Book Birthday Blog with Kirbi Fagan

 Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors and illustrators.

 

Congratulations to Kirbi Fagan on the release of Summer of the Tree Army! 

 

 

Congratulations on the release of Summer of The Tree Army! What was the experience of illustrating this book like for you? What was your favorite part? How about the most challenging?

Thank-you!!! Working on a picture book is much different than the covers I’m used to working on. I loved focusing on something longer form. The sketching phase was the most fun, curating the colors, mood, compositions and design... I was eager to jump in, so much so that I started them on the airplane to the SCBWI NYC conference!

As for challenges, illustrating a book, the number of illustrations is simply a lot of work, making art can be very physical. 

 

 

As you were working, did you find yourself doing any research into the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps? What did your preparation and research look like?

Tons! Research fueled my inspiration. Sadly, I didn’t get to go to the CCC museum in Michigan due to COVID but there were plenty of resources and images I could look at at home. Because many images were in black and white I had to research colors separately. I wanted the images to be as accurate as possible, even the trucks you see in the book I matched from car color swatches from the period. 

 

 

What are some of your favorite image-making tools or techniques right now?

I’m crazy about my iPad! I also recently got a tilted tray table to sit comfortably with it - game changer! I’ve never been great about keeping a sketch book and I don’t make finished work on my iPad but the iPad has got me sketching constantly! 

 

 

When you sit down to work on one of your illustrations, what’s something you like to do to get yourself in the right frame of mind? A cup of tea or coffee? Maybe a certain type of music?

I start my days in the studio with journaling morning pages to clear my head. My mornings are most creative so I try not open email or anything that will take my mind away from the artwork. I often revisit encouraging mantras to help encourage me for whatever I may be going through that day, I may even write them repetitively in my morning pages. I like to be comfortable! Nothing like putting on my thick fuzzy house coat to get me settled in. 

 

 

You’ve done a lot of illustration for Middle Grade and YA literature, like your work for the Dark Waters series and Memory Thief. What is it that draws you to illustration for young readers?

Illustrating for children is a powerful thing. I’m drawn to the upper elementary school and middle grade age, I think it’s because that part of my life was very formative to the artist I am today. Working on covers for these ages, I’m pulled into all sorts of fantasy worlds and escapism, what could be better? 

 

 

Would you share a piece of advice for aspiring children’s book, Middle Grade, and YA illustrators?

Nurture yourself. Be kind to your ideas, soften your inner critic. There is a lot of science to suggest that when you are relaxed, that’s when ideas flow. It’s a constant struggle for me.  Making it a priority to reduce stress, holding yourself gently are often overlooked as a critical part of the creative process.
 

What’s next for you? Where can readers learn more about you and your work?

My next big step is writing my own stories and I hope to share more about that in the future.

You can find me on Instagram @kirbifagan

And for a closer look at whats going on in the studio, my new blog, Living Canvas. 

 

A little bit about the book:
When young Charlie Brightelot first spies the mysterious barracks in the woods near his home, he's not sure what to think. His father explains that the barracks will soon house young men serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps. President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the work relief program to help employ millions of young men during the Great Depression. Not everyone is happy to see these young men and Charlie's father questions their value. But when a fire threatens the forest, Roosevelt's "Tree Army" springs into action.

 

Buy it here!
 

A little bit about the illustrator: 

Kirbi Fagan is a Metro Detroit based illustrator who specializes in creating art for readers. She is recognized for her cover art in Adult, YA, and Middle Grade fiction as well as her numerous covers for comic books on projects such as Black Panther/Shuri and Firefly.

Her illustrations are known for their magical themes, nostalgic mood and feminine heroines. Kirbi was traditionally trained as an oil painter but now works in mixed media techniques including digital drawing tools. She received her bachelor’s degree in Illustration from Kendall College of Art and Design. Outside of creating artwork she is Co-Regional Illustrator Coordinator with the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators. Kirbi also teaches illustration at College for Creative Studies in Downtown Detroit.

