Featured Illustrator Cathy Gendron

MEET CATHY

This questionnaire goes back to a popular parlor game in the early 1900s. Marcel Proust filled it out twice. Some of our questions were altered from the original to gain more insight into the hearts and minds of our illustrators. We hope you enjoy this way of getting to know everybody.


 Your present state of mind?

Excited, stressed, hopeful, stressed, happy, stressed.

 What do you do best?

Procrastinate. And because of that, I’m almost always at least 10 minutes late. I’m also a reasonable cook, and pretty competent at drawing and painting.

Where would you like to live?

East coast, north of Baltimore if there were a few more people there. New Hampshire, near the coast if there were less people there.

Your favorite color?

Periwinkle. It was my favorite Crayola color and I still love it. To see it at its best, it needs to live next to dark umber or deep green.

Three of your own illustrations: 

Your music?

Almost everything, but I’m most partial to twangy singer-songwriters.

Your biggest achievement?

Work-wise, I hope it’s yet to come. Personally, being a competent mother. I know it’s not exactly an achievement but at one point, I was sure it wasn’t going to happen.

Your biggest mistake?

Not working harder at my craft when I was younger.

Your favorite children's book when you were a child?

I remember Mike Mulligan and the Steams Shovel fondly, and Charlotte’s Web, Curious George and Dr. Seuss. But I’m the oldest in my family. All my early books were handed down to my four younger siblings, and I don’t think any of them survived our childhood. When I was older, I devoured Nancy Drew and anything about horses.

Your main character trait?

Wow, what a question! The good: tenacity. The bad: procrastination (see above).

What do you appreciate most in a friend?

Kindness.

What mistakes are you most willing to forgive?

Those made in spite of good intentions.

Your favorite children's book hero?

Nancy Drew (see above).

What moves you forward?

I just want to paint.

What holds you back?

There are not enough hours in the day. And of course, the risk of failure and humiliation.

Your dream of happiness?

A perfect day in my studio, window open, sharpened pencils, a good idea, and my favorite music playing.

The painter/illustrator you admire most?

It changes every week. Right now I’m really admiring Lizbeth Zwerger and Julia Sarda, and watercolorist, Keiko Tanabe. All time favorites include, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Max Beckman.

What super power would you like to have?

The skills to move up to USTA 3.5 level tennis. That, and speed-reading.

Your motto?

Do people really have mottos?

Your social media?

I’m really neglectful when it comes to social media and a big part of me prefers it that way. If I had to pick one right now, it would be Instagram.
instagram @cathygendron
http://cathygendron.com
http://cathygendron.blogspot.com