Hi everyone!
Sorry it has taken me so long to update my journal...
First off - hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas and getting ready to enjoy a beautiful New Year.  

I just wanted to share a couple of exciting things..

Today "On Dublin Street" hits all the major booksellers in the US.
places like Walmart, Target, Barnes & Noble, etc...

On Dublin Street at Target


Also, Rhiannon Frater's, "THE LAST BASTION OF THE LIVING"occupies the #1 slot in the B&N Explorations list of The Best Zombie Fiction of 2012!!

Best Zombie Fiction 2012


I have some more exciting things coming up in the New Year - but can't say just yet...

I'm just happy to be able to share this with you.

Let's all make it an awesome New Year!

Claudia
xo

Now that we can embed video - whoo hoo - wanted to share what someone made me on YouTube.  I have more - but this was one of my all time favorites.  Hope you enjoy it... i love how the words of the song fit in with the pic...









"On Dublin Street" comes to stores nationwide December 31st, 2012!!


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Just an update to let you know that "On Dublin Street" is so far now ranking number 30 on the NYT Best Seller List!

The links for the book are below - the print version will be hitting stores here in the U.S. on December 31st.

So excited i had to share!



Hi everyone,
for those of you who have kindle - please check out the book "On Dublin Street" by Samantha Young. (My cover art)

Sorry -- too excited - and don't know how long it will last
we're at number 1!!!

[link]

USA Today also recommends the book!

[link]

Can't believe it!!!

Claudia




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UPDATING - some of you wrote saying link didn't work - sorry, my goof - it's fixed now.

I'm soooo excited that my piece "Dreams Not Death" was featured in Vogue Italia.
I want to thank the wonderful photographer and my dear friend, Tiffany Carter - aka Grace Hill, and the lovely model, Jennifer Reed.
We made an awesome team and it was a pleasure to work on Tiff's beautiful photo.

For the article and image go here:


[link]

I just had to share and give a great big Shout Out to Tiff and Jennifer!



Love,

Claudia
xoxox


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I was offered this gift from a company on Facebook - they just gave it to me!

Just click the image below to get my new Phatpuppy Mobile App...

I LOVE IT!!!





Peace,

Claudia
xoox

Hi everyone,
I'm doing something very fun -- being that I just finished my 210th cover --  I want to ask for pictures, expressive pictures - themed pictures -- ones that tell a story.
I will edit the ones I feel will work as covers - and i will fill you in more by note on the details.

I have been signed as a new freelancer by major publisher - and the work, believe it or not, is going to get insane!!
But I LOVE IT!

So i want to include you - and let's talk about ideas, concepts, colors, whatever --
send me your BEST pics and hopefully these will go in the "do as artwork" folder i have growing.

I love to include people, everyday people, not just the models --

If you like to tell stories thru your pictures, if you like to be an actor/actress in your pictures, if you feel you can convey big emotion - show me your stuff!!!

It will be a sharing experience....

Thank you for the honor of watching me for those that do -- thank you for the honor commenting, favoriting, and being just so nice.

It's a hard business to break into - this art world of ours -- and I am so very grateful to God for His help in letting provide for my family in such a wonderful way.

Now to share with you....... that's what it's all about.

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Claudia
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoox

p.s.
you can post pics here if you'd like - just make sure they aren't cell phone style - just your VERY BESTEST....



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Hi all,
Just wanted to urge many of you to see the new film, "For the Greater Glory" with Andy Garcia.
It is one of the most special films I have yet to see....
moreso for me, because my older brother, Arturo, had a small but memorable role in the film. (Below is my brother and my niece, Tania, at the premier of the film.




Here is the trailer for the movie.

[link]


Again - if you have a little time and want to see a film that inspires you - go and see this!!!

Thanks for letting me ramble....

Claudia
xo

Just a shout out to all models in the southern California area -- in about one to two months more, my in-home studio will be complete.
I'll be doing custom photoshoots with models  - I am excited as I'm just waiting for my new Nikon D800 to arrive (taking a longer time than expected due to the floods Nikon had experienced earlier in the year  -- everything is on backorder).

So if you are in my neck of the woods and would like to set up a photoshoot -- let me know....
as I'm starting to set appointments in advance.

Hugs to all of you on this lovely Monday morning.

Claudia
xo

some of my recent art and photography

  

Hi all,
So much going on - and now doing some new gigs!
I am starting to actually get some photography of my own on covers -
which is thrilling me down to my toes. lol
I just wrapped up my 170th cover art and I'm celebrating.

