Posts tagged Interview
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Posts tagged Interview
Chris Sickels, the creative force behind Red Nose Studio, creates an eccentric world we’d all like to visit. Red Nose Studio’s illustrations appear in advertising, magazines, books, newspapers, packaging, character development and animation. His work has been honored by virtually every award institution or annual and has been featured in HOW, Print, Creativity, Communication Arts and 3×3 Magazine. He has twice been honored with the Carol Anthony Grand Prize award from the Society of Illustrators 3-D Salon. Two of his short films, The Red Thread Project and Innards, were selected to screen at the 2005 and 2006 Los Angeles International Short Film Festival. He authored and illustrated The Look Book, and has illustrated the children’s book Here Comes The Garbage Barge released in February 2010.
BFA in Communication Arts with an emphasis in Illustration from The Art Academy of Cincinnati (Ohio) class of 1996
Selected Clients
Speaking Engagements
Top 5 Influences/Inspiration
Top 5 favorite things in life
Top 5 bands/singers
What are your top 3 favorite web sites?
I dont really have specific websites that I hang out on… but my three most recent books are
Please describe a typical day?
Well, right now you have to set that question up with sleep deprived nights with our newborn son.
Mornings start off with getting our 5 yr son, 3 yr old daughter and newborn son ready for the day while we try to keep the coffee hot.
I try to be in the studio by 8-9 am. do a few emails while my coffee gets cold. The rest of the day is sketching and building. I dont leave the studio very often unless it is for supplies or material searches. Lunch is with the family and I usually try to romp with the kids a bit before i head back out to the studio. My oldest sometimes comes out in the afternoon and works at his little table here in the studio. After lunch there is another good stretch of time for idea generation and then after 2:30 its best if the work is mostly the doing part of building things and the world gets gets quiet up here. By about 6pm its either time to help with dinner, get that last call in with Magnet Reps, or go to the gym. evenings are quite around here and when deadlines are tight i am back out in the studio for a couple hours before bed.
What is working environment like?
What is your process for coming up with new ideas?
using a thesaurus and dictionary, changing drawing materials and surfaces sometimes helps and there is a quote i have on my wall that says ‘The Best Cure For Writer’s Block Is To Lower Your Standards’ (i am not sure to whom it is credited)
Your work is a mix of art + ___________?
photography, set design, costume tailoring, sculpture, and people watching
What is something new you have noticed or learned recently?
that I need to have more faith and trust in my drawings
Can you suggest 3 artists or illustrators we should check out?
Paolo Ventura
http://www.paoloventura.com/
Frank Kunert
http://www.frank-kunert.de
Tom Haney
http://www.tomhaney.com/
Lucy Boden is a freelance illustrator living and working in Gloucestershire, England. She grew up in Cirencester, a small town in the Cotswolds, and her work has been heavily influenced by the surrounding countryside and the animals that live there. Lucy studied BA (Hons) Illustration at University College Falmouth and graduated in June 2009. Her medium of choice is gouache, which she uses to create images with a bright, clean quality to them. Her work is aimed predominantly at children, experimenting with narrative, characters and colour. Lucy’s work has a quiet sense of humour about it and she enjoys adding small details, such as snails and ladybirds, in all her images.
More about LUCY BODEN at: Profile / Website
Influences / Inspiration:
Quentin Blake, Nick Butterworth, Jane Chapman, Rebecca Dautremer, Neil Gaiman.
Best Things In Life:
Collecting children’s picture books, my 3 cats, New York, live music, Cornish beaches.
Music:
Tori Amos, Sia, Charlotte Martin, Florence + the Machine, Stevie Nicks.
Since leaving art school in 1998 Chris has peddled his wares in the fields of Animation, Illustration and Comics in London, Paris and Los Angeles. Working on such animated projects as the Gorillaz, Robotboy, the Amazing World of Gumball, the Fairly Odd Parents, Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends and Stressed Eric, enjoying roles from design, storyboarding and art directing. More recently he has been involved in creating, writing and directing new TV series for development with both Disney TV in LA and Cartoon Network Europe in London.
