Paul Schmid studio

unleashed!

2012-01-24T10:46:00.000-08:00

Petunia Goes Wild is now available!

Buy it here.

on the way

2012-01-16T19:36:00.000-08:00

PETUNIA GOES WILD is almost out of the box!

New York Times review

2012-01-13T10:08:00.000-08:00

The New York Times published a review by Pamela Paul that included Hugs from Pearl, calling Pearl a "likable smudge of a heroine". Nice!

listmania

2012-01-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

Pearl is on the New York Public Library 100 books list!

Pearl makes a list

2011-12-26T08:58:00.000-08:00

Hugs from Pearl makes Betsy Bird's list of magnificent picture books of 2011. A big hug and thank you for Betsy!

out of the box

2011-12-21T11:22:00.000-08:00

A couple of nice new reviews for PETUNIA GOES WILD, due out late January.

From Kirkus:

Petunia decides she’s more animal than girl (RARH!).

Human behavior requires too much structure: cleanliness, clothing, combing, quiet. Petunia enacts all these banalities, all these “hafta[s],” in an effective spread of c-sounds and frowny-faces. Tiny expressions relay her utter exhaustion with people rules (as well as her joy in running bare-bottomed!). Children will empathize, as they know what it’s like to have a wild impulse crushed for millionth time. Careful! After gobbling breakfast off the floor, growling at neighbors and bathing in a mud puddle, Petunia asks to become the family pet, helpfully holding up a leash and collar. Her parents’ response suffocates an entire page, filling it with fuming type and angry large letters that gradually dwindle in size but not quantity. This visual tune-out of a parental rant works well optically and rings true to young ears, too. Schmid’s suggestive charcoal drawings and purple watercolor accents enjoy lots of white space and clever compositional placement. A mellow orange highlights the animal kingdom (Petunia’s pinned-on tiger tail, stuffed animals and the scrawled words MAIL TO AFRICA on a child-sized box). Her mother’s singing in the kitchen draws Petunia back to her human house, but readers sense Petunia will always remain a little feral.

Simple illustrations convey a simple truth: children love to run wild! (Picture book. 3-7)

And from the School Library Journal:

The spunky protagonist of A Pet for Petunia returns with an existential dilemma in this unexpectedly simple yet satisfying tale. Convinced that she should have been born an animal, the precocious preschooler eats her breakfast off the floor, roars at passing strangers, and bathes in mud puddles. Her parents find her request for a cave to live in horrendous and her suggestion that she be their pet drives them to distraction. For Petunia, though, life as a human is just “too… clean. Too careful. Too clothed. Too combed. Too quiet. Too… hafta.” She packages herself into a box labeled “mail to Africa.” The sound of her mother singing in the kitchen causes her misgivings, and she creeps silently back to the kitchen, where milk and cookies are waiting for her. Schmid has crafted a fun, well-paced read-aloud. Though never depicted, Petunia’s parents are aptly realized through their few pages of wordy counter-dialogue. Petunia, on the other hand–with her wild hair and tiger tail pinned to her striped purple dress–is adorably rendered in Schmid’s charismatic charcoal drawings. The art plays a key role in the subtle sense of humor being conveyed, as when the girl peeks around a corner with just her human face and tiger tail on display. With a passionate struggle and simultaneous weakness for the comforts of being a human child, Petunia will charm children and adults alike.–Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

wild review

2011-12-19T21:29:00.000-08:00

A nice new review from Publishers Weekly for my nice new book out in February, PETUNIA GOES WILD.

In her previous book, Petunia wanted a pet, but now she wants to be one. Donning a tiger tail, she eats her breakfast off the floor, bathes in mud, and insists that her parents find her a cave. Being human is just “Too careful. Too clothed. Too combed. Too quiet.” Her parents don’t understand, but Petunia learns that there are a few perks to being human, after all. Schmid uses naïf crayon lines to convey Petunia’s gentle disobedience and frustration over life’s boundaries. Readers who would rather eat under the table will find an ally in this shrewdly playful heroine.

bellicose bunnies

2011-12-07T07:37:00.001-08:00

These are my first exploratory sketches developing the styling on a new character. I worked at these on and off at my book signing last weekend. The bunnies have come a long way since then, but I don't have anything to show just yet.

book signing

2011-12-01T16:49:00.001-08:00

Get on down to Bellevue Art and Frame this Saturday. I will be reading and signing my books from noon to 4pm, so stop by and say hello. --Oh, and buy lots of books too.

http://www.bellevueartandframe.com/

speechless

2011-12-01T14:54:00.001-08:00

I just rewrote the same sentence nearly 40 times.

I think I've got it now.

Oliver

2011-11-21T14:50:00.001-08:00

New character I'm working on.

Isn't there some sort of law against having TOO much fun?

can't stop...

2011-11-19T20:26:00.001-08:00

I’ve started a brand new story and dummy. What a brutal, exhausting, delightful ordeal it is to be so brain-tired, yet not be able to stop because you’re having way too much fun.

launching Pearl

2011-11-17T13:13:00.001-08:00

The wonderful folks at the Secret Garden bookstore are throwing a party for the debut of my new book Hugs from Pearl. 7 pm Tuesday November 22nd.

I'll be there to sign books, read a bit, and talk about a new Petunia story coming out next year. I hope to see you there!

a few reviews to view

2011-11-15T11:48:00.001-08:00

Quite a bit of news to share:

The formidable Kirkus has smiled upon Pearl:

“In this welcome departure from the seemingly ubiquitous theme that finds porcupines looking for love, gentle-hearted Pearl experiments with ways to make her hugs more comfortable for others.

