About Debbie’s Work

PAST ILLUSTRATION WORK:
My professional art experience is primarily in illustrating picture books. My work has been primarily digital, though in Gurple and Preen: A Broken Crayon Cosmic Adventure, I also integrated found object elements.

CURRENT WORK:
My current solo picture book (yet-untitled) with Simon & Schuster BFYR. VERY VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS. No publication date set yet.

I am currently working on writing a middle grade novel (uncontracted) with some b&w illustrations . I am also working on a personal graphic novel (uncontracted). In addition: I have many (too many) ideas for new solo picture books and future middle grade novels, once my current projects are complete. Oh, for Hermione’s Time Turner.

THOUGHTS ON FUTURE WORK:
Over the years, I have learned to become much more thoughtful about which book illustration projects I take on. Some illustrators can work on a zillion projects a year and can do them well. Me? I have found that I get far more enjoyment and can do a much better job at both illustration AND promoting if I take on fewer projects. And as flattered as I am by publishers who are willing to waiting years for me, I also am trying to avoid having contracted projects queued up for me many years in advance, to give me flexibility to take on new types of projects as I continue to grow as a book creator.

I have been approached about doing graphic novels, both my own and illustrating other people’s projects. While I would love to do graphic novels someday, I have been leery about the time commitment involved. Before I commit to a graphic novel project, I need to streamline my own process. Meanwhile, though, I am gradually working on my own graphic novel project….a very personal one. It may or may not get published, but I am not seeking a contract for it yet because I don’t want the pressure of a deadline until I figure out the right approach.

I would like to someday do more book cover illustration; I very much enjoyed the Judy Blume cover illustration process, working Lauren Rille at Atheneum / Simon & Schuster.

I have multiple illustration styles and have mainly been focusing on my digital ink and flat color style in book illustration up to now, and would very much like to stretch my wings and try some of my other styles. I am especially hoping to try out my somewhat darker / quirkier / creepycute style, and am working on a gallery to showcase this type of illustration style.

I would love to do board books.

TYPE OF WORK I AM NOT INTERESTED IN:
At present, I am not taking on freelance work (logos,  header images, user icons, family portraits etc.), nor self-published books. Although I have enjoyed experimenting with found object elements in past projects, I am not interested in illustrating new books that use found object characters throughout (perhaps just for covers, though). It’s time for a change. 🙂

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HAVING ME ILLUSTRATE A BOOK:
Please contact my agent: Ginger Knowlton at Curtis Brown Ltd.