VSS Illustrator Interviews

Bas Waijers

2011-09-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

This week we have an interview with children's illustrator Bas Waijers. Alex Colombo talked to our special guest, Bas who tells us how he turned a publisher's reject into an opportunity and eventually became a published illustrator. 1. Could you tell us a bit about yourself? What first drew you to art and especially to children’s illustrations? My name is Bas Waijers and I’m a Brooklyn-based

Matthew Gauvin

2011-08-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

This week we have an interview with Matthew Gauvin. In addition to working hard on his children's books and other illustrations, Matthew is a really nice and helpful guy. On his blog, he's always

Alex Colombo

2011-08-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since we had a new interview here and so I'm excited to introduce Alex Colombo today! Alex has a lot of irons in the fire including a new blog featuring her children's illustrations and interviews with other illustrators at talesforcreativeminds.blogspot.com Thanks for stopping by to meet Alex and take a look at her artwork. How did you get started in illustration?It seems I

Diane Dawson Hearn

2011-07-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

Our featured artist Diane Dawson Hearn has been busy working in children's illustration for quite a while and has over 50 picture books published! She has lots of good art, inspiration, and history to share as well as taking us through her work process. After reading her interview you can check out her website at www.dianedawsonhearn.com. How did you get started in illustration? My mom tells

Janeen Mason

2011-06-07T16:43:00.000-07:00

Janeen is our guest at The Visual Storytellers Studio this week. She lives in Florida and her colorful artwork is very influenced by the ocean. Janeen has a lot of wonderful things to say and I'm going to let her get right to it! Remember to check out her website also, www.JaneenMason.com How did you get started in illustration? Burt Reynolds used to own a beautiful dinner theatre in our little

Bethanie Murguia

2011-05-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

I'm really happy to present Bethanie Murguia as our featured artist this week. Bethanie's picture book, Buglette, the Messy Sleeper, has just been released by Random House. It's about a little bug who tosses and turns while dreaming big dreams. I can't wait to read it! Bethanie has sent along some art from the book as well as other fun illustrations. Be sure to check out her website

Michelle Henninger

2011-05-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

I'm very happy to introduce Michelle Henninger this week. Michelle's expressive lines tell so much about each of her characters. You really feel like you know their stories and their problems and maybe even their names! You can see more of her work at her website www.michellehenninger.com or her blog michellehenninger.blogspot.com How did you get started in illustration?I've always loved drawing.

Laura Diehl

2011-04-26T17:34:00.000-07:00

This week's featured artist is Laura Diehl. Laura joined the VSS not too long ago and we are thrilled to have her with us. Get ready to dive into the beautiful artwork she sent along! When you are done reading her interview, there's more to see and read on her website www.LDiehl.com. How did you get started in illustration?Well, I’ve been drawing practically my whole life. I’ve wanted to be an “

Scott Nelson

2011-04-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to introduce Scott Nelson this week. His artwork is witty and fun and his characters are full of, well.... character! He has a couple of neat projects going on right now that you should definitely check out. Here'a a blog about the adventures of an original painting of Captain Claude De Mouse. captainclaudedemouse.wordpress.com Read the blog from the bottom to the top to get the full

Rosemarie Gillen

2011-03-29T18:33:00.000-07:00

Rosemarie Gillen is here for a featured interview this week. Her colorful artwork is full of childlike fun. Check out her website also at www.rosemariegillen.com.How did you get started in illustration?I remember when I was very young I went to a friend’s house and their mom set up watercolor paint with very special paper, watercolor paper which made the whole experience feel like I was a real

Tatyana Starikova

2011-03-15T19:52:00.000-07:00

Tatyana Starikova is our talented featured artist this week. From watercolors to digital paintings she makes it all look easy. It's great to read about her background and I'm excited to see more of her art on the VSS in the future! How did you get started in illustration?My illustrating life started when I created illustrations for our high school newspaper. I decided then that my future career

Steve Feldman

2011-03-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

This week's featured artist is Steve Feldman. Steve is another pretty new addition to the VSS and we are really happy to get to know him! Steve is working on some secret projects but he sent along lots of fun art that he can share. Be sure to check out his website! www.stevefeldman.com How did you get started in illustration?Like many illustrators I was always drawing and

Wilson Williams, Jr.

2011-02-16T09:39:00.000-08:00

Wilson Williams is our featured artist this week. He joined The Visual Storytellers Studio recently and we are really glad to have his wonderful artwork and positive energy in the group. After you've read his inspiring interview, leave him a comment and check out his website www.doublewillustrations.com or his blog kwankwest.blogspot.com where you can see his work in progress and other goodies!

Tina Kugler

2011-02-01T16:30:00.000-08:00

This week I'm excited to introduce all of you to Tina Kugler. She has tall pink hair. (kidding!) In addition, she is a wonderful artist brimming with ideas and quite the sense of humor. I loved putting this interview together so I could spend time looking at the fun illustrations she sent along. Tina also has a whole bunch more art to see on her website. Please pay her a visit! http://

Sue Shanahan

2011-01-19T07:17:00.000-08:00

This week we are featuring the beautiful work of Sue Shanahan. We are lucky to have Sue as one of our regular contributors to the VSS. Her detailed portraits glow with the energy and love she gives to her subjects.Sue has worked for Disney World, Cricket Magazine, McCalls, The Illinois State Library, and done portraits for Hillary Rodham Clinton of Chelsea, and of Oprah Winfrey!Be sure to visit

Samuel Kirkman

2010-12-29T18:33:00.000-08:00

This week our featured artist is Sam Kirkman. Sam is always so full of energy and enthusiasm for his artwork. He has an amazing eye for detail and a strong pioneering spirit that combine to create some very cool comics! Check out more of his work at his website. How did you get started in illustration? The short answer? I never did. Er.. well... I mean I haven't yet, that is professionally.

