by Julian HectorNovember 14, 2011 8:59 am
Creatively, I’m very slow.
I like to be delicate with my ideas and usually spend three years developing a picture book.
Because of this, I have to look for ideas that hit my proverbial sweet spot and keep me enthused for the long haul.
For the picture book that I’m working on now, titled THE TRICYCLE MOUSE, my initial idea was to combine two of my favorite things: vehicles and animals.
Thus the characters in the book are hybridized animal-vehicles.
I started working on this over a year and a half ago, it still has a long way to go, but my excitement for the project has only grown.
Julian Hector is generously giving away an original signed painting he made exlcusively for PiBoIdMo, with characters from his picture book THE GENTLEMAN BUG! It’s unbelievably adorable! Lucky you!
Leave a comment to enter and a winner will be randomly chosen one week from today.
Julian Hector is one of the youngest author/illustrators working in children’s publishing today. Five years ago, he was plucked out of college by an editor at Disney-Hyperion, and he’s been writing and illustrating children’s book ever since. His most recent book is MONDAY IS ONE DAY, written by Arthur A. Levine, and you can visit his website here: www.Julianhector.com.
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: PiBoIdMo 2011, Picture Books
Tags: Arthur A. Levine, Giveaway, Julian Hector, Monday is One Day, The Gentleman Bug, The Litte Matador, The Tricycle Mouse
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Adorable! Thanks for the chance to win! Zooooooooooom
By Laura on November 14, 2011 at 9:00 am
I appreciate the care that goes into your work and it reflects your time, creativity, and energy.
By Diane Kress Hower on November 14, 2011 at 9:05 am
What beautiful artwork! Your dedication to your craft is admirable. Thank you for your post.
By Donna Martin on November 14, 2011 at 9:06 am
Sweet.
By A Reid on November 14, 2011 at 9:06 am
Fabulously wonderful!!!
By Carole Lindstrom on November 14, 2011 at 9:06 am
Thanks for sharing your work, Julian! I love how you admit that you work slowly yet you draw fast vehicles!
By Linda Lodding on November 14, 2011 at 9:06 am
Thank you for this peek into your process, Julian. it makes me breathe a small sigh of relief, in a way, to be reminded that ideas take time, that their growth into actual stories takes time. So often I hear a clock ticking while I’m working… I am going to try to remember your commitment to time…
By Tamara Smith on November 14, 2011 at 9:07 am
Fantastic! A good test of an idea/developing story – will it keep me enthused for “the long haul?” These are beautiful, and each book is well worth the wait!
By Jessica Young on November 14, 2011 at 9:07 am
Love how you turned the mice and cat into vehicles, Julian. Great imagination.
By greg matusic on November 14, 2011 at 9:10 am
Your artwork is wonderful. Thanks for sharing your latest project.
By Tracy Warren (@socialTracyW) on November 14, 2011 at 9:10 am
How precious! Nice way to start the week. Thanks for the chance to win such beautiful artwork.
By Donna Shepherd on November 14, 2011 at 9:11 am
Thank you for talking about slow work–it’s under-represented in the creative world.
By aneducationinbooks on November 14, 2011 at 9:14 am
Extremely imaginative–looks like The Gentleman Bug will become a classic.
By Nancy Furstinger (@AnimalAuthor) on November 14, 2011 at 9:15 am
What a lovely illustration! I am imagining the titles of the little bugs’ books, and wondering what delicacies are in their picnic basket! Thank you for the inspiration!
By Cathy Mealey on November 14, 2011 at 9:16 am
Hi Julian,
Your artwork is amazing and it made me smile! It always makes me feel good to hear from another artist that it takes them a long time to create. I don’t even want to think of the hours it takes me to write…Anyway, thanks so much for the opportunity to win one of your original signed paintings!
Best,
Jennifer
By Jennifer Kirkeby on November 14, 2011 at 9:17 am
I love this — right now, in mass-idea-generation mode, it’s important to remember that I’ll be living with the ideas for a long time if I end up working them into a book.
By Julie Falatko on November 14, 2011 at 9:17 am
The time you take shows in the results, Julian.
And thanks for the generous giveaway– beautiful! Wish me luck.
@danaFR
By Dana Carey on November 14, 2011 at 9:19 am
Sounds fun! Joyce Sidman recently talked about that, how her best ideas come about from combining at least two concepts. She wanted to write poems about forest creatures, and as she realized most of the most interesting ones were nocturnal, she made her collection, Dark Emperor, all about animals in the woods at night. Thanks for sharing!
