There is a reason why I became the illustrator that I am today. My mother read books to me at night for many years, it started with picture books and continued on to Astrid Lindgren’s incredible stories.
One of the most memorable picture books was certainly Tove Janssons layered and magical “Hur Gick Det Sen?”
This is published in English too but my favorite is the swedish language version.
You can find the book at Abe books here
I am sure there are more of you out there… you artist types who are too occupied with making the every-day work to put energy and time into you creative side. Whatever the reasons are that take you away from that important part of you there is possibility. Artists of the world unite! I am finally carrying around my sketchbook again (along with all sorts of baby and kid stuff of course). I am often writing ideas for paintings and occasionally sketching. It is hard to find the time, of course… but it feels really good to make an effort.
I thought I would talk a bit about process. My illustration teachers at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) taught me that there is no point in illustrating only the story that appears in the text. They suggested including details and character development that was not in the spare text of the picture book format. So this cover image serves as a good example. How do you create a cover for a book about a python snake that is always falling in love with the wrong things (garden hose) because he is nearsighted? I decided that if he is THAT nearsighted then he might fall in love with his own tail. Here is Pelle falling in love (you can tell because of the hearts) with his own tail. Silly snake!
