Rita Goldner

           Rita Goldner received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Art Education from Rhode Island College. She joined the Navy after college and was able to absorb a wealth of artistic inspirations while traveling to exotic places around the world. For the past thirty years, she has been applying her artistic energy to her costume business, where she designs and sculpts large foam costumes (hot dogs, ice cream sundaes, etc.) for fast food franchises.

           She learned about illustrating an idea presented by a client, and designing whimsical characters for mascot costumes. Now having sold her business, Rita is a full-time author and illustrator of children's picture books. She experiments with a variety of media while designing a character, or for page composition and lay-out. For the final version, she paints digitally.  She is currently a member of Arizona Artists Guild, Scottsdale Artists League, Arizona Plein Air Painters, and The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She teaches workshops on plein air painting, and a monthly volunteer art class for veterans.

“I am excited about children’s picture books, and as a former elementary school teacher, 

I’m trying to help young readers find a fun way to learn.” 

1,) Describe yourself in five words:    Author, Illustrator, plein-air painter, grandma

2.) Tell me something about the place where you were born ? Woonsocket, RI, a very small town.

3.) What pictures influenced you as a child ? Walt Disney cartoon books and movies.

4.)Did you have a favorite book as a child ? Snow White and Bambi

5.) Did you like to draw as a child ? Where you encouraged ? Loved to draw, not encouraged as a career.

6.) What is your earliest memory of making art? Elementary school, drawing cards.

7.) Where you the class artist ? Yes, but shy, so I didn’t push it.

8.) Did your parents draw ? No

9.) Did you go to the public library as a child ? Yes often, I walked by myself as a young child.

10.)  Did you have books at home as a child? Yes, and I read the newspaper from age 6 on. My father was the editor, so all the kids did.

11.) Did you have a teacher who influenced or inspired you? I had nuns, kind of strict, no art in school.

12.) What did you do BEFORE you got started with children’s book illustrations? I owned my own business making mascot costumes.

13.) When did you realize you were interested in illustrating for children? I took a class from Molly Idle   (She got Caldecott Honor, last year) She was very inspiring.

14.) When did you become an illustrator ? I started my first book in that 8-week class, then I took the advanced 8-week class.

15.) How did you get started in picture book illustration? 
I wrote and illustrated from the beginning. I thought everyone did it that way.

16.) What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve been given as an illustrator? Investigate other genres and media, even those you’re not interested in.

17.) Tell us about the book that you have written ? 

“Orangutan: A Day in the Rainforest Canopy” is a children’s picture book for ages 5-8 about a young wild orangutan in the rainforest. The story weaves from dawn to dusk, with adventures, excitement and challenges, including a constant search for food, and escaping predators. We hope that introducing an orangutan to young readers will help them learn to love and respect an endangered species, and someday help make a difference for orangutans. The kickstarter campaign is to fund and distribute this book.

18.) What inspired you to write this story? I sketched orangutans from life at the zoo, and became interested in their threatened extinction.

19.) Did you self publish or go through the other publishing routes ? I found a small publisher for 2 e-books, and another small publisher for the current book, a hard cover. Both I met through SCBWI.  Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

The publishing company is a small one, they do books on nature and endangered species. They fund printing with Kickstarter. We are starting a Kickstarter campaign on Feb 2 for 30 days. Our kickstarter page is Orangutan: A Day in the Rainforest Canopy.  On Feb 2 you will be able to see the kickstarter page.

Rita is really excited about the Kickstarter campaign. Months of work on it have finally come to a launch on Feb 2, 2015. Please act now! Join her community of backers at 

https://www.facebook.com/events/810597495680710/

The kickstarter page offers a beautiful short video, the colorful illustrations, and great rewards, including a personalized, signed first edition of

"Orangutan:A Day in the Rainforest Canopy" 

Thank you for sharing in the experience of our Kickstarter campaign and for participating in a community that hopes to make a difference in our world ecosystem, especially for endangered animals. 

