Author/Illustrator Interview: AJ Smith and Even Monsters

I'm really excited to share this interview with author/illustrator AJ Smith. His picture book, Even Monsters, came out earlier this month and it chock-full of monsters, cooties, and a silliness that kids and grownups alike will really love. So let's get right into the wit and wisdom, shall we?

G: I love the rich, layered look to your art for Even Monsters. What is your process like?

A: My process involves a hodge-podge of mixed media: pencil, ballpoint pen, sometimes technical pens or brush pens, acrylic paint, cut paper, a shoddy laptop (donations welcome!), lots of caffeine, with a dab of old school Crayola crayons! I work different depending on the client but the common denominator is always rough pencil sketches on 8.5 x 11" copy paper.

G: What came first for you with Even Monsters: the words or the visuals?

A: Mostly the words came first for Even Monsters (way back in 2006). As I revised it, I began to ping pong ideas back and forth: a written idea would become a sketch and then that would ignite some new writing brainstorms and 'round and 'round we go...

G: Could you share one sparkling nugget of advice for aspiring author/illustrators?

A: First, have a sound foundation in drawing and/or in writing. Practice often and always. If you want to write and illustrate picture books,you should be reading picture books! Beyond that, I think you have to bring something new to the table. Have a unique voice, unique style. Be yourself. Be different. Do the art you want to do. You will meet rejection at every stage of the game (I'm always surprised to hear how much Jane Yolen is STILL rejected) so be doing the art you want to be making, not what you think publishers/editors want to see.

G: You are one busy guy - speaking at events, creating fun videos, and throwing awesome monster book parties. What has been the best part of promoting Even Monsters so far?

A: To me promotion is something an author/illustrator HAS to do. It's part of the job. And that is not always something that's easy to grasp. The tricky part is that you don't get paid to promote your book. In fact, it's been quite the opposite in my empty-pocketed experience. That said there is a reason I do it: To help the book do well (I'm terrified and convinced that this cannot happen on its own unless you are already a bestselling author/illustrator) and to network: meet new people -- educators, librarians, parents, KIDS. Promotion is not just promoting your book. It's promoting and fostering literacy. And if that didn't answer your question, I'd say making videos where I dress up like this has been the best part:

G: What's your next project? And does it involve having the readers spot cooties? (I do love the cooties! They are little orange puffs with silly eyes. Can you spot 3 in the illustration below?)

A: My next book is Even Dinosaurs, which comes out in 2015. There might be cooties. If there are, they'll be Cave Cooties. Still toying with that idea, but I really like the idea of adding an "Easter Egg" element to the book that kids can hunt for on a second read of a book. I hope kids really like them... Really like them or say "eww, gross -- cooties!" Either would be perfect really.

*FYI: My kids LOVE finding the cooties. Like it's their job. And everyone at the book launch loved the way AJ kept 'finding' cooties.

Many thanks to AJ for his thoughtful answers and insight. Be sure to visit www.evenmonsters.com to see where you can buy his book, see more silly videos, learn how to draw Skeebu and Glubb, have your kids enter in his Monster Art Contest, and even design your own silly underpants. I know what my kids will be doing after breakfast!

Sneak Peek: Even Monsters book trailer

Tomorrow I will be posting a fun interview with my super talented friend, AJ Smith. We'll be talking about his new picture book, Even Monsters, available now! Until then, enjoy his awesome book trailer!

I was way lucky enough to go to his official book launch a few weeks ago - check out my mug in his oversize monster board! (The things mommies do to get our kids to do something silly too!) I was blown away with all the layers of fun he built into the book launch. He has tons of events in the New England area, be sure to visit www.evenmonsters.com for more info and fun for the kids.
Check back tomorrow for the interview!!!

Narelle Oliver - Children's Author & Illustrator

1-2-3 Va Va Vroom Illustrator Interview: Daniel Griffo

A few years ago I was lucky to connect with author Sarah Lynn. Through her, I interviewed Valeria Docampo, illustrator of Sarah's lovely picture book, Tip Tap Pop. Sarah's latest book is available now, on Amazon. 1-2-3 Va Va Vroom is a counting book for your littlest speedsters.

Below is my interview with the book's illustrator, Daniel Griffo.Thank you, Daniel!

Q. The finished art for Va-Va-Vroom is digital and clearly you have great command of that medium. Is your process digital from start to finish, or do you still use pencil and paper?

A. Sometimes deadlines are too close, therefore, I sketch my work straight on the computer screen, which translates into an important saving of time. However, even if the final stage of all my works is digital, I still enjoy paper sketching  of preliminary ideas. When sketching, I like doing a lot of doodling on paper  and  experiencing many textures, which I later scan and apply in  the final digital version. In the case of Va-Va-Vroom I had enough time to sketch on paper, which I really enjoyed.

