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. On March 3rd, all twenty-five illustrations will be shown at the Hive Gallery in downtown Los Angeles. Come join us!

This week’s art reveal is hosted by: Stories and Sweeties

Faye waking up the first morning from Harbinger. Illustration by Su Moon

SWE: Hi Su!

I love this illustration you’ve done of  Faye and Maya waking up in their Holbrook dorm room.  The strong reds and oranges do so much for the tension in their scene. Can you tell me why you chose to portray this?

Su: The moment of shared fear and sympathy between Faye and Maya lingered with me long after I read the scene.

SWE: Well, your illustration certainly lingers with me!

When did you first know you wanted to be an artist?

Su: I was premed in college, and after graduating much impoverished, I took time off to consider my options beyond medschool. I moved to NYC in the winter and walked through a blizzard to snag a job with a creative talent source book. It was my first exposure to professional illustrators and designers making a living creating art. The possibility never occurred to me before!

I’m also interested in writing, so animation and picture books seemed a natural way to integrate art and story. I moved to LA, got into animation and joined a writing group and SCBWI.

SWE: I know what you mean. I studied science in college and even though I loved writing and books, even though I came from a family with a deep love of books and bookstores, it took a long time for me to realize that being a writer was something that I could actually do.

Do you work as an artist full time now?

Wombat G'Day...an illustration from a picturebook dummy by Su Moon

Su: By day, I design cartoons for Warner Bros. Animation. It’s challenging, and frequently enjoyable.

SWE: Sounds awesome!

So…Orangutans or squids?

Su: I’m Korean — squids, for sure.

SWE: Ha!

Growing up, did you have a favorite book?

Su: My favorite book as a kid was an orange, pleather bound copy of the Jehovah’s Witness “My First Book of Bible Stories”. The technicolor illustrations of Old Testament stories –Jezebel’s red claws and all those hairy sons of Adam — were terrifying.

The Dark is Rising fantasy series by Susan Cooper, was a favorite, too. These days, I love Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and David Small’s graphic novel, Stitches.

I have a day job, so I don't settle into my personal work until late. I work on a Mac and Cintiq, surrounded by paper... I'm a fan of post-its and yellow legal pads.

SWE: I love the Dark is Rising series too! And The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is also one of my “new” favorites. Sadly, Stitches is still sitting on my to-read shelf…but I’ll get to it!

What’s your favorite thing about the job?

Su: When drawings make me laugh.

SWE: Nice!

What do you do when you need some inspiration?

Su: I walk and doodle for inspiration. But, frustration and deadlines are also great motivators.

SWE: So true!

What about people who inspire you?

Su: My parents and their perseverance.

Illustration from a picturebook dummy by Su Moon

SWE: What are you working on right now?

Su: An animation pitch and revising two picture book dummies.

SWE: Can we see any sneak peeks of what you’re working on?

Yay! Thanks for the preview!

Do you have any superpowers?

Su: I’m still hoping to manifest some one day!

SWE: So the all important question…Wonder Woman or Supergirl?

Su: Old-school Lynda Carter Wonder Woman!

SWE: Me too! I love her spin-change! Thanks Su! If you’re interested in seeing more of Su Moon’s work, you can contact her agent!