PB Ad is in the Works!

The MEIC group ad for Picture Book 2011 is a go!

5 pages are now reserved for the Maine Illustrators Collective.
4 pages are filled already!

It's not too late to get your spot as there is still small spots available on the MEIC introductory page!

There is a lowered group ad rate, an affordable payment plan,
plus a free online portfolio with every ad for members.

The MEIC always welcomes new members!
If you are professional illustrator living in Northern New England and wish to join...
Contact:
Leticia Plate about membership in the MEIC
Judith Hunt for more advertising information

To view the latest Picture book annual go to this link and click on the download for the pdf.

Online Alternatives to Advertising in Print

I was reminded yet again how difficult it is to chose advertising as an illustrator when trying to round-up the MEIC for group advertising.

This site may answer many questions by the MEIC members and others interested in promoting themselves.

www.dynamicgraphics.com
click on the above link to go to an article on advertising for illustrators.

The article seemed non-biased with plenty of links to sites discussed.

Yes, some MEIC members already advertise on and in:

The ispot- only online
childrensillustrators-only online
The Directory of Illustration-online combined with print
Picturebook-online combined with print....Yes, you can buy just an online portfolio
Workbook-online and print-you can buy an online portfolio separate from the print


Remember the good old days of illustration way back in the 80's? Art Directors and many top professional illustrators used printed graphics magazines to keep up with market trends, awards, contests, and new materials.... now it's online blogs and industry driven online newsletters. It can be confusing to read everything on the net so here's one source similar to what I used to read in print.

http://illustrationvoice.com/landing.html#IndustryAdvice
Subscribe and start educating yourself on what the trends are now, who is hiring, and how to promote yourself...

Any suggestions on other mainstream industry driven online newsletters please let me know! J

Update on the new MEIC Website

We are working on the new MEIC website and transferring the site to Fat Cow.

The MEIC website will be temporarily down for 7 days.
When it reappears it will still look like the old one but the new one is coming very soon!

So if you haven't gotten your images and your new updated profile to Judith Hunt do so right away....so we can add them to the NEW site!

Thank you for your patience! Ben Dixon & Joel Rivers

The Lives of Rocks Art Exhibit

Please join us for a festive opening of watercolor landscapes by Michael Boardman.
Thursday, Dec. 17th.
My work will be up at the Royal Bean Coffeehouse just off Main St. in Yarmouth, right by the RR tracks.
We'll have light snacks and beverages.
The opening will be from 5:30 to 8, the show will run through Jan.
Hope you can attend,
Happy Holidays!
Mike Boardman

Blogs about Illustration

Andy Smith says this site is.... kind of neat with some nice interviews...

I did check it out and the Escape from Illustration Island blog is written by an illustrator in Portland,Oregon. Full of information, his personal viewpoints, and lots of links to resources. J

Wade's Holiday Sale!

It's a Wade Zahares' Holiday Sale!

Visit Wade at his studio & farmhouse and browse
through his stunning gallery of original pastels and Giclée Prints.

Also available will be:
Wades' children's books and
Zahare's unique handcrafted very whimsical HouseClocks!

Saturday Dec 12 and Sunday December 13
from 12-6 PM.
314 Alewive Road, Lyman, Maine

Click on newsletter to see larger image.

www.zahares.com

Check out this wonderful interview with Wade
at the Wild Rose Reader Blog: discussing Wade's books and art, his method and influences.

Work for Starving Artists

The following was recently posted by the Maine Art's Commission.

Worth looking into and worth doing. I know two Maine artists who did this and found it both gratifying and interesting work, the big plus is it paid for more than a few art supplies. A very good deal. -Judith Hunt

Two new Percent for Art Competitions Offer $77,000

There are two new Percent for Art Competitions now open to artists in Maine. These two competitions, at Aubert Hall, University of Maine, Orono, and Brewer Elementary/Middle School, share a December 18 deadline.

Artists who are interested in applying should review the competition details on MaineArts.com. You can download the entire Brewer prospectus with floor plans and images from the Maine Arts Commission’s Box.net account.

Those with questions about these, or any of the Maine Arts Commission's Percent for Arts competitions, should contact Alison Ferris at alison.ferris@maine.gov, or 207/287-2710.