The Illustration Department Podcast

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Tim Jacobus, the original illustrator for Goosebumps, about why no one working on Goosebumps thought it would last past the first few books; how the making of the Goosebumps covers is an art director’s nightmare; what it means for illustrators, and writers, to finish what they start; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to artist, illustrator, and art director, Katty Huertas, about what she looks for in illustrators (hint: it’s not “being the best”); what simple portfolio advice illustrators should follow; why any creative might want to look into being a “polyteche”; and more.

This episode is sponsored by Agency Access.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to multi-award-winning artist, Orlando Arocena (also known as Mexifunk) about how illustrators can avoid betraying their own creative vision; whether or not “fulfillment” is something artwork should provide its artist; how illustrators can find clients; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator and author, Joe Cepeda, about how Joe took the scenic route to starting his illustration career; what clogs and filters get in the way of one’s creativity; why he’s not that into looking at other illustrators for inspiration; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Antonia Weaver Atkins, educator and daughter of the great Robert Weaver, about what it was like growing up with her outside-of-the-box father; what “The Weave” didn’t like about being a commercial artist; what advice she thinks her father would share for illustrators today; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kate Kunac-Tabinor, Creative Director at Oxford University Press, about what part illustrators play in OUP’s diverse body of work; why creatives should avoid working in isolation; what simple career advice illustrators should follow; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kathryn Humphries, Art Director at Harper’s Magazine, about how she finds, keeps track of, and works with illustrators; why AI images are not gracing the pages of Harper’s; what it means to use “unexpected” color palettes; and more.

This episode is sponsored by Agency Access.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Katie Kalupson, Associate Art Director at TIME, about how transitioning from designer to art director requires personal growth; how intention separates AI-generated imagery from actual illustration; why the best thing an illustrator can do is to lean into themselves; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Michael Mrak, Creative Director for Scientific American, about how often (and where) he looks for illustrators; why he chooses not to not use AI for SciAm’s illustration needs; why the need for good, smart, human-made illustration isn’t going away anytime soon; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Chris Van Dusen, about the pros and cons of using gouache—and why spittle is a problem; why calling an illustrator’s work “old-fashioned” is not a productive critique; how children’s book writers can spend their time if they want to rhyme; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Erika Gaffney, Acquisitions Editor in Scholarly Publishing and Founder of Art Herstory, about why everyone should brush up on their art herstory; why the “merit over gender” argument does not apply; why art, or the study of its entire history, doesn’t have to be intimidating; and more.

This episode is sponsored by Agency Access.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to artist and storyteller, Hope Christofferson, about why a lot of what you see on social media is fantasy (and not in a good way); why illustrators should be wary of the siren call of creative influences; why, if you’re going to believe in magic and lore, you should first believe in yourself; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Emily Kleinman, Art Director at Mudpuppy, about her role in the creation of Mudpuppy’s toys, puzzles, books, and other products; where she goes first to look for illustrators (listeners of this podcast won’t be surprised by her answer); how art directors are just like us; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Hana Nakamura, Art Director for Norton Young Readers, an imprint of W.W. Norton, about how she finds and keeps track of illustrators; how she art directs a children’s book; why a big key to being an illustrator is… to illustrate; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Timothy Travaglini, Senior Literary Agent at Transatlantic Agency, about how illustrators and writers aren’t the only ones who experience rejection in publishing; why being open to the editorial process is almost always a good thing; why it’s important to find joy in creating art; and more.

This episode is sponsored by Agency Access.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Toby Fox, Deputy Art Director at Rolling Stone, about what A.I. imagery really is (it’s not art); how stylistically open the field of editorial illustration is—for the print or digital space; how creative inspiration can come from anywhere; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Semadar Megged, former Art Director at Penguin Random House, about her approach to art direction; what makes good illustrators good; why it’s important to not just look at art, but to be curious about it; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Jill Pratzon, founder of Pratzon Art Restoration, Illustrator, and Graphic Novelist, about what it takes to restore and conserve the art of Winsor McCay, George Herriman, and other giants of illustration; what she learns about artists’ lives through examining their art; what the key to being an illustrator is, beyond talent and skill; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author and conceptual illustrator, Daniel Liévano, about the job of an editorial illustrator; how he connects philosophy and illustration; how illustrators are “traitors”; and more.

