"Oh PLEASE don't tell me I have to MARKET my work!"

If I had a dollar for every time I've heard this phrase, I'd be one rich guy! Whether uttered barely over a whisper, or shouted from the rooftops, it's the inevitable state of mind that we as creative individuals must learn to live and function within...whether we like it or not.

How will anyone know what you've done...what you've written, what you've drawn, what you've produced and recorded, if you don't tell them? Ahhhh, but it's also HOW you tell them that counts, my friend!

I'll be writing various entries about the travels and travails through the world of networking and marketing my book, There's A Crazy Dog Under The Palace!...it's not only a great way to learn why some people are beating their heads against the wall while others are smiling like a possum with a sweet potato, but sometimes, just sometimes....you'll discover a gem of information among the sweat and the smiles that you can keep for yourself!

So far I'm still smiling! More coming soon! Ci vediamo!
davide!

Being Sociable with Social Media.
      "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."
       Now let me rephrase that...you CAN teach an old dog new tricks, if you have the right treat as a reward. I'm talking about jumping into social media with both feet, eyes wide open, heart beating at 1000 beats a minute (it might be that last cup of espresso, I'm not sure!), and a good amount of faith that what you're doing is not only the right thing to do, but the necessary thing to do.
       In a two-second-blink-oh-you've-missed-it-too-bad world, sometimes you can feel like you're adrift in the middle of the ocean and no one can see you or hear you.
       That's bunk.
       I've been "doing my thing" for over 30 years now, and I've been doing it fairly well I'm told. But like anyone else not entrenched in the social media craze, I was certain I wasn't missing out on a thing. More bunk.
        So I decided to do something about it ... I found a fantastic business advisor who helped me to realize I had all the tools necessary to take the plunge ... I just wasn't sure where to plunge in. Sure, it takes getting more involved with sites like Facebook and discovering the wonderful world of Linked In as valuable commodities to help fan a flicker into a flame, and bring your work, your passion, your persona to the masses. He suggested I read a book ("a must read" he called it) called Social Boom, by Pete Gitomer, and did he ever make the right call! Wow! This is like social media for dummies (and yes folks, I can call myself a dummy), but written in a clear, concise manner that makes you wonder if you haven't been in suspended animation for the last 10 years!
         One of the tools you need is guts, another determination ... to my delight I've found that one can help you discover the other ... then you need to learn how to apply those strengths and move forward. My advisor was right ... I'd been in a rocking chair, moving back and forth in one spot but going nowhere... you have to decide to move forward, one step at a time in a direction of your choosing ... that's important too ... of YOUR choosing, not someone else's choice.
          In my case, I need to keep my image as a creative and talented illustrator "out there" for the world to see ... no matter how the world at large chooses to communicate that message. And I have a more personal reason as well ... I'm extremely proud of my first children's book, There's A Crazy Dog Under The Palace! as I not only wrote and illustrated the book, then had it published in hardbound and paperback formats, but I've also created two versions ... English and Italian. You could say I've been a bit ambitious ... (crazy perhaps!) but the virtues of friendship and second chances the book communicates made it well worth the endless hours I put into its creation.
           Now I want to let the world know about it ... and when I say the world, I mean the world! Why not? And so once more we come back to social media and the benefits of networking. For this old dog it meant putting away my mistrust of something I didn't understand, sitting up straight and paying attention to what's going on around me ... which is happening with or without my permission!
           Since April of this year, I've written a business plan that details where I'd like to go with my marketing pursuits for the book, and thereby keeping me in clear view of potential clients, publishers, and distributors. I've read about small press publishers, large press publishers, the potential for ebooks, not only in this market but abroad in Europe and Asia ... I've talked with language schools in Toronto, Canada about how my book could be a valuable asset to their curriculum, I've spoken with wonderfully rebellious small press publishers, determined not to be foiled by the large publishers that can sometimes look down their noses at a book just because it may not sell 4 million copies and make them richer ... and let me tell you the more I learn, the more I smile! I've joined Linked In and begun networking and revitalizing contacts that were just waiting for me to show a little life ... and within that world, I've discovered and joined an illustration guild, a graphic artist guild, plus guilds for Sicilian and Italian genealogy ... something very near and dear to my heart.  I've also been working to reinvent a more professional Facebook page and stay current with posting what's going on in my career while reestablishing my goals.
          Oh yeah, I've also been working non-stop on two new books as well ... a second book on mythology (this time Roman), and another children's book (this time about raccoons)! I'll give you a preview of the back cover for The Moon Upstairs ... a book about la bella luna as told through the viewpoint of raccoons!
           Will I learn everything there is to know about social media? Of course not! But I've begun to look at the world with a better set of eyes and I'm seeing much further toward the horizon than ever before ... who says an old dog can't learn new tricks?