Penny Weber

2010-12-14T19:44:00.000-08:00

This week we are lucky to get to see Penny Weber's wonderful illustrations. Penny works hard and accomplishes so much. I was really happy to read that her recent picture book release, One of Us written by Peggy Moss just won the book of the year voted by school librarians! That's awesome! How did you get started in illustration? I started in illustration about three years ago after visiting the

Penny Noble

2010-11-30T20:45:00.000-08:00

This week we have bright happy artwork from a bright happy lady. Don't miss any of Penny Noble's illustrations- they will definitely make you smile! How did you get started in illustration? I painted and drew constantly as a kid. My family has always had artistic talents. My mother majored in art and both grandmothers painted a picture or two. My dad was a draftsman and inventor and just missed

Michelle Munger

2010-11-16T19:58:00.000-08:00

This week's guest is Michelle Munger. She's a busy lady so I'm really glad she took the time to share some of her detailed portraits and illustrations with us! How did you get started in illustration?I was a portrait artist for a few years, which is why a lot of my art has a strong human figure. But I had never really thought about illustrating until I had kids. I began

Marsha Riti

2010-11-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

Marsha Riti's illustrations glow with playful energy. She is currently working on a Halloween book for Pelican Publishing and I'm bummed that I'll have to wait another full year to get a copy! You can see more of her work at marshariti.com. How did you get started in illustration?I have always loved to draw, but until recently, I was unsure about what I wanted to do with it. What got me hooked

Lisa Michaels

2010-10-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

This week's featured illustrator is Lisa Michaels. She is the designer of The Visual Storytellers Studio! She recently won 2nd place in Dragonfly Publishing's "2010 Picture Book Writing Contest" for writing a collaborative Picture Book, titled Chloe's Secret. The same manuscript won the 2010 Bronze "Reader's Favorite" award. Lisa is very involved with inspiring and educating children's writers

Laura Zarrin

2010-10-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

Today we are proud to share an interview with talented illustrator, Laura Zarrin. Her playful characters have so much life, they seem to step right off the page. Be sure to check out all of her illustrations at LauraZarrin.com and leave her a comment at the bottom of the interview! How did you get started in illustration? I always knew I was an artist, the trick was how to earn a living doing

Jill Bergman

2010-09-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

This week’s interview is with Jill Bergman (me!). I realize it’s odd for me to post my own but I’m in charge of the interviews, and my turn came up, and well, here it is! Thanks for taking a look and I’d love to hear your comments. How did you get started in illustration? I only got interested in illustration in the last few years. But looking back, all of the art I did before seemed to be

Ginger Nielson

2010-09-07T20:57:00.000-07:00

This week I'm excited to introduce illustrator Ginger Nielson. She has a new book out, Daniel and the Harmonica by Rob Dubreuil along with many other great picture books that you can see on her website. Thanks for stopping by for a tour of Ginger's studio and artwork. You can leave her a comment at the bottom of the interview!How did you get started in illustration?Like so many illustrators, I

Gail Ross

2010-08-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

This week's interview is with illustrator and author Gail Ross. Her love for animals and the wild Colorado countryside are clear in her work. She has given us a thoughtful and inspiring interview, so I'll get right to it!How did you get started in illustration? I have always been involved in painting fine art and graphic art, but I didn’t venture out into illustration art

Cynthia Narcisi

2010-08-11T20:42:00.000-07:00

This week on the interview series we are featuring Cynthia Narcisi. Cyn has a natural style perfectly suited to storytelling. Be sure to check out her website www.cynnarcisi.com and blog www.cynnarcisi.blogspot.com How did you get started in illustration?With a bit of luck, a lot of determination, and support from my friends and family! What is your favorite medium? Can you describe your usual

Christine Mix

2010-07-20T20:56:00.000-07:00

This week's wonderful artist is Christine Mix. From her cabin in the Vermont woods, she creates pictures full of magic, fairies and dragons along with playful woodland animals. Chris has shared detailed, interesting information about the way she works and her journey in children's illustration.How did you get started in illustration? Ever since I was a child, I loved drawing and painting,

Rebecca Gavney Driscoll

2010-07-07T08:05:00.000-07:00

Becky is a talented watercolor artist and one of the founding members of the Visual Storytellers Studio. Her gorgeous paintings are filled with playful animals in outdoor settings. More of her art can be seen on her website www.rgavneydriscoll.com or her blog illustratingforchildren.blogspot.com How did you get started in illustration? I have always known that I wanted to illustrate. I had my

Artimagos

2010-06-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

This week our featured artists are a team of talented and funny ladies, Malena F. Alzu and Esther Pérez-Cuadrado. Together they create dynamic illustrations under the name Artimagos. From their homes in Spain, these women take on book design, illustration and writing in the children's fiction and educational market. They are also very interested in animation, ebooks, and interactive

Amal

2010-06-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

Amal is a new member of the Visual Storytellers Studio. Her eye for detail shows in her fine charcoal and watercolor illustrations. This week we get to learn a little about how she works. How did you get started in illustration?A small image of a couple of lovely, but poorly drawn dancers hung above my crib, no kidding. I thought the scene needed some adjustments, something to make it resemble

Alison Lyne

2010-05-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

The Visual Storytellers Studio is proud to introduce a new interview series featuring each of our wonderful contributing artists. Alison Lyne is this week's guest. Her detailed historical illustrations and playful children's art have been shown regularly on the Visual Storytellers Studio main page. This is your chance to find out more about Alison and how she works. How did you get started