Gratitude: Beckett Gladney

Feeling grateful to so many people these days, especially those who helped and encouraged me long before I had my first children's book published.

Only just starting to catch my breath after my Where Are My Books? book tour and launch, still need to finish unpacking (!) and will also be posting more about the tour. My office floor is covered with stuff left over from various presentations and trips and events, and one of my goals this weekend is to get it sorted out so I can get back into regular creativehermitworkmode next week.

I've already mentioned some of the people to whom I am grateful but today I need to talk about Beckett Gladney. I haven't told her yet, but her name came up several times during my book tour and also at my book launch; parents said they were so enjoying her blog (http://artbeco.blogspot.com) and that it was helping inspire them. They had discovered her through one of my posts.

Beckett, as you probably already know, is the friend who helped me put together my very first portfolio for the SCBWI convention in Los Angeles back in 2010, when so much happened.

She is also an accomplished photographer (especially candid photos of people), illustrator and a wonderful writer. I am so looking forward to seeing her illustrations in a children's book someday.

Beckett tends to shy away from the limelight but does so much to help and support her friends. I wish we lived closer. Here's a sample for an unpublished graphic novel project that I wrote and she illustrated. I should point out that this is only one of Beckett's illustration styles:

To find out more about Beckett and her work (see navigation links along righthand column): http://artbeco.blogspot.com

Personal Blog Highligh: Beckett Gladney and "Spring Is Hard"

Not only is my friend Beckett an amazing photographer and illustrator, but she writes well. Really well.

Every one of her personal blog posts moves me somehow, makes me think. 

Beckett is able to write about the so-called little stuff but with a much bigger perspective. And sometimes, like her post about her father this week, she writes a piece that makes me cry.

Do read her "Spring Is Hard" blog post, and do read all the way to the end.

Spring Is Hard - by Beckett Gladney

Help a friend AND get some great holiday gifts

If you're looking for a holiday gift (esp. writers & illustrators), please consider visiting my friend's Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbeco

Beckett Gladney's husband Paul was just laid off work. :-(

Beckett is a talented illustrator and writer, and was the one who convinced me to enter last year's SCBWI Illustration Portfolio Showcase (the one that ended up getting me a book contract for I'm Bored with Simon & Schuster BFYR).

She and Paul have two young kids. You can read about them in Beckett's wonderful blog:http://artbeco.blogspot.com/

Beckett makes absolutely gorgeous sketchbook covers, notebooks, craft kit covers, jewelry and other items. AND she does custom work! If any of you happen to be looking for a holiday gift , please do visit Beckett's shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbeco

Photo by Beckett Gladney

Beckett Gladney On Life, Parenthood & Mortality

My friend Beckett has a new blog. Even if you don't know Beckett personally, I highly recommend it. Why? Because Beckett writes SO well, take such gorgeous photos, is an amazing illustrator. She's a cancer survivor. She is the mother of very active twin boys. She's creative in so many different ways.

Being on opposite sides of the continent, Beckett and I don't get to see each other that often. It was a joy to be able to spend some time with her recently, though it wasn't nearly long enough.

During one of our conversations, we talked about death. It may seem like a morbid subject for some, making them uncomfortable. When you've had a close encounter, either through loss of a loved one (both of us) or a life-threatening illness (Beckett), it's not as much of a taboo topic. Or at least it's not for Beckett and me. An excerpt from her blog post:

It's not as simple as a 'bucket list', it's about making choices all the way along about how you want to live and the attitudes you choose to live by and what you see and smell and listen to and savor in your life. It's about trying the best you're capable of to find the best path through the hard places, to live a positive, loving and meaningful life on your own terms without worrying about what society thinks. It's also about how you approach dealing with losing your loved ones or your own loss of health or eventual demise. It's such hard stuff and not something people want to think or talk about and yet everyone eventually goes through it.

Read more at her blog:

ARTBECO

"Seeking beauty in the midst of busy days as an artist, photographer, craftsperson and parent of twin boys"

Beckett's Custom-Made Jack O' Lanterns Now For Sale

My multi-talented friend Beckett has added items to her Etsy shop, including her famous custom-made Jack O' Lanterns. From her Etsy page:

You pick the design you like, I carve it for you and send it out to you! These little artificial pumpkins are carved with my own drawings designed especially to show off the light from inside the pumpkin. They are about 6 inches in diameter, a compact little pumpkin shape with lots of carved detail.

These artificial pumpkins are made of dense molded styrofoam and are carefully carved with a removable lid so that you can place a light inside. No flames please, as these can be flammable! I'm including a small battery powered artificial candle light source for your convenience; simply unpack it all, turn on the lamp and place it inside the pumpkin, and enjoy the flickering light in your new Jack-O-Lantern.

These pumpkins are pretty sturdy and I have several of these that I carved many years ago now and they're still in great shape. They get used every autumn season and have become favorites at our house and around our neighborhood around Halloween time.

Designing and carving these pumpkins is quite time consuming and each pumpkin will be quite unique. These designs will never be mass produced! Each carving, even of the same design, is different and each pumpkin has its own personality.

Go ahead and treat your family or yourself to a little Jack-O-Lantern light that will last you for many years and may become a treasured part of your own holiday traditions!

Please tell me which design you prefer, and allow me about 2 weeks to carve your own custom Jack-O-Lantern to keep forever!

Price is $45, which is a deal considering you'll be able to use your cool Jack-O-Lantern every Halloween AND you'll be paying for a collector's work of art created by a pro illustrator like Beckett. You can find more info out at:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55865455/custom-jack-o-lantern