Julie Rowan-Zoch is the illustrator of the new children's picture book Not All Sheep Are Boring!, written by Bobby Moynihan. Her other books include I'm a Hare, So There!.
Q: What inspired your illustrations for Not All Sheep Are Boring!?
A: During the first read of the text I was envisioning the fun I would have drawing these very silly and very humanized sheep!
I love diving into visual research and probably went down too many rabbit holes looking for all different breeds of sheep. One sheep's coloring is that of Beatrix Potter's favorite breed. I also chatted with a sheep-owner about sheep's teeth!
I like absolute quiet while writing, but I like the sound of a familiar film in the background while working on illustrations. During revision work from the initial sketches I happened to be revisiting British period dramas and was inspired to create a few pastoral landscapes in the backgrounds.
Q: How did you develop your artistic style?
A: After a portfolio consultation with the very generous and very skilled Michael Garland, I took a sharp turn to digital illustration and haven't looked back. My son taught me how to use the note-taking app on my first tablet (I didn't even use a smart phone till recently!).
After that it was all trial and error, mainly keeping it simple and exploring what I could do with just one "brush," for example. My work definitely benefited from drawing as a daily ritual.
Q: What first intrigued you about creating children's picture books?
A: As I am sure most agree, the artistic marriage of words and pictures comes together uniquely, almost magically, in a picture book. At this point I'd like to note how rewarding I find the collaborative process, first with critique partners then editors and art directors.
Q: What do you hope kids take away from Not All Sheep Are Boring!?
A: I hope it will make them laugh, that they chose their own favorite sheep, feel inspired to draw their own, and value silliness into adulthood! Not asking too much, eh?
Q: What are you working on now?
A: A manuscript I really love is out on sub at the moment - fingers crossed!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: When I first began my publishing journey, I could only envision illustrating my own stories, but have found so much joy in illustrating other people's manuscripts. That joy is also to be found in critiquing - it's like a private preview, an AIC: Advanced Illustrator's Copy!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
I have a favorite sheep in this book for sure - it's dill-lightful!
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