KIDS BOOK JUNKY

Interview with Illustrator Wendy Martin

2010-09-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of interviewing children's book illustrator Wendy Martin, whose new book Smoky and the Feast of Mabon is out now. You can find my review of the book here. She is an amazing artist and it was wonderful getting an inside glimpse of her creative process and how a book develops from the artist side of things.

Here is a short bio from her website:

"Born in New York, Wendy Martin grew up in Suffolk County, Long Island. She gave her first one person show while still in Jr. High. Ms. Martin studied art in high school and upon graduation, was awarded 'Honors in Art'. She continued her training in New York City. She received her Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the School of Visual Arts in 1988. Ms. Martin's art has been accepted into numerous juried exhibitions, plus she has received multiple honors and awards for her work throughout her career. Her artwork hangs in several private collections as well as a museum in Central America."

How did you get started doing illustrations?

I have been illustrating ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil. Being an artist is all I’ve ever wanted to be.

How did you find your style and has it evolved over the years?

I think my style found me. Looking back over my work through the years it is fairly obvious, at least to me, that it is created by the same artist. I think, as with any craft and skill, the more I work at it, the tighter the images themselves become. I’ve been training myself to work in a more stylized, Art Nouveau feeling for the last several years. I love the swirling hair and exaggerated placement of hands and feet. Plus, the style itself is just beautiful and balanced in a way I find very pleasing in the Art Nouveau masters’ work and what I am working on emulating in my own.

I enjoyed the playfulness of Smoky and the Feast of Mabon. Can you describe your work setting and creative process.

My studio is long skinny room on the east side of the house. I share it with my husband. His stuff is at one end and my stuff is at the other. I have a computer desk, a light box table, a drafting table and bunches of file cabinets, drawers and book shelves. Recently, I have been spending a little time every week to actually organize all the stuff in those cabinets, drawers and shelves. It’s amazing to me how many old client files I have. This month I threw out receipts for a job delivered to a client who had been dead for 6 years. It’s a pretty good bet I won’t be working for him again.

My day starts at 7 am with checking email. I answer anything that needs answering then. I also make a list of tasks I wish to accomplish during the day. I put quickly accomplished tasks on the top of the list because marking stuff off gives me a feeling of accomplishment that spurs me to do more. I usually start on art related projects by about 9:30-10 am. If I am starting a new one, the first step is research for whatever the subject happens to be. I like to be accurate when portraying wildlife or foliage, even if my art is highly stylized. Depending on the subject, research can take less than an hour or several days. If I am already working on a project, I’ll just jump in where I left of the day before. Working in watercolor, all my paintings go through an ‘ugly’ phase. I try not to stop a painting at an ugly stage because if I do I end up wanting to start over instead of pushing through to a place when it becomes pretty, again.

I use both traditional and digital tools to do my illustration. Many of my watercolor illustrations get a dose of retouching, color adjustments and such before they are “done.”

Smoky and the Feast of Mabon is one of your more recent children’s book releases and the illustrations are vibrant and lovely, did you have a lot of creative freedom on this project or was it a collaboration between you, the author and the publisher?

I didn’t have any contact with the author about the illustrations other than the direction that Smoky was a dark-haired girl. I sent the publisher three revisions of rough pencil ideas until they were satisfied with what I had planned. Except for their comments on what I was proposing, I had complete freedom to do what I wanted with the illustrations. I’ve worked with the publisher for a while, so they are comfortable giving me free rein.

When getting a book ready for publication, what is the process like?

