{"id":3484,"date":"2014-08-14T00:01:15","date_gmt":"2014-08-14T06:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=3484"},"modified":"2014-08-14T07:25:01","modified_gmt":"2014-08-14T13:25:01","slug":"seven-questions-over-breakfast-with-birgitta-sif","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/?p=3484","title":{"rendered":"Seven Questions Over Breakfast with Birgitta Sif"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday I did a guest blog post<\/a><\/strong> at BookPage<\/em>, talking about my favorite new<\/em> illustrators. That is, those illustrators who have come to prominence in the past couple of years. I snuck author-illustrator Birgitta Sif<\/a><\/strong> onto my list, and today she visits for breakfast.<\/p>\n

Here’s what I wrote at BookPage<\/em>:<\/p>\n

“Hailing from Iceland (but currently living in Sweden) is author-illustrator Birgitta Sif. Her debut, <\/em>Oliver<\/a><\/strong> (2012), is the picture book I\u2019d point to that most accurately gets what it is to be an introvert. And <\/em>Frances Dean Who Loved to Dance and Dance<\/a><\/strong>, coming at the end of August, pretty much nails shyness. And Sif executes it all with style and warmth.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Yep. That<\/em>. I think she’s one to watch, and below she talks about what else she’s done, beyond Oliver<\/em> and Frances Dean<\/em>, as well as what’s next for her. Best of all, she shares some art and sketches. <\/p>\n

As for what we’re going to pretend-eat while we pretend to sit across an actual table from one another (though I really super-bad wish I were<\/em> in Sweden right now), Birgitta says, “I would say a scone with apricot marmalade and a perfectly hot cup of coffee. Or on fancy days, Nutella-filled aebleskiver with strawberries. Mmm. Those are yum. But truth be told, on most mornings I\u2019m lucky to grab a quick piece of toast and and lukewarm coffee. A 2.5-year-old and 6-month-old keep me on my toes from very early in the morning to night.”<\/p>\n

Let’s dream big and go for the Nutella-filled aebleskiver with strawberries. <\/p>\n

I thank Birgitta for visiting! <\/p>\n

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

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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: Both. But perhaps illustrator\/author, English not being my first language. I’m from Iceland. But I\u2019d say perhaps pictures are my first language. <\/p>\n


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— From Sue Monroe’s <\/em>The Magnificent Moon Hare<\/a><\/strong> (Egmont Books, 2013)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: Oliver<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (illustrator\/author), Frances Dean Who Loved to Dance and Dance<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (illustrator\/author), [Sue Monroe’s] The Magnificent Moon Hare<\/a><\/strong><\/em> (illustrator, chapter book series), Miss Hazeltine\u2019s Home for Shy and Fearful Cats<\/em> (illustrator — forthcoming), Where Our Feet Go<\/em> (illustrator\/author — forthcoming). <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What is your usual medium?<\/font><\/p>\n

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: Pencil. It\u2019s my favourite tool. Then digital colouring. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: I worked also on a series called The Magnificent Moon Hare<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, which were chapter books for children. I think in that particular case, when having so much more text and perhaps story, the illustrations play a different role. They are aiding or punctuating the story. Picture books are creating worlds with pictures and text, hand in hand. But there are exceptions to this, of course.<\/p>\n


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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: Currently, we live just outside of Gothenburg, Sweden. But I am originally from Iceland. We are a bit of a traveling family. We love to adventure and show our little girls the world.<\/p>\n


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Jules<\/font><\/strong>: Can you tell me about your road to publication?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: I started as a designer for a newspaper in the mountains of a small town named Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Then I interned for Candlewick Press and moved on to work in the children\u2019s book art department in NYC (HarperCollins and Henry Holt and Co.). Finally, I jumped oceans to England to try my heart at a masters degree in Children\u2019s Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art<\/a><\/strong>. At our final degree show in London, I was offered an amazing chance to work with Walker Books, UK, and they have been lovely! <\/p>\n

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(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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Jules<\/font><\/strong>: Can you please point readers to your web site and\/or blog?<\/font> <\/p>\n

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: www.birgittasif.com<\/a><\/strong>; Instagram: www.instagram.com\/birgittasif<\/a><\/strong>; Facebook: www.facebook.com\/birgittasif.illustration<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n

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(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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“Oliver felt a bit different.”<\/em>
(Click to enlarge)<\/center><\/p>\n

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“The next day, as he was playing tennis on his own . . .”<\/em>
(Click to enlarge)<\/center><\/p>\n


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Sketches and illustrations from <\/em>Oliver<\/a><\/strong> (Candlewick, 2012)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: I recently did an illustration for a new book Amnesty International is publishing called, What is Freedom<\/em>? I\u2019m really so honored to be part of such an incredible project. My book Oliver<\/a><\/em><\/strong> is also endorsed by Amnesty International, which makes working with them again even more amazing. <\/p>\n

