Giuseppe Castellano talks to Art Director and Illustrator, Angela Navarra, about her role as Art Director at Callisto Media; how she finds illustrators, and what she looks for; what she wishes she knew about being a freelancer when she started; what it’s like balancing single parenthood and a creative practice; and more. To learn more about Angela, visit signorinanavarra.com . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustrat...
Jan 11, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 138
Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Jane Dyer, about the early days of her decades-long career; how believing in yourself is difficult, but necessary, if you want to be an illustrator; what it’s like to lose your serenity after a traumatic event, and what it takes to find it again; and more. To learn more about Jane, visit janedyerchildrensbooks.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Charles Mikolaycak , Marc Brown , Barry Moser , Lauren Mills , Dennis Nolan , Maurice Sendak , Ma...
Dec 28, 2021•46 min•Ep. 137
Caldecott-winning illustrator and author, Emily Arnold McCully, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her 55-year career; how she felt discouraged enough to consider quitting illustration—just before winning the Caldecott; why meeting our boundaries as artists is a good thing; and more. To learn more about Emily, visit emilyarnoldmccully.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Betsy Lewin ; Maurice Sendak , Milton Glaser , Paul Desmond Brown , Diane Dillon , and Leonardo Da Vinci If you fi...
Dec 21, 2021•41 min•Ep. 136
Richard Michelson, owner and founder of R. Michelson Galleries, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the founding of his gallery (thanks to a ping-pong game); why the term “kid-friendly” with respect to picture books is “kid-unfriendly”; how an illustrator can exhibit at his gallery; what it was like being neighbors with Maurice Sendak and Eric Carle; and more. To learn more about Richard and his gallery, visit rmichelson.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Barry Moser , Leonard Baski...
Dec 14, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 135
Bookwright, Barry Moser, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the early years of his career—from teenage minister to renowned artist; what similarities there are between illustrating a picture book and composing a piece of music; what it was like hanging out with—and posing for—Eric Carle; and more. To learn more about Barry, visit moser-pennyroyal.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Leonard Baskin , Albrecht Dürer, Eric Carle , Chris Van Allsburg , David MacCaulay , and Jane Dyer If ...
Dec 07, 2021•59 min•Ep. 134
Scratchboard artist, Mark Summers, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the mistakes Mark made early in his Hall of Fame illustration career; how playing Trivia Pursuit with his wife in 1985 “changed the world overnight” for Mark; how an artist can know if they’re going in the right direction with their work; and more. To learn more about Mark, visit marksummers.myportfolio.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Norman Rockwell , John Tenniel , Will Davies , Anita Kunz , Richard Amsel , ...
Nov 30, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 133
Tim Mendola—President of Mendola Artists and Rapp Art—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about Tim’s first experiences as agent; what best business practices all illustrators should embrace; what the “market” is and isn’t; why we may never see a sustainable union for illustrators; and more. To learn more about Tim and his agencies, visit mendolaart.com and rappart.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Murray Tinkelman , Leonard Baskin , Bernie D’Andrea , Lorraine Fox , Ben Shahn , Coby Whit...
Nov 23, 2021•55 min•Ep. 132
Illustrator and author, Daniel Miyares, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what being a first generation American means to him, and how he unpacks it through his art; how the beginning of his career started with an agent saying, “I don’t think you’re right for the children‘s book industry”; what it means to be curious—and how it just might be, for illustrators, the key to everything; and more. To learn more about Daniel, visit danielmiyares.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Floyd ...
Nov 16, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 131
Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator and author, Mary Azarian, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her career—and how much of it came from “randomness, circumstance, and luck”; how farming fed her creativity; what she thinks every creative person should do—regardless of their age or experience; and more. To learn more about Mary, visit maryazarian.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Leonard Baskin and Barry Moser If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to ...
Nov 09, 2021•44 min•Ep. 130
Illustrator and author, Flavia Zorilla Drago, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about creating art outside of one‘s culture; how artists are being placed into diversity “boxes,” and by whom; why it can be difficult for artists to accept praise; and more. To learn more about Flavia, visit flaviazdrago.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Becky Palmer , Elys Dolan , Katherina Manolessou , Javier Mariscal , Miguel Covarrubias , Hieronymus Bosch , Gabriel Pacheco , and Alfonso Ruano Flavia me...
