While Between the Lines is on display at Hamilton’s Garden Place Library (1 to 30 April 2014), we’ll be featuring a series of interviews with our exhibitors on this blog, so you can find out more about them and their creations, and what makes them tick.
First up, we’re talking to our fabulous exhibition coordinator, illustrator Deborah Hinde, without whose energy and hard work the exhibition wouldn’t be happening.
Deborah is super busy at the moment, designing and creating the exhibition, but she still found time to answer a few questions.
So, Deborah…
When did you start illustrating books?
My background is graphic design, with most of my experience gained from working in small design studios and print houses.
In 1997, I redirected my focus to illustration, as a way to avoid sitting in front of a computer all day. While still doing a small amount of graphic design, I started providing illustrations to advertising agencies, souvenir manufacturers, small businesses and publishing houses.
In 2002, a friend of a friend approached me to rough up a book idea that they wanted to submit to a publisher. After being turned down by a couple of publishers, she sent it to Scholastic. In one of those strange twists of fate, Scholastic had just signed a contract for a very similar book by a new author and were looking for an illustrator. They liked my sample illustration and approached me with a contract for A Kiwi Night Before Christmas. I had a chat with my friend of a friend who said ‘Go for it’. A Kiwi Night Before Christmas was published in 2003. That was my first trade book. It still sells really well.
First up, we’re talking to our fabulous exhibition coordinator, illustrator Deborah Hinde, without whose energy and hard work the exhibition wouldn’t be happening.
Deborah is super busy at the moment, designing and creating the exhibition, but she still found time to answer a few questions.
So, Deborah…
When did you start illustrating books?
My background is graphic design, with most of my experience gained from working in small design studios and print houses.
In 1997, I redirected my focus to illustration, as a way to avoid sitting in front of a computer all day. While still doing a small amount of graphic design, I started providing illustrations to advertising agencies, souvenir manufacturers, small businesses and publishing houses.
In 2002, a friend of a friend approached me to rough up a book idea that they wanted to submit to a publisher. After being turned down by a couple of publishers, she sent it to Scholastic. In one of those strange twists of fate, Scholastic had just signed a contract for a very similar book by a new author and were looking for an illustrator. They liked my sample illustration and approached me with a contract for A Kiwi Night Before Christmas. I had a chat with my friend of a friend who said ‘Go for it’. A Kiwi Night Before Christmas was published in 2003. That was my first trade book. It still sells really well.
What’s the main type of work you do?
Most of my illustration work today centres around children’s picture books and other types of books: fiction and non-fiction. I also provide illustrations for packaging…but most of my work is book-related.
Where and when do you work?
My work day generally starts at 7am, when I leave the house and walk the 20 metres to my studio. I love my studio; it’s a light and airy, lined double garage, with views onto surrounding paddocks. I have work tops and lots of books, and my lovely old renovated mangle press.
What’s the best part of your work?
The initial ‘spark’ of an idea when I first read the manuscript for a book. I’m always excited about the visual possibilities, and like to quickly get those ideas down in rough form on paper. Then the nutting out of the flow of images; how they fit on the page; the negative and positive space, and how it’s used etc.
I think this is the most satisfying part of illustrating a book. That doesn’t mean I don’t love the ‘colouring in’, which happens over a longer timeframe.
And the most challenging bit?
The quality and standard I achieve requires long hours of concentration. I’m so absorbed in the process of producing the illustrations that my world becomes a small place, with work taking up a huge percentage of my time. I am continually challenged to find work/life balance.
Most of my illustration work today centres around children’s picture books and other types of books: fiction and non-fiction. I also provide illustrations for packaging…but most of my work is book-related.
Where and when do you work?
My work day generally starts at 7am, when I leave the house and walk the 20 metres to my studio. I love my studio; it’s a light and airy, lined double garage, with views onto surrounding paddocks. I have work tops and lots of books, and my lovely old renovated mangle press.
What’s the best part of your work?
