{"id":2189,"date":"2012-08-22T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2012-08-22T14:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wendymartinillustration.com\/wordpress\/?p=2189"},"modified":"2012-08-21T21:32:11","modified_gmt":"2012-08-22T03:32:11","slug":"interview-with-childrens-book-illustrator-russ-cox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendymartinillustration.com\/wordpress\/interview-with-childrens-book-illustrator-russ-cox\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Children\u2019s Book Illustrator \u2013 Russ Cox"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>Russ Cox was raised by a pack of crazed hillbillies in the back woods of Tennessee. Without much in the way of modern conveniences, like a television set or running water, he spent his time drawing and whittling away the hours, often dreaming of the joys of a shower. You can visit him on his website<\/a> or on social networks like Twitter and Facebook.<\/em><\/h5>\n

Q: When did you get started illustrating for children? What did you do before?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I have been illustrating for the children’s market for 14 plus years. The past two, I have focused more in the publishing field but still do commercial work. Before going out on my own, I was a creative\/art director for a design studio in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Q: Tell us a little bit about the illustrations behind your recently released book , Nite Nite Soldier<\/a><\/em>. Can you tell us about that book?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: The book is about Major Manners who teaches children to brush their teeth, get dressed, and ready for bed, etc. to a military cadence. The book comes with a CD in the Major reads the book and the kids respond. It is a wonderful addition to the book. Here is a blog post about the development of Major Manners. http:\/\/smilingotis.blogspot.com\/2011\/08\/development-of-character.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Q: Are any more books planned? Anything you can share with us about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: There are more books planned in the series but we are working on a new but different story at the moment. I cannot reveal any details right now except that the book should be out next year.<\/p>\n

Q: Have you worked on any other children\u2019s books?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I have worked on two other books that were self published. They were very fun to do and provided me invaluable experience which laid the groundwork for Nite Nite Soldier<\/em> and my own books.<\/p>\n

Q: I understand you won some very prestigious awards and accolades for you work this past spring. Can you tell us about that?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A: This year’s NESCBWI conference was amazing! Not only because of my Mother Goose poster winning three awards, but the feedback I received from my samples and portfolio. The comments validated that I am heading in the right direction but need more work to get there.<\/p>\n

I had an agent review my portfolio, which she liked, but she saw my doodles she said I should start loosening up my style and think about keeping the energy of my sketches. So that got me to doing a daily doodle.<\/p>\n

Q: What are you working on right now? Do you have any other art projects you\u2019d like to talk about?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I am trying to get my own book, Faraway Friends<\/em>, in front of an agent or publisher as well as developing some new story ideas that I am anxious to get working on when I have a free moment. Art wise, I am working on several book projects as well as a game for Gamewright which I am very excited about.<\/p>\n

Q: Do you do non-children\u2019s book art (licensing, fine art, etc.) or art just for fun? Is that art similar or different from your children\u2019s book art?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: The art I do for myself, besides my weekly doodles, is figurative fine art work. I am a member of a couple of figure drawing groups that meet to paint and draw in the evening and weekends. We pitch in and hire models for the sessions since they are life drawings.<\/p>\n

Q: When illustrating children\u2019s books do you include a visual storyline not mentioned by the text or include animals or people you know?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A: Hmmm, that is a good question. I suppose that I do include some common elements. Not sure if they are based on actual people I know or if they are just some subconscious thing. I know that at least one person usually has a pair of\u00a0 Chuck Taylors. If I could get a banjo in there somewhere, I would.<\/p>\n

Q: Can you explain your art process?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A: Even though I work digitally, I still sketch out the characters and layouts with traditional pencil and paper. After getting the layouts to where I like them, and approval from the client, I them do a tight sketch which I scan in and then paint digitally. the below link shows the process in which I use Photoshop although I am trying my hand at Painter. http:\/\/smilingotis.blogspot.com\/2012\/01\/finding-groove.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Q: Do you have a favorite color or palette?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I tend to like bright, fun colors but recently am trying to tone them done as I experiment with color harmony. Sometimes a piece just needs a limited, earthy palette.<\/p>\n

Q: What is your favorite medium to work in? Have you always worked in this media? If not, why did you switch?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I work digitally, which I enjoy. It is easier to experiment with color, faster (no drying time), plus any revisions are quickly done. I started out painting in gouache which I still enjoy and may go back to with some current ideas I have rattling around my head.<\/p>\n

Q: Do you use models\/source pictures or do you draw from your memory\/imagination?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A: I mostly draw from my imagination but I use a wooden mannequin to get a pose worked out, shoot photo reference, or go online to find a pose to work from.<\/p>\n

Q: If you could be anything other than an artist, what would you be?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A: Since music is my second love, a touring banjo or bass player would be fun. That reminds me of this joke:<\/p>\n

Q: What is the most seldom heard comment made of banjo players?<\/em>
\n A: “Say, isn’t that the banjo player’s Porsche?”<\/em><\/p>\n

Q: What gets you through an illustration when you\u2019re stuck for inspiration?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Well, playing my banjo for a while helps. Getting away from that project and working on something helps as well. Sometimes I will just stop for the day and take a break, usually watching a movie, going to the library, or treading a book.<\/p>\n

Q: What book do you remember from when you were young?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel<\/a>\"\" was the book I remember most and still love. Of course anything by Sendak<\/a>, Seuss<\/a>, Dahl<\/a>, and Silverstein<\/a> was imbedded in my soul along with those cool Little Golden Books.<\/p>\n

Q: Is there a children\u2019s book illustrator whose work you gravitate towards in the bookstore now?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: I love Dan Santat<\/a>‘s work and illustration style. His humor shines through in his pieces. Also at the top of the list would be Lane Smith<\/a>, of course, John Rocco<\/a>, Salley Mavor<\/a>, Kristin Sorra<\/a>, Will Terry<\/a>, and illustrator buddy Ward Jenkins<\/a>. Any of these artist, stand out in the crowd. I know I am forgetting a few others so I apologize to them.<\/p>\n

Q: If you could illustrate any writer\u2019s new work, who would it be?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A: Wow, good question. There are so many to choose from. Jon Scieszka<\/a> comes to mind first, so I will go with him.<\/p>\n

—<\/p>\n

Thanks for stopping by, Russ. I can’t wait to see what other zany characters you have in store for us.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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