Featured Illustrator

Becky’s work reflects a deep love of story and a patient, curious creative process: explore her approach below, and click through to her website to see more of her collage-based illustrations.

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How did you get started in illustration?

I have always loved art. My grandpa was a commercial artist and his career centered in printing, but all of his walls were covered in his art, and I loved looking at it when I was young. I took an art class in junior high, and a couple in college, but I decided to study elementary education. I always liked to draw cartoon animals and people for my children and encouraged their interest in art. I wrote a manuscript when my kids were little and sadly shelved it until I was no longer so busy. About 6 years ago I started learning about writing children’s books, and wanted to illustrate what I had written. So I started taking classes online and joined SCBWI.

What is your background?

I raised six children. We always checked out picture books, early readers, and chapter books at the library and had so much fun reading them. I would often pore over the illustrations and learn all about the different media they were created in. I also taught at a Montessori charter school for several years and loved teaching art and writing, and reading out loud. After moving to Oregon 8 years ago, teaching was not an option, so I started focusing back on my love for children’s books.

What have you learned along the way? What tips can you share?

I have learned that the more you know, the more you know that you don’t know. If something looks effortless, it is because so much work was put into making it look that way. I have finally learned what “Trust the Process” means, and am getting better at it. And my favorite way to keep anxiety at bay is to concentrate on improving my skill rather than trying to impress anyone. So my tips are: Keep working at it, even if you don’t see much progress. Push through the uncomfortable feelings that go along with creating and try to play and have fun, that’s where magic happens. But most of all, find your people. Find mentors. Find those that will give you an honest critique and help you improve. Find those that will encourage you and help you see what you can become.

What is your preferred medium and method of working?

Lately my preferred medium is torn paper collage. I go back and forth with pencil drawing and digital drawing coming up with the composition, design, shapes, etc. I also usually go through a couple of rounds with critique partners to make it better. When I am finished with each shape made from painted paper I assemble it onto a large page and use Photoshop to add background or fix little things. Sometimes I will add lines, or textures on top. It just depends on the piece.

What do you do when you get stuck or lose motivation to 'get back' to what you're working on?

This happens a lot. I usually work on something else. Sometimes writing. I usually noodle the problem in my head for a while and then when I think I have a solution, I get back to it. This makes me feel like I am really a slow illustrator, but it is also part of the process for me.

What would be your dream project?

A series of board books with some sort of a math theme.

What illustrators inspire you? Why?

The ones I have been inspired by forever - Eric Carle and Lois Ehlert for their amazing and simple collage work. William Steig, Arnold Lobel, and Tomie dePaola for their style and humor. Kate Berube draws with a bamboo skewer and uses vinyl paint. How amazing is that? Samantha Cotterill, her work on the book, “Look,” was so incredible, she made all of the things! I also have loved looking at Emily Winfield Martin. Her latest book is delicious.

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