From the first page, the text speaks directly to young readers in simple sentences that instantly establish a friendly rapport: “Pearl is sweet… She’s a very good friend to have. She plays fair, shares her lunch treats, and best of all… / Pearl LOVES to hug.” But she does have those pesky quills. Even though everyone in her class likes Pearl, they find her hugs “a little ouchy.” So Pearl dedicates herself to finding a solution. Set against backgrounds of pale green or blue, the charcoal strokes delineating Pearl’s soft, white body portray her as anything but prickly. A touch of pastel pink highlights her face and the myriad feelings she experiences while struggling with her prickliness. Using pincushions, taking a long bath and requesting a quillcut all prove futile. When she is at her most discouraged, some bees and rosebushes give her an idea. With a little ingenuity, some resourcefulness and a whole lot of heart, Pearl solves her own dilemma. Children and adults alike will cheer as she rushes to school to share her rosy success.

Schmid’s follow-up to A Pet for Petunia proves he is a talent to watch. Keep quills crossed for a future porcupine tale.”

And from Publishers Weekly:

Pearl the porcupine stars in this sweet-natured story about the hazards of hugging (at least when one is a porcupine), and she’s also the source of its delightfulness. Schmid (A Pet for Petunia) draws Pearl and her many quills with a few hasty strokes, but her expressive features, her ecstatic gyrations when she contemplates hugging her classmates (“Pearl loves to hug”), and her dismayed expression when she realizes that her hugs hurt them (“Pearl’s teacher kept lots of Band-Aids handy”) will soften even the hard-hearted. A visit to some similarly prickly rosebushes in the neighborhood leads Pearl to a solution that both pleases her and spares her classmates. Schmid is disciplined about keeping his story focused; Pearl and her classmates stand against backdrops of soft green and blue with no extra scenery, and every sentence moves the action along. Pearl’s is a small-scale problem, but she surmounts it by herself, and readers have the reassuring sense that nothing awful will happen while she figures it out—at least nothing that a Band-Aid can’t fix.

The School Library Journal has also given our girl a sweet review:

Pearl loves to give hugs, which leaves her friends at school in a prickly predicament. Tired of hearing, “Ouch! Thanks, Pearl. Ouch!” from her classmates, the youngster wonders, “What’s a friendly little porcupine to do?” After unsuccessfully investigating several options to soften her quills, including pincushions, a long bath, and a quill cut, Pearl is quite dejected. Then she notices bees happily buzzing around some thorny roses, and she has a flash of inspiration. With a little alteration to her mother’s special rose-print pillowcase, Pearl soon has the perfect solution. With his simple pastel and charcoal illustrations set against pale green and blue pages, Schmid brings just the right touch of sweetness to this charming tale. Though rendered with an uncomplicated ease, rosy-faced Pearl is endearingly expressive in her body language, and readers won’t help but respond to her anxiously crooked mouth as she ponders her dilemma, her industriously stuck-out tongue as she tries to address it, and her jubilantly closed eyes as she savors her success. This porcupine is perfectly lovable, and her proactive endeavors to solve a problem thrust on her by nature set a good example for children encountering their own struggles. This warmhearted story will fit right into storytimes and one-on-one reading sessions at home.–Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI

a reading, and a play!

2011-10-08T15:45:00.000-07:00

Here is Ava!

Her mom tells me Ava's kindergarden class did a play of A Pet for Petunia for some preschoolers. Now that is perfectly awesome!

Hugs from the UPS driver

2011-10-06T16:05:00.000-07:00

This just arrived on my doorstep.

It's a real book!

Available November 22! We'll be having a launch party at Secret Garden Books. More info to come.

soak the muse

2011-08-12T17:23:00.000-07:00

I think it’s time for another installment of previously nonexistent words helpful in describing the creative experience.

I have been working diligently for quite a long time now, putting in endless hours at the drawing board or computer. Production mode. Nose firmly on grindstone.

Naturally one begins to feel played out. The sponge can only be squeezed so much, then it fails to give generously. (Curious how our brains look a bit like sponges...)

If a creator does not stop to gather fresh experiences occasionally, he’s likely to run into a dry spell or start repeating himself.

It makes sense then that a creator should venture forth into the sunlit world and soak up a bit of life now and then. Fill the sponge.

Catchy isn’t it? Fill The Sponge. The Latin for that zinger is Spongiam Replet. I desire a word not a phrase, so lets squeeze that puppy. Spongiplet. Sounds a bit like something unfortunate they found in my arteries. Let’s take the first 3 and last 3 letters: Spolet. That’s better.

Used in a sentence: “I spent the afternoon spoletting at the park watching the kids play.”

Spoletting may even stimulate the creative microbit of the brain. Seduce the Muse as it were.

This must certainly be a creator’s top prioritiy. I’m sure all of us have tried to work while uninspired, with Ms. Muse out to lunch with the girls. Deadly, isn’t it? Poop generally results.

Could we find a word for pitching the woo at said fickle, fickle Muse? Something to use as a battle cry.

Seduce the Muse: Musa Seducat.

Musaseducat. That’s something that comes in a blue bottle, isn’t it? Musducat? No, that’s a type of beaver. Muduce. Pronounced Muh-dooce.

“I’m sooo not into it today, so I’m off to muduce at the museum for an hour or so.”

Yes. If only I didn’t have this deadline.

New York again

2011-08-10T22:27:00.000-07:00

I discovered yesterday that both A Pet for Petunia and Hugs From Pearl have been honored by the Society of Illustrators in New York by being included in their exhibit of the year's best children's books.

This is quite the honor, and I am indescribably grateful to my wonderful editor and friend Maria Modugno who made a stab in the dark by suggesting I give writing a try.

Thanks also must be made to Dana Fritts, my fabuloso designer at Harper. Remember that name; she will be famous.