This episode is sponsored by Agency Access.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Naomi Kirsten, Senior Editor at Chronicle Books, about what it means to create children’s books with heart and a “felt sense”; what role “the market” and “trends” play in her acquisition process; why the term “kid-friendly” has no place in kids’ books; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Antonia Markiet, retired Editorial Director for HarperCollins Children’s Books, about her early days as an editor at Harper & Row; what illustrators should do if they want to be great; why Maurice Sendak’s newest book, Ten Little Rabbits, was published more than a decade after his passing; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to the Morgan Library and Museum’s Robert H. Taylor Curator and Department Head for Literary and Historical Manuscripts, Philip Palmer, about the behind-the-scenes decisions that went into curating Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature; what he learned about Potter that he didn’t know before; how Potter doesn’t have just one legacy, but many; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Skye Kelly-Barrett, Founder & Agent at Roar, about the psychology of parting ways with an illustrator; what “visual voice” is and isn’t; how illustration (and illustration work) is everywhere; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to multi-disciplinary artist, performer, and renowned children’s book author, Hervé Tullet, about the beginning of his children’s book career; how a children’s book illustrator’s creativity comes from within, and not from a bookstore; why you have to act like an adult, if you want to create books for children; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to the author and illustrator of your favorite children’s books, Bob Shea, about how a logo and Lane Smith helped him launch his children’s book career; what ADHD is and isn’t, especially for creatives (or loved ones); what illustrators should let go to enjoy being an illustrator; and more.