I see a manuscript 12 to 18 months before the book’s planned print date. I usually have a few months to think about the story and how to it illustrate best. About 9 months out from the print date, I have to get the publisher a complete set of thumbnails of all pages. These are usually pretty loose and about the size of postage stamps. The publisher looks these over and either asks for tighter sketches or suggests another direction. I usually only have a few weeks to get the tight pencils back for review. These will come back with either an approval or a list of things to change. I’ll make the changes until the publisher is satisfied. Then the bulk of the work comes into play. I work at 100% of size, so I need to take these tiny pencils and bring them up to the final size of the book. This is the step where I add tiny details like wrinkles and fur or patterns in cloth. Once more, the images are sent for approval. Things can still change a lot at this stage if what worked at a tiny size just isn’t working at full size. Things are added or taken away, and sometimes I’ll have to start an illustration from scratch if the editor or art director has an idea how something might work with the story better. This process can take a long time, and the whole time my deadline is creeping closer. At last I get the final go ahead to paint final art. At this point I am fighting the deadline for delivery, so I am working nonstop on only the book art. I get what I like to call book-brain, where all I can think about, talk about or work on is the book. After several weeks of intense painting sessions, I am out of time and I have to scan in the art and prepare the files for delivery. It’s about 3 months before the ARC print date. There may be minor changes from the publisher to this art, which I do in the computer. Shortly after I send in the final files I will get a press proof, to check for color and to make sure the printed pieces look close to my painted art. I mark these up and send them back. Then I wait. The next time I see the book is as an ARC. I get really excited to see it, but then the waiting begins again. First I wait for prepublication reviews, then there are the blogger reviews. These usually happen a few months before the book’s on sale date. Then the last waiting period is until the book is actually released for sale to the public.

Wow, I don't think I could have ever imagined the process being so long, it's amazing to hear how it develops. Once ready, how do you market/promote your work?

I have a web site for both my writer name and my illustration name. I blog on both sites. I have a Facebook, LiveJournal and Twitter account. I talk about illustrating, writing and such on those places. In addition, I arrange speaking engagements and book signings for a book’s release.

How do you choose the projects that you are going to work on?

At this point in my career, I don’t have a lot of choice on the projects I am offered. If a job looks legitimate and profitable, I’ll usually accept it. I get a lot of emails from people wanting to hire me to illustrate their stories, so far, none of those have panned out. Most people have no idea how long it takes to illustrate a picture book. Many new writers are also under the impression they need to have their story illustrated before they submit their manuscript to a publishing house. When I tell them the publisher will pick an illustrator if they buy the book, they are usually very happy to hear that.

What was one of your favorite assignments?

My favorite assignment is always the one I’ve just finished, right now, I am really excited about Smoky and the Feast of Mabon.

Do you ever have creative slumps? How do you work through them?

There is no time for a creative slump. If I wait for inspiration, there are any number of other illustrators who keep working and getting their work out there. The ones who do that, get the assignments. I work everyday, some days my work is better than others, but work that’s not quite what I want it to be is better than no work at all.

What is the best part about what you do?

The best part of this job is getting letters and emails from the kids who read my books. One of those messages can make my whole week.

That must be a great feeling, I think that is something that all artists/writers aspire to and appreciate the most! Do you belong to any illustrator communities? If so, are any of these communities good for young, aspiring illustrators to join and learn more about the industry?

On Twitter, I co-host a Tweet chat with the hashtag #kidlitart. It’s Thursday nights at 9pm Eastern time. I also have memberships in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the Graphic Artist Guild, and the St Louis Watercolor Society. There are numerous blogs and support groups on the internet as well. For many years I was on a Yahoo Group for illustrators. I am too busy these days to keep up with them. I belong to three crit group blogs. One is private, but the others are open to new members. They are Watercolor Wednesday (for children’s illustrators working in water media) and The Illustration Board. I get a lot of support from fellow artists via email and IM messages as well.

I think it's so great that you are involved in your community of artists, it's a great way to help others and learn more about your craft at the same time. How do you maintain balance in your life between work and play?

Balance? What is this thing you call balance?

Ha, I hear ya on that. What fun activities do you enjoy outside of your professional art work?

There are activities outside of art work?

Do you have any tips for budding artists who would like to become professional illustrators?

Draw every day. Draw from life. Find what you love to draw. Draw it. A lot.

What has been inspiring you lately?

I have been learning to paint faces and watching a lot of youtube videos showing other artists’ techniques. I visit deviantart.com and browse through the art there. My crit partners are also pretty amazing artists, so viewing what they are working on is very inspiring.

What are your newest projects? Anything we should look for?