He has also enjoyed a fruitful career in illustration producing work for clients including BBC, M&S, Sainsburys, McCann Erickson, Oddbins, Scholastics, Nestle, BT, Vodaphone and various children’s books for Macmillan. Chris’ illustration work is currently represented by Arena Illustration in London.
More about CHRIS GARBUTT at: Profile / Spotlight / Website / RSS
TYPICAL DAY
A typical day would depend on what I’m working on.
When I was putting together my pilot/animatic for Cartoon Network earlier this year, I’d get up around 7 to 7:30am and go to the gym. Then, after coming back home, feeding the cats, cleaning up cat shit, taking a shower, cleaning up cat vomit and negotiating public transport, I’d get into work around 9:30 to 10am. I’d be greeted by a whirlwind of crap that would need taking care of and overseeing depending on what stage of production we were at. From the early stages of coming up with stories, thumb-nailing storyboards and designs, to the later stages of voice records, making notes on music, sound effects, editing and overseeing animation and clean-up. I would often get home around 12am, watch something funny on TV to clear my head, and fall asleep with my face buried in a Dragonlance book! Then it would all start again…
When I’m freelancing it’s often a lot less hectic, especially on illustration jobs. You’re predominantly working from home so you can organize your time better and not have to worry about putting on pants.
PROCESS FOR COMING UP WITH NEW IDEAS
I don’t think there’s necessarily a hard and fast process I use for coming up with new ideas. I find it can be very counter-productive to be sat at your desk trying to force out an idea, they tend to pop out when you least expect it. Sometimes doing everyday things like riding the train, taking a walk or cleaning the house can be the best places for your mind to feel free to waltz around parading new ideas in front of your lobes. I suppose it’s like daydreaming. If you can trick your mind into thinking it’s not working it often comes up with the best stuff.
But, saying that, being in a state of deadline induced panic can also kick start your brain into unexpected heights of creativeness.
One process we have used if we’ve been stuck for story ideas in the development studio is to play a game where each person writes down a word or draws a picture on a piece of paper. Then that piece of paper is passed to the next person who writes an act one based on that word or picture. Then the next person writes act two and so on. It’s not always successful but you do sometimes get a couple of gems. And it’s just a good way of getting the creative juices flowing.
MY WORK IS A MIX OF ART AND…
Fart…
WHAT IS SOMETHING NEW YOU HAVE NOTICED OR LEARNED RECENTLY?
I’ve just learned recently that Soundgarden have reformed and I’m trembling with rock-fueled excitement for news of them touring again.
TOP FIVE INSPIRATIONS
It’s difficult to break it into a top five as I tend to take inspiration from everywhere, but music, films, cartoons, books, traveling, seeing new people and places all help to inspire and freshen up the creative side of my brain.
TOP FIVE FAVOURITE THINGS IN LIFE
Again, it’s hard to whittle it down to five, there are so many. Cartoons and comics (of course), tea and biscuits, music and playing the drums, football, getting lost in a heroic fantasy novel, and the undeniable joy of a bright blue sunny sky in the morning (a rare occurrence in my life due to growing up in the north of England and currently living in London).
TOP FIVE BANDS/SINGERS
TOP 3 WEBSITES
3 ARTISTS/ILLUSTRATORS WE SHOULD CHECK OUT…
Victoria Semykina was born and grew up in Moscow where she studied painting for six years at the Art Institute under Sourikov. Victoria is fond of travelling around the world and is currently living in sunny Bologna, Italy. However, during the wintertime she misses the snow of her homeland.
During the last six years, she has been active as an illustrator. Among her most recent accomplishments are two personal exhibitions, as well as several published illustrated books. Her clients are GQ Magazine, AD, Forbes, Robb Report, Prime Russian Magazine, Kommersant, Story etc. Apart from learning printmaking at the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna, Victoria is now working on paper installations.
How did you get into illustration?
I’ve actually fallen into illustration by chance. At the Moscow Art Institute I studied painting and murals, although I had always been fond of illustration. As far as I can recall, I always wanted to sketch images and situations that appeared in my mind. In order to stimulate myself to finalize incomplete drawings I decided to keep a page on LiveJournal. My blog was only intended for personal purposes and I was surprised to discover that many people followed me. After some time I started to receive several orders thanks to this blog.
