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Monday, November 11, 2013

Finalised Storyboard & Surprise Present from Editor & Mentor!

The meeting on a storyboard went so well! Publisher/Editor Helen Chamberlin and Mentor Ann James flew to Sydney from Melbourne. In the meeting, we decided ALL about the picture book : consequence, selection of images, colour, text position, a font size and book design for each page, covers and balance in all. It was the crucial and final step just before colour.

Publisher/Editor Helen, Mentor Ann and I closely looked at the dummy and colour roughs. Each page and consequence was checked in an entire story. We discussed any questions on every page. For me, very important to tell Editor/Publisher and Mentor what I felt and thought honestly without any hesitation. My most concern was "pace and space." Each party mutually respected and carefully listened to each other. 

My whole body was ears. I so much concentrated on listening to their opinions and tried to write them down on a new dummy. In a very high tension. At once, Mentor Ann asked about my silence, "Is that shocking for you?" Oh, no, no, totally opposite! I was very interested in Helen and Ann's view. (* I found myself very open-minded and never have a wrong big pride! Good!) I was eager for advice to create a good book. Of course, sometimes, a different opinion came up, which actually brought us a fresh laugh! So nice!! I was so happy with this wonderful team. Really a blessing. 

We, three parties cleared up all questions and totally agreed with the direction to go. The position of a text was corrected and clearly allocated in all pages. A font size was nearly set and book designing was considered at the end of the debate. Mentor Ann gave me technical advice how to colour a text space in a page.

Superb Publisher/Editor Helen and Great Mentor Ann! So caring Ann started to reorganise a dummy for me, whilst I was talking with Helen. I began to write down findings on the dummy with Ann. Helen's sharp eye and a serious face eloquently showed how much she has loved this story like me and Ann. But they were so sweet for me. I complained, "You spoil me!" from a kitchen. I felt them smiling. A cute laughing sounded like a fresh breeze.
The discussion went on technical stuff. Mentor Ann and Publisher/Editor Helen really love my "freshness" and "colours." Their say was, in fact, a great encouragement and support for me. Yes, they want to see my lines and colours dancing on papers, neither being stiff nor dull. Yes, what they emphasised is my most strength. 

At the end, Mentor Ann and Publisher/Editor Helen ensured me to contact them, if any questions and different images come up in my mind. Yes, feel free to consult them with my images. Brilliant! Publisher/Editor and Mentor really respect me, Illustrator. They want me to be Sadami fully in this project.
I thank for Lord that I could get such wonderful people to work together. 

Friends, got surprised? We do spend such a huge energy, time, enthusiasm and love in creating a picture book. It requires a great group work. So, be a flexible hard worker who can endure long "years" work. 

One more, a great surprise, a "birthday present" from Mentor Ann and Publisher/Editor Helen! Oh, Friends, Shaun Tan's new book, "Rules of Summer" (just published in Oct! Edited by Helen Chamberlin). Hey, Shaun SIGNED it and WROTE for me, "Happy Birthday, Sadami!" with a little cake cartoon on a title page!!!! Wow~~~! When I started my career, I met Shaun Tan at his book launch of "Arrival" in Sydney uni. After all audience had gone, I talked to him about his work and how he began a career. Shaun kindly answered and at once recognised my drawing skills (I sketched him!) and happily picked up my CD folio with a printed sample work. He encouraged me so much and hoped a bright future for my picture book illustrator career. 
(*Our picture book illustration lecturers, Donna Rawlins and Wayne Harris, encouraged us, students to organise a CD folio with a printed sample work. I certainly did both, although not many students made CDs at that time.)  
Shaun's Book Launch in Sydney Uni
Today, I'm right on a track. One day, I'd like to see Shaun again to say special thanks. Now, I happily open a next chapter for the project.  Go, colour!  I'll concentrate on the project. Pardon me, if I do not update each Monday. 
Friends, have dreams and make them come true.
Friends, Happy Painting!










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38 comments:

  1. Great Sadami. You are so humble.

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    1. Thank you, AK. Enjoy drawing! Cheers, Sadami

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  2. I sense you are still smiling from ear to ear

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  3. What a nice post, Sadami, it is so wonderful that your dreams are coming true! You have a great team! Go colour! Happy painting!

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    1. Thnak you, Judy. You, too, make your dreams come true! Best wishes, Sadami

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  4. What a delightful post! It's all so good - and I am so happy for you, to be in such a fine team. But I have a secret thought - it's you, your joyful spirit..it's all you. Another author might not see the same things quite the same way. Seems I missed the chance to wish you a happy birthday - so, Happy Birthday, Sadami! :)

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    1. Thank you, Dan! Mentor and Editor seem to like my personality, too. Very happy. Fortunately, Author also loves my creating images (*Author lives in a very distant place). In group work or a picture book project, mutual help is crucial. Our team is brilliant! I'll enjoy colour. You, too, enjoy drawing.
      Best wishes, Sadami

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  5. I´m happy that your meeting went so well!

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    1. Thank you, Catherina!! I'll enjoy colour. You, too, enjoy art work. Best wishese, Sadami

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  6. Hard work, but dreams became reality. Congrat. I'm happy to read that!

