Dani Jones Illustration

I’m Making a Comic!

Friday February 05, 2010

Mstf Teaserposter

That’s right. I’m making a comic. And I’m really excited to share it with all of you.

For the past several months, I have been furiously writing and drawing an original story called My Sister, the Freak. It will be an all-ages sci-fi story about two sisters who run into some alien invaders. Good times.

Here is the site: http://www.mysisterthefreak.com

The story will officially launch on March 12, 2010 and update with a new page every Friday.

In the meantime, I will use the site to spill some sneak peeks, development work, and art. I will also work on pages during my Ustream show. Subscribe, tune-in, and follow me for all the updates, and tell your friends to keep a look out too!

I’m really excited to share this with you all. This is the biggest, most-intensive independent project I have ever done to date, and I feel I’m creating some of my best work. I hope you all will enjoy it as much as I do.

Filed Under Artwork, News by Dani
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NESCBWI 2010 Conference Workshop

Monday February 01, 2010

I’m happy to announce that I will be teaching a workshop at the 2010 New England Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conference this coming May.

This year’s theme is “Moments of Change” and will concentrate on the ever-growing role of technology and social networking in the life of authors and illustrators. I have considered doing a workshop for the past couple years, and when I heard about the theme for this year, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. After all, the internet has played a huge role in my career thus far, via blogs, Twitter, Ustream, etc. If I was ever going to teach a workshop, this would be the year to do it.

My class is titled, “10 Ways Artists Can Improve Their Online Presence“. I am going to walk through some specific tips for illustrators who market themselves on the internet. I will cover basic website portfolio tips, social networking, and multimedia tools. If you are familiar with me and any of my online projects, you have a good idea of what I might talk about.

The workshop will be on Sunday May 16. Registration for the conference goes live on February 8 at NESCBWI.org.

On a sidenote, the 16th also happens to be the day of the Illustrator’s Intensive workshop. I attended this last year and highly recommend it. The class goes on all day (four hours total). As much as I would love to see you at my class, if you are an intermediate/advanced illustrator and have to choose between the two, I will not be offended if you go to the intensive instead. In fact, I’m kinda sad I can’t go myself. ;)

If you have never been to a SCBWI conference before, I highly recommend it. It is a great chance to learn some great stuff about the children’s book industry, network with fellow authors and artists, and meet with editors/agents/art directors. The annual New England conference is especially noted for being a good-quality, yet close-knit event. If you have any interest at all in the children’s book industry, attending this conference is a good place to start.

Send your questions!

As I spend the next several months preparing my presentation. I would love to hear any questions, comments, or feedback about web marketing or social networking that you may have, whether you will be attending the class or not. I will be sure to post some tips and info here on the blog as well. Leave a message in the comments!

More info:

Filed Under News by Dani
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The Artcast Network

Wednesday January 13, 2010

I’ve created a new site called the Artcast Network, and I’m inviting all you art lovers out there to go give it a visit!

If you’ve followed my work for awhile, you know that for the past year I’ve been broadcasting my work on my Ustream channel. I create various sketches and illustrations live while viewers chat with me and ask questions about art (or movies and TV, which is where the conversation usually goes ;)).

Anyway, as time has gone by, I’ve noticed more and more artists starting their own channels. I personally found it very hard to keep track of who was broadcasting and when. That’s when I came up with the idea for the Artcast Network.

So here’s the gist:

What is the Artcast Network?

The Artcast Network is a directory of artists who broadcast LIVE via web streaming services like Ustream, Livestream, or Justin.tv. On the site, you can find a variety of shows that feature drawing, painting, or artist interviews. The artists work and chat while the audience can interact with them in real time.

The site also features a beginner’s guide and a forum if you want to learn more about artcasting.

Who can be listed on the Artcast Network?

ANYONE. The only requirements are that your show is a live stream of some sort (not a pre-recorded podcast), and it is related to art in some way. To submit your channel, just fill out the form on the Submissions page. I will post it as quickly as possible.

(more…)

Filed Under Dani Draws LIVE, News by Dani
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