The 19th Biennial Conference on Literature and Hawaii's Children: June 8-9, 2018

Interested in writing and/or illustrating children's books? The 19th Biennial Conference on Literature and Hawaii's Children, June 6-9 at Chaminade University is free for anyone interested in children's and YA literature.

I'll be presenting three topics:

FRIDAY, JUNE 8 • 3:00 p – 4:15 p
 
CREATING LITERATURE: How to Write and Sell Picture Book Biographies 
Ellie Crowe
 and Tammy Yee 
There is a constant market for good biographies in the school market. Ellie Crowe tells how to pick a great subject, research, plot, escalate the stakes, and provide a good climax and ending when writing biographies for elementary and middle school readers. Tammy Yee tells how to research the background for meaningful illustrations that create and add depth to a picture book biography. 

SATURDAY, JUNE 9 • 10:15 a–11:30 a  

CREATING LITERATURE: Write Like an Illustrator; Illustrate Like a Writer 
Tammy Yee 

Like the lyrics and melody of a song, the words and art of a picture book work synergistically to create a composition that is richer than its individual parts. In this session we’ll explore the nuances of writing and illustrating picture books, and how to create memorable characters and stories by writing what the pictures don’t show and illustrating what the words don’t tell.

SATURDAY, JUNE 9 • 1:00 p – 3:15 p
 
TEEN TRACK: Creating Impact in Children’s Book Illustration 
Tammy Yee 

Bring along a sketchbook and pencil, and we’ll explore how to bring characters to life and create compelling visual narratives through composition, symbolism and pacing. Optional: Bring portfolio samples (no originals, please) for feedback. (Workshop for youth, only.)

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Ka 'Ike o ka Moana: The Knowledge of the Ocean Exhibit, May 24 to June 14, 2018

June is National Oceans Month! 

Join me for the opening reception of Ka 'Ike o ka Moana: The Knowledge of the Ocean, an educational and artistic exhibit to raise ocean awareness, on Thursday, May 31, 4:30-6pm at the Honolulu Hale Courtyard.

My contribution to the show is an illustration of the endemic lanternsharks of Hawai’i.

Etmopterus villosus, the Hawaiian Lanternshark, was discovered in 1905 and is endemic to Molokai at depths of 1300-3000 feet. Only a few specimens have been found of this little-known shark.

Etmopterus villosus, 1905, from The deep-sea fishes of the Hawaiian Islands Gilbert, Charles Henry, 1859-1928; Jordan, David Starr, 1851-1931.

Etmopterus lailae, with its distinctive, large snout, is known from three specimens in the Bishop Museum’s fish collection. For years it was misidentified as Etmopterus lucifer, a species found in Japanese waters. Last year there was excitement in the scientific community when the specimens were reexamined and recognized as a newly discovered Hawaiian species.

It was a challenge and a joy to research images of desiccated specimens and imagine what these rare sharks look like in their natural environment, and to extrapolate from the anatomy of related species. And the beauty of illustrating them digitally allows me to revise as I receive input from biologists. I'll post my illustration after the close of the show. 

More about the discovery of Etmopterus lailae: http://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/new-shark-species.php

And an article in the journal Zootaxa describing the new species: http://www.science.fau.edu/sharklab/pdfs/epkw17.pdf

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Tribute to Mom

My mother taught us love, faith, and humility. She taught us that wealth is measured not by the car you drive or the house you live in, but in the faith you keep, the friends you meet, and the family you love.

By those standards, she was wealthy beyond measure. And she was equally generous, sometimes to a fault. What little she had, she shared. Even if it meant that she had to do without.

Growing up, we didn’t have the latest toys, but Mom made sure we never skimped on books. She splurged on a set of World Book Encyclopedias for us. I spent hours leafing through the gilt-edged pages. Beginning with A for ancient Anatolia, I trekked through the gardens of Babylonia, immersed myself in Cleopatra’s man troubles, and explored the ziggurats of Mesopotamia—all in a single afternoon.

Mom was an avid reader, burning through Harlequin romances at all hours of the day. When she came to live with me, she lamented that she couldn’t find any good Indian romances. I thought she was referring to books like "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri. But she was referring to "Comanche Moon" and "Sweet Prairie Passion."

I said to her, “Mom, they don’t publish Indian romances anymore because they’re culturally insensitive.”

But she persisted, so I introduced her to Goodreads and Amazon.com.Today, my Amazon account is still cluttered with embarrassing suggestions like, “If you enjoyed reading 'Cheyenne Captive,' you’ll love 'Savage Ecstasy.' ” It’s a sweet reminder of Mom.

