Once I began pursuing this profession whole heartedly about 4 years ago, the very first thing I did was join the SCBWI and it proved to be the perfect first step.
They are full of such great information, conferences, and inspiration. I’ve learned a ton about this business just through being a member of this wonderful group. I think the other thing that has really helped me is participating in on-line groups such as this
one. Not only have I met some wonderful people who love what I love in this oftentimes isolated profession, but I’ve also been able to better my work through critiques and discussions and even got my first book deal through an on-line connection I’d
made!
Do you do research for your projects or illustrations?
or
How much research is needed for one of your
illustrations?
To be quite honest my research is fairly minimal. If I need to see just what a bicycle looks like or something like that I typically google the item to get a general idea and let my imagination do the rest. I do study other artist’s work to see how they get such
beautiful colors or textures so that I could apply the general principals to my own work, but for the most part my imagination (and years of study in art school!) does most of the work. As for my writing, I typically get my ideas from things that are going on in my life around me. My step-son and my friends’ children are all wonderful for getting terrific ideas
through the eyes of a child. Just observing what they do, how they act, what kinds of things they like and don’t like and what kinds of things they think are
funny all contribute to my writing as well as my art.
Have you been published anywhere?
I’m happy to say that my very first children’s book is being published by Shenanigan Books and will be coming out this fall…woo hoo! However, I have been published
as a freelance illustrator many times over the years for such things as the New York State Dental Journal and I was even fortunate enough to illustrate a wine bottle label for Hazlitt 1852 Winery (an upstate New York vineyard), as well as several other areas outside
of children’s books.
What motivates you to illustrate?
Hm…what doesn’t? I’m sure this sounds corny but I illustrate so I can breathe. It’s that much a part of who I am. I have no idea where it comes from but I truly have a need to illustrate and will continue to illustrate for the rest of my life whether or not I
ever make a penny. You know its right when money doesn’t matter. I do it because I love it, because I have to. It’s that simple.
How do you stay inspired?
I honestly find that the more I draw and paint, the more the ideas and inspiration flow and the less I have to “search out” ideas. I think the mere act of creating brings about a whole slew of ideas and once you start they just keep coming, at least that’s howvit is for me. Now that’s the art part. But of course staying inspired in an industry that is not necessarily the easiest to break into, that’s another story. For me I live by one rule – absolutely no
regrets. This means if my heart desires something, if my gut is telling me to move forward, then I go after it no matter what because the thought of leaving this
planet having never tried something I wanted to do and wondering “what if” is far worse than trying my butt off and not succeeding. That alone keeps me going. No matter what happens, I’ll know I gave it my all, 100%.
Tell us about your workspace. Do you have a studio?
I do, I do! It’s sort of our office/studio but I have a nice chunk carved out for me and I love it! My studio area consists of my craft table (which I use instead of a drafting table because it has 6 small drawers that I keep my paints in – very handy!), a cork board above my desk for current storyboards or whatever I’m working on, a few pieces of inspiration
(like a photo of one of my favorite places, some of my favorite artwork, etc) and a really cool storage box that my wonderful husband recently built for me to keep all of my papers and boards inside with a top so that my kitty can sleep next to me while I work
(instead of ON my work which is what he used to try to do!). Next to my desk area I have more storage, drawers and shelves, for books and supplies and of course my stereo sits on top (gotta have music!). It’s just perfect.
How do you work?
I typically start in my one of many sketch books with several very loose sketches. Sometimes they’re so loose no one would ever know what there are but me!
But this helps me get a feel for the overall composition of the piece I’m about to work on. (Wanna know a secret? Sometimes when I start my initial sketches I actually close my eyes! For me, it helps me truly draw what I see in my head, allowing me to
concentrate on the overall feel and gets me away from worrying about every single line on the paper. You’d be surprised how well this works and quite often I use
these “blind sketches” as a starting point!) Once I have my layout in thumbnail form, I move on to some more detailed sketches of characters and what not and
then eventually put it all together. Point being – lots and lots of sketches! Once I have everything the way I want it, I enlarge it on a copy machine (since generally my sketches are much smaller than the final piece I’m going for) and then trace this image onto my
nice watercolor paper using my light table. Next, I erase my pencil lines so that they are soooo faint that I can just make them out but won’t see them once
the image is painted. Then using purple painters tape (I find purple does the least damage to the paper, good stuff!) I attach the paper to a piece of wooden
board I use and finally begin painting with the board on my desk easel. All of my paintings are done in oil (although I used to be a colored pencil girl but I
find that the oils reproduce much better) and quite a bit of paint thinner. Generally it takes me about a week to complete a typical painting. No computer art here. People who can do it well I have the utmost respect for but I have no clue how to paint on the
computer. My brushes and I have a very close and personal relationship and I LOVE the feeling of placing each stroke onto the canvas, couldn’t trade it
for the world!
Do you make school visits? What do you feel is the
benefit?
I have not yet made school visits but I do hope to begin once my book comes out. I will be speaking to a third grade class in just a few weeks, however, about being an illustrator and will be showing off some pieces from my book. I am an art teacher so I’m used
to being in the classroom, but I think it will be interesting to see how children react to MY stuff!
What are you working on now?
Just finishing up the last few paintings for my book. (woo hoo!). My next immediate goal is to hopefully find an artist agent.
What advice would you give to those hoping to write
and illustrate children's books?
If you think you’ve got what it takes, don’t ever ever give up! I’ve heard it can take anywhere from 6 to 8 years or more to break into this industry so you’ve got to love what you do, be willing to work hard, have patience, but above all don’t give up! I also think
joining children’s book organizations, attending conferences, and making connections in person and on-line all help a bunch. Be willing to put yourself and your work out there, do the research necessary to put your best foot forward, and go for it! One of my favorite quotes is actually by another wonderful illustrator, Mary Engelbreit, who said, “The golden
opportunity you are seeking is in yourself.” You are the only one who can make it happen, so get out there and let your dreams shine!
