By Cecilia Cackley
This is the second in a series of posts spotlighting Latina illustrators of picture books. Some of these artists have been creating children’s books for many years, while others will have their first book out this year. Some of them live in the US, while others live overseas. They come from many different cultural backgrounds, but all are passionate about connecting with readers through art and story. Please look for their books at bookstores and libraries!
Juana Martinez-Neal
Juana was born in Lima, the capital of Peru. She has been illustrating for children since she was 16. Juana attended the best art school ever, Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru – School of Fine Arts. After 3 years of a crazy 8-to-8 schedule and way too many all-nighters, she was in desperate need of a semester-break and decided to give L.A. a “test drive.” She has lived in the US ever since.
Q: What inspired you to become an artist?
A: My father and grandfather were artists. The walls of our house were full of their paintings, and we had art supplies all around the house. Drawing and painting were natural ways to use our time. Every Summer, my mom enrolled us in a different art classes. She always took us to visit Museums, and her special treat was taking us to see puppet shows. Art was part of our life. There is nothing else I could be but an artist.
Q: Tell us about your favorite artistic medium.
A: I love the process more than a specific media. I think that’s the reason why I’m a mixed media illustrator. When I add materials and change my the process, the work becomes even more interesting. The idea of solving the problem makes the process so very exciting.
Q: Please finish the sentence “Picture books are important because…”
A: They expand a child’s mind, fulfill their soul, and show new points of views.
Maya Christina González
Maya Gonzalez is an artist, author, educator, activist, peacemaker, publisher, equality lover, obsessive recycler, traveler, river lover, tree talker, sky kisser……
Her fine art graces the cover of Contemporary Chicano/a Art and is well documented as part of the Chicano Art Movement. She has illustrated over 20 award-winning children’s books, several of which she also wrote, Her book My Colors, My World won the prestigious Pura Belpré Award Honor from the American Library Association and her most recent picture book, Call Me Tree was listed in Kirkus’ Best Picture Books of 2014 that Celebrate Diversity. Since 1996, Maya has been providing presentations to children and educators about the importance of creativity as a tool for personal empowerment. Her work with children in public schools helped her develop several lines of curriculum that offer a holistic approach to learning and open doors to new ways of thinking and relating in the world. In 2009 she co-founded Reflection Press, an independent press that publishes radical and revolutionary children’s books, and works that expand spiritual and cultural awareness. And in 2013, Maya co-created an online learning environment called School of the Free Mind about expanding the mind and reclaiming the creative. The School offers e-courses for those who are ready to uncover and connect with their unique and most powerful way of living and creating.
Q: What inspired you to become an artist?
A: I remember as a child drawing my round Chicana face into the backs of books. I think on some level I knew I needed to see myself in my books. I didn’t. I know in many ways those early ‘self-portraits’ were my way of affirming my existence in a world that did not include me. We are born artists. Creativity is our greatest tool to express and transform our world. I think it was a natural act to be an artist. I think I’ve remained visually expressive because it is the most powerful and immediate way to communicate and create change.
Q: Tell us about your favorite artistic medium.
A: I am notorious for trying different mediums in my children’s books. Acrylics, watercolors, oil pastels, ink, charcoal, painted collage, photo collage, color pencils and combinations of all of those. What I love is the feeling of exploration and not completely knowing what I’m doing. I know that’s how kids feel all the time. Everything is new and curiosity rocks. So I follow that feeling. I’ve made so much art that I’m familiar with all the materials so now I’m exploring how to use them differently. More expression. More immediate and raw. This is how kids create because this is how kids feel. I’m always exploring the edges of my expression.
Q: Please finish the sentence “Picture books are important because…”
A: Picture books are important because they are powerful tools of expression, support and potential healing. I believe children’s books are one of the most radical things we can do for ourselves and our communities.
Laura Lacámara
Cuban-born Laura Lacámara is the award-winning author and illustrator of Dalia’s Wondrous Hair / El cabello maravilloso de Dalia (Piñata Books), a bilingual picture book about a clever girl who transforms her unruly hair into a vibrant garden. Laura also wrote Floating on Mama’s Song / Flotando en la canción de mamá, a bilingual picture book inspired by her mother, who was an opera singer in Havana. Illustrated by Yuyi Morales and published by HarperCollins, Floating on Mama’s Song was a Junior Library Guild Selection for Fall 2010 and was a Tejas Star Book Award Finalist for 2011-2012.
Laura earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting at California State University, Long Beach. She studied printmaking at Self Help Graphics in East Los Angeles and began exhibiting and selling her work.
When a fellow artist suggested Laura’s images would be ideal for picture books, Laura signed up for a children’s book illustration class at Otis College of Art and Design. She instantly fell in love with both writing and illustrating for children. It was in that class that she wrote the first draft of Floating on Mama’s Song.
Laura illustrated the 2012 Tejas Star Book Award winner, The Runaway Piggy / El cochinito fugitivo (Piñata Books), as well as Alicia’s Fruity Drinks / Las aguas frescas de Alicia (Piñata Books). Laura is a popular presenter at schools, book festivals, and conferences, and she is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Laura lives in Southern California with her husband, their daughter, and a lovable mutt.
Q: What inspired you to become an artist?
A: Having an artist father, who made a living as a graphic designer and illustrator, inspired me and showed me that it was possible to be a working artist. In high school and beyond, I had many artist friends – we found inspiration together in art classes and museum visits. And, to be honest, as a young adult, doing art was the only job I didn’t get fired from!
Q: Tell us about your favorite artistic medium.
A: I like painting with acrylics on a variety of surfaces – my current favorite being wood. (I love the texture.) I also enjoy adding collage elements to my paintings. I’ve always loved bright patterned fabrics and papers – the more the colors and patterns clash, the better!
Q: Please finish this sentence: “Picture books are important because…”
A: Picture books are important because they teach us about ourselves, our world, our feelings, our realities. Stories with pictures can give young kids a great deal of validation and comfort. A picture book may be the first time a child realizes, “I’m not the only one who feels that way!”
Books to Check Out:
Lacámara Laura. Dalia’s Wondrous Hair
Luna, James. The Runaway Piggy
Ruiz-Flores, Lupa. Alicia’s Fruity Drinks
Elya, Susan Middleton. La Madre Goose (coming in July)
Gonzalez, Maya Christina. Call me Tree/Llamame Arbol
Gonzalez, Maya Christina. I Know the River Loves Me/Yo se que el rio me ama
Gonzalez, Maya Christina. My Colors, My World/Mis colores, mi mundo
Alarcon, Francisco X. Animal Poems of the Iguazu
Perez, Amada Irma. Nana’s Big Surprise
Perez, Amada Irma. My Diary from Here to There
Alarcon, Francisco X. Iguanas in the Snow
Filed under: Children's Lit, Illustration, Latin@ Literature, Libros Latin@s, Picture Books Tagged: art, artists, Chicana, Cuba, illustration, illustrators, Juana Martinez-Neal, Latina illustrators, Laura Lacámara, Maya Christina González, Peru, picture books