The Illustration Department Podcast

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator and writer, Judy Schachner, about how having an imagination saved her life—especially during a difficult childhood; why her first steps as an author included lying to editors; what the late, great Anna Dewdney meant to her; and more. To learn more about Judy, visit judithbyronschachner.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Arthur Ra...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to best-selling illustrator and author, Barbara McClintock, about how Maurice Sendak—literally—helped her begin her children’s book career (including portfolio advice every illustrator should follow); why starting any creative project is the hardest hurdle to jump; how illustrators can process rejections in a positive way; and more. To learn more about Barbara, visit barb...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and comic book artist, Patrick Spaziante, about his career—from his early days at Archie Comics to becoming what Sonic the Hedgehog fans call “the legendary Spaz”; what lessons he’s learned from being a life-long copy artist; what illustrators can do if they don’t like any of the work they create; and more. As discussed in this episode, Patrick is one of th...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Kellee Riley, about how she became a copy artist for Holly Hobby, Dora the Explorer, and other properties; what a copy artist is, and why it deserves more respect from the illustration community; how having just a little bit of confidence—no matter what kind of art you create—can go a long way; and more. To learn more about Kellee, visit kelleeriley.com ....

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Olivia Verdugo, Art Director at The Barnes Foundation about her role at the Barnes, and the circuitous route she took to get there; what illustrators can learn from Dr. Barnes’ idiosyncratic, holistic approach to art collection; why graphic designers are both poets and engineers; what five guiding principles helped Olivia find her creative path; and more. To learn more...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Art Director and Illustrator, Angela Navarra, about her role as Art Director at Callisto Media; how she finds illustrators, and what she looks for; what she wishes she knew about being a freelancer when she started; what it’s like balancing single parenthood and a creative practice; and more. To learn more about Angela, visit signorinanavarra.com . If you find value in...

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Jane Dyer, about the early days of her decades-long career; how believing in yourself is difficult, but necessary, if you want to be an illustrator; what it’s like to lose your serenity after a traumatic event, and what it takes to find it again; and more. To learn more about Jane, visit janedyerchildrensbooks.com . Artists mentioned in this episode includ...

Caldecott-winning illustrator and author, Emily Arnold McCully, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her 55-year career; how she felt discouraged enough to consider quitting illustration—just before winning the Caldecott; why meeting our boundaries as artists is a good thing; and more. To learn more about Emily, visit emilyarnoldmccully.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Betsy Lewin ;...

Richard Michelson, owner and founder of R. Michelson Galleries, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the founding of his gallery (thanks to a ping-pong game); why the term “kid-friendly” with respect to picture books is “kid-unfriendly”; how an illustrator can exhibit at his gallery; what it was like being neighbors with Maurice Sendak and Eric Carle; and more. To learn more about Richard and his ga...

Bookwright, Barry Moser, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the early years of his career—from teenage minister to renowned artist; what similarities there are between illustrating a picture book and composing a piece of music; what it was like hanging out with—and posing for—Eric Carle; and more. To learn more about Barry, visit moser-pennyroyal.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Le...

Scratchboard artist, Mark Summers, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the mistakes Mark made early in his Hall of Fame illustration career; how playing Trivia Pursuit with his wife in 1985 “changed the world overnight” for Mark; how an artist can know if they’re going in the right direction with their work; and more. To learn more about Mark, visit marksummers.myportfolio.com . Artists mentioned i...

Tim Mendola—President of Mendola Artists and Rapp Art—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about Tim’s first experiences as agent; what best business practices all illustrators should embrace; what the “market” is and isn’t; why we may never see a sustainable union for illustrators; and more. To learn more about Tim and his agencies, visit mendolaart.com and rappart.com . Artists mentioned in this episode...

Illustrator and author, Daniel Miyares, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what being a first generation American means to him, and how he unpacks it through his art; how the beginning of his career started with an agent saying, “I don’t think you’re right for the children‘s book industry”; what it means to be curious—and how it just might be, for illustrators, the key to everything; and more. To...

Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator and author, Mary Azarian, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her career—and how much of it came from “randomness, circumstance, and luck”; how farming fed her creativity; what she thinks every creative person should do—regardless of their age or experience; and more. To learn more about Mary, visit maryazarian.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Leo...

Illustrator and author, Flavia Zorilla Drago, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about creating art outside of one‘s culture; how artists are being placed into diversity “boxes,” and by whom; why it can be difficult for artists to accept praise; and more. To learn more about Flavia, visit flaviazdrago.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Becky Palmer , Elys Dolan , Katherina Manolessou , Jav...

Caldecott-winning illustrator and author, Lane Smith, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he went from illustrating an album cover for Oingo Boingo, to publishing his first picture book; what he doesn’t like about the term “kid-friendly” when describing kids’ books; why he works in multiple styles and media; and more. To learn more about Lane, visit lanesmithbooks.com . Lane and Giuseppe spoke...

Illustrator and author, Melissa Iwai, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the meandering journey that led her to becoming an illustrator and author—with a little help from Richard Scarry; how she reclaimed her identity, her joy, and her drawing hand; why it’s a good idea to create art—not for a portfolio piece or social media—but for yourself; and more. To learn more about Melissa, visit melissaiwa...

Christopher A. Brown—Special Collections Curator for the Children’s Literature Research Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how a lie helped him become a librarian; who decides what books belong in a library; why he thinks revolutions are recorded in children’s literature; and more. To learn more about the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Children’s Lite...

Marketing Consultant, Lauren Flower-Kim, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her career as a marketing leader at both Random House and HarperCollins; what role—and power—Marketing Departments have in Children’s Publishing; what three ways a book creator can market their book; and more. You can connect with Lauren on LinkedIn . If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber o...

Roy Freeman—scientist, artist, author, publisher, and son of Don Freeman—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about Don’s life before Corduroy; how Roy found peace with the difficult relationship he had with his father; what advice Don would share with illustrators were he alive today; and more. To learn more about Roy and Don Freeman, visit donfreeman.info . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Al...

Editorial illustrator, and picture book author, Guy Billout talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how his experiences during WWII and 9/11 are connected; why self-confidence is an essential part of being an editorial illustrator; what he regrets about being inducted into the Society of Illustrators’ Hall of Fame; and more. To see his work, visit instagram.com/gbillout . Artists mentioned in this epis...

Karen Katz talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the life choice that sparked her prolific career as a children’s book creator; why working in one style might not be a good idea for illustrators; what three words have helped her navigate life, parenting, and art; and more. To learn more about Karen, visit karenkatz.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Faith Ringgold and Lois Ehlert If you...

Author and long-time children’s book editor, Traci Todd, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the editorial process—from her experiences as the head of multiple editorial departments; how “original” trade publishing relies on Pokemon, SpongeBob, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; what a 1975 article by Augusta Baker can teach us about the future of diversity in children’s publishing; and more. Ar...

Artist Representative, Richard Solomon, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his forty-year career as an illustration agent; why he has never asked an illustrator to sign a contract with him—and never will; what the word “quality” means; what he wants etched on his gravestone (and why it matters to illustrators); and more. To learn more about Richard and his agency, visit richardsolomon.com . Artist...

Illustrator, Author, and Professor, John Hendrix, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the lessons he learned from the early days of his illustration career; how his religious faith intersects with his art (and why he thinks “God is dunking” on him); what baseball can teach us about working as an illustrator; and more. To learn more about John, visit johnhendrix.com . Artists mentioned in this episo...