Hear thee, hear thee! My LONG awaited YA non-fiction book "Animals and Teens: The Ultimate Teen Guide" (Scarecrow Press) is expected in February 2009! Yippee! This is an AWESOME topic and an equally AWESOME book (okay, I'm a little prejudiced but my book truly IS an awesome piece of work) that is all about the incredible bond humans (specially teens and young adults) have with animals and how that bond can change lives. Literally. The book is FILLED with incredible real-life stories about teens who have had service dogs, volunteered at animal shelters, rescues and refuges, been involved with animal assisted therapy, including dolphin and equine therapy, and who are delighted to share their love for animals with all the teens and adults who read this book. AND it is filled with some of my illustrations.
Check out the book on the publisher's website at http://www.scarecrowpress.com/Catalog/SingleBook.shtml?command=Search&db=^DB/CATALOG.db&eqSKUdata=0810857693
Thursday, January 8, 2009
New Year, New Beginnings...and a LONG awaited Book Launch!
Whew...glad the holidays are finally done and the pounds gained can now be melted off. Can you believe SEVEN holiday parties in just 2.5 weeks?! AND...all parties with too much high calorie foods that I NEVER eat and no veggies ("boo, hiss" says the rabbit inside of me).
I miss summer. The evening power walks....the weekend forest preserve hikes...and not needing a coat, boots, scarves, hats or gloves. The weather here in Chicago has been way too wintry for my taste! Cold, ice, snow, wind...each day a different combination. And none of them resembling walking weather! Each time I spot some poor brave souls out walking their dogs in the dark and cold, I just shake my head and think how nuts that is. But I also really empathise with them. Not only can they not stand not being out walking, they love their dogs so very much they'll risk slipping on the icey sidewalks, chapped skin and windburned cheeks just to make their pets happy! I know. I took Shady for a quick walk around the long block tonight...over icey sidewalks...in the dark...until my face hurt from the biting wind and we agreed to return home.
So we shall continue to brave the winter....and whatever weather we are handed. Eventually, the sun will rise in the early am and all the obnoxious slight sensitive robins will return to wake me at 2 am, screaming in their excitement, totally fooled that the street lights are the rising sun...and we shall be able to walk outside comfortably once again. It's winter until the swans return.
I miss summer. The evening power walks....the weekend forest preserve hikes...and not needing a coat, boots, scarves, hats or gloves. The weather here in Chicago has been way too wintry for my taste! Cold, ice, snow, wind...each day a different combination. And none of them resembling walking weather! Each time I spot some poor brave souls out walking their dogs in the dark and cold, I just shake my head and think how nuts that is. But I also really empathise with them. Not only can they not stand not being out walking, they love their dogs so very much they'll risk slipping on the icey sidewalks, chapped skin and windburned cheeks just to make their pets happy! I know. I took Shady for a quick walk around the long block tonight...over icey sidewalks...in the dark...until my face hurt from the biting wind and we agreed to return home.
So we shall continue to brave the winter....and whatever weather we are handed. Eventually, the sun will rise in the early am and all the obnoxious slight sensitive robins will return to wake me at 2 am, screaming in their excitement, totally fooled that the street lights are the rising sun...and we shall be able to walk outside comfortably once again. It's winter until the swans return.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Summer's almost over...crafting season is just beginning!
It's hard to believe that Labor Day has come and gone. While there is a little more "nip" in the evening and morning air, the sun is still toasty and summer-like during the day. This time of year is my favorite for evening walks. No mosquitos to chase us inside the moment the sun begins to dip...and just cool enough for a light jacket. Black dogs do not tolerate the hot sun very well if the air temps are also warm so they're also eager for a respite, as well.