Auguri,
davide!

Time.

      Time is of the essence, they always say...but when it flies by quicker than a wink, you realize exactly what "they" mean! I've been working on sketches and finished illustrations for The Daughters of Minerva as I'd mentioned in my last blog, but I feel I'm falling behind somehow. Isn't that what we constantly do to ourselves? Question our accomplishments without taking stock of exactly how much we've accomplished?! I'm as guilty of this as the next guy...but no more!
       Se e` cosi` e` cosi`...it is what it is! That's what my family in Sicily always tells me and I understand the logic ... whatever you do, whatever you accomplish ... it will be enough! We set inhuman standards for ourselves then chastise ourselves for not being superhuman ... incredible! But no more. I'm going to cut myself some slack and work at whatever pace is necessary to complete these next two books. The Daughters of Minerva is my priority, but I'm constantly coming up with ideas for The Moon Upstairs as well, which will be my next venture into the world of children's books ... I'm having success (so far!) with There's A Crazy Dog Under the Palace!, and I'm looking into various ways to market my book ... I believe eReaders will be the next realm to conquer ... after that?...well, I'm sure I'll find some other emergency to address!

        Here are several completed illustrations for The Daughters of Minerva: my last blog featured the cover design and the lady Messalina, wife of the emperor Claudius, and her exploits into the world of infidelity as told in The Fiery Thread. I'm always amazed and boggled by what history reveals to me ... the problems of the past are essentially the problems of the present ... the people of the past were as confused and misguided as we ourselves tend to be in the present, but many times their crimes and their punishments were more severe! But there were good and virtuous people as well ... the intent of our book is to examine the good and the bad ... to show a unique cross-section of the women of Rome and how they affected history and folklore. The Moon Goddess will feature an actress by the name of Cytheris ... she has Rome in her grasp and with every performance, finds a way to transfix and transport the people into another world in which, for a brief moment, they can forget their troubles and strife and enjoy the fantasy as it unfolds. This illustration portrays her enactment of the legend of Artemis and Aktaeon ... Artemis the goddess has been bathing with her handmaidens nearby when she is spied upon by Aktaeon the hunter out with his hounds ... she throws water into his face and transforms him into a stag so he cannot reveal to other mortals what he has seen ... and his ultimate judgement is rendered by his hounds as they tear him from limb to limb! This scene has a more gentle effect in its telling, with an actor behind Cytheris portraying Aktaeon's tranformation into a stag, while one of his hounds (our sweet 'ol boy Chaos!) looks on lovingly at Artemis ... even the young stagehand is bewitched by her charm and beauty!
         Next we find the lovers Catallus the poet, and the object of his desire ... the domina Clodia in a segment entitled The Silver Horse. They meet upon the steps of the Temple of Vesta during the week of Saturnalia (a winter celebration, where the aristocrats serve their slaves, gifts are exchanged and parties abound) ... she cherishes her ring made by metalsmith Lucius Silva (from our soon to be re-released book, Ferrum/Iron!) and the image of Pegasus which stares back at her ... a gift from her love which is reflected in the clouds above as the soft rains make them seek shelter! Last is a compositional sketch for To Scatter Radiant Flowers ... this is the story of Octavia, sister of Octavian aka Augustus Caesar, as they listen to the poet Virgil read his words of praise and comfort, describing Octavia's recently deceased son, Marcellus ... she promptly faints but has her brother by her side.
           When we look into the past, we're looking into a mirror of our own lives ... our hopes, our fears, our dreams. The outcome may or may not be pleasant, but we can learn much from their tales of the past... if only we take the time to listen to what's being said! Until next time ... enjoy!
davide!