And currently, I\u2019m also working on a new book with Knopf, Random House, called Where Our Feet Go<\/em>. It\u2019s really exciting, and I\u2019m thrilled to be working with the great people at Knopf.<\/p>\n

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From <\/em>Miss Hazeltine\u2019s Home for Shy and Fearful Cats (forthcoming)<\/em>
(Click to enlarge)<\/center><\/p>\n

\"Mmm.Okay, I’ve got more coffee (a perfectly hot cup), and it’s time to get a bit more detailed with six<\/em> questions over breakfast. I thank Birgitta again for visiting 7-Imp.<\/font> <\/p>\n

1.<\/font> Jules<\/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

Birgitta<\/strong><\/font><\/strong>: I\u2019m still learning as I go and developing new ways to do things. But I usually start with doodling, and a main idea evolves from that. And when I feel the doodles start to make some sort of sense together, I start adding text. And then I add more doodles to make it all come together — and more text, like layers upon layer, oftentimes erasing or taking out just as often as adding. It\u2019s like one of those sliding puzzles, each piece moving opens up new possibilities, but you hope that after sliding it around and around, a beautiful story will emerge.<\/p>\n

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(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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“When no one was around, she would feel the wind and dance …
and hear the singing of the birds and dance and dance and dance.”<\/em>
(Click to enlarge)<\/center><\/p>\n


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Sketches and final art from
<\/em>Frances Dean Who Loved to Dance and Dance<\/a><\/strong>
(Candlewick, August 2014)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

2.<\/font> Jules<\/font><\/strong>: Describe your studio or usual work space.<\/font> <\/p>\n

Birgitta<\/strong><\/font><\/strong>: I work in the living room. I have a little corner there where my desk faces out to our yard, filled with trees and birds. Being a mamma to two little girls means that I need to grab moments whenever I can. I often work when they are playing, but I do most of my work at night when they\u2019ve both gone to bed and the quiet fills the house.<\/p>\n


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3.<\/font> Jules<\/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

Birgitta<\/strong><\/font><\/strong>: Growing up in the U.S. and in Scandinavia, I had a variety of different kinds of books. But I did love reading Roald Dahl<\/a><\/strong> — a little bit of mischief in his books. And many of Astrid Lindgren\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> books.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

4.<\/font> Jules<\/font><\/strong>: If you could have three (living) authors or illustrators—whom you have not yet met—over for coffee or a glass of rich, red wine, whom would you choose? (Some people cheat and list deceased authors\/illustrators. I won\u2019t tell.)<\/font><\/p>\n

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: Halld\u00f3r Laxness<\/a><\/strong>, an Icelandic author (I named my second daughter after one of his books, a beautiful story with a strong female character, Salka); Astrid Lindgren<\/a><\/strong>; and Bill Peet<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n


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5.<\/font> Jules<\/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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: \u00c1sgeir Trausti<\/a><\/strong>, or anything swing or folk or even a bit of ’50s, although I often have the Icelandic radio on. I love having Icelandic on in the background. It makes me feel less far away from home.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: I taught wood carving to residents at a nursing home in Reykjav\u00edk. <\/p>\n

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(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/center><\/p>\n

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

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What is your favorite word?<\/font><\/p>\n

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: “Bergm\u00e1l.” It means \u201cecho\u201d in English, but in Icelandic it translates to \u201cthe talking of the mountains.\u201d Icelandic has a lot of beautiful words.<\/p>\n

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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: “No.”<\/p>\n

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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: Sleep. <\/p>\n

Jules<\/font><\/strong>: What turns you off?<\/font><\/p>\n

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: No sleep. <\/p>\n

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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: \u201cAndskotinn.\u201d I don\u2019t curse in English, only occasionally in Icelandic.<\/p>\n

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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: My girls’ laughter or the soft sound of their sleep.<\/p>\n

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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: Honking of horns. <\/p>\n

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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: Toy-maker. <\/p>\n

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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: Being a suit. <\/p>\n

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

Birgitta<\/font><\/strong>: “You\u2019ve been loved.” Or: “Oh, hi Birgitta! I\u2019m a big fan!”<\/p>\n

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

FRANCES DEAN WHO LOVED TO DANCE AND DANCE. Copyright \u00a9 2014 by Birgitta Sif. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA.<\/p>\n

OLIVER. Copyright \u00a9 2012 by Birgitta Sif. Spreads reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA.<\/em><\/p>\n

All other artwork and images are used with permission of Birgitta Sif<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

The spiffy and slightly sinister gentleman introducing the Pivot Questionnaire is Alfred, \u00a9 2009 Matt Phelan<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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

Yesterday I did a guest blog post at BookPage, talking about my favorite new illustrators. That is, those illustrators who have come to prominence in the past couple of years. I snuck author-illustrator Birgitta Sif onto my list, and today she visits for breakfast. Here’s what I wrote at BookPage: “Hailing from Iceland (but currently […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-picture-books"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3484","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=3484"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3484\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/blaine.org\/sevenimpossiblethings\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}