And please know that there is no need to contribute financially to be part of this event. We appreciate you being here. And thank you for spreading the word. 

20.) Is your book available for purchase? Yes, 2 e-books that are available now and the hard copy will be released in May 2015

http://history.jacksonsadventures.com

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NH0OMUO

21.) Describe a typical day in your life. I’m working 10-12 hours a day now, finishing the orangutan book. I paint the illustrations digitally, using a software called Artrage, which is a lot like Photoshop.

Tell us about your illustration process and your picture book writing process.

Both of these have evolved since I started writing/illustrating picture books a few years ago. I used to illustrate in gouache, which is opaque watercolor. Since it's opaque, it is easier to correct mistakes and make changes than watercolor. Still, the changes are time consuming. As I got more involved, I combined gouache with digital painting, and as I got more comfortable with digital painting I started using that, exclusively. I use a software popular with many illustrators, called Artrage. I still scan a free-hand pencil drawing in  to my computer first, and then use Artrage to polish the sketch, and color in layers (see sample below). It's also much more efficient to store and send work to an editor or publisher this way. 
My writing process evolved, too, as I took more classes and workshops. I used to illustrate first, because that was more fun for me, and only had a rough of the story in my head. Then I found that when I finished writing, some illustrations didn't fit the story and had to be discarded. Now I write the story first, and when it is edited in the final form, do the illustrations.

22.) When you are creating, what music is playing ? None, I have to concentrate.

23.) If you had to describe your work in terms of your artistic influences, you would say it is... colorful and whimsical

24.) Who are your favorite artists ? Illustrators ? Authors ? Current, Molly Idle, Historical, Maurice Sendak

- For Free Color pages visit - 

Rita also has a blog, available from any computer, with free coloring pages to print out at: http://jacksonsadventures.com/

Rita writes at the first of each month for a blog with 30 other authors.  The blog is about book publishing and promotion.  

https://phxpublishingandbookpromotion.wordpress.com/category/rita-goldner/ 

Rita also sells her artwork through Fine Art America.  

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/rita-goldner.html 

More than 100,000 living artists and photographers currently offer six million images for sale on FineArtAmerica.com - with thousands of new artists and images being added each week.   Each month, more than five million visitors stop by FineArtAmerica.com to purchase prints from this ever-expanding collection and to socialize and network with the artists and other art collectors.

 To enjoy more of a good thing you can visit... 

Blog about Rita's 2 e-books www.jacksonsadventures.com

Website  www.ritagoldnerillustrations.com/

Facebook  -https://www.facebook.com/RitaGoldnerIllustrations

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritagoldner

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RitaGoldner

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/ritagoldner/ 

Rita is a MEMBER - SCBWI

contact information

Email: ritagoldner@msn.com        Phone 480-948-6547

 Caitlin B. Alexander

I work mostly at my two facing desks, one with a computer space (not pictured- too messy!) and the other for painting and drawing. I have a lot of beautiful natural light coming through my window, which helps my work immensely.

Across from my desks, and against the opposite wall, are my flat files. These are probably my most prized studio possession, having found them for a steal in San Antonio! Atop sits my scanner (prized possession number two) and a nice space for paper cutting or even just to stand and work. 

Caitlin B. Alexander is an illustrator based in Austin, Texas with a particular love for dry-brush gouache painting. Both her life and work are heavily influenced by the 1940s, '50s and '60s, along with her compassion for animals, and pure joy derived from the childlike.  Her relationship with her own illustration is much like the message she attempts to convey through it: relish the small moments, savor the silly, and find comfort in living your life. 

Find her on Tumblr!

 www.cbaillustration.tumblr.com

HAZEL G. MITCHELL

I met Hazel through Facebook.  I was drawn to her beautiful characters and sketches that she was always posting.  Since then, she has really become an inspiration to me.  Some of her books have won awards.  

