another element on the paper dictating where this was going; musn't let it get away from you! You were a child again and the colours made you smile. And you wondered if the child looking at the colours would smile also?

So, after weeks or months, you come down to final tweaks. Zoom in from outerspace, a view of the planet, the continents, then the country and finally you scutinize the town and streets and houses and focus on a particular room. Until you reach page 32 and you feel yourself sink into the armchair of nothing left to do. You send it into the world. Then you make a final cup of tea and reflect.

In the morning you are not living with those 32 pages anymore. They have launched into the atmosphere. For now, there is peace. An uncertain peace, granted. Tomorrow, the day after, they may re-enter. Ready for more tweaks and changes.

But right now there is a space in my heart.

'One Word Pearl' by Nicole Groeneweg, from Mackinac Island/Charlesbridge Fall 2013.

Toodles!

Hazel

Thoughts on a year ended

2013-01-01T05:18:00.002-08:00

It's 7.37am Jan 1st, 2013. I'm at the desk, drinking tea and nibbling blueberry pie. Well, it is still a holiday! I'm thinking on how we humans need touchstones and wondering why that is. Reflection and thinking forward seems our peculiar fate.

Enough with the philosophizing. I'm on a book deadline this week and am looking forward to a full day off sometime soon. Possibly. Here's the other thing - it's brilliant to be doing something you can't wait to leap out of bed to get on with.

But, before I pick up my pencil, I wanted to underline the highlights (mostly!) of 2012 for myself. Writing it here, on my blog, is an affirmation and a reminder of where I have been and where I am going (see para.1). I can see if I hit the goals I had in mind - or what came along on it's own two feet. There are things on the list I didn't think I would see. It's a reminder that the future always has some great things in store if we work hard at our dreams.

I could also write a list of things I didn't achieve or that went wrong. But that would be a bunch of negative and you don't want to hear me moaning (not on New Year's Day anyway).

MY BEST OF 2012 LIST

Published - 5 books
Illustrated - 2 more coming 2013
WIP - graphic novel and MG illustrated adventure
Got shingles - :-(( (See below)
Attended ALA - 2 signings
Attended 1 conference
Attended a Highlights Foundation course
Attended R.Michelson Gallery opening and was part of the group photo (awed)
Attended an awards ceremony in NY Times Center for 'How to Talk to an Autistic Kid'
Won a gold medal from Foreword Reviews at ALA for Autistic Kid book, a couple of other awards and mentioned on lists
Mentioned in Publisher's Weekly
Exhibitor at Princeton Book Festival and several others
Did school visits (learned a lot!)
Heard some great authors and illustrators speak (feeding the soul)
Met new friends
Sadly said goodbye to old friends
Met up with wonderful old friends
Sailed on the sea several times
Art in a couple of exhibitions and visited some great ones
Received fan mail (means I gave back to someone)
Read a good amount of books (but not as many as I would like!)
Started a couple of new blogs
Sketched and drew more than I ever have
Stopped worrying about my style and just did it

Writing that list just made me realize what a fantabulous year 2012 was! I did so much more than I remembered. Thinking of those things gives me vitality and optimism for 2013. Except shingles ... and I nearly took that off the list. It wasn't an achievement or a good thing ... but it does remind me that in the list I write for 2013 looking after my health must be high.

So off to write me a list of goals for the coming year - I know already it's going to be a good one. I will do my best not to let myself down. Check back in next year to make sure I didn't.

Happy New Year to you all and I hope your resolutions bring you happiness and peace in 2013.

Toodles!
Hazel

Book and Original Art Giveaway in time for the holidays!

2012-12-04T07:13:00.001-08:00

The draw has been made and the winner is Nancy L!

All watched over by the art director and his human.

Thanks for entering!

To buy a copy of 'Sleeping bear' visit my ETSY store.

______________________________________________________________________

You can win ....

a copy of

'Sleeping Bear - Journey of the Cubs'

written by best selling and award winning author Anne Margaret Lewis

- illustrated by (me!) Hazel Mitchell

A sweet chapter book retelling the legend of the Sleeping Bear Dunes of Lake Michigan,

great for K-2 and for Christmas stockings!

PLUS! (Yes, there is more!)

The ORIGINAL pencil drawing for the illustration from the page you see above from Chapter one,

signed and dated by me.

Entering is easy ...

follow the blog and leave a comment to say you have done so.
If you can't get the comment to stick, send me an email at

hazel-mitchell@hotmail.com

and I will make sure you are in the draw.
Draw will be made Friday Dec 7th 2012.

