Feature Article
BEING A BOOK ILLUSTRATOR
- the world of children's book illustration is a complete mystery to most artists, but for those who suddenly find themselves in the world of book publishing, the experience can be exhilarating. Here, we explore the mystery through Fremantle Press.
Artist Brian Simmonds said he didn't anticipate being swept away on a wave of book signings with the author over several launches, and becoming part of the
Fremantle Press 'family'. "For some reason I thought illustrating a children's book would be a very commercial transaction. I thought I would complete the artwork, be paid, and walk away from the project." In his first experience as children's book illustrator during a career spanning over thirty years, the popular teacher and award-winning artist found he could not have been more wrong.
Charcoal drawing by Brian Simmonds from the book 'Lighthouse Girl' written by Dianne Wolfer.
Lighthouse Girl, written by award-winning author Dianne Wolfer and illustrated by Brian Simmonds was published by Fremantle Press in March this year. Aimed at teenage and young readers, the book is as much of interest to older readers with a fascination for history. Set in 1914, the book is based on the true story of Fay Howe, a fifteen-year-old girl who had very little contact with the outside world on Breaksea Island outside King George Sound in Albany where she lived with her father, the lighthouse keeper.
Fay Howe's reputation grew as troop ships drew into Albany as their last port of call before heading for the battlefields of war. She communicated with them with flags using the Semaphoric alphabet, and sent messages to their families via telegraph. The messages were of homesickness and reassurance to loved ones, and provided an unexpected boost to troops as they made their way into the unknown, facing possible death on the opposite side of the world. Numerous postcards of thanks arrived back in Australia from the Middle East, simply addressed to 'The little girl on Breaksea Island.'
Fay worked long hours to bring their messages of hope and love to fruition, suffering harsh conditions herself. Her mother had died, and all her siblings lived away from Breaksea Island. Supply boats were often unable to reach them, forcing Fay to resort to shooting rabbits and mutton birds for meals. As well as looking after her father, she also cared for her toddler niece, whose mother, her sister, had died prematurely.
Author Dianne Wolfer's Lighthouse Girl is not just about a teenager missing her mother, but is also about an independent and contented girl revelling in a far-off adventure she longs to be part of. The hybrid book features factual maps, photos of World War l troops and ships, old newspaper cuttings related to the War, and mock-up postcards, lending a subtle history lesson to young readers. Bringing Fay to life is the hazy, delicate charcoal drawings of Brian Simmonds. The images of her teenage innocence, joy and despair work in partnership with the text, upholding and underlining the story and fleshing out its content.
Fremantle Press publisher Cate Sutherland said illustrations can change the way a children's book is interpreted, and is very much an integral part of the story. "It's a team effort between author and illustrator," a fact Brian Simmonds soon discovered. "There were many meetings with the author and publisher to establish the right tone of the book," he said.
But how did Brian, and others, come to be invited to illustrate books for Fremantle Press in the first place? In Brian's case the publisher had attended his drawing classes at Tresillian Community Centre in Nedlands, and when the book came up his work was suggested to complement it. Cate Sutherland said the manner in which Fremantle Press selects book illustrators is varied. "We don't necessarily go out and look."
- from 'The Two-hearted Numbat' a collaboration by Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina, both children of artist and author Sally Morgan. In this picture book story Numbat has two hearts, one of stone making him strong and powerful, the other of feather making him soft and gentle. When his two hearts become troublesome, he must choose one.
While Brian's work for Lighthouse Girl is aimed at a teenage age group, there are several artists selected by Fremantle Press in recent times which target younger readers.The beautifully meticulous work of Sonia Martinez was selected to illustrate The World According to Warren by Craig Silvey in 2007, which was shortlisted for the Crichton Award for Illustrators, and was also listed as one of the world's top 100 picture books by the South Korean Picture Book Association. Sonia was still a student at Curtin University when she illustrated the book, being chosen by Fremantle Press following an illustration competition they initiated at the University.
