Welcome Illustrators!
Come join other illustrators for art critiques and discussions on industry topics. All experience levels welcome!
Typically we meet the second Saturday of the month.
Next Meeting: Saturday, May 9, 10:00-12:00
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Guest Speaker: Brian Lies
Topic: Avoid the Broccoli: Learnings and Pitfalls from Three Decades in the "Kidlit Kitchen"
Picture book author/illustrator Brian Lies discusses topics he’s encountered while creating works such as his NY Times bestselling bat books, his Caldecott Honor book THE ROUGH PATCH, and his 2025 book CAT NAP (which garnered seven starred reviews and won many Mock Caldecotts). Includes reflections on what has changed and what has stayed the same in the children’s literature market, finding your style and voice, writing on difficult subjects, and finding a workable recipe to make a living doing what you love to do.
Bio: Brian Lies is the author/illustrator of over 30 children’s books, including his NY Times best-selling bat series (Bats at the Beach, etc.), his 2019 Caldecott Honor-winning The Rough Patch, and 2025’s Cat Nap, which garnered seven starred reviews and was on many “Best of 2025” lists. His work has won numerous awards, and he is acclaimed as a visiting author, working with elementary schools throughout the United States. A graduate of Brown University, Brian lives with his family and two cats in Duxbury, Massachusetts, where he works, tends a large vegetable garden, and enjoys reading, cooking, and woodworking. Visit his website: https://www.brianlies.com
Please email Heather Soodak: [email protected] to be added to the illustrator emails, get the zoom link, and for specifics on submissions.
WHAT WE DO:
- Exchange Ideas And Mingle: Meetups are the best place to get to know one another! Come hang out.
- Illustration prompts: Prompts will be announced a month before the meeting. Then we will critique each other’s illustration during the meeting. The goal is to develop your portfolio.
- Portfolio Hot Seats: Illustrators can submit their portfolio to be reviewed by the group. You can ask once a year.
- Guest Speakers: We occasionally have guest speakers!
- 15 Minutes Topic of the Month: We pick a topic every month such as agents, self promotion etc. Ask anything, share anything!
COMMUNICATION:
Keep up with announcements, polls and discussions by following us on social media and signing up to be on the illustrator email list.
- Bluesky
- Illustrator Email list: Contact Heather Soodak at [email protected] to be added to the Illustrator email list.
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Future meeting dates will be:
Jun 13 - IRWD, speaker TBD
July- No Meeting (SCBWI summer conference)
Aug 8 - Lisa Johnston Hancock - IRWD
Sep 12 - Arvida Books, Tustin
Oct 10 - Zoom - speaker TBD
Nov 14 - Larissa Brown- location TBD
Dec 12 - Desi & Jon St. Amant- location TBD
Some In person events take place at the Irvine Ranch Water District Community Meeting Room
15500 Sand Canyon Ave, Irvine, CA 92618
Irvine Ranch Water District makes its facilities available for use by residents and nonprofit organizations merely as a public service, but does not, by allowing this use, endorse or support the purpose of the event or its sponsor
Some in-person events take place at the: Orange County Classical Academy (OCCA) 4100 E Walnut Ave, Orange, CA 92869