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Whether speaking at a school, library, or conference, I truly love talking about the bookmaking process. I enjoy speaking from the heart, sharing my failures that eventually led to published work, and inviting participation through interactive drawing demonstrations. After years of teaching, I'm comfortable speaking in front of crowds of all ages. When presenting, I like to emphasize that every artist and/or writer is capable of learning their craft. No one is born with perfect talent. We all need to develop our skills, to learn how to endure ups and downs in our careers and stick with it no matter what. I focus on how mistakes are a vital part of the creative process. It means we are learning, experimenting and growing.

I also focus on how important it is to follow our instincts with art making. By using our imaginations and coming up with silly or bizarre ideas, we break through to new ideas. If we are afraid of outside judgment, we remain rigid and our ideas don't become as exciting as they could be. I invite kids to help me create characters–I draw what they suggest, and we have a fun time putting our fearlessness to work.

This March I will be visiting three schools in New Jersey, which promises to be a lot of fun.

ONE THURSDAY AFTERNOON

Spirituality & Practice named One Thursday Afternoon (Flyaway Books) a Best Book of 2022! Here is the publisher's description of the book.

When Granddad picks Ava up from school one Thursday afternoon, she’s quiet. She doesn’t want to talk about the lockdown drill that has stirred up her worries. How can she be so afraid in a place that has always felt so safe?

Granddad doesn’t talk much either; he just offers creativity and companionship. And with his gentle encouragement, Ava begins to sense that although the world can be scary, it is still a beautiful place.

With tender insight, One Thursday Afternoon sheds light on how an unpredictable world can make a child feel, reminding us that big fears can become smaller when we take time together to look, listen, and create. An author’s note about the story’s real-life inspiration and recommendations for how adults can help children overcome fear is included. –Flyaway Books

Link to download the educator guide Link to download the discussion and activity guide

Spirituality and Practice Best Book of 2022 Award Winner

For signed books: Labyrinth Books | The Bear + The Books | JaZams
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ILLUSTRATIONS
Digital
Watercolor
Black + White
BOOKS
One Thursday Afternoon
Quincy
Renato and the Lion
EVENTS
Society of Illustrators
Flyaway Books
CLASSES
Arts Council of Princeton
Princeton University
Art Museum

Somerset County Library
ABOUT
Bio
Accolades
Memberships

CONTACT
Phone
347-577-2921

Email
author-illustrator(at)
barbaradilorenzo.com
 
© 2022 Barbara DiLorenzo Illustration. All Rights reserved. Please ask permission for image use.