{"id":1947,"date":"2010-06-01T00:01:02","date_gmt":"2010-06-01T06:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1947"},"modified":"2010-06-01T00:01:09","modified_gmt":"2010-06-01T06:01:09","slug":"seven-questions-over-breakfast-with-a-g-ford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1947","title":{"rendered":"Seven Questions Over Breakfast with A. G. Ford"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Self4use.jpg\">I guess it&#8217;s been a while since I&#8217;ve done one of my illustrator breakfast interviews, but here I am, welcoming illustrator <a href=\"http:\/\/www.agfordillustration.com\/\"><strong>A. G. Ford<\/strong><\/a> to the breakfast table this morning. It wasn&#8217;t that long ago that I <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1931\">featured some art<\/a><\/strong> from his most recent illustrated title, <em><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.indiebound.org\/book\/9780763645717\">Goal!<\/a><\/strong><\/em> (Candlewick, April 2010), written by <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/minajavaherbin.com\/\">Mina Javaherbin<\/a><\/strong>. At that time, I invited A. G. to stop by for an interview, and here it is today. I have to say that it was a pleasure to format this interview and get to know a bit better all the styles in which A. G. has worked. <\/p>\n<p>And this might be a 7-Imp first: He goes so far as to share his favorite breakfast recipe with us: &#8220;Because I work out often in the mornings,&#8221; he told me, &#8220;my breakfast&#8230;usually consists of <font size=4>a protein shake and a bagel with cream cheese<\/font>. My shake is actually quite tasty. Here is the recipe, if you would like to try:<\/p>\n<p>1 cup milk<br \/>\nHalf of a banana<br \/>\n1 tablespoon of peanut butter<br \/>\n1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (or Nestle chocolate-flavored powder)<br \/>\n2\/3 cup of ice cubes<\/p>\n<p>Blend and drink! It&#8217;s faaaaaannnntastic!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/BreakfastPicb.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>A. G. added, &#8220;after my work out, I usually grab two sausage, egg, and cheese McMuffins and an orange juice from McDonalds. By this time, its probably around 10 a.m., and my breakfast is fully complete!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Let&#8217;s get right to the interview. First, we&#8217;ll set the table and get the basics from A. G. before our seven questions over breakfast. I thank him kindly for stopping by. <\/p>\n<p><center><font size=4>* * * * * * *<\/font><\/center><\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Are you an illustrator or author\/illustrator?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: Illustrator. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Honest-game2s copya.jpg\" border=1><\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Can you list your books-to-date?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.indiebound.org\/book\/9780061703928\">Barack<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by Jonah Winter<\/li>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1766\">Our Children Can Soar<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by Michelle Cook<\/li>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.indiebound.org\/book\/9780061827396\">Michelle<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.deborahhopkinson.com\/\">Deborah Hopkinson<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.indiebound.org\/book\/9780061896804\">First Family<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.deborahhopkinson.com\/\">Deborah Hopkinson<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1931\">Goal<\/a><\/strong><\/em> by <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/minajavaherbin.com\/\">Mina Javaherbin<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><em>Summer Jackson: All Grown Up<\/em> by <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com\/2009\/02\/author-editor-interview-teresa-harris.html\">Teresa Harris<\/a><\/strong> (set to release Summer 2011)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Fantasy_mail-2s copya.jpg\" border=1><\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What is your usual medium, or&#8211;\u2013if you use a variety&#8212;your preferred one?<\/font> <\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: I use oils mainly but have recently completed a new book using watercolor, pen and ink (<em>Summer Jackson: All Grown Up<\/em>). It was a very nice change of pace.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/DorothySketch copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/blackdorothy-ws-sma.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/OzMunchkinJPWS-2snd copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/OfftoSeetheWizard2snd copya.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>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 to another?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: Well, my first few books were about&#8230;President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and the First Family. These books were for readers age 4-7 but actually offered the opportunity for me to illustrate very realistic images. We really wanted to have realistic, colorful oil paintings throughout and wanted the portraits to be accurate as well. This was a really tough challenge, because readers are very familiar with the faces of the First Family. This meant, if my drawing were off, it would be noticeable. My editors\/art directors and I were careful to make sure that all portraits and figures were a good representation of the President and his family. This caused for a heavy set of revisions on the art. Me being a perfectionist myself, I would re-draw faces three and four times in order to achieve the portrait I wanted. For these books, the age wasn\u2019t much of a concern, but more so the accuracy of the image.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/firstfamilycover.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/FF-4-5-Fin copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/finp-pg9a.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/FF-14-15-Fin copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/barack-final-jkta.