So I contacted Elisabeth Alba and asked if she would care to join
in…timing was off on her end with several large projects in the works,
one of which we'll be sharing today, so I quickly asked if she and her
cohort would be open to come visit with us here at PLP…and that's how we
all arrived here today. The more I studied and researched about these
two remarkable people, the more I wanted to share with you. So please
do enjoy your introduction to Heidi Bolton and Elisabeth Alba. Make
sure you visit their sites if you would like a real treat as to how an
author and an illustrator can share their world. And for participating
in today's special post, I will be happy to gift a copy of H.B. Bolton's first book, The Serpent's Ring, Book One of the Relics of Mysticus, to someone who leaves a compelling comment about the author and why they would like one…thx for stopping by,and as always, leave us a comment so we know you were here…enjoy! PLP.
The INTERVIEW
I
was hunting through blogs looking for people to invite to our event
when I saw this blow by blow of an incredible cover illustration
transformation from beginning to end. I was floored. The detail and
the flow of the work was inspiring to me as an artist and I instantly
wanted to know more about the person behind these terrific paintings.
One thing led to another and now we’re here today with both the
Illustrator and the Author of the books the paintings were for.
1.
Elisabeth how the heck did you get this good? Did you study, or is it
something that comes naturally...when did you know you were this
talented?
Elisabeth:
Years and years of practice doing something I enjoy. I was always
drawing when I was little. I just couldn't stop. In middle school and
high school I drew a lot of fanart – that is, art based on books/media
that I liked. I was really into Japanese animation, so I drew a lot of
characters in that style. Before that I was into Tiny Toons, so I drew
characters like that. Over time, from constantly drawing and studying
art and anatomy, I started to get better – arms stopped being too short,
necks stopped being too long, for example – and I started developing my
own style that didn't rely on someone else's style.
High school is when I really became interested in fantasy art and
'pretty ladies in pretty gowns.' In college I had to take a lot of 'fine
art' classes and learned new paint skills, and in my free time I delved
into the Harry Potter fandom and made a lot of artwork based on the
books and fanfiction. This has all just been practice to get to where I
am now, and I'm still learning! One of the great things about being an
illustrator—I'm either learning new things because of researching for
projects, or trying out new materials, or just getting better with
lighting and anatomy. Being an artist is being a lifelong student!
I am also an avid reader and my favorite books are historical fiction,
YA, middle grade books, fantasy and scifi books... so I enjoy drawing
the genres that I read, and that is how I got into illustration, the
thought that I could illustrate these types of books that I adore so
much.
2. How did you and Heidi find each other?
Elisabeth:
A fun story! Heidi was my art teacher throughout high school. She was
one of my favorite teachers, and I was in at least 3 classes with her,
including AP art. I believe she was in graduate school at the time, so
she wasn't one of those ancient stuffy art teachers giving boring
assignments. She was one of us! And she let us make work we were
passionate about. She is one of the reasons that I kept up with art and
made it my career. We lost touch for a while until one of my other
favorite HS teachers who I've kept up with, my AP English teacher,
messaged me that she had a possible illustration assignment for me. It
was for Heidi! So that was in 2012 and the Dragon's Egg is my third book
cover for her. It has been a great to reconnect with Heidi and to have
this fun middle grade adventure with her!
Heidi: Thanks, Elisabeth
I’m happy to hear I wasn’t a “stuffy” art teacher. Elisabeth has always
been a talented artist — even in high school. I love the rich colors
she uses and the unique perspective she chooses for her drawings. I’m
extremely fortunate to have been reconnected with her and even luckier
to have such an amazing artist design my covers.
3. What’s it like to interpret someone else’s idea? Are you a strong voice in what the cover eventually becomes?
Elisabeth:
It can be challenging at times but I've found with most of my clients
that it becomes a really fun brainstorming process. As an illustrator
that has studied book covers and the publishing industry, and has been
working in it for some time, I'd say I have a lot of knowledge about
what makes a better book cover, the kind that would attract viewers.
