Meet illustrator Jacqueline Schmidt & her debut book Patchwork Helps a Friend, written by Gail Greiner.
Bebe Birds (JS): Hi Jacqueline. Can you tell us how illustrating your first children's book, "Patchwork Helps a Friend", first came about?
Jacqueline Schmidt (JS): I have a great love of illustrated books and have wanted to create my own. Powerhouse Arena let me know that they were launching POW! books, their own children's imprint, and that I seemed like a perfect fit. They have been carrying my Screech Owl Design stationery products for years and we have a had a wonderful working relationship so it was a no brainer to me. As you can imagine, I was thrilled and so honored to be apart of their project! They are very passionate about children's books and an absolute pleasure to create with.
BB: How did you come up with the character Patchwork?
JS: The Patchwork series is based on an actual stuffed patchwork bear that is over 100 years old. He has a lot of character and unfortunately, will probably not make it another century. I have always been smitten with this bear whose letters, "M.P.B" (Mr. Patchwork Bear) are stitched into his arm. I wanted to find a way to bring him back to life and honor him by sharing him with others. Through storytelling, I have a great opportunity to revive him and re-create his life. He has lived over 100 years and has seen a lot, I imagine. Patchwork himself, who is prone to repair, understands his friend Fred's plight of needing to be mended from time to time. Patchwork is crafty and loves to help whenever he can. Perhaps because he is so helpful is the reason his friends and community are always eager to reciprocate and help out whenever Patchwork is in need.
BB: The history behind Patchwork sounds so interesting. Was this an old stuffed bear passed down to you or just a bear you knew about?
JS: Mr. Patchwork Bear was passed down from my first love.
BB: In the book Patchwork Helps a Friend, Patchwork goes to various friends in search of helping repair his friend Fred. Can you describe the type of bear Patchwork is?
JS: He is a very resourceful bear. He loves his friends, is very adventurous and incredibly crafty. Patchwork has a well developed silly side as well as a sense of humor. He doesn't mind being seen as a do-good bear and always wants to learn something new. Spending time with his friends and community is most important to him as well as seeking out opportunities to make new friends and explore his natural environment and world.
BB: Your images from your company Screech Owl Design are very naturalistic. How has being a life long New Yorker influenced your work as an illustrator?
JS: Growing up I had a summer house in the country and attended camp since a very young age. I spent a lot of time in nature which is where my inspiration comes from. My son Finn is now 18 months old and I really look forward to creating outdoor adventures with him. I want to make sure that he too has a rich experience and enough time to develop his own relationship with nature and are very grateful to my family for providing that experience for me. It truly was the greatest gift.
BB: Any advice to future illustrators? Where to start?
JS: Draw. Then draw. Then draw some more. Find your voice, your style and what makes you unique and keeps you inspired. Then share it. Everywhere. On blogs, galleries, stores, friends, craft fairs-wherever you feel your art most belongs. And whatever you do, don't focus on the outcome. If you are making work and sharing it, then there are options and possibilities for your work to take on a life of its own. Not sharing your work, makes it harder to grow. Taking risks, makes each risk occur less precious and therefore easier. Be persistent and don't give up. Practice makes perfect!
BB: That's Great Advice! What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future?
JS: Patchwork's adventures continue with a second book due out this fall. It is about his journey to find his cozy place and the dreams and passages he goes through before he settles down.
Thank you so much Jacqueline. Bebe Birds loves ya! To get your copy of Patchwork Helps a Friend visit them here & here to follow the many adventures of Mr. Patchwork Bear.
BB: How did you come up with the character Patchwork?
JS: The Patchwork series is based on an actual stuffed patchwork bear that is over 100 years old. He has a lot of character and unfortunately, will probably not make it another century. I have always been smitten with this bear whose letters, "M.P.B" (Mr. Patchwork Bear) are stitched into his arm. I wanted to find a way to bring him back to life and honor him by sharing him with others. Through storytelling, I have a great opportunity to revive him and re-create his life. He has lived over 100 years and has seen a lot, I imagine. Patchwork himself, who is prone to repair, understands his friend Fred's plight of needing to be mended from time to time. Patchwork is crafty and loves to help whenever he can. Perhaps because he is so helpful is the reason his friends and community are always eager to reciprocate and help out whenever Patchwork is in need.
BB: The history behind Patchwork sounds so interesting. Was this an old stuffed bear passed down to you or just a bear you knew about?
JS: Mr. Patchwork Bear was passed down from my first love.
BB: In the book Patchwork Helps a Friend, Patchwork goes to various friends in search of helping repair his friend Fred. Can you describe the type of bear Patchwork is?
JS: He is a very resourceful bear. He loves his friends, is very adventurous and incredibly crafty. Patchwork has a well developed silly side as well as a sense of humor. He doesn't mind being seen as a do-good bear and always wants to learn something new. Spending time with his friends and community is most important to him as well as seeking out opportunities to make new friends and explore his natural environment and world.
Inside Patchwork Helps a Friend
BB: Your images from your company Screech Owl Design are very naturalistic. How has being a life long New Yorker influenced your work as an illustrator?
JS: Growing up I had a summer house in the country and attended camp since a very young age. I spent a lot of time in nature which is where my inspiration comes from. My son Finn is now 18 months old and I really look forward to creating outdoor adventures with him. I want to make sure that he too has a rich experience and enough time to develop his own relationship with nature and are very grateful to my family for providing that experience for me. It truly was the greatest gift.
Jacqueline and her son Finn. Photo Credit Zivar Amrami
JS: Draw. Then draw. Then draw some more. Find your voice, your style and what makes you unique and keeps you inspired. Then share it. Everywhere. On blogs, galleries, stores, friends, craft fairs-wherever you feel your art most belongs. And whatever you do, don't focus on the outcome. If you are making work and sharing it, then there are options and possibilities for your work to take on a life of its own. Not sharing your work, makes it harder to grow. Taking risks, makes each risk occur less precious and therefore easier. Be persistent and don't give up. Practice makes perfect!
BB: That's Great Advice! What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future?
JS: Patchwork's adventures continue with a second book due out this fall. It is about his journey to find his cozy place and the dreams and passages he goes through before he settles down.
Thank you so much Jacqueline. Bebe Birds loves ya! To get your copy of Patchwork Helps a Friend visit them here & here to follow the many adventures of Mr. Patchwork Bear.
No comments:
Post a Comment