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Michelle Cover copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/michelle_interior1a.jpg\" border=1><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/barack-sample-ag-2sa.jpg\" border=1><\/p>\n<p>With <em>Goal<\/em>, I was a little more loose and fun with the drawings, because the nature of the story was joyful and exciting.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/goal_interior5a.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<center><em>&#8220;&#8216;What do we have here?&#8217; the tall boy asks. &#8216;We&#8217;re just playing football,&#8217; I say. &#8216;Just football?&#8217; he says, and walks to me. I do not breathe and nod yes. &#8216;Is this your ball?&#8217; He pushes me aside and sets our old ball on top of the bucket. &#8216;Say good-bye to your ball then,&#8217; he says, and laughs. I panic. If he kicks the ball,<br \/>the bucket will tip over and . . .&#8221;<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/goal_interior2a.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<center><em>&#8220;Jamal covers his face with his hands. The tall guy snatches the ball. The bucket wobbles. My heart sinks. In slow motion, the bucket stops.&#8221;<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/9780763645717.int.1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/goalimage.jpg\" border=1><\/a><br \/>\n<center><em>&#8220;Magubani has the ball. He passes to Hassan. Hassan runs. I steal from Hassan and <\/em>whoosh<em> like the wind, glued to the ball. I dribble past him and&#8212;<font size=4>Goooooooal!<\/font>&#8220;<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n<p>For middle reader covers, I have learned I can be more stylized and experiment with backgrounds and colors. Mostly because on a cover you are seeking to create one stunning, eye-catching image; therefore, you reach farther creatively in order to achieve this. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/ZoraCoverFinisha.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<center><em>A. G.&#8217;s cover for <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Zora-Me-Victoria-Bond\/dp\/0763643009\/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;s=books&#038;qid=1275246408&#038;sr=1-1\"><strong>Zora and Me<\/strong><\/a><em> by Victoria Bond and T. R. Simon<br \/>(Candlewick, Fall 2010)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/TC_OhioMag2S copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/ToledoWarDrkSml2s copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/snow_rescue1a.jpg\" border=1><\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Where are your stompin\u2019 grounds?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: Dallas, Texas. Well, it&#8217;s really considered The Colony, a suburb of Dallas. I know what people are thinking: &#8220;Texas? Do you ride horses?&#8221; Hahaha. No, but there actually is quite a bit of land right in front of my townhome, and yes, there are cows and hay there. It&#8217;s kinda cool, though, when I go for my morning jog. They usually stop eating and watch me pass by. I feel me and the cows have an understanding&#8212;not sure of what kind&#8212;but I would like to think they would miss me if I didn\u2019t run by.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Cows-my-homea.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Can you briefly tell me about your road to publication?<\/font>  <\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: I graduated from <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ccad.edu\/\">The Columbus College of Art and Design<\/a><\/strong> in 2007 and moved back to Dallas. I hooked up with my wonderful agent, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1878\">Steven Malk<\/a><\/strong>, and then took a trip to New York and met with every publisher that was willing. I have been working in children\u2019s publishing ever since landing my first book deal with HarperCollins in early 2008! <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/AliyaSkecth copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/BusSketch copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/FashionSketch copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/FigureSketch copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/HeadsSketch copya.jpg\" border=1><\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Can you please point readers to your web site and\/or blog?<\/font> <\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.agfordillustration.com\">www.agfordillustration.com<\/a><\/strong>; <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/agford.blogspot.com\">agford.blogspot.com<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/m-ali-ws-sma.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/MHaynesP-final_AGF2s copya.jpg\" border=1><\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: If you do school visits, tell me what they\u2019re like.<\/font> <\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: I have done a few school visits, and I really do enjoy them. It\u2019s interesting to meet the kids and see what questions they have. They usually draw as well, so it&#8217;s neat to see their imagination come to life on paper. I will be doing more school visits in the near future.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/KatSketch copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/PeppermintBoysketch copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/PeppermintGirlsketch copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/RidehomeSketch copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/SantaSketch copya.jpg\" border=1><\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: If you teach illustration, by chance, tell me how that influences your work as an illustrator.<\/font> <\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: I don\u2019t teach, but I absolutely plan to in the future. <\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Any new titles\/projects you might be working on now that you can tell me about?<\/font> <\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: My latest book that I completed is titled <em>Summer Jackson: All Grown Up<\/em>. It is set to be released in the Summer of 2011. It\u2019s a very cute story written by debut author Teresa Harris. This book really allowed me to loosen up and be a little more expressive, as far as displaying characters&#8217; emotions, especially Summer. The character has a wide range of sassy attitudes, but still remains a sweet lovable character. Drawing Summer offered so many challenges because of those dynamics.  