Paper-making, Wendy Watson, Care Bears, Wood, and Stinker box: author/illustrator Denise Fleming
Charlie Barshaw coordinates our regular Writer Spotlight feature and interviews writers of SCBWI. In this piece, meet author /illustrator Denise Fleming.
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| Denise and furry friend |
From your website, you go into great detail about the papermaking process. There’s a lot of beating and pulping; sounds violent. You found the activity “wet, messy, and wonderful.” Then supplies became harder or impossible to get, and the physical work was literally back-breaking. How long were you into your paper-making phase?
Paper making was my technique of choice for about 30+ years, but standing for long hours over the paper making vat at a 65 degree angle took its toll on my back and hips. At that point I decided to experiment with new techniques and materials. I am happy to say, I have since had had back surgery and am going for my second hip surgery this coming year.
You went from making your own paper to making your own paint. Did you create any new colors?
In paper making I dye all the cotton fibers and create new colors by mixing the colored fibers. How I mix the colored fibers determines the textures of the finished image.
I feel that my art has come full circle from the bold, colorful paintings of childhood, through a period of tight, detailed images, and back again to bold, colorful, more childlike images. The tight, detailed image has you hunched over a table, in a “Bob Cratchit-like existence.”
What did you learn about your art during your fine-art phase?
Tightly controlled images did not always have the emotion or movement I desired. Also, there were no happy surprises.
I also felt I needed a bit of reinvention. I have been around for a long time, I wanted readers to take a second look at my art.
How is the reinvention going? What draft of reinvention are you presently at?
My last book, This is the Nest that Robin Built, which was very well received, was illustrated using gel prints and collage.
I am always experimenting with different mediums. At present I am trying out oil pastels and colored papers, adding a bit of machine sewing for definition.
My last book, This is the Nest that Robin Built, which was very well received, was illustrated using gel prints and collage.
I am always experimenting with different mediums. At present I am trying out oil pastels and colored papers, adding a bit of machine sewing for definition.
Early Denise: I have been creating art and making up stories ever since I can remember. From 3rd grade to 8th grade I attended Saturday morning art classes at the Toledo Museum of Art. My friends and I took the bus and arrived early at the museum. We would stroll the galleries making up stories to go with the paintings hanging on the walls.
I bet you didn't know, there had been a drowning in one of Monet’s lily pond pictures. Only we knew that (because we made it up) along with other tidbits, that became racier as we entered puberty.
Your parents bought into your art lessons, and your artist friends haunted the Toledo Museum of Art with you, making up backstory. How did eighth grade Denise view the future?
To be honest, at that age, being an artist was not something I thought of for my future. I thought I might be a vet, as I was always bringing home hurt animals to coax back to health. My other interest was BOYS!
I bet you didn't know, there had been a drowning in one of Monet’s lily pond pictures. Only we knew that (because we made it up) along with other tidbits, that became racier as we entered puberty.
Your parents bought into your art lessons, and your artist friends haunted the Toledo Museum of Art with you, making up backstory. How did eighth grade Denise view the future?
To be honest, at that age, being an artist was not something I thought of for my future. I thought I might be a vet, as I was always bringing home hurt animals to coax back to health. My other interest was BOYS!
Of course we have to hear about your Caldecott Honor winner, In the Small, Small Pond. As you toiled over this book, did you ever despair? What was it like getting “the call?”
When I work, I move forward. I do not overthink what I am doing. If a piece is not to my satisfaction, I redo, or go another way. I do not work out color in sketches. It is all pretty fluid.
When beginning a book, I often pick an album that keeps me company as I work. Paul Simon’s Graceland played as I created the art for In the Small, Small Pond.
Now, to that phone call - it was THRILLING!
You were introduced to picture books by a friend at Kendall. Did you not read picture books as a youngster? What were some of the influential titles?
I read Little Golden Books along with other picture books my fraternal grandma would give me for birthdays and holidays. My mom would often read Mrs. Piggle Wiggle stories to my sister and me. Such wonderful, silly stories.
My favorite book was The Giant Golden Book of Cat Stories. It was a compilation of stories and poems about cats.
My friend shared with me, Rain Makes Applesauce. The colored ink art was marvelous, the text was fun. I was doing colored pen work at the time, so it really appealed to me
Your dad built furniture in his workshop in the basement. Tell us the magic you and your sister created, working with dad’s tools. Were there injuries or accidents?
