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Meet Illustrator Debbie
Stewart
A Chat with Debbie Debbie, what is it about children's books that you find irresistible? They're fun. The colors, the truths, the creativity. I love picture books as an art form-they are a complete little world. Sometimes they can look like a musical composition sounds. I am also drawn to the quality of writing and creativity found in YA books. Maybe I haven't quite grown up yet. What drives you to create them?
Are there illustrators whose work you find continually inspiring? What is it about their work that draws you? Illustrators I am drawn to: Vera Williams, Faith Ringgold, Elisa Klevan, and Ezra Jack Keats. I am also starting to really enjoy Christopher Myers work. I am drawn to their colors, innovation, playfulness, and the way some of them express their own personal stories. I get a kick out of people saying to me "Oh, your work looks like Vera Williams or Elisa Klevan." That's the kind of work I hang on my walls. Those are the children's books I have been most attracted to, so I must be doing something right. I love your strong colors. Do you live with many colors? Yes, I do. My friends and family say my house looks just like me. I bought some pieces in San Antonio that I love ...bright, Mexican-influenced, religious objects. I hang my own work, and pictures I have framed from books, posters, and cards illustrated by Vera Williams, Elisa Klevan, and Trina Schardt Hyman. Pictures from Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi hang in my bathroom. I love children's art, and I have many of my son Jesse's pictures in the kitchen. On one wall, I have painted a mural that kind of extends a Vera Williams picture (from A Chair for My Mother). I heard you read an excerpt, which I much enjoyed, from a YA novel you were working on. Do you find it more difficult to write or illustrate? Thank you, that reminds me I have to keep working on it. I enjoy illustrating more, though I struggle with my drawing abilities. I do keep a regular journal, do writing for my job, and have written some stories, but I'm not as compelled to write. However that YA novel is something I wish to finish. Do you participate in a writers' or illustrators' critique group? I was on an online fiction writers' group with other SCBWI-MI people, but we haven't done anything recently and I haven't been able to find time to contribute anything either. I meet with two women from Grand Rapids, who are fine artists and have art teaching experience, and though we meet irregularly, I see them quite a bit and do show my work to them and talk about my ideas and strategies. I have some co-workers at the library that I like to show my work to and get feedback. How did you become involved with our Michigan SCBWI chapter? I had let my membership with SCBWI lapse a little bit, due to the birth of my son, changing jobs, moving.... Lynn Strough came to the library to talk about writing and illustrating Eliza's Carousel Lion. She spoke very positively about SCBWI-MI, which pushed me to contact SCBWI-MI, subscribe to the local newsletter, and rejoin SCBWI. I enjoyed reading the newsletter and really wanted to go to the retreats. After my divorce, I attended my first fall retreat. I was quite impressed with the SCBWI-MI leadership and how everyone could be wholesome, friendly, AND professional. I also got some very good advice that helped me very much in my artwork. What is the most enjoyable part about being SCBWI-Michigan's Illustrator Coordinator? I like meeting and talking with others that create or are involved with children's books. A highlight, so far, was looking at the beautiful show and portfolio exhibition at the "Art Director and Editors Day" on June 3, 2000. SCBWI-MI folks supportively push me to do tasks I really don't think I'm capable of doing. After I do finish them, I realize I have grown professionally and personally. This is not the most enjoyable part, but probably the most beneficial. Although I do spend quite a bit of time on SCBWI-MI stuff, my artwork and writing growth has not been hindered. In fact I think my involvement keeps me working on artwork and writing and so entrenched in the children's book business that I can't give up. As a children's librarian, what do you hear most often that you wish others could hear? I'm more effected by what I see: a small girl and her father working very hard with utmost concentration while she writes her address on a guessing-contest form, the looks on children's faces when they have really enjoyed a book or are participating in story time. I like to hear, "Yesss, that is the book I was looking for!" and "that was the best book!" Having served on the 2000 Caldecott Committee, what did you find most surprising? Most interesting? In 10 words or less, right? I was very surprised by the whole process of how we picked the winner and even having seen the monthly lists and the 6 books each member wrote up as their top books, I would never have predicted we would pick Joseph Had A Little Overcoat. My favorite part and the most interesting was all the discussions we had at the Mid-Winter conference when we actually picked the Caldecott winner. It was such a joy to discuss the books with such knowledgeable people. I learned so much about why I am drawn to picture books and I discovered that I had something to say about picture books, too. If your fairy godmother granted you one wish, what would it be? To be able to truly love! Not finding the white knight with
the picket fence house and living happily ever after-but being
able to accept life as it is, living in the moment, appreciating
the small miracles in our lives, and connecting with family,
friends, people and kids. The way I live my life is one way I
express myself. As an artist, hopefully my work has enough truth
and heart that people will be touched by it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Debbie, and best of luck with your writing and illustrating!
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