{"id":1764,"date":"2009-08-18T00:01:18","date_gmt":"2009-08-18T06:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1764"},"modified":"2009-08-18T07:48:58","modified_gmt":"2009-08-18T13:48:58","slug":"seven-questions-over-breakfast-with-pascal-lemaitre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1764","title":{"rendered":"Seven Questions Over Breakfast with Pascal Lemaitre"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I asked author and “silly chick”<\/strong><\/a> Andrea Beaty<\/strong><\/a> what she thought about the work of Belgian illustrator Pascal Lemaitre<\/strong><\/a>, who has illustrated three of her titles thus far, and she said that he “is so funny and original and his art is brilliant,”<\/em> I found myself nodding along. “The thing that constantly amazes me,”<\/em> Andrea added, “is how simple his illustrations seem, but they have so much going on. Even after reading one of our books over and over, I find new details that crack me up!”<\/em><\/p>\n

I love Pascal’s work. There is an understatement to it that charms and a seeming simplicity. But, as Andrea said, there’s much to take in. Best of all, as you can see from some of the illustrations on display in this interview, Lemaitre knows how to embrace the softer elements of childhood, yet isn’t afraid to embrace his Inner Grimm<\/strong><\/a> — and if you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I’m a fan of those authors and illustrators who do so, seeing as how it really is good for children to face these kinds of fears. See what I mean? This is from Ogre noir<\/em><\/strong><\/a> by \u00c9dith et Rascal, published in France in 2006. Yikes: <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Pascal has illustrated books for several French publishers. You’ll see a selection of images from some of those titles in this interview. And he does editorial work regularly for publications such as The New Yorker<\/em>, The New York Times Book Review<\/em>, and Time<\/em> (as well as many publications in France and Belgium, including editorial illustrations for children’s publications). Here in the U.S., he has brought us titles such as Andrea’s<\/strong><\/a> 2008 picture book, Doctor Ted<\/em><\/strong><\/a> (Margaret K. McElderry Books). Pascal knows how to bring us the Grimm-esque, but he also knows how to bring us The Funny — how to bring, rather, Andrea’s laugh-outloud tale of imaginative play and its self-confident protagonist to life. Seriously, have you read<\/em> Doctor Ted? (I’m hoping Andrea can stop by soon to chat about her work, too.)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

And, as you’ll read below, we’ll all get treated in September to the sequel, Firefighter Ted<\/strong><\/em><\/a>. Pascal has also recently illustrated Alison McGhee’s<\/strong><\/a> Always<\/strong><\/a><\/em>, a book about the lengths a dog will go to protect its owner and friend. (Both titles are from Simon & Schuster.) <\/p>\n

He’s here this morning for a cyber-breakfast that I wish weren’t<\/em> merely cyber, since it’d be wonderful to meet him in person and<\/em> since his breakfast of choice is “slices of buttered bread dipped in a soft-boiled egg.”<\/font> Yum. Pascal asked me to excuse his English, since he’s French-speaking, but I think his English is just fine, and I thank him for taking the time to do the interview. Let’s get right to it. <\/p>\n

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


\n

Piece for the Marijke Schreurs Gallery<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: Illustrator.<\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What illustrated titles do you have out now?<\/font><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: Always<\/strong><\/a><\/em> is out. Two books written by Andrea Beaty<\/strong><\/a> (Doctor Ted<\/strong><\/a><\/em> and Firefighter Ted<\/strong><\/a><\/em>, both published by Margaret K.McElderry books, and Hush, Baby Ghostling<\/strong><\/a><\/em>).<\/p>\n


\n<\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: For The Book of Mean People<\/strong><\/a><\/em> by Toni Morrison<\/strong><\/a>: pen and ink plus watercolor. For Always<\/strong><\/a><\/em> by Alison McGhee<\/strong><\/a>: drawing with pencil and color on Photoshop. I mainly work with pen and ink plus color on Photoshop, which widens my color range, which is limited in watercolor as I\u2019m not an expert in that medium.<\/p>\n