Hazel's book publishers include Charlesbridge/Makinac Island Press, Highlights, ABDO/Magic Wagon, Kane and Miller, Freespirit, Beacon Publishing, Reading A-Z and SCBWI.  and I wanted to let everyone know about her new book, 

 "One Word Pearl" 

Written by  Nicole Groeneweg   

Illustrated by: Hazel Mitchell 

1,) Describe yourself in five words:

Average Height, Blonde, bubbly.

2.) Tell me something about the place where you were born ?

Photo by erjkprunczyk

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24842486@N07/3826283183

I was born in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK. It’s a beautiful and typically English seaside town with a castle on the headland, a lighthouse and fishing harbor. It was a great place to grow up and I spent a lot of my time outdoors on the beach, walking and riding.

Hazel riding on the beach in Yorkshire (Filey)

3.)Did you have a favorite book as a child ?

I loved anything by Enid Blyton. Also Alan Garner, especially Elidor. Chronicles of Narnia. ANY PONY BOOK.

4.) Did you like to draw as a child ? Where you encouraged ?

It was a great escape. I was just left to get on with it really. If I could include drawing in anything I did, I drew.

5.) What is your earliest memory of making art? I don’t have a specific memory. I was just always making things, or drawing or doodling. It just seemed to be natural.

6.) What pictures influenced you as a child ?

I don’t remember many picture books as a child. The Cat in the Hat, Pooh, and classic illustrations in novels. I did love going to the (very small) local art gallery and was mesmerized by the huge painting of Charles 1^st on a big grey horse, which was possible a Van Dyck. I collected pictures of horses and covered my bedroom walls with them.

7.) Where you the class artist ? 

At times, yes. I remember being extremely frustrated when I was about 7 and 2 other members of the class where chosen to do a wall mural. I was mad. I think it was the first time I realized there was competition. But if there was art to be done, I was always there. In secondary school we had ‘art’ but it was more kind of here’s some paint and paper, off you go, and nothing structured. So I did my own thing, and it became obvious this was what I was good at and so I was the ‘top artist’. It came as a bit of a shock when I got to Sixth Form (16-18) and found that there were a heck of a lot of good artists around! But it was inspiring and I think I learned an awful lot at that age.

8.) Did your parents draw ?

My mother used to draw little doodles for me. Rabbits and crinoline ladies (like Scarlett O’Hara). Looking back I think she had talent, but in those days, unless you came from an arty family (and not a Northern working class one like me!) you weren’t really encouraged. My Dad thought it was all a waste of time. My brother is a talented artist, but I do not remember him drawing as a child.

9.) Did you go to the public library as a child ?

I LOVED my library. The library in Scarborough was fabulous. In an old sandstone building. I always felt like I was entering hallowed ground. The children’s library had a magical mural of Alice in Wonderland, which, alas, has disappeared now. It was like another world, the smell of the tickets for the books, the echoing quiet, the click of librarian’s heels. A door from the children’s library to the adult library was forbidden, but I used to peer through sometimes. It seemed HUGE, shelves and shelves and shelves of books. When I was old enough to get an adult ticket, it was like I’d come of age. I spent hours there. On my return to my hometown this year I revisited. Oh how SMALL it seems now!

10.)  Did you have books at home as a child?
Unfortunately, not many. My mother used to reminisce about reading Dickens to my brother and sister, but I can’t remember her reading to me, which is sad. Apart from magazines and Reader’s Digest and a few trashy novels, that was it. So the library was my sanctuary. My sister read a lot, but she was much older than me, so I didn’t get the benefit of her books.

11.) Did you have a teacher who influenced or inspired you?

The teacher who inspired me most was my art teacher from 16 to 18 years, David Fulford. I adored him (yeah Art Teacher Crush). He saw potential in my work and made art fun while imparting a lot of knowledge. Plus he painted. He was the first artist I knew. He was responsible for pushing me to pursue a career in art (although it has been somewhat wandering!) I was all for going to work with horses and not go to college, but he rang my mum up and told her I HAD to apply for art college. I guess he was right, because I doubt I would be here illustrating books, now. I would still be mucking out stables ;-). So thanks David!