And with the beginning of this new season of back-to-school and great walking weather, also comes new possiblities. It's time to get back to doing creative projects for the approaching holiday seasons! I have always loved teaching creative classes--drawing, rubber stamping, and more. Most people are familiar seeing me teaching and demonstrating at the CHA trade shows but I also love teaching & working with adults and children of all ages and skill levels. Beginning this month, I will be teaching private drawing workshops and classes, as well as after school creative programs. Private drawing lessons will be taught at my home studio and group classes will be taught at various locations. Please check back for more information or contact me directly for class schedules and places.
But first....I need to work on some more illustrations! Don't forget to check out the latest Sweet PETatoes gift bags at Petsmart!
And with the beginning of this new season of back-to-school and great walking weather, also comes new possiblities. It's time to get back to doing creative projects for the approaching holiday seasons! I have always loved teaching creative classes--drawing, rubber stamping, and more. Most people are familiar seeing me teaching and demonstrating at the CHA trade shows but I also love teaching & working with adults and children of all ages and skill levels. Beginning this month, I will be teaching private drawing workshops and classes, as well as after school creative programs. Private drawing lessons will be taught at my home studio and group classes will be taught at various locations. Please check back for more information or contact me directly for class schedules and places.
But first....I need to work on some more illustrations! Don't forget to check out the latest Sweet PETatoes gift bags at Petsmart!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
News flash!
Just got word that Animals & Teens: The Ultimate Teen Guide is officially in production now! It should be released early 2009, which I know will be disappointing to those contributors who may have been hoping the book would be available for holiday gifts. I do not know what caused the delay (the release date was supposed to have been October, 2008) but these things can happen. Scheduling issues are usually the culprit. I'll keep everyone posted as soon as I hear more!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Back from CHA and still following up 3 weeks later!
CHA was a great but tiring experience. So much to see in so little time! 4 days just wasn't long enough when I also had meetings back to back on two of those days. Of course, I was also on total visual overload with so much color, so many patterns, tons of collections and just plain creative energy everywhere. But it was wonderful seeing many familiar faces and re-establishing relationships after being stuck in a booth for so many years! I felt like I was truly being welcomed back into this industry that had always been my anchor.
The economy may be depressing, but spirits were definitley high at the show. Lots of order writing, lots of positive energy. I'm still following up 3+ weeks later and expect the entire process will take weeks.
The one surprise at the show was the announcement of venue change from its long-time place in Chicago to Orlando in 2009. Chicago in mid-July is hot and steamy enough, with the potential for violent thunderstorms, 90+ temps and humidity, but Orlando the end of July/beginning of August will certainly not be cooler! The buzz on the floor was the addition of a 2-day consumer show to be tacked on to the summer show. Details have not yet been worked out as to whether consumers will also be able to purchase new products at this show or if it will serve solely as an educational opportunity to enhance the retailers' ability to furnish their customers with the new products and techniques. The big questions are whether retailer buyers (and consumers) will want to travel to this new location to make it worthwhile for the exhibiting manufacturers...and if this later date could affect orders being shipped in time for 4rth quarter.
But that will all be played out over the next several months, with the winter CHA show still ahead in Anaheim the end of January.
Next on my show agenda will be the pet industry show (HH Backer Christmas Show) in October. At least there is still ONE show I can attend without having to travel! With Book Expo and now both the CHA summer show and Halloween/Costume/Party show having moved out of Chicago, I'm starting to feel abandoned here in the Midwest!
Of course, the Backer show will never be the same without Tyler (see photo). That dog stopped people in their tracks at the show for years. Yes, he was that gorgeous...and yes, he had that star appeal that made him the model he was...and the instinct to read people that made him a phenomenal Therapy dog, as well. There was a reason why he was brought to NY to be on the AKC judge's tape for Border Collies! He may not have been interested in sheep but boy could he work a crowd...especially at those trade shows! CEO's from large pet food & other companies in the industry (along with the buyers they were speaking with) would run out of their show booths as Tyler strutted past. And that went on in every single aisle. Tyler loved all the attention, all the gushing over how "pretty" he was and, of course, all those cookies!