By laurasalas on November 14, 2011 at 9:30 am
Mouse thing is pretty cute. I have a problem with staying focused on a project because other ideas come up and since they’re new, interest me more. It’d be nice if such methodical development rubbed off on me.
By Todge Watherly on November 14, 2011 at 9:32 am
I love your bright, cheery and clever illustrations, Julian…they made me smile. Thanks for bringing a giggle to our day!
By Jarm Del Boccio on November 14, 2011 at 9:37 am
I want to drive a cat convertible! Too fun. Thanks for the reminder that sometimes art cannot be rushed.
By M. G. King on November 14, 2011 at 9:42 am
I love the garden scene. I wish I knew what they were reading. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your litmus test with us.
By Debbie Austin on November 14, 2011 at 9:43 am
Good to know these things take time. Thanks for sharing!
By Lori Alexander on November 14, 2011 at 9:47 am
We love the gentleman bug at our house!
By katiemillsgiorgio on November 14, 2011 at 9:53 am
The time you take developing your picture books astonished me. Do you work on individual projects until they’re completed or multiple projects that are in differing stages of development?
By Jan Milusich on November 14, 2011 at 10:01 am
Love, love, love anything by my dear friend, Julian. Thanks, Julian for your “recombination” idea. LOVE IT. Would also love to win some MORE of your work:) xx oo PJM
By Patty on November 14, 2011 at 10:02 am
I like your strategy, Julian. I’m doing the same thing (spending years to develop a PB), though more out of necessity (the &$*W# thing doesn’t work) than design.
By juliekrantz on November 14, 2011 at 10:03 am
Of course, a gentleman bug would be a bookworm!
By Darlene Ivy on November 14, 2011 at 10:04 am
Love that your ideas combined what you love and that you slowly savor them! Thanks for sharing!!!
By Brook Gideon on November 14, 2011 at 10:05 am
I remember when you shared the hybrid animal-vehicles idea and I was blown away. 🙂 Can’t wait to see your projects in print! And I have to say I hope to steal away some of your thoughtful consideration when it comes to my own projects. I tend to want to zoom through everything. Slow and steady definitely has some advantages. Now I’m going to sit here with my fingers crossed chanting “please pick me” over and over because I would LOVE to have that Gentleman Bug painting hanging in my studio. (LOVE, I say!)
By Diandra Mae on November 14, 2011 at 10:07 am
What an adorable and original idea. 3 years yikes! That is patience. Can I have some please? 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
By Catherine Johnson on November 14, 2011 at 10:17 am
It is wonderful that you are still excited about your idea and that it has developed thus far. Excellent work! I have to agree it really is such an original idea. Those are the best!
By angelapenadahle on November 14, 2011 at 10:21 am
Thanks for the chance to win. I love the idea for the Tricycle mouse. That is so original.
By Jodelle Brohard on November 14, 2011 at 10:21 am
I quite enjoy your illustrations and it’s clear how much you enjoy making them by the details added. Like the gentleman bug’s room of books, flowers, a telescope and microscope. It looks like a good place to write in…
By Claire Bartlett on November 14, 2011 at 10:22 am
Our stories are like our kids…of course we want to spend quality time with them! 😉 Thanks for sharing – LOVE your artwork and your ideas! Hugs, Jodi 🙂
By Jodi Moore on November 14, 2011 at 10:24 am
WHOA on the giveaway! _Thank you_.
And like the idea of combining favorite things and seeing where it takes you. Will be doing that today. Thanks!
By Deb Marshall on November 14, 2011 at 10:24 am
Fantastic illustrations Julian, well worth the wait!
By pascale mackey (@pascalemackey) on November 14, 2011 at 10:28 am
Love your work, Julian! So glad to meet you in Austin last year and get a signed “The Gentleman Bug” book.
By Bobbie Dacus on November 14, 2011 at 10:40 am
Very adorable critters! Thanks for sharing Julian :-).
By Cindy on November 14, 2011 at 10:40 am
I love these simple ideas — sometimes the simplest are the most powerful. The “worlds collide” concept is a great way to spark imaginative new ideas. thanks!
By Carrie F on November 14, 2011 at 10:44 am
Talk about super cute. Great art!
By cravevsworld on November 14, 2011 at 10:44 am
Beautiful! Please do enter me. 🙂
By beckylevine on November 14, 2011 at 10:45 am
I love your artwork! You are very talented. Please enter me into the drawing.
By Janet on November 14, 2011 at 10:50 am
It’s good to hear that I’m not the only slow one out there ;). Wonderful artwork!
