April fools on BCBF 2025 and going on despite in all

April 2, 2025

Hi! How are you?

If you are an Illustrator, an author's, a publisher or an agent, you probably are or are looking at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. There are left two days and this edition is a big one as always.

So now, why this title?

Well, yesterday April 1st, I would have been at the fair, I spent almost a week on getting ready for the fair. But at least, I didn’t, I wrote about this here, so please get on my Substack (it’s free), to read about the why I couldn’t go.

And I wan’t to add a brief though about it, here too: I’ve been doing things alone all my life, now I’m tired about this fact, 50 years are weighing on me, and I’d like to finally share the good things with someone.

On the other side, I’m working to pursue my dreams. As my friend Rekha Salin told me yesterday, there will be other occasion for me to go at the fair or maybe something bigger is in preparation for us.

here is my beautiful sweater I’m wearing right now, I have a shopper too!

I spent the month of March on working on my stickers. As I said on the last post, I have designed some sheets in the past, and this year I would love to make more of them. Also I’ve got a character that stumbled on my sketchbook and I felt in love with it. I called this cute character Fragolin@ and I’ve designed and want to make more stickers about his activities.

I’ve also made some other sheets about Tea Time, you probably saw the post card on my Instagram as well.

Well, that’s all for now, I am a bit tired in this time of the year, so on April I hope to have a slow down month to recharge my energy. But silently work on some new staff on the backstage.

I hope you’re doing well and enjoying your Spring.

So, till next time, xoxo, G. aka Jdeebella at Soulfulcrane the creative nest in Italy

March and me - big expectations for my career as an illustrator

March 2, 2025

Hallo dear Reader,

Awww March is finally here!

February was a slow and long month, a quarter of it spent in the hospital, but what’s important is that all is going well and I hope we will came out of this awful and uncomfortable period of our lives.

I did some profound thought about what’s have a meaning for me in my life and at least I can say I’m not different from many of you:

The wellbeing of my family is a priority
Being open to other people without prejudice:
Open mindedness allows us to see beyond our small world and appreciate the diversity and experiences of others. I find it very stimulating to see how the simple act of listening and understanding someone else can pave the way for new friendships, ideas, and collaborations. It's a way to enrich each other and to build a more inclusive and compassionate world. Curiosity and empathy are our best allies.
Working on things that have meaning to me and bring value to the world I live in, and this is my why:
1. Personal Fulfillment: I love to be engaged in activities, projects, or careers that resonate with my core values, passions, and interests. When I work on something meaningful to me, it gives me a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
2. Contribution to Society: Highlighting the importance of contributing positively to the community or world around me. By working on things that bring value to others, we can make a difference, solve problems, or improve the quality of life for people.
I really want to find a balance between personal fulfillment and social contribution, creating a harmonious and impactful way of living.
Traveling and collecting good experiences with my loved ones
For all those above, I will strive to ensure that these aforementioned points become the milestones along my life and work journey.

And now a little recap on what I’ve been to in the past month.

Well, I’ve been working a bit on my portfolio just because it needs to be updated.

I revealed the image I entered to one of the big competitions in January for the WIA presented by TheAOI and the DI

There is another one to be revealed soon as possible, since the jury will decide the finalists in the coming weeks, let's keep fingers crossed and wish me luck!

This year I couldn’t participate to the BKS challenge, this year theme was Peter Pan, and you can spot all the entries at Instagram using the tag #BSKPeterPan. I really love all the illustrator’s colleagues involved in, and also I was really sad I couldn't find the time for it. But when I was in the hospital, I’ve got a moment to sketch Captain Hook for the prompt of day 5. And I loved to imagining him, especially his hair that seems candles from a certain distance and also his fringe jeans.

And at least I’m into a creation of new stickers again! I did some sheets in the past, and here are some new stickers sheets I designed on February. I’m going to refresh some old ones too to use into my planner, could you live without a planner and some embellishment for it? I surely cannot. And thanks to it I can say I could accomplished all my February goals this year.

Well, my plan for March is to get prepared for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair! I really can’t wait to plan some meetings too. For now, I’m planning to stay just for one day, but there is still room to change my mind, especially if I could arrange where to stay for a couple of days maybe with an illustrator friend… will see.

So that’s all for now. I hope you’re all well and happy and I encourage you to try to escape from the bad news and get into life with eyes wide open and a open mind and heart.

Since next time, xoxo, G. aka Jdeebella - at Soulfulcrane, the creative nest in Italy!

Making the most while navigating bad days

February 2, 2025

Hi, how are you?