Q. Were there any particular challenges in illustrating this book?

A. The major challenge of this book was the story background. Being a topic so much appreciated  by children, it took me some time to study the environment and try to recreate the images. I made use of a variety of car models which matched  the personality of every child of the story. I haven’t chosen particularly racing cars. Based on the imagination perspective and personal taste of children, I imagined that each car needed to show something personal. I decided  that animal patterns on cars and helmets could  be a good idea. My 4-year-old son, Benjamín, showed real enthusiasm for the design. 

Q. Never mind the drawing challenge with all those cool cars with fancy rims: you have several really BIG scenes in this book (stadiums, crowds, wide views of fencing, roadways, etc). How do you tackle such complex scenes?

 A. It’s true, when I first started sketching the book I noticed  the big scenes and the amount of details I had to face. Recreating them filled me with enthusiasm; yet, the most complex to solve were the shots. My aim was to use every illustration as a means to capture the little reader with a new vision. Images contain the framework and scene from different angles. My goal is to generate expectations and movement through images; something good fun and different to encourage kids to go further into the story. I didn’t want to bore them with similar settings from the artistic  point of view.

Q. I think my favorite illustration might be the last page - I love that you brought them back to their 'real' world, but kept their cars and racing outfits - it lets the kids wonder if it was all real or not. Do you have a favorite spread in the book?

A. As an artist I’m in love with all my images.  I  like each of them for special reasons –  either the framework or some peculiarity. I absolutely agree with you, I believe that the unexpected  ending for the reader -the doubt: “was it all real or not?”- makes the last illustration one of my favorites.

You can visit Sarah Lynn's website here. You can visit Daniel Griffo's website and blog here. Be sure to check in later today for the winner of the Owlkids' book Learn to Speak Fashion! 
****Congratulations Nina Crittenden!!!!******
DM @ginamarieperry on Twitter your address so I can send your book out!

Babybug Blog- Cover Artist Interview

Here is an interest post from the Babybug Blog. I love it when they interview their artists and we get to see a bit of their process.

Click here to read their latest interview with Rosalinde Bonnet.

Oliver Jeffers

From Stuck by Oliver Jeffers

© Oliver Jeffers

I thought I would share with you

 this wonderful interview with Oliver Jeffers I came across on The Telegraph today.

I love Oliver. :o)

Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton

A very interesting video interview with Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. If you want to continue watching the other videos in this series, click here

Zero2illo- illoZINE- December Issue

The illoZine December issue is out! Features great content for anyone interested in the Children's Book Illustration field.

An interview with me is featured in this month's issue as well as other great interviews with the very talented artists Carin Berger, Kat Chapman and Jeremy Kool. If you'd like to learn how you can purchase your copy of the digital Zine, click here.

Oh, and while you are there take the opportunity to look around the Zero2illo site, a fantastic resource for illustrators.

Peter Carnavas

Peter by Christine from ABC Open Sunshine Coast on Vimeo.

I just loved this.

Visit Peter's website to learn more about him and his work.

Link Love: Anne Rockwell on Got Story Countdown

There's nothing I like better about this time between Christmas and New Years than reading. Amazingly, I didn't ask for a single book this year - my mind has been utterly scattered. Rather than lose out, I went back searching for an extended interview that I didn't have time to fully enjoy when it was posted in November. I highly recommend curling up with the Got Story Countdown interviews with Anne Rockwell. Got Story Countdown did an amazing job of looking at many angles of Anne's career and interviewing not only her, but the many illustrators she has worked with. I feel like I learned something new about many different areas - reading, illustrating, the collaboration process, writing, life.

The image above is by Anne, from her own blog. The funny thing for me is that I had an Anne Rockwell illustrated book as a child, beloved by me - The Girl with a Donkey Tail. I was a voracious reader, but actually owned and remembered just a few illustrated books. Until I was learning more about children's illustration when I entered the profession, I had no idea of her long, broad, and notable career as an author/illustrator. And then until I read that interview, I had no idea that I had actually worked with her son, Oliver, at my first post-college job at an animation studio (where I met my husband as well). What a funny world of seeming coincidences, is it not?

Lane Smith and Molly Leach

Husband and wife team.
One is a book designer the other a children's book illustrator and writer.

Interesting combo don't you think? :o)

Library of the early mind- Trailer

I really want to see this!

A day with Mo

I know what you are thinking, has she gone nuts? How many videos is she posting?!

Oh... but you'll enjoy them all so much plus they are very short and one comes right after the other so I wanted you all to get the full Mo experience. :o)

Speaking of Mo Willems, after watching all these videos make sure to hop over to Kelly Light's Ripple blog because he was wonderful enough to donate some cards made by him! The cards are available today at 50$ each and all the proceedings will be donated to two charities helping the victims of the oil spill. C'mon, this is your chance to own a Mo Willems one of a kind original! How cool is that!