Eyebrow lifts, smirky smiles, and a bold personality all needed to be on point to maximize Summer\u2019s personality. I can&#8217;t wait for readers to fall in love with this character.  <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/SumJ-Cover-Fa-bb.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/coffee cup8.jpg\" alt=\"Mmm. Coffee.\" title=\"Mmm. Coffee.\"><font color=\"000066\">Our table&#8217;s set now for our breakfast interview, and we&#8217;re ready to dig in to our A. G.-shakes. Of course, I brought some coffee along. Let&#8217;s get a bit more detailed, and I thank A. G. again for stopping by.<\/font> <\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><font size=5>1.<\/font> <strong><font size=4>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<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: When I first get a manuscript, I start by reading it over and over to really get a feel for what the author is going for. I like to get a sense of the story&#8217;s mood and get a good understanding of the message. From that point on, I am constantly brainstorming for creative ways to illustrate the story, whether it be extreme angles, portraits, or color palettes. I start by illustrating the whole book in very small thumbnails (around 2 x 2 inches) and lining them up beside each other to see what the page turns would look like. From that point, I am moving images around, seeing what would work best with the help of my editors\/art directors. As we get more and more set on each idea and composition, the small loose thumbnails start forming into larger, tighter drawings. Now we are cooking, and I can go into painting!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/RhianaSketch copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/shygirl-ws-sma.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/HomerB-Sketchphase2s copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/HomerBPainting2s copya.jpg\" border=1><\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><font size=5>2.<\/font> <strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Describe your studio or usual work space.<\/font> <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Self3-7a.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><font size=4><strong>A. G.<\/strong><\/font><\/strong>: My studio is about the size of a bedroom, with a computer, drawing table, easel, stereo, a shelf full of books, and a big window, so I don\u2019t feel too locked in at times. I stay in my studio for hours and hours, so it&#8217;s nice to have a little sun shining through.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Studio360view.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Studio360viewa.jpg\" border=1><\/a><br \/>\n<center><em>(Click to enlarge image.)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/aliyadrawing copyaa.jpg\" style=\"float:right;\"><font color=\"000066\"><font size=5>3.<\/font> <strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: As a book lover, it interests me: What books or authors and\/or illustrators influenced you as an early reader?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><font size=4><strong>A. G.<\/strong><\/font><\/strong>: As an early reader, it&#8217;s hard to say, but lately I have been into <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.shauntan.net\/\">Shaun Tan<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/adamrex.com\/\">Adam Rex<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1179\">Kadir Neslon<\/a><\/strong> &#8212; just to name a few.<\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><font size=5>4.<\/font> <strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: If you could have three (living) illustrators&#8212;whom you have not yet met&#8212;over for coffee or a glass of rich, red wine, whom would you choose?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.jamesjean.com\/\">James Jean<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Thomas_Blackshear\">Thomas Blackshear<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.jeremygeddesart.com\/\">Jeremy Geddes<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These three guys are illustrators &#8212; but not for children\u2019s books. I look at a lot of art, so I could probably make this list last forever.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1179\">Kadir Nelson<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=1920\"><strong>Peter Brown<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bryancollier.com\/\">Bryan Collier<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These three do work in children\u2019s book, and I think they would be great to talk with about books. I\u2019ve talked with Kadir a few times over the phone, but have never met him in person.<\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><font size=5>5.<\/font> <strong><font size=4>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<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: I absolutely listen to music while I work &#8212; always, actually! Right now I am listening to <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sade.com\/us\/home\/\">Sade\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> new album, &#8220;Soldier of Love.&#8221; It is amazing.  I would recommend it to anyone. If you don\u2019t like this album, you should get new ears &#8212; maybe even a new head.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/JesseO-fin-paint2s copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<center><em>A. G.&#8217;s illustration of Jesse Owens from <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.indiebound.org\/book\/9781599904184\"><strong>Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change<\/strong><\/a><em> (Bloomsbury, April 2009)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><font size=5>6.<\/font> <strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What&#8217;s one thing that most people don&#8217;t know about you?