So, today I printed out the last two books I will be able to finish this school year, making a total of four books that will be completed. The first three are completed, and there is but one book left to paint the pictures for. It's not what I had originally planned to accomplish, but it's better than nothing. Ten books is too much, especially when they were originally planned to have up to ten pages and some exceeded the limit, though, each illustration has been looked over, added to, corrected, and edited at least once over if not twice or more. So, in the long run, I guess I prefer quality over quantity and have proven that in my work, I'm looking forward to turning it in, I'm pretty proud of what I have accomplished.

Lately, I have been missing out of painting. there have been SO MANY end of year resumes and end of term exams that I've been drowning in my own pile of work. Yet, this summer when I actually have some time on my hands I believe I can be way more productive.Though I have the next two books illustrated, I need to turn my sketches into paintings, each taking approximately 30 min to an hour depending.

As of today, I have four books typed up, and have researched this publisher's website:  http://www.bethanyhouse.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=9FC2E1F4E2464E5EADE1430BB2DF94E0&type=gen&mod=Core+Pages&gid=7F623735BC6548ADA400EDEBF235C8E4 
At the moment, I am unsure if I have the time or the energy to accurately represent my books to this company, after all I would likely only have one chance to impress them. Although my parents used to work for them, it's been a while and I need to get my act together before I make a sales pitch ;P

Painting #26 out of approximately 60-70.

Outlined 10 out of 10 books.

Written 10 out of 10 books.

Researched 2 out of countless publishers.

Typed up 2 of 10 books.

Scanned 25 of 25 paintings.

Edited 2 out of 10 books thrice.

Put together final copy of 1.5 out of 10 books.
Finished sketching 3.5 of 10 books.
Finished illustrating 2 of 10 books.


This weekend as you can tell I scanned and uploaded all of the illustrations for my first two books, Once Upon a Fisherman and Lost in Candy Land. I also typed up and printed and put together the final copy of Candy Land. so atm I have a binder full of 1.5 books! Very fulfilling, and fun to show people. I hope I can get the published some day :)

Here's my summary for term 2. My accomplishments include:

Painting 20 out of approximately 60-70.

Outlined 10 out of 10 books.

Written 10 out of 10 books.

Researched 3 out of countless publishers.

Typed up 0 of 10 books.

Scanned 0 of 8 paintings.

Edited 10 out of 10 books twice.

Put together final copy of 0 out of 10 books.
Finished sketching 3 of 10 books.
Finished illustrating 2 of 10 books.
Currently illustrating 4 of 10 books.

     I feel I have accomplished a lot this term, as far as illustrations go. I haven't had much progress on the textual aspect of the books, which will come together as the illustrations for each book are gathered piece by piece. Today I plan to type up a few books, as well as edit them as I go.

          See you next term,
                              -M.

Lately, I've gotten to starting the fourth book, I don't have a title for it, but the theme is trees and forests. In this book Delilah learns that as a tree she has to dig her roots deeper instead of farther on the surface to get a good source of water. This draws a parallel between being a lukewarm Christian, and learning about the word and going deeper in it everyday so that you become truly informed on your beliefs. I've finished illustrating the third book "Air-Balloon Adventure" and will be painting it shortly. most people really like the illustration of the view from the Air-Balloon. I like painting out the story because for some people, it's not a drawing, it's scenery from Delilah's adventure, and I get to make that happen.

Painting 20 out of approximately 60-70.

Outlined 10 out of 10 books.

Written 10 out of 10 books.

Researched 1 out of countless publishers.

Typed up 0 of 10 books.

Scanned 0 of 8 paintings.

Edited 10 out of 10 books twice.

Put together final copy of 0 out of 10 books.
Finished sketching 3 of 10 books.
Finished illustrating 2 of 10 books.

Today, I finished off the sketches for the third book, currently named "Air-balloon Adventure" but, that title is subject to change. Also, i decided to add two more illustrations to each book, one at the beginning of Delilah sleeping and one at the end of her sitting up in her bed, awoken by the dream she as having. So that's four more paintings to do. Making a total of 9 pictures in "Air-balloon Adventure", and about six more to paint from remaining books.

Friday January, 13 (dun dun dunnn)

  So the other day I was in Toronto visiting my grad parents and because i'm a paint-o-holic I brought along my supplies. It turns out I finished all some-odd fifteen paintings for "Lost In Candy land", but I ran out of white paint for a pastel-themed palette so my dad went out and bought a bottle for me at Wal-Mart. It was $5.00. Ouch. I guess being consistent has it's price.

Again, an old yet important entry:

Dec.12.2011

  Today, I finished illustrating my second book. Lost in Candy land. In total it took 15 illustrations, so far I have painted four. Big woop eh? Well, I can say its been hectic with exams and Christmas coming up. Also, I'll be leaving this week to visit my terminally ill grandfather in Toronto. He's got cancer. So ill be taking a break from the book. As soon as the Christmas hullabaloo is over I'll be back on the saddle. Mainly becuse my break from school goes well into January and I have nothing to do during the daytime. Those are my productive painting hours. A fresh start, a cup of tea, and some good acrylics.

Here are a couple of entries I wrote when I first started the project:


Today is November first, after a riotous Halloween night, I come to find myself finished all paintings of the fourth book, painted during the previous weekend. Therefore, my first book is completely illustrated. The Friendless Fish is finished as far as painting goes.

Tonight I finished my sixth and seventh painting of the fourth book in the series entitled "Friendless Fish" 

Why paint the fourth book first? It was actually intended to be the first book in the series but after some rearranging to benefit the plot line, it was placed fourth out of ten, and the book concerning candy land was first to attract attention from a certain target audience. 

I've sketched out the eighth and should be painting it along with the ninth one tomorrow night. It's very relaxing, and i'm ecstatic that i get to use class time to do one of my favorite things.

  Hey, my name is Melissa Major. I'm working on an individual integrative project. Over the course of one school year I will be attempting to finish writing, illustrating, editing and possibly publishing a series of children's books. The names of the series is "Delilah's Dreams". So far, I've come up with a system, to update you on my progress. 

Here it is:
Painting 20 out of approximately 60-70.

Outlined 10 out of 10 books.

Written 10 out of 10 books.

Researched 2 out of countless publishers.

Typed up 0 of 10 books.

Scanned 0 of 8 paintings.

Edited 10 out of 10 books once.

Put together final copy of 0 out of 10 books.
Finished illustrating 2 of 10 books.