When did you start working with children's books?
I first started Illustrating in 2000 while working at the Tertiary Institution Te Wananga o Aotearoa. There I worked on my first large design projects, designing and illustrating the educational resources and workbooks for the programmes Te Ara Reo Maori and Mahi Ora. When I went on Maternity Leave in 2002 to have my first child, Te Wananga o Aotearoa continued to require illustration and design work for their resources, this is when I began freelancing as Quin Creative, which later became the company Design on Q.
I illustrate commercially as well as for children's books. My commercial work includes illustration for educational resources, murals, branding projects, billboards, apps and ibooks, among other things.
Where and when do you work?
I have a studio in Te Awamutu, where my business Design on Q is based. There I work with my three incredible staff members. I am based there on weekdays and work normal business hours. I also do a lot of my illustration work at home, as I find my most creative time for illustrating is between 8pm and 11pm (when the children are sleeping). I also work from home most weekends. My typical week consists of around 65 – 70 hours work, although Illustration is a passion as well as my job so it sounds worse than it is! My children become a big part of the creation of a character and illustrations for the children's books I work on. They sit and watch me draw, ask me questions and give me feedback. Children are the most honest critics. They just see the world in such a different way, a view point that is sometimes lost as we grow up. They suggest detail to be added & tell me if they don't like something – brutally and brilliantly. I hope that the long hours are not something that makes them feel they have missed out on my time as it is quite an inclusive and fun process. It can be a little stressful when there is a big deadline, and the long hours with a pen can take their toll on your body.
The most satisfying and rewarding part of illustrating for children's books, is watching children interact with, and enjoy my drawings while they learn. Also, seeing my kids being proud of their Mummy for her work. Once a book has been finished, they feel a sense of pride and ownership. They usually take the book to daycare/school when it comes back from being printed and share it with their class. Also, I really love finding the books in unusual (or remote) locations, bookshops and libraries. Also, with each book you see improvement in your style and illustration technique.
And the most challenging?
Most challenging - The hours and the hourly rate for those hours. I have recently done a time-lapse of the creation of a spread of my book Kiwa's First Egg (yet to be released). That one spread, from sketch to full colour print – ready, took 42 hours. If you multiply that by 16 spreads (the typical book is 32 pages), that is 672 hours to illustrate one book. That is purely the illustration, not including other things like layout design, cover design, or organising print files (if self publishing). It is a challenge, and often find yourself working for less than minimum wage.
I am working on a book I have written called Kiwa's First Egg. I am in the process of finishing off the illustration work and it is due to be released at the beginning of June 2014. It has been the most incredible journey because I am used to working with a client/author, and now I only have myself to answer too. I am pretty hard on myself, my authors are much kinder to me than I am to myself.
I am also self publishing Kiwa's First Egg. With my publication and resource design background, I have printing contacts all over the world, which really helps when trying to keep costs reasonable. Unfortunately, I could not afford to print in New Zealand and I have chosen a company in China. I researched thoroughly to find a reputable company with amazing quality, and good environmental and ethical policies. I have setup an e-store in preparation of selling the book online, and I am creating an App and an e-book.
I am very excited to be doing it on my own, but I am also very aware of the hard road ahead involving promotion & distribution. There is a huge amount of work I will need to do, even once the book is completed and printed. The real upside, I feel, is that there is not (always) a lot of monetary reward when working with a publisher, and when working for royalties. With my self published book, the profit stays with me, and the harder I work, the better the results.
I am also currently working on a story with Aunty Bea Piatarihi Yates - the Rotorua based Author behind many bilingual (Te Reo Maori/English) children's books. The title of that book is yet to be released.
Do you have any exciting projects planned for the future?
I have a few more storyboards for my own books up my sleeve. I just need a few more hours in my day!
As well as Aunty Bea's book, I have a few manuscripts from new authors and we are working on timelines and contracts.
Who was your favourite children’s writer or illustrator when you were a child?
Maurice Sendak – (Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen), Robin James (Serendipity Books), Graeme Base (Eleventh Hour), Lynley Dodd (My Cat likes to Hide in Boxes), Dick Frizzell (A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree) and Eloise Wilkin (so many Little Golden Books). There are many more, but these were my absolute favourites!
Which illustrator’s or writer’s work do you admire now?
All of my favourites from my childhood. There are so many New Zealand Illustrators I adore, it would be a huge list. The author/illustrator I really appreciate is Gavin Bishop. I heard him speak at Waikato University once and he has so many different Illustration styles and techniques. I love his vivid use of colour, texture and detail, my favourite of his works is Rats.
Where do you live?
I live in rural Waikato, New Zealand. I am owner/director at my business Design on Q (Branding, Graphic Design and Illustration). I also have an online store where people can view and buy my books and artwork – www.Illustrated.co.nz.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Spare time, what is that ?!? <giggles>
I love to play with my three daughters (11, 3 & 8 months old), walks up Maungatautari, coffee at my favourite cafe - Walton Street, travel and long shoulder massages after marathon illustrating sessions.
Where can we find out more?
http://www.designonq.co.nz
http://www.illustrated.co.nz
https://illustratednz.bigcartel.com
https://www.behance.net/DOQ
https://www.facebook.com/designonq