This episode is sponsored by Agency Access.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to cartoonist, author, and presenter, Scott McCloud, about the very real problem of poor visual communication in our society; what comics are and could be; why living in a phenomenal world isn’t as great as it sounds; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator, Yas Imamura, about how establishing a stationary shop led her to a children’s book career; why it is a mistake to paint all publishers with the same brush; why it’s a good idea for artists to create in different ways; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning children’s book creator and co-founder of The Good Ship Illustration, Helen Stephens, about the rules she ignored in the early days of her career; why “have fun” might be the most no-nonsense piece of advice illustrators will ever hear; why an illustrator’s work should not be called “imaginative”; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Nathaniel Mell, Founder and CEO of Felt+Fat, about the founding of his Philadelphia-based ceramic design studio; what “working hard” really means for artists; why demand for hand-made art and craft is as hot as ever; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Artist and Caldecott Honor-winner, Mary GrandPré, about why she got into and out of a career in illustration; what she likes most about her art for Harry Potter; why it’s important for artists to keep exploring; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Paper Cut and Silhouette Artist and Award-winning Illustrator, Janelle Washington, about the unexpected, multi-award winning beginning of her children’s book career; why she literary bleeds for her art; what she’s learned, through cut paper, about mental health; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Holly Hoover, Art Director at Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, about what she looks for in an illustrator’s portfolio; why an illustrator would decline a publisher’s book offer; how to have a positive art director/illustrator relationship; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Sara Frazetta, co-founder of Frazetta Girls, and granddaughter of Frank Frazetta, about her relationship with her grandpa; what Frazetta influenced, and who influenced him; what illustrators today can learn from Frazetta; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to New Yorker Writer, Cartoonist, and Visual Journalist, Liza Donnelly, about her early days as a cartoonist; what James Thurber has meant to her, personally and professionally; how illustration—cartoons or otherwise—is the greatest form of communication; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Erica Rand Silverman, Senior Literary Agent at Stimola Literary Studio, about what she expects from a creative for a positive working relationship; and what it means to approach one’s art from a place of play. She also answers questions from podcast patrons about creating a book dummy; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Stephanie Alexander-Jinks, co-owner and agent at The Artworks Illustration Agency, about Stephanie’s transition from illustrator to agent; what stands out to her—positively and negatively—in portfolios; what illustrators can do to increase their chances for success; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Craig Frazier, about Craig’s newest monograph, Drawn, and what he hopes the book can do for illustrators; how our time is precious—especially with the ones we love; what illustrators can do that AI and its prompters can never do; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Don Tate, about the reasons Black children’s book illustrators, historically, chose to or had to illustrate representationally; why physical fitness is vital for active creativity; why illustrators don’t have to draw every day; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Vanessa Dina, Design Director at Chronicle Books, about some of Chronicle’s historical milestones, including how the iconic glasses logo came to be; how she finds and works with illustrators; why emailing art directors is easier than some illustrators think; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Stephanie Plunkett, Chief Curator at The Norman Rockwell Museum, Annie Lionni, granddaughter of Leo Lionni, Leonard Marcus, children’s book historian, and Steven Heller, design historian, about how and why they curated Between Worlds: The Art and Design of Leo Lionni; what Lionni was like outside of his work; what creatives today can learn from Lionni’s work and life; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Janine Le, founder and agent at Janine Le Literary Agency, about how she became a literary agent; how the process of querying agents is far from ideal; what illustrators should do if they’re struggling to find an agent; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator and author, Matthew Cordell, about why it took some persuading for Matthew to embark on a career in children’s books; why he was thinking about his father on the night of his Caldecott acceptance speech; why it’s okay if your illustrations are a little rough around the edges; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Tony DiTerlizzi about how Dungeons & Dragons helped him along his journey as a professional creative; how other artists and illustrators guided his visual voice; why—no matter what challenge you face—you have to keep rolling the dice; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Manchester’s best known illustrator, Stanley Chow, about how fan art and Myspace helped kickstart his career; what challenges illustrators can face when raising a family; what it feels like to have your work criticized by a future President; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to cartoonist, Julia Wertz about why illustrators should take themselves, but not their work, a little less seriously; why quitting isn’t necessarily a bad thing; why now is the time to spend less time on social media; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Caldecott Medalist and Sibert Honoree, Jason Chin about the life and work of Trina Schart Hyman, and how she mentored Jason; how trusting others—and yourself—is vital for illustrators; why it’s a good idea for any creative to branch out and risk a little failure; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Paige Braddock, Chief Creative Officer at Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, about the life and work of Charles Schulz, and what he was like as her mentor; what Schulz would have likely said about efforts today to ban and censor children’s books; why illustrators should be more detail-oriented; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning, Hall of Fame illustrator, Brad Holland about the early days of Brad’s fifty-plus-year career; how he found bits and pieces of himself, artistically speaking; how he helped bring about the modern-day approach to editorial illustration; why his days as a supervisor at Hallmark taught him that “everything turns into a bunny sooner or later”; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator and author, Fred Blunt about why being “cartoony” is a good thing; how illustrators can know their style—cartoony or not—is theirs; what we can learn about the life and work of the great Ronald Searle; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to cartoonist and illustrator, Robb Mommaerts, about why he still feels like an imposter; why illustrators should think a little less when creating art; how illustrators can draw things they’re too afraid to draw; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Emma Cheng, medical doctor turned illustrator, about why she transitioned from tending to patients to… painting tendons; what similarities doctors and illustrators share (including one that might make you sick); what illustrators can do to feel better; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Dr. Rose Roberto, part-time lecturer and librarian at Bishop Grosseteste University, and Tamsin Rosewell, illustrator and bookseller about the removal of Kate Greenaway’s name from The Kate Greenaway Medal; why this renaming should alarm you; what you can do to bring back Kate Greenaway; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to cartoonist, educator, and podcaster, Dan Berry about Dan’s podcast, “Make It Then Tell Everybody”, and why he chose to end it; how confidence is most certainly key to being an illustrator; what illustrators have that AI “prompt-smiths” don’t have (hint: ownership); and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times best-selling artist and author, Rachel Ignotofsky about how she set up shop in the children’s book world; why you should probably stop breaking promises to yourself; how AI is “thought-labor abridged” and what illustrators can do to stay ahead of it; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Darren Di Lieto, Creative Director at Hireillo, about the founding and early years of Hireillo; why marketing for illustrators involves a million degrees of nuance; how there is no silver bullet to finding an easy path to being an illustrator; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times best-selling and two-time Caldecott Honor award-winning illustrator, Brian Pinkney about what it was like growing up—and creating art—with his father, Jerry Pinkney; why illustrators don’t have to be just one thing, or make pictures in just one way; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kate Tardif, founder of Sullivan Moore, about why she’s looking to grow her boutique agency… in a big way; how illustrators (whether they like it or not) are content creators; why it is not the end of the world for illustrators if they are dropped by their agent; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Emmy Award-winning illustrator and graphic novelist, Dawud Anyabwile about the origin story of Brotherman: Dictator of Discipline, and how it was a family affair; why it’s important to protect your intellectual property (if and when you can); what advice he has for discouraged illustrators; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Emily Harris, Associate Art Director at Lerner Publishing Group, about how illustrators can know what art directors want (spoiler: they can’t); how she finds illustrators for the myriad books she art directs; and what myths need to stop spreading about being—and creating art as—a children’s book illustrator; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Briana Mukodiri Uchendu about why having no one to disappoint helped her begin her children’s book career; why the multi-honor-winning picture book, The Talk, was a “rollercoaster of emotions” for Briana; at what point do you feel like your art (and you) are enough; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Freya Blackwood about her rule-breaking approach to picture book art; how asymmetry and imperfection are keys to an effective illustration portfolio; when it’s time to end your attempt at being an illustrator; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Mirko Ilić, about how procrastination can help in one’s creative process; what role sacrifice plays in defining, and achieving, success as an illustrator; how the key to creative growth lies in both one’s future and past; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Jay Cooper (New York Times Best-Selling Illustrator and Executive Creative Director at Serino Coyne) and Jim Hoover (Senior Art Director at Penguin Random House) about the making of The Last Comics on Earth; what children’s publishing hasn’t fully figured out yet with graphic novels (hint: money, time, reviews); what selfishness has to do with achieving a work/life balance; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Alyssa Walker, Design Director at WIRED, about her approach to editorial design, and how illustration fits into that approach; what hierarchy form and function follow with editorial illustration; why, if certain failsafes are put in place (and that’s a big if), illustrators may not need to worry about AI; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Ellen Keiter, Chief Curator of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, about the life and work of Eric Carle, and the origin story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar; why the curation of illustration may look very different in the very near future; what illustrators should start doing today if they want their work to be in a museum tomorrow; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Vicki Willden-Lebrecht, CEO and Founder of The Bright Agency, about the founding of Bright, and whether or not it’s “too big”; why illustrators should be less precious about their work; and other topics.

