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\nIt’s the first Sunday of the month (hello, June), which means I’ve a visit from a student or newly-graduated illustrator. This morning, I’ve illustrator Heidi Aubrey<\/a><\/strong>. She studied at the ArtCenter College of Design<\/a><\/strong> and has just signed with an agent. Heidi sent along some art, as well as a bit about herself, and I thank her for sharing this morning. <\/p>\n
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Heidi<\/font><\/strong>: Picture books are these little gems \u2014 a whole world in just a few pages. Everything is distilled to its essence, but then the story opens itself up and all these layers emerge. I like that there\u2019s this challenge to create a narrative that resonates on multiple readings and that, ideally, it makes both a 4-year old and 40-year-old catch their breath. Note for any new readers: 7-Imp\u2019s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.<\/p>\n 1)<\/strong><\/font> I like the warm colors of Heidi’s palette. <\/p>\n 2)<\/strong><\/font> I love this ALA video<\/a><\/strong>, which highlights a library colleague here in middle Tennessee, whom I know does fabulous work. Now everyone can see it for themselves. <\/p>\n
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\n[Studying at ArtCenter College of Design was] brutally hard \u2014 but also one of the best times of my life. You\u2019re pushed on every front \u2014 technical skill, speed of execution, exploration of materials and style, decision-making. It\u2019s also very process-oriented and keyed to professional practices. When I was researching schools, I kept noticing that many of my favorite artists had attended ArtCenter \u2014 among them, Marla Frazee<\/a><\/strong>. And then I learned that Marla was still teaching there. Getting to her became a mission. And then studying under her was life-changing. I\u2019ve been incredibly fortunate that she\u2019s continued to mentor me as I launch an illustration career of my own.
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\nMarla inspires me. I look at her books constantly. I lose myself in her work. Other really important illustrators for me are Garth Williams<\/a><\/strong>, Hilary Knight<\/a><\/strong>, Freya Blackwood<\/a><\/strong>, and Lisbeth Zwerger<\/a><\/strong>. There are a ton more, of course, but there\u2019s pretty much always a book by one of these five illustrators on my desk. Also, the woods inspire me. I grew up in a rural area just outside Portland, Oregon. My husband and I recently moved back, and now we have a few acres on a creek. It\u2019s magical, but life is more complicated, and it\u2019s a lot of hard work. That tension seems to figure prominently in my stories right now.
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\nI use traditional materials and then refine with digital touch-ups. Everything I do starts with pencil on paper \u2014 often layers and layers of tracing paper! I paint with Schmincke watercolors, usually on Arches or Fabriano paper. As for pencils, I\u2019ve gravitated to Staedtler drafting pencils. I like the graphite range, the ease of sharpening, and the fact that the length and weight of the drawing tool remains constant. I\u2019m also deeply in love with the Tombow eraser sticks.
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\nI\u2019m represented by Jenna Pocius at Red Fox Literary<\/a><\/strong>. I\u2019m thrilled and grateful to have found a partner like her. She understands my work and what I\u2019m trying to do, and her editorial sense is focused on the emotional core of the story and how well it\u2019s being communicated. She\u2019s also highly collaborative during the submissions process, as well as transparent about each step. I\u2019ve gotten advice that a relationship with an agent should feel like two friends working on a project together. I have that.
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\nI\u2019m [currently] on submission with a book about a goat who takes over a woman\u2019s creaky farmhouse. The story is inspired by an old homestead I used to walk past on my way to school. A woman lived in the house, and the goats would hang out on the roof, so we called it \u201cthe goat house.\u201d It\u2019s a fond memory, and I wanted to explore the idea of just how you might end up with a goat house — and a goat lady.
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\nAll images used by permission of Heidi Aubrey.<\/em> <\/p>\n
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