Illustrator Interview

Illustrator Interview -- Julie Olson

July 7, 2003

Julie Olson was born on the east coast and has progressively traveled west throughout her life. From Washington DC, to Indiana, Julie grew up among trees, humidity and kids. She loved it all (well, except for the humidity). As the sixth of nine children, Julie began very early to seek out her individuality in such a large family. She developed a love for books, for music and for art. The art remained as an ever present hobby until Julie left for college in the west and decided on a major. She blended her love of art and books and decided to make illustration her main focus. Julie graduated with a BFA in illustration from Brigham Young University and has been illustrating ever since. True to her love of kids, Julie and her husband have 2 kids. She's still missing the trees though.

"Come and Play" illustrated by Julie Olson, Publisher: Mondo Publishing, New York, NY expected out in Spring 2003

"Herd of Cows, Flock of Sheep" Written by Rick Walton; illustrated by Julie Olson, Publisher: Gibbs Smith, Inc., Layton, UT 2002

"Hip, Hip Hooray for Annie McRae!" Written by Brad Wilcox; Illustrated by Julie Olson, Publisher: Gibbs Smith, Inc., Layton, UT 2001

"What Could You See?" Written By Janie Spaht Gill; Illustrated by Julie H. Olson, Publisher: Aro Publishing, Provo, UT 1999


1 Why did you decide to become a children's book illustrator? 

I've loved to draw and paint since I was little, creating my first acrylic landscape at age 11. It was always a hobby though and nothing I really focused a lot of time on until I was trying to decide what to major in at College. I looked at what I did well, reading (I couldn't see a future in it although I know differently now), music (but I hated to practice so that was out), computers (too rigid), art....PERFECT. But how to make a living at it was the question. I went back to my love of books and settled on merging the two...ILLUSTRATION.

2 Who is your favorite character that you have ever illustrated?

Annie McRae, because she was spunky, fun and just came out of my head as I read the manuscript.

3 If you could change one thing about being an illustrator, what would it be? 

That's a hard one...not much. But if I could change one thing, I think it would be that I would have so many people wanting me to illustrate for them that I wouldn't know what to do.

4 Do you remember the very first thing you ever drew? 

Well, I've been drawing since before I can remember...my mom tells me I drew little circles with ball point pen all over her walls when I was not more than 2 years old. As far as I can remember, I remember drawing people with a box for the body, circle head and little circles for arms and legs. And I would always make the people I was drawing come to life by speaking for them, like a doll.

5 Who are your favorite illustrators (both in children's work and other places)? 

Just a few of my favorite illustrators are Helen Oxenbury, Lisbeth Zwerger, Scott Gustaffson, Lilian Holban, and Hilary Knight.

6 Do you have any specific goals as an illustrator? 

A dream would be to win the Caldecott of course...but as far as goals go...I'd just like to illustrate at least 20 more picture books in my career.

7 What was your favorite book as a child? 

A few favorites were the Francis books (Holban), and "The Big Tidy Up" by Nora Smaridge (out of print now and very hard to find)

8 What are you working on now? 

A picture book that I wrote and am illustrating about a little girl named Chloe. 

9 Do you ever use UT in your drawings at all? 

I haven't up to this point because of lack of opportunity for many landscape type pictures. I think the few landscapes in "Herd of cows, Flock of Sheep" came mainly from my memories of childhood in Indiana.

10 What is the hardest thing about being an illustrator? 

Finding the time to illustrate or just paint for fun.

11 What is the easiest thing about being an illustrator? 

I get to work from home.

12 What good advice do you have for people who want to be illustrator? 

I'd say 4 things, LOVE TO CREATE ART, take some classes to refine your skills, study the market you'd like to illustrate for, and AGAIN...LOVE TO CREATE ART. Illustrating picture books is NOT a big money maker. It is time consuming and really is a labor of love.

For more about Julie, check out her website at www.jujubeeillustrations.com.