INTERVIEW WITH KIM SPONAUGLE, ILLUSTRATOR FOR RANDY KAZANDY, WHERE ARE YOUR GLASSES?

Kim Sponaugle [picturekitchenstudio] Salem, New Jersey

ILLUSTRATION

What is your specialty in illustration?

I specialize in children's book illustration.

What are your regular clients like? What do they expect from you?

Many of my clients are self-publishing authors. I enjoy working with them and most of them are excited, and are very enthusiastic to work with an illustrator. They expect from me professionalism, good communication, that I will bring my best to their project, a fair price for good work, honor the deadlines set and provide honest in-put in all stages of their books development.

Is there a web address where we can see some of your work?

Yes, www.picturekitchenstudio.com and www.kimsponaugle.blogspot.com and I am listed with www.childrenillustrators.com.

Have you completed formal art studies, or are you self-taught?

I have an associate degree in Visual communications with The Art Institute of Philadelphia.

How similar are your current drawings to those you did as a child?

Quite different....I always loved drawing people. Now they really look like people:)

What was your favorite comic book as a child?

Archie

Do you have a particular style, or does it vary a lot?

I think my work has been described as soft and colorful, and that the characters are facially expressive.

What is hardest to draw?

Intricate cityscapes are challenging to me. The things I do not illustrate frequently require more study at the sketch stage.I enjoy the challenges that come with each book- and really love the research to make images believable.

What type of music do you listen to while you work?

Celtic, bluegrass and sometimes if I am in a weird mood...heavy metal.

What do you do when a client simply says "I don't like it"?

Forbearance is important in this business. If the author or publisher does not like what I have done, then I am willing to offer one more sketch. It's essential to convey the message or vision of the book, and if things are not working, an artist should be willing to at least go the extra mile. That being said, I am also willing to decline a job, if I cannot find creative common ground with a client.

What part of your work do you do on paper and what part digitally?

Most of my work is on paper, or "the board" and once completed, I clean up in Photoshop.

What research do you do for your illustrations?

I like many illustrators, I look through images, pictures, photos to build a file for a project.Sometimes that is from the web, the library, and picture files I have here in the studio. It's important to illustrate believable characters, locations, and time periods. Research is essential for this, and helps in my sketching confidence that I know the material. I also do quite a bit of illustrating from memory, which brings a softer and looser feel to form. (When drawing from reference photos characters can appear stiff), so it's important to be able to know what things look like.

I also go to the past, antique and vintage toys, books, even fabric for inspiration. I have been known to hang out at auctions, and yard sales to find a treasure that will ignite an idea.

God's created world also supplies plenty of wonderful inspiration of textures, patterns, repetition and color for research.

What are you working on now?

Magazine work for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and fairy backgrounds for Cuddlybuddly.

What advice do you have for someone who likes to draw and would like to make a living from it?

Draw what you love, study what things look like, keep a sketch pad available and draw everything of interest. Be a learner, teachable - work hard. Talent will only take you to the door, but hard work and patience will make you ready when the door of opportunity opens.

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