By Dave Miles on November 14, 2011 at 10:56 am
Thanks for the reminder to slow down and be ‘delicate’ with one’s ideas. Once I get an idea, I often try to rush the production. Thank’s also for the giveaway. Love the hybrid animal-vehicles!
By Rebecca C on November 14, 2011 at 10:56 am
thank you for sharing your approach to writing with us. I would love to be entered into the drawing.
By Sally on November 14, 2011 at 11:12 am
Yep. We all need to remember to slow down from time to time. It’s too easy to get excited about a new idea and rush it out before it’s ready.
By Katy Duffield on November 14, 2011 at 11:13 am
Really wonderful artwork – thanks for the chance to win this. Combining two ideas and having the patience as well as enthusiasm to take as long as it takes to complete it into a great book –> Thank you for this as well. The micycle and the meowster -!! cool!
By LadyInRead on November 14, 2011 at 11:18 am
Hooray! Thanks for the great post, Julian. 🙂
By Tammi Sauer on November 14, 2011 at 11:19 am
Color version of Tricycle Mouse has that smooth happy beauty of a toddler- Cat Car looks like the zestier older sibling out for trouble. Interesting evolution re: their eyes/expressions from the graphite sketch, from menace/fear to innocence/playful! Thank you for sharing your work in both ways!
By Arlene Graziano on November 14, 2011 at 11:23 am
Thanks so much! It amazing to me how many different approaches there are! I like this one!
By Meghan on November 14, 2011 at 11:28 am
Great artwork! I love the catmobile–it’s so much fun.
Thanks for sharing!
By Maria Gianferrari on November 14, 2011 at 11:55 am
Thank you, Julian, for showing us how you work. I can’t wait to see the finished project.
By Brenda Huante on November 14, 2011 at 11:57 am
14 Days and more than 14 ideas on how to gain inspiration and stay dedicated to our craft. I love the idea of a catmobile chasing the mice!
thank you for the post.
By Kim Pfennigwerth (@kpfenni) on November 14, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Thank you, Julian. It’s so good to know that time and patience result in amazing art. You provided a great reminder.
By Stephanie Shaw on November 14, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Nice to hear that your process takes awhile as you don’t rush the creative process. It’s also a great test -if you can stay excited about the project for the long haul. Absolutely beautiful art.
By Diana Delosh on November 14, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Ahhh, the sound of a long creative process is music to my ears right now. due to some pretty tight deadlines currently.
It really shows. Your work is very creative, whimsical and just exquisite!
By sketched out on November 14, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Slow and steady wins the race…even if you have wheels! Nice to know things don’t have to be rushed!
By Heather Jackson on November 14, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Excellent post, Julian (and Tara)! Thanks for sharing your marvelous idea on combining two things that you love. I can picture how it doubles the fun as you work on it =)!
By ecmoran on November 14, 2011 at 12:35 pm
I want to drive a cat convertible too! Thank you for taking the time to share with us!
By Cathy F. on November 14, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Loved seeing the process. Thanks for sharing.
By Mona Pease on November 14, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Great post and gorgeous art!
By Joan on November 14, 2011 at 1:18 pm
I love your creativity, Julian! Can’t wait to see the Tricycle Mouse in his complete evolution. 🙂
By Shelli Cornleison on November 14, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Thanks for the post, Julian! Great idea to combine interests – now I’ve got some mashing up (or would that be mash-uping?) to do!
By Lori Grusin Degman on November 14, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Wow, Julian. Check out my friend, Rosie Birtwhistle’s website. She sculpts hybridized animal-vehicles in England. Very cool! http://www.omniart.org.uk
By Karen Cheesman on November 14, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Dear Julian,
I love your hybrid creations. They are filled with colorful, creative, and fun. Thanks for sharing them with us. Good luck and may you continue to enjoy every day with the characters you created.
Joan Y. Edwards
By Joan Y. Edwards on November 14, 2011 at 2:03 pm
wonderful idea, and illustrations!
By Corinne on November 14, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Love your work Julian! Thanks for sharing.
By Jeannie Brett on November 14, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Wow, to know what you wanted to do while still IN college, some of us (well PAST college age) are still trying to figure that out! I love your illustrations for Tricycle mouse, it reminds me of some of my favorite (Leo Lionni) books when I was little.
By growingmuses on November 14, 2011 at 2:12 pm
What a great concept for a picture book! I love hybridizations :). Keeping my fingers crossed for the win!
By Charlotte on November 14, 2011 at 2:16 pm
I love the tricycle mouse. Way to go Julian.