Maybe one day I'll have a new puppy who will show that same instinctive pizzazz and light up the show again! And volunteering at the nearby therapeutic riding stable (http://www.equestrianconnection.org/) sure isn't the same without my little Therapy dog at my side. Uh oh...starting to get puppy fever....
The economy may be depressing, but spirits were definitley high at the show. Lots of order writing, lots of positive energy. I'm still following up 3+ weeks later and expect the entire process will take weeks.
The one surprise at the show was the announcement of venue change from its long-time place in Chicago to Orlando in 2009. Chicago in mid-July is hot and steamy enough, with the potential for violent thunderstorms, 90+ temps and humidity, but Orlando the end of July/beginning of August will certainly not be cooler! The buzz on the floor was the addition of a 2-day consumer show to be tacked on to the summer show. Details have not yet been worked out as to whether consumers will also be able to purchase new products at this show or if it will serve solely as an educational opportunity to enhance the retailers' ability to furnish their customers with the new products and techniques. The big questions are whether retailer buyers (and consumers) will want to travel to this new location to make it worthwhile for the exhibiting manufacturers...and if this later date could affect orders being shipped in time for 4rth quarter.
But that will all be played out over the next several months, with the winter CHA show still ahead in Anaheim the end of January.
Next on my show agenda will be the pet industry show (HH Backer Christmas Show) in October. At least there is still ONE show I can attend without having to travel! With Book Expo and now both the CHA summer show and Halloween/Costume/Party show having moved out of Chicago, I'm starting to feel abandoned here in the Midwest!
Of course, the Backer show will never be the same without Tyler (see photo). That dog stopped people in their tracks at the show for years. Yes, he was that gorgeous...and yes, he had that star appeal that made him the model he was...and the instinct to read people that made him a phenomenal Therapy dog, as well. There was a reason why he was brought to NY to be on the AKC judge's tape for Border Collies! He may not have been interested in sheep but boy could he work a crowd...especially at those trade shows! CEO's from large pet food & other companies in the industry (along with the buyers they were speaking with) would run out of their show booths as Tyler strutted past. And that went on in every single aisle. Tyler loved all the attention, all the gushing over how "pretty" he was and, of course, all those cookies!
Maybe one day I'll have a new puppy who will show that same instinctive pizzazz and light up the show again! And volunteering at the nearby therapeutic riding stable (http://www.equestrianconnection.org/) sure isn't the same without my little Therapy dog at my side. Uh oh...starting to get puppy fever....
Monday, June 16, 2008
Getting ready for CHA Summer Show!
Now's the countdown time to get ready for the CHA Summer Show next month in Rosemont, Illinois! Starting to develop press kit, display and all materials I will need for the show. This is the first time in years that I will be able to walk the show and just absorb everything everyone in the craft/hobby industry is doing. Always looking for new licensees and publishers to work with.......
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Update on the book
Sorry I haven't posted anything recently but I have been waiting to hear if the book made it past the additional editing steps and into production. Well...the good news is.....it has! I will still have to create the index for the book after everything is typeset, but that won't happen for at least another month (and possibly longer). Indexing is a rather tedious process and seems a bit difficult to do for someone like me who is a creative thinker but I am confident that I will succeed.
I intend to invite more of the book participants to this blog shortly. My hope is that the many wonderful teens, young adults and "experts" whose inspirational and interesting comments, interviews and stories fill the pages of my book will find a common bond and speak freely. After all, we are ALL animal lovers...and, as we all know, pawprints (or feathers, fins and scales) are thicker than dna!
Gail Green
I intend to invite more of the book participants to this blog shortly. My hope is that the many wonderful teens, young adults and "experts" whose inspirational and interesting comments, interviews and stories fill the pages of my book will find a common bond and speak freely. After all, we are ALL animal lovers...and, as we all know, pawprints (or feathers, fins and scales) are thicker than dna!
Gail Green
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)