I was also fortunate to be acquainted with highly talented illustrators such as Nikolay Popov and Victor Melamed from who I’ve received valuable advice.
As we move from print to digital how do you think illustration will evolve?
Possibly illustration may develop more towards animation (where it fits properly), which means the illustrator will need to develop new skills.
What other types of jobs have you had?
In the past I’ve worked a lot with mural techniques such as mosaic, fresco, sgraffito etc.
I’ve learned a lot working with large spaces and feel comfortable working on very large surfaces. I’ve always found these projects very inspiring and stimulating.
I was also a teacher of painting and illustration for several years. This experience made me realize that one can start to draw at any age and achieve impressive results.
Do you have an art rep? Why or why not?
I’m not working with an art rep yet, but am currently considering some attractive offers which I’ve received recently.
You work in a variety of mediums, do you have a favorite?
What I love most is working with collages and other techniques using paper. I’m always experimenting and researching new and fresh ideas.
What is your favourite type of commercial project and why?
This may sound a little strange to some, but I like working on commercial projects that have a strictly defined and limited timeframe. This stimulates me to handle an assignment efficiently, allows me to come up with fresh ideas rapidly and be most productive. The faster I work, the better and more surprising the results become.
Is your work more conceptual or decorative?
I believe that my work balances equally between decorative and conceptual art.
Please describe a typical day
I try to get up around 9am, though this is often a struggle… I’m not much of a morning person.
After getting out of bed, I go through my emails and check my favourite websites which are mainly about illustration. Nearly every day I discover a new artist whose work I find original. This always makes me happy. During the rest of the morning I work on either commercial or personal projects.
In the afternoon I take a short break, often in the company of my bicycle. After dinner I continue working at home until around 9 or 10pm.
I’ve a habit of watching a movie every evening, except when I’m meeting my friends. I really love movies which are my most powerful sources of inspiration.
Around midnight I go to bed to watch my own movies. My dreams are very vivid ones, with high quality acting accompanied by excellent soundtracks. This is why I often struggle to get up early in the morning.
What is your working environment like?
I’m working in a rather small and dark studio in which I’ve fortunately managed to fit three tables.
I need a lot of surface area for my work because I’m working with many different sketches, drawings, papers, fabrics and other materials.
I truly miss my spacious and bright studio in Moscow where my friend and colleague Irina Troitskaya works now. I’m pretty sure that at this moment she’s making a new series of her matreshkas.
Who are some of your favourite illustrators and why?
I am very fortunate that I was brought up with children’s books by great Russian illustrators such as Vladimir Lebedev, Yury Vasnetsov, Lev Tokmakov and many others.
Of course, when I started to learn illustration I was influenced by creative key figures such as Ben Shan, Saul Steinberg, Ralph Steadman. As for modern Russian illustrators – I appreciate the work of my colleagues in the TZEH illustration community most. For the last couple of years I’ve been very interested in naïve and outsider art. I feel envious of the ability of these artists to broaden the repository of the traditional rules and create completely unusual and surprising artwork. My favourites include Horace Pippin, Adolf Woelfi and Alexander Lobanov. This encourages me to start the creation of my own collection of primitive art.
What is something new you have noticed or learned recently?
I have noticed that Italian carabineers look so beautiful and sophisticated that I have started to consider them as objects of art. Watching them gives me as much delight as for example admiring a high Italian renaissance painting. I assume being admired is also their main duty in Italy.
Top 5 favorite things in life
Top 5 bands/singers
Can you suggest 3 artists or illustrators we should check out?
Links
Josie was born, raised, and currently resides in Los Angeles where she works as a freelance illustration artist. She graduated Art center College of Design in 2009, where she majored in Illustration with a focus in Entertainment Arts.
What inspires you?
The things that inspire me the most are music, traveling, nature, 1950′s animation and memories.
Favorite things in life?
