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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Networking, Illustrator's Essential Skills

I've finished up the picture book illustration. Thank you for great patience and warm cheers! Helen Chamberlin and Ann James love my work so much. Soon, a courier sent by Publisher will pick up the packed work. A book designer and we'll work on layout and editing. Exciting! 

BTW, this blog post focuses on "successful networking," critically important skills for picture book illustrators and artists. Sounds strange? Is an "enough talent" alone enough? Think this truth that you cannot make a picture book all by yourself. A picture book illustrator must connect people and works together. The same is true of fine artists wishing to display work must find venues and need to sell it. Can you provide space, time and money all by yourself? In other words, if a person just wants to work alone, s/he would never get a chance to be an illustrator.

What is successful networking? In my view, good networking gets more nice friends and establishes mutual-help in business. Networking gives an artist a job opportunity and promotes your own work. In turn, an employer/publisher gains commercial benefits from your art work. Indeed, it's a two-way, a "give and take" system in human connection and win-win for both parties. Joining networking events gives us insightful knowledge and useful experiences, too. 


Dane Ropa, Deputy Principal, Balgowlah Boys Campus, 
Northern Beaches Secondary College
@ "Arts and Education Partnership Forum" (*content of workshops)
I've learned effective networking skills from uni life -- full of formal and informal events such as conferences, workshops and parties. I was too shy at events, but uni lecturers encouraged me to try them for social skills. As well as lecturers, an editor at Scholastic Australia, highly recommended me to attend networking events. My mentor, Ann James, too. Great advice. I started to observe how good networkers behave in events and found principal factors. 
Let's chat over main elements, in order to achieve successful networking,  
Networking skills are communication skills that connect others, promote yourself and market yourself. In a social context, good networkers are, "being friendly, approachable, open minded, good at listening = makes others comfy in a chat." In my observation, smart people chat around in a room. So, don't stay at a same spot or a person. Technically, effective networkers always have attractive business cards and reach at target people. A smart business card is a handy resume and an impressive ad flyer. Friends, make nice business cards! People often give positive feedback to well-designed business cards at once.

"Be prepared and well organised," is another important element. Have a compact showcase of your work. Seeing is believing. Good art work speaks loud your talents and skills. I bring sample works with me in a practical way. After looking at my sample work, some editors have given me projects immediately on spot, because editors are always searching for Illustrators matching their projects. Only distinguished art work convinces editors of your ability that will accomplish their picture book texts. Although a buyers market, celebrated artists have advantage in "demand & supply" on market. Friends, let us be the best of best in our own genres and make ourselves standout on market. 
Libby Gleeson facilitator for ARTISTS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: 
ENGAGING WITHIN SCHOOLS AND BEYOND
Furthermore, "set a target/goal and organise methods/devices" are crucial in networking skills. This is an example for networking. 
Last week, I, Sadami Konchi joined a wonderful workshop, "Arts and Education Partnership Forum" held by Parramatta Council. Key panellers were widely ranged first class guys from such as academia, science, music education, Opera house Head of Children, Families & Education, contemporary art museums and publishing industry. All presenters have been achieving wonderdul contributions to art and school. Their interesting talk inspired us, attendances. I've learned practical approaches to work with school. My most target group was publishing industry people : Australian legend author Libby Gleeson, Westwards and education's key person Judith Ridge, established illustrators, Sarah Davis and award-winning illustrator Kylie Dunstan. Although we already know each other, catching up is very meaningful. Before a workshop started, we carefully looked at my *dummy* (= a small picture book). The publishing industry people gave me feedback and celebrated my work with Helen Chamberlin and Ann James. Kylie is working with Helen. I love her collage and stories (*Kylie writes and illustrates!). I asked Kylie to pass on my best wishes to OUR editor / publisher Helen in Melbourne. 
Key Speaker @ "Arts and Education Partnership Forum"
(*PopUpParra PhotoAlbum)
During the forum, my sketches amused presenters and others, even an event organising team! Looking at a watercolour painging process is fun for anyone. We straight away got into a friendly mood and shared a nice time. All posted sketches are from the workshops! Libby called me, "Mate!" (* = intimate "Friend" in colloquial Australian English*) after looking at my sketch. Now, the attendances had enjoyed my drawing skills and knew my illustration work. We friendly exchanged business cards and smile. Some participants would looked forward to my this blog post. Nice! We get mutual connection, wider support and merits in social and commercial phases. 
Special thanks to the event team and Merryn Spencer, a gerat Creative Broker at Parramatta City Council!!

Although sweet Publisher/Editor Helen Chamberlin says, "You (= illustrator Sadami ) are the star!" in our ongoing picture book publishing project, my response is, "No. All of us, OUR hard work, Author, Editor, Mentor, Book Designer etc, etc." Connect others and work others in a harmonious way, is essential. 