My sister and I would glue up wood cutoffs, using way more glue than necessary, to create sculptures adding wood curls for interest. No gory accidents, although we did sometimes use carving tools.
Tell us about Wendy Watson, author/illustrator, and bookstore owner. Do we have Wendy Watson to thank for there being a Denise Fleming, author/illustrator?
When I work, I move forward. I do not overthink what I am doing. If a piece is not to my satisfaction, I redo, or go another way. I do not work out color in sketches. It is all pretty fluid.
When beginning a book, I often pick an album that keeps me company as I work. Paul Simon’s Graceland played as I created the art for In the Small, Small Pond.
Now, to that phone call - it was THRILLING!
You were introduced to picture books by a friend at Kendall. Did you not read picture books as a youngster? What were some of the influential titles?
I read Little Golden Books along with other picture books my fraternal grandma would give me for birthdays and holidays. My mom would often read Mrs. Piggle Wiggle stories to my sister and me. Such wonderful, silly stories.
My favorite book was The Giant Golden Book of Cat Stories. It was a compilation of stories and poems about cats.
My friend shared with me, Rain Makes Applesauce. The colored ink art was marvelous, the text was fun. I was doing colored pen work at the time, so it really appealed to me
Your dad built furniture in his workshop in the basement. Tell us the magic you and your sister created, working with dad’s tools. Were there injuries or accidents?
My sister and I would glue up wood cutoffs, using way more glue than necessary, to create sculptures adding wood curls for interest. No gory accidents, although we did sometimes use carving tools.
Tell us about Wendy Watson, author/illustrator, and bookstore owner. Do we have Wendy Watson to thank for there being a Denise Fleming, author/illustrator?
Eight years after I married we had a delightful baby girl, Indigo. I was reading picture books daily. I made a new friend who was opening a children’s bookstore. I met author/ illustrator Wendy Watson. Wendy encouraged me to go to New York and make the rounds of publishers with my portfolio. I did.
Wendy played a big part in my career as she CONSTANTLY encouraged me to go to NYC and make the rounds of publishers. After a point I was too embarrassed to tell her I had not booked flights, nor made appointments yet, so I had to do it. It was a bit scary. Walking into a strange office, basically with my ego on a plate. Truly, Wendy is the only reason I thought I could do it. She was a dear friend. I miss her a great deal.
I started illustrating for Random House mass market. It was great training, but I had my own idea of books I wanted to do. So I took two years off and started writing. (Yes, we were starving artists!) I also took experimental art classes.
Two interesting things here: you illustrated for Random House mass market. What titles did you illustrate?
I illustrated Care Bears, Glo Worm, and other toy character books, along with some novelty books, Christmas stories, a puppy story and some tiny books about a mouse.
Also, experimental art classes? Two years jobless and you take unconventional art classes? Was David part of the decision?
I discovered paper making at an adult education class at the local high school. The HS art teacher taught the class. He was great.
Wendy played a big part in my career as she CONSTANTLY encouraged me to go to NYC and make the rounds of publishers. After a point I was too embarrassed to tell her I had not booked flights, nor made appointments yet, so I had to do it. It was a bit scary. Walking into a strange office, basically with my ego on a plate. Truly, Wendy is the only reason I thought I could do it. She was a dear friend. I miss her a great deal.
I started illustrating for Random House mass market. It was great training, but I had my own idea of books I wanted to do. So I took two years off and started writing. (Yes, we were starving artists!) I also took experimental art classes.
Two interesting things here: you illustrated for Random House mass market. What titles did you illustrate?
I illustrated Care Bears, Glo Worm, and other toy character books, along with some novelty books, Christmas stories, a puppy story and some tiny books about a mouse.
Also, experimental art classes? Two years jobless and you take unconventional art classes? Was David part of the decision?
I discovered paper making at an adult education class at the local high school. The HS art teacher taught the class. He was great.
Once I got the basics he let me run with it and try out my own ideas. I was hooked. My sister took the class with me. She left with some pretty paper, I left with a career.
David has always been 100% supportive.
Your husband David is an artist in his own right. How much of your book-making was a team effort? I see the whole family is involved. When did daughter Indigo become your sounding board?
David is a 3D artist in wood, clay and paper. But the important thing is, he has computer skills, which I do not.
I design my own books and he assists with mechanicals, modifying type for me, and whatever else I need. I also go over all the manuscripts and ideas with him. Indigo has been a part of the process since the beginning.
Where Once There Was A Wood ; you said some of your favorite art is in the book. The topic was difficult because it was a true story in your own backyard. What happened?