Petunia in New York!

2011-07-07T15:46:00.000-07:00

Well, a review in The New York Times books section at least.

busy, busy

2011-06-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

Several exciting bits of news this week.

I finished up the art for my fourth self-authored book, Percy's Big Idea. It should be in the book stores by fall of 2012.

The big brown truck delivered the proofs for my January 2012 release, Petunia Goes Wild, and it looks really great, many thanks to the fantastic designer Dana Fritts.

Barnes & Noble has made plans to release enhanced e-book editions of both A Pet for Petunia and Petunia Goes Wild on their color Nook.

another monday quote

2011-05-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

From the great saxophonist Paul Desmond. I like this, as these qualities are what I aim for in my work as well.

“The qualities in music I considered most important -- and still do -- were beauty, simplicity, originality, discrimination, and sincerity,”

talent vs. skill

2011-05-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

Skill is a thing you've worked very hard to acquire. Talent is what someone else was born with.

monday morning quote

2011-05-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

"What you have to do is break all the rules."

-- Andrew Wyeth

2011-05-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

nuff said

2011-05-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

monday quote

2011-05-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

It seems good to start the week with a bit of insight or inspiration:

"If you clean it up, get analytical, all the subtle joy and emotion you felt in the first place goes flying out the window."

-- Andrew Wyeth

wordy rappinghood

2011-05-02T06:40:00.000-07:00

A while back I wrote about the dearth of simple, useful words for the art experience and I feel it is high time I updated things.

For those too lazy to click on the old post, what I was attempting to do was invent much needed words to express some basic, shared whaddyacallits that all creative artists experience.

I translated some ideas into Latin and rammed the words together, birthing new words suitable for everyday usage.

Examples include Velax, which means losing track of time while painting, drawing or creating. Flum: focused daydreaming to solve a creative problem.

You have the idea.

I am still feeling a lack in regards to satisfying expressions for enduring the life of a creator, and to that end I have spent hours parsing a Latin dictionary and/or engaging the indolent and impudent assistance of my teen daughter who’s private school Latin I’ve worked my fingers to the bone to pay for, to bring you three new words to benefit the greater creative community.

I generally work more than 6 months illustrating a book, plenty of time one would think to scour said art for glaring errors, yet inevitably when the box of printed books is opened, there-it-is-dammit, glowing like a rotten, festering wound in the Twilight.

So. What does one call that all too common experience? Let’s use the Latin words for Art, See and Not. Ars. Specto. Non. Squish lightly: Arspectonon. A mouthful. Squish harder: Arspenon. One more squish: Arsen. Used in a sentence: “I don’t know how, but I totally arsened the cover illustration, I hope no one notices.”

Raise hands if you’ve continued on a sketch or painting or hammered on a sentence long after the little voice in your head has repeatedly told you it is Pucked And No Mistake. “No, no” you say, “I can fix it!” Hours later it is in the circular file and good riddance. If one had a word, and if one used the word, one could save oneself countless hours of one beating one's dead horse.

Beat: Battuo. Dead: Mortuus. Horse: Equus.

Batmorteq. Bamortek. Bameked. “I’m bamikking this one for sure, time to bail.”

OK, best for last. There isn’t an artist or author alive who hasn’t envied in an unhealthy way some one or a dozen other creators for their seemingly effortless skill at writing or drawing or whatever. That dang Peter McCarty for one. And don’t forget Shakespeare. Schmuck. Too. Much. Talent.

Awe of others, not self. Rever non ego. Revenonego. Ugg. You know, I think in this case I will ride on the coattails of one who tackled this idea previously, the writer and all around brain-box John Fowles. In his book “The Aristos” he declared that sense of futility and relativity the supreme source of anguish. His word was Nemo: The state of being (or feeling like a) nobody. Such as: “Whenever I read Where the Wild Things Are, I feel Nemoed for a week.” (And how could we not capitalize something so primal and devastating?)

There now, ain’t those useful?

Petunia's a star

2011-04-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

Got the word that A Pet for Petunia will receive a starred review in the May issue of the School Library Journal.

An excerpt:

The illustrations leave much white space for Petunia’s personality to soar. The natural, expressive charcoal-rendered lines coupled with accents of purple watercolor (and a bit of complementary orange here and there) suit the story well and add to its sophistication; the typeface is equally expressive. ... the gentle artistry of the skunk, the woods, and the porcupine warm the heart.

earth day

2011-04-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

This is an animated video my 13 year old daughter made for Earth Day. I just can't describe how proud I am of her.

Mya reads

2011-04-08T10:12:00.000-07:00

Perfectly awesome Mya reads Petunia.

sitting, soaking

2011-03-31T16:59:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling guilty for not blogging a thing for such a long while. I'm in absorption mode and have been for some time. Absorption in my work, absorbing new ideas and thoughts. I'm sure I'll be able to squeeze out the ol' sponge at some point.

bookie woogie boogie

2011-02-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

A review of Petunia by those fabulous Z-kids over at Bookie Woogie.

a prickly situation

2011-02-09T08:29:00.000-08:00

Isn't it always the way it goes, one child getting all the attention?

In the midst of Petunia launching and getting reviews, I mustn't neglect Pearl, my next book. I received the unbound proof in the mail yesterday. My first real look at her on the nice paper stock we picked.

She looks great! Many thanks for which are due Dana Fritts, my designer at HarperCollins. Thanks Dana!

petunia impossible

2011-02-09T08:13:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite blogs, Seven Impossible Things, just posted a feature about Petunia, myself, and a bit about the Sendak Fellowship.
Thanks Jules!

aw, shucks

2011-02-07T18:54:00.000-08:00

A couple of nice reviews for A Pet for Petunia:

Amazon's Petunia page.

