Many talented illustrators participated in this year’s SCBWI Western WA conference Art Portfolio Showcase. With so many wonderful art portfolios, our faculty agent and editor judges had a difficult time choosing the winner. After much deliberation, the first place winner is Leanne Hatch, 2nd place winner is Andy Musser, and 3rd place winner Suzanne Kaufman. Below is Lily LaMotte’s interview with Andy Musser.
LILY LAMOTTE: Please briefly explain your creative process, favorite mediums, etc.
ANDY MUSSSER: My process is a mix of analog and digital, but I work with traditional tools as much as possible, simply because they’re the most fun for me. My favorite medias are gouache, watercolors, and colored pencils on watercolor paper. I use Photoshop and an iPad throughout my process to adjust sketches, clean up final art, and generally speed things up.
LILY: How do you deal with creative blocks?
ANDY: Whenever I feel stuck, it’s usually time to take a break and let my brain rest. My best work happens when I make space to relax and enjoy the process. To recharge and keep stress at bay, I often rock climb, run, or go for walks in the park. If my ideas still feel stale, I look for fresh inspiration in other creative fields and in art from different time periods. If none of those things work, I think about what’s giving me the most anxiety and what I can change to make it fun instead.
LILY: Who are your illustrator heroes? Influences?
ANDY: A few of my illustrator heroes are: Brian Wildsmith, Ezra Jack Keats, Beatrice Alemanga, and Shaun Tan. I try to draw from a broad range of influences outside of children’s books to keep my illustrations interesting and personal. The energy and textures in paintings by fine artist have been a huge inspiration, especially the work of Mark Rothko, John Singer Sargent, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. I try to incorporate patterns and colors I see in nature, and I find many good ideas from looking at plants, animals, rocks, clouds, and the ocean.
LILY: What’s inspiring you and your work right now?
ANDY: The need for diversity in children’s books is a strong motivator. Recently, I’ve started collaborating with my sister, Amy Seto Forrester, to make beginning readers. In addition to being a skilled writer, Amy is a children’s librarian with a passion for early literacy, and she has really opened my eyes to the lack of inclusivity in kid’s books. For me, it’s exciting to think about a future where kids from all backgrounds can see themselves represented when they visit the library.
Additionally, working collaboratively with a writing partner has been inspiring in itself – and best of all, it’s been fun! Another motivator is the volunteer work I do with 1st – 3rd graders at the Bureau of Fearless Ideas in Seattle. I help with a program where we guide a classroom of kids through making their own picture books. Brainstorming stories and drawing with the kids can be really challenging, but their enthusiasm and ingenuity is always inspiring. Any words of wisdom you want to share? Andy: Have fun and make things you love! Take your time to do your best work, it all comes back to you. And never give up, kids are waiting for the very best books you have inside, and sharing those stories is worth all of your hard work!
Another motivator is the volunteer work I do with 1st – 3rd graders at the Bureau of Fearless Ideas in Seattle. I help with a program where we guide a classroom of kids through making their own picture books. Brainstorming stories and drawing with the kids can be really challenging, but their enthusiasm and ingenuity is always inspiring.
LILY: Any words of wisdom you want to share?
ANDY: Have fun and make things you love! Take your time to do your best work, it all comes back to you. And never give up, kids are waiting for the very best books you have inside, and sharing those stories is worth all of your hard work!
About the interviewer
Lily LaMotte writes middle grade graphic novels and picture books. She is the Weekend-on-the-Water Retreat coordinator for SCBWI WWA and a member of the King County Library System Foundation Gala Committee to support all things library. She is repped by Laura Rennert of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
About the guest
Andy Musser works full-time as a freelance motion graphics designer and picture book maker. He lives on top of a magical hill in Seattle, overlooking the Puget Sound and close to Sasquatch country. When not in the studio, he can be found rock climbing, tending to his houseplants, and helping kids at the Bureau of Fearless Ideas make their own picture books.