Vicki also answers questions from patrons of the podcast about portfolios, book-banning, AI, and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Rick Richter, Literary Agent and Senior Partner at Aevitas Creative Management, about the early days of Rick’s publishing career, including the co-founding of Candlewick; what made the late, great Ian Falconer so special; why providing comparison titles (or comp titles) when querying agents is a waste of time; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Janine Vangool, publisher, editor, and designer of UPPERCASE magazine about the origins and vision of UPPERCASE; why going your own way as a creative is usually the right way; why you should take a walk and a breath before you respond to a rejection; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, author of “How To Be An Illustrator”, and founder of Heart, Darrel Rees about why he chose to form an illustration agency; why—when it comes to creating an illustration—good enough is pretty good; how illustrators can best communicate with agents and clients; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, author, and Maine Master Naturalist, Melissa Sweet about the “convoluted” beginning of her children’s book career; why it’s a good idea for illustrators to care just a little less about their work; why all you need is a color wheel and a complement when it comes to working with color; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Lisa Kollins, Founder and Executive Director of The Superhero Project, about the origin story of The Superhero Project; what healing, empowering, and joy-bringing force illustration can be for children with illnesses and disabilities; how illustrators can work with Lisa; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustration historian, educator, and visual communicator, Jaleen Grove about the public’s lack of awareness of illustration (and why that matters); what women illustrators were doing at the turn of the 20th century; why the illustration industry has had many “deaths” over the past 150 years; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, character designer, and author, Carter Goodrich about his creative process—and why he finds it difficult to talk about his creative process; what his approach to character design is with animated films like Prince of Egypt, Shrek, and Despicable Me; why an artist moving through their career is like a leaf floating down a river; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Jutta Bauer, about how she went from being a “bad pupil” to building a multi-award-winning career in illustration; what she has liked and disliked most about her career; whether illustrators today can change the world; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Dr. David R. McDuff, sports psychiatrist and faculty member at the University Of Maryland’s School Of Medicine, about his role as a mental preparation trainer for the Baltimore Orioles; what simple, doable, healthy routines help manage anxiety and stress; why athletes and artists should accept the positive energy fear can bring into their lives; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Shannon McNab, surface designer, educator, and founder of Sketch Design Repeat about how she took the leap from corporate graphic design to freelance surface design; how surface designers can build a portfolio, find clients, and negotiate fees; why illustrators should really follow their own paths; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, critic, and children’s book historian, Leonard Marcus about his book, Pictured Worlds: Masterpieces of Children’s Book Art by 101 Essential Illustrators from Around the World; why Puffin’s tampering of Roald Dahl’s text opens the doors for publishers to rewrite—and re-illustrate—anything; why we should look to illustration’s history to understand its future; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Véronique Kirchhoff, Literary Agent & Founder of VeroK Agency, about what illustrators should never do when emailing an agent about representation; how she represents publishers, and what it takes for a children’s book from one country to sell in another; how to “put yourself out there”; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Philip Lee, cofounder and publisher of Readers to Eaters, about the founding of Lee & Low Books and the philosophy behind its mission; how wabi-sabi guides his editorial process; why “diverse” isn’t the right word when we talk about diverse children’s books; why he’s promoting food literacy from the ground up; and more.