12.) What did you do BEFORE you got started with children’s book illustrations?
Oh my. Here’s the thing, I dropped out of art college after 2 years. I don’t think I was ready for it. Looking back I had minimal career guidance. It’s so obvious to me now that my work was illustrative, but illustration courses were not available then. I lost interest. Anyway, after a stint working with horses, I joined the Royal Navy and worked as a graphic artist and it was like an apprenticeship! After I left I ran a print and design business and then moved to USA and painted fine art and taught kids for a while.

13.) When did you realize you were interested in illustrating for children?

Now I realize it was when I was about 7. But then later, when I was about 17 I began to think about it, but had no idea how to do it and got lost in doing other things for A LONG TIME.

14.) When did you become an illustrator ?

I have always illustrated. I don’t think you become, I think you just do. I might not have been illustrating children’s books, but I was illustrating. From technical drawing, to wedding stationery to commercial work. And all the little doodles I did in my own time.

15.) How did you get started in picture book illustration?

So, in about 2002 (2 years after I came to America) I started feeling the desire that I had to give it a go. I was too scared to stand in Barnes and Noble’s kids book department, I was so intimidated. But the internet was on the rise. I started getting small jobs with mainly self-publishers and yes, most of the books were awful, but I learned a lot. Then I joined the SCBWI.org, went to conferences, began to understand and educate myself on the process and craft of children’s books and the industry. I could even stay in Barnes and Noble for more than 10 minutes. I built a better portfolio and website and began to mail out to editors and art directors. In 2010 I got my first trade book.

16.) What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve been given as an illustrator?

Draw

17.) Of the six fundamentals of 2D design (line, shape, volume, perspective,shading, and color):

            a. Which is your greatest strength? LINE.

            b. Which poses your greatest challenge? PERSPECTIVE

18.) Tell us about your new book ?

Book Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_omkXuQGz4

One Word Pearl is illustrated by me and written by Nicole Groeneweg from Charlesbridge Publishing. It’s the story of a little girl who loves words and collecting words. But one day, most of Pearl’s words are blown away, leaving her only a few which she keeps safely in her treasure chest. After that day, she uses each word carefully—one at a time, until she has no words left. When her teacher asks her questions at school, she doesn’t answer. When her friend wants to know what she has for lunch, she can’t respond. What will Pearl do without her precious words? Will she ever find them?

One Word Pearl explores the power of words to transform, inspire, and cultivate imagination and is the winner of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Children’s Book Competition in the Picture Book category.

19.) What inspired you to illustrate this story ?  

This book was a great opportunity for me to do something different with my illustration, and I used a lot of texture and collage in the spreads.

20.) Did you self publish or go through the other publishing routes ?
It’s a trade book.

21.) Is your book available for purchase?

Yes, In all good bookstores! OR

http://www.charlesbridge.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=5783

22.) Describe a typical day in your life

I rise between 6.30 and 7am. My studio is right next to my bedroom (not always a good thing as sometimes one forgets to get dressed!). I check email and online stuff, get tea, feed the dog, cat and horses and then usually settle in to whatever is on the agenda. If I have a book on, I will be straight into that. I am not very good at splitting my day up, so if I am working on something that’s the main focus. I’ll try to go out sometime in the day, for a swim or a walk, but that doesn’t always happen. I am trying to get better at having breaks! I will stop for lunch and probably watch a bit of tv (BBC). Then it’s back to work until hubby comes home about 6pm and then it’s dinner. If I am on a tight deadline I will work in the evening. As deadlines get closer I get up earlier and bed later!

 In the Studio

23.) When you are creating, what music is playing ?

I listen to BBC radio most of the time … check out their iplayer!
http://bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

I also listen to Spotify or books downloaded from the library. When I am illustrating I prefer the spoken word.

24.) If you had to describe your work in terms of your artistic influences, you would say it is...

Victorian/early 20^th century art and illustration.