David Elzey.

So, what are you waiting for? Buy several copies. Send them to your friends. Let no child be left Skunk-less.

a polymath at 13

2011-01-28T18:32:00.000-08:00

My 13 year old daughter has been tirelessly working on a project writing, illustrating, animating, directing and film editing a fantasy story about mystical wolves. The main character is an unusually powerful but misfit girl wolf who must discover her true self.

Here is the trailer for the future animated movie:

Her abilities amaze me, but it is her determination and passion that makes me the proud father I am.

To see more of her work, here is her YouTube channel:
Silvermoonwolfkaala

on sale now

2011-01-25T21:28:00.000-08:00

A Pet for Petunia is finally published and available for purchase!

Do your neighborhood a favor and buy local.

If that isn't possible, buy here.

par-tay!

2011-01-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

Those wonderful people down at The Secret Garden Bookshop in Ballard are hosting a gathering to celebrate the publication of A Pet for Petunia, my first work as an author/illustrator.

Everyone is welcome, there will be foodstuffs and libations, I will sign books and be shy and nervous all evening.

Here's the nitty-gritty:

Thursday, January 27 at 7 pm

The Secret Garden Bookshop

2214 Northwest Market Street

Seattle, WA 98107-4024

(206) 789-5006

Stop in and say hello!

secret's out

2011-01-07T14:19:00.000-08:00

Having pretty much finished the art for my second Petunia book, 'Petunia Goes Wild', I spent a bit of today cleaning up my studio.
I amassed quite a stack of 3x5 cards with notes to myself on book making, and for some laughs or insights I decided to share some of them with you here.

Creativity is subversive.

Stand out. Or get lost.

Indecisiveness means you are not listening carefully to your emotions.

Color is a tool, not a crutch.

Manipulate the viewer.

The character is king.

Do more drawing than thinking. Then think.

The page needing something does NOT mean adding crap to it.

Stay simple.

Put no strength where it does not belong. Does it support the story?

Is it remarkable?

OK is not acceptable. OK sucks.

--I'm not going to claim my work reflects these fine principles, but only that I strive to attain them. Anyone else willing to share their insights into making books?

a review!

2011-01-04T21:27:00.000-08:00

A Pet for Petunia, available at the end of this month, garnered some favorable words from Publishers Weekly.

The review finished up with this:

"Petunia makes delightful company; kids will recognize themselves and clamor for rereads. "

Aint that nice?

exciting new project

2010-12-19T22:01:00.000-08:00

I am delighted to announce I will be illustrating Randall de Seve's new book "Peanut and Fifi".

It is a smart, fun, clever story. I was fortunate to able to devote considerable time to developing a look for the characters while I was at Maurice Sendak's fellowship this fall, and can not wait to dive into the finished art.

Randall is the author of the wonderful "Mathilda and the Orange Balloon", "The Duchess of Whimsey", and "Toy Boat".

Needless to say, I am thrilled to have the chance to work with Randall as well as editor Liz Waniewski at Dial.

in the bag

2010-12-17T17:03:00.000-08:00

Late this week I put the final touches on the art for Petunia Goes Wild. It should be available in January of 2012.
For those who can't wait, the first Petunia adventure, A Pet for Petunia, will be out in ONLY SIX WEEKS!
Party info to come.

where the wild thing was

2010-11-05T14:08:00.000-07:00

I haven’t blogged in a while, primarily since I returned just a few weeks ago from a residency program under Maurice Sendak.

I and 3 other artists had a month in which to work on our own projects and commune with each other and the Master of Children’s Books. I had a wonderful, productive time.

It is astounding how inspirational an environment of little or no distractions and the company of like-minded fellows can be.

I hope to get back to posting more, but I have a looming deadline at the end of this month, so am immersed in pictures rather than words...

Maurice smiling:

He is truly a delightful guy.

Both photos taken by the wonderful Lynn Caponera.

in which I whack Degas

2010-09-10T16:22:00.000-07:00

This painting by Edgar Degas has fascinated and frustrated me since art school.

The American Academy of Art was just two blocks from the Museum of the Art Institute of Chicago, and I frequently dashed there during lunch break to spend an hour muttering to myself in front of their fine collection of Degas paintings.

The composition of this piece in particular thwarted my youthful efforts to analyze it. A quiet scene in a ladies hat shop. Yet there is something disquieting about it. I'm going to have another whack at figuring this one out.

The arrangement of shapes are still and formal, yet dramatic. Some unexpected, awkward angles. An odd, unbalanced symmetry. Rough slashes of dark and light. Such a challenging puzzle. Is Degas provoking us?

Since I’ve made the claim before that illustration is manipulation, that we as artists can determine the emotional experience of the viewer, I feel it is important to study what factors determine these impressions.

If we squint deeply, the most apparent thing is the hat with green ribbon leading down to the brightest colored hat, the blue one. This neatly cuts the composition in half. A light, brightly lit hat at the far left is balanced by a similarly colored one the woman is holding off to the right, cementing a nearly perfect symmetry. A dull start, as this usually is a compositional no-no.

But there’s more. A noticeable aspect in Degas’ painting is the raking angle of the table. The woman’s arm is also abruptly angled. She is leaning awkwardly. There is an instability to the whole foreground, as if it is falling off the canvas.

We see an ominous dark band along the upper portion of the painting, acting as a weight, reminiscent of blue-black storm clouds. There is something disturbing about the room. The dark and light bands of the rear windows are almost violently painted.

So here we have a mix --or mix up-- of placid symmetry and a feeling of sharp instability.

Ed sets up a nicely balanced fulcrum and then kicks it down.