By Suzanne Lewis on November 14, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Love the artwork!
By Jennifer Rumberger on November 14, 2011 at 2:52 pm
I love it! You work slowly…so do I!!! I love your creative creations!
By Sandie Sing on November 14, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Your art is inspiring in itself! 🙂 I do love that you work slowly, as it seems like perfect timing. Thanks for the chance to win your beautiful artwork!
By Beth G on November 14, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Looking forward to seeing the new book… Love the concept of the baby mouse being a tricycle and the older mice having 2 wheels
By Gary Masskin on November 14, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Glad I’m not the only one who writes and illustrates slowly – good art takes time! Nice work
By Angela Padron on November 14, 2011 at 3:17 pm
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your work!
By Tia C. M. Svardahl on November 14, 2011 at 3:23 pm
I love this post for the painting give-away and for making me feel not-so-slow!!!
By Liz in Ink on November 14, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Gosh, it’s all so beautiful Julian. I can’t wait to see The Tricycle Mouse fully realized as a picture book. Thank you so much for creating a gorgeous piece for PiBoIdMo.
By Gina on November 14, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Great artwork! anxious to read the PB! Thank you for sharing your talent.
By Terri DeGezelle on November 14, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Thanks so much for talking about your process. I love your art!
Olga Loya
By Olga Loya on November 14, 2011 at 3:51 pm
What a neat idea! Can’t wait to see the final result.
By Sarah C. Pilon on November 14, 2011 at 3:54 pm
I love the line work in your sketches! I
By Nadia Roldan on November 14, 2011 at 4:11 pm
What a gentleman! Kind regards,
Janeen
By Janeen Brian on November 14, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Truly love your artwork, Juilan!
By Lori Mozdzierz on November 14, 2011 at 4:36 pm
You have given me several nuggets of inspiration. Look forward to seeing the book that emerges from this project.
By Lynda Shoup on November 14, 2011 at 4:39 pm
I love the idea of finding that sweet spot – an idea that hits you right away but can be sustained through the length of a project. Nice post.
By Lisa Anchin on November 14, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Love it. Glad I’m not the only one that takes 3 years… or more
By Betsy Fletcher Schow on November 14, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Thanks for sharing your illustrations. They’re adorable!
By Mindy Alyse Weiss on November 14, 2011 at 5:12 pm
Wow – these illustrations are wonderful! I particularly love the sketches you have shared here!
By Lakshmy M. on November 14, 2011 at 5:21 pm
The “Tricycle Mouse and His Family” looks awesome and cute! I learned that it doesn’t matter how long it takes to get an idea out, it matters that the idea comes out.
By thiskidreviewsbooks on November 14, 2011 at 5:43 pm
The Gentleman Bug is one of my favorite books. I can’t wait for the Tricycle Mouse and His Family to come out.
By Meriwether Falk on November 14, 2011 at 7:02 pm
I have a thing for bugs; I find them quite fascinating. And the bugs you have created here are adorable, especially the two reading on the blanket. I enjoyed reading about your creative process. Thanks for sharing!!
By betsydevany on November 14, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Awesome painting!
I love the part in your bio about being young…I always thought when I was younger that I wished people who were in their twenties would write books for kids….
Little do I know now that it takes a long time to get something published!
If I would have started being serious when I first started thinking about this, I would have started in middle school!
Even so, I’m still young, I know, but glad to see someone young and published. My kid self would have geeked out about that.
NOTE: I am not against writers who are older than in their twenties, just thought I’d bring up a bit of my childhood. I love all writers! (and seriously, the older the wiser is starting to show itself as more and more true!)
By kathyellen on November 14, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Gorgeous artwork!
By sandy bixby on November 14, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Enjoyed seeing some samples of your work. Nicely done. : )
By Beth MacKinney on November 14, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Very cute illustrations! Thanks for sharing that creativity, indeed, takes time!
By tinamcho on November 14, 2011 at 8:33 pm
I like Julian’s stuff!! It’s worth the wait!
By Kelly Light on November 14, 2011 at 9:07 pm
Please randomly pick me!
By Shelley Jackson on November 14, 2011 at 9:10 pm
I love Tricycle Mouse and his family. There’s Bicycle Brother, Moped Mother and Daring Dirtbike Dad! (OK, it’s no secret I like alliteration.)
By Tara on November 14, 2011 at 9:18 pm
I’m slow too!!!