25.) Who are your favorite artists ? Illustrators ? Authors ?

Atkinson Grimshaw, Van Dyck, Van Gogh, E H Shepherd, Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, Pauline Baynes, John Tenniel, David Small, Matt Phelan, Tolkein, Daphne Du Maurier, C S Lewis, Brontes, Austen, Phillip Pullman, Michael Morpurgo, Alan Garner to name but a few.

26.) What new projects have you got coming down the pike? 

I am working on illustrating a new book for Charlesbridge/Mackinac Island called ‘Imani’s Moon’ by JaNay Brown Wood that is a legend about a Maasai girl. Release Fall 2014.

I am also working on a graphic novel that is very much a WIP and not under contract (yet).

Other Books by Hazel !!

(click on the link above.  then click on each book to see more about that book including book trailors)

Imani's Moon (by JaNay Brown-Wood)                         Charlesbridge Publishing 2014

One Word Pearl (by Nicole Groeneweg)                         Charlesbridge Publishing 2013

1,2,3 by the Sea (by Dianne Moritz)                               Kane Miller Publishing 2013

Double Crossed at Cactus Flats (by Rich Williams)          ABDO 2013

Hidden New Jersey (by Linda Barth)                             Charlesbridge Publishing 2012

All Star Cheerleader Books 1-4 (by Anastasia Suen)        Kane Miller 2012

How to Talk to an Autistic Kid (by Daniel Stefanski)       Free Spirit 2011

To enjoy more of a good thing you can visit...  

Website www.hazelmitchell.com

Blog www.hazelmitchell.blogspot.com

Sketchblog www.lookbackincandour.wordpress.com

Facebook www.facebook.com/HazelMitchellSketchbook

Tumbler www.tumblr.com/blog/hazelmitchell

Flickr www.flickr.com/photos/hazelmitchell/

Pinterest www.pinterest.com/hazelmitchell/boards/

Twitter @thewackybrit

contact information

Hazel-mitchell@hotmail.com

MARY A. LIVINGSTON

1,) Describe yourself in five words:

INTJ, tall, slim, graying brunette

(Police describe the suspect as) Medium height, boxy head, effusive.

2.) Tell me something about the place where you were born?

I was born in Hoopa, a town located within the Hoopa Valley Reservation, the ancestral lands of the Hupa people. I moved to Burnt Ranch when I was eight. These lands along the Trinity River are a part of my being. I am not a city-girl.

3.) What pictures influenced you as a child?

I was more influenced by colors and textures of nature. I really liked the patterns in the native baskets and nothing thrilled me more than the color of a storm-laden sky from the branches of a tree.

4.) Did you have a favorite book as a child ?

What I liked most about books was reading them to other kids, especially when I started school. They were always so thrilled to have another kid read. As much as I liked reading books to my classmates, I never really developed a favorite.

5.) Did you like to draw as a child ? Where you encouraged ?

I loved to draw as a child and my Grandpa was very encouraging. I started hiding my drawings after a gifted program teacher told me I was not good at art and that I should focus on math and science. I carried that teacher’s words for decades. Had I shared them with Grandpa or my regular curriculum teacher, either would have set me straight.

6.) What is your earliest memory of making art?

I remember drawing with Grandpa before I started school. Some of my earliest memories are of Grandpa drawing for me. We took envelopes apart and drew on the blank inside with pencils he whittled to a point with his pocketknife. My aunt was close to my age and she used to have me draw outlines of dresses for her to cut out for her homemade paper dolls. It was probably her way of keeping me occupied and out of her things, but I enjoyed it.

I also liked designing roads and towns in the dirt for our matchbox cars. Road patterns from above still fascinate me.

7.) Where you the class artist ?

When no one was looking, I would sneak art in. I tried not to get noticed. Drawing became my secret world and a side I kept hidden. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have heard, “You illustrated this? Really?” Even when one of my liturgical designs graced a magazine cover, my friends and family were not as surprised as they were when they saw No Place for UGLY Birds or Percy Learns to Fly.

