Writer and illustrator Kevin Scott Collier recently granted Stories for Children Magazine an interview about his illustrious career. Evidence of a child at heart, his writing and illustrating talents will leave you spellbound and inspired. Be forewarned, Kevin’s responses will have you chuckling out loud. Ignore the kids and pets when they look at you cock-eyed.
Kevin, your illustrious career includes over 70 written and illustrated titles. Please share with us your creative process. Do your words or illustrations come first?
Usually the story comes first. However, I have illustrated some of my books before I’ve written the story down. But usually I write the story before I draw the book. Sometimes illustrations can inspire a story to come about. It’s a unique process because I can actually see the characters not only in my mind, but they also come to life on paper as I draw them.
Throughout your career you have received numerous awards. Do you feel more artistic pressure with each recognition? Or do you enjoy the challenge of taking it up a notch?
I never try to win awards. That just happens. I never think about it. Sure, I mention them on my web site, but usually if somebody asks me what awards I’ve won, I have to go to my web site to read or even remember what it was. The biggest award I won was in 2008 for illustration, the New York Book Festival. It was for a book I had illustrated six months earlier and had essentially forgotten about.
The only pressure I have when I draw is our cat lying on my drawing board and grabbing at my pen while I’m trying to illustrate the pictures!
Beyond your busy writing and illustrating contracts you carve out the time to teach youth fiction sponsored by Writing Avenue, Inc. of Grand Haven, Michigan. Please share with us one of the most memorable moments of your teaching time.
A young 16-year-old girl, who took two of my classes and was quite the introvert, ended up being so inspired by the creative process of writing she became more outgoing and popular at school. She even won a writing contest at the school, and has become quite an independent personality and admirable achiever. I’ve discovered most young writers are incredibly shy people and if you build up their confidence, they don’t just write anymore, they become the story.
Of course, what would teaching fiction be without sharing your extensive illustration talents through your cartooning classes for the Grand Haven Area Schools of Grand Haven, Michigan. Do you ever offer both a writing and cartooning class combo?
No. I keep such classes separate. Writing and illustrating require completely different skills. Sometimes in my art classes I do teach a little bit about storytelling in regard to characters.
You recently embarked on an instructional illustrator and guest personality segment with KICKS Club TV entitled “Drawing for KICKS.” How did this concept become reality? How did you become affiliated with them?
I approached them with the possibility of me illustrating a children’s book based on their TV show. And they liked my work so well they pitched me a show. I’ve already appeared on the KICKS Club several times since last September.
For those of our readers who are unfamiliar
with KICKS Club TV, please describe the vision and inspiration of the program.
It’s a Christian children’s television program. On my own show, “Drawing for KICKS,” which will debut this year, I hope to inspire children through creativity and imagination, and show them that such gifts are God sent. It’s about having fun and keeping the One who created you at the center of your life.
Your blog, “Young Artist Workshop,” is an online workshop, teaching young artists how to draw. Not only do you provide visual instruction, you speak to the viewer throughout. What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of putting the instructional videos together?
Finding the time to do it. Actually, making sure I have all the correct color markers I need for that drawing off to the side of my clipboard, and to speak in a way that even I know what I’m talking about…sometimes.
Really, to me drawing is very routine, it is spontaneous and goes incredibly fast. I haven’t given it much thought. It’s just natural for me.
You encourage young artists to contact you via email with any questions or comments they may have. To date, what has been your most interesting or funny question?
I recall back in the late ’80s, when I was teaching a cartooning class to youth, a young girl asked me if Coyote would ever catch Roadrunner. I responded, “No, or there wouldn’t be any more cartoons.”
What do you find to be the biggest challenge collaborating with your wife, Kristen?
To avoid the flirting, kissing, and romance, and get some work done! Seriously, there is no challenge. It’s comes very naturally. Our work together is very complementary. We’ve never gotten into an argument over anything we’ve done together. If one of us doesn’t have the answer, the other does.
I think my most interesting works have been those I’ve done with Kristen. And she likes me as her illustrator because she doesn’t have to pay me!
Please share your latest project and where our readers can learn more about your exciting career?
My homepage is always up-to-date on the latest news and events in my career.
A brand new book by Kristen and me was just released: The Jumbo Shrimp of Dire Straits. It’s about a salty shrimp boat captain who’s on the skids and thinks he can turn a buck capturing a legendary monster-sized shrimp. Kristen wrote it, I illustrated it, and she hasn’t paid me a thing!
My latest picture book as writer and illustrator is Professor Horace, Cryptozoologist.
Loren Coleman, a leading researcher of cryptids, has recommended the book. In it, this old professor goes in search of Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster, and other mythical creatures. The proceeds for the above two books go to our son’s Christian school.
A picture book I am currently writing and illustrating for 4RV Publishing, which should be published this year, is titled Whispering Wally. I think it will be one of my best.
Kevin, thank you for taking the time out of your jam-packed schedule. It has been a pleasure interviewing you.
To learn more about Kevin’s exciting career visit him at:
http://kevinscottcollierhomepage.blogspot.com
http://artistworkshop.blogspot.com
To learn more about Kevin and his show visit http://www.vimeo.com/1872977