Thanks for entering and good luck!

Toodles

Hazel

PS - Can't wait ... find it at my

ETSY store

Tomie de Paolo Award 2013

2012-11-27T13:55:00.002-08:00

Over on my sister GLOG Pixel Shavings, am sharing my process for my entry to this year's Tomie de Paolo SCBWI award ... you can read all about it here :

http://pixelshavings.blogspot.com/2012/11/anatomy-of-illustration-from-hazel.html

See more of the entries on the unofficial blog

http://scbwicontest.blogspot.com/

Toodles!

Hazel

http://hazelmitchell.com

A visit to the Eric Carle .. and time to reflect.

2012-11-23T05:19:00.000-08:00

Couple of weekends ago I had one of those surreal-y fab days that stay in the heart for a long time.
We threw a bag in the car, got the animal sitters organized and travelled down to the far reaches of Massachusetts to visit the Eric Carle Museum for the 10th Anniversary celebrations.

The museum was buzzing with fabulous illustrators and authors, excited children and an amazing new exhibition of art from all periods of children's illustration and by an array of stellar artists. There were book signings and readings and among others, Eric Carle and Tony Deterlizzi madly raising money by doing doodles! (Like 100! that's A LOT of drawing in a day). The lines were out the door.

Here are some gorgeous gals ... Kelly Light, Heidi Stemple and their beautiful daughters.

Oh and me on the end!

How can you not smile standing in front of this beautiful painting?

The Eric Carle is a beautiful museum and arts facility. If you get the chance to visit, go. It lifts the heart! A special moment for me was stopping in front of works by Ashley Bryan and finding Jerry Pinkney next to me and exchanging some thoughts with him about Ashley.

Then it was right on to the 23rd Children's Exhibit at the R.Michelson Gallery in Northampton. My first visit there and what a cool place this is! Situated in a beautiful old bank and full of STELLAR illustrations and art. Again, if you are in the area GO! For several years I have had attending this event on my bucket list. I'm glad I made it and it won't be the first visit. So much talent, so many HUGE people in the book world there, humbling. It's moments like this that keep you warm through the winter in the lonesome studio when self doubt and pressure of work overwhelm. Then I will look back at these pictures and find inspiration.

So many interesting conversations, re-meeting of friends and making of new ones.

Plus - breathtaking art work!

Fellow illustrator Russ Cox was there with his prize winning print from the NESCBWI poster contest 2012. In the Dr Suess section no less! Congrats to Russ and Maine!

I got to meet an artist I really admire, Wendell Minor!

Norton Juster presenting Anita Silvey with her award. His speech was SO FUNNY.

The biggest thrill of the evening, though, was being in this line up of talent. OMG!! After seeing this yearly pic oline for several years, I didn't imagine I would get to be in it. I feel honoured. I won't go through all the names ... I am sure you recognize many of them. If not click here to see the full line up on the website.

All I'm saying is; there I am, on the left, 3rd row, next to MO WILLEMS. That is all!!

Afterwards, to dinner with Kelly Light and family, Russ and Lynn Cox and an explosive time was had by all!

I love book people. LOVE I say!

Toodles

Hazel

http://hazelmitchell.com

Illustration Friday - Zoom

2012-11-20T05:53:00.000-08:00

I know books get me this excited too!

Toodles

Hazel

:-)

Illustration Friday - TREE

2012-11-09T05:38:00.000-08:00

Tree climbing can be stressful.

Toodles!

Hazel

Goodbye Fall - Hello Winter

2012-11-01T06:34:00.000-07:00

That's it! October is done in a snap of the fingers. Fall colour came and went in a week or so. Now, as I look out the window, the mist settles on naked branches and the nights are wrapping themselves around us. Sleep (the studio cat) is putting on his winter weight. Soon there will be snow.

While everything else is going into cold-storage, my work is hotting up! First on the drawing board is a new manuscript I'm illustrating for Charlesbridge's imprint, Mackinac Island Press. And darn it, I can't divulge much about it YET. I tell you, the not telling the hardest thing. I'm excited to be working on this book - and it's going to be a little different from anything I have done yet, watch out for it Spring 2013.

I also found out that my two proposals for workshops at New England SCBWI 2013conference have been accepted, maybe I will see you in Springfield, Massachusetts next year! FUN! (I can't tell you what those are about yet either).

