A Christmas Love Song for South Carolina

A friend shared this song with me and it is my exact feelings about South Carolina (any time of year.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjbncuf4xrc

The Spirit of Christmas

My Editor-in-Chief once wrote about my secret identity in a Thanksgiving editorial. I wore my mother's Santa suit and made a surprise hospital visit to cheer-up my editor's daughter. I didn't really know what I was doing, I had only a bed pillow as padding, and I couldn't wear my glasses so my memory of the event is literally fuzzy. However, I've been addicted to the Santa experience ever since. It's a challenge to be a female Santa but no child has ever minded. I never claim to be Santa, rather I am just having fun in a Santa costume.

The editorial.

My husband took these pics of me before I left for the hospital visit.

I've since donned the suit whenever asked. I now have professional padding, bells to jingle, special facial hair, and the “Santa Rules” to live by. My cousin once drove me around in his Morgan to visit the local schools and my Mom's assisted living residence (she didn't know it was me). We were quite a hit in traffic.

Thankful

I am thankful this Thanksgiving season to be interviewing and spending time with friends and family in South Carolina. The best way to reach me is via email at simplycindysmith@yahoo.com.

Sweet Surprise

David Leonard called me last week to accept an illustration assignment I had sent him. This normally jovial illustrator suddenly became serious. “Cindy,” he said. “I’ve been meaning to talk with you for years about something.” I braced myself; this sounded bad. He began with a deep breath. “I want to thank you for the faith you’ve had in me. You don’t know this but I was ready to give up my dream of being an illustrator before I met you. I often look back to my first real job as an illustrator, for a real publication, for an amazing art director and now dear friend, Cindy. Thank you for starting me off and being alongside me, encouraging me.” Of course, I had a difficult time responding to this. Dave is one of the most talented illustrators I know. To think I played a part in his success is unimaginable. We spoke some more and I tried to assure him that it was his own talent, tenacity, and dedication to his dream that brought him to my attention. This led to me discussing my own dream of moving home to SC. I asked Dave if he would write a recommendation for me for this blog. He wrote back:

“In the cynical world of illustration, I hold Cindy as a ray of light, a turning point in my hopes of a career in illustration. The über belief she had in my work encouraged me to chase after my dreams. My illustrations have now appeared in The New Yorker, for Major League Baseball, in hosts of magazines and children’s books.”

David Leonard

www.davidleonard.com

I've tried to find the right words to express this for years!

Because I have design experience and writing experience and editing experience, I've always been more involved in my designs than just making it pretty. The elements must make sense to me as I put the pieces of the editorial puzzle together. I do this with my audience utmost in my mind. For Highlights, I want to make sure kids will be interested in the content and have fun while they are learning. So, my work runs first through my audience "filter" and then my mission "filter" to make sure the content fulfills the goals of the publication. I contribute conceptually and editorially to make the content work.

WHEW!

Another successful illustrators' party! This year we celebrated the 65th anniversary of Highlights and Hidden Pictures. It was an incredible amount of work for the three-day party but, as usual, an outstanding event for everyone. See previous parties earlier in my blog at http://meinsunnycarolina.blogspot.com/2011/03/recent-event-planning-popular.html.

You can also read a report of this year's party by one of the illustrators in the Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators Newsletter, pp. 5–6.

http://www.pittsburghillustrators.org/Newsletters/PSInside_Oct11.pdf

In the Round

Highlights is venturing into licensed products and one of the first items was this puzzleball. I had never even heard of a puzzleball before but I studied the construction and was ready for my first assignment. Our partner, Ravensburger, wanted a beach theme with animals. I knew just the illustrator: Rocky Fuller. Due to the technical difficulties of production, most of Ravensburger previous puzzleballs hadn't been so much scenes in the round as just simple images applied to the round shape. That didn't seem very interesting to me. That's when I had my big nightmare idea! The puzzle construction had a wavy center line that halved the puzzle. If we used that line as the shoreline, we could have animals on the beach and in the water. Okay, so it was easier said than done to align the illustration with the puzzle pieces during production. And, maybe it made Rocky catatonic to illustrate a scene in the round. But, the result is outstanding! Puzzleballs are fun to put together; find this one hitting the shelves of your favorite toy store this month.