 

Represented by Kayla Cichello | kayla@upstartcrowliterary.com 

 

 
 

 

Featured Illustrator Diana Magnuson

MEET DIANA

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?

Excitement. I’m in a life-changing transition with my art, my thinking and my focus.

2. What do you do best?

Currently: Allegorical-nature-activist illustrations and writing intermingled with magical realism.

3. Where would you like to live?

Right here in Marquette near Lake Superior surrounded by woods, rivers, cliffs, and gardens —or outside Seattle with its ‘Irish’ climate of misty forests and cool, soft rains.

4. Your favorite color?

Whatever the current art wants. Personally? —Blue-green or a sunset’s salmon orange-pink.

5. Three of your own illustrations:

Eden II

May's Garden

Seahag Ocean Tunnel

6. Your music?

Opera in my studio —and Leonard Cohen

7. Your biggest achievement?

I thought it would be my art milestones (97 workbooks, education and trade picture books), but it’s my family. We are blessed with an incredible, learning and sharing relationship with our two adult children and their spouses —and two infant granddaughters who out-energize us.

Learning to consistently think critically and to love a good challenge. My creative forces increased. Before, I often spent 85% of my time drawing and 15% designing/thinking. Now, it’s 40% drawing and 60% designing/thinking. I write three sequential columns —project parameters in the first and then any images/ideas that pop into my head for the next two columns; sketch multiple thumbnails and prepare value roughs. For the final art, each step is done with as much full awareness and openness to what the story and art want as I can muster.

8. Your biggest mistake?

I could always draw well, but I didn’t always implement critical thinking. Likely the TV that kept me company in my studio to dull the mind gremlins got in the way.

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

Anderson and Grimm fairy tales. I also read every book on animals in the elementary school libraries.

10. Your main character trait?

Wide-ranging curiosity.
I’m fascinated by human behavior. Facial expression and body language are important in my art. It seems that in our hyper-speed world the instinctual ability to read those expressions is being lost.

11. What do you appreciate most in a friend?

Loyalty, curiosity, empathy, openness, problem-solving abilities and depth.

12. What mistakes are you most willing to forgive?

Those efforts resulting from #11

13. Your favorite children's book hero?

Actually my favorites are in animation: Po in Kung Fu Panda and Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon. Both struggle yet continue to hold onto their dreams.

14. What moves you forward?

Humor, nature, and learning. The ‘dark side’ attracts me. My concern about the environment has skyrocketed, most likely connected to the arrival of my two granddaughters.

15. What holds you back?

Finally, nothing. At 60, I found confidence and at long last, an ego. I am much relieved to no longer sabotage myself. I can work through and past doubt, when it shows it’s gleeful face.

16. Your dream of happiness?

Writing and illustrating my own books: I submitted one in February and the 2^nd is within a month of readiness. The third is fomenting.
Finishing a series of paintings inspired by my concerns over environmental degradation.

17. The painter/illustrator you admire most?

Gennady Spirin: his Russian traditional art training, his research, and his focus.

18. What super power would you like to have?

A magic wand to vaporize weapons around the world and replace damaged environments with healthy habitats —for all species.

19. Your motto?

Eyes Wide Open

20. Your social media?

I cancelled with my agent in December to develop own marketing including my website and Facebook. Because my work is very detailed, it’s also time-consuming and since I like in-depth illustrations about life, various social media sites seem too limited. We’ll see. I do appreciate Arthur Levine saying it’s okay that one of his writers doesn’t do social media.

Thanks to all the good folks at SCBWI and a huge thank-you to my critique group. I hope to see you all at the October conference!

www.dianamagnuson.com

Meet Our New Featured Illustrator!

Thank you Jeff Jantz for creating our new banner and answering the illustrator questionnaire! Please click here to learn more about Jeff and his fabulous art work.

Illustrator Interview: Heidi Woodward Sheffield

Thank you Heidi Woodward Sheffield for creating the first banner for our blog! We'll feature a new illustrator every three months, but this is Heidi's moment to shine. Read on to learn more about her artwork and career.

