Q&A with Wendy Martin

The very talented illustrator, Wendy Martin, is stopping by our blog today to share more about her and her latest illustrated book The Story Circle – El círculo de cuentos.

Q: What inspired you to become an artist/illustrator of children’s books?
A: You might say I’m a book hound. I remember an incident during my elementary school years. All of the students in my grade where assigned a project to make a poster for drug abuse awareness week. There was a contest of all the posters to select the top 3. As you can imagine, nearly all the posters were one big image based on the theme. Except mine. Even at that young age, I was creating sequential art. I made a comic strip style poster for my entry. I think there were 5 frames in which I portrayed what happened when a person overdosed on some medication found in the medicine cabinet. The judges were so impressed with my attempt; I received an honorable mention – a prize category created just for me – for most unique solution. I’ve been telling stories in sequential art forms, like comics and picture books, ever since.

Q: How does your background or upbringing influence how you illustrate?

A: I majored in Textile Arts and Fashion while in high school, went on to get a degree in Fashion Design from F.I.T., and then a degree in Graphic Design at S.V.A. The background in textiles, fashion and graphics can still be seen in my highly patterned and graphic images now.

Q: How did you get started? 

A: The only ambition I had as a child was to be an artist whose work was seen by people all over the world. It seems to me, looking back, that I’ve always been on this path. I’ve just gotten more focused and skilled as I’ve gotten older and had more experience. I can’t imagine myself ever giving up the creation of art. It’s as natural to me, as integral to my well being as is breathing.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself, family, hobbies, etc.

A: When I’m not creating illustrations for children’s literature, I’m making something else. I love to cook. I quilt, I sew and I crochet amigurumi animals. My mothering years are behind me, and the kids are busy creating beauty in the world in the own ways. In my spare time, I read, I visit with family and friends and I love to spend quiet time just thinking up new stories to illustrate.

Find the book on:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Story-Circle-El-circulo-cuentos/dp/1558858261/

Publisher’s website: https://artepublicopress.com/product/the-story-circle-el-circulo-de-cuentos/

 

A Little Bit More About Wendy

A transplanted New Yorker now living in Missouri, Wendy Martin has been working as an illustrator for 25+ years.

Her love affair with art and illustration began at an early age. She never wanted to do anything else.

So, she followed my heart and earned a degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, then continued my art education at the School of Visual Arts, earning a B.F.A. in Graphic Design. These disciplines can still be seen in her work as a children’s book illustrator and fantasy artist in the strong lines, textures and detailed patterns.

See additional art and find out more about her at wendymartinillustration.com