January is always a blue month for me, but as I said on the last post, I’ve got a sort of anticipation in November-December, so Jan gone by with a renewed energy even if I had to accept to navigate bad days making the most I can without complain, and it goes well.

I didn’t any big resolution for the new year, my life is very complicated actually and without going in deep to the focal point of those issues, I can say that I feel brave enough to continue to pursue my own little step goals, one to another, just because I won’t throw the sponge yet.

So, between one washing machine and another, between some thoughts and a constant job that keeps me busy 9 hours a day to keep things going, I found the time to pursue my goal to apply to some big illustration awards for this year, and so it was that in January I sent my application to 2 important competitions.

I cannot show you any of them yet, and sincerely I cannot wait. Those two projects I’ve entered are very personal and I felt very involved, so couldn’t share them is hitching, but you know, everything that calls for a wait is a good one.

I’ve also decided to keep all my art material recorded in a sketchbook to get a reference every time I’m going to choose a color palette or a medium for an illustration, I want to be more organized and conscious about what I’m doing.

Talking about drawing, this month I ended up with two postcards, I’ve got the Valentine one on Etsy for about ten days before shut down the shop yesterday, cause I’ll not be able to ship anything in February.

The Bear and the Owl is an illustration that was enriched after a chat talk with two member of SCBWI-Italy group, and if you want to know more about the vantage of joining a critique group,I wrote a post on my Substack titled "Are You Stuck? Join a Critique Group." In it, I discuss the benefits of participating in a critique group for writers looking to improve their craft and find support within a community. If you're interested in exploring what a critique group can offer you, check it out for insights and tips on getting started.

Talking about small step goals, in February and March I want to improve my digital coloring skills, I gear my Ipad Pro with a Sketchboard Pro 2, so will see if this helps to work better.

For now I’m lost into my sketchbook, grabbing it when I have a few minutes to be creative (and believe me, in this time of my life, it’s very rare finding the time to draw), I like to share those instant sketches on Instagram and now also on Bluesky.

See you there and here monthly, and if you want to boost my drawing and support my dreams, consider to sign up to my Patreon.

Thanks a lot for reading this, I really appreciate your interest. So, that’s all for now, since next time, xoxo, G. aka Jdeebella at Soulfulcrane, the Creative Nest in Italy

It’s the crispy season, Fall/Autumn love as a Gilmore Girls in a Cottagecore style

November 23, 2024

Hi my friends!

If You as me, love Autumn, this is the right season to look into your deep core. Following you can give a glimpse into mine.

A Touch of Magic in the Life of an Artist: Embracing Cottagecore and Gilmore Girls

There is a timeless charm in art that extends beyond creations and into the lifestyle of those who create it. Imagine a day starting with birds songs, a steaming cup of tea, and a sketchbook ready to be filled with new ideas. This is the enchanted world that embraces the Cottagecore style, with a touch of the magic from Gilmore Girls.

The Ideal Daily Routine of an Artist

The morning begins with a walk in the woods or maybe into the hidden spot of an ancient city, gathering inspiration from the surrounding nature or buildings. Falling leaves, wildflowers, and hidden paths are silent muses that fuel creativity. It's a perfect moment to pause, take notes in a journal, or capture an idea with a quick sketch.

The Tea Ritual

Returning home, there's always time for a good cup of tea. With a cup in hand and the soft morning light streaming through the windows, it's the ideal time to reflect and plan the artistic day ahead. Tea is more than just a beverage; it's a ritual that centers the mind and opens the heart to new ideas.

Creative Corners

In a Cottagecore-styled home, every corner can transform into a small sanctuary of creativity. A worn wooden table, a cozy chair, and a window overlooking the garden. Here, the artist can immerse themselves in their work, surrounded by books, sketches, and objects collected along the way.

Cross Stitch patterns I’ve designed in 2023

Moments of Connection

Just like in the stories of Gilmore Girls, moments of connection are essential. Sharing your world with friends and family, discussing new ideas, and receiving feedback is a vital part of the creative process. A simple lunch invitation can turn into an afternoon of laughter, memories, and new inspiration.

A Life of Simple Beauty

Embracing Cottagecore & Stars Hollow (from the Gilmore Girls) lifestyle means finding beauty in simplicity. A vase of fresh flowers on the windowsill, a handmade blanket draped over a chair, and time spent creating with one's hands. Every day is an opportunity to live and breathe art in every detail.

That’s all for today friend, since next time, xoxo, Giusy. aka Jdeebella @soulfulcrane