ART DEMO with Pam Fong
October 13, 2026, 7:00-8:30 PM (PT) and for Zoom Link email Co-IC Lisa Karmel (email below)
For more information and register contact Co-IC Lisa Karmel sandiego-ic2-scbwi.org
Questions that illustrators frequently ask themselves include “Will my style work? Does anyone want my style?”
Pam Fong is an award-winning author and artist of eight picture books. Her works include fiction and non-fiction, as well as wordless projects, and have been translated into several languages. In this session, Pam will share her own journey in finding her style, (a journey that is still on-going!) Drawing from her experience working with Random House Studio, Harper Collins, and Hachette, Pam will provide valuable insight for what makes for a memorable illustration, one that will capture the eye of an agent, editor, or art director, as well as show who you are.
Pam Fong
Pam Fong is the award-winning author and artist of eight picture books. Her work includes fiction, non-fiction, as well as wordless stories. Her style has been described as quiet but with a big heart. Her books have been translated into several languages including French, Greek, and Korean. Pam immigrated with her family from Taiwan to the US when she was two years old. As with many new families, language was an initial barrier. Pam’s mother took her daily to the public library, where silence was the great equalizer. There, she lost herself in picture books and a life-long passion was planted. Pam studied Visual Arts & Art History at UC San Diego, and received a Masters in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She worked as a gallery manager in Paris for several years before moving back to the US where she was a curator at the San Diego Museum of Art. In 2010, Pam started her own successful graphic and website design company. Finally in 2020, she committed full-time to her passion for creating picture books.
Come join us for community, fun, and food!
Illustrator Meet Ups Info from Claudia K. Godinez and Co-IC Lisa Venditelli Karmel
In-person Illustrator Meet Ups coordinated by Claudia K. Godinez
Contact Claudia to RSVP and to ask questions regarding meetups via email at [email protected]
Illustrator Meet Ups Schedule for 2026- 2027
(season can be subject to change)
Plan to join us! We will host 2-3 illustrator meetups in the fall and two in the spring of 2026-2027 to meet to talk about illustration in picture books. Please check website, monthly newsletter, and email communication from our chapter for updates as dates can be subject to change.
SEPTEMBER
Illustrator meetup- 9/26, 10-11:30(ish)am
Super Bloom Coffee & Juice in East Mission Bay
2688 E Mission Bay Dr., San Diego, CA 92109
OCTOBER
Illustrator meetup- 10/13, 7-8:30pm
Illustrator Demo Online
with our local member and published author/illustrator Pam Fong
NOVEMBER
Illustrator meetup- 11/17, 10-1pm
SD Museum of Art (resident free Tuesday) 1450 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92102 United States
10-11:30 view Paris After 1900 exhibit, lunch TBD
2027 SPRING EVENTS TBA
Some of you have asked about live model drawing so I thought I'd send this along. It is one option.
https://sdma.ticketapp.org/portal/product/152/event/37424dca-bf68-4d8e-9ab7-0fe80a8c8d55
Questions contact Lisa Venditelli Karmel Co Illustrator Coordinator [email protected]
#scbwiDrawThis Prompts
The SCBWI website is updated monthly with the latest DrawThis Prompt. Check it out here: https://www.scbwi.org/awards-and-grants/for-illustrators/draw-this.
Featured Illustrator
The SCBWI Featured Illustrator is also available on the website. Check it out here: https://www.scbwi.org/featured-illustrator.
FYI- The Featured Illustrator page has the submission information at the bottom if you scroll down. The "APPLICATION PROCESS" section has the instructions and email address.
Apply for the Narrative Art Award
The Narrative Art Award opens to submissions in the fall. https://www.scbwi.org/awards-and-grants/for-illustrators/narrative-art-award.
#scbwiArtober is coming this fall....get ready to have some arting fun!
Also check your Member Home News feeds for messages about the programs and how to apply.
Any illustrator interested in creating art for our monthly chapter newsletter, please contact Lisa at [email protected] or at [email protected].
MayFest Illustrator Contest
Coming in late 2026: Design our 2027 MayFest website banner! The winner will be attributed on our website—great for publicity—PLUS receive free registration to MayFest, San Diego SCBWI's annual one-day conference, plus a certificate, and a Portfolio Showcase entry.
You must be a San Diego/Imperial County SCBWI member to enter.
What we need:
· Spring theme banner (San Diego themes are welcome!)
· At least 3 details on the banner to be used for buttons on the webpage. See Megan Bishop's winning banner and details used for the 2025 MayFest Website: https://www.scbwi.org/events/mayfest-2025-scbwi-san-diego
Banner Size: 3200 x 1600 (72 ppi or higher)
Secondary Pages Banner (usually a slice of the main banner): 3200 x 1000
Buttons Size: 1980 x 1080
File Format: JPG or PNG
Here is a link to the 2025-2026 form:
https://forms.gle/x5D3EkQNXK4HzEm56
Submissions have been closed--refer back here for more info on our 2027 contest!