Me In Sunny Carolina: April 2011

Friday, April 22, 2011

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

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

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.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

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.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

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

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

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

References

I have known and worked for Cindy Faber Smith since 1998 when she, as the art director for Science magazine, commissioned me to do the cover art for the magazine. It was a bit of a surprise since my artwork is geared towards the children’s market. Typical of Cindy, she wanted to bring a different approach to that month’s cover of a rather dry, technical publication. What at first seemed to be a rather impossible assignment (a “hidden picture” type of piece, incorporating many diverse elements) turned out to be one of the most satisfying assignments I have had in my career. She contacted me again a couple of years later with another fresh approach to the cover art utilizing the red queen from Alice in Wonderland as the theme.

I was surprised, when a few years later, she contacted me as the new art director of Highlights. As a child I had a subscription to Highlights, so I had quite an affection for this magazine. Cindy has brought her many skills as a designer to give this 60+ year-old magazine a fresher, more updated look, while still keeping the trademark Highlights style.

Working with Cindy is always a pleasure. She is simply the best art director I have worked with in my 30-year career. She does not over direct and she allows the artist enough freedom to make them feel that they are adding something of their own selves to the illustrations. She is not heavy handed with her suggestions which produces a very positive collaboration.

Because Highlights hosts an annual party for their illustrators, I finally was able to meet Cindy in person. She is a delightful person, filled with humor, intelligence and warmth. I cannot sing her praises more boldly.

David Galchutt

Illustrator

I’ve known Cindy Smith for 25 years. Over the years, I’ve come to rely on her for her humor, earnestness, and enthusiasm in countless situations.

Aside from being an artist, she is a keen observer who thrives on the challenge of dissecting problems and always seems to find a creative solution. She also has the ability to guide others in solving problems that seem insurmountable. In many ways, I’ve become a better person through observing her at work, in our community, and at play.

I admire the way Cindy experiences life and am proud to count her among my closest and most trusted friends. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her for any job. I know she would embrace any challenge and undoubtly rise to any occasion.

Sincerely,
Dolores Motichka

“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