The Illustration Department Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Naomi Kirsten Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Naomi Kirsten, Senior Editor at Chronicle Books, about what it means to create children’s books with heart and a “felt sense”; what role “the market” and “trends” play in her acquisition process; why the term “kid-friendly” has no place in kids’ books; and more.

To learn more about Naomi and the books she edits, visit naomikirsten.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Anders Arhoj and Benjamin Chaud

If you find value in this podcast, consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack, or a supporter on Patreon. On either platform, you will gain access to bonus episodes we call “Extra Credit”—among other perks and benefits. | Visit illustrationdept.com for offerings like mentorships and portfolio reviews, testimonials, our alumni showcase, and more. | Music for the podcast was created by Oatmello.

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Antonia Markiet Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Antonia Markiet, retired Editorial Director for HarperCollins Children’s Books, about her early days as an editor at Harper & Row; what illustrators should do if they want to be great; why Maurice Sendak’s newest book, Ten Little Rabbits, was published more than a decade after his passing; and more.

Find Ten Little Rabbits at your favorite library or bookstore.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Maurice Sendak, Shel Silverstein, Eric Carle, Lois Ehlert, H.A. Rey, Victoria Kann, Brooke Goffstein, Chris Van Allsburg, David Wiesner, Ivan Chermayeff, Fred Marcellino, and Mercer Meyer

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Philip Palmer Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to the Morgan Library and Museum’s Robert H. Taylor Curator and Department Head for Literary and Historical Manuscripts, Philip Palmer, about the behind-the-scenes decisions that went into curating Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature; what he learned about Potter that he didn’t know before; how Potter doesn’t have just one legacy, but many; and more.

To learn more about The Morgan and its exhibitions, visit themorgan.org.

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Skye Kelly-Barrett Mar 19, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Skye Kelly-Barrett, Founder & Agent at Roar, about the psychology of parting ways with an illustrator; what “visual voice” is and isn’t; how illustration (and illustration work) is everywhere; and more.

To learn more about Skye and Roar, visit roarartists.com.

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Hervé Tullet Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to multi-disciplinary artist, performer, and renowned children’s book author, Hervé Tullet, about the beginning of his children’s book career; how a children’s book illustrator’s creativity comes from within, and not from a bookstore; why you have to act like an adult, if you want to create books for children; and more.

To learn more about Hervé, visit herve-tullet.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Leo Lionni, Joan Miró, Nicolas de Staël, Jackson Pollack, and Jon Burgerman

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Bob Shea Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to the author and illustrator of your favorite children’s books, Bob Shea, about how a logo and Lane Smith helped him launch his children’s book career; what ADHD is and isn’t, especially for creatives (or loved ones); what illustrators should let go to enjoy being an illustrator; and more.

To learn more about Bob, visit bobshea.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Lane Smith, Richard McGuire, Jim Flora, Jarvis, Sophie Blackall, Eric Carle, Linzie Hunter, and Zachariah OHora

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Scott McCloud Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to cartoonist, author, and presenter, Scott McCloud, about the very real problem of poor visual communication in our society; what comics are and could be; why living in a phenomenal world isn’t as great as it sounds; and more.

To learn more about Scott, visit scottmccloud.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Murray Tinkelman, Alan Moore, Will Eisner, Osamu Tezuka, Art Spiegelman, Dave Gibbons, Larry Marder, William Hogarth, Rodolphe Töpffer, Katsushika Hokusai, and Richard Outcault

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Yas Imamura Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, Yas Imamura, about how establishing a stationary shop led her to a children’s book career; why it is a mistake to paint all publishers with the same brush; why it’s a good idea for artists to create in different ways; and more.

To learn more about Yas, visit yasimamura.tumblr.com.

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Helen Stephens Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning children’s book creator and co-founder of The Good Ship Illustration, Helen Stephens, about the rules she ignored in the early days of her career; why “have fun” might be the most no-nonsense piece of advice illustrators will ever hear; why an illustrator’s work should not be called “imaginative”; and more.

To learn more about Helen, visit helenstephens.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Tania Willis, Katie Chappell, Bruce Ingman, and Tor Freeman

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Nathaniel Mell Feb 06, 2024

Show notes

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Nathaniel Mell, Founder and CEO of Felt+Fat, about the founding of his Philadelphia-based ceramic design studio; what “working hard” really means for artists; why demand for hand-made art and craft is as hot as ever; and more.

To learn more about Nathaniel and Felt+Fat, visit feltandfat.com.

Artists mentioned in this episode include: Joseph Beuys, Keith Shore, and Armando Veve

(Be)Philly was mentioned in this episode. To learn more about them, visit BePhilly.org.

Nathaniel recommended the book, Fewer Better Things, by Glen Adamson.

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