Whoo hoo, my first “Local Love” feature! (Stay tuned to the end for a giveaway too!)
A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Christina Rodriguez who is a local children’s book illustrator. Christina showed me around her studio and talked to me a bit about freelance illustration. I love learning about those working in other creative fields (especially locally) and am glad Christina was happy to answer my questions! On to the good stuff!
Where can we find you online?
When did you know you wanted to be an illustrator?
When I was in 1st grade, I can remember someone telling me that I could be an artist when I grew up. It sounded like a lot of fun, so I worked toward that goal for the remainder of my school years and then in college.
How long has this been your full time career?
I’ve worked professionally as an illustrator since 2003. When I moved to Minnesota in 2005, I began working in this field full-time.
What is your all time favorite project you have worked on?
This would probably be Storm Codes, a children’s book I illustrated after moving to Minnesota. It’s a very Minnesotan book – the story is set here, and the author and publisher are based here as well – that’s won a lot of recognition and opened doors for me. The author and I have had a lot of fun promoting the book together.
What have been some of your struggles or the hardest part of being a successful freelance illustrator?
Well, some folks have some pretty scornful notions about artistic careers, and I still get unsolicited comments about choosing this as my “real” job. I will admit, though, that there are degrees of “success” in publishing and it’s a constant struggle to remain relevant, market oneself effectively, and of course sell books in this economy. Fortunately I made peace with my income level a long time ago!
Where do you find your inspiration?
The author’s words inspire me the most. I like to read a manuscript and let the scenes play out in my mind like a movie. I also find inspiration in books (both for children and adults), comics, and animation.
Tell me about your family.
My husband and I are college sweethearts. He is an artist as well and designs museum exhibits. It’s great having another trained set of eyes to critique my work. We rescued a little black terrier-poodle mix who often appears in my illustrations.
What is your ideal thing to do on a lazy weekend with your husband?
Weather permitting, we like to hike, canoe, and picnic in the many parks along the St. Croix river. In the winter, we enjoy cozy nights cooking our meals in the fireplace.
Where is your favorite place to visit?
I’m always yearning to visit my family on the East coast. My sister gave birth to a little girl in February and I love spending time with her. She’s just a darling baby.
How do you balance your business and your family?
Not too well, I’m afraid! Just ask my husband or my dog when I’m on deadline and ignoring them for days on end. Seriously, though, I do my best, but I could be better. It’s tough with the feast-and-famine cycle of freelancing to have a set schedule that works all of the time. I’m still trying to find that right balance so nobody is stressed out or feeling neglected.
What is your favorite tv show?
These days it’s older episodes of East Enters and Masterpiece Classic. I’m such a geek for PBS.
What is your favorite thing to cook?
It changes with the season, but in the warmer months I love grilling seafood and baking fresh fruit desserts over hot coals in my cast iron dutch oven.
Can’t live without item?
My smartphone because it keeps me connected and organized at all times.
A few artists you have on your iPod?
I don’t own one and instead stream music and radio on the internet. My last.fm stations include lots of techno (the beats help me paint faster), blues, and symphonic rock.
Is there anything exciting in the works that we can look forward to?
I’m illustrating a bilingual children’s book right now called Adelita and the Calabacita Twins. It is part of a larger series Arte Publico Press is publishing to inform children about health and nutrition, and to help combat childhood obesity. I’m really excited about this project because in addition to being available in stores, several thousand copies will be provided for free to low-income Latino families at health clinics.
Where can readers find your books online or around town?
The Valley Bookseller in Stillwater and The Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, among others. My books can also be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Anything additional to share with readers?
I love hula-hooping!
Christina was kind enough to sign her book, Storm Codes, which I will be giving away along with a $20 gift certificate from Barnes and Noble so you can pick up one of her other books too! From the publisher:
“Storm Codes presents the sights and sounds of Great Lakes shipping in the late 1960s through seven-year-old Katy’s story of hope and determination. As a fierce ice storm rips through northern Minnesota, Katy and her mother wait restlessly for her father’s ship to return to their harbor in Duluth. Storm Codes vividly combines historically based illustrations with nautical terms and descriptions. Katy even creates her own secret code to help bring her father home safely.”
Storm Codes is also the recipient of the Mom’s Choice Award and I’m happy to say, is all Minnesota; story, author, illustrator and publisher (although anyone across the country can enter!)
Here are the rules to enter to win Storm Codes and the Barnes and Noble gift certificate:
Mandatory First Entry: Visit Christina at www.christinarodriguez.com and come back here to post a comment on what other book of Christina’s you’d like to pick up with the gift certificate!
Additional Entries:
1. Become a facebook fan here: Facebook Fan Page and come back here to comment and let me know! If you’re already a fan, post a separate comment to let me know!
2. Update your facebook status to let your friends know about the giveaway. Don’t forget to include @lauristumphphotography in your post! Post a separate comment on my blog to let me know you did this (and to get another entry!)
Entries will be accepted until 11:59 CDT on Monday May 3rd (next Monday!) US and Canada entries only. Additional entries must be posted as a separate comments to count as an additional entry. Winner will be chosen using Random.org and winner will have 5 days to respond to email or a new winner will be selected. Comments must be approved by me so don’t reenter if you don’t see your comment post immediately. :-)
