Interview with Zahra Marwan, 2018 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award Winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2018 Summer Conference. Please welcome Zahra Marwan to the KidLitArtists Blog!

About Zahra: 

"Zahra grew up in two deserts which vary drastically and have many similarities in culture. One close to the sea, the other close to the mountains. She studied the visual arts in France, and continues various pursuits to further educate herself. She currently lives in the Barelas neighborhood of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and works in her studio at the Harwood Art Center, where she incorporates Kuwaiti tendencies into her daily life.

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?

"The feedback I received from the mentorship critiques confirmed the direction of my illustration. All around, I was told that I had a distinct style and point of view, which prior to this had worried me. I was worried my work didn't belong either in the fine art world, or that of picture books."

What kind of projects are you working on now?

"I'm working on two dummies and preparing to participate in an exhibit at the Albuquerque Art Museum."

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

"I really hope to create sincere stories which are simultaneously beautiful to see. I hope publishing will render my art more accessible.

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

"Keep telling your stories and sharing your work"

Any one piece of bad advice?

"Drawing won't make you money, it's pathetic. You speak Arabic, you should join the CIA. You have gold in your head and you don't know it."

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

"Tell your doubts to be quiet."

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

"The Dr. Seuss series helped me learn English and I then really liked Archie Comics after my cousin gave me a stack."

Where can we see more of your artwork? 

Website: https://zahramarwan.com/
Instagram:@zahra_marwan





Thanks, Zahra! Welcome to KidLitArtists! We look forward to more from you. 

Interview with Sara Gavryck-Ji, 2018 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award Winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2018 Summer Conference. Please welcome Sara Gavryck-Ji to the KidLitArtists Blog!

About Sara Gavryck-Ji: 

 "Sara Gavryck-Ji lives and makes art in Berkeley, CA.  In her previous life she worked in US-China relations.  She lived in China for over 5 years, is fluent in Mandarin, and took many classes in Chinese calligraphy and painting during her time abroad.  She has two young boys who have filled her life with much joy and inspiration."

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?

"The feedback I received gave me new direction and focus. Most of the mentors pointed out my illustration of a boy hugging a tree as one of their favorites in my book. This was eye opening— I had never felt it was one of my stronger pieces. They liked it because the character showed emotion and this was something the mentors felt I needed more of in my portfolio. Cecilia Yung suggested thinking about the difference between characters in children’s book art and figures in fine art as the difference between actors and models. In other words, a children’s book illustrator needs to show they can create characters with a range of emotions not just beautiful ones. This really resonated with me."

What kind of projects are you working on now?

"All the mentors suggested I add more narrative sequences to my portfolio. Many suggested I look at each of my portfolio pieces and think, “What happened before this moment? What happened after?”  In particular, my conversation with Laurent Linn about my illustration of the boy hugging a tree sparked an idea for a story. Now I am working on a dummy and several finished narrative pieces for that story."

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

"I would love to work on both picture books and middle grade covers and interiors."

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

"Persist. Don’t give up! I’m not there yet, but receiving the mentorship award was a wonderful validation that, yes, I can do this!"

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

"I found Eliza Wheeler’s keynote on the 7.5 stages of her creative process (Dig, Inspire, Collage, Simmer, Ignite, Refine, Assess, and a 1/2 stage for checking in) very insightful. In particular, in the “simmer” stage, she spoke about the brain science behind the creative process.  How it is important to stop, take a break, do the dishes, clean, pick a familiar chore and do it with enjoyment. When you are anxious or stressed your brain is in a linear mode and you are less likely to take a chance on creativity.  When your brain is in a meditative state, the great ideas come.

I left the conference with such an overwhelming feeling of gratitude to SCBWI and to the mentors for this opportunity to learn and be inspired."

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

"The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg, Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco, and The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses by Paul Goble were some of my favorites.


I love finding books that I read and loved as a kid, re-reading them and channeling that feeling I had reading them as a child. I find this can be a great source of inspiration when I’m feeling stuck."

Where can we see more of your artwork? 

Website: http://www.saragavryck-ji.com
Instagram: sara.gavryckji
Facebook: Sara Gavryck-Ji

Thanks, Sara! Welcome to KidLitArtists!