Now I leave you with the one and only, Mo Willems (may I just say, Mo you rock!).

Enjoy! :o)

Babybug has a blog!

Now say that three times in a row, really fast and without stopping.. ;o)

I am deep into working on a book right now so my life is completely crazy.

Dirty dishes in the sink, hungry dogs staring from under the desk, kids at school looking at their mixed up lunch boxes and an empty refrigerator except for one apple and half a bottle of diet coke. Does this happen to anyone else or is it just me?

So the truth is I really had nothing planned for today's post. But then I remembered that our lovely Gina mentioned the other day that Babybug magazine had a blog. How great right?

You can visit the Babybug's blog here. And today's post is an interview with a wonderful illustrator, John Sandford. You can read the interview here.

If you are bored, I also posted on my blog about how crazy the minds works sometimes, well at least mine does. Maybe you can relate. Click here to read my post.

Ok now back to work.

The wonderful Eric Carle

I love discovering interviews of children's illustrators and writers. I found this and thought I would share it with you.

Eric Carl is an adorable man. As I'm sure you all know, he's the illustrator behind famous titles like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear. Just listen to him speak about his collage technique and his passion for color.

Loved to hear him talk about his childhood too and how he had envisioned what being an adult would be like. I also enjoyed how Bill found a "rhythm" for the book before the actual words.

I find that I like his voice and the way he talks about books, there's a passionate yet soothing tone to it.

Hope you enjoy them. :o)

Day 4 interview- Dani Jones

Interview Day 4

Roz Fulcher:
What did you learn from this great project that has helped you on the
assignments you are currently working on?

Dani:
I was still struggling stylistically when I received Mariachi. The book was on my desk for about a year, and I learned a lot in that time period. I did quite a bit of experimenting with textures and methods. I worked a lot on character and composition. Nowadays I feel a lot more comfortable with my work, and I think this book has been pivotal in helping me get to that point.

PBJ’s: What advice would you give other illustrators interested in illustrating picture books?

Dani:
I see a lot of artists who can produce great pictures, but struggle with some of the most basic skills for picture books - fun characters, consistency, pacing, action, layout, storytelling, sense of humor, etc. If you want to get into this business, your portfolio has to show more than just one painting after another - you have to convince the editors and art directors that you have the capabilities they are looking for, which involves a lot more than skills with a paintbrush.

Dani, thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. We just love your work and all you do to help fellow illustrators grow and learn in this field. We wish you continued success!

See you on Sunday, when the winner will be annouced to the drawing of a free signed copy of Mariachi! (Have you submitted your answer for a chance to win? What are you waiting for, join in the fun!)

Book Giveaway Question:

"In what Mexican state did mariachi music originate?"


A. Sonora
B. Jalisco
C. Durango


(Please leave your anwer in the comments section.)

Day 3 interview- Dani Jones

Interview Day 3

Heather Powers: Besides your great blog, how do you plan to promote your new book?

Dani:
I'm sending out a few postcards to bookstores, friends, and clients, and I've been making the rounds around the web promoting the book. To reach out to readers, my Mariachi blog - mariachibook.blogspot.com - is also being republished on Amazon.com through Amazon Connect, which is a nice feature that I think other authors/artists should definitely look into.

Kathy Weller: Who have been your biggest stylistic influences?


Dani:
I love old storybook stuff, like Golden Books and Mary Blair-ish stuff. I like anyone who can create really fun and quirky characters with great expressions and strong stories. Jimmy Pickering (jimmypickering.com) and Gris Grimly (madcreator.com) come to mind. And I love Norman Rockwell. He's a legend in my book in terms of narrative illustration. I also have to give a lot of credit to my wonderful teachers in college, which include Dan Burr (danburr.com) and Scott Franson (scottefranson.com).

There are TONS of artists that I look at every day through websites and blogs (including all you lovely ladies), and I can't possibly name them all. You can find some links on my websites, though. It's great to be able to keep up with other artists and see the wonderful work that is being done around you. I absorb them all. It has really helped in developing my style.


to be cont'd tomorrow...






Book Giveaway Question:

"In what Mexican state did mariachi music originate?"


A. Sonora
B. Jalisco
C. Durango


(Please leave your anwer in the comments section. )

Day 2 interview- Dani Jones

Interview Day 2

Alicia Padron: Dani, judging by some of your beautiful sketches
of the book that you were required to have a Mexican setting in your backgrounds.
Especially since this is a bilingual book and the topic of Mariachi is
native to Mexico. How much research did you do for this book and did
you find it difficult to incorporate that into your style?

