{"id":1310,"date":"2008-06-11T00:01:45","date_gmt":"2008-06-11T06:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1310"},"modified":"2008-06-11T00:02:18","modified_gmt":"2008-06-11T06:02:18","slug":"seven-questions-over-breakfast-with-tricia-tusa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1310","title":{"rendered":"Seven Questions Over Breakfast with Tricia Tusa"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"TriciaIt’s that time again, time to sit down with one impossibly talented illustrator before breakfast. Rather, over<\/em> breakfast. Tricia Tusa’s here, joining 7-Imp for a cyber-feast. And what is Tricia’s breakfast of choice? “Two eggs over easy, three pieces of bacon, two pancakes, hot Red Mate tea with milk and honey, a handful of vitamins. If there is time, I will juice kale, parsley, carrots, cucumber, beets, apple and lemon together. I feel more secure starting my day with a large amount in my belly.”<\/font> That<\/em>, my friends, is a real breakfast. As long as I can add my coffee, I’m more than happy with that meal. And especially the company. <\/p>\n

Tricia’s been wow’ing me lately with her illustrations, and in 7-Imp’s world, I’ve recently run my mouth about In a Blue Room<\/strong><\/a><\/em>, written by Jim Averbeck<\/strong><\/a> (Jim is interviewed here<\/strong><\/a>), published this year by Harcourt, and last year’s Fred Stays With Me!<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, written by Nancy Coffelt<\/strong><\/a> and published by Little, Brown Young Readers. <\/p>\n

But here’s the thing. As you will see below, Tricia has illustrated about FIFTY books. (Note her response to the can-you-list-your-books-to-date question: She’s illustrated so many that even she’s not sure how many total she’s graced with her paintbrush.) And I can’t find a Tricia Tusa bibliography online any<\/em>where. It PAINS<\/font> me to not include a comprehensive list of her books to-date, but . . . well, you read the same thing I did: There are FIFTY, folks. Not to mention, I’m sure you, our devoted readers, know how to do title searches. So, I’ll leave that rewarding search up to you.<\/p>\n


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Spread from <\/em>In a Blue Room (Harcourt, 2008)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

That said, I feel rather like a poseur gushing about her illustrations when I’ve seen exactly two<\/em> of her books. Ahem. Shameful, I know. But, hey, a girl’s gotta start somewhere. I really like what I have seen, not to mention you can bet I’m off to do a library search for her previous titles. I predict that one day really soon I’ll be walking in the door with a hugely huge stack of Tusa-illustrated titles to explore. That’s my plan anyway. <\/p>\n

While we’re setting the table for our breakfast chat, let’s get the basics from Tricia. But first I want to thank her for stopping by. And how much do I love that she shares her quirky brainstorming techniques (see her various ways of cocooning below)? A whole, whole lot. What a fun interview this was, and many thanks to her.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> Are you an illustrator or author\/illustrator?<\/font><\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> I am an author\/illustrator. I wrote and illustrated about ten books in my twenties, into my thirties…and then had my daughter at age thirty-five. Somehow, I found writing more difficult after her arrival — less time to fully immerse myself in that solitary process. So, since then, I have mainly been illustrating others’ words and really enjoying it. Ideas for books keep popping up, though, in my head, beckoning me to complete them.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> Can you list your books-to-date?<\/font><\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> I have illustrated about fifty books?<\/p>\n

{Ed. Note: Insert Jules cringing here for the absence of a Tricia-Tusa bibliography, but—again—you’re on your own, my friends.}<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> What is your usual medium, or -\u2013 if you use a variety -\u2013 your preferred one?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> I often feel compelled to draw with pen and ink, or sometimes pencil. I sometimes paint with watercolor and gouache, adding colored pencil on top and crayons. How to Make a Night<\/strong><\/a><\/em> {HarperCollins, 2004}, written by Linda Ashman<\/strong><\/a>, was a very fun departure for me. Some pages were monoprinted, and many were cut and pasted with found photos as well as photos I took myself. (The book barely survived out there, because the cover was AWFUL. An unfortunate decision on the part of the editor and my unfortunate giving-in. Hopefully, a lesson learned for me there.)<\/p>\n

The paintings that I do on my own, alone and just for myself, are done in acrylic on masonite. Very dark works that still convey humor (I hope). I love to give myself the time to do work like this, because there is much freedom in it — no pressure to appeal to others or be “appropriate.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> Where are your stompin\u2019 grounds?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> I live in a house on a hilltop in a village of about three hundred people in northern New Mexico.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> Can you briefly tell us about your road to publication?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> At age five, I announced (to the walls) that I would make books for children as an adult. (I also wanted to be a child psychologist as well as run an orphanage!) Right out of college, I moved to New York City and put together a very home-made portfolio of art work. I called several publishers listed in the Yellow Pages and made appointments with Art Directors. Quite a few were very encouraging and suggested I write as well — putting words to the pictures I was showing them. Holiday House took a chance with me and had me illustrate two books for them. I, then, did several books with Macmillan that I both wrote and illustrated. This began at age twenty-one and has continued to this day, twenty-six years later.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> If you do school visits, can you tell us what they\u2019re like?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> I have a Master’s in Art Therapy and really enjoy mixing up my illustration work with this more interactive work. The most recent place was M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital<\/strong><\/a> in Houston. I worked with the teenagers.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> Any new titles\/projects you might be working on now that you can tell us about?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> At the moment, I am illustrating a chapter book called The Problem with the Puddles<\/strong><\/a><\/em> by Kate Feiffer<\/strong><\/a>. Simultaneously, I am working on a picturebook by Sarah Sullivan<\/strong><\/a> called The Amazing Adventures of Lizzie and Marvin<\/em>.<\/p>\n

