Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Back from New York!


Well, I'm back from Surtex and the National Stationery Show in New York. The trip went very well, although it got off to a rocky start with a 2-hour plane delay on the tarmac in San Francisco and pouring rain in New York. Took all day Saturday to set up our booth at the Jacob Javitz Center. No matter how hard you plan, it always takes longer than you think. This was our second year to participate at Surtex and it was 100% better than last year. More clients, lots more interest and great feedback from the designs I showed. I am now madly sending out the samples everyone requested for June meetings with their clients. 

I also got to see the art director for Innovative Kids, Liza Page, who brought advanced sample copies of the two books I did for them last year. They turned out so cute! Can wait for them to come out. "On the Farm" is coming out in September, and the other book is for Easter so that won't be out until next year. I'm starting a third book for them for them in June. Have to keep quiet on the details, but it's going to be really fun and creative!!

New York is always so exciting to me. So much energy, so noisy, so BIG. We stayed at the Affinia Hotel at 30th and 7th Avenue, across from Madison Square Garden and Penn Station. I don't think that part of town ever sleeps. When we arrived, there were dead umbrellas tossed all over the sidewalks from the storm that had swept through. I guess if your umbrella turns inside out, the only thing to do is toss it aside. Too unruly to cram into a trash can. 

Although the trip was a success, I was exhausted. I spent the Memorial Day holiday relaxing and playing golf and by Monday afternoon, I felt as lazy as this princess kitty. Tomorrow I am back on my Creative Exercise. I felt so guilty setting it aside to get ready for Surtex, but it couldn't be helped. Looking forward to seeing what all my blogging creative buddies have been up to for the last two weeks! Did you miss me? I missed you guys alot. You're all such inspiration to me!!

7 comments:

Alicia Padrón said...

I'm so glad you are back Deb!!

Wow it all sounds so wonderful.. what a great experience! I hope lots of good things come out of that. How wonderful that you got to see your books!! And that you are doing a third one with them.. good for you!

The kitty/you is adorable :o)

Tom Barrett said...

Glad the trip was a success and your back safe! Look forward to your new Creative Exercise updates!

Cute kitty!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a fantastic trip! Good luck with the flurry of post-Surtex work. That kitten is adorable - looking forward to seeing you pick up the challenge again!!!

crystal driedger said...

oh congratulations! so very exciting for you. Did you have a booth or did you walk around showing your work? I've always wondered how to go about these type of shows.

Deb said...

Thanks Alicia for your good wishes. Yes, hoping something good comes out of all the hard work.

Looking forward to starting up again on the creative exercise, gulp! I'm out of practice :o)

Hi Crystal, I did have a booth with 2 other artists and my rep. Artist's without booths aren't not supposed to walk around with their portfolios as those participating in Surtex spend alot of money to get their booth set up, etc. You can show with a group of artists if you have an agent, or you can show as a single artist in a booth. Showing with a group certainly does cut down on the costs. If you think it's something you might want to do, it's best to go and walk both Surtex and the National Stationery Show to see what it is all about.

MayY . C 五月媽媽 said...

Look at the kitty, so adorable and color is so sweet, lovely!
WOw, the trip sound interesting, best of all you get to see the books. Congratulation on your next project !

Kathleen Rietz said...

What a wonderful illustration! Your wwork is wonderful.

Wish i had been to Surtex this year....this was the first in a long time I had not attended.