Q and A with Heidi Woodward Sheffield

 
Tell us about the banner you've created. How and why did this piece come about?
This pup was originally created for the Ann Arbor District Library’s “Born to Read” program and earned ALA recognition. This CD of songs and stories was given out to new moms. The idea came about when I was looking at an old button one day. As I gazed at it, the distressed texture, hair and face looked to me like a much-loved puppy.

How long have you been illustrating and how did you get started?

I’ve been drawing since I could hold a crayon, somewhere around two or three years old. I loved using bright beautiful colors, which is ironic as black was one of my favorite crayons to use. They just ran out faster than others. As a kid, I always wondered why there weren't two to a box. Drawing has always been something that I didn’t just like doing. I needed to do it, every day. I have a degree in art, but I wasn’t taught how to create. I was just born that way.

After earning a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan, I attended College for Creative Studies, where I'd hoped to study illustration. Little did I know they were transitioning illustration out of their program (cut to 2014, where it’s been added back in). At the time, many teachers told me illustration was a dead art. One instructor felt a little sheepish and researched things for me. The only program he came up with for studying children’s book illustration was in Switzerland, at the time! (Yes, it was long ago.) So when the same instructors introduced advertising and design to me and said I’d make a great art director or copywriter, I went with it. “I’ll pursue illustration after I build up a nest egg and have children,” I thought. (Ha! I had no idea the path was so difficult and circuitous!) Around 2004 I began pursuing illustration full-timewith a series of posters for the Ann Arbor Book Festival. The Ann Arbor District library contacted me about creating work for them. Many of these illustrations were recognized by the ALA. They became springboards for picture book ideas.

What are some of the things you learned in your advertising work? Has this informed your children's writing and illustrating in any way?

You can’t work in advertising unless you can tell a good story. Ads are emotional. Great ads are elegant in their simplicity without being simple. With copywriting, I learned to use each word. Wisely! You also throw proper grammar out the window. You learn to write in sentence fragments, because that’s the way people think and speak. Another thing you do as an art director and copywriter is pitching ideas to the client. Tell them the story, get them to identify with it, and make it their own. Other things? You learn to fly by the seat of your pants, follow deadlines—“be creative” at the drop of a hat, and trust your instincts. That experience directly translated to elevator pitches in publishing and cold calls at conferences. It helped me introduce myself to various editors, art directors, and agents. That’s how I got my first agent. I was amazed with one of his talks at SCBWI NY. Afterwards, I introduced myself and thanked him. I kept it very brief, gave him one of my illustration postcards with a few words about how his speech had resonated with me. Within two weeks he offered me a contract.

What is the one thing in your studio you couldn't live without? What are your favorite tools?  What mediums do you work in? The one thing I can’t live without is a window. Something about looking out, beyond yourself, when you’ve spent the whole morning looking inward. Favorite tools? Plain white 8.5 x 11 paper for storyboarding and Uniball Deluxe Micro pens. The pens are hard to find, but nothing feels so right to draw with.

I love thumbnails—the fastness, the fluidity, the looseness of them. Keeps you limber and your thoughts flowing. It’s something from my advertising days. More often than not, I take the thumbnail and blow it up to create final art. If your art (and concept) can hold up as a postage stamp size, it’ll be good as a larger piece, too. Blowing up the thumbnail to use in the final helps maintain the vigor and freshness in the final piece.

Other tools? Gouache paint, water-soluble oils, Photoshop, a 8.5x11-inch wacom tablet, plus a Canon Digital Rebel for creating collages. And a crazy huge monitor. I use my camera a lot, but don’t consider myself a photographer. I use the Rebel over other cameras because it takes photos in real time with no shutter lag. That’s especially important when taking reference pictures of children. I’ve taken literally thousands of texture pictures, which often inspire different stories from the get-go. I must have been a bowerbird in another life, for my studio is chock full of bright and shiny things, buttons, and old stuff in general. I like to think about the person who lived with that item. What their lives where like. I also surround myself with hand-stitched embroidery from various cultures, old paper, books, textiles and vintage clothes. My new office mate Buster Brown, (a Boston terrier) helps keep things real.