Interview with Chad Hunter, 2018 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award Winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2018 Summer Conference. Please welcome Chad Hunter to the KidLitArtists Blog!

About: "Chad grew up in the Bay Area and holds a BFA from BYU (Brigham Young University) and an MFA from MU (Marywood University). He creates children book illustrations, designs and hand lettering from his home in Northern California where he loves life with his lovely wife and his son, Cyrus, who's a Senior in High School. My older three daughters are finishing college. Along with illustrating, Chad teaches art and design at CSU Stanislaus."

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?

"The critiques confirmed the direction I was going. The page design, hand lettering and colors were all positives mentioned.

Also, each and every mentor aid to get rid of the red noses! I said, "NO WAY! THE RED NOSES STAY!!" Haha! Not really. It's easy to say goodbye to the rosy beaks."

What kind of projects are you working on now?

"I'm working on a few fun projects right now. I'm expanding images that are based on my current portfolio: Paul Bunyan, Bumblebee, historical non-fiction pieces."

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

"Sure! I'm hoping for work that based on the projects I mentioned previously. Paul Bunyan, Bumblebee (which are fun fiction pieces) and some cool historical non-fiction pieces (like Ben Franklin and others coming soon)."

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

"I think the most helpful bit of advice given to me is to create for me. When I approach an illustration with the thought that I am producing an illustration that people will like, I usually produce pieces I'm not happy with (and others aren't either). However, when I make illustrations that I love and insert a lot of me into the piece I am usually happy with the results. Even if the project is assigned, the idea still works."

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

"Liza Wheeler's creative process was awesome (and I'm already a long-time Tolkien fan, so, loved her references.)

Jerry Pinkney: "It's the daily pursuit."


Lily Malcom: "Create moments of time, drama, cliffhangers."

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

"So I'm half German and was read Heinrich Hoffmann's Struwwelpeter when I was young. Loved it, but yes, very frightening stuff.

I was also read and loved Wilhelm Busch's Max und Moritz.

Thinking about things, this actually explains a lot."

Where can we see more of your artwork? 

Website: www.chadhunterstudio.com
Instagram: @chadhunterstudio

Thanks, Chad! Welcome to KidLitArtists!

Interview with Michelle Mee Nutter, 2018 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award Winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2018 Summer Conference. Please welcome Michelle Mee Nutter to the KidLitArtists Blog!

About Michelle: 

"Michelle is an Illustrator from Boston, Massachusetts with a BFA in Illustration from MassArt. She wanted to be an artist the moment she realized she could buy a box of colors. Years later, she is even more passionate about art and creating work to inspire the next crayon-lover. If she isn’t furiously drawing in her studio, you can find her getting lost in corners of book stores."

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! The feedback I got was a tremendous help in figuring out my next steps as an illustrator. There were some differing opinions that can be boiled down to taste but ultimately there were enough similar critiques to base a theme for myself.

The parts of my work that I need to strengthen is:
Narrative, character and incorporating more black & white pieces.

With new perspectives, I could sense a whole new direction into middle grade cover illustration and chapter vignettes."

What kind of projects are you working on now?

"I’m currently working on two manuscripts for my own picture books. Along with personal projects including but not limited to: illustrating my favorite dark fairy tales, creating work based off of a collection of short stories by Michael Cunningham, and Instagram challenges galore."



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

"My main focus is picture books but I would love to work on covers for middle grade and young adult books. Working on graphic novels would be a dream come true as well."

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

"Keep the ball rolling. No matter what, show up and draw. That’s the only way you can move forward with any piece and at the end of the day, brush mileage is what counts. (And do a lot of bad drawings, that’s how you get to the good stuff.)"

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

"“EAT CAKE! Good cake. Not bad cake.” Advice courtesy of Mike Curato

There were so many amazing keynotes and inspiring presentations. There was this tone throughout that really resonated with me, and that was to always stay true to yourself. Finding your voice is difficult in a world that is trying to tell us what to buy, think and do. The work we do will always be great if we’re honest with ourselves versus trying to fit someone else’s mold."

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

Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak.
The Witches by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake.
Berenstain Bears by Stan and Jan Berenstain...the list goes on and on.
Oh and I can’t forget...Babar by Jean de Brunhoff.

Thanks, Michelle! Welcome to KidLitArtists!