A large tract of land bordered our neighborhood. It included a woods, meadow and creek. It had been willed to the school system. My family and I spent hours there, walking, picnicking, exploring. Because of this green space we were visited by deer, owls, pheasants, box turtles, fox and various other wild creatures.
Your husband David is an artist in his own right. How much of your book-making was a team effort? I see the whole family is involved. When did daughter Indigo become your sounding board?
David is a 3D artist in wood, clay and paper. But the important thing is, he has computer skills, which I do not.
I design my own books and he assists with mechanicals, modifying type for me, and whatever else I need. I also go over all the manuscripts and ideas with him. Indigo has been a part of the process since the beginning.
Where Once There Was A Wood ; you said some of your favorite art is in the book. The topic was difficult because it was a true story in your own backyard. What happened?
A large tract of land bordered our neighborhood. It included a woods, meadow and creek. It had been willed to the school system. My family and I spent hours there, walking, picnicking, exploring. Because of this green space we were visited by deer, owls, pheasants, box turtles, fox and various other wild creatures.
Then the school board put it up for sale. My neighbors and I petitioned for it to become a park. No success. It became a subdivision. And the wild creatures lost their homes.
Usually I start by writing 2500+ words for a 100- page manuscript. I find I have to write all the words down to get them out of my head, even though I know many are unnecessary. Then I start crossing out, writing over, taping new words in place. I work on a legal pad in pencil.
Your books have so few words I find it hard to believe they started out a thousand words. Are you a terrific editor?
It seems crazy that i start out which so many words, but I write down every thought in my head. I AM A CRUEL AND BRUTAL EDITOR.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnLo88LbvBc interview with a puppet
You handled the interview with aplomb. What are some of the weirdest situations you’ve dealt with on the road?
Seeing as the weirdest things to happen involve people who are still living, I will not comment.
For that reason, I have boxes full of 4×6 index cards with ideas, phrases, titles, and character descriptions written on them along with scribbled sketches. I keep every idea, because some of the stinkers eventually redeem themselves or lead to a new idea. Every now and then I read through the cards to see if I can find a workable idea. My next book is from the stinker box, inspired by an idea that is at least ten years old.
Tell us about that latest book. Has the stinker box revealed any more gems?
This is the Nest that Robin Built was the book from the stinker box.
Unfortunately, no more gems, but then again, I have not been through the box in a long time. I have been cocooning for quite a while now. Hopefully, I soon will emerge.
As for the next book… I have no idea. Although, I do have a book under contract.
Your books have so few words I find it hard to believe they started out a thousand words. Are you a terrific editor?
It seems crazy that i start out which so many words, but I write down every thought in my head. I AM A CRUEL AND BRUTAL EDITOR.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnLo88LbvBc interview with a puppet
You handled the interview with aplomb. What are some of the weirdest situations you’ve dealt with on the road?
Seeing as the weirdest things to happen involve people who are still living, I will not comment.
For that reason, I have boxes full of 4×6 index cards with ideas, phrases, titles, and character descriptions written on them along with scribbled sketches. I keep every idea, because some of the stinkers eventually redeem themselves or lead to a new idea. Every now and then I read through the cards to see if I can find a workable idea. My next book is from the stinker box, inspired by an idea that is at least ten years old.
Tell us about that latest book. Has the stinker box revealed any more gems?
This is the Nest that Robin Built was the book from the stinker box.
Unfortunately, no more gems, but then again, I have not been through the box in a long time. I have been cocooning for quite a while now. Hopefully, I soon will emerge.
As for the next book… I have no idea. Although, I do have a book under contract.
Sometimes, an idea crawls under my porch. A stray cat gave birth to four kittens under our front porch. We adopted all of them. Three of the kittens did everything mama cat did, but that fourth kitten just napped. This became the basis of the book Mama Cat Has Three Kittens.
You have cats, had a dog. All creatures great and small must co-exist with the studio. Or are they banned, no pet hair in the paintings?
At this time we have 5 cats and 2 Yorkies. They make themselves comfortable, here there and everywhere.
Please share any social media platforms:
You have cats, had a dog. All creatures great and small must co-exist with the studio. Or are they banned, no pet hair in the paintings?
At this time we have 5 cats and 2 Yorkies. They make themselves comfortable, here there and everywhere.
Please share any social media platforms:
Denise’s website
www.denisefleming.com
www.denisefleming.com
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