The winning comment from family has to be, “Wow, you did this? It’s actually good.” He may as well have said it doesn’t totally suck.

8.) Did your parents draw ?

My maternal grandfather did wonderful pencil sketches. I do not recall anyone else in the family drawing.

9.) Did you go to the public library as a child ?

The closest thing available was a school library.

When I became a mom, I took my sons to the library regularly. We bought lots of books and have shelves of them here at home.

10.)  Did you have books at home as a child?

I read the pages ragged of the few we had. I would memorize books at school so I could relive them in my mind. Someone gave us some recorded Disney stories. I had those memorized in no time. Sometimes there would be a book giveaway at school. You know the kind where people donate old books for kids in underprivileged communities. I treasured those days and gleaned what I could of the old discarded books. Then I would climb my favorite tree and run my fingers across the pages as I read them. I felt connected to feel the tree beneath my bare toes and the paper under my fingertips.

I overindulged our children with books, same with our grandkids. Our home has an abundant stock of books and art supplies.

11.) Did you have a teacher who influenced or inspired you?

Yes, Phyllis Stockel was my teacher in 4^th and 5^th grades. I cross-aged-tutored in her class while in  6^th-8^th grades. I worked for her after school grading papers and designing bulletin boards. Her influence is still with me today. Exceptional woman.

12.) What did you do BEFORE you got started with children’s book illustrations?  

Camera store manager, professional photographer, writer, publishing project manager, liturgical designer, Mom, Grandma, community volunteer… I have worn a lot of hats.

13.) When did you realize you were interested in illustrating for children?

When I was in first grade, I recall sitting on the grass while upper-grade kids read stories from books they wrote and illustrated. I was so impressed. I thought I could do it too. I later tried the illustration part, keeping that desire to myself. I think the only person not surprised when I expressed an interest to illustrate was my husband.

14.) When did you become an illustrator ?

If I look at it honestly, I have always been sneaking illustrating in. I drew art for my high school newspaper, I designed liturgical environments, I have contributed illustrations to a few cookbooks and educational books over the years. As an event and wedding photographer, I told the story life in photographs. For years, the camera was my medium for illustrating. I just did not recognize these activities as illustrating until recently. When I started to illustrate children’s books, all of the experience I snuck in over the years came in handy.

I decided I was going to illustrate No Place for UGLY Birds in November of 2011. I signed the contract for Percy Learns to Fly (ABTA Products and Publications) in September 2012. Both titles became available 2013.

15.) How did you get started in picture book illustration?

I hired an illustrator who had a nice portfolio, references and an art degree to illustrate No Place for UGLY Birds. The work was late and not quality. The artist agreed it was not good enough, but did not “feel” like fixing it. My contract was not tight enough and I lost a lot of money. After a lot of swearing and a good cry, I decided to do it myself. After struggling for a few months, in April of 2012 I signed up for Make Your Splashes – Make Your Marks! a wonderful online course and community by Mark Mitchell. I highly recommend it. 

Hindsight - hiring the other artist was the best bad decision I ever made.

16.) What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve been given as an illustrator?

Wow, it is all so new and all so relevant. I am still learning what to keep and what to let go. For me, it is important to be willing to massage and tweak a piece. I have so much to learn.

17.) Of the six fundamentals of 2D design (line, shape, volume, perspective, shading, and color):

               a. Which is your greatest strength?

color, the images first come to me in colors, and limited color palettes make sense to me. I love mixing colors more than colors right out of the tube.

b. Which poses your greatest challenge? shading, specifically value, I have a tendency to hesitate on the darker values, I think it is a matter of building confidence. One of the first comments I tend to receive in a critique is, “Push the darks.”

18.) Tell us about the book that you have written ?

No Place for UGLY Birds is a rhyming picture book about turkey vultures. Yes, I said turkey vultures.

19.) What inspired you to write this story ?

