This was SUCH a feast of an interview. It was excellent: just a richness of things to learn and think about. Emily's relationship with her art is so warm and gentle, and that really comes through in the interview. I am so impressed with Emily's way of noticing the world, being able point out what it is that elevates a character: those little things, like Chihiro tapping her shoe (Spirited Away is such a special movie—I referenced it in my final oral presentation for college because, as a language person, I thought what it had to say about names so strongly applied to the things I was exploring). Many years ago, I read in an article about Jon Klassen's acceptance speech for the Caldecott Medal that illustrators are notorious for being really well-spoken, for having an especially strong facility with language that way, in comparison to authors (and I just love the truth and the humour in that). I have to say, this interview does nothing but affirm that impression in my mind. The whole interview was such a pleasure to listen to. Emily gives such clear, insightful, peaceful, and interesting answers. I could not agree more with the sentiment that art needs to playful; it needs to be willing, in its abundance, to not always be perfect. You've really got to try everything, and play with what you've got. As Emily put it, "The more inspiration you can gather . . . get every idea out of your brain, even the rubbish ones: get them on paper, whether they're good or not. It's the only way to be consistently turning out work." The joy of whimsy and humour and levity, even in serious stories, so strongly resonates with me. Altogether, such a wonderful listen—I really loved it.
This was SUCH a feast of an interview. It was excellent: just a richness of things to learn and think about. Emily's relationship with her art is so warm and gentle, and that really comes through in the interview. I am so impressed with Emily's way of noticing the world, being able point out what it is that elevates a character: those little things, like Chihiro tapping her shoe (Spirited Away is such a special movie—I referenced it in my final oral presentation for college because, as a language person, I thought what it had to say about names so strongly applied to the things I was exploring). Many years ago, I read in an article about Jon Klassen's acceptance speech for the Caldecott Medal that illustrators are notorious for being really well-spoken, for having an especially strong facility with language that way, in comparison to authors (and I just love the truth and the humour in that). I have to say, this interview does nothing but affirm that impression in my mind. The whole interview was such a pleasure to listen to. Emily gives such clear, insightful, peaceful, and interesting answers. I could not agree more with the sentiment that art needs to playful; it needs to be willing, in its abundance, to not always be perfect. You've really got to try everything, and play with what you've got. As Emily put it, "The more inspiration you can gather . . . get every idea out of your brain, even the rubbish ones: get them on paper, whether they're good or not. It's the only way to be consistently turning out work." The joy of whimsy and humour and levity, even in serious stories, so strongly resonates with me. Altogether, such a wonderful listen—I really loved it.