The initial ‘spark’ of an idea when I first read the manuscript for a book. I’m always excited about the visual possibilities, and like to quickly get those ideas down in rough form on paper. Then the nutting out of the flow of images; how they fit on the page; the negative and positive space, and how it’s used etc.
I think this is the most satisfying part of illustrating a book. That doesn’t mean I don’t love the ‘colouring in’, which happens over a longer timeframe.
And the most challenging bit?
The quality and standard I achieve requires long hours of concentration. I’m so absorbed in the process of producing the illustrations that my world becomes a small place, with work taking up a huge percentage of my time. I am continually challenged to find work/life balance.
What are you working on at the moment?
At the moment I’m in the last stages of organising this exhibition, which is extremely exciting. It’s been a huge commitment time wise, but I think it’s well worth it. We’re getting really positive feedback already.
I’m also working on the next book in the Te Reo Singalong series with another couple of books in the pipeline. And I’m also in the middle of illustrating muesli packages. Life’s pretty busy at the moment.
Who was your favourite children’s writer or illustrator when you were a child?
Now that’s a really hard question…I know I read heaps as a child. I remember reading Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons and other books by him. I also read The Borrowers, My Friend Flicka, Anne of Green Gables, the Narnia series. So many books got read, although I can’t actually pinpoint a favourite author.
Which illustrator’s work do you admire now?
Now that’s another difficult one to answer. Donovan Bixley is one; I love his colour palette. Ruth Paul is another; I love the fact that even though her later work is illustrated in Photoshop, it doesn’t look digital. Sarah Davis is also another illustrator whose work I admire. Others include Polly Dunbar, Leo Timmers, Jon Klassen, Freya Blackwood and Leo Lionni.
Tell us some more about your life when you’re not illustrating
I live 28km south-east of Te Awamutu in the small community at Wharepapa South. I moved there 10 years ago after deciding to move out of Auckland. I’ve spent a lot of time at Wharepapa South over the years, as it’s the go-to place for rock climbing.
I’m passionate about the outdoors, particularly rock climbing, which I took up when I was in my early 30s and still do. I also enjoy mountain biking and tramping. When it’s wet and I can’t get outside, I make art for me.
You can find out more about Deborah and her work online at:
www.debhindeillustrationanddesign.co.nz
www.facebook.com/DebHindeIllustrationAndDesign
www.nz.linkedin.com/pub/deborah-hinde/23/383/689
At the moment I’m in the last stages of organising this exhibition, which is extremely exciting. It’s been a huge commitment time wise, but I think it’s well worth it. We’re getting really positive feedback already.
I’m also working on the next book in the Te Reo Singalong series with another couple of books in the pipeline. And I’m also in the middle of illustrating muesli packages. Life’s pretty busy at the moment.
Who was your favourite children’s writer or illustrator when you were a child?
Now that’s a really hard question…I know I read heaps as a child. I remember reading Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons and other books by him. I also read The Borrowers, My Friend Flicka, Anne of Green Gables, the Narnia series. So many books got read, although I can’t actually pinpoint a favourite author.
Which illustrator’s work do you admire now?
Now that’s another difficult one to answer. Donovan Bixley is one; I love his colour palette. Ruth Paul is another; I love the fact that even though her later work is illustrated in Photoshop, it doesn’t look digital. Sarah Davis is also another illustrator whose work I admire. Others include Polly Dunbar, Leo Timmers, Jon Klassen, Freya Blackwood and Leo Lionni.
Tell us some more about your life when you’re not illustrating
I live 28km south-east of Te Awamutu in the small community at Wharepapa South. I moved there 10 years ago after deciding to move out of Auckland. I’ve spent a lot of time at Wharepapa South over the years, as it’s the go-to place for rock climbing.
I’m passionate about the outdoors, particularly rock climbing, which I took up when I was in my early 30s and still do. I also enjoy mountain biking and tramping. When it’s wet and I can’t get outside, I make art for me.
You can find out more about Deborah and her work online at:
www.debhindeillustrationanddesign.co.nz
www.facebook.com/DebHindeIllustrationAndDesign
www.nz.linkedin.com/pub/deborah-hinde/23/383/689