A new year and The Daughters of Minerva!

Wow! It's a brand new year and I cannot believe it's been MONTHS since I've written in my blog...where has the time gone?! It's been busy though...I haven't been sitting around eating bon bons (just Ghiradelli dark chocolate!)...I'm beginning work on my 5th book, The Daughters of Minerva. It's the unofficial sequel to my first venture, Mythology, only this book will deal exclusively with the women of ancient Rome! From the heroines to the femme fatales, this book will have it all! And of course I'm really excited to be creatively reunited with my brother in arms, Malcolm Deeley...and this will be our fourth book together. I wouldn't have dreamed it possible, but his writing is sharper and more exciting than ever...this man really knows his stuff! And I thought I was a stickler for detail...he makes me look like a piker! But that's what makes the work pop....attention to detail and revealing the inner essence of the human soul...the good AND the bad!
      I've added some of the preliminary sketches for you to peruse...this is my opportunity to read Mal's prose, study a bit of history,  and try to feel what the characters were really like...so far, I'm pretty happy with the sketches. Clodia and Catallus are star-crossed lovers who meet during the week of Saturnalia (when the common man and nobility change places) near the Temple of Vesta, for their moment of unrequited love. Octavia was the sister of Octavian, aka Augustus Caesar...a strong and complicated woman of noble blood. Cytheris is an actress and indeed to her, all the world's a stage...and she mesmerizes all who encounter her! Third is the finished illustration (the first one finished for the book, other than the cover!) for the lady Messalina, wife to the emperor Claudius, also know as Claudius the stutterer...she had the audacity to sleep with just about half of Rome, right under her husband's nose! She was eventually beheaded for her crimes.
       And last but never least, is the cover artwork and layout for The Daughters of Minerva...although these characters are not present in the book, it's important to stress the effect the gods and goddesses had on the ancient Romans...Minerva was the Greek equivalent of Athena, and she was not only protector of the people, she was the essence of each and every Roman woman. Strong and decisive, Minerva was one of the most important deities of the time!
       I hope you'll come along with us as we tread the stone streets of ancient Rome once more...lace up those sandals and pour another glass of wine as we delve into the world of ancient Roman mythology! And as the Roman soldiers used to say "strength and honor!"
Ciao bella!
davide!

Dreams become Reality

      My mother, Louise Elizabeth Ross, was an extremely talented individual ... there was literally nothing she could see that she couldn’t make or make better than what she’d seen! Her talents all began with the ability to draw, and draw very well. Early on she’d dreamed of becoming an artist, but opportunities for women didn’t exist as readily in those days ... the chance to attend art school or even to secure a job in your chosen vocation. It was a different time entirely. Mom’s talents eventually became focused into all of the things that make your childhood fun and memorable ... homemade presents at Christmas with special decorations, little drawings secretly put into your school lunchbag that would put the biggest smile on your face, even when your day wasn’t perfect, fun stuff like that! And that was Mom! Totally loving and totally creative.

      I’ve been blessed with a small portion of her talent which can be found in my heart and in my pencils ... when I began showing interest in drawing at an early age, my parents did everything possible to encourage my talent and would listen patiently for hours on end while I rambled on and on about the latest sketch or drawing I’d made of Captain Dynamo (or whatever dumb names I’d invented at the time!) doing this or that, and wasn’t this cool how he jumped off the building, etcetera ... man, were they ever patient! As a teenager, when my passion for drawing hadn’t diminished but had only grown stronger, Mom told me she had always hoped that I would oneday become the artist she’d always dreamed of becoming but never had the chance ... I didn’t realize how much she still loved drawing!   