She didn’t pass on to me her love for romance novels, but she did pass on a love for reading. She bought me a subscription to Parent Magazine’s Book-of-the-Month Club, and took me on frequent excursions to the Kapahulu library. After the library, we’d catch the bus to Ala Moana for Woolworth’s fried chicken and roast beef sandwiches, and browse through tin toys and Japanese teacups at Hotei-Ya.

Mom was also quite a trooper. In the summer, Dad would take my brothers frog hunting. They’d bring home a five-gallon bucket filled with croaking bullfrogs and empty it into the bathtub. All night long, I was kept awake by the wet slapping of frogs jumping against the sides of the tub, trying to escape.

The next morning, Dad would skin and clean the frogs. He stretched the skins over empty peach cans and dried them in the sun so that we each had our own little frog drum. And then Mom would bread and fry the frogs for dinner. As I said, she was quite the trooper.

She was also quite the foodie. She loved going holoholo with Auntie Ida, Auntie Ruth, and later, with her best friend Jean. She never gave up on trying to get me to eat chicken feet and hundred-year-old eggs.

As a know-it-all teenager, I rolled my eyes at her chicken feet cravings. I also rolled my eyes at her simple needs, and foolishly mistook them for a lack of ambition. I didn’t see how she put OUR dreams above her own. She put aside her business degree to take care of us at home, and later, to work as a school custodian.

It was only after I had children of my own that I saw the sacrifices she made. Because of her, I refused to allow anyone except family care for my children. When we lived in Boston, I made my husband Ric give away our front row tickets to Miss Saigon because I wouldn’t let his classmate babysit.

Cosmo, Popo always reminisced about how she would take your tiny hand and walk you from her Date Street apartment to Stadium Park. She would mimic your squeaky voice asking her, “Popo, can we go to McDonalds?”

Bob, Popo always talked about what a smart, kind, and well-spoken young man you are—and a snappy dresser, too! She was always trying to bring food home for the two of you, no matter how full our refrigerator was.

And Mom adored our bulldog, Roxy. Even though I reprimanded her, she was constantly sneaking lup cheong to the dog. It’s no wonder that Roxy watched over her and sometimes slept with her.

Mommy, your coming to live with me was the best thing. We had our challenges, but, boy, did we have fun.

And we had plans. I was supposed to ask you about growing up with Popo and Eng, and all your brothers and sisters—and I was supposed to write it down. I wanted more time. I wanted to go holoholo with you. Eat dim sum. Go to Red Lobster. And bring you home one last time.

But you had family waiting for you above. So you did what you do best. You brought together your family, here on earth, and guided us through love and faith.

It’s because of you that we are strong. It’s because of you that we are so united.

Mommy, do you remember our last day together? I came into your hospital room, ready to spend the night. I kissed your cheek and said, “Mommy, today is my birthday! You brought me into this world 55 years ago and you’re the best mom ever! We’re going to miss you, but we’ll all be okay.”

And two hours later, you slipped away. You were fearless, you were beautiful, and you were free. It was a blessed gift, that on the day that I was born, you were born into another realm. You couldn’t have written a better ending to a story.

Best of all, I got to kiss you many times over those last few days. I marveled at how soft and smooth your cheeks were and wondered, “Why did it take me 55 years to kiss you?” But at least I got to kiss you.

And I still talk to you. At stop lights. At home. In the middle of the night. In times of doubt, I will learn to summon your voice. Your love. Your acceptance. You were always so supportive. You were my biggest fan. Because of you, I gave away all my books to the nurses and doctors.

And when I’m hardest on myself, you will remind me.

That wealth is measured in the faith you keep, the friends you meet, and the family you love.

And I will find comfort remembering the softness of your cheek.

Thank you for teaching me how to live and how to die.
Thank you for being our mother.

I love you.

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May 19: Happy Endangered Species Day! Featuring the Endangered Ark Exhibit.

Participating Artists Nanci Amaka Kirsten Carlson Kayleigh Chalkowski Deanna Gabiga Ryan Schulz Michelle Schwengel-Regala Danya Weber Tammy Yee

The Endangered Ark is a group exhibition to celebrate and support the endangered species of Hawai’i through art and community action. Taking place at alternative gallery space, Ark of the Unicorns, it will feature the work of eight Hawai’i based artists. Inspired by the recent political climate that has shown to be subversive to conservation goals, and specifically, the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The show will feature original work depicting the endangered and extinct species of Hawai’i and concepts surrounding endangerment.


