FAQ
Q. How do you get ideas for your books?
A. My best ideas start with a childhood memory and morph into something weird but cool.
Q. How do you get better at drawing?
A. Find somebody who knows how to draw better than you do and learn all you can from them. Practice, practice, practice. Drawing is like playing the violin; it takes awhile to get good at it.
Q. What was your favorite book as a child?
A. I love books about animals. I loved Robert Lawson’s drawings in The Story of Ferdinand. His shadows and beautiful clouds made me feel like I was outdoors on a sunny, summer day. Favorite chapter books were the Freddy the Pig series by Walter R. Brooks. Freddy was clever, liked to eat and wanted to be brave - just like me!
Q. Do you have any pets?
A. I have had lots of pets (hamsters, iguanas, fish, lizards, guinea pigs and dogs). A few have made their way into my books. Right now, our only pet is a golden retriever named Cleo.
Q. How did you decide to become an illustrator?
A. I loved to draw and make messy art projects and I loved to read so I put those 2 things together and became an author and illustrator. Besides, my idea of becoming a cowboy didn’t work out since I didn’t own a horse.
Q. Who are some of your favorite artists?
A. Maxfield Parrish, Arthur Rackham, William Joyce, P.J. Lynch, and Chris Van Allsburg.
Q. What story have you always wanted to illustrate but haven’t yet?
A. I love Grimm’s fairy tales, especially Hansel and Gretel.