My favorite things in life are traveling, Italian sandwiches , playing soccer, taking my dog to the park, and of course drawing!
What type of music do you like?
My favorite music/bands are 1960′s girl groups, Edith Piaf, George Harrison, The Mamas and the Papas, and Bob Dylan.
Describe your typical day?
On a typical day I go jogging, work, and play recreational soccer. Although lately, watching the World Cup is consuming my schedule!
As a freelance artist my work environment can vary from my home office to a coffee shop, there’s usually music or NPR in the background. I love having that flexibility.
Can you please tell us about your process?
My work process usually begins with me writing out ideas, then making a few quick sketches to try to figure out my composition. I then make value and color studies before diving into the final painting.
How would you describe your work?
My work is a mix of Photoshop, ink, gouache and children’s illustration.
What is something you learned lately?
As a recent graduate and freelancer, I have learned to be more disciplined about my work ethic.
What illustration related web sites do you like?
http://grainedit.com/
http://cartoonmodern.blogsome.com/
http://animationbackgrounds.blogspot.com/
More about JOSIE PORTILLO
Illustrationmundo Profile
Website: http://www.portilloillustration.com/
Blog: http://josieportillo.blogspot.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/josieportillo/
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/josieportillo
New and upcoming three-dimensional illustrator, Kira Shaimanova, is a recent graduate of OCAD University. She discovered her unique sculptural style after taking a month long doll making class. Shaimanova has since continued creating more whimsical characters and eventually added sets and photographed them to make each piece come together. Shaimanova is optimistic about her future prospects and hopes to one day work for a big publication, such as the New York Times or Rolling Stone, as well try creating a stop-motion film with her characters.
More about KIRA SHAIMANOVA at: Profile / Interview
Top 5 Influences/Inspiration:
Tim Burton, Mark Ryden, Red Nose Studio, Liz Lomax and my loving cat Marsha.
Top 5 favorite things in life:
Bangs and braids in my hair, dessert (ie. waffle and ice cream), pets, traveling the world and LOVE (yes I’m a romantic).
Top 5 bands/singers:
Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Human Highway, Pheonix and Chester French
What are your top 3 favorite web sites?
Facebook.com (I’m an addict I’ll admit to it), PerezHilton.com (need my daily dose of gossip) and Behance.net (so many great artists all over the world).
Please describe a typical day?
If I don’t have a piece already started I’ll do some sketches or go to Chapters/ Indigo for inspiration, look through some magazines and catch up with what’s going on in the world today. On a usual day if I’m creating a personal portfolio piece with no deadline, I’m a slow worker, I want everything precise and perfect.
What is working environment like?
I have a tiny crammed room that used to be just a computer room, but over time I took over and made it my mini studio. I have a computer, printer, some music, reference books, a drafting table and all my creating supplies packed in this room.
What is your process for coming up with new ideas?
I like to be around creative people a lot, it gets me inspired by simply seeing the great projects they’re coming up with. I usually run my sketches by my friends and see if they get the reaction I was looking for, if they do, that’s the sketch I go for. I always want to be in love with my concept before I begin, I have to be really excited about it and visualize it in my mind. I usually get a massive drive to recreate what I see in my head and make it come to life. I also collect a lot of fashion photography photos, new and old, to get inspired by colors and lighting.
Your work is a mix of art + ___________?
My work is a mix of art + painting, sculpture, assemblage, photography, lighting and craftsmanship.
What is something new you have noticed or learned recently?
I have recently learned a new way creating my characters bodies. I realized that by using wire and stuffing the character with cotton instead of sculpting the entire body, the character is more mobile and flexible. This allows me to move the character’s body to adapt to the set for the perfect shot.
Can you suggest 3 artists or illustrators we should check out?
More info about Kira Shaimanova
Nikko Barber has been described as having “his own niche of rich, earthy tones and folk art characteristics”. He’s happy with that description. After completing a degree in Illustration, Nikko spent several years travelling around Europe, living in various squats, abandoned villages, vans, and an allotment shed.