So, why? Why this arrangement? What did Degas want us to experience? Here is a place seemingly peaceful, yet he is composing things in a way which suggest disturbing undercurrents. Did he merely want a visually dynamic pattern? Or is he setting up an unspoken drama?

And is this kind of compositional sophistication, suggestiveness and thoughtfulness useful in children’s books?

I believe so.

a string of Pearls

2010-09-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

Pearl is done! Now I only have a year to wait until it is in the bookstores. Fall 2011.

I am so pleased with the cover and book design by the wonderful Dana Fritts at HarperCollins. With her help, Pearl's story looks much cooler than I had ever imagined it could be.

wonderful news

2010-08-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

Got back from vacation to the news that The Wonder Book got in to the Society of Illustrators 2010 Original Art show, "... an exhibit celebrating the fine art of children's book illustration".

An illustration from the book will be on display in New York from October 20th to November 24.

I feel very honored by this, and want to extend my gratitude to the author of The Wonder Book, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and my fantastic editor at Harper, Maria Modugno for handing me such an amazing project and the creative freedom to go with it.

A very special thanks to Dana Fritts at Harper for entering the book into the show!

that makes sense

2010-08-06T21:13:00.000-07:00

I am a logical person.

As such, I love the logic of kids. Years ago, after a neighbor’s sweet, huge yellow lab wandered into our house and snatched a sandwich right out of my young daughter’s hand, my incensed little sophist declared she wished the world were flat so all the dogs would fall off.

When I am working on a story, one of my hopes is to pay homage to the logic of children. I admire the straightforward, creative ways they attempt to solve their problems.

doodlin'

2010-07-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

Feeling these days more like a factory than an artist, I'm obliging myself to doodle aimlessly for 20 minutes every morning. Well, almost every morning.

seeking nothing in particular

2010-06-25T12:06:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is better to remain still in order to see what scurries by. Why is that so difficult?

idle thoughts

2010-06-24T09:34:00.000-07:00

I am nearly done with the art for my 2nd self-authored book Hugs From Pearl. It is always a frantic rush towards the finish line, making endless last-minute changes and adjustments.

As hard as it is to let go of the art, (I could tweak things for another 6 months,) I will be glad to send the last one off and take a bit of a breather before I dive into the final art for my next book, Petunia Goes Wild.

I find the best opportunity for creative thinking is when I am not focused on being productive. When my brain is idle ideas tend to pop up. Generally a thing rushes in to fill the nothing.

It makes sense that I should incorporate some brain-meandering time in my daily schedule. Sort of a mental flaneur period.

Yet even though I know it is usually wonderfully productive, who could put "2:00 - 3:30: Nothing." on their calendar?

Seems un-American somehow.

Mole had been working

2010-05-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

The thing about E. H. Shepard is.

Not that he wields exquisite compositions like Heath Robinson. He does not stun us with genius color like Zwerger or knock us dead with impossible technique like Spirin. No hypnotic hatchings like Gorey, no oddly irresistible charm like Delphine Durand.

No. What Shepard’s drawings have are Character. Honest, believable character. Not Hilary Knight’s winning excesses, not Mo Willem’s hilarious theatrics. The real thing. Characters with emotions every child and adult can relate to.

The drawings Shepard did for Wind In The Willows and the Pooh books are timeless. No, that’s not exactly right. They are TIMELESS.

Why? Because the emotions that Shepard drew are timeless. His pen deftly portrays the things that unite all of us. Our humanity. That means everyone: innocent children, cynical adults, extremist nuts, numb taoists, crazy-busy illustrators. We all have the same things in common: Vanity. Curiosity. Pride. Arrogance. Innocence. Courage. Wonder. Generosity. Friendship. Doubt.

And then there is his lovely linework.

to fly or not to fly?

2010-04-15T20:36:00.000-07:00

We (myself included), spend so much time looking for answers, when it is the questions we should be embracing.

Answers are confines. Questions are wings.

but not as cute as Amy

2010-04-05T19:31:00.000-07:00

Hilariousness from Bookie Woogie!

knock, knock

2010-03-29T17:34:00.000-07:00

I’ve noticed through the years how few opportunities are convenient. They don’t come at the perfect time, or with a path you can follow blithely. Most of the time opportunities ask as much from you as they give.

One could almost render this equation as a formula: Opportunity equals pain in the neck, or: O=PIN. Yes, of course you have to keep yourself open to opportunities. Not a free lunch though.

I suppose it is a good time to blame the balance of life. That colossal slacker Lao Tzu warns us redundantly about avoiding high aspirations: “Those who stride cannot maintain the pace.” “Keep stretching the bow, you repent the pull.” “Do enough without vying, Be living, not dying.” Yadda, yadda.

And yet, the regrets I do have are the opportunities I have not pursued.

I yearn for a calm, peaceful, easy life, but I’ve also hounded myself by a pursuit of Excellence. A thing unattainable because it is a target constantly moving two steps ahead of oneself. A perpetual frustration machine. A perpetual fascination.

is this not happiness?

2010-03-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Chin Shengt'an's Thirty-three Happy Moments,
I present to you one of mine. What a great way to begin
my morning!

almost famous

2010-03-05T08:41:00.000-08:00

I've been on the blogosphere lately:

Seven Imposible Things

MSN Bound

Chinook

da real thing

2010-01-24T09:47:00.000-08:00

Check it out-- my first book!

Amy, Amy, Amy!

2010-01-17T17:01:00.000-08:00

Hey, it's Amy!

The Wonder Book video

sudden reappearance

2010-01-05T17:10:00.000-08:00

If anyone has noticed my absence of over a month, it was all due to trying to meet my deadline of final art for my first self-authored children's picture book, 'A Pet For Petunia".