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    1. Thank you, M.Antònia. Yes, creating a picture book requires hard work. But so happy!
      Best wishes, Sadami

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  7. It is wonderful following your progress!

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    1. Thank you! Pass my best wishes to Lita!! Best wishes, Sadami

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  8. Tu alegria me hace feliz. Estas trabajando duro y bien y eso se nota. Un abrazo

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    1. ¡ Oh, gracias, Tina! Sí, tu felicidad me hace feliz, también. También, tengo una semana maravillosa. Un abrazo, Sadami

      Oh, thank you, Tina! Yes, YOUR happiness makes me happy, too. You, too, have a wonderful week. A hug, Sadami

      >>> Tina said...
      Your happiness makes me happy. These working hard and well and it shows. A hug

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  9. You are such a busy lady, and you are working towards your goals, always! It's great that you have such wonderful collaborators - and a wonderful surprise birthday present!

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    1. Thank you, Rhonda! Yes, to enjoy a group work is essential in any context. I'll get on the project. Thanks millions for your warm cheers. Best wishes, Sadami

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  10. It is so great when your work is met with appreciation and when you get to work with people who value it! Have a very productive week, Sadami!

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    1. Thank u, Blaga, for your always support!! Yes, the team is wonderful and encouraging me so much. I've just nearly finished up "endpapers." Oh, very positive feedback came back yesterday. I'll move on to another page. You, too, enjoy watercolour!!! Best wishes, Sadami

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  11. So much fun to see you all excited and happy about about your work :) -- its wonderful to follow your progress --and nice life lessons that you share along the way! -- all the best and look forward to your book.

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    1. Thank you for always warm cheers that enable me to stay positive and go forward. "Sharing" is the key to be happy, I believe. You, too, enjoy creating art work! Yes, me, too, look forward to my picture book!
      Best wishes, Sadami

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  12. So happy to see YOU so full of happiness and smiles.

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    1. Thank you, Teri. Yes, I'm smiling from ear to ear. Cheers, Sadami

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  13. Ciao Sadami,
    in questo periodo sono un poco pigra con i commenti, ma vado sempre a vedere i lavori degli amici e i tuoi mi piacciono sempre tantissimo!
    Questo bimbo poi crea un grande effetto ed emozione!
    Ho capito bene che pubblicherai un libro? Ti faccio tanti auguri...la tua bravura e il tuo stile pittorico meritano grandi riconoscimenti!
    Ciao, abbracci, a presto, Floriana

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  14. Ringrazio, Floriana! Sono stato molto occupato e sarà pigro per lasciare commenti, troppo. Per favore perdonatemi. Il progetto del libro foto occupa tanto mi. Farò il mio meglio e vuole fare un lavoro qualificato. Si, troppo, godere meraviglioso acquerello più.
    Auguri, Sadami

    Thank you, Floriana! I've been very busy and will be lazy for leaving comments, too. Please pardon me. The picture book project occupies me so much. I'll do my best and want to make a qualified work. You, too, enjoy wonderful watercolour more and more.
    Best wishes, Sadami

    >>>> Floriana said...
    Hi Sadami,
    at this time I am a little lazy with the comments, but I always go to see the work of friends and I like always so much!
    This child then creates a great impact and emotion!
    I understand you correctly that you publish a book? I'll happy birthday ... your skill and your style of painting deserve great recognition!
    Hello, you soon, hugs, Floriana

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  15. Dear Sadami - this is wonderful and I am so happy for your wonderful relationship with your mentor and editor- your illustration of the boy is so touching with his hands reaching out. Also Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a good one.

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    1. Thank you, Debbie! Yes, our publishing team is so nice!! I'm working on more on the pages. You, too, take care and have a producitve and wonderful weekend. Best wishes, Sadami

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  16. I'm so excited for you, Sadami. I read your post with a smile on my face...you are so busy and I get exhausted just reading about it..LOL Take care and have a wonderful week!

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    1. Thnak you, Hilda. Really busy, indeed! You, too, enjoy drawing and have a wonderful weekend!
      Best wishes, Sadami

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  17. Sorry I am here so late. What a wonderful meeting that was! How inspiring for you - and such a wonderful gift too! Absolutely delighted for you, Sadami :) xx

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    1. Thank u, Pat! Please never say sorry. Me, too, so happy for your publishing!!! Congrats, Pat!
      Best wishes, Sadami

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  18. glad it went well sadami ...a present to treasure :)

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  19. thanks, Jane!! Yes, I bring that book to anywhere and even to bed! Cheers, Sadami

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  20. I'm glad to read such wonderful news, Sadami. You deserve it! I wish you the best! Have a nice week. :-)

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    1. Thank you, Anna! Yes, too happy to believe this true, but true! You, too, enjoy your creative life!
      Best wishes, Sadami

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  21. Enhorabuena, me alegro de tu éxito.
    Saludos

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    1. Gracias, Frances,
      Yo, muy, muy feliz por tu éxito!!
      Mis mejores deseos, Sadami

      Thank you, Frances,
      Me, too, very happy for your success!!
      Best wishes, Sadami

      >>>Frances said...
      Congratulations, I am glad of your success.
      Best regards

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