Yearning to get back in the studio, he has recently settled down to focus on illustrating. The last two years have seen him transition from using traditional mixed media techniques to producing predominantly digitally rendered work. However, the digital tablet has failed to usurp his relationship with the sketchbook, and he maintains a passionate, if somewhat erratic affair, with his 2B pencil.
Please describe a typical day?
Cup of tea while reading the news, then down to work, either on paper or straight onto the computer with my tablet. More tea and procrastination. Perhaps an hour or two contacting publishers and other potential clients, or maybe a trip to the post office to send out some promotional postcards. Update my website/facebook/print site. At some point in the afternoon I will start to question my decision to work as a freelance illustrator. Then I remember all the terrible jobs I’ve done in my life and that makes me feel better about what I’m doing now. I’m not good at working in the evening so I go to do some Thai Boxing or go to meet friends for a beer.
What is your working environment like?
I work at home on a big, self-made L-shaped desk with the usual stuff; scanner, computer, sketchpad, tablet. In front of me, a lovely, big window.
I think most people reading this will be familiar with the perils of working at home. One day I hope to find a nice shared studio with an internet connection!
How did you get into illustration?
After a shaky introduction during my Foundation course, I later rediscovered illustration while taking time out from education. Inspired by the novels of Mervyn Peake, I started to draw the characters from his Gormenghast series. I went on to do a degree in Illustration, and I absolutely loved it. I still miss working in a big, bright studio with my contemporaries, and the tutors on hand to advise you.
Who / What are some of your influences and inspirations?
Firstly all the fantastic kids books my Dad read to me every night- “Angry Arthur”, “Where the Wild Things Are”, “Burglar Bill” to name but a few.
The artists Alistair Skinner and Katharine Meynell encouraged and guided me at a critical time, and my University tutors were also fantastic.
The illustrator Ben Newman, a friend and contemporary of mine, is always a source of inspiration.
What is your favourite type of commercial project and why?
One that triggers a visual response that you never knew you could have come up with. Commercial briefs are often really dull, but I relish the challenge to create a visually engaging illustration for an article/idea that may be fairly uninteresting.
Have you initiated your own illustration projects? How does this compare (pros/cons) to clients commissioning you to do work?
I always prefer external briefs, as they are usually something that you never would have considered working on before, therefore the outcome is often fresh and pleasantly surprising- that’s how you move forward with your work.
Right now I’m collaborating with a writer on a children’s book project. I had been trying for so long to come up with a story/idea myself, but after a while I found they became tired and uninteresting. When you collaborate, you bounce ideas off each other, the idea/story evolves and you have an external critic on hand who understands the project.
What is something new you have noticed or learned recently?
Well I’m incredibly excited about all the social uprisings that are erupting all over North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
I’m from the UK, and I have to admit I was particularly (pleasantly) surprised by the reaction of the students and other people in the UK to recent measures being introduced by the Conservative government. Public service cutbacks and increased university fees have been met with occupations, riots, and walk-outs -all very exciting!
Top 5 favourite things in life
Top 5 bands/singers
Can you suggest 3 artists or illustrators we should check out?
Related Links
Christopher Corr was born and grew up in in Camden Town, London. He studied graphics in Manchester and illustration at the Royal College in London for a total of 7 years. This was followed by a period of travel and painting across the globe.
He has made stamps for The Royal Mail in London and the UN in NYC, made books and cards for Unicef in Geneva, painted for Qantas in Sydney and made a poster for London Transport. He illustrated a book for Saks for called ‘Cashmere If You Can’.
Currently he is illustrating some children’s books for Yeowon Media in Korea and for Katha in New Delhi. He likes travelling and painting most of all. There is so much to see and draw in the World.
India has had a huge influence on his work. It’s where he discovered colour. New York City is a great city where he has had many exuberant surprises. It’s perfect for artists. France is a beautiful country where he escapes to and has lots of adventures and eats well. He admires Architecture and thinks it is a wonderful art form to admire and enjoy.
