5) Keynote speakers Bruce Hale's inspirational speech about never giving up and pushing yourself harder-culminating with him singing a variation on Desiree's song "You Gotta Be."
4) Melissa Sweet discussing her process of making picture books and seeing footage of her gorgeous studio space-I wonder if she would notice if I moved in?
3) Totally unexpectedly getting 1st runner up for my portfolio is the juried portfolio show! What the hell?! I was so stoked, especially after my very disappointing portfolio presentation at the L.A. conference last summer and my artistic evisceration by E.B. Lewis.
2) My über encouraging and complimentary art consultation with the incomparable Lisa Ruth Cummins, art director at Simon and Schuster- for whom I now have a humongous art girl crush on. I can't French braid hair but I think I could still be a great BFF if she's ever in the market for one.
1) Leaving feeling like I can really do this.
So all in all, confidence building, inspirational and motivating. If you ever get a chance to go to one of these conferences, it will be the wisest weekend you ever have. So enough blogging for one night! I'm off to draw and start again tomorrow, even more ready to kick my own ass.