Many times an author gives me an idea of theirs that has way too many
characters or too much going on and it needs more focus. Heidi has
always been great about just giving me simple ideas and letting me roll
with them. There are specific things I need to follow such as costumes,
objects, locations, and colors, but overall she is open to my thoughts
on the composition.
Heidi:
Elisabeth seems to have an innate understanding of what I’m looking for
without my having to over-explain an idea to her. It’s easy to work
with her, and we’re definitely on the same page.
4.
Heidi, this one is for you. I think you lucked out tremendously having
Elisabeth design your covers, they are so appealing it makes you want
to look closer, so, well done you. However, you are not without merit
on your own standing. You have two Award Finalist titles for your
series, Relics of Mysticus, which is aimed at higher middle grade-young
adult readers. The first book, The Serpent’s Ring, dives into some
mythology and the gods there of, is this something you studied or were
simply attracted too?
Heidi:
I wanted to major in Humanities when I began college. I studied most of
the time periods and have always been fascinated with mythology. After
taking a few art studio courses, I decided to switch my major to art
education. Mythology is prevalent throughout art history and says so
much about each culture.
As a child, I would dive into fantasy stories such as Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit
and so many others. As an adult, I still feel the thrill and
enchantment of such stories. C.S. Lewis once said, “Someday you will be
old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” My love for adventure inspired me to create my own story, my idea of what a hero should be, and my vision of other realms.
I
wanted to include a quest where an average kid could encounter
supernatural creatures, trinkets, and foods. I considered how to tie
multiple books and multiple adventures together. That was when the idea
of visiting a land where all of the great myths existed came to me. My
characters would be able to visit multiple realms of mythology where
they would be able to have many exciting escapades.
In The Serpent’s Ring, Evan
and Claire travel — via the “rainbow bridge” — to Asgard and encounter
their first goddess, Vor (she knows literally everything). I chose Norse
mythology because of my family’s heritage — my father’s name is Thor
(short for Torval). I’ve always felt connected with Norway and needed to
start there.
5.
I also find in the second book, The Trickster’s Totem, you explore the
Native American philosophy with the coyote who represents the trickster,
and you delve a bit into other animals who are part of their Spirit
world. You even mention why dragons are present. I find this super
interesting and exciting and I’m looking forward to reading your books
to see how you actually incorporate this idea into a ya fantasy. So it
appears you are a student of philosophy...care to expand?
Heidi:
I appreciate that you find it interesting. I enjoy trying to wrap my
mind around different beliefs and ideas. Philosophy intrigues me. In
fact, my first novel was based off an idea I found on the TV show Star Trek: The New Generation.
In one episode, an alien space probe linked itself to the captain’s
mind. He lived an entire lifetime in the span of a few minutes. He even
learned how to play a musical instrument.
I imagined what it would be like to live in someone else’s memory, and voila, the premise for Glimmers
was created. In the book, the lead character has the ability to touch
an object that once belonged to someone else and become pulled into one
of her memories. Just to relieve any confusion, this book’s written
under my middle name, Barbara Brooke.
6.
And finally in the third book, The Dragon’s Egg you touch on the
mystical land of Atlantis. It sounds like you are taking your young
characters on a very magical journey through different worlds of
thought, all while keeping it set in adventure and fantasy, not in a
preachy or in your face sense...you made these ideas fun. I wonder
where your characters will head to next, maybe another planet?
Heidi:
Maybe one day I’ll write a series based on another planet. I like the
sound of it. My next series will have to do with alien abduction, so it
could work. For now, there are so many different realms of mythology and
legends that my characters could visit. It’s difficult to choose where
to send them next. The Dragon’s Egg explores the realms of Medieval Legends, Avalon, and Atlantis, so it is rather mystical. The fourth book, The Mummy’s Amulet, will take my characters through Ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, and Mayan mythological realms.
7.
Typically my last question is always related to the dedication of the
author’s book...however, since we are not doing a typical interview here
I’d like to point out a couple more things for you both to comment on.
First I'd like to acknowledge
that Elisabeth just recently worked on some map designs for Bill
O'Reilly's new book about Jesus, for kids. Now maps…that's an
interesting thing to me because nothing takes the fantasy a step further
than a cool map of the world we are exploring in an author's story.
