Sydney Smith-Canscaip Illustrators Night Recap

Illustrator from Nova Scotia Now working in Toronto (Recap from November 2015 Canscaip Meeting)
http://sydneydraws.tumblr.com/
www.sydneydraws.ca
5 key points I was able to glean from his talk:

1. Sometimes a difficult circumstances move us to be more introspective and help us to bring out something magical. He was able to polish the diamond of his art making abilities as a result of  multiple moves he experienced as a child.
   
2. He saw his sketchbook as a playground and as a learning tool. Working ideas out, passing it around to friends and gauging interest. He used it to learn about the sequence of images as a tool for storytelling.
   
3. Just go for it. What struck me about his talent was his amazing ability to move from medium to medium and style to style. He killed It when he tried stop motion animation. With no training in animation he taught himself how to do it, built a set and made some videos for musicians. Check it out on Youtube here.
4. He really takes responsibility and ownership of his work. Scanning his own originals to send to the publisher to make sure everything is just right. Now that’s a professional.
5.  He was able to articulate and reflect and see a connection to all of the twist and turns of his career to really see all of the positives and appreciate each lesson that came with each endeavor. I think it’s no surprise that he is so accomplished and talented.

Some more info about other books he has illustrated.
 His many projects show amazing versatility and mastery of technique.

• http://www.quillandquire.com/childrens-publishing/2015/02/24/qa-sidewalk-flowers-illustrator-sydney-smith/
• http://bryannachapeskie.com/2015/03/16/featured-artist-sydney-smith/
• http://edwardsbookclub.com/mabel-murple-by-sheree-fitch-with-illustrations-by-sydney-smith/