Petunia lobbies her parents for a pet skunk. (They are pretty cute after all.) Will she succeed? You'll have to wait until January of 2011 to find out.

how to

2009-11-29T12:02:00.000-08:00

My 12 year old daughter, a diligent writer as well as being over 600 drawings into an animated cartoon she's putting together in iMovie, recently showed me this bit of writing advice she devised for herself. I found it to be so compact and thorough that I wanted to share it.

1. Figure out what you like. Write about what you like most.

2. Think up the setting.

3. Get the main characters. Your story would be especially interesting with a hero or two, and a villain.

4. Remember three things: Beginning, Middle, and End.

5. Imagine your story. Relate it to something important to you in your life. It could be the fact that you don’t fit in. Have the main character someone who is special and is left out because of this.

6. Eat some pie.

7. Begin to write the basic summary. This will help you get ideas.

8. When finished, begin putting the meat on the bones. (a.k.a: START WRITING!!!!)

9. Put in a lot of details.

10. When you’re done, you can ANIMATE IT!!

there is no answer

2009-11-16T18:24:00.000-08:00

I finally broke down and got a cellphone, holding out for so long for the reason that I LIKE being unavailable to the world.

Having myself to myself without distractions is generally when my mind drifts into a calm and creative place.

I'm my most productive when I have nothing I'm supposed to be doing and no one can interrupt my nothing and ask me to do something for them.

So no, I'm not giving out my cell number. I've got it on a slip of paper in a box hidden somewhere. Ha!

chocolate covered paradox

2009-11-02T17:51:00.000-08:00

Shortly after Halloween some years ago my daughter asked the question: "Why do they call it 'Fun Size' if it is smaller and you don't get as much?"

happy halloween

2009-10-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

Sometime during the early 60's I saved the day. My brother however liked to stir things up.

wonderful

2009-10-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

You must buy this book. Hilarious.

have you seen the little piggies?

2009-10-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

"This little pig loved a gnome", from 'The Wonder Book' by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, drawings by myself.

Available in March!

r-e-s-p-e-c-t

2009-10-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

Some folks are still surprised that an illustrator can offer up something worthwhile. It seems silly to me that the subject continues to be debated.

Gibson was treated like a rock star during his lifetime, yet more than one critic has flung the word ‘illustrator’ at Andy Wyeth as an insult.

Perhaps after all these years, it is the art critics who remain the clueless ones. But they do have a lot of cerebral baggage they have to peer through in order to see things, so we should cut them some slack.

I had a chance to voice my own take on the subject when asked to write a review for The Seattle Times of an Al Hirschfeld exhibit at the Frye Museum.

words fail me

2009-09-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

I haven't really had anything to say lately. It happens every time I get really into drawing. Words and pictures seem to use opposite sides of my brain that can not be used at the same time. (But I can rub my belly and pat my head simultaneously.)

In fact, the creative slice of the old bean resents distractions and interruptions with a fervor.

As a result, I'm an inconsistent blogger.

So it goes.

words of anger, words of wisdom

2009-09-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

An important message from the future.

breakout

2009-09-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

My daughter has a Leopard Gecko that dines on crickets. They've escaped. The house sounds like a swamp.

technical difficulties

2009-09-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

Our house was burglarized over the weekend and my computer stolen. I cannot access my email easily yet, so if you are trying to contact me, it's best to call-- 206-938-4516.

And if anyone buys a used iMac with a ton of my artwork on it, please burn a disc of it and send it to me. No questions asked.

Thanks!

out of the woods

2009-08-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

Back in the studio today after a 4 day backpacking trip in the north Cascade Mountains. That's myself on the left with my hiking buddy Dan.

Pretty wild place-- I came across a wolf track and hunters spotted a wolverine and bear near the trail just before we began our hike. Plus the usual whistling marmots, eeping pikas and other critters.

OK, back to work!

gone hikin'

2009-08-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

Sweet.

quiet for a while

2009-08-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

Gone paddling.

for Steve

2009-08-03T12:11:00.001-07:00

crossroads at midnight

2009-07-30T10:07:00.001-07:00

Illustrations by Gennady Spirin.

I wince a little when I hear the word “talent”.

To me the word implies that ability is merely a gift. Magic.

For someone to say “She’s got talent” does nothing to suggest the years of hard work, planning and intelligence that go into producing great art.

If asked how long it took him to paint a watercolor, my instructor, Irving Shapiro would say: “30 years”, or just about as many years as he’d been painting altogether.

A friend has gotten up at 5 in the morning for decades to get a few hours of painting time in before going to his “real” job.

While I was at art school, I invariably painted until midnight or one in the morning, several times falling asleep at my drawing board -- once with my eyes wide open.

There is a legend around blues legend Robert Johnson; that he sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his red-hot guitar ability. A more romantic explanation to savor than sweat and determination.

If the illustrator Gennady Spirin has sold his soul, it was to a very benevolent spirit, for that man’s got “Talent”!

I’ve never seen such an ability with watercolor, even surpassing the great Sir William Russell Flint.

To tear our eyes from the lovely handling is not easy, but once we do what further marvels we see: rich moods, superb compositions, flawless drawing, color to break your heart.

Natural ability factors in, sure, but I’d say most of what we see in Spirin’s work is the result of a purposeful, intelligent, long laboring soul rather than mere magic.

first timer

2009-07-24T08:17:00.000-07:00

A package arrived the other day, inside were the f&g's for 'The Wonder Book', by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by yours truly.

This career I've chosen is one step closer to feeling real.

(For the perplexed: f&g's stand for folded and gathered, an unbound proof of a book)

just for Adam

2009-07-17T11:54:00.001-07:00

inking of you

2009-07-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

Illustrations from ‘The Story of Ferdinand’, by Munro Leaf, illustrated by Robert Lawson.