You can find more about Michelle and see more of her artwork on her website, her Instagram, and her Facebook. 

Interview with Erin Balzer, 2018 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award Winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2018 Summer Conference. Please welcome Erin Balzer to the KidLitArtists Blog! 

Read on to learn more about her art, what she learned from her SCBWI mentorship, and what she has planned for her next steps as an illustrator.

"Hello, I'm Erin Balzer, an illustrator/woodcutter living in Vancouver, Canada. I grew up in a family of woodworkers, sewists and painters, crafters who greatly influenced my chosen illustration medium, woodcut printing. I love the process of carving my characters into the wood and seeing how their quirky and whimsical identities come to life through the ink in the prints. If I could choose where and how to spend my time it would be carving and doodling endlessly beside some lake, or trailblazing through the woods with my husband and our dog, Freya."

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?

"The feedback I received in the mentorship critiques were extremely helpful, and confirmed that I was going in the right direction with my style and voice as an illustrator. A specific example of helpful feedback/critique I received is that I need to work on my illustration of human characters more and find a way to love drawing people so it shows in my work as it does the animal characters in my portfolio."

What kind of projects are you working on now?


"As of right now, I am taking time to re-work a few of the pieces in my portfolio, create more work and sign up for figure drawing classes to stay fresh."

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

"I would love the opportunity to illustrate a full book based on one of my characters and written by an author. I am aiming to find opportunity to experience and learn as much as I can this year from the work I receive."

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

"Take your time, don't rush it, the publishing world is slow" "adjust your living needs to accommodate your salary, this isn't a money making business, so make sure you find a way to not be too pressured financially." " 

Any one piece of bad advice?

"You should try and write and illustrate yourself," I think I wasted lots of time attempting to write this past year. In last couple months before SCBWI LA2018, I just decided to illustrate a few finished samples from my story ideas that show my characters and visual narration, this improved my portfolio got me lots of great interest, I wish I didn't sweat as much over a book dummy earlier in the year."

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

"You get to the universal through the specific"

"Whatever goes into your portfolio, let it be something you are passionate about, don't make assumptions of what others want to see."

"No one likes a stiff character"

"Be you and do you"

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

Frog and Toad are Friends by Arnold Lobel
Clifford the Big Red Dog by Norman Bridwell
Paddington Bear by Michael Bond and illustrated by Peggy Fortnum

The Berenstain Bears by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Where can we see more of your artwork? 

Minikin, The Elf Who Saved Christmas by Alison and Mike Battle, Bloomsbury UK, 2017.

Website: erinbalzer.comInstagram: @erin_balzerFacebook: Erin Balzer

Thanks, Erin! Welcome to KidLitArtists!

Interview with Gail Buschman, 2018 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award Winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2018 Summer Conference. Please welcome Gail Buschman to the KidLitArtists Blog!

About Gail:

"A Florida-native, Gail migrated to Los Angeles, discovering mountains are amazing. She is a nerd who fell in love with a gamer geek and loves to travel with him at every opportunity. She wants to buy all the picture books and draw all the animals. She studied both graphic design and illustration at California State University, Northridge. She has illustrated for Reading A-Z and currently works as a senior graphic designer for SAGE Publishing."

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?

"Feedback indicated that two of the areas I need to strengthen were my use of color and being more consistent with using a single primary medium. I will continue to practice color in the natural world through plein air painting; study how color is used in books, art, and animation to express different emotions; and create a wider range of color studies before working on final illustrations. With regards to medium: currently the linework in my portfolio is sometimes ink with brush pen and sometimes pencil.  I need to pick one of the two as my primary focus and use that as the line for any pieces I create going forward to create a "cohesiveness of voice." That decision will determine how much I change the direction of my illustration in the future."

What kind of projects are you working on now?

"Recently I have been struggling with a story I’ve been working on, but sessions at the conference made me realize that it's time to let that story simmer and come back to it later with fresh eyes. So I will be exploring a few new stories based on some pieces in my portfolio as well as dusting off characters that I have been living with for a while: robot and squirrel, dog and crab, and maybe even a giant lizard!"

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

"Besides for picture books, which I LOOOOOVE, I want to create a graphic novel with a story idea I've been exploring since 2015. I work on it between picture book ideas, so it's slowly taking shape. Next on the to-do list for it: writing the script and pacing out the page turns."