Your maps are spectacular! I so wish I could do this, it's really a
gift. What is it about maps that you love doing so much, and what does
it take to get the details so right on?
Elisabeth: I
had no idea that I would enjoy making maps so much. I did a commission
in early 2012 that involved making a map on top of other more usual
paintings/drawings. I was a bit nervous about it at first since I'd
never drawn one before. But I have always loved a good map at the
beginning of a book, and looking at maps that come with video games that
I've played. So I did that one map (this one: http://www.albaillustration.com/images/as-map.html)
and it has led to all my other map work! And I love them! It is a
refreshing change from working on a big painting. It's like working on a
puzzle (and I love putting puzzles together). And I like being able to
help authors visualize their worlds.
If the map is for a fantasy world, I usually have the author give me a
rough sketch of where they think everything should go. It's too
difficult to describe that in words. I then give them my own rough
sketch with everything in place and we discuss what needs moved around,
if anything is missing, etc. Sometimes I notice things that the author
hasn't realized was needed. For example, once I had to include a water
mill in the map. It was an important location. But there was no
description for a stream or river! So the author realized she had to put
a river next to the mill.
In the case of the maps of Jerusalem for the Bill O'Reilly book, this
was less imagination and more trying to nail everything accurately. I
had to look at satellite images and make sure everything was to scale,
and figure out how to highlight certain buildings and make them stand
out in a cluttered city.
Also,
both of you have AMAZING websites! Seriously, Heidi, yours is so
unique and engaging, it really introduces your books so perfectly. Not
too much, no fuss, just a magical little parchment that explains it
all. How did you come up with your design? How is it going with your
promotion of your work, because it looks to me as you should be selling
like crazy? Your story’s synopsis grabs your immediate attention and
you just want to read them all. To me if you can write a good blurb,
that’s a pretty good indication that you probably can write a good book,
so again, well done you! Anything you’d like to add?
Heidi:
Wow, thanks. Truthfully, I’ve only just started down my literary path,
but have been happy with the positive feedback on my books. I’ve visited
many schools and enjoy seeing the student’s faces light up with
excitement over my stories. It’s the best part of my journey.
As
far as my website, I liked the idea of having it look like it was hand
drawn. I wanted to build/design my own webpage and discovered Wix. I
learned how to navigate the site and have been piecing together my
webpages ever since.
And
Elisabeth, when I first went to your website I was blown away! That
piece with the girl with the flowing red hair, it’s truly perfection.
Your choice in color and tone really set you apart from other
artists...especially with your maps...I LOVE LOVE LOVE the muted greens
and blues...when I attempted this it just simply did not gel for me,
it’s frustrating to say the least...I’m a bit of a fan in case you
haven’t guessed. I’m assuming you put your website together yourself,
it’s beautiful. So what’s in the queue for you?
Elisabeth:
Thank you! I've been making my own website for years, and I try to keep
it pretty simple to make, update, and peruse. I learned some HTML codes
and use Dreamweaver. Another reason for making a simple website, which
also doesn't have too many colors or graphics, is because I want the art
to be easier to see on its own. No distractions!
I
have a few projects lined up. I just finished illustrating chapter
headers, a map, and a book cover for an awesome young author, Nara
Duffie (http://www.roamandramble.com/all/the-monster-realm/). I am about
to start working on a map for a lodge in the Catskills in New York. I
am also designing a psychedelic 1960s style poster for a family friend's
rock band. I am making work for upcoming conventions where I sell
original paintings and drawings and prints – Gen Con in Indianapolis mid
August and IlluXCon in Allentown, PA, mid September. I have a day job
at the moment so I try not to take on too much at once!
You can find Elisabeth Alba at: http://www.albaillustration.com
Blog: http://www.albaillustration.com/blog/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/albaillustration
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elisabethalba
Tumblr: http://albaillustration.tumblr.com/
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/albaillustration
You can find H.B. Bolton at http://www.hbbolton.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HBBoltonAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/H_B_Bolton
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/heidibarbara/
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