There are some overused words out there. ‘Hero’ and ‘perfect’ being a couple I can think of right off. (Puhl-eeze! Someone who chucks a ball around is NOT a hero.)

But I’m gonna commit my own misdemeanor: There ARE at least two perfect things out there.

‘Where the Wild Things Are’ is a perfectly written book.

‘The Story of Ferdinand’ is a perfectly illustrated book.

Even as a runny-nosed kid, I knew it was perfect. I used to spend hours gazing at those rich blacks, the lovely hatchings, marveling at Lawson’s absolute skill in drawing. Every inch of ink semed perfect to me.

That line from the Beatles song: “She’s the kind of girl you want so much it makes you sorry,” was exactly how I felt about those drawings.

Perfect. Except for the cover, the cover design sucks.

Sigh.

Zwerger two

2009-07-06T13:44:00.000-07:00

Illustration by Lisbeth Zwerger from ‘The Wizard of Oz’.

Illustration is manipulation, (evil bwa-ha-ha laugh here). The artist seeks to control what the viewer sees and what they sense, what is important and what is background. What and how they feel. The tools the artist has for this are numerous.

One of the greatest challenges an illustrator has is taking an inherently busy subject and controlling the chaos so that the piece powerfully communicates the essence of the story to the viewer.

A field of poppies could result in a nearly unreadable cacophony as an illustration. A riot of pointless color at the very least, overwhelming the eye.

Besides, red poppies are cheerful, this scene needs to be frightening. So what’s an illustrator to do?

Selections must be made! Choices! Manipulation! Power wielded!! (Another evil laugh here.) An illustrator must see themselves as Master of the content, not a slave of it.

Lizbeth Zwerger has done that here with extraordinary skill.

An eerie greyish green background suggests an endless field without the literal busyness that would overwhelm the viewers eyes, while simultaneously being complimentary to and enhancing the purer red of the poppies. She suggests the field without being controlled by it.

The vertical stalks and eliminating the plant’s leaves simplify things, resulting in an appealing graphic design while the starkness somehow infers a tension, a stillness, a moment of frozen time.

That the poppies are oversized emphasizes the lost, helpless feeling of the characters, they are small, alone, isolated.

Zwerger here is a storyteller, not just a decorator of a page in a book.

This is illustration at it’s best.

Zwerger part one

2009-06-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

Lisbeth, Lisbeth, How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

We’ll start with the values. Squint and you’ll notice that she’s working with only 3 distinct value sets. Lights, a few halftones and some darks. No mushed tones here!

Notice how the dark windows and ground circle the center of interest like a frame.

The two identically sized buildings and formal, centered composition enhance an awareness of the difference between the diminutive Dwarf Nose and the giant next door.

Look at the empty space above Dwarf Nose! It emphasizes his shortness and your eye runs right down that slide of space straight to his red coat.

The colors are kept muted and cool except Dwarf Nose and the orange coated giant, with the thin orange roofs of the neighboring buildings as a triangular unifying device.

Even the door of the shop is arcing towards Dwarf Nose.

My drawing teacher Mr. Parks used to say: “Find what you can do to reinforce the center of interest.” Here Lisbeth uses color, value, shape, space, movement, temperature and scale.

What we see here is not mere talent but deliberate, smart work.

My heart goes pitter-pat.

Illustration by Lisbeth Zwerger from ‘Dwarf Nose’ by William Hauff. North-South Books.

more best

2009-06-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

William Heath Robinson.

Such dynamic use of empty space! This work is filled with energy, tension and humor.

the best

2009-06-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Betsy Bird's top 100, I'm planning on featuring MY top picks for children's book illustrators. I may end up at a round ten, we'll just have to see.

First on the list is the artist that got me started on all this, N C Wyeth. I still vividly remember wandering through the local library when I was a kid and randomly pulling Treasure Island off the shelf. I was electrified. Stunned. I absolutely lusted to be able to paint like that.

The paintings were far more than well crafted, they were raw, truthful, bold, earthy. Filled with power and vitality.

And Wyeth handled sensitive subjects with equal deft and meaning. This painting of Jack Hawkins leaving home displays a masterful composition featuring a determined yet hesitant boy with his tearful mother who has stepped back to allow Jack's destiny to unfold.

The darkly shadowed foreground, the raking triangle of burning sunlight across the house, the lonely cloud in a washed out sky. The homey touch of the bowl in the kitchen window. All deliberate tools to create a feeling for a very powerful moment.

Genius.

Le phoque

2009-05-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

'Le phoque' by Caroline Lamarche, illustrated by Goele Dewanckel

I am completely, out of my mind in awe of the art from this book.

Elegant simplicity gets me every time. Of course it doesn't hurt that I'm usually surrounded by seals whenever I take my kayak out. Still, the art kills me it's so gorgeous.

go for two!

2009-05-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

Lightning can strike twice in the same place!

I have received another two-book offer from HarperCollins. The first is about a determined girl named Petunia and her quest for a perfectly awesome pet. The second book will be another Petunia story, which will be described once I dig up an idea and write something.

It's been a busy year for me. Looks to get even busier!

wow wwa

2009-05-18T15:15:00.001-07:00

I attended the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators annual conference for western Washington state over the weekend (SCBWI WWA). As last year, the event was flawlessly organized, inspiring and a heckofalota fun.

I finally met my uber-agent Steve Malk in person, and got to know a few other Malketeers, such as the frighteningly talented Adam Rex and Hizzoner Jon Scieszka. The boys certainly proved my theory that the nicest people end up at the top. At least in the kid-lit world.

Listening to Nancy Pearl, Elizabeth Parisi from Scholatic and others share their experiences and expertise, clearly the common thread was a passion to provide great books for kids.

da boids

2009-05-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

The tanager's are back! Makes me feel as though I'm living in the tropics.

for my next act...

