MEET RUTH (and Charlie)
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.
1. Your present
state of mind?
Happy.
After 10 years
of constant life-changing stress, things are calm, and so am I.
2. What do you
do best?
Draw. And write
concisely (given enough time to edit).
3. Where would
you like to live?
Right where I
live now. (Michigan, this house, these bookshelves, these neighbors, these
lakes.)
4. Your favorite
color?
Blue-green.
5. Three of your
own illustrations:
6. Your music?
Detroit Motown.
Also Disney hits. And 70s road trip. And intense concentration music. And soft
jazz. And Christmas songs in any style. And folk songs. And some country. And
whatever I can play on my harmonica.
7. Your biggest
achievement?
My family.
My four kids,
ages 36, 33, 30, and 22, are good people and close friends with each other. To
me, that’s the pinnacle of success.
8. Your biggest
mistake?
Lack of
confidence.
Young friends:
build it up and preserve it for when you need it.
9. Your favorite
children's book when you were a child?
Age 4:
Blueberries for Sal.
Age 5:
Sugarplum.
Age 6: Lyle,
Lyle, Crocodile.
Age 7: The 5
Chinese Brothers
Age 8: The Mouse
and the Motorcycle.
Age 9: Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory.
Age 10: Ellen
Tebbits.
Age 11: The
Little Colonel.
Age 12: Emily
San.
10. Your main
character trait?
Finding the
bright in the dark/creative problem-solving.
11. What do you
appreciate most in a friend?
Kindness.
12. What
mistakes are you most willing to forgive?
Breaking things.
13. Your
favorite children's book hero?
Teachers and
librarians.
14. What moves
you forward?
Deadlines.
15. What holds
you back?
Indecision.
16. Your dream
of happiness?
Pay all the
bills on time without worries and start a free writing camp for kids.
17. The
painter/illustrator you admire most?
The children I
observe in schools. Such fearlessness and openness!
18. What super
power would you like to have?
Absolute
confidence.
19. Your motto?
You can’t always
get what you want.
(I sing it, like
the Rolling Stones do.)
20. Your social
media?
twitter:
@ruthexpress
Instagram &
Facebook: Ruth McNally Barshaw
Ruth, your talent, like your heart, is limitless and abundant. Thank you for this new adorable banner!
ReplyDeleteLove this so much, Ruth! Even when I've known someone a long time, I still learn something from these questions. Thank you for this wonderful new banner for our chapter blog in a completely new direction from what we've had in the past. I think that's what I appreciate most about these rotating banners - thank you and to all the illustrators for these gifts!
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteHugs and thank you, friends.
ReplyDeleteWonderful banner, wonderful interview. And your answer to the question of who your favorite illustrators are shows exactly why you are a presenter in demand!
ReplyDeleteRuth, it so fun to read your answers: "Favorite book hero" being teachers and librarians - so true -Rah! And that kids are the ones you admire makes me smile so much. I loved watching you in (supporting kid) action at the A2CAF in the IRON Cartoonist, and just being yourself. :) Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteThis made my day.
ReplyDeleteLovely interview, and a fabulous new banner - thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove Ruth (and Charlie!) and her dream for happiness!
ReplyDelete