Nov 02, 2021•40 min•Ep. 129
Caldecott-winning illustrator and author, Lane Smith, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he went from illustrating an album cover for Oingo Boingo, to publishing his first picture book; what he doesn’t like about the term “kid-friendly” when describing kids’ books; why he works in multiple styles and media; and more. To learn more about Lane, visit lanesmithbooks.com . Lane and Giuseppe spoke at length about Grandpa Green—which earned Lane a Caldecott Honor in 2012. You can buy it here . Art...
Oct 26, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 128
Illustrator and author, Melissa Iwai, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the meandering journey that led her to becoming an illustrator and author—with a little help from Richard Scarry; how she reclaimed her identity, her joy, and her drawing hand; why it’s a good idea to create art—not for a portfolio piece or social media—but for yourself; and more. To learn more about Melissa, visit melissaiwai.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Richard Scarry If you find value in this podcast,...
Oct 19, 2021•46 min•Ep. 127
Christopher A. Brown—Special Collections Curator for the Children’s Literature Research Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how a lie helped him become a librarian; who decides what books belong in a library; why he thinks revolutions are recorded in children’s literature; and more. To learn more about the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Children’s Literature Research Collection, visit FreeLibrary.org/clrc . Artists mentioned in this episode include: ...
Oct 12, 2021•43 min•Ep. 126
Marketing Consultant, Lauren Flower-Kim, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her career as a marketing leader at both Random House and HarperCollins; what role—and power—Marketing Departments have in Children’s Publishing; what three ways a book creator can market their book; and more. You can connect with Lauren on LinkedIn . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration , on Substack . Among other benefits, you will g...
Oct 05, 2021•49 min•Ep. 125
Roy Freeman—scientist, artist, author, publisher, and son of Don Freeman—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about Don’s life before Corduroy; how Roy found peace with the difficult relationship he had with his father; what advice Don would share with illustrators were he alive today; and more. To learn more about Roy and Don Freeman, visit donfreeman.info . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Al Hirschfeld , Jackson Pollack , David Edward Byrd ; Beauford Delaney , and Beatrix Potter Roy and Giu...
Sep 28, 2021•55 min•Ep. 124
Editorial illustrator, and picture book author, Guy Billout talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how his experiences during WWII and 9/11 are connected; why self-confidence is an essential part of being an editorial illustrator; what he regrets about being inducted into the Society of Illustrators’ Hall of Fame; and more. To see his work, visit instagram.com/gbillout . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Raymond Savignac , André François , Ronald Searle , Hergé , Marshall Arisman , Rolf Arm...
Sep 21, 2021•55 min•Ep. 123
Karen Katz talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the life choice that sparked her prolific career as a children’s book creator; why working in one style might not be a good idea for illustrators; what three words have helped her navigate life, parenting, and art; and more. To learn more about Karen, visit karenkatz.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Faith Ringgold and Lois Ehlert If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Note...
Sep 14, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 122
Author and long-time children’s book editor, Traci Todd, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the editorial process—from her experiences as the head of multiple editorial departments; how “original” trade publishing relies on Pokemon, SpongeBob, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; what a 1975 article by Augusta Baker can teach us about the future of diversity in children’s publishing; and more. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Mariko Tamaki , Jacob Chabot , Christian Robinson , Vera B....
Sep 07, 2021•59 min•Ep. 121
Artist Representative, Richard Solomon, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his forty-year career as an illustration agent; why he has never asked an illustrator to sign a contract with him—and never will; what the word “quality” means; what he wants etched on his gravestone (and why it matters to illustrators); and more. To learn more about Richard and his agency, visit richardsolomon.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Greg Manchess , Alexander Calder , Frans Hals , Mark Summers , ...
Aug 31, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 120
Illustrator, Author, and Professor, John Hendrix, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the lessons he learned from the early days of his illustration career; how his religious faith intersects with his art (and why he thinks “God is dunking” on him); what baseball can teach us about working as an illustrator; and more. To learn more about John, visit johnhendrix.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Barry Fitzgerald , Marshall Arisman ; Milton Glaser , Seymour Chwast , Steven Heller , G...
