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!

Online Interviews

These online interviews give you the flavor of how I work and a little bit of my personality :-)

http://www.institutechildrenslit.com/rx/tr01/smith.shtml

http://www.kristydempsey.com/interviewCynthiaFaberSmith.html

Determination

It's been about three weeks since my husband and I both finally had the courage to say to each other (at the same time), "Let's move to SC!" And then the next day when we both said, "I'm not kidding!" The idea has obviously been percolating for some time but the decision has been sudden and definitive. We have not wavered in our commitment, despite the obstacles we know we are facing—getting jobs, selling the house, buying a house, the physical move, etc. We feel this is what we are supposed to be doing and there's some comfort in our resolve on the days when our cheerfulness is tested. Our goal is to do a little each day and slowly get up the mountain!

Reading Posters

I love designing these every year as a give-away to educators and libraries. The posters vary each year but always support the joy of reading.

Recent Event Planning: The Popular Illustrators’ Party

The Illustrator’s Party is an annual three-day event for illustrators and their families, talent reps, vendors, and community leaders. Day One is a welcome barbecue with registration, Day Two begins with a group breakfast, seminar, portfolio sharing, and lunch. Illustrators' families are occupied with trips to local attractions. The afternoon hosts a costume party during an art show and reception. The evening is topped off with a lamb roast and square dance for 300+. Day Three starts early with hot cider and nature hikes, hay rides, and entertainment. We bid our good-byes after a sumptuous brunch. The party has a different theme every year which is launched by a “Save the Date” postcard and carried through the invitation, decorations, costume theme, seminar topic, give-aways, and the general frivolity!

General Cover Letter

I am crafting all my cover letters to potential employers from the bones of the information in this general letter.

Article about my charitable dance troupe

http://www.riverreporter.com/issues/11-02-17/feature.html

Photography Portfolio

A sampler of different photography assignments...the library historic house tour, a civil war grave marking, rescue animals, flowers, business portraits, fund raising events, and even a wedding.