Just a real strong determination and lots or work finding out how to get started.
Do you do research for your projects or illustrations? or
How much research is needed for one of your illustrations?
All of my books so far have required hours and hours of research. It is important to me no matter how cartoony my work is to accurately portray the animal or object I am drawing.
Have you been published anywhere?
Yes I had a board book Counting Little Geckos published by the RGU Group in June of 2005. I have a picture book titled "If You Were A Parrot," published by Sylvan Dell Publishing coming out in August 2006. And I am currently working on another picture book "Burros Tortillas" also published by Sylvan Dell Publishing coming out in August of 2007.
I also have done miscellaneous educational illustrations.
What motivates you to illustrate?
As a child I loved picture books. I was sad when I grew older and pictures where no longer a part of the books I was reading. I have always loved to draw and color and can't imagine not drawing or painting everyday. I would feel lost without it.
I love little children I find them such a gift and a joy. They are so pure and uninhibited. I find having conversation with them enlightening and a wonderful experience. I will be volunteering at the local grammar school in my neighborhood this fall. I am very excited about that prospect. The combination of the three has made me realize that illustrating for children is a perfect venue for me.
How do you stay inspired?
Staying inspired can sometimes be hard. Although illustrating is creative and fun, there are tight deadlines and long late hours and that can always add stress.
I stay inspired by reading picture books, being connected to other illustrators in the business, and knowing that no matter what, I would be drawing even if I weren't getting paid. . .so why not get paid. My love of drawing and kids makes a great combination.
Tell us about your workspace. Do you have a studio?
Yes I am very fortunate to have a studio. It is in a room the front of my home. It has a sliding glass door which views a courtyard where there are two potted trees and lots of potted flowers and birds.
In my studio I have a small couch where visitors can sit and talk with me. Sometimes my husband and daughter read or take naps on the couch too. I also have a large dog bed in my studio where my two dogs, Billy and Luke sleep off and on all day. I love my dogs very much.
I have some book shelves where I have several hundred picture books written and illustrated by other inspiring authors and illustrators. I have a drafting table where I sketch all my work with paper and pencil. Right in front of the drafting table is a large wooden workstation where I have my computer. Since I paint all my work digitally on the computer that is an important part of my studio. I am a collecter of toys and so I have lots of toys all over my studio. I even have two large puppets. Actually one is a ventriloquists dummy, which was my brother Bills, and the other is a stuffed red macaw puppet my friend Amy gave me which I will be taking on my school visits this fall.
How do you work?
It depends on whether it is a single illustration or a book.
Both require a lot of thought and reserach before I draw.
I usually start each illustration whether a book or not, by doing many fast and simple sketches till I get what I feel looks good. After I get what I feel will make a good illustration I start drawing more and more detail till I get the finished illustration.
In my studio I have one wall that has 6 cork-boards end to end that stretch the length of the whole wall. When I illustrate a book I line all the illustrations up on the cork board and look at them all as if they were one biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig illustration.
When I get the drawing/skteching part of the project finished, I scan the sketches into my computer and I send the sketches off to my client, (the person I am working for.) Most of the time I post the sketches in a secret part of my website known only to the client. That way they can see them on their computer. But I can e-mail them the sketches or send them by regular mail too.
Once the client sees the sketches they tell me if they want any changes to the sketches. I make those changes and then I start to paint. I use a program called Photoshop to paint. I LOVE PHOTOSHOP!!!
Photoshop doesn't do the painting for me. I lovingly paint each and every pixel with my pen and Wacom tablet.
Do you make school visits? What do you feel is the benefit?
I haven't yet, but will start this fall. I am actually very excited about school visits. I have never been much of a public speaker, but I think my love for kids and my desire to share is going to make me a pretty fun speaker.
What is something about you that you think kids would find interesting?
That each and every time I sit down to draw I am afraid I won't be able to draw or will have lost the ability to draw. That is why I have lots of my illustrations around me. To remind me that I can and have drawn and painted thousands of illustrations.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a picture book for Burros Tortillas for Sylvan Dell Publishing. I am waiting to hear back about two other wonderful jobs.
What advice would you give to those hoping to write and illustrate children's books?
Oh Gosh I guess to just draw draw draw. I can't stress that enough. You need to become addicted to drawing in order to really survive. You need to have such a strong desire to draw that you eat, breathe and sleep thinking about drawing.
Get lots of critiques on your artwork and truly listen to what those people are telling you. Don't take the advice as personal or negative, but as a gift to help you better your art and yourself.
Study lots of picture books. . .and I do mean study. Take lots of hours just to looking at the words and picture and how they relate.
Don't' every loose faith that you can do this. . .no matter what any one says. . .