More about CHRISTOPHER CORR at: Profile / Spotlight / Website
Top 5 things:
Top 5 music:
Becca Stadtlander was born and raised in the lovely state of Kentucky. She currently lives above an ice cream shop where she delights in her work as a freelance illustrator. She attended the Maryland Institute College of Art and graduated with a BFA in Illustration. Some of her clients include O- The Oprah Magazine, Little Otsu, Yeti, Brown Publishing, AnnaLemma Magazine, Cloudberry Records, Ladies Home Journal, Family Circle, Die Weltwoche Magazine, and The Oxford American with features on Book By It’s Cover, Design Sponge, and Blanket Magazine. Selected awards include the upcoming 3×3 No. 8 Illustration Annual, Society of Illustrators 52 Annual, and Society of Illustrators Zankel Finalist.
How did you get into illustration?
My interest in art making has existed since early childhood. I was always drawing or coming up with creative little projects. The illustrated books I read at that age were encouraging, but I had no real understanding of illustration until I was applying to art schools. It was an easy choice, once I realized I wanted a career in the arts. When I began my training at school, I pursued it with a full heart. I specifically remember falling in love with the idea of being an illustrator after seeing an exhibit of Henry Darger’s work at the Andy Warhol Museum. He’s not really considered an illustrator, but his compulsive and secretive passion to create images for his volumes is captivating.
Your landscape paintings are beautiful. What do you like about painting landscapes / environments?
I like the challenge of creating a feeling on paper. Whether it be the particular season, weather, or wallpaper, every environment has an unexplainable identity/essence all it’s own. My goal is to capture that. I love using pattern and I have a complete obsession with color harmonies, so landscapes are the most fun I can have painting.
Is your work more conceptual or decorative?
A little of both. The decorative quality comes from the subject matter and the way I paint it, but conceptually, there is always something I’m thinking of. Beauty is my intention with every piece I make (if that can be considered a concept -which I think it can). When I make an illustration that accompanies a text, I want it to properly convey the idea. The rewarding part is producing something that’s interesting and poetic without the text for support.
Your work seems to have some folk art influences. Are you a fan of folk art?
Oh yes, I’m completely passionate about folk art- it’s my entire aesthetic in a nut shell. My antique-loving parents brought me up to appreciate the charm in imperfection so it’s no surprise that its honesty and flaws inspire me the most. I’m enamored with the work of Grandma Moses and think of her paintings as old friends.
Do you have an art rep? Why or why not?
I don’t have a rep right now, but I would be happy to have one. I never want to stop growing and developing, but I’m approaching a point of being comfortable enough with my work to have one. It’s definitely something I would like for my career.
Please describe a typical day
I get up in the morning, make coffee, and sit down at my desk to check my mail and take care of Etsy orders. I usually have either commissioned or personal work, so I end up painting all day into the evening. If I need a break, I have a snack and some tea, read my favorite blogs and occasionally go for a walk around the neighborhood. Sometimes I work really late into the night and do errands during the day. It just depends on how I feel. The freedom to make my own schedule is almost too good to be true. I listen to music, podcasts, and books on tape while I work, and sometimes a show or movie if it’s not too distracting.
What is your working environment like?
My studio is at home, situated in a cheerful corner of my apartment with three large windows. I try to keep things pretty organized, but by the end of the day I still end up with paint all over my hands and post-its everywhere. There is an old wooden farm table I use for a desk with drawers and compartments on top for all my materials and trinkets. Flat file drawers hold my papers, records and originals, and my books are kept at arm’s reach in a doily printed shelf from ikea. My desk chair is starting to pull up the finish on the floor, and my cup of coffee is often confused with the jar of paint water.
Tell us about your experience at Maryland Institute College of Art?
It was wonderful . To be surrounded by that much talent and creativity all the time was a luxury I wish I still had. The illustration program was challenging but left me excited and prepared to start a career. The friendships I made with other artists and illustrators made my constant stress worthwhile. I’ll always think of my years there fondly.
Who are some of your favorite artists and why?
Edward Gorey,Grandma Moses, Van Gogh, Taiji Harada, Carson Ellis, Esther Pearl Watson, Maxwell Loren Holyoke Hirsch, and Lilli Care are a few, but there are so many more. I could write pages about them individually. The feeling I get when I see artwork I love is almost overwhelming.
