Interview with Bea Jackson, Mentor for the 2021 Middle Grade – Young Adult Illustration Mentorship

SCBWI-MI is hosting two illustration mentorships this year. Today, we have an interview with MG/YA illustration mentor, Bea Jackson. Last Friday (April 30) we had an interview with the picture book illustration mentor, Dow Phumiruk. 

Bea Jackson loves telling stories through her art, from dynamic and diverse character design, to delightfully fun and energetic children’s book illustrations. She attended the College for Creative Studies and is the Grand Prize Winner of the L. Ron Hubbard’s Illustrator of the Future Award of 2007. She has illustrated several books including the New York Times best seller, Parker Looks Up, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children’s. In addition to her work as a children’s book illustrator, character and concept artist, Brittany’s work has been featured on the covers of books, comics, and in various magazines and articles. 

What do you like best about illustrating?

What I like best about Illustration, is the process of completing a work. It can be challenging, frustrating and exciting, considering all the little things that go into bringing what’s in my mind onto the canvas. Sketching, finding references and inspiration, building a composition, finding the right colors, and just getting lost in the zone is very mentally stimulating for me-- and to see the final product at the end of it all is the cherry on top.  

How do you know when an illustration is both good and done?

I struggle with knowing when an illustration is good and done, especially with personal work. Most personal projects I do as an exercise to learn or put something into practice, so I always feel there is room for improvement, which makes it hard to settle. Though once I feel like I have a strong concept and colors that I can work with, I feel like I’ve hit a breakthrough where I can take the idea to completion. From there, I’m very strategic about how I complete my final render, by choosing different areas of the illustration I want to work on, gradually working through it till each part of it is rendered.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned about illustrating?

As an introvert, I often struggle with my words. I learned that for me, the most important thing about Illustrating is that it is a form of communication. Illustrations can connect with people without words to express a feeling, an idea, and or tell a story.  It can break the ice when it comes to connecting with people, and for me has bridged many gaps when it comes to discussing difficult topics, opening discussions with people that would otherwise be hard to get into. For people like me who struggle with casual conversation, using illustration to communicate has made it easier for me to reach out, connect, and be connected to. 

What is a typical illustrating day like for you?

A typical day of illustrating for me usually involves juggling multiple projects- usually 2 or 3 in one day. On average, I will spend a few hours working on one project before putting it away to work on the next after a break. It is a bit hectic, but by shuffling through it keeps me from overthinking one project, and I always come back to it with fresh eyes the next time I visit it. 

Art by Bea Jackson

What are your favorite art forms, software and media? 

Digital is my favorite art form, purely for its versatility, but I have a love for traditional in all its forms. There is something very beautiful about tactile art. I especially love traditional artwork that is rough, and sketchier. I love seeing the process in an artist’s works, their rough lines, and the character that comes with art that is less polished. 

What will you expect of the mentee?

I expect the mentee to feel free to ask questions, even the more difficult ones that often times artist avoid asking, like how to price your work. I wish to be as informative as I can, sharing the good, the bad and the ugly with the hopes that my experiences may help others, so feel free to ask the often-avoided questions. 

Do you have any advice for applicants?

Use these classes as an opportunity to connect and network with other artists. Much of the work I have found was the result of other artists giving me a hand up or opening the door for me. No matter what level you are, introvert or extrovert, connecting with good people is essential. 

Thank you, Bea, for chatting with us. 

The submission window for both mentorships opens May 17, 2021 at 8:00 am. The submission window closes when we have 30 applicants or June 7, 2021 12:00 midnight – whichever comes first. 

***Everything you need to know about applying for the PB illustration and MG/YA illustration mentorships can be found on the SCBWI-MI Mentorship page. 

If you missed Deb Pilutti's Zoom presentation on formatting your mentorship submission, go here for a link to the recording: https://michigan.scbwi.org/events/free-webinar-illustration-mentorship-discussion-with-deb-pilutti/ 

For questions, contact SCBWI-MI mentorship coordinator, Ann Finkelstein. 

Ann Finkelstein is a former scientist who discovered that writing novels is more fun than wrangling test tubes. Aside from coordinating our mentorship program, she helps Charlie Barshaw organize the Lansing Area Shop Talk (LAST).

Coming up on the Mitten Blog:

Picture book inspiration, interviews with scholarship and award winners, Ask the Editor, and a round of Hugs and Hurrahs. But first, it's time for a new Featured Illustrator! Join us next Friday to see our new spring/summer blog banner and read the Featured Illustrator interview.