My daughter was supposed to arrive today from the UK - but she had to postpone it a week in order to procure documents for her Visa into the UK so she can start working as a makeup artist there...  
I'm bummed - I was so ready for her to arrive today!!!  Now an entire week to wait again. lol

Anyhoo,  she wants to do some modeling for me - most of which I'll use on covers... however, I am going to give some up for stock and for just photography purposes.

I'm now taking requests....
she is the girl in this pic below:



I am asking for all kinds of requests - meaning not just of her - but of nature, architecture, etc..

as you can see I've been on a nature kick lately - I just cannot help myself.  I see flowers and I just get inspired.

I've been asked to go to Italy to gather pictures - which has my mind totally blown away -- that people are asking me to get them photos from there -- and do the art - and hire me before I even get the shot! What???!!
I'm honored.... i just hope I can get everything done and do it 100%.  So please pray for me because I feel a tad overwhelmed....

So list the kinds of shots you wanna see  =

1. nature
2. forest
3. seascapes
4. animals (not too many of those rummaging around - lol)
5. still life

etc...

and what kinds of pics with my daughter, Catie?
Gothic, vintage, contemporary??


Sending you all my love -- now I'm off to go to take my son to Brain Highways (for those of you who have children with ADHD, ADD, or some other stupid label they give - check this place out - [link] the most awesome place for kids ever... (online courses too)


Huggles and God Bless YOU!!!


Claudia
xo

p.s.
some of my recent works





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Casting Call - attention teen models

We need two teenagers (one boy one girl) sitting opposite each other cross-legged. The girl can wear a hoodie and have the hood up. The idea is they are looking at a small cauldron.

you will receive credit on the author page....

And please - NO CELL PHONE PICS - only professional images wanted. The best pic will be chosen by myself and the author.

Deadline is in two weeks......

Note me here with links to images and this must be an exclusive image - not stock available here on dA.


Thanks!

Claudia

some of my recent works




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Just a quick note to say thank you for the flooding of my inbox this morning with Happy Birthday messages... what a beautiful way to start the morning.

My friend made this beautiful birthday present for me with stock of my sons ---
it is so BEAUTIFUL that I had to share it.



I told him that since I got the all clear on Friday from the doctors - I haven't stopped kissing and hugging my boys, more than usual if that's possible, -- their little faces are worn out. lol


Thank you again, truly, for all of the kind notes and messages.

Claudia
xoxoxox

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Hi all,
Well I'm fast approaching my 5000th friend on FB and thought it would be fun to have a kiriban of sorts like I usually do here.

Here's the deal - if you are my 5000th friend on Facebook you can get one of two things.

One Free Artwork (print) OR a 6 month sub -- you choose.  

Make sure when you befriend me on FB you tell me you're from DA so I know.

This should be FUN!


Love,

Claudia

self-promotion of new art work





Claudia Lucia McKinney | Create Your Badge

Happy Valentine's Day!!

UPDATE
There is a Facebook Page that is UPLOADING a LOT of Art with NO CREDITS to the artist.
Check here and see if yours is among the stuff there.

[link]

thought you should know in case....









of my old account which holds a lot of my stock and four of my DDs...


Unfortunately, none of my stock is for commercial usage - but feel free to use here on DA if you like.

Some of them include:


:thumb212821495: :thumb279981559:   

a stock texture that got me a lovely DD



textures



Hope these can help you with some of your art...



Claudia
xoxoxoxoxoxox

self-promotion of new art work

just finding out this past week that I'll be designing the CD debut cover
for one of the top contestants on the hit American talent show "America's Got Talent"!!!

I'm really super excited...i'll keep you posted on when it will be released...


Now on to a small feature of art I found and love...




and a few more coming later today -- have a photoshoot today.


Love to all of you!!!


Claudia
xo


Self Promotion






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Just a quick note to say an official "Happy New  Year" to my friends here.

Got some great news -  just finished up a cover for Simon & Schuster (cannot share yet) and have two more with another large publishing House under way.
I have officially now, to date, completed more than 120 covers and wish to say thank you to all of the wonderful authors (now good friends) who have entrusted their precious works to me as their cover artist.  Truly this means the world to me.

I am writing this also to officially answer many notes that I receive here - I get about approximately ten per day on DA alone asking me how to break into publishing as a cover artist and what my rates are.

