Interview: Laura J. Bryant, Illustrator of God Gave Us Two
With vivid color and symphonically beautiful artistic ability, Laura J. Bryant brought the story of God Gave Use Two alive; my review of her book can be read here.
Each page of Laura J. Bryant’s book is beaming with expressional polar bears that make both children and adults delight in this book. My interview with Laura J. Bryant is featured below.
Laura J. Bryant: Creating a wonderful visual world to this beautiful story.
Christina Jonas Kennedy: What was the most challenging feature to illustrating God Gave Us Two?
Laura J. Bryant: It is always a pleasure for me to illustrate a book, so "challenging" is a relative term. I think the answer may be universal to all of my books, which is to create interesting compositions and engaging characters.
Christina Jonas Kennedy: What are your favorite items to illustrate? What is your favorite artistic medium to utilize in your illustrations? Do you create other types of artistic work, besides illustrations?
Laura J. Bryant: I do not have a favorite item to illustrate... I am inspired by many things, but a great story makes a book a joy to illustrate. I usually use watercolor for my children's book illustrations although I also enjoy doing fine art paintings in oil.
Christina Jonas Kennedy: You have illustrated several books; at this point, how many have you illustrated? Can you please provide the list of books you have illustrated, or a link to a list, so that I can share with my blog readers. Thank you.
Laura J. Bryant: I have illustrated around 30 picture books for children and perhaps another twenty books of young readers. All of my books can be seen on my website at: http://www.laurabryant.com/index.html
Christina Jonas Kennedy: What is the most satisfying aspect of being a published illustrator?
Laura J. Bryant: I love having the freedom to work from my home and to know that I help to bring enjoyment and inspiration to many folks.
Christina Jonas Kennedy: What has kept up your momentum in illustrating? What motivates you and encourages you to jump out of bed in the morning to illustrate?
Laura J. Bryant: HA... my dog, Izzy, motivates me to jump out of bed in the morning! I love what I do and feel grateful for the opportunity to illustrate children's books. I do not need any other momentum to keep me going.
Christina Jonas Kennedy: What advice would you give an inspiring illustrator?
Laura J. Bryant: Study the books that you love and educate yourself about the publishing world. If you want to illustrate children's books, practice creating interesting characters and then draw the same characters in many different situations. Good facial expressions and believable interactions between characters are also extremely important.
Christina Jonas Kennedy: Have you always wanted to be an illustrator or did the idea come about later in your life?
Laura J. Bryant: I always loved art, even as a child. I knew I would have a creative career illustrating and/or creating art.
Christina Jonas Kennedy: Are you working on illustrations for another book? If yes, can you give any hints about what it will be about?
Laura J. Bryant: I always have a project underfoot! Actually, I am currently creating sketches for another book using the same polar bear family in GOD GAVE US TWO.
Christina Jonas Kennedy: What books, besides the Bible, have you read that have inspired you the most?
Laura J. Bryant: This is nearly impossible for me to answer since I love so many books for many different reasons. How can I pick just one!
Thank you, Laura J. Bryant, for the opportunity to interview you! I truly appreciate it!