My most recent book is In a Blue Room<\/strong><\/a><\/em> by Jim Averbeck<\/strong><\/a>. What a pleasure it was finding that FedEx package on my doorstep one night. I was carrying in the groceries and tripped over it. I brought the envelope inside, sat on the couch, and as I read, I knew immediately what a pleasure it would be to illustrate. <\/p>\n

Pictures came to mind so quickly…all the way to its finish, where I saw the reader being taken out of the room way out into the universe. What an honor and delight it is to receive such a gift by surprise. In addition, what a delight it was to work with an editor the likes of Samantha McFerrin<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n


\n

Spread from <\/em>In a Blue Room (Harcourt, 2008)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

* * *<\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

\"Mmm.Okay, the table’s set, and we’re ready to sit down and talk more specifics over coffee—and some Red Mate tea, of course—with Tricia (more like Six Questions Over Breakfast, since she opted out of the last one) — and Pivot her, of course.<\/font> <\/p>\n

1. 7-Imp:<\/strong><\/font> What exactly is your process when you are illustrating a book? You can start wherever you\u2019d like when answering: getting initial ideas, starting to illustrate, or even what it\u2019s like under deadline, etc. Do you outline a great deal of the book before you illustrate or just let your muse lead you on and see where you end up?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> My process varies from book to book — according to whatever I sense or see in my mind after reading the words. I draw sketches quickly so as not to deliberate too much and get in my own way. I will trace from these sketches directly, using a light box…all the while trying to maintain the spontaneous feel of these originals.<\/p>\n

Usually I will do thumbnails before any sketches in order to lay out the whole book…to see if it works as a whole. And, because the art in the dummy is very “finished,” the final art really flows and is fun to do.<\/p>\n


\n

Tricia in her cocoon: “{This} curious photo shows me incubating ideas in my mind by cocooning in a blanket. Only my feet can breathe! BUT…it really works.”<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

2. 7-Imp:<\/strong><\/font> Describe your studio or usual work space for us.<\/font> <\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> My work studio is my refuge. I walk into that room and feel as though I have walked into my brain. Very private and full of natural light. It is separate from my home (imperative!). In fact, it is thirty miles from home near my daughter’s school. Whereas, I paint my own paintings and I sculpt clay pieces and sew things at my kitchen table.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n


\n

Tricia: “Me in my studio, pretending not to notice the camera . . .”<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

\"Wiliam<\/a>3. 7-Imp:<\/strong><\/font> As book lovers, it interests us: What books or authors and\/or illustrators influenced you as an early reader?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> I love David Small’s<\/strong><\/a> work and Lisbeth Zwerger’s<\/strong><\/a>, William Steig’s<\/strong><\/a> {pictured here}, G. Brian Karas’s<\/strong><\/a>, Roahl Dahl’s<\/strong><\/a>, my daughter’s…<\/p>\n

4. 7-Imp:<\/strong><\/font> If you could have three (living) illustrators or author\/illustrators — whom you have not yet met — over for coffee or a glass of rich, red wine, whom would you choose?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> I would have liked to have spent a day looking over William Steig’s<\/strong><\/a> shoulder as he worked…and then spent the evening with his wife and him over dinner.<\/p>\n


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More spreads from <\/em>In a Blue Room<\/center><\/p>\n

5. 7-Imp:<\/strong><\/font> What is currently in rotation on your iPod or loaded in your CD player? Do you listen to music while you create books?<\/font><\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> My radio is tuned to NPR<\/strong><\/a>, and my CD player has Loudon Wainwright<\/strong><\/a> in it and David Sedaris<\/strong><\/a> stories.<\/p>\n

6. 7-Imp:<\/strong><\/font> What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> Here goes. I wear gigantic, white, all-cotton underwear that can be pulled up under my chin if need be! Another cocooning effect.<\/p>\n

The Pivot Questionnaire<\/font><\/center><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> What is your favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> “The.”<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> What is your least favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> “Surely.”<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> Long talks with my husband…and watching my daughter be in the world…watching children, in general…and watching and listening to genuinely nice parents being with their kids.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> What turns you off?<\/font><\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> Mean, stupid parenting…and small-minded, condescending politicians.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> What is your favorite curse word? (optional)<\/font><\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> All of them are…perfect.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> What sound or noise do you love?<\/font><\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> That owl that perches on top of our chimney and hoots down its hollowness. We hoot right back at him and he answers. I love the sound of my husband’s voice. I love the sound of my daughter laughing (at my jokes!!). I love the sound of those trains in the distance. And I love the sound of the wind through the pines on our land.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> What sound or noise do you hate?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> Mean, stupid parenting…and small-minded, condescending politicians.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?<\/font><\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> Acting in film and theatre! Running an orphanage. Being a really fine child psychologist — truly reaching them.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> What profession would you not like to do?<\/font><\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> Any involving a boss and flourescent lights up above.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/strong>:<\/font> If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?<\/font><\/p>\n

Tricia<\/strong>:<\/font> I in no way believe I will be greeted by God at some pearly gates. I feel heaven is right here, right where I am, right now…as well as deep inside of me. This is why I love my work, because it is so much fun to work from that place way down deep…to bring it up and out, look at it, and try to put it on the paper in front of me.<\/p>\n

* * * * * * *<\/center><\/p>\n

Spreads from IN A BLUE ROOM by Jim Averbeck, illustration \u00a9 2008 by Tricia Tusa, posted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It’s that time again, time to sit down with one impossibly talented illustrator before breakfast. Rather, over breakfast. Tricia Tusa’s here, joining 7-Imp for a cyber-feast. And what is Tricia’s breakfast of choice? “Two eggs over easy, three pieces of bacon, two pancakes, hot Red Mate tea with milk and honey, a handful of vitamins. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blogger-interviews","category-picture-books"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1310"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1310\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}