Q: When did you get started illustrating for children? What did you do before?
A: I was surrounded by people who acknowledged my talents, my entire life. And always knew I would go on to do something artistic. In high school, I decided to go on to art school at Columbus College of Art and Design. Their instructors guided me towards a career in illustration. I have a BA in illustration and graduated in 2001. I have been moving around a lot the past eight years. I have been a custom framer, a substitute teacher, a youth services librarian and now a graphic designer for a library system. I do all this while still working quietly building my portfolio and gearing up to enter the industry. After learning how to network online, I really started to see a jump in work that was coming my direction.

Q: Tell us a little bit about the recent picture book you illustrated, WHAT’S WRONG WITH MUD by Gillian Colley.
A: The story was the 2007 winner of the ABC Picture Book Competition and I was asked to illustrate it by Rita Mills of the Book Connection (who puts on the contest). The book is a cute story about ducks that like to keep clean and pigs that like to play in the mud. One day they decide to trade places and find out that each way of life is fun in it’s own way.

Q: What are you working on right now? Do you have any other books or art projects you’d like to talk about?
A: I am currently working on a series of three books being published by 4RV Publishing, Inc. The first book, Lemur Troops & Critter Groups by Rena Jones, should be out later this fall. The other two will come sometime in 2010. I also illustrate on a regular basis for Stories for Children Magazine. I actually illustrated the cover for the July issue so stop and see it. www.storiesforchildrenmagazine.org

Q: Do you do non-children’s book art (licensing, fine art, etc.) or art just for fun? Is that art similar or different from your children’s book art?
A: I haven’t dove into that at this time because I am still carrying the graphic design job at the Lane Libraries. It seems like licensing is picking up in the illustration field and right now I know nothing about getting into it, but I am not opposed to learning.

Q: Do you illustrate full time? If not, what else do you do?
A: I have a day job, which I mentioned above. I illustrate in the evenings and on weekends and occasionally take time off to work on illustration. I suppose you could say my day job falls under this category. I design program posters, brochures, signage and much more for the library and have a lot of fun with all the creative freedom I have there.

Q: When you illustrate a picture book how do you decide what scenes and details to draw?
A: I read and re-read the manuscript several times and each time I jot down notes about things I see as a little movie plays out in my head. Each time I edit or add to my notes until I get a clear image in my head. From there I write down all the things I need to research so that I create clear visual images. Visual literacy is very important to picture books and it is important to me to paint a clear picture for all audiences.

Q: When illustrating picture books do you include a visual storyline not mentioned by the text or include animals or people you know?
A: Yes. I try to incorporate a theme throughout the book, though sometimes it is only clear to me. I like to point it out later to viewers and when they see it, they find it fascinating.

Q: Can you explain your art process? (please include a URL link to any visuals you may have on a blog or web site)
A: Well, ‘What’s Wrong with Mud?’ is made entirely of cut paper. I start with my sketches and ink them to get all the details clear. Then I blow them up to just a bit bigger than 100% and start to trace the pieces on tracing paper. From there I start cutting things out with an Exacto knife. I work very differently than most cut paper artists and I learned while doing MUD that it sometimes is not clear my work is in cut paper.

The book series I am working on now is being done totally digital and does not mimic the cut paper look. And I have found a whole new style that I am really enjoying.

Q: Do you have a favorite color or palette?
A: I have recently realized, that I have a certain color green in all of pieces I create. It is totally not intentional so I started at looking at my life and what colors I am surrounded by. This particular shade of green is everywhere, every day of my life so it has made an impact on me. After discovering that, I secretly place it in each piece on purpose.

Q: What is your favorite medium to work in? Have you always worked in this media? If not, why did you switch?
A: Right now I’m love working in digital painting. But the cut paper, I really love the focus it requires to cut with the Exacto knife.

Q: Did you always want to be an artist when you grew up?
A: Yes. The only other thing I wanted to be was a teacher (well, I wanted to be a zookeeper for a long time too). I would love to mix the two and go back to teach illustration for an art school or college.

Q: Do you use models/source pictures or do you draw from your
memory/imagination?
A: I believe in using reference. But I rely on my memory for most. I like to use reference when I really don’t understand what something should look like. I use a mirror a lot too. Like for hand placement on an object, or facial expressions.

Q: If you could be anything other than an artist, what would you be?
A: I think I would go in the direction of teaching, but in a college setting or for kids who come from hard situations.

Q: What gets you through an illustration when you’re stuck for inspiration?
A: I have a friend whom I call my muse. When I am stumped on something I look her up to talk me through it. She is not an artist, but just knows how to get my brain thinking in the right direction.

Q: What book do you remember from when you were young? (list one or multiple books)

A: Hmmm, I always struggle with this question because I was always surrounded by books. The books I most remember were these books my mom ordered from Disney, each month they sent a new book that came in the mail with my name on it. And each year there was a yearbook that had lots of short stories in them.

The Elves and the Shoemaker was always one of my favorites, which is funny seeing as how I married a Shoemaker (last name, he doesn’t actually make shoes).

Q: Is there a children’s book illustrator whose work you gravitate towards in the bookstore now? (list one or multiple illustrators)
A: I really love Jane Cabrera, Kenneth Spengler and Charles Fuge work.

Q: If you could illustrate any writer’s new work, who would it be?
A: Oh, that is a tough one because I don’t follow writers like I do illustrators.

Q: Who do you want to be when you ‘grow up’?
A: I want to be the Nikki Shoemaker who has accomplished the goals she set for herself, but still enjoying and craving to do more.

Thanks for visiting, Nikki. Good luck with the new books!

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Thanks for stopping by the What’s Wrong with Mud Virtual Book Tour.

Nikki is giving away 3 themed tote bags and there are 3 ways to enter to win!

1.    Copy/paste the book tour schedule onto your blog and leave a comment on Nikki’s blog to let her know that you posted on or before Saturday, July 11.
2.    Create your own blog post promoting What’s Wrong with Mud?
(You can contact Nikki for the Cover image and an interview to post if you want to)
3.    Stop by each blog on the Book Tour and leave a comment on each including Nikki’s blog (on or before Saturday, July 11), to let her know to enter you into the drawing.

If you enjoyed the book tour and would like an autographed copy of What’s Wrong with Mud? please email Nikki Shoemaker, nikki.shoemaker@yahoo.com for more details.
www.nikkisartroom.com
www.pinkpencil.blogspot.com