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

"The good advice that I'm holding dear right now is from Marla Frazee: "It's really difficult for us to trust that the thing that is the easiest, that flows out and gives us joy is the thing you SHOULD be doing." My goal going forward is to follow my story joys. "

Any one piece of bad advice?

"The bad advice I have received over the years has always been from myself: "To draw well, I need to draw realistically" (wrong.) or "I drew the thumbnail to capture the essence, now I need to draw the final BETTER: better perspective, better details, better lighting, better dynamism, better anatomy. more more more." (it's only better if the final drawing clarifies or heightens the emotional beat of the moment.)"

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

""If you are thinking about everyone else, you are diluting your SELF-ness."
Embarrassingly, I don't know who said it--I wrote it down while drawing rabbits and turtles during the editors' panel on the very first day of the conference"

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

The Wonderful Feast and Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodinka
Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin
Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce

ANY book by Mercedes Lackey

Where can we see more of your artwork? 

I have an educational book, published by Reading A-Z, written by Torran Anderson, Two.

Website: http://nightengailart.com/
Instagram: @Nightengailart
Facebook: NightenGailArt
Twitter: NightengailArt

Thanks, Gail! Welcome to KidLitArtists! We can't see what you do!

SCBWI Summer Conference: Portfolio Advice, Tips For Newbies and Second-Timers, and a CHALLENGE for the Many-Timers - by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

Just a month and a half until the SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles! Who else is going? And isn't the header art wonderful? It was created by our own Robin Rosenthal (Mentee Class of 2014).

I'll be on faculty for the first time: I'm giving a Social Media Master Class for authors and illustrators, a Photoshop session with advice I wish I knew when I first got started in digital art, and am also a Mentor in the just-launched SCBWI Social Media Mentorship For Illustrators award. Deadline for the latter is July 1st; see details here.

To those attending the conference for the first time: I'M EXCITED FOR YOU! As some of you already know, my career got jumpstarted at an SCBWI conference. I started the blog you're reading now because the 2010 winners of the SCBWI Illustration Mentorship Award got along so well, and we wanted to keep in touch (this blog is not officially associated with the SCBWI). I'm grateful for Jen Betton, Meridth McKean Gimbel, Ana Aranda, Susie Ghahremani and others who manage the blog and Kidlitartists social media now, as well as those Mentees (past and present) who contribute.

Speaking of Jen Betton, who manages the posting schedule for the KidLitArtists blog: Jen was another person whose career got jumpstarted at an SCBWI Conference! Congrats to Jen, whose debut solo picture book, HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG, launches TODAY from Putnam/Penguin!

ENTERING THE PORTFOLIO SHOWCASE? HERE'S SOME USEFUL ADVICE:

Everyone who contributes to this blog was chosen for the SCBWI Illustrator Mentorship program, and they were chosen based on their portfolios -- so I encourage you to read over posts in our blog for advice and inspiration, especially posts tagged with portfolio-advice. Some of the posts you should check out:

Mentee Portfolio vs Grand Prize Winner Portfolio - by Juana Martinez Neal (2012 Portfolio Showcase winner)

A Few Thoughts On Editing Your Portfolio - by Andrea Offermann (2013 Portfolio Showcase winner)

Portfolio Comparison: What Made An SCBWI Winner - by Eliza Wheeler (2011 Portfolio Showcase winner) -- Eliza is one of the keynote speakers at this year's Summer Conference!

Portfolio Tips From SCBWI Mentorship Winners - Tips from Brooke Boynton Hughes, Jen Betton, Maple Lam, K-Fai Steele, Meridth Gimbel and me.

Even if you don't win an award at the Showcase, be assured that industry people have been looking at your work. One reason I strongly advice bringing postcards is because agents, editors and art directors DO pick up postcards. Even if they may not be able to take you as a client or hire you for a book project right then, your work intrigues them and they may end up contacting you weeks or months later (THIS HAS HAPPENED). Others in the industry will also see your work and may end up recommending you to their agent, editor or art director. I also know at least one art director who does keep track of illustrators whose work intrigues him (but isn't quite ready), to see how portfolio work progresses and evolves.

And most of all, remember that just ENTERING the portfolio showcase is an accomplishment. You're putting yourself out there, and that takes courage.