Sonia said it was an amazing opportunity to be selected and for Fremantle Press to invest their trust in her. "It was tricky to balance study and the commitment of the book, but eventually my tutor allowed it to be part of my allocated work. It was just fantastic to have a foot in the door." Sonia echoed the thoughts of other illustrators saying the fee paid for the work was not high, but crucially selling the original works from the book made the project viable. "Unless you produced a million dollar best seller, or churned out books, you wouldn't be able to support a family on illustrating books. Most other illustrators I know have other employment, but every now and then a royalty cheque appears in the letterbox as a pleasant surprise when I had almost forgotten about The World According to Warren." Sonia has since been contracted to produce her second picture book for Fremantle Press in 2010.
Publisher Cate Sutherland discovered the work of Chris Nixon at his student exhibition. Having just graduated, Chris produced illustrations for Crocodile Cake by Palo Morgan while also still a student at Curtin University. In the picture book, due to be released this June, Chris brings to life the story of a little girl who bakes a very dangerous crocodile cake which comes to life and devours her whole family, unitil she realises the crocodile is really, merely, a cake.
Artist Moira Court was contracted in a different way, visiting publisher Cate Sutherland with her folio. Cate was impressed enough to suggest Moira as the right illustrator for Miss Llewellyn Jones by Elaine Forrestal. The book was also shortlisted for the Crichton Award in 2008, with Moira also winning the works on canvas prize in the annual National Lifestyle Villages Art Awards in Kalamunda in the same year. Her work is currently on show at the Children's Literature Centre in Fremantle.
Sonia Martinez brings to life 'The World According to Warren,' written by Craig Silvey. The book tells the story of Warren, an errant dog who is almost ejected from guide dog school but finds his destiny when he is assigned to Eleanor Rigby. In this storyboard Warren sees himself as a true hero, and wonders if other dogs worry so much about their owners.
Indigenous illustrator and author Ambelin Kwaymullina has now produced three picture books for Fremantle Press and is contracted for another three starting in 2010. A lecturer in law at the University of WA, Ambelin is also the daughter of Sally Morgan, a fact Fremantle Press was reluctant to mention until she had cemented her name in her own right. Ambelin submitted her first manuscript without illustrations, Crow and the Waterhole, through normal channels, and was selected for publication. She humbly submitted a storyboard of how the illustrations might look, which were of such high calibre the publisher also contracted her to produce her own illustrations. Ambelin has an intimate connection with her illustrations which are inspired by dreams. The originals are not exhibited, despite offers from the State Library to buy and display her work.
The Library has taken the opportunity to purchase original works from Lighthouse Girl by Brian Simmonds. Original works from the book have also been on show at Dymocks in Subiaco as well as a bookstore in Albany.
For artists wishing to explore the idea of illustrating children's books, a starting point is the Fremantle Press website which offers guidelines to submit illustrative material from which a folio of prospective illustrators is maintained. The publisher uses this as one source of matching authors with illustrators. Other sources are graduate exhibitions, general exhibitions, local media stories, the Fremantle Children's Literature Centre and the Society for Children's Writers and Illustrators (SCWIBI). Submission is open to all photographers, artists and illustrators whose normal residence is in Western Australia. Submission is via a one-sided A3 sheet with copies of examples of work and contact details. Other sites regularly trawled by Fremantle Press and publishers Australia wide are www.thestylefile.com and www.writingwa.org
heARTlines: Children's Literature and Book Illustration Festival from 4 September - 4 October at Mundaring Art Centre offers a unique opportunity to view original artwork by some of Australia's most talented illustrators and authors. All the magic, imagination and excitement of the illustrated page returns to the Mundaring Arts Centre with this third annual festival of literary and book art. A wide range of events, workshops and displays will support a fascinating exhibition of interest to adults as well as children and teenagers. The Festival aims to promote children's literature and book art to parents, teachers, librarians, adult writers and artists, who in turn help pass on their new knowledge of youth-based literature and art skills to young people.
For further information visit www.fremantlepress.com.au