Sand and Sea Puzzleball

Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much of life. So aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something."
~ Henry David Thoreau, naturalist and author (1817-1862)

Who Says You Can't Go Home?

Forty-three years ago (almost to the day), my mother bought a home in Simpsonville, SC. It wasn't easy. She was a single mother with two kids and no one would give her a loan. She was denied a loan because she was divorced, not because her RN job wasn't enough to pay the mortgage. Finally, a small bank gave her a mortgage. She was fiercely proud of her home. When she sold the house in 2007 to move into assisted living, I expected the move to be emotionally traumatic for her, and for me, too. However, we both packed it up and moved on without shedding a tear. We spoke about it often, how there was a peace about the move, not sadness, something difficult for either of us to explain. By crazy chance and because of numerous odd circumstances, my husband and I discovered the house was for sale again by owner when we were in SC for Mom's service. We decided to buy it and we closed on Friday! We will be there part-time until I get a SC job but having a home will make the transition so much easier!


Who says you can't go home? Bon Jovi

Eastview mid-70s.

Eastview today.

If you would like a more detailed version of this story, you may visit my private blog about the journey to scatter my Mom's ashes in all 50 states www.wishesforashes.com. It is important to note that if we hadn't made the decision in February to relocate, Eastview on the market would not have tempted us to make that decision. In fact, if we hadn't already looked at real estate all over Greenville and decided exactly what we wanted and needed, we might not have even considered it to be appropriate for us.

Top Ten Reasons I LOVE Greenville

1. My childhood home

Now my home again!

2. Family

Most of the clan at my goddaughter's wedding.

3. Clean Water

http://www.awwa.org/publications/breakingnewsdetail.cfm?itemnumber=56952

4. Furman University (my alma mater)

A February walk around the lake.

The Daily Beast: Furman ranks #2 as "most rigorous." I'd say so!

5. Main Street and Falls Park

http://www.greenvillesc.gov/

Me on the rocks at Falls Park in one of my dance costumes. The Falls are everyone's first choice for a photo shoot!

6. Restaurants!

http://thelazygoat.typepad.com/

http://www.opentable.com/nose-dive

http://www.carolinaalehouse.com/

http://www.upstatefoodie.com/restaurants/detail/smoke-on-the-water-greenville-sc

7. Swamp Rabbit Trail

http://greenvillerec.com/parks/swamp-rabbit/

8. The Peace Center

http://www.peacecenter.org/

9. Greenville Dog Park

10. The Greenville artist community, which I believe was ignited by the creation of Artbomb!

Good, clean water

You probably take your water for granted. I know I always did but I currently live in an area where the water is undrinkable...and I often even worry about bathing with it. We use a water service and I can only drink water when at home. I do not trust any local restaurant to thoroughly filter their water (consumer filters are not enough) and we do not have a water service at work. Some of my friends live outside of town and have wells but because of natural gas drilling in the area, their water is suspect of contamination. I was delighted to learn that Greenville's water was awarded top national honors. Just one more reason to relocate!
http://www.awwa.org/publications/breakingnewsdetail.cfm?itemnumber=56952

AEP Award!

We won a 2011 AEP distinguished achievement award for "Candy Secrets," October 2010, a how-to feature encouraging kids to discover the ingredients of their Halloween candy. It's a fun article that took a lot of testing—it was embarrassing to buy so much candy for the tests and photo shoot! The kids for the shoot were fantastic and were very impressed with the experiments. Both planned to use what they learned to amaze their friends on Halloween. This was a difficult piece to organize for the best understanding of the steps, as well as to make look like fun. I had this in my portfolio before winning the award!

Under Contract!

Stranger than fiction: my mother's house, which she sold five years ago, came back on the market. By chance, my husband drove by when we were in SC and noticed the "For Sale by Owner" sign. When he told me, I couldn't even speak, I just motioned for him to take me there. We've been doing some very complex math to try and purchase my childhood home to be in wait for us when we move. We signed the contract today!

Always with a microphone!