More good news - from my publisher Kane Miller. The book I illustrated in Spring this year will go straight to trade and also be an e-book. Yippee! And I can't tell you about that yet either!! But it will be on their Spring list soon.

I should have called this blog post, 'Stuff I cannot tell you YET'.

I did leave the attic a few times - for an author/illustrator day at a school in Mid Maine and then last week I shadowed the fabby author Lynn Plourde at my local elementary where she was doing workshops with the kids for two days. Lynn REALLY puts her all into those visits and I can see why she is invited back time and after time ... she is something to aspire to!

Mid month we had a family break to Florida to visit hubby's family. It was lovely to see the sun and swim in the ocean. Still very warm down there.

And not forgetting the Edward Gorey exhibition at the Portland Library, Maine. OMG!! It was wonderful and sparked a need in me to start delving more into Gorey's work. It's hard to admit that I didn't know Gorey's huge body of work till I came to America. I knew his illustrations from old Possum and Hilaire Belloc and Edward Lear's books, but not his prolific talent. What a sad education I had back then! Anyway I am making up for it now. I viewed the exhibition with Maine illustrator/author Jeannie Brett and we had an excellent lunch after. Worth the 4 hour round trip! I leave you with some pics from the exhibition. If you were effected by the Hurricane I hope life returns to normal for you soon. Thanks for visiting with me!

Toodles!

Hazel

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Happy Halloween!

2012-10-31T08:44:00.000-07:00

To witches and wizards of all sizes and shapes, pick up those wands and put on your capes!

Toodles!

Hazel

Illustration Friday - Mirror

2012-10-05T08:44:00.000-07:00

Playing 'Dress Up'.

This week's entry for Illustration Friday

Toodles!

Hazel

Beached - Sketch for today

2012-10-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

Robots need holidays too.

Toodles!

Hazel

September Round Up ...

2012-09-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

September has been a busy month for me!

Here's a quick round up of the whole shabang ..

PRINCETON BOOK FESTIVAL, NEW JERSEY

This is the first really BIG book festival I have exhibited at .. exhausting, fun - I'll be back!

Jazams Book Store did an excellent job.

At my table ... It was hot and humid and windy!

With Linda Barth, author of our book.

We sold out ... yippee!

Saw lot's of famous people! John Bemelmans Marciano ...

Bad Kitty and Nick Bruel (but he wasn't in the costume I hasten to add. This was one HOT Kitty).

Brian Lies and his wondrous car!

Michael Buckley!

The cooler than cool, Peter Brown ...

Awesome and prolific Roxie Munro!

Brian Floca!

PHILIP HOOSE PRESENTATION, PORTLAND, MAINE

A little later in the month I scooted down to Portland with the high-energy author Lynn Plourde to attend a presentation by Phil Hoose (National Book Award and Newbury Medal Winner) talking about his beautiful book MOONBIRD. Kirsten Cappy, from Curious City, did a great job putting this together.

NESCBWI ILLUSTRATION SYMPOSIUM

Just before the month blew out in rain and wind (as it is today) I traveled with Anna Boll (SCBWI RA for Maine) to the Illustrator's Symposium at NH Institute of Art, Manchester. Great faculty, caught up with some friends and feel set for the long nights of winter to come ...

Anne Sibley O'Brien gave an excellent talk of drawing ethnicity in children's books.

Melissa Sweet and the team who designed her book 'Balloons over Broadway' gave an excellent panel.

Brain Lies gave a great talk on marketing ... a reminder that we only get one go at a launch, so you had better plan!

And I won a copy of Chris Van Dusen's book in the door prizes. it's a little spooky!!

I am ready for a few weeks at home in the studio WORKING!

Got good news coming in the pipeline too. Stay tuned!

Happy October

Toodles!

Hazel

http://hazelmitchell.com

Oh and I bought a Brian Lies bat, I love it!!

Highlights - a great (re)treat

2012-09-25T05:35:00.003-07:00

I promised a little run down on my recent visit to Highlight's Foundation in Boyd's Mill, PA. It puts the TREAT in RETREAT. Here's one reason ...

and here's another ...

Just in case we were feeling faint they fed us 3-4 times a day. And in between we were welcome to raid the pantry ... yee gads! Thankfully, all the top-notch food is locally sourced, cooked with care and healthfully. Which is good, because you wouldn't want to miss any of it! Especially 'Angel Poop' .. my fav dessert.