The Endangered Ark sets itself apart from other exhibits about endangered species with an interactive component that invites visitors to write on postcards about why they value endangered species protections. Postcards will be hung on a wall in the gallery and, after the closing party, they will be mailed off to relevant legislators and allies. 30% of proceeds from work sold will benefit Kaua’i Forest Bird Recovery Project to support on-the-ground efforts for endangered bird conservation.

For more information, please contact Kayleigh Chalkowski (kchalkowski@gmail.com) or Nanci Amaka (nanciamaka@gmail.com). See further updates about the show on Instagram @theendangeredark or on Facebook at facebook.com/theendangeredark 

Illustrating 'Alae 'Ula or Hawaiian Moorhen for the Endangered Ark show

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Illustration Challenge: Asp Turtle or Aspidochelone

Just playing...Procreate illustration of an Asp Turtle or Aspidochelone, from medieval bestiaries. #illustration #illustrationchallenge #kidlit #medieval #bestiary #art #procreate

Water was finished in Photoshop.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Free print-and-fold pattern for your Thanksgiving Turkey card found on my origami website: http://origami-n-stuff4kids.blogspot.com/2009/11/thanksgiving-origami-turkey-card.html

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Hawaiian Hoary Bat

Halloween is around the corner. What better time is there to learn about Hawaii's only endemic land mammal, the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat or ʻōpeʻapeʻa?

I love following the HVNPS and all the good work they do. The last time I visited Kilauea, I was alarmed by the spread of Rapid 'Ohi'a Death--I saw 'apapane, but no 'i'iwi. Learn more about Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park at https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm and follow them on Instagram at hawaiivolcanoesnps (https://www.instagram.com/hawaiivolcanoesnps/).

Meet the ‘Ōpe’ape’a—Official State Land Mammal of the state of Hawai’i! About 10,000 years ago, a relative of the modern North American Hoary Bat crossed some 2,300 miles of ocean to the Hawaiian islands by the strength of its own leathery wings, becoming the only endemic land mammal in the state of Hawai’i…and then proceeded to shrink! This bat is now 30-40% smaller than the mainland species, with males weighing a meager 15-18g. And yet the ‘Ōpe’ape’a will fly more than 12 miles one-way in the course of a single night—that’s quite a distance for a 13-in. wingspan! Photos courtesy of Bryant Olsen and F. Bonaccorso #BatWeek #NPSbats #HVNP100

A photo posted by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (@hawaiivolcanoesnps) on Oct 25, 2016 at 1:58pm PDT

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Halloween Haunted House Origami Tutorial

Download my free Halloween Haunted House origami pattern at:
http://origami-n-stuff4kids.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween-haunted-house-origami.html

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Day 6 Illustration Challenge

I haven't been sticking to my goal of one a day, but I have been sticking to working as quickly as possible and finishing each illustration in a single sitting.


 

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Halloween Vampire Bat Origami Tutorial

Print and fold a Vampire Bat for Halloween! 

Free pattern available at http://origami-n-stuff4kids.blogspot.com/2011/10/vampire-bat-origami.html.

 

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Day 4 Illustration Challenge

The Roxy illustration challenge continues! One of my favorite poses, a combo of "What did I do?" + "Talk to the Butt." #illustration

Here's the video of my process...

And once again, here's my dainty princess. That face says it all...she's clearly embarrassed by my sophomoric attempt to familiarize myself with a new medium.

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DAY 3 ILLUSTRATION CHALLENGE

Quick rendering of my niece...I loved the play of light in this underwater scene.

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Illustration Challenge: Week 1

I started off calling this "The Roxy Challenge."  My goal was to loosen up each day with a quick sketch of my bulldog, Roxy. She's funny, she's flatulent, and she sleeps 20 hours a day (mostly under my drafting table)--the perfect model for a children's book illustrator!

However, Roxy wanted no part of that modeling nonsense. She scratched. She fidgeted. She licked her toes. And she insisted on critiquing my work, nosing through all of my sketchbooks before finally resting her chin on my iPad.

Day 1

Day 2

Clearly, she's unimpressed with my work.

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Paint the Town Peaceful: The Mural That Stopped Violence

Living art in Las Palmitas, aka "La Bella Airosa." What are the possibilities when a community invests itself in beautification?

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Conservation success...Kakapo Baby Boom!

Finished my Kakapo origami for my upcoming book, "Easy Bird Origami," in time to learn of successful conservation efforts in New Zealand! There are only 125 Kakapos in the wild--thanks to an intensive breeding program, 33 fluffy chicks have hatched this season. Go Kakapo! http://www.earthtouchnews.com/conservation/success-stories/baby-boom-for-one-of-the-worlds-rarest-parrots

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