\n

Spread from<\/em> The Book of Mean People<\/strong><\/a>
by Toni<\/strong><\/a> and Slade Morrison<\/strong><\/a> (Hyperion, 2002)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: If you have illustrated for various age ranges (such as both picture books and early reader books OR, say, picture books and chapter books), can you briefly discuss the differences, if any, in illustrating for one age group from another? <\/font> <\/p>\n


\n

Spread from<\/em> Un p’tit<\/strong><\/a>
by Ma\u00eblle and Pascal Lemaitre (Casterman, 2008)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: The thought will be simply around the use of an image in the book. Is it twelve spreads linked to each other, where I would need to create a specific rhythm? Would I go for spreads and spot illustrations? It\u2019s always a question of what suits best with the text. <\/p>\n

For example, in chapter books I try to avoiding repeating visually what is written. I feel a text can be stronger, as it leaves the reader to use his own imagination. Sometimes, I ask my students to illustrate a poem by Baudelaire<\/strong><\/a>. Somehow, it\u2019s a heresy, as the poem is so powerful you don\u2019t need to illustrate it. But what is interesting is to create your own world around a writer. And in school I feel it\u2019s better to work on strong authors. So, in short, I would say every author I\u2019ve worked with was my Baudelaire, with whom I had to find my place and serve the text, while finding a solution in the rhythm of that object where you turn pages: the book.<\/p>\n


\n
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From<\/em> Le loup dans la bergerie by \u00c9dith et Rascal (2006)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong> {pictured here is one of Pascal’s pieces for<\/em> The New York Times}: I used to follow my wife while she was touring with M. Baryshnikov<\/strong><\/a> in different countries. (I went on working via the Internet and a portable scanner). Now we have to be near our daughter\u2019s school in Belgium. But we still spend summer-time and other vacations in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n

We are also part-time in Normandy, France, where we have good old friends. My wife is actually choreographing with Khmer dancers<\/strong><\/a>, so we travel also to Thailand and Cambodia, when possible. Everywhere I find a little spot to put my scanner and MacBook to go on working. Sometimes it feels uncomfortable not to be in my den, but I would find it depressing to be stuck on the same chair at the same table for months and months and months. I also do a job where I could be very alone, and traveling with family and working with them around helps me avoid total solitude (even if I need that solitude from time to time to dive into my own inner swamps, on top of which might bloom a lotus.)<\/p>\n


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From<\/em> Le petit cordonnier de Venise<\/strong><\/a> (2007)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: First, I did a lot of drawings for French and Belgian magazines, then book editors, and ten years ago I was hired by Pippin Properties<\/strong><\/a>, which built my American career.<\/p>\n

I had sent a dummy for a book to Michaela Muntean<\/strong><\/a>, who sent it to Holly McGhee. Since then, I\u2019ve had a very constructive and affectionate relationship with Holly and Emily Van Beek<\/strong><\/a>, who works in international rights. One of my first collaborations was with Toni Morrison<\/strong><\/a>. I was awfully lucky; she is a sun.<\/p>\n


\n

Illustration from<\/em> Who’s Got Game?: Poppy or the Snake?<\/strong><\/a>
by Toni<\/strong><\/a> and Slade Morrison<\/strong><\/a> (Scribner, 2003)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n


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Illustration from<\/em> Who’s Got Game?: The Lion or the Mouse?<\/strong><\/a>
by Toni<\/strong><\/a> and Slade Morrison<\/strong><\/a> (Scribner, 2003)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Can you please point us to your web site and\/or blog?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: www.pascallemaitre.com<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n


\n

Illustration for <\/em>Astrapi<\/strong><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: I explain how I do a book: the architecture of the book with rhythm, and why. Then, I ask kids to create a hero or a monster that expresses their inner fears. It usually ends with me drawing the kids\u2019 favorite pets.<\/p>\n


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Spread from<\/em> Do Not Open This Book!<\/strong><\/a> by Michaela Muntean<\/strong><\/a> (Scholastic, 2006)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: If you teach illustration, by chance, tell us how that influences your work as an illustrator.<\/font><\/p>\n

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: It forces me to analyze the process of working on a book with writers and agents and art directors and editors and printers, etc….and to find words to guide students. So, sometimes it can help me clarify what doesn\u2019t work in a problem I try solving for myself. Also in the every day life, I focus on stuff I can speak about to the students. For exemple, if I read a book, I\u2019ll take notes to use them during classes. It gives a different approach than reading only for my…self.<\/p>\n