This episode is sponsored by PencilBooth.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Jason Chatfield, Cartoonist, Comedian, and President of the National Cartoonists’ Society, about what illustrators can learn from Jason’s multi-hat-wearing ways; how comedians and cartoonists are cut from the same cloth; how illustrators are not alone in the fight against art theft from AI-image generators; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Frances Soo Ping Chow, VP & Creative Director for Running Press and Black Dog & Leventhal, about her role and her time at Running Press; what words illustrators should never use when submitting portfolios to art directors; why illustrators should focus less on style, and more on quality; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kerry Martin, Creative Director of Holiday House, Peachtree, and Pixel+Ink.

Kerry answers questions from Patrons of the podcast on submitting picture book dummies; what good habits she thinks illustrators should have; what catches her attention when she looks at portfolios; and more.

They also discuss what might be the worst piece of advice for illustrators.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, illustrator, creative director, and executive director of Illustration Institute, Scott Nash about welcoming discomfort and change into one’s creative practice; who’s to blame for the general public’s ignorance of illustration; why you should know who Dahlov Ipcar, Barbara Cooney, and other great illustrators are from the great state of Maine; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Cathy Olmedillas, founder of Anorak and Dot Magazines, about the early days of her career as a children’s magazine publisher; why respecting readers and paying illustrators seem to be novel business models in the children’s magazine world; why you should start an illustration career, or a podcast, or a magazine, with joy; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to author, former New York Times art director of the Op-Ed page and Book Review, and co-chair of the SVA MFA Designer as Entrepreneur program, Steven Heller.