The last project I worked on will be published in a spring 2011 girls’ magazine. There are several other book projects in the works however nothing I can talk about yet. More waiting. :D

Thanks so much to Wendy for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer my questions, it was a pleasure! So for all you budding artists and writers out there, put the remote down and start working! The best way to learn is to pick up your pen or paintbrush and create something magical. All your hard work, will be worth it in the end!

Smoky and the Feast of Mabon Book Review

2010-08-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

Smoky and the Feast of Mabon

written by

Catherynne M. Valente

illustrated by

W. Lyon Martin

Smoky is enchanted with flowers and loves spending time digging, pruning and planting away in her mommy's garden. As the fall approaches and the flowers die, she is saddened by their loss and the emptiness of the garden. In order to ease her pain she ventures on a walk in the forest where a candlelit feast awaits her. The table is laced with scrumptious foods and decadent desserts. Smoky is welcomed to the table by a circle of woodland animals, baby new year and the Goddess Equinox. Here they celebrate Mabon, the start of fall by feasting and dancing all through the night. Smoky learns that change in nature is good and should be cherished.

Review:

This beautifully illustrated book, full of rich reds, blue hues and subtle green watercolors and India ink adds to the vibrancy and charm of Smoky's world. Playful phrases abound when Valente compares flowers to lollipops. "Tangy pine smells" and "burning wood" capture the essence of fall, when the smell of something new and wonderful ignites the senses. This enchanting, hopeful story reminds young readers and old alike of the magic of the seasons, the earth and how all endings have a beginning.

Want to read for yourself, click here!

-Kids Book Junky

Feeling Inspired!

2010-08-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

Feeling inspired by writeoncon, what a wonderful resource for kids lit writers, everything from PB to MG to YA. I have been reading and watching all the wonderful chats/vlogs and forum goodies for days now and still have a ton of things to look over! Meeting other aspiring writer's and getting free advice and tips from industry pros has been invaluable to my writing. I can't wait till next year when I get to enjoy it all over again! Plus nanowrimo is only a few short months away!!

Woot, I love the wonderful world of kidlit! If you haven't gotten a chance to check it out, hop on over...you won't be disappointed!!

Happy writing!

-Kids Book Junky

Wonderful Online Conference and Contest for Kidlit Writers

2010-06-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

Mark your calenders for the free (yes I said free :D) online writer's conference on August 10-12th founded by Jamie Harrington, Elana Johnson and other writers/agents to help spread the love and knowledge of the wonderful world of kidlit writing.

Check it out here www.writeoncon.com

They are also hosting a contest till June 19th @ writeoncon contest

Hope to see everyone there, it should be a great experience!

-Kids Book Junky

I Took the Moon for a Walk

2010-06-07T06:38:00.000-07:00

I Took the Moon for a Walk

Written By Carolyn Curtis
Illustrated By Alison Jay

Book Review

This delightful tale is the perfect ending to your day. It's poetic rhythm is enchanting and the beautiful illustrations capture the magic of a warm, summer night. Read this to your little one before bed and let their imagination soar.

-Kids Book Junky

Barefoot Books

Great Contest with Mucho Awesome Prizes!

2010-04-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

Sarah With A Chance is hosting a great contest for her blog followers with awesome prizes! One prize is a lunch meeting with Janet Reid and Suzie Townsend, another prize is a 30-40 page critique, and she even threw in twizzlers somewhere in the mix!! It really is awesome and runs till Sunday April 25th, so get on over there and join in!

-Kids Book Junky

Children's Book Series

2010-04-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

I had a huge fondness for anything by Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary growing up and even still today but as far as other book series go, I would have to say I enjoyed a ton of the Babysitter's Club, Sweet Valley High Twins, Christopher Pike's, and R.L Stine's various book series.

I always loved series because I really enjoyed getting to know the characters well and liked having more time to spend with them. Whenever I read a stand alone book that I really fall in love with...there is always a sense of sadness that it ended too soon even if it had the most perfect of endings.

What are some of your favorite children's book series growing up? Do you have a preference for series vs stand alone's?