<\/font> <\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: Probably that I am extremely goofy! If you meet me in a business setting, you would probably just think that I\u2019m a serious workaholic, which I am. But I\u2019m also probably the silliest person you will ever meet off the clock. <\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><font size=5>7.<\/font> <strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: Is there something you wish interviewers would ask you &#8212; but never do? Feel free to ask and respond here.<\/font><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/peppermint-jpeg copy.jpg\"><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: Well&#8230;Maybe\u2026 Why is art important to make or what makes good art? What is considered bad art? What\u2019s the balance between doing art for a living, and just making art because it should be made? How does making art for a living change your perspective on creating art? I think these questions would be difficult to answer but would certainly be worth asking, and these are the questions I would ask a fellow artist. Oh, no\u2026. I guess I have to answer these now\u2026 Hmmmmm&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>I think art is important to make, because creativity helps make the world go round. People need inspiration in order to create new ideas, whether it be a new invention or a new sound for music. Without each other, we can&#8217;t grow, so we must spread the energy by creating good art, and the energy will be returned to you.<\/p>\n<p>I think bad art would be anything that isn\u2019t honest. Art to me doesn\u2019t have to be done a certain way or be about a certain subject; it just has to be an honest portrayal of what the creator is going for.<\/p>\n<p>I think balancing doing art for a living and just creating art&#8212;because I feel that there is an image that needs to be created&#8212;is probably my toughest challenge. After finishing a book, sometimes I just want to relax before starting a new project, but the creative side of me wants to continue to create new images. It\u2019s a tough balance, and you don\u2019t want to wear yourself out, but I feel that I should constantly be getting better at what I do and create more and more images so that I can learn more about myself as an artist. Also, when you get a new idea, it&#8217;s good to get it out while its fresh and you are really inspired.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/johnnyappleseed2sa.jpg\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/robinhood-2senda.jpg\" border=1><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/alfred.jpg\"><center><font size=4>* * * The Pivot Questionnaire * * *<\/font><\/center><\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What is your favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: &#8220;Real.&#8221; I think this is a tricky word, as far as what people believe is being real or not being real, but this just might be my favorite word. I just like people to be &#8220;real&#8221; &#8212; and honest. That\u2019s usually the best way to go about anything in my eyes.<\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What is your least favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: &#8220;Unfortunately.&#8221; I am sure this is my least favorite word! This word is usually involved at the beginning of a disappointing statement. <\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?<\/font> <\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: Just a solid creative vision or well-thought-out idea.<\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What turns you off?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: Anything that is half-done. Or lack in effort.<\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What is your favorite curse word? (optional)<\/font><\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: In a 1990\u2019s Fresh Prince of Bel-air kind of way, I use the word &#8220;wack&#8221; more than anything, honestly. I only curse while I am driving.<\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What sound or noise do you love?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: Clich\u00e9 answer here: Waves, ocean, and sea gulls. Sounds like vacation.<\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What sound or noise do you hate?<\/font> <\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: A mother yelling at her child. <\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: Doctor, comedian, or personal trainer.<\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>7-Imp<\/font><\/strong>: What profession would you not like to do?<\/font><\/p>\n<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: Preacher. This job carries a little too much weight for me.<\/p>\n<p><font color=\"000066\"><strong><font size=4>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<p><strong><font size=4>A. G.<\/font><\/strong>: &#8220;You made the team.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/Beauty-BeastPencilPortrait copya.jpg\" border=1><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/blaine.org\/jules\/BeautyBeastJPWS-2s copya.jpg\" border=1><\/p>\n<p><center>* * * * * * *<\/center><\/p>\n<p><em>All artwork, sketches, and images used with permission of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.agfordillustration.com\/\"><strong>A. G. Ford<\/strong><\/a>. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>The spiffy and slightly sinister gentleman introducing the Pivot Questionnaire is Alfred, \u00a9 2009 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mattphelan.com\/\"><strong>Matt Phelan<\/strong><\/a>. Thanks to Matt, Alfred now lives permanently at 7-Imp and is always waiting to throw the Pivot Questionnaire at folks.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I guess it&#8217;s been a while since I&#8217;ve done one of my illustrator breakfast interviews, but here I am, welcoming illustrator A. G. Ford to the breakfast table this morning. It wasn&#8217;t that long ago that I featured some art from his most recent illustrated title, Goal! (Candlewick, April 2010), written by Mina Javaherbin. At [&hellip;]<\/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-1947","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\/1947","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=1947"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1947\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}