2009-05-11T17:30:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up in Chicago, I used to watch Bozo's Circus on our old b/w TV. I liked the band. The clown was lame.
I remember one show vividly. Bozo had a guest act. A plate spinner. The guy had 7 or so vertical rods on which he placed ceramic plates, setting them spinning with his hands. The act was putting all 7 plates on the rods and keep them spinning fast enough so they wouldn't topple off. He wasn't very good at it.

Anyway, even as a kid the act really stressed me out.

There have been many times in my life when I've felt like that plate spinner. Running to and fro frantically, sweating unglamorously, trying to keep too many projects spinning at the same time. Desperate not to let a too-long ignored project topple and smash.

Expecting any moment to hear the tune the band played when someone blew it.

What do other writers or illustrators do to stay focused on the important project? I know what is my top priority, I just keep getting pulled away from it.

don't worry, be happy

2009-04-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

In one month I have to turn in the final art for my first self-authored children's book.

This is my least favorite stage of the process. The concepting is done, the design has been worked out, the only thing left is to deliver on the promise. To draw the dang thing. Turning the vision into the visible. This is where the art ends up being great or less than I had hoped. It never is as good as one imagined it would be.

So I've become anxious. And tight.

I suppose that is why at this crucial point, with time running out, that I dropped everything to write a new story. Delaying the inevitable, avoiding the difficult.

This is where I need to pull out all the tricks to fool myself that everything is fine and dandy, there's no rush, the art'll be brilliant. If I can regain a relaxed confidence, things will flow along nicely with less effort.

The art of warring with oneself. It's a mind game.

remembrance

2009-04-23T08:05:00.000-07:00

Although it has been more than 25 years since my grandfather died, at times I still miss him deeply.

Albert Schmid was an artist of many talents. Landscape painter, engraver, wood carver, in the 20's he owned and ran his own commercial art studio in Chicago. During the depression the number of artists in his studio gradually declined from around 20 to just 'Papa' himself. Hard times.

He was an accomplished watercolorist. One of his buddies on weekend outdoor painting trips was the famed Haddon Sundblom of the Coca-Cola Santa Claus fame.

I remember him as a gentle, quiet, wise man. He was one of those 'Good Men'. I was in my early 20's and in art school when he died. In the course of my own life and career there has been many times I've wished him at my side to lend advice or just a understanding ear.

As a child I had so much admiration for the man he was and the things he accomplished. I still use the easel you see in the picture of him. I hope to pass it on to my daughter when the time is right.

the good life

2009-04-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

I've been watching 4 of these guys frolicking in the big maple outside my studio window for the last few days.

Being able to nap high in a tree while wearing a soft coat of fur sounds pretty darn nice.

the way to do is to be.

2009-04-09T22:09:00.000-07:00

I wish I had time for painting outside. I love weather, and pure painting like this is bliss.

marooned

2009-04-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

I had not heard anything about the uber-genius Freeman Dyson since reading 'The Starship and the Canoe' about a decade ago.

The New York Times Magazine had a feature story about the venerable heterodox's take on global warming and other things.

His belief that creativity is subversive hit me where I live. As I'm working on designing and illustrating my first manuscript for Harper, I've been running along that razor's edge between creating something novel and daring, subversive if you like, or going with what I know to be successful, since I ardently desire this book to be successful itself. (Successful enough to keep me in funds so that I can continue to write and illustrate books--it's rather fun.)

I've lived long enough to know that necessity is the mother of convention, and having a mortgage to pay and a kid to raise is a powerful pile of necessity.

So. Risk or safe?

Why, compromise of course! But if what you produce is not NEW and INTERESTING, it will be overlooked or quickly forgotten. So risk is safer, yes?

Safety can be risky, but risk is not always the sure route either. So I'm risking no matter which route I take. Therefore I might as well risk, since there is always risk. Risk is not truly risky, since nothing is safe.

I have to lay down now...

eureka!

2009-04-02T12:52:00.000-07:00

After nearly two months of work, I finally have the design for my book 'Hugs from Pearl' roughed out.

Once the manuscript was completed, there were about a thousand ways for the art and design to go. Watercolors, pastels, fully rendered, cartoon, pencil line, ink line, saturated colors, pale color. Uff-da! A lot of decision making. My brain feels it's gone 15 rounds with Rocky Graziano.

Now I just have to send it to my lovely, keenly perceptive and awesomely brilliant editor at Harper. Wish me luck.

snarl

2009-03-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

Boy am I in a mood today.

thirsty?

2009-03-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

From 'The Wonder Book'.

striking the balance

2009-03-22T17:23:00.000-07:00

I endeavor to keep a fresh, impromptu quality to my illustrations. After so many revisions by the editor or author or designer, it is difficult to work a drawing over and over yet keep it from looking overworked and lifeless.

A balancing act; perfection and spontaneity. They were arguing about it 600 years ago in China.

Fu Shan:

"Calligraphy should rather be awkward than clever.
Rather ugly than pleasing.
Rather crumbled than suave.
Rather plain than assembled."

tail dragging

2009-03-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

So much to do and I'm having trouble keeping bum in chair. Perhaps it is because I've been dragged away from one book for late revisions on a completed project. Like being snatched out of a moving roller coaster. I try to stay intuitive and emotional about my work, and it takes time and effort to get there and stay there.

just dreaming

2009-03-16T15:31:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't Hawaii be nice right about now?

room with a view

2009-03-10T08:54:00.001-07:00

Not a bad place to slave over a drawing board.

in the works

2009-03-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

Sat-on-her Day from the forthcoming 'Wonder Book', by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.