A FEW TIPS FOR SCBWI CONFERENCE NEWBIES:

I've posted advice in my Inkygirl blog in the past, but wanted to post an updated version here.

Be brave and make the first move. You'd be surprised at how many other attendees feel exactly the same way as you do. Introduce yourself to people you sit beside, stand in line with, notice standing alone.

TAKE BUSINESS CARDS. Yes, even if you aren't published yet. We're all going to meet a lot of people over the weekend, and taking away a business card from an encounter or introduction will help the people you meet remember you. If you're an illustrator, take postcards or make sure a sample of illustration style is on your business card.

Have realistic expectations. Don't expect to be "discovered" at the conference.

But most of all: TRY TO HAVE FUN.

Also see my Tips For Introverted Children's Book Illustrators attending the SCBWI Summer Conference For The First Time and Jen Betton's SCBWI Conference Tips.

A FEW TIPS FOR SCBWI CONFERENCE SECOND-TIMERS:

Don't get offended or disheartened if people you've met before don't remember you. This is something I've learned from both sides. As a 2nd- and 3rd-timer (and so on), I've sometimes gone up to a person or group I've met and had my confidence deflated when it becomes clear they don't remember me at ALL from the previous year. My inner reactions ranged from embarrassment, humiliation, irritation, frustration and even brief anger ("I guess I'm just NOT IMPORTANT enough for xxx to remember!! Hmph.").

Having attended many times now, I've learned the following:

- I'm terrible at remembering people unless I've had multiple conversations or interactions with the same person.

- Even then, especially if I'm tired or am in a noisy crowd (remember what I said earlier about being an introvert?) or have met many new people in a row just before, I may still forget having met someone before.

I still accidentally re-introduce myself to people whom I've met before, sometimes whom I've met EARLIER IN THE CONVENTION. I'm always horribly embarrassed when this happens.

Make sure your name badge is easily visible.

Also, when I approach someone whom I've met before but with whom I don't have constant contact, I usually try saying something that will help remind them of our mutual context, or remind them of having met at xxx. Until I'm sure they actually do remember me, I try very hard NOT to put them on the spot (e.g. I don't say, "So, what did you think of my most recent post?" etc.).

When someone does this to me (subtly or unsubtly :-) setting the context and helping me remember), I immediately feel more at ease with them and am more likely to want to chat with them in the future.

Another tip: if someone DOES remember you, never assume that they're up-to-date on all your exciting news. I've had the occasional person react badly when they realize I'm not aware of their new book ("?? But I posted it all over Facebook!") I never assume anyone reads all my posts or keeps up with all my news. People have busy lives and different priorities.

Something else I've learned: even so-called Big Name authors and illustrators can be insecure. I am faaaar from being a Big Name, but having had a bit more experience at conference-going now, I also realize how some of the Big Name types who seemed standoffish to me actually weren't.

Be gracious, be forgiving and try very hard to assume the best about a person rather than the worst.

And I apologize ahead of time if I don't remember your name or re-introduce myself. :-\

***** A CHALLENGE TO THE "MANY-TIMERS" OUT THERE ****

Try to remember what it was like when you attended your very first event, or how insecure you felt in the beginning. Then make it a personal challenge to find at least one lost-looking or nervous conference newbie who is sitting or standing alone. Introduce yourself, chat with them, find out what they're working on, perhaps (if appropriate) offer some advice.

Give good karma and it WILL come back to you.

And if you see me at the SCBWI Summer Conference this year, please do say hi!

--------------

Debbie Ridpath Ohi wrote and illustrated WHERE ARE MY BOOKS? and SAM & EVA. Her illustrations have appeared in children's books by Judy Blume, Michael Ian Black, Rob Sanders, Aaron Reynolds and Lauren McLaughlin, among others. Most recent: I'M SAD written by Michael Ian Black (Simon & Schuster). Current projects: Illustrations for I'M WORRIED (part of the I'M...book series) and a broken crayon picture book with Linda Sue Park. More about Debbie at her website, blog about writing & illustrating children's books, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Interview with Irena Freitas, 2017 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2017 Summer Conference. Please welcome Irena Freitas to the KidLitArtists Blog! 