\n

Editorial illustration<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: I\u2019m working on A Bulldog Day <\/em>by Kate McMullan<\/strong><\/a> for Scholastic. It\u2019s a big book with a lot of funny actions and details. Kate\u2019s text is a little chef d\u2019oeuvre. Ken Geist is the very smart editor and Marijka Kostiw, a great designer.<\/p>\n


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From Kate McMullan’s<\/strong><\/a><\/em> Supercat<\/strong><\/a> (Workman Publishing, 2002)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n


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Illustration from Kate McMullan’s<\/strong><\/a><\/em> Baby Goose<\/strong><\/a>
(Hyperion, 2004)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

\"Mmm.Our table’s set, and breakfast is ready. Time for the Big Seven. Let’s keep at it…<\/font> <\/p>\n

1.<\/font> 7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: 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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: I read the text, then let it brew for a few hours or days; it depends. And, usually, you have to create the main character who will carry the story. It\u2019s like preparing a theater piece, but you have to draw the casting of actors you would pick, then create the props, think about the lighting, etc. The type is like the voices of the actors-narrators; you have to be careful with the design too. It\u2019s all very exciting.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

In the case of Always<\/strong><\/a><\/em>, I wanted to find an endearing little fellow and, of course, play the contrast between his task and his size — and also between his tiny size and the double spread of the book. The setting of the wide space of the pages was important in serving the meaning of the poem on courage from a tiny one in a huge castle. I feel kids can relate to that situation, as we do as adults while watching the sky. <\/p>\n


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Illustration from<\/em> Le Roman de Renart (2004)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

{Ed. Note: Image here is from Pascal’s sketchbook.}<\/em> <\/p>\n

I wanted to surprise Alison McGhee<\/strong><\/a> in the way I interpreted her text, feeling that surprising ideas would also satisfy the reader. There are a lot of illustrators far more talented than myself, so I feel my approach is to try finding new ideas.<\/p>\n

About the atmosphere created by the colors, it\u2019s in the same range as for The Book of Mean People<\/strong><\/a><\/em>. I have to say Japanese prints are a good source of inspiration. The little fellow needed a little belly, as young puppies do, to help mark the age of a young character on an important mission. Charlie Chaplin is the perfect example to use for creating a strong and touching character with simplicity. In Always<\/em>, the little girl appears only at the beginning and the end of the book, just to emphasize at the end the meaning of devotion. A big part of the job is to think about the visual structure for carrying the poem. <\/p>\n

The work of the art director and editor is also crucial, as they help to work through the storm of creation and add a lot of elements. In this case, Ann Bobco gave texture to the voice of the narrator through the right choice of type and an appealing cover. The trust and support of the editor, Paula Wiseman, was also crucial, as it gave confidence during the creative process. And I don\u2019t want to forget the advice of my agent, Holly McGhee, who knows me enough to guide me in the right direction, in spite of my many doubts. <\/p>\n


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From<\/em> La poule prend le train by Christian Oster (2007)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/strong><\/font><\/strong>: As described previously, I would say it\u2019s the family space when we travel. Even when we are at home in Brussels, I tend to draw on the table of the kitchen. (I go to my own studio downstairs when needed.) Looking for ideas in a public place with a sketchbook is also a common practice I use, as do other illustrators.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/strong><\/font><\/strong>: I was not a big reader as a kid. I was an image-and-drawings eater. I was crazy about a Belgian comic strip artist named Andr\u00e9 Franquin<\/strong><\/a>; then I was touched by the engravings of Rembrandt<\/strong><\/a>; and later, discovered Andr\u00e9 Fran\u00e7ois\u2019<\/strong><\/a> work was a way to solve graphic problems with drawings without being too serious. It is a bridge between fun and Rembrandt, if I dare to say so.<\/p>\n

Another big influence was Bill Steig<\/strong><\/a>, whom I was lucky to meet in Boston with his marvelous wife Jeanne, artist and poet. I even sat in his orgone<\/strong><\/a> box, gathering energy.<\/p>\n


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From<\/em> Le chevalier qui cherchait ses chausettes<\/strong><\/a> by Christian Oster (2007)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