Every year Highlights throws a party for our illustrators. It's a three-day gala for 300+ with a BBQ, seminar, costume party, square dance, and a Sunday morning brunch. The square dance takes place in a big fire hall. We do our best to decorate it and make it look like Highlights. Here's a photo of me in front a portion of the mural we created on billboard fabric. It's a "What's Wrong" featuring our Victorian office headquarters and caricatures of many staff and long-time illustrators. If you look closely, the caricature of me is on the steps in the lower left, handing a piece of paper to the mini-cowboy, which is a caricature of the artist.

Back in the Saddle

I am back actively submitting résumés and query letters. Many people thought I would change my mind about relocating or at least change my pace of action. They couldn't have been more wrong. Mom has inspired me to always work at what I love and to do so with as much enthusiasm as I can muster. The "job" of relocating is very joyous to me and I consider the work a tribute to her. I discover something new about Greenville every day that makes me all the more proud to be calling Greenville home.

No doubt, May has been a crazy month. I celebrated a birthday on the 15th and was just promoted at Highlights to Senior Art Director. I am so honored by the promotion—an increase in responsibility over licensed products and branding consistency and a formal recognition of my leadership role. I am very committed to the Highlights mission. However, I am not deterred; my goal is clear. I will post an updated résumé.

Updated 3/25/13.

Celebrating Life

The very sad news is that my mother passed on May 6, 2011. It happened to be National Nurse’s Day. The service was delayed because of some scheduling conflicts and was held on May 12, 2011, which happened to be International Nurse’s Day. I think Mom had a hand in it all. We are celebrating her life and are so very thankful for her watchful care and influence on us all. I created a short video for her service. She had given me a folder full of poems and clippings that were meaningful to her. She had jotted down notes to share with everyone about how she viewed life and how much she loved everyone. The video is a small attempt on my part to touch on everything she held dear and to pass along her advice for a good life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBdr16_ugPg

Sunny Carolina

I’m just back from a visit to Greenville. Mom and I got up at 4 am to watch the royal wedding. Then we made her a “royal” hat and paraded around the Cascades at Verdae. She held court at every stop. (I am attaching a photo.)

I also had some wonderful interviews during my visit. I’m working with Godshall Professional Recruiting. They make me feel as though I am the only person they are helping...the mark of a truly wonderful company.

Stick Figures

We have many tour groups of all ages come through the Highlights offices. My favorite tours are “Career Day” tours from middle school and high school students. We recently received a nice thank-you note from a middle school group. In this note, I am the “lady who draws stick figures.” hahaha

My Dear Friend

There are very few friends one has who become closer than family—someone you can truly count on in all situations and they know they can count on you. My dear friend Dolores wrote a reference for me (see the right column of this blog) despite knowing a new job in SC will take me 700 miles from her back door. We have known each other for 25 years. She and her husband were in our wedding and we were a part of theirs. We’ve had the most joyous and magical times together and we’ve shared our most tragic moments together. By sweet serendipity, we’ve lived in the same town for the last seven years. I’ve learned so much from Dolores. She writes of being a better person for having known me, which I can’t fathom. Dolores has taught me to be a friend—the greatest skill one can have.

One and Only Fan Letter

Clearing out sure does reap some rewards. Here’s my one and only “fan letter.” (I blurred the gentleman’s name and address.) I get lots of letters from kids—and I answer every one—but I rarely get a letter from an adult reader. He was so sweet to write me. 

Words to live by

Today’s sermon quoted Dr. Kent Keith. I’ve heard this many times before (both the original version and Mother Teresa’s version) but sometimes we need a reminder! What I did not know is that Dr. Keith originally wrote this as part of a booklet for student leaders. Simple, wise advice for all ages.
http://www.prayerfoundation.org/mother_teresa_do_it_anyway.htm

Favorite Quotes

It’s not that I collect quotes, but here are some I’ve kept close over the years. They tell a lot about me.

Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.—Sarah Bernhardt

In our lives, we have two or three opportunities to be a hero, but almost every day, we have the opportunity not to be a coward.—Spanish proverb

There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.—Kenneth Blanchard


There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everyone a great deal of good. —Edwin Denby

Be attentive. Be intelligent. Be reasonable. Be responsible. Be in Love. And, if necessary, change. —Bernard Lonergan

I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.—E. B. White

I have learned from my mistakes, and I’m sure I could repeat them exactly. —Peter Cook

Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. —Eleanor Roosevelt

Cold Weather Shelter

Here’s a clip at my church’s cold weather shelter this past winter...wait a minute...it’s STILL winter! I’m the one setting up the overnight supplies...and you’ll also spy me folding blankets.

http://www.wnep.com/wnep-honesdale-church-opening-shelter-offering-warmth,0,5548128.story

Thanks, but no thanks.