About Irena Freitas:

Irena Freitas is an illustrator from Manaus, Brazil. She recently graduated from an MFA Illustration program at SCAD at Savannah, Georgia, but she is already back in her home country. As a kid, she wanted to be a full-time TV critic and an artist on the side, turns out life had other (and much better!) plans and she became a full-time illustrator and only rants about TV on her Twitter feed.

Did the feedback you received during the mentorship critiques either change or confirm the direction of your illustration?

Yes! I love doing picture book illustration, but I'm also interested in the editorial market as well, so most of my mentors suggested me to have separate sections on my portfolio for these two markets, and this is something that I'm currently working on.

What kind of projects are you working on now?

I'm mostly working on new pieces for my portfolio, but I'm also taking editorial jobs and sending my portfolio to art directors in publishing houses.

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

Hopefully, a picture book that I could illustrate!

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

Don't do work just to please the market, illustration is naturally a commercial art form but still need to ring true to you.

I don't really believe in bad advice, you learn something about yourself or the client you are working with even on your worse interactions (maybe especially on those).

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

I'm HORRIBLE at taking notes and quoting people! But the overall lesson that I learned is: people are different and it's impossible to please everyone, maybe one rejection can be a glowing approval in the future.

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

Surprisingly I was not very much into picture books as a kid, I really loved Little Women, Matilda, big chapter books with selected folk tales, The Secret Garden and travel books in general.

Where can we learn more about you and your artwork?

My portfolio: irenafreitas.com

My instagram: @irenafreitas

And my twitter (mostly in Portuguese): @irenafreitas

Thanks, Irena! Welcome to KidLitArtists!

Interview with Heidi Sheffield, 2017 SCBWI LA Mentorship Award winner

This interview series introduces the talented recipients of the SCBWI Mentorship Award at the 2017 Summer Conference. Please welcome Heidi Sheffield to the KidLitArtists Blog! 

About Heidi Sheffield:

Heidi Sheffield's favorite memory is of her mom giving her a crayon and letting her draw all over the wall (just before wallpapering it). Her world has been about words and pictures ever since. In a previous life, she worked as an Art Director for Young & Rubicam, but is ever-happy now illustrating for children. Heidi looks forward to the day when a child will hold one of her books. You might find her walking down the street, staring at the ground, taking a picture of some cool texture in the cement. It's sure to be seen in one of her collages.

Did the feedback you received during the mentorship critiques either change or confirm the direction of your illustration?

The feedback really helped me confirm the direction my art has been headed in. In general, the mentors were enthusiastic about my work. Collage can get overly busy really fast and the mentors suggested simplification in some of my pictures. I was also told the emotion captured in my characters was good. They mentioned that’s the part that’s often lacking in most collages they see. Sometimes collage art can swing more toward the decorative, rather than the narrative. 

The pictures of mine that seemed most successful were those that were the most organic and loose. (And also the ones I had the most fun creating!) That’s part of why I do collage. It mutes that perfectionistic inner critic chick. When I do it right, it surprises me every time. That’s when I know I’m on to something good, when a piece is full of life, all wonky and wonderful. It makes me feel five again and I love that.

What kind of projects are you working on now?

I am refining two of my picture book mockups, with the hope of submitting them soon.

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

While I love fiction, I'd also like to try my hand at illustrating an nonfiction piece. There are so many cool ways you can run with nonfiction these days!

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

A friend of mine who worked at Hallmark said, "Sometimes you gotta paint a picture to paint a picture." If something's not working, try a different angle. Don't let your work get so precious that you can't let go of something that's not going well and start again. Just because you made it doesn't mean you have to stick with it. 

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

Laurent Linn: "When you can put two contrasting emotions in a picture, there's a story there."

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

• A HOLE IS TO DIG, by Ruth Krauss, illustrated by Maurice Sendak
• HILARY KNIGHT'S ABC, 
• THE SNOWY DAY by Ezra Jack Keats
• Little Golden Book art
• GO DOG. GO! by P.D. Eastman
• the WINNIE THE POOH series by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard
• A BEAR CALLED PADDINGTON by Michael Bond, illustrated by Peggy Fortum
• the VELVETEEN RABBIT by Margery Williams, illustrated by William Nicholson.

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Thanks, Heidi! Welcome to KidLitArtists!