-Kids Book Junky

I Carry Your Heart With Me

2010-02-27T17:53:00.000-08:00

I carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

-EE Cummings

Guide to Literary Agents Contest

2010-02-10T06:41:00.000-08:00

Guide to Literary Agents February Contest is up, this month they are looking for the first 150-200 of a full length middle or YA novel.

Here are the PRIZES!!

PRIZES!!!

First place: 1) A critique of 25 pages of your work, by your agent judge. 2) A query critique from your agent judge. 3) Two free books from Writer's Digest Books (I will give you several choices and you pick the books your want).

Runner-ups - second and third place: 1) A critique of 10 pages of your work, by your agent judge. 2) One free book from Writer's Digest Books (I will give you several choices and you pick the book your want).

Go to Guide to Literary Agents for more information on contest rules and dates.

Get those creative vibes flowing, polish and place those entries.

-Kids Book Junky

Over The Top!

2010-02-04T12:15:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the awesome, TK Richardson, for including me in her list of Over the Top Blogs, I am honored to be awarded and shall try my best to stick to the rules and answer each of the following questions in only one or two words but can not promise I won't break it...here we go!

Where is your cell phone? Couch cushion

Your hair? Dark, wavy

Your mother?Amazing, Kind

Your father? Forever Missed

Your favorite food? Italian

Your dream last night? Bizarre

Your favorite drink? Milk

Your dream/goal? Published/Good Mama

What room are you in? Living Room

Your hobby? Drawing

Your fear? Car Crash

Where do you want to be in 6 years? Pa or Co

Where were you last night? Home

Something that you aren’t? Evil

Muffins? Chocolate Chip

Wish list item? Books & Books

Where did you grow up? PA

Last thing you did? Edited

What are you wearing? Pink Jammies

Your TV? Movie

Your pets? Two kitties

Friends? Close

Your life? Wonderfully blessed!

Your mood? Giddy

Missing someone? Dad

Vehicle? Dream=Cadillac

Something you’re not wearing? Nail Polish

Your favorite store? J.Jill

Your favorite color? White

When was the last time you laughed? Today, Everyday

Last time you cried? Last Friday

Your best friend?Wacky

One place that I go to over and over? My imagination

One person who emails me regularly? My Hubby

Favorite place to eat? Cody's Roadhouse

And as traditions go I shall pass the award on to the following awesome blogs:

The Forever Blog

NeedleCity

A Steampunk Reverie

-Kids Book Junky

Personalized Children's Books

2010-02-01T13:02:00.000-08:00

Picture Me Press is a great place to make a personalized book for your youngster. My little one's Aunt got her one of these and has a picture of her dressed as a bee, a bunny, and a bear. It's about the cutest thing you'll ever see and great fun for her as she flips through all the colorful pages.

They also have a variety of holiday books to personalize as well as scrapbooks and interative books. If you're looking for something different for a birthday or the holidays, this is the perfect gift and keepsake.

-Kids Book Junky

Happenings in Children's Literature

2010-01-25T07:39:00.000-08:00

I decided to dedicate one day a week to getting up to date on fun, interesting and informative happenings within the children's literature world. So let's press on, if anyone missed it Agent Mary Kole from kidlit.com did a tweeter chat this past Thursday night.

Go here for the transcripts kidlit.com tweet chat .

Mary fielded questions about writing/publishing and her Kidlit Novel Beginnings Contest.

SCBWI and CBI are chalk full of excellence resources for children's writers and cover everything from picture books to YA. Registration is still open for the SCBWI Winter Conference in New York City held on Jan 29th-Jan 31st, which is supposed to rock. This would be a fantastic conference for those that can squeeze it in and swing the air fare.

If you are on the look out for another great place to connect with other children's writers- the blue boards aka Children's Writers and Illustrators Message Boards are always a good time.

Big Thanks to Cat Woods

2010-01-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

My humble thanks to Cat Woods for having the wisdom and funny bone to choose me as one of the winners of her Word War Contest.

Cat's blog is always informative, delightful and funny. She does a fantastic job of taking bits of humor from her everyday life and mixing in everything from tips for writer's to what's hot in publishing.

