I can't think of a clever title today.

What I did:

- Updating half-scale model (2 hrs)
- Layout feedback (30 mins)

- Grant application

     - Reflection, Writing & Proofing (2 hrs)

     - Budget research (1.5 hrs)

     - Documentation (30 mins)

- Reading and reflecting on "Artist to artist: 23 major illustrators talk to children about their art" (2 hrs)
- Pagination (1 hr)

What I accomplished/discovered/encountered:
     This week began with finishing, presenting and updating my half-scale model. After group critique and then meeting with Stephanie and Hannah, I realize some of the pages still needed tweaking. I was able to pen in the pages I thought worked well, while I left some others to be reinvented. Having the physical example in my hands made it much easier in asking people which format worked better. I got some interesting feedback and I tried and sometimes failed in improving things. For example: I had a scene where time passed in one page full of little boxes. It was suggested to make it last longer, I could make a pull-out panel. The pull-out looked like one scene, so I was back to the drawing board. I ended up making individual pages for each image. I am still thinking about making a flip book insert.

there will be a different cover. this will be a full page illustration

wee!

ouch!

Looks like a fracture!

Poor Kay doesn't look too happy

This view will be visited earlier in the story without the x-ray view

Cutting the bug view. Giving the cat and fish their own page.

     I submitted my grant application on Thursday. It was really hard cutting down my summary. I have so many things to say about my story and why it is important for both me and the kids who will someday read it. The budget also took a long time. It is hard thinking as far ahead as installation and determining what supplies I will be needing.  Incase you were interested, below is my introduction:

'“X-Ray Kay” is a whimsical picture book telling the adventure of Kaytlin, a curious, rough and tumble 7-year old who experiences an unfortunate turn of events. Kay fractures her arm falling out of a tree and quickly finds that her bulky yellow cast keeps her from doing the hands-on things she loves.  With a sudden change of luck, Kay discovers a pair of x-ray glasses. All are invited to join Kay as she watches her arm heal and discover that skeletons are an important and playful part of everybody.

                Because bones are a structurally fundamental element of chordates, it is important to teach kids at a young age that skeletons do not have to represent death or gore as the media suggests. The light and fanciful tone of X-Ray Kay shows children that bones are not scary and will hopefully inspire them to take the initiative to learn more about osteology. By fostering this interest in anatomy, the child will also become exposed to other branches of science. Although “X-Ray Kay” carries an educational message, it is also a story that is magical enough to invite little ones to sit, engage and imagine. By bringing this delightful story to children, it will not only increase their understanding of anatomy, but also help them conquer the fear and frustration that comes with a broken bone."

     I also started reading "Artist to artist: 23 major illustrators talk to children about their art" by Eric Carle. It was more helpful to look at all the styles than actually read the messages. Most of the artists' advice could be summed up to: it's okay to be an artist, especially if you love it and work hard. Although it was encouraging, the message was aimed mostly at budding artists.  It was extremely helpful though to see how many different ways there are to render an image (even without factoring in media).  Some had very whimsical or abstract styles, some geometric, others realistic, soft, hard, bright, high-contrast, etc... This will come in handy when I start trying different rendering styles (see: what's next). 

     I unfortunately didn't get too far on the pagination. For some reason, I was very distracted this week. I did however put the scenes I'm keeping on paper.

What's next:

     I want to have the pagination completed by Tuesday. I also would like to have my method of time-lapse figured out by Tuesday. Thursday I will complete 5 different rendering styles for my illustrations. Ready-Set-Go!