I hope to clarify things a bit - and this will serve as a reply to the notes --

1.  I NEVER solicit my work to authors -- I never have done so.  It has all been a word-of-mouth referral.

2.  I do not share pricing because each work is different and it also is based on the number of covers you have done, your clientele (how many known authors you have worked for, etc...) and and your level of expertise in the industry dealing with formatting, printing, brand marketing, etc...  but again - it's totally UP TO YOU what you wish to charge.

I have been very fortunate in that I built a rapport with my authors and it has become a wonderful and special relationship when I work on a particular cover art.  It's a labor of love, to be sure.



What NOT to do:
I have had a few artists who have solicited my current author list -  actually telling a couple of them that they'd undercut my rate. lol
Just so you know - the authors have immediately come to me and disclosed the situation --
and I've blocked a handful of these people here and on Facebook -- I do NOT need friends like these.


To go so far to get a cover by undermining another artist will only do harm to yourself in the long run and not a very wise practice.
It's a tight-knit community in the publishing world - and word travels fast.  A few such artists have already created a very bad name for themselves by this very practice.


I hope  have covered most of your questions - I had posted something small once before regarding this - but thought i would update because i've been getting more and more questions each day regarding my day-job as a cover artist.


Lastly, I want to thank all of the beautiful stock providers who provide the stock for many of these covers.  It is my honor and my privilege to work with you.


I wish you all a happy 2012 - may it be a great one for all of us!!!

Peace,

Claudia

Self-Promotion






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I'm doing a small feature of art that has really touched my soul..... just random things I've come across that pulled the heartstrings over the past year -- I know I'm leaving many out, but had to post a few.












self-promotion





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This is a very special day in our home so I wanted to do a special little feature for Her....

Also is a link to my father's song, for those of you who are his fans in Mexico and Latin America
Alberto Vazquez
"Las Mañanitas a la Virgen de Guadalupe "

[link]

I love seeing renditions from all walks of life - from street paintings to tattoos -- it's all really beautiful expression!





my absolute favorite




if you know of others that fit well here - let me know.


Pace e Bene!

Claudia
xoxoxoxoxo

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Update
First one chosen so far

gift for

I'll be picking one or two more - so keep sending in!


Hi everyone!
For those of you stateside - or Americans overseas - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  I hope today is a special one for you and your loved ones.

THis is my second journal for my "Pay it Forward" art project.  Everyone send in  your pics that you want me to consider using for an art piece....
I will pick one or two from the bunch and do something special for you... my treat.

So start submitting stuff ASAP!!!
Anything - landscapes, people, etc...


On a side note - my daughter just returned home from London - she's engaged!!!  She'll be moving to England this Spring - which has me happy for her - but yet, wow - oh so sad for me and the rest of the family - especially for her seven year old brother, Sean, who is completely distraught.
I'm trying to look at it like "Well... at least we'll have another home base in Europe!" lol

She will be moving to either Hempsey Valley or Chatham (did I spell those right?).... her fiancee is busy looking for a new house to buy.
So many changes happening around me -- I feel a major crossroads - the last time I felt that was when my first child (the one getting married) was born.... and here I am again....  it's all good... but just a bit strange and surreal.  


Happy Thanksgiving and please start submitting pics.  I will note you privately once the piece is done  - so you won't know if you're being chosen until I reveal it.

Sending you all my love,


Claudia
xoxooxxooxxo



some of my latest works


  

remembered my 100,000 page view Kiriban on my new account.

and grabbed a screenshot here:

[link]

Congrats - she won a 3 month sub.

My next one is for 150,000  -- so keep watching.  

Here is some of her work from her gallery

  


Here's to 150,000!   



I just think the kiribans are fun to do. lol

Some of my latest works


  

Hi everyone --
I wanted to ask you guys a question.

I notice whenever I upload a mixed media piece - all of you respond so much to them.
I'd like to know what about the painted pieces like these:














what is it that make you like them - almost more than the others?
It's just something that has me ultra curious.


Is it that there is too much of the same kinda stuff on DA and in the art world now - you know, dark gothic chicks - or fantasy blue pieces?

and that you like the more traditional approach?   Do you think these are as viable for cover arts? (good question, huh)



I hope you don't mind answering - it helps me a lot.... as I'd like to make more pieces that you would enjoy seeing.


Thanks in advance for your help!

Claudia



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