4.<\/font> 7-Imp<\/font><\/strong> {Note: The illustration here is from Flaubert’s<\/em> Le dictionnaire des id\u00e9es re\u00e7ues with illustrations from Serge Bloch<\/strong><\/a> and Lemaitre, 2006<\/em>}: If you could have three (living) illustrators—whom you have not yet met—over for coffee or a glass of rich, red wine, whom would you choose?<\/font><\/p>\n

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: You can connect to authors and illustrators through their work. So, I leave chance to decide. They are not the most interesting people in the world; a man like Bill is very rare. I\u2019m more touched by dancers, for example. There is often a genuine and sincere dedication to the Arts in them. Most of them have no money and dance for the sake of dancing.<\/p>\n

There is perhaps one man in the visual world with whom I\u2019d love to share some silence around a cup of coffee, the photographer Robert Frank<\/strong><\/a>. And in the other world I\u2019ll go and ring the bell of James Ensor<\/strong><\/a> and Rembrandt<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The problem is my mother-in-law was a humanitarian activist to whom John le Carr\u00e9<\/strong><\/a> dedicated The Constant Gardener<\/strong><\/a><\/em>. And when you spend time with people of such quality and generosity of soul, it\u2019s difficult to be satisfied with the average people (among whom I\u2019m included).<\/p>\n


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From<\/em> M\u00e9tier \u00e9crivain by Pierre Mezinski (2007)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

5.<\/font> 7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: 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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: It depends. It goes from Edith Piaf<\/strong><\/a>, Jacques Brel<\/strong><\/a>, and Alain Bashung<\/strong><\/a> to Johnny Cash<\/strong><\/a>, while stopping by Joy Division<\/strong><\/a> and Glenn Gould<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n


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From<\/em> C’est-i’ pas b\u00f4?<\/center><\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: If they don\u2019t know it\u2019s that they don\u2019t have to know. I feel I have to protect myself, due to growing up in a manly world as a sensitive guy. This is typical for lots of guys.<\/p>\n


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From Nik Cohn’s<\/em> Hat Story (2005)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

7.<\/font> 7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Is there something you wish interviewers would ask you, but never do? Feel free to ask and respond here.<\/font> <\/p>\n

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: When you talk and exchange words with students, you can build something, but in interviews about my work, I feel it is not interesting. Our job has been described so many times by other illustrators in better words. It\u2019s always the same things said. And I don\u2019t like egotistical artistic manners. It\u2019s so ridiculous in a world so wide and wild where we need to stand united.<\/p>\n


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“Du Tac au Tac”<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: My daughter\u2019s name, of course: Ma\u00eblle.<\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: To give up.<\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: Lines of drawings, containing vital signs. Poems containing vital signs.<\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: Dead words and deadlines. People born retired.<\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: “Merdre” (in P\u00e8re Ubu<\/strong><\/a><\/em> by Jarry<\/strong><\/a>).<\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: Birds in the early spring morning.<\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: Construction work in the early spring morning.<\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: Psychiatrist. <\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: Worker in a coal mine.<\/p>\n

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

Pascal<\/font><\/strong>: “Your wife and daughter are safe and will have a happy and rich life. And here, for you, is the light and your tools.”<\/p>\n

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

Note: For some really fabulous photographs at Pascal’s site of William Steig, Toni Morrison, Slade Morrison, and Baryshnikov (all mentioned above), go here<\/strong><\/a>, visit the “Scrapbook” page, and click on “Photographies.” (Baryshnikov’s photos are under “USA, Austria, Italy, dance.”) That is, in particular, one wonderful photo of Steig, I have to say. <\/p>\n

All artwork taken from the website of Pascal Lemaitre<\/strong><\/a> with permission from the illustrator. All rights reserved. <\/p>\n

Photo of Pascal courtesy of Simon & Schuster.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When I asked author and “silly chick” Andrea Beaty what she thought about the work of Belgian illustrator Pascal Lemaitre, who has illustrated three of her titles thus far, and she said that he “is so funny and original and his art is brilliant,” I found myself nodding along. “The thing that constantly amazes me,” […]<\/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-1764","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\/1764","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=1764"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1764\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}