What is something new you have noticed or learned recently?
I finally realized that no matter how many times I write out a list or how often I look at it, I can never do every thing on it in one day.
Top 5 favorite things in life
Top 5 bands/singers
Can you suggest 3 artists or illustrators we should check out?
Tor Freeman has been illustrating children’s books since graduating university in 1999. She was born in London but lived for five years in California as a child, and has spent time in her mother’s home country of South Africa.
Her books have been published by Macmillan, Brubaker, Ford & Friends and Walker Books among others. She has also taught on an illustration degree, was a school art teacher for ages 5-16 and was a medical secretary for five years.
Please describe a typical day?
My alarm goes at 7.30am and I aim to be in my studio by 9.30, and I’m generally around until 6 or 7ish. I like to have a working day and then relax in the evenings, and find I work better with a schedule.
What is your working environment like?
I have a desk in a shared studio with around 7 others which is part of a massive building under a motorway flyover, and I love it there. I worked at home for many years and remember days when my only conversation was ”can I buy some milk please?” so I really enjoy having other people working around me.
How did you get into illustration?
As all illustrators say, I was always drawing as far back as I remember. At one stage I had my eye on becoming a cartoonist, and Bill Watterson was a huge influence on me. But when I realised that children’s book illustration was an option at degree level, that really called me, and I’ve been doing it ever since.
What do you think is unique about the children’s illustration market?
I think what’s unusual about it is that your target audience is not who actually buys the product. You rely very much on the adult to translate the book to the child. This is why some books have a wry eye on the adult – while I don’t always like this knowing tone, I do think it’s nice if your book isn’t going to bore the adult to death at (hopefully) 50th reading.
What are some of your favorite children’s books and why?
When I was growing up I was mad about Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen, by Maurice Sendak, because they were weird and beautiful. I think my two favourites in the world now are Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, by William Steig, and Horton Hatches the Egg, by Dr Seuss. Both of them are perfect, touching stories. And, although not so much evidenced in these books, both author/illustrators are so funny. William Steig’s adult drawings are hilarious, his work for the New Yorker is really worth
looking out.
Why are animals often used in children’s illustrations?
I use them because I think there is license to be funnier and more extreme with animals. They can be proxies for children, child-like characters, but can do things that children in the real world can’t do. You understand that they are innocents, but you can put them in more extreme situations without risking negative comparisons to real life. Having said that, I absolutely have had to add seatbelts to pigs, and stop a crocodile touching a cake for hygiene reasons.
Do you have an art rep? Why or why not?
I don’t. Party it’s a money reason as they take about 30% in the UK. Partly I like representing myself – perhaps if the blissful day dawned when I had too much work to handle I’d take on an agent, until then I like there being no intermediary between me and any clients.
Who are some of your favorite illustrators and why?
As I mentioned, I absolutely love William Steig, because his characters are lovable, and because he’s SO funny. There are so many others, including Maurice Sendak, Saul Steinberg, Arthur Rackham, Tomi Ungerer, Jose Aruego, Rosemary Wells, Ronald Searle, and more recently there’s a Belgian illustrator I came across called Kitty Crowther whose work is very unique. I love that because of the internet, contemporary illustration from all over the world is so available to see.
Who / What are some of your influences and inspirations?
Through my 20s I listened to a LOT of Paul Simon and Bruce Springsteen, and found them very inspiring – I still do. And being by a river, preferably ones with lots of reeds and plant life, or by the sea, rarely fails to get me thinking.
What is something new you have noticed or learned recently?
I used to be a computer keeno when I was younger – my family had one of the early Macs when we lived in California, and I spent quite a lot of time on it in my teens. Somehow I forgot about computers until quite recently, but I’ve now learned some HTML and CSS, enough to do my website (wonkily) and I’m learning more about Photoshop all the time. I LOVE using computers. Also, that life is NOT like John Hughes movies, something I wish I’d figured out a bit earlier.
Top 5 favorite things in life
Top 5 bands/singers
Can you suggest 3 artists or illustrators we should check out?
Links