By Christine Poreba on November 14, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Beautiful. I love the illustration of the Gentleman Bug and his Lady Bug. And I’ll look forward to reading about Tricycle Mouse and his adventures one day. Thanks for the great post!
By Sheri Dillard on November 14, 2011 at 9:41 pm
What a lovely illustration. Thanks for sharing.
By Carol on November 14, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Wow. Three years…I better get to work! Thanks for the inspiration!
By Cathy C. Hall on November 14, 2011 at 10:13 pm
Awesome illos! What generous giveaway! Thank you for the chance to win!
By Christie on November 14, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Will be getting Monday is One Day for our school library-love the theme-most of our kiddos have two working parents and they could easily relate to this story. Your illustrations are outstanding!
By Kelly Korenek on November 14, 2011 at 10:50 pm
How I would love to be able illustrate what I can picture in my mind when I write. What a wonderful gift you have to be able to create the way you do, and so cleverly. Thank you for sharing.
By Lynn on November 14, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Julian, an afterthought here … have you ever seen the children’s cartoon program (TV) called Animal Mechanicals? You may want to check that out.
By Lynn on November 15, 2011 at 2:07 pm
I adore the illustrations in MONDAY IS ONE DAY! Thank you for your blog post and sharing about your process.
By Rachel Smoka-Richardson on November 14, 2011 at 11:10 pm
Thank you, Hector! Sometimes I feel I let things “simmer and sautee” too long…but I agree…it takes time. 🙂
By Marcie Colleen on November 14, 2011 at 11:49 pm
Zoom, zoom, zoom! Thanks for sharing your adorable drawing.
By Mary M on November 15, 2011 at 12:10 am
Julian, the illustrations are fun and full of lifelike imagination. And wow, what an amazing amount of patience you have.
It would be an honor to own your illustrations.
Thanks for sharing,
Lynn
By Lynn Anne Carol on November 15, 2011 at 12:51 am
I love that painting!
By Kjersten on November 15, 2011 at 1:55 am
Ha! I love that it takes you three years. I don’t know why I love that… maybe because it implies such a patience with your creativity- you aren’t rushing it for the market, the trends, or the expectations around you… but willing to wait for it to become what it wants to be. That will make your work that much more amazing. Thanks for tweaking my brain on that one 🙂
By Marcy P. on November 15, 2011 at 2:03 am
Love this little book. I’ll never forget reading it in a quiet bookstore in San Francisco. It’s wonderful.
By Lindsey on November 15, 2011 at 2:53 am
Hi Julian, Love your art! Your website/blog was great to check out also. That food chain is incredible. Wow! I love the vehicles, especially the cat car. I appreciate your use of bright colors and simplistic design on it. Thanks for the post!
By Loni Edwards on November 15, 2011 at 4:36 am
wow! Love the artwork Julian. Such a beautiful sweet painting. Thanks for giving us the chance to win one of your creations.
By patientdreamer on November 15, 2011 at 5:03 am
I LOVE PiBoIdMo! As we’re in the middle of Picture Book Month, it’s been so wonderful to receive these pieces of picture book inspiration to motivate and keep us, as Julian says, “enthused.” Unlike Julian, I work at the pace of a whirling dervish. Because of PiBoIdMo, I’ve already finished two PB manuscripts. Yay! 🙂
By Dianne De Las Casas on November 15, 2011 at 5:10 am
Thanks for this, Julian. It’s generous to share stuff that’s not finished yet, too. Really good luck with it, Clare.
By Juliet Clare Bell on November 15, 2011 at 8:17 am
What a creative idea to combine animals and vehicles. Fun!
By Kerry Aradhya on November 15, 2011 at 10:33 am
Um, yeah. What everybody else said. I look forward to reading Tricycle Mouse with my kids. Cheers.
By Tim McCanna on November 15, 2011 at 12:57 pm
I love your artwork! I will definitely take a look at The Gentleman Bug. It looks absolutely charming.
By Rebecca Thvedt on November 15, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Wow! Three years. Do you do other work (editorial, educational, etc.) in-between books or do you have more than one book going at a time to fill in the funds while working on each book?
By Jamila on November 16, 2011 at 8:13 am
What a great brainstorming technique – combining things you love. I’m going to give it a try. Love the mouse-bikes.
By Angela De Groot on November 17, 2011 at 10:18 am
I love tricycle mouse’s family. I’m the mom. Of course I want a scooter!
Cheers,
Mishka
By mishkaj on November 20, 2011 at 3:42 pm
I am a bit late, but i love your idea!
By Algernon Michael Roark on November 30, 2011 at 7:20 pm