Interview with Eddie Edwards, 2019 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award Winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2019 Summer Conference. Please welcome Eddie Edwards to the KidLitArtists Blog!

Eddie Edwards is an illustrator, artist and designer from the San Francisco Bay Area, currently living in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her one-eyed cat and two-eyed husband. She graduated with distinction from the California College of Art in Industrial Design and spent many of her early years as a graphic, furniture and advertising designer in California. She has work in the permanent collection of the SF Museum of Modern Art as well as the Library of Congress and numerous awards in both graphic and architectural design. She is currently focused on adapting her illustration skills for children.

Did the feedback you received during the mentorship critiques either change or confirm the direction of your illustration? Are there any specific examples you can share?

"Yes, it confirmed that I could find a place for my point of view in the children's market."

Are there any specific examples you can share? 
"Most of the comments were similar to this one: "show us how you can expand the narrative". Also there was a lot of support for following my instincts. Forget about trying to please some imaginary standard because there is room for all kinds of quirky."

What kind of projects are you working on now?

"I have some editorial illustration and graphic design projects. But I'm really excited to get back to the portfolio and incorporate all the feedback from the mentorship program."

Is there any type of illustration (or other work) that you’re hoping for in the near future?

"Any illustration that is experimental, conceptual, or creatively challenging. I like nonsense poetry and fairy tales and anything a little out of the ordinary, funny or dark. I'm crazy about the children's illustration coming out of Spain and Poland."

Is there one really helpful piece of advice that you’ve gotten since pursuing illustration?

"Do some drawing, painting or illustration every dang day. No matter what."

Any one piece of bad advice? 

"I don't think I've gotten bad advice, but I've had some very harsh critiques! I try to weigh everything that is given to me because there is truth in it somewhere."

What was one of your favorite quotes or lessons from the SCBWI Summer conference? 

"There were so many vulnerable, generous and moving speakers that I am still processing everything."

What were some of your favorite books when you were a kid?

"Black Beauty, Bambi, The Snow Goose"

Where can we see more of your artwork? 

helloeddie.com and instagram @helloeddieillo