I’ve been closely following Greenville’s growth for years now and have watched many companies and individuals contribute to that growth. I’m not talking about population, I’m talking about the depth of the community in terms of services for the common good, preservation of Greenville’s resources, improvement in education/more education possibilities, and an expansion of the arts. When I started my relocation efforts, I already had many organizations in mind that I had followed and admired. I researched those organizations more and if I still admired them, I’ve been sending them query letters. I'm not blanketing the upstate with my résumé, I am very deliberately and strategically aiming at targets. I admit, I’m not sure how I would fit into some of these organizations but if they are promoting, preserving, or otherwise celebrating my Greenville, then I want to be part of their efforts. Since I’m not applying for specific positions in most cases, I’m sure to receive many “thanks, but no thanks” replies. I received my first one Friday—evidence that I made contact. It’s a good sign (I think).   :-)

Library Article

In 2007, I was asked to write a newspaper column about my work in the community with the library. This invitation came on the heels of me personally delivering apple pies to the county commissioners with a note that read, "Wayne County Libraries need a bigger piece of the pie!" (Budget pie, that is.) Yes, the commissioners thought I was funny but they recognized the seriousness of my plea. No, we didn't get any more money that year. But, I didn't give up. Four years later now and the commissioners call me by my first name and cross a room to say hello to me. Actually, we hug. To be on a first name basis with these officers who used to make my knees noodles is one of my proudest accomplishments.

Last Snow?

We took some photos in the snow yesterday hoping it would be our last snow in PA. Our dogs are rescue dogs from the Carolinas, so we think they are hoping snow will be limited in their futures, too. So much for being the last snow...it snowed again last night and this morning, with another storm due Sunday!

A Taste of Before and After

I am honored to have been the designer for the first significant Highlights redesign in 25 years. We made a big splash in August 2006 when we introduced a new cover and logo design and redesigned the interior pages. Of course, we had a big party! Here’s a “before” cover and an “after.” I love the challenge and rewards of a redesign and have been involved in redesigns with three publications: Insight, Science, and Highlights, as well as many free-lance projects.

Highlights Design Portfolio

I'll include a variety of spreads from fiction to non-fiction to puzzles and crafts. Working on such great variety is what I love most about Highlights.

Science Design Portfolio

This collection of covers is a nice framework for discussing my years at Science. Besides managing the art department, I designed most of the covers, the news section, special reports, and poster projects. These covers reflect many of the special projects I worked on.

I'm especially proud of this cover which shows the first graphic representation of the AIDS virus.

Another first was the published Human Genome Map. This issue included a pull-out historical timeline of the project and a poster with the full mapping of the human genome. We produced an annual genome poster leading up to this. 

This issue needed a conceptual cover that reflected high-tech, international, biodiversity. I put together this photo collage from royalty-free images.

These next two covers both show a bit of foreshadowing that I might one day work in children's publishing. (Above) the theme is Jack Sprat and his wife for our obesity issue. (Below) utilizes the metaphor of the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland. You can also see with these examples the redesign of the cover and my logo redesign. David Galchutt is the artist for both of these covers. See his reference letter for me in the right column of this blog.

The redesign of the logo allowed for a more creative approach to the logo use. Here, the logo is drawn as part of the cover art (the idea of a researcher's sketch pad).

A thank-you is appreciated no matter how old it is!

I was digging around in my “treasure box” through old report cards and such and found this. I used to have a big stack of thank-you notes that I've received but a few years ago I had a big clean out. I'm not sure how this one survived but I'm glad it did. This brought back some great memories.

“Pro Bono” Design Portfolio

I do a lot of free design work for local non-profits and I thought I'd include a sampling. These designs are produced quickly and with no budget. Although they are certainly not the highlights of my portfolio, they do highlight many of my interests and illustrate my ability to make something out of nothing!