April Travel Blog: What the 2024 Bologna Children’s Book Fair has taught me
Good morning friends! I’m back, fresh-faced and buzzing after a wonderful trip to the 2024 Bologna Children’s Book Fair. In just a few days, the faces I met and the discussions I was a part of have left me feeling utterly inspired and energized to start creating again.
The thing is, there has always been this other part of me, the part that I am continuously witnessing and comforting, that fears taking the next step. During my Italian trip, I really came to understand that the most important step for us to take, is just to take action. Now I’m back and slowly re-shaping my routine to support me, I’m listening to my soul more and more, and balancing what I must do, by showing up every day with my most important tasks, with nurturing my creativity. The creative part of me that is the most valuable, and yet had previously been pushed further down my perceived scale of importance. Being surrounded by illustrators, new and established at the Book Fair, has lit a fire in me. That excitement that comes from my inner artist has been awakened again, and this time I’m choosing to act upon it.
On this bright Monday morning, as I listen to the blustery spring breeze, candles lit and tea brewing (ahh it’s good to be home!) I now have time to reflect and digest my trip to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, and what resonated with me the most, I think, is important to share.
Refreshing Routines
Yesterday was also my first Artists Way Book Club after a week of rest, which I have to say was entirely needed. I feel refreshed, energized and creatively inspired, compared to the weeks leading up to Bologna which left me a little frazzled. At this most recent meet-up I voiced my wish of wanting a daily creative practice - a simple act, but one that hasn’t been executed for quite some time, due to my avoidance of feeling like a novice. I admire greatly the sketchbooks by Becca Hall or Lucy Salmon and am in awe of their consistency to show up to their daily drawing routine. It is not necessarily their illustrative ‘style’ that captures me - I do love their illustrations but I am also a fan of my own work, and believe in my own unique creative voice (something that has also taken years to learn) - but rather the way they are showing up as illustrators.
With this in mind, I have returned from the book fair with a dedication to carve out time each morning, just for half an hour or so, to draw. Because drawing is important to me, and my craft needs to be nurtured. Bologna taught me that anyone can have talent, but persistence and a good dose of hard work is so important in moving your practice forward at a consistent and expediential rate. In a Masterclass with Oliver Jeffers on Day two, I made this note on my phone, quoting the man himself. It is a valuable idea that I will keep with me moving forward:
‘Talent without effort is nothing, you only get what you put in. And that’s got to be a joyous experience.’
~ Oliver Jeffers
Even as I write this, I can witness the creative flow I am in. No planning on what I have to write, just a stream of consciousness that comes from listening to what lights me up. And that is because I began my day with an observational sketch. That’s it! My dear friend Jenny told me that observational sketching helps us understand what WE are drawn to, and this in turn helps us tap into our unique creative voice (which is always available to us by the way!) and this act alone can fuel us for the rest of the day, week or even the year! By tapping into this mindful act every morning we not only inspire ourselves for the remainder of the day, but over time we build confidence by showing up again and again and listening, witnessing or just playing with whatever wants to land on the page.
I also bring up this idea of inner joy, because this was undoubtedly the single most important phrase that kept coming up for me during the fair. I listened to talks by Oliver Jeffers, Felicita Sala, Beatrice Alemagna, and each spoke about joy being the seed that transformed their work into their most successful projects. Creating art first and foremost for their inner child, or inner artist, was repeated again and again, and slowly it became apparent to me that this was the secret sauce to being an illustrator who not only enjoys what they do, but can sustain themselves through a long career, and connect with their audience emotionally. Play and enjoyment comes first, creating for the industry second.
Asking the right questions
Witnessing these established artists up-close has also inspired me to begin embodying the illustrator I wish to be, by implementing small easy habits that over time will have a lasting positive impact on my practice. You can do this too by asking; What does Oliver Jeffers (or insert any other inspiring creator here) do on a daily basis that I can also do AND that my inner artist finds exciting? Remember that joy should come first. My own answers to this question inspired me to purchase some markers I saw Felicita Sala using at her book signing, because I’ve been loving using felt tips and markers in my sketchbook recently and decided to treat myself! Another small but significant change I am going to make is to keep my sketchbook in my bag, and pack a pencil case with all the necessities so I don’t have to think about when or where I can draw. If I feel the spark of inspiration, I will have my sketchbook close by, which hopefully will allow my ideas to flow more easily, and keep me accountable by removing the excuse of ‘I can’t draw because I don’t have what I need’. We’ve all been there!
After the exhilarating buzz of the first day, and seeing my illos for Danzando sotto la Pioggia big and bold on Curci’s stand (so amazing!) I enjoyed a well-earned bowl of mushroom pasta with my dear friends Jenny and Amber. Over the course of the evening our conversation veered towards the topic of procrastination - a common hurdle we all face so it seems. It was a moment of honesty as we discussed our own individual challenges. For me, that has been the act of networking, and actively getting my work seen by more and more people. Acknowledging our personal obstacles is always the first step towards overcoming them. By vocalizing our struggles we not only validated each other's feelings but also unearthed the underlying reasons behind our procrastination. It was a moment of collective realization that our perceived blocks were in reality just lessons waiting to be learned.
Feeling the fear and doing it anyway
Armed with this new awareness, I approached day two of the fair with renewed determination. Instead of passively handing out business cards, I adopted a more intentional approach. I made a conscious effort to engage with publishers whose catalogues resonated with me the most. It was no longer about quantity but about quality - building genuine connections that could mean potential, meaningful collaborations further down the line. And it didn’t matter what answer I got, the win was in the act of trying. With each deliberate interaction, my confidence increased. The more I pushed past my discomfort, the more receptive publishers became to engaging in genuine conversations. It was a powerful reminder that the way we approach a situation can significantly influence its outcome.
Amidst the bustle of the fair, serendipity arrived through familiar faces, and I crossed paths with Nicki, a friend and super talented artist, who gave me a gentle nudge towards the Plum Agency stand, where an unexpected opportunity awaited. With courage I asked for a spontaneous portfolio review and the Director of Plum, Mark Mills, gave me an on-the-spot review! His feedback was a highlight of the trip, and provided a fresh perspective on my work, shedding light on areas for improvement while simultaneously affirming my artistic vision. For each suggestion he gave, I noted down the ones that gave me a surge of excitement, and decided that those were the ideas that I should pursue. My meeting with Mark not only confirmed the direction of my portfolio, but allowed me to see my work in a different light, and how I can shape my own place within the illustration market. I can’t see this replicated anywhere yet, because it’s a personal journey, and that means there is no map to show me how to get there, no formula, and certainly no rules. For each of us pursuing illustration it is really the small daily acts that build up to the most important changes, and by following what lights us up, the path ahead will almost certainly be uncovered.
In hindsight, my trip to the Bologna Children's Book Fair was not just about networking or building confidence in showcasing my work; it was a confirmation as to where I should be heading with my creative practice. I am so excited to continue drawing, and plan more artist dates with myself and my sketchbook. I’m willing to learn, open to being a beginner again, and looking forward to where my inspiration will take me next. Thank you dear friends for supporting this blog as usual, I hope you have a spectacular rest of your week. And remember to listen to those small bursts of joy, because often that is where your answers lie
Keep listening! Keep creating x