I posted a picture of a juvenile turkey vulture to my personal Facebook. Some friends had all kinds of comments about how ugly the poor creature was. I just imagined what it would be like without them (the turkey vultures, not my friends) and the story evolved from there.

20.) Did you self publish or go through the other publishing routes ?

My book is published by a local company, Red Tail Publishing. Full disclosure, I have a financial interest in the company and was one of its founders.

21.) Is your book available for purchase?

 yes, currently it is in hard and soft cover editions. A digital version is in the works. Both versions are available from the publisher, some independent booksellers and on Amazon later in the summer.

22.) Describe a typical day in your life

I typically awake before the alarm goes off at 5:00 a.m.

Tim and I enjoy a cup of coffee. He always brings me a cup in the morning.

Then we spend time visiting with each other, it is good to be married to my best friend.

I go into the office at 8:00, but much earlier if I am under a time crunch or have a crisis.

A typical day at work may include any or all of the following:

Email correspondence

Blog updates.

Returning phone calls.

Facebook

Twitter (rarely)

Viewing post from the Marks and Splashes community, commenting if the time allows.

Downloading orders.

Filling orders.

Managing book production to replenish stock.

Design and book layout for customers.

Manufacturing for customers.

Billing

Deposits

Swag for events and shows

Writing

A few calls on the home line from family and friends.

Sneak a few photos of wild flowers or wildlife.

Edit web sites if needed.

Replenish paper and other manufacturing supplies

Check on the status of ongoing RTP projects – specifically conversion of all titles to digital form.

Check on the status of my personal projects, I have three new titles to illustrate.

Drawing

Painting

A video chat with my grandkids, including a story and drawing pictures together.

I try to finish work before Tim gets home.

(He is now rolling on the floor gripping his face in a contorted laugh of disbelief.)

I close the office doors and turn off the phone. (Gasp from Tim.)

Okay, lately, I have not been successful at closing the shop, but my rules of separating home and office go out the window when there is overload at the office it flows into home.

Lately, overflow is more like a tsunami.

23.) When you are creating, what music is playing ?

Music distracts me, I get lost in it. I listened to music when I worked in my darkroom, but not while I paint or draw.

When I imagine a piece of art, the colors and line permeate my senses the same way music does. When I create, I like to allow the creation to be the music. I like to repeat the words I am illustrating, like a mantra. I started this with liturgical design. I repeated the scriptures over and over in my head and heart until it began to breathe to life on the page. I know, it sounds weird, but I can’t just create out of thin air. I must transform and get into the piece. This has carried over while illustrating. I know I am in the zone when I make faces and mutter to myself.

24.) If you had to describe your work in terms of your artistic influences, you would say it is

I am so “young” in my life as an illustrator, I believe I am very subject to influence.  I am still forming as an artist. I hope to always be growing, but for now I still feel like I am finding my artist’s legs, or is that brushes?

25.) Who are your favorite artists ? Illustrators ? Authors ?

       I enjoy a wide variety, I really don’t think in terms of ‘favorite.’

26.) What new projects have you got coming down the pike? 

I wrote a fun story with wildlife biologist, Amanda Shufelberger. It is an imagined story about California’s lone wolverine. Buddy, the Wayward Wolverine is illustrated by my husband, Tim.

I am also in the process of converting all of Red Tail Publishing’s titles to digital.

I am committed to illustrate two new books, and Tim and I are teaming up on an illustration project.

I have also signed up for a course with Mira Reisberg at Picture Book Academy 

I am always looking for ways to improve and I have so much room to grow.

27.) To enjoy more of a good thing you can visit... 

personal blog: http://thebackdoorartist.com

Red Tail Publishing http://redtail.com

AND finally, your contact information

SCBWI profile and gallery http://www.scbwi.org/MemberProfile.aspx?u=3008365309093430

public facebook account https://www.facebook.com/maryalivingston.backdoorartist

facebook page http://facebook.com/thebackdoorartist

google plus profile https://plus.google.com/u/0/115842039706760336979/

twitter https://twitter.com/BackdoorArtist