Dani:
I really liked painting the desert setting in this book; it is a subject I've never really tackled before. I looked up lots of pictures and researched the kinds of plant and animal life that exist there. Of course, I also did a lot of research about mariachis. I found out about the clothing they wear and the types of instruments they play. Not only did I look for visual reference, but I also read many articles about the tradition and history of mariachis, so I understood what I was drawing.
I consider the research phase to be very important, especially in a case like this where I've never drawn the specific subject before. It helps me to be confident in the characters and settings as I am designing them. And if, as an artist, you are not confident in your subject matter, it will show through in the finished illustration.

Gina Perry:
Since the final product as a children's book illustrator is a
printed book - do you print your illustrations as you work to see them in that format, rather than digitally?

Dani:
For figuring out the layout, the sketches were done on regular paper and pencil, so in that sense, I did work on the book in a physical form first. It's good to actually be able to flip through the pages and see how the story will work in book form. While I was in the process of painting though, I didn't really print out any work. I used a page layout program to see the progress of the story and how the illustrations were fitting together. The publisher also sent me several proofs of Mariachi before the final book was produced, which was helpful. I was able to send comments on some of the color stuff before the final was printed. In general though, I don't print out my work a lot. Perhaps I should. That is a good idea.

to be cont'd tomorrow...

Book Giveaway Question:

"In what Mexican state did mariachi music originate?"


A. Sonora
B. Jalisco
C. Durango


(Please leave your anwer in the comments section. )

Day 1 interview- Dani Jones

Interview Day 1

Patrice Barton:
Dani, what was your favorite part of the process
illustrating this book? And your least favorite?



Dani:
I had lots of freedom and time for creating this book, which is always nice. My favorite part of illustrating a book is designing characters. I had lots of fun with the variety of family members and townspeople. I also added a dog character to the book that's not specifically included in the manuscript. It's fun as an illustrator to be able to add little things that weren't there before to help contribute to the story.


I would say my least favorite part is at the very beginning, starting from scratch. I have to formulate a lot of ideas and try to organize them into the layout of the book. The endless possibilities you have when starting a project is exciting, but it takes a lot of brainwork and can be a struggle. I like it better later on when I've got a lot of the problems figured out and can just enjoy the artistic process.



Laura Logan:
Dani, what medium do you work in? Have you always, or was there a progression or change over your years as an illustrator?

Dani:
Mariachi was painted digitally. With the exception of only a handful of assignments, all my work is created on the computer. I had a couple great digital painting classes in college, so I jumped into it right out of the gate. However, most of my art education was in traditional media (my favorite medium is gouache). The way I work traditionally has greatly influenced how I work on the computer - bold colors, lots of texture, etc. I always recommend to artists that they should have a good grasp on traditional media before making the move into Photoshop or Painter.

to be cont'd tomorrow...





Book Giveaway Question:

"In what Mexican state did mariachi music originate?"

A. Sonora
B. Jalisco
C. Durango

(Please leave your answer in the comments section.)

Day 3 Interview- Carlyn Beccia

http://www.raucousroyals.com/
http://www.whoballyhoo.com/


Gina:
Both Ballyhoo and Raucous Royals have complex and rich user-experience websites allowing readers to further explore and enjoy your books - So far, what has been the response to your extra efforts via website promotion from the publishers, booksellers, teachers, and readers?


Carlyn:
Teachers, booksellers and readers always tell me that they enjoy the site, but I really don’t have any scientific proof on whether it adds to the reader’s experience.

The Ballyhoo site was more fun and game. With www.RaucousRoyals.com, the site allows readers to find MORE information to dig deeper. Royalty is such a broad subjects that it makes it impossible to cover completely in 64 pages. I also find that teachers have such little time to cover European history in the classroom so I am hoping that they can use the Raucous Royals blog and site as a resource.

But I am not saying I would even advise this scale of effort for other authors. I don’t think it sells books because 90% of the people who are coming to the site are people who have already bought the book. I spend about 6-8 hours a week researching for a single blog posting. That’s a lot of time! But I love research and writing each week helps me think of new ideas for books.


PBJ's:
What advice would you give other illustrators interested in writing their own stories?

Carlyn:


Illustrators who want to write their own stories always have the advantage of showing their text in a visual format. A few thumbnails work far better than art notes. I would encourage illustrators to always give a couple of sample spreads to publishers BUT not to go too crazy. I personally don't believe in submitting a finished sketch dummy. I think if you submit a completed dummy it hampers the evolution of the story and makes it harder for the editor to suggest changes in the begginning that could take your story in a completely new and far more exciting direction.



******************************************************

Thanks so much, Carlyn, for that fabulous interview! Everyone, don't forget to comment and get a chance to win a signed copy of "Raucous Royals". The winner will be announced tomorrow.


This book is going to be a hit for children and adults alike!