Member Interview: Don Tate

Where did you grow up, and how did that place (or those places) shape your work?

I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa. My aunt, Eleanora E. Tate, my dad’s sister, was a journalist for the Des Moines Register and Tribune newspaper and an editor of the African American weekly Iowa Bystander newspaper. At that time, these kinds of opportunities for Black people were few in small-town Iowa, which made my aunt a celebrity in our community. Later, she wrote award-winning novels for teenagers that centered on African American kids and families. I was proud of my aunt. I knew the work she was doing was important. When I set out on my career, I followed her lead.

Did you always want to be an illustrator, or did that come later?

I always wanted to be an artist, but I also wanted to make a living. A starving artist did not sound appealing to me, which my dad warned would happen if I became any kind of artist. I didn’t listen to him. I discovered illustration in a vocational technical commercial art program in high school, which led to a commercial art program in college. When I graduated from college, I said that I wanted to become a computer artist. There was no such thing as computer art at that time; I just thought computer art sounded—I don’t know—exotic. Little did I know that computer art would be a thing.

If someone were to follow you around for 24 hours, what would they see?

Um, the thing is, I have a lot of interests, besides making books. So, whoever follows me had better put on their exercise shoes. A typical day for me starts with a 2,000-yard swim at the local natatorium, followed by some time lifting weights in the gym, followed by dessert. When I get home, I take care of my plants, which involves repotting, watering, misting, pruning, and/or moving them around. They’re my drama kings and queens. Then, I get to work, starting with answering emails and posting on social networks. After that, I finally focus on my book-related tasks, which can include writing or illustrating a future book, revising a book under contract, or promoting a newly published book. I often work late into the afternoon and take a break for a long walk while listening to an audiobook. Additionally, I do a lot of school visits all over the country.

How does your everyday life feed your work?

Like I said, I visit a lot of elementary schools talking about my work. Kids are smart, funny, enthusiastic, and bold; they challenge me, and I learn from them. When I’m writing or illustrating, I think about what I learned and what they taught me. But I learn from all of my other interests, too. I learn a lot about myself when I’m in the pool. Swimming a 2,000-yard IM workout in under an hour will vanquish any self-doubt or impostor syndrome I may be feeling. Caring for plants is like creating art; it’s a process with many tools that take time. Respect the process, and you’ll have something beautiful in the end.

Tell us about some accomplishments that make you proud.

My answer to this question changes as I get older. Had you asked me this question twenty years ago, I’d have talked about new art contracts, book awards, and career opportunities. Today, I’d speak about my kids. I have three adult kids who are successful in their individual journeys. I have a kid in law school. I have another kid who is successfully raising six kids of her own. And I have a third kid who manages a department of medical professionals. These aren’t my accomplishments—they’re all theirs. But I like to think I influenced them in some small way.

As far as my own career goes, the thing that makes me the most proud is when I see all of my books together, like, say, on stage at a school visit. I might walk past and thumb through a few of my books. And I’ll think to myself: Wow—the shy kid who never believed in himself, who questioned and downplayed his art abilities (even to this day sometimes), grew up and created all of these award-winning works.

What surprises you about the creative life?

What has surprised me is how much of my time goes into non-creative tasks. Yes, I love swimming, working out, and caring for my plants. But, oddly, these things feed my creativity. However, a lot of my time is spent doing paperwork, answering emails, judging literary contests, serving on boards, social networking, creating lists, interviewing (on TV, blogs, podcasts), and filling out publisher questionnaires. I call these things author-dos. I’m an author, and I have to do them. I approach them by making them fun for me in some kind of way.

When a reader discovers your work, what do you hope they find?

Enjoyment, inspiration, motivation, history, something they didn’t know, truth

Quick-Fire Questions: 

Keys to being a prolific illustrator?

Always keep your hands busy. Challenge yourself with new things—mediums, styles, techniques, and the type of work you accept. Don’t get stuck doing one thing.

Favorite illustrator influences?

These are some of my all-time favorite artists: Ernie Barnes, Charles White, Gary Kelly, Anita Kuntz, Paul Micich, Greg Nemec, Brian Selznick, Mary GrandPré, Jerry Pinkney, Brian Pinkney, Anna Rich, Kadir Nelson, Mark Teague, Carolyn and Mark Buehner—there are so many. And I can’t forget Vashti Harrison! Love her work!

How did you learn to draw?

Overly simple answer: by drawing!

If you were a song, how would you sound?

Like James Brown: “Get Up Offa That Thing!”