Scholastic Writing Awards for kids

I am excited and inspired after a day of reading kids' submissions to the Scholastic Writing Awards.  I read some fantastic work. And even those entry's that were less successful had kernals of wonderful work to come. I read beautifully crafted sentences. There was dialogue that made me feel I was eavesdropping,  the words were so true and genuine. There were photographic descriptions, and poetic turns of phrases that could have come from the most accomplished writers. All this from 9th-12th graders (in my batch)! Of course my fingers are crossed for the submissions I nominated. It's all subjective though, so I hope all the participants continue to write.

The arts seem to be under assault these days where kids are concerned. Programs in schools are being cut in favor of a push for more math and science over arts education.  There's nothing wrong with math and science,  but I believe the emphasis in school should be on developing intellectual curiosity for life long learning, and a broad education that embraces the humanities. After school programs and libraries can also fill the gap, but they need your support. And get kids to participate. The greater the demand, the more attention these programs will receive.

Here's a link to the submissions guidelines. I encourage everyone to let kids know about this wonderful opportunity. http://www.artandwriting.org/the-awards/how-to-enter/
And thank you to Writopia Lab in Hartsdale for hosting. Writopia offers writing workshops for kids across the country. http://www.writopialab.org/ Happy writing.

New Work, Botanical

I've fallen in love with mushrooms! These are woodland mushrooms. In my original graphite drawing I left the leaf as just a contour drawing to highlight the mushroom. For the watercolor I added a tint to the leaf because it looked too stark and was distracting. This was done with Yarka pan watercolors.

Woodland  Mushrooms 1, botanical, Donna Miskend 2015

A Month Of Writing

After a spring filled with teaching, and an emotional roller coaster of a summer, I felt I needed to get back to my projects. So I'm all in for generating new PB ideas, working on those already sketched out, and starting a MG novel I've had on the back burner forever. Just making the commitment has  started the ideas flowing. Inhale deep breath, exhale.

2015 BEAUX ARTS EXHIBIT

Three works of some favorite things, plants and animals, will be on display at the Beaux Arts Exhibit:

The Dobbs Ferry Woman's Clubhouse

54 Clinton Avenue

Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

October 17 - 18, 2015

reception Sunday, Oct. 18 from 2-4pm

Stay tuned: A recap of the Fairy Tales show is coming soon. 

Exhibit News: National Heirloom Expo

Danish Flag Poppy,  2015

I am thrilled to have my work included once again for the Art of the Heirloom show at The National Heirloom Expo in CA,
September 8 - 10.

Alice: 150 Years of Wonderland

Join me as I read selections from Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland to kids, Sunday Storytime in Mr. Morgan's Library at the Morgan Library and Museum this summer during their exhibit Alice: 150 Years of Wonderland on view June 26 through October 11, 2015. 

Dates: 
June 28, 2015 at 3pm
August 16, 2015 at 3pm
August 23, 2015 at 3pm

FAIRY TALES Exhibit

I've curated another CBIG EXHIBIT- Twenty one artists come together to illustrate FAIRY TALES! On view at the Brooklyn Central Library June 11 through September 25, 2015.
And join me in conversation with Michael Patrick Hearn, children's literary historian Saturday,  September 19 at 2pm about the history and relevance of fairy tales today.

EXHIBITING ARTISTS:
Angelique Anderson, Lisa Cinelli, Deborah Cuneo, Maria Madonna Davidoff, Diana Ting Delosh, Nancy Doniger, Laura Goetz,  Amalia Hoffman, Melissa Iwai, Yuko Katakawa, Kitty Leech,  Marie McCann, Virginia Law Manning, Jennifer Merz, Donna Miskend, Christine Mix, Annie Raulerson, Roberta Rivera, Karen Romagna, Vicky Rubin, Wallace West

Programs:Saturday, September 19 at 2pm Info Commons Room, 1st floor

special guest Michael Patrick Hearn

VENUE:  BROOKLYN CENTRAL LIBRARY   10 Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11238

hours  Mon - Thurs. 9am-9pm    Fri-Sat 9am - 6pm    Sun 1pm - 5pm

transportationGet Directions
Google or HopStop

Free and open to the public
web site: http://www.bklynlibrary.org/events/exhibitions/

A Talk with Exhibiting Artists Here 

This exhibit and programming is underwritten by the Brooklyn Public Library.

NOTE:
Master Storytellers Exhibit extended through June 27
at the Poe Park Visitor Center 
2540 Grand Concourse, Bronx