Aug 24, 2021•41 min•Ep. 119
Artist and writer, Shaun Tan, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how dinosaurs helped him become an artist (and combat bullies); why 95% of the art he makes never sees the light of day; how simplicity and complexity can be synonymous; why a crisis of confidence can be a good thing; and more. To learn more about Shaun, visit shauntan.net . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Michael Youens , Ann Baum , Thomas Crosby-Smith , Yōichi Kotabe , Don Freeman , and Maurice Sendak Shaun and Giusepp...
Aug 17, 2021•58 min•Ep. 118
Dave McMahon, Director of Learner and Teacher Experience Design at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the role of an Experience Designer—and how it applies to other forms of art; what 1980’s Nintendo games taught us about the inevitability of losing; what seven-word mantra everyone would do well to follow; and more. To learn more about Dave, visit davemcmahon.com . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Not...
Aug 10, 2021•49 min•Ep. 117
Illustrator and author, Vesper Stamper, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how her beloved grandfather guided her early steps into illustration; why it’s important to draw attention to the repairs we make within our lives; how her podcast, Vesperisms, combats censorship; why Hilary Knight is punk rock; and more. To learn more about Vesper, visit vesperillustration.com . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Makoto Fujimora, Hilary Knight , and Felicita Sala If you find value in this podcast...
Aug 03, 2021•58 min•Ep. 116
Mela Bolinao, Art Agent and Owner of MB Artists, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the precarious steps she took to becoming an agent; why she’s always looking at illustrators’ portfolios (and what she looks for) even when she’s closed to submissions; what she thinks is a sign of great illustrator; and more. To learn more about Mela and her agency, visit mbartists.com . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration , ...
Jul 27, 2021•43 min•Ep. 115
Ren Renwick, CEO of the Association of Illustrators, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how illustrators can gain—or in some cases, reclaim—good mental health; how illustrators can confidently navigate the business end of illustration; why now is “the moment” for visual creators; and more. To learn more about Ren and the AOI, visit theaoi.com . An article on mental health, written by Ren, was brought up in this episode. Here is a link to that article. If you find value in this podcast, you can s...
Jul 20, 2021•35 min•Ep. 114
Ben Zhu—founder of Gallery Nucleus, illustrator, and author—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about COVID19’s affect on Gallery Nucleus; the ups and downs of creating, selling, debuting, and marketing a picture book; and more. To learn more about Ben, visit benzhudraws.com . To learn more about Gallery Nucleus, visit gallerynucleus.com . Ben was a guest in Episode 7 of the podcast. To listen that interview, visit illustrationdept.com/podcast/benzhu . Artists mentioned in this episode include: Babs Ta...
Jul 13, 2021•57 min•Ep. 113
Liz Frances, Publisher and Founder of Street Noise Books, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about why she started a publishing company during a pandemic; how zen designing novel interiors can be; where social and political views intersect with children’s publishing; and more. To learn more about Liz, visit streetnoisebooks.com . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our best-selling publication, Notes On Illustration , on Substack . Among other benefits, you will gai...
Jul 06, 2021•49 min•Ep. 112
Illustrator, Giselle Potter, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how an embarrassing trip to the New Yorker launched her career; how she finds stability as a professional illustrator; why it’s good to have a little perspective—especially when you feel like giving up; and more. Artists mentioned in this episode include: Giotto , Fra Angelico , and Beatrix Potter To learn more about Giselle and her work, visit gisellepotter.com . If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing ...
Jun 29, 2021•45 min•Ep. 111
Laura Roode—Executive Art Director at Little Simon and Simon Spotlight, imprints of Simon & Schuster—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she and her team find illustrators; what illustrators should expect and avoid when working with art directors; how she deals with imposter syndrome; and more. If you want to send Laura your illustration work, her email address at S&S is laura.roode [@] simonandschuster.com. If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to our b...
Jun 22, 2021•41 min•Ep. 110
Kirk Benshoff, Art Director at First Second (an imprint of Macmillan Publishers), talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the graphic novel boom; how he and his team at First Second work with graphic novel creators; and what he wishes everyone would know about graphic novels. This episode covers the nuts and bolts of publishing a graphic novel, including: the timeline from acquisition to proofing, the art process, speech bubbles, visual techniques, trim sizes, pages count, and more. To learn more abo...
Jun 15, 2021•49 min•Ep. 109