Her blog Words from the Woods is most definitely worthy of an email subscription!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

2010-01-15T05:08:00.000-08:00

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

"Oh and on you will hike.

And I know you'll hike far

and face up to your problems

whatever they are.

You'll get mixed up, of course,

as you already know.

You'll get mixed up

with many strange birds as you go.

So be sure when you step.

Step with care and great tact

and remember that Life's

a Great Balancing Act.

Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.

And never mix up your right foot with your left."
-Dr. Suess

Book Review:

Oh, the Places You'll Go! is Dr. Suess at his best. Its charming and humorous verse encourages all to dig deep through life's ups and downs and find the courage to climb your own personal mountain to success that is reachable for all if you simply..."get on you way!"

This wise book is for anyone to read from the young to the slightly older, or just plain old. It will make you giggle while encouraging you forward when you find your days twisting in ways you never imagined or you're simply venturing into a new chapter in life from the first day of school to starting a new job or finishing a manuscript...this delightful tale will surely inspire you to "Great Places!"

Enjoy!

-Kids Book Junky

Question of the Day:

What children's book inspires you to "Great Places?"

FANCY NANCY: TEA PARTIES

2010-01-11T11:24:00.000-08:00

Fancy Nancy: Tea Parties

Written By Jane O'Connor

Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser

Harper Collins Childrens

"Whenever you feel like celebrating, that's the perfect time for a tea party!"

-Fancy Nancy

Book Review:

Bonjour that's fancy for hello...
Fancy Nancy has an affection for French, purple boas and everything fabulous! She hosts a magnificent tea party that your little ones will love and even has cute cards to save all the delicious recipes.

It includes everything from the putting together the perfect tea party ensemble to serving delectable desserts and ideas for your post tea party fun.

Fancy Nancy is delightful and charming from her bejeweled crown to her over-sized pink high heels. The colorful, vivid illustrations capture Fancy Nancy beautifully. This book is the prefect accessory to any tea party. I heart Fancy Nancy!

Enjoy!

-Kids Book Junky

Mrs. Piggle Wiggle Today

2010-01-10T00:44:00.000-08:00

If you remember reading the wonderfully charming Mrs. Piggle Wiggle while growing up, than you must check out author Laurel Synder's blog post on The Last Days of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. It is hilarious and rings so true in this day and age. Enjoy!

-Kids Book Junky

On The Night You Were Born

2010-01-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

On the Night You Were Born

"On the night you were born,

the moon smiled with such wonder

that the stars peeked in to see you

and the night wind whispered,

"Life will never be the same."

Because there had never been anyone like you...ever in the world."-Nancy Tillman

Book Review

These words reflect the grace and gentleness of a parents love for a child better than any other book I've read recently. I love this story so much that I began reading it to my daughter while she was still in my belly and continue to read it almost every night since.

I have it memorized and recite this wonderful story to her on a regular basis and each time she flashes a magnificent smile. This book is a must have for all families and should be passed on from one generation to the next.

-Kids Book Junky

The Princess and The White Bear King

2010-01-07T18:00:00.000-08:00

The Princess and White Bear King

Ride along with the beautiful princess and the majestic white bear on a voyage in the snowy north. When the young princess inadvertently betrays the mysterious white bear, she must prove her loyalty and strength through a series of trying tasks, in order to regain her lost chance at happiness. Book with CD editions include story read by actress Miranda Richardson. Barefoot Books

Ages 5 to 11 years

Retold By: Tanya Robyn Batt

Illustrated By: Nicoletta Ceccoli

Narrated By: Miranda Richardson

Book Review:

This enchanting, whimsical story will not disappoint. This book captures a fresh take on the classic Princess falls for the charming Prince. The young Princess' loyalty and dedication takes her on a fantastic journey and leads her to a brilliant castle atop a mountain of glass with magic and obstacles at every turn.

This is a wonderful book to curl up with on a cold, blustery night with a hot mug of cocoa in hand and your little one tucked in beside you. The illustrations are absolutely stunning and add even more wonder to this magical love story.

Enjoy!

-Kids Book Junky