But there's more to Highlights than just good grub. If you've no idea what I'm talking about, here's a link to their website. They run fabby writing and illustrating workshops for the kidlit world at a wonderful facility in Pennsylvania. Highlights is allied to Boyd's Mill Publishers in Honesdale and the first day includes a tour if you get there a little early. Which I did. A day early because of flights (which they don't charge you for). I was collected from Scranton airport by a very nice chap called Bob. All the staff are very welcoming and helpful. It's a bit like being at a private country club for children's writers and artists, but with no boring golf or rubbish conversation at the bar.)

at Boyd's Mill ... some place to have your office ...

The Barn, where all workshops and meals take place. It's a beautiful building and very welcoming, with informal rooms to lounge around in and a big space for work and eating. Some nights we ate on the patio.

Attendees get to stay in cute little private cabins ... but I got to stay in the farmhouse, which I loved!

The workshop I attended (Advanced Children's Illustrators) had a great faculty - Eric Rohmann - Ruth Sanderson - Kelly Murphy - Floyd Cooper ... plus guests including Neal Porter (Roaring Brook Press), David Wiesner, Donna-Jo Napoli. During the week, staff and editors from Boyd's Mill popped in and shared mealtimes with us, which was very nice and friendly.

Days start early with coffee at 7.30am, followed by breakfast (and 2nd breakfast if you want it!) then workshops at 9am until .... you want to stop in the evening. It was great to have several days to experiment, the wonderful atmosphere and secluded surroundings of the foundation make it a pleasure. After a day your fellow attendees feel like family. The everyday world is a memory.

I wanted for nothing while I was there. Wifi is available most everywhere (phone service is a little squiffy, but there are house phones you can use a calling card on, or get folks to call you back). If there is anything you need - then you just have to ask. Did I say I worshiped the kitchen staff ...?

There is nothing, however, to top sitting down with seasoned professionals and listen to their experiences, chat around the dinner table or next to the outdoor fireplace and hear about experiences on a personal level. With only 24 or so attendees it was great to really get to know each other in intimate surroundings.

If you are looking for a different experience from the usual hurly-burly of the conference circuit, I suggest you give Highlights a try. The cost of the workshops are truly reasonable given the level of attention and accommodation. They also offer scholarships to those who qualify.

I leave you with some photos as they speak more eloquently than I ...

Neal Porter

Eric Rohmann

Eric was my mentor for the workshop! Lucky me!

Kelly Murphy

Faculty Panel

Portfolio Showcase

Toodles!
Hazel

http://hazelmitchell.com

Illustration Friday - Crooked

2012-09-21T05:57:00.000-07:00

It's all a little crooked - watch out little duck!

Toodles!

Hazel

My first book in Korean!

2012-09-07T06:41:00.004-07:00

I think it's a lot of fun when you see your book in another language. Here's 'Why am I Here?' that I illustrated a couple of years back for Matthew Kelly.

I like that they took time to use a fun Korean typeface. It's great to show at school visits!

Next time - what I got up to at Highlight's Foundation Advanced Illustrator's Workshop, in Boyd's Mill, PA.

Toodles!

Hazel

Camden Library Book Festival

2012-08-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

Camden Public Library, Maine must be right up there in the list of prettiest locations for a library. And last week I was lucky enough to be part of the line up of authors and illustrators for the 7th Annual Children's Book Festival .... it was a fun day, and I think the pics say it all! I love doing Book Festivals!

Toodles!

Hazel

What's My Style?

2012-08-16T06:10:00.001-07:00

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT MY STYLE IS?

and the second question

HOW DO I GET ONE?

And here's the thing - most of us already have a style.

Writer's call it VOICE. 'What is our voice? Where does it come from?

How do we capture it and nurture it and grow it?'

As a writer VOICE is the choices we make, the words we use, the cadence, the point of view,

the quality that makes the writing unique - and recognizable.

And emerging illustrators struggle with all the same issues, especially the 'recognizable' one.

The one that will make us

STAND OUT FROM THE REST.

Read the rest of my look at style in illustration over on Turbo Monkey Tales Blog

Arthur Rackham

Toodles!
Hazel

Turbo Monkeys are Go

2012-08-13T06:27:00.000-07:00

Turbo Monkeys GLOG launches today. A group of eight monkeys who met at NVSCBWI 2010/11 mentor programme. Lot's of great info.

There will be prize giveaways all day to celebrate ... to enter follow the blog http://turbomonkeytales.blogspot.com/

Hope you will join!

Toodles

Hazel