As a first grade teacher, then a travel agent I always used my art either as visual aids for the students or as advertising, window decoration and design or murals for the travel industry. When I left the travel industry and moved to New England I joined several associations in order to seriously pursue my dream of illustrating Children’s Books. Joining the Society for Children’s Book Writer’s and Illustrators has proved to be the first most important step I have taken. Being a member of any group of professionals gives an illustrator access to numerous points of view, great advice from those who have succeeded and the opportunity to meet with editors, agents, and artists at national and regional conferences.
Do you do research for your projects or illustrations? or
How much research is needed for one of your illustrations?
This is probably the same question in two parts. I do research quite carefully for the images I need to create. In some cases the research is as simple as going to the source for an image as in painting a tree, rock, sheep, cow, dog. I go to the zoo for animal studies, and had to spend a great deal of time in the Museum of Natural History for some of my illustrations. In other cases I haven’t been able to actually “go to the source” in order to make illustrations of the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben. Research for those kinds of things might require studying a number of photos from different angles, looking at videos and then creating a number of sketches and finally finding the right fit for the illustration.
Have you been published anywhere?
My very first publishing adventure is the online story I created for children.
The Adventures of Winston the Wonderhound was on the internet at
www.wonderhound.com for over 10 years. It was a digital story mostly drawn with a computer mouse. I later managed to get a Wacom Tablet for my digital pursuits.
After a long run I took the Winston site down but continue to update his adventures on a Blog designed to carry his story in pictures and words at: www.winston-wonderhound.blogspot.com. Other online stories have been illustrated for the Peace Kidz website at www.peacekidz.com.
Books that I have illustrated are available now on Amazon.com and you can see a full list of books and where to buy them on my Bookpage.
Did you go to Art School?
Not exactly. I graduated from Rutgers, the State University with a degree in Fine Art and Education. I was certified to teach Art in grades K-12. After my Air Force husband was stationed in South Carolina, I took more courses in order to qualify as a full time elementary school teacher. Since there were no ART classes, I simply created my own art program for the children with whom I was working. We later moved to New Jesery where I continued to teach First Grade and Art.
What motivates you?
It’s funny.... almost everything. As an artist I can’t walk by a tree, a house, a barn, a child, an animal or a crack in the sidewalk without thinking of an image I want to draw. If we could slide an extra 19 hours into any day and maybe one more day into a weekend, I would still not have enough time to draw, paint, or write about the things that fill me up.
How do you stay inspired?
I read , I draw and I take time each week to look at lots of illustrations by others, go to museums, and communicate with other illustrators in my field. I listen to all kinds of music. I spend time outdoors even on rainy days. And I count on my illustrator buddies to pick me up when I am down, and am ready to do the same for them.
Tell us about your workspace. Do you have a studio?
My workspace seems to have evolved from an all over the house (four levels) to merely one smaller studio / office. Moving my drawing table into the room with my computer is a big improvement and I have almost everything I need in this area. For larger projects or the more traditional work, I still have a significantly larger area one level below the studio where I can spread out canvas, papers, paints and clay.
How do you work?
My work begins by getting all the information I need from a manuscript or assignment that I need in order to visualize what the illustration should contain. Then there are the sketches to be made. Character sketches need to be made in order to keep the characters consistent from page to page, and backgrounds have to be designed if they are needed. After the sketches, I might go ahead and paint some of them in watercolors to get an idea of the total composition. The next step is to scan of photograph the sketches or paintings before getting them into the computer. I work on an iMac with Photoshop and Painter X. Even though the work is digital it still requires a great deal of skill and knowledge to create a beautiful piece of art. Before all the work is finished I will prepare a "DUMMY" book to send to the publisher for review. Based on the editor's recommendations I will make any changes before finishing the paintings. When it is all approved I finish the paintings, make a DVD copy for myself and the publisher and send that off to be printed. Sometimes there will be additional changes to be made. This process, although faster than the traditional media, still takes time. It can be anywhere from 6 months to a year before the final book is printed and available.
Do you make school visits? What do you feel is the benefit?
I do make school, church, and group visits whenever I am asked. There is as much benefit in it for me as there is for the group I am talking to. The feedback one can get from a visit is so important to an artist, and it sometimes can lead to new ideas or new ways to approach an assignment. I love to take a group through the whole process of creating the illustrations for a picture book. Children are especially interested when I also draw some of the characters for them.
What are you working on now?
What I am working on now is my seventh picture book. It is a book of African Bedtime Rhymes that features some animals that are a bit out of the ordinary. At least when you picture the usual African animals, these are quite a bit different. In between picture book assignments I often receive Educational assignments for various levels of readers or instructional materials. ( I draw every day even when I don't have any assignments.)
Another project is a story I have written and illustrated about a baby elephant who becomes an unintentional hero. The story has been revised a number of times, and is now on it’s way out to a prospective publisher. My summers are often spent helping to create sets and backdrops for our local children's Theater Camp.
What is something about you that kids might like to know?
I actually keep a magic wand on my desk. My niece made it for me. AND I have a dragon in my basement. "Scumme" was part of the scenery I made for the children's theater camp here in town. He was the dragon that terrorized a small imaginary village in the play 'A Dragon Tale.' You just never know when you might need either of these items!
Kids would love our dog, Henry. He is a rescued Beagle and he is adorable, friendly and loves children.
What advice would you give to those hoping to write and illustrate children's books?
Be Excellent. Take a Chance. Never Give Up.
A more realistic answer is to read as many good books and picture books as possible, and notice design, placement of text, color and composition. Also join a critique group if possible either online or in a person to person group. Attend conferences for children’s book illustrators, and join the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. If you have the opportunity, take classes that will enrich your illustration experience. Keep working at what you love in the style that you love and are comfortable with. Exercise discipline in your work; finish what you start. Draw every day!
And here are Four really good practical tips:
Create a website that showcases your work.
Join an online portfolio site in addition to your own website.
Start an llustration blog or daily journal to keep your work out there and keep the constructive comments coming back to you.
Join a good critique group of your peers and insist that they be brutally honest. *:)