Without successful networking, neither chance nor opportunity will open a door for an artist. In my view, luck does not exist in publishing industry, BUT good networking skills build luck for an illustrator/artist who can maximise 
opportunity and use it at best. So, Friends, go and join events! Don't be shy, but be prepared and enjoy experiences! Look at good networkers and enrich your knowledge and get more chance! Go, go, Friends!
Now, Easter Holiday. I'll enjoy staying with friends in a country side. No electricity, no internet connection, but kangaroos and wild creatures! I'll sketch Australian bush! So, please pardon my no response to your comments. Thank you for giving me a blog holiday leave and my hands get better, but the hands need a bit more holiday. You, too, please enjoy an Easter Holiday and a safe trip.  
Friends, Happy Painting!! 

In addition, here is the forum in vimeo by courtesy of Merryn Spenser. 








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25 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Oh, Dora, thank u! Yes, I will. U,too, on a bit different date! Cheers, Sadami

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  2. Interesting post Sadami, I hadn't thought of it in terms of joining in with events and networking that way. Of course, your paintings are brilliant, they speak for themselves.

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    1. Sweet, Ann! Thank u! Really, uni psychology lecturer, linguistics profs and the editor "PUSH"ed shy Sadami into events. Particularly, the editor encouraged me so much. He was right! Ann, I have to confess that shy Sadami had no idea how to behave at events and started sketching presenters, but they turned out very positive! and I learned it.
      Cheers, Sadami

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  3. Buenas vacaciones y buenos dibujos, Sadami.
    Un fuerte abrazo.

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    1. Ooohh, dulce Onera! ¡Gracias! Estamos en medio de la noche. Tener una feliz semana Santa! Un gran abrazo, Sadami

      Ooohh, sweet Onera! Thank you! We're just in the middle of night. Have a happy Easter holiday! A big hug, Sadami

      >>>Onera said...
      Good breakfast and good drawings, Sadami.
      A big hug.

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  4. Such interesting post and advice :) I like your sketches and congratulations on finishing your book --that is fantastic and I wish you all the best and looking forward to seeing your work in print. ! Take care

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    1. Yey, sweet, Meera, thank u!! This advice is from my experiences. Yes, sketch models love my work, nice! Oh, I want to rest my hands. The book will be published next year.
      Cheers, Sadami

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  5. networking is something i'm really bad at! :) But you're inspiring me to try

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    1. Hi, sweet Tiffanny! I hope this post will help you some. Sure, you will learn and use it for you.
      Best wishes and warm regards, Sadami

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  6. You do write the most interesting posts and are very informative. Happy Networking, Happy Editing, and Happy Easter

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    1. Hi, sweet Polly, thank u! u,2, Happy Networking, Happy Editing, and Happy Easter!!
      Cheers, Sadami

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  7. Admiro profundamente la expresividad de tus trabajos, Sadami,
    Abrazo,

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    1. ¡ Oh, dulce Carmen, gracias! También admiro su trabajo. ¡ Disfrutemos acuarela y dibujo más. Abrazos, Sadami

      Oh, sweet Carmen, thank you! I, too, admire your work. Let us enjoy watercolour and drawing more. Hugs, Sadami

      >>>>>> Carmen said...
      I deeply admire the expressiveness of your works, Sadami,
      Hug,

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  8. Sadami - so good of you to share your wonderful thoughts on networking. This is certainly something I have never really considered. Thank you for your input. Congratulations too on your successful endeavor. Have a great Easter.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, sweet Debbie, thank u! I Luckily, wise people around me suggested me. Without it, an artist cannot survive on market. (*In history, many artists, geniuses died in poverty.) You, too, enjoy drawing. Happy, Happy Easter! After this reply, I'll go to 'bush'! (= forest, in Australian English).
      Cheers, Sadami

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  9. Welcome back Sadami
    You have been missed. Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge. I always learn so much from you. Have a lovely time in the countryside

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    1. Thank u so mych, sweet Alissa. Happy Easter! Your lovely drawings are eye pleasant.
      Very the best, Sadami

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    2. Thank u so mych, sweet Alissa. Happy Easter! Your lovely drawings are eye pleasant.
      Very the best, Sadami

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  10. Replies
    1. Thank u, sweet Celeste! Let's enjoy drawing together. Cheers, Sadami

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  11. Hola, Sadami!! Siempre aprendo contigo. Preciosos y expresivos dibujos. Felicidades y un fuerte abrazo.

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    1. Gracias, dulce J.Paz! Yo, también, siempre aprender de ti!! Movámonos hacia nuestro futuro brillante con alegría en el arte creativo.
      Mis mejores deseos, Sadami

      Thank you, sweet J.Paz! Me, too, always learn FROM you!! Let's move into our bright future with joy in creative art.
      Best wishes, Sadami

      >>>>J.Paz said...
      Hello, Sadami! I always learn with you. Beautiful and expressive drawings. Congratulations and a big hug.

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  12. Como me gusta que estés ya publicando otra vez llena de entusiasmo y ilustrando tus entradas con retratos tan expresivos.!

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    1. ¡ Tina dulce, muchas gracias! Sí, vamos hacia nuestro futuro brillante con alegría en el arte creativo.
      Mis mejores deseos, Sadami

      Oh, sweet Tina, thank you so much! Yes, Let's move into our bright future with joy in creative art.
      Best wishes, Sadami

      >>> Tina said...
      Like me you are already publishing full of enthusiasm again and illustrating your entries so expressive portraits!

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