When you're absolutely stuck, where do you turn for inspiration?
It’s unusual for me to get stuck art-wise. I’d say the writing side is sometimes a bit stickier.

I have a tiny 2-inch x 2-inch photo of my family when I was five. Looking at it immediately transports me to a simpler time. I read quotes taped to the bottom of my computer: “Without fear, there cannot be courage,”—Aragon,  “Do not let great ambitions overshadow small success,”—fortune cookie wrapper, “A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit,”—Richard Bach.

If I’m having a hard time letting my guard down and getting into the nitty gritty of an emotionally-filled piece, I listen to the blues. There’s something about the raw power of human emotion. I might listen to introspective tunes like “Help Me,” by Johnny Cash, “Let it Be,” and “The Long and Winding Road,”  by Paul McCartney. When I’ve chosen a direction to pursue art wise, I celebrate and amp up the volume listening to vintage Beetles, stuff like “Hard Day’s Night.” It helps keep my art loose and organic and keeps me moving forward, rather than nit picking details. And the experience becomes extra sweet, living in the moment. The art becomes truly organic, taking on a life of it’s own. There’s always something that surprises me.

Other things for inspiration? My seven-year-old daughter Lauren. She’s a whimsical little pixie and she inspires many sketchbook ideas. I go to the museum. Or visit online museums. I look at closeups of brushstrokes. Something about feels immediate, intimate, like the artist and I are present, together. The brushstrokes themselves feel private, like a secret that the artist is sharing with me. Sometimes I call my good friend Charlie. His enthusiasm inspires me. He makes me feel like I’m standing on my head and all the ideas come rushing down. We take cameras and go shoot stuff. Mostly pictures of the ground. We get lots of strange looks. But it’s worth it! Try it sometime. Look down. There’s a world in the granite you stand on.


A huge thanks to Heidi for creating our first blog banner and participating in our first Illustrator Interview!

Heidi created this image for t-shirts and book bags for the SCBWI Nevada Mentorship program. Come back tomorrow for part 2 of Heidi's interview and learn about her mentorships - maybe one of them will be a good fit for you, too. In the meantime, learn more at http://www.heidibooks.com/.

Welcome to The Mitten!

Welcome to the brand new blog for SCBWI-MI!  The Mitten began as a paper newsletter requiring a subscription and later evolved into a free e-newsletter. Our latest transformation is a public blog available to anyone with a love of literature and a desire to provide the best for children and young adults.
 
Why is our blog called The Mitten?

The state of Michigan looks like a mitten, and we're fond of holding up our hands to show where we live, whether it's in the thumb or way up in the upper peninsular.

A few years ago, our newsletter editor, Jennifer Whistler, held a contest to name the new e-newsletter. Lorri Casey was the winner with The Mitten. We're happy to carry over the name to our new blog.

We hope this blog space fosters a strong sense of community for our Michigan members and beyond. We want to encourage your creative growth, support your many small steps of progress, and cheer for your accomplishments. Whether you are a creator, publisher, reviewer, librarian, bookseller, educator, or if you simply love to read, whether you live in our backyard or across the world, we welcome you to join us.

Our goal is to post once per week, but we'll have occasional two-part interviews and coverage of special events over several days.

Heidi Woodward Sheffield created the first banner for our blog, and we'll feature a new illustrator every three months. Please stop by on Friday, Sept. 12th to read an interview with Heidi. We guarantee you'll leave with a healthy dose of inspiration.  Thank you, Heidi!

Here's a sneak peek at what you'll find on The Mitten in the weeks ahead:


Dear Frida...


Ahhhhh, Mackinac Island...

 









Click the links to learn more about SCBWI and our Michigan chapter.

Cheers!
Kristin and Jodie