       I told her I’d do everything in my power to fulfill my dream and hers ... and  over the years it’s always meant that much to me, from the time I’d attended college in New Jersey to the present day ... not a day goes by, not one assignment or commission crosses over my drawing board, that I don’t think of my mother and smile a little smile just for her!
     
        I’ve tried to help her dream live on, and now I’ve fulfilled one of my own dreams as well ... I’ve always wanted to illustrate a children’s book and be in control of all aspects of its production, from story concept through finished illustrations. I’ve now fulfilled that dream, in spades! At last, I’ve received the first proof on my book, There’s A Crazy Dog Under The Palace! (and in the Italian version, Sotto un Palazzo, C’e` un Cane Pazzo!), and it’s quite exhilarating I must admit, but I’m not going to rest on my laurels! No sir or ma’am! There’s much more I want to create, to illustrate, to dream about ... after all, it’s the dreams that fuel our reality.

         If we’re lucky!

davide!

We'll never forget you, Roxie!

How do you want to be remembered? As someone who knows all the answers to the questions posed on Jeopardy? As the top student in your class? As the person who conquered cancer? Animals don't possess the "luxury" of lofty human ambition but then again, I don't really think they care about things like that! They simply co-exist with us, smiling those silly smiles of wisdom and wagging their tails (for those that have tails!) and letting us know that, at any moment and for any reason...we can have instant companionship and understanding...for free! And what could be the best way to remember them when they're gone? Well, that depends upon the options you have available, now doesn't it?
        I'm an artist, and though my sense of luxury may differ greatly from the next persons', I prefer to work with what I have available in order to commemorate someone's life or their passing. With my drawings I try to capture those special moments in a kind of mystic amber called graphite.
        Roxie was a Tibetan mastiff owned by friends in a nearby complex. I met her one day quite by accident while walking Jasmine who invariably pulled me toward her door. We met and she decided I must be alright since I like furry people so much. I had been working on some ideas for a children's book I wanted to draw...a book about a crazy dog living under a palace in Palermo, Sicily. I had several story and character elements floating around in my head with no particular thread to pull them together...and then Roxie helped me find the common thread I was searching for...she would be the Prince's exotic dog! By introducing her as a character crucial to the plotline, I could pull together the crazy black lab named princess Jasmine and the wise little mouse named Topo, and she could help plot and supervise their scheme! Perfect! Over the past year, Roxie was our houseguest when her owners were traveling, sometimes for a day, sometimes for a week. She became as important to Jasmine in real life as she was in the books' storyline. Perfect.

        Roxie decided that today was the day to meet our 'ol buddy Chaos, on the Rainbow Bridge. She was 14 years old, which is quite an achievement I'm told for a Tibetan mastiff to attain. She lumbered slow from age but had a calm and sweet demeanor that made it imperative you hug her every time you saw her...then she'd look you in the eye as if to tell you you're crazy yourself, but she never seemed to mind the hugs! She had a small topknot of fur on her forehead caused by a small growth but I thought it gave her charm and elegance....something I decided to exploit in my renderings of this beautiful animal. She appears in (roughly) 15 of the 75 illustrations that comprise my book and I've tried to capitalize on her body language and eyes to tell her portion of the story best! This is the only tribute I can give to you, Roxie...it's made of graphite, paper, and warm, vibrant memories of love. In my book and in my heart, you'll always live on. I hope you like my tribute to your life. Grazie!
         Risposa in pace, mi amica!

What's going on?!

Good question!....I haven't posted in awhile as I've been extremely busy working on one of the last stages in preparing my book for printing...the color stage! Egad, this is the last time I leave this much color work to be done at the end of it all!...it's overwhelming!
       But enough of that...I'll be back soon! Promise! Ci vediamo!
davide!