Follow the Path! 24 incredible illustrators and artists have picked their favorite scenes and characters from HARBINGER to give you a taste of Faye’s world. Each week, in the gallery at the Holbrook Academy website, a new illustration will unlock…

This week’s art reveal is hosted by: Supernatural Snark

Faye from Harbinger. Illustration by Jane Smith.

SWE: Hi Jane!

I love your illustration of Faye with the skeleton animals. It’s both adorable and creepy, which is a unique mixture. Can you tell me a little about the piece?

Jane: The Harbinger illustration I created is a scene from Faye’s past, prior to her time at Holbrook. She is down near a polluted river communing with the bones of deceased animals.

I chose this scene as a way to introduce Faye’s character thru her relationship with the natural world around her. In this scene, Faye’s interaction with the animal’s haunting skeletons is also a foreshadowing of what is to come, but yet is still mysterious enough to not actually give away any of the juicier bits of the story!

SWE: Well, you did an amazing job. It has an innocence to it that I love to think young Faye had…the wonder that she felt when she found these skeletons.

So, do you have a favorite kid’s book?

Cover of Babybug by Jane Smith.

Jane: Growing up I was a prolific reader and had tons and tons of favorites (my mom was a librarian!), but as of today, my favorite YA novel is “The Tribes of Palos Verdes” by Joy Nicholson.

This is a surf novel, and I’m a total sucker for a great surf novel. I stink at surfing, but I’ll always remember the only two waves I ever caught. It was like magic dropping down the face of those waves. And a great story like this lets me have the thrill of being a surfer for an afternoon, without the 5am alarm or the freezing cold water!

SWE: Wow. That is definitely going on my to-read list. It sounds amazing. What about your own stories and art?

Jane: I have illustrated numerous products (books, magazines, posters and more!) for children and have art directed & designed over 30 children’s books. Among my favorite projects is Five Silly Pumpkins, a mini pop-up book, which I illustrated, Fairytale Mix-Up, a mix-and-match pop-up book, which I wrote, and Ten Friendly Fireflies, an appearing LED light book, which I designed. My artwork has also appeared on the cover of Babybug and New Moon Magazines.

An illustration by Jane Smith from Five Silly Pumpkins

SWE: I love that your illustration work often breaks out of the traditional forms, becoming 3D pop-ups and lighting up!

Do you do other creative work outside of illustration?

Jane: When I’m not illustrating and writing for the publishing world, I am busy creating my collection of original, one-of-a-kind artwork and apparel for my Etsy store, Super Hoot. The collection features mixed media collages on canvas, sewn cloth collages on clothing and charming, handmade pants and tote bags for children.

Super Hoot! Clothes by Jane Smith

SWE: Sounds lovely! I love your Superhoot stuff! I just wish I could wear it!

Have you always known you wanted to be an artist?

Jane: I’d have to say I did not choose to become an Illustrator/Artist. The profession most definitely chose me! As to why, I’d say it is a mystery of the soul. I’ve always been compelled to create, to draw, to collage, to tell stories. It is a creative force within that simply demands to be in the driver seat, and I see it as my mission in life to try my best to not get in the way of myself.

SWE: Very smart…I definitely get in my own way a lot. I like the picture of my creative self being in the driver’s seat. Maybe thinking about it that way will help!

So…Orangutans or squids?

Jane: Squids. Giant squids. Giant squids battling prehistoric sharks. (Now I’d like to watch THAT movie!)

I settle down to work in the afternoons. Since I have a young daughter, my work schedule revolves around her time with her dad and an excellent part-time nanny. I find I need to clear out distractions to properly think, and I need to be alone to be productive! It can take a little bit of time to settle down, relax and begin working. Shifting gears between chasing an energetic toddler around and around and sitting down at my desk to work takes more than a couple beats. I usually begin by doing ticktack stuff like checking email, sending out invoices, and logging receipts, before I get down to the business of drawing, collaging and writing. Sometimes I listen to music. Sometimes I put a TV show on in the background. And sometimes I need silence!

SWE: Me too!

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

Jane: Those long, quiet afternoons when I’m so deeply involved in a new illustration that everything else falls away.

SWE: Yes. That’s what I live for too!
How about when you need inspiration… what do you do?

Jane: I find inspiration reading books, visiting art museums, going to see live music, running along the beach and in the woods, watching TV shows, going to roller derby, watching basketball games, hanging out with my family, flipping thru magazines, cooking, shopping on Etsy, strolling thru flea markets, dining out at my favorite restaurants and eating cupcakes. When I need to be inspired, basically, I let go of “work” and venture out into the world to enjoy myself!

SWE: What about people that inspire you?

Jane: For me, this is an impossible question to answer! There are so many amazing artists that have contributed to the creation of my own personal aesthetic. So to name a few, and certainly not all: Robert Rauschenberg, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Louise Nevelson, Franz Kline, Edward Hopper, Ben Shahn, Edward Weston, Eric Carle, Leo Lionni, Ezra Jack Keats, Elijah Pierce…

SWE: What are you working on now?

Jane: As always, I have several new book dummies in progress, which when finished, will be submitted to publishers for publication. Recently, I finished up a couple new images for Babybug Magazine, which includes the cover art for the April 2012 issue. Also, you can see my artwork in the Nightmares & Lullabies exhibit opening February 4^th at the Hive Gallery in Los Angeles. And of course, sewing new products for Super Hoot!

Super Hoot! Art by Jane Smith.

SWE: Do you have any super powers?

Jane: I’m afraid not. But if I did, I know exactly which super power I would want to have. The power to always be refreshed! Image how much more I could get done every day…

SWE: Smart!

Last but certainly not least, Wonder Woman or Supergirl?

Jane: Wonder Woman! What else could you possibly call an Artist-Illustrator-Mama-Writer-Runner?!

SWE: Thanks, Jane! It’s be so much fun talking to you!

Don’t forget to check out Jane’s art portfolio, her blog, and her Etsy store, Super Hoot!