Steven talks about the early years of his career at the New York Times, and why the word “legacy” is on his mind; what he was looking for in an illustrator’s portfolio—beyond their ability to draw and paint; why he wrote more than seventy obituaries for illustrators, and why he stopped; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, character designer, and “brushmancer”, Max Ulichney about the importance of studying from your favorite artists’ favorite artists; why not having a stylistic home-base may not be a bad thing; how he designs (and how you should use) his MaxPacks brushes; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and educator, C.F. Payne about the early years of his illustration career, and how a frustrating portfolio review became a turning point; why he defines illustration as “art done under the circumstances”; why “get good” is the best piece of advice illustrators will ever hear; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Bryan Collier about how he dealt with years of rejection and coded racism from publishers; why he thinks there is “no landing place for an illustrator”; what it means to be a “dream walker”; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Aram Kim, Art Director at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, about how she manages her creative duality as both art director and illustrator/author; what it feels like when a book you art direct (not illustrate) wins a Caldecott; why illustrators don’t need to know what she looks for in portfolios; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Charlie Bowden, agent and founder of Pickled Ink about the founding of her illustration agency; how illustrators should negotiate fees with clients; what it means to be a friendly agent; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Tracy van Straaten, Founder and President of TvS Media Group, about the difference between marketing and publicity in children’s publishing; what illustrators and writers should realistically expect from marketing and publicity departments; why the pre-order window is important when it comes to the life or death of a book; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Steve Light about the early years of Steve’s illustration career; why drawing should be like breathing; what it means to be a stylophile; why a little bit of tenacity can take us a long way toward our goals; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to multi-award-winning illustrator, R. Gregory Christie about how his illustration career got its start with the help of a local dance club; why illustrators would do well to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset; what Greg’s three keys are to making it as an illustrator; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to organizers and artists involved with the first annual Kennett Square Arts Festival, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

The organizers explain why proceeds from the fair are needed to support a new library, and how libraries are funded.

The artists share their experiences with exhibiting at festivals and fairs; why collecting emails from attendees is of utmost importance; why artists might want to consider doing pet portraits; what needs to be done to keep art from blowing into a river (literally); and more.

You can donate to the construction of Kennett Square’s new library by visiting their website.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to artist and writer, Shaun Tan about his new book, Creature: Paintings, Drawings, and Reflections—and what he learned from compiling twenty-six years worth of his work; how illustrators can avoid falling into the rabbit hole of self-imitation; why having fun might be the best guide for any artist’s creative journey; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Anna Goodson, President & Founder of Anna Goodson Illustration Agency, about why—“post-COVID”—her illustration agency is busier than ever; how an illustrator should build their portfolio; whether social media is truly a necessary marketing tool for illustrators; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to the attendees of The Illustration Department’s Illustrators’ Day in this “campfire” episode.

Recorded on September 24, 2022, the attendees explain why they chose illustration as a profession; why authors should never say “my illustrator” (with help from illustration collector and author, Roger Reed); what frustrates them most about being an illustrator; and more.

The sound is a little off, but what the attendees share—their wisdom, insight, and advice—is excellent.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Corey Peterschmidt, Book Art and Design Manager at Blizzard, about what they look for in illustrators’ portfolios, and why they say there’s magic in fan art; how trauma can split you into more than one person; what has helped them work and live with Depression (including the healing power of illustration); and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Loren Long about the early days of his illustration career, and why being a children’s book illustrator was not part of the plan; how he paints with color blindness; why he feels like he’s still trying to figure things out with his art; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to artist, author, and educator, Alice A. Carter about the life and love of Red Rose Girls—Jessie Willcox Smith, Elizabeth Shippen Green, Violet Oakley, and Elizabeth Cozens—and the scandal that broke them apart; why there’s been a disparity between women and men in the illustration Hall of Fame; why it’s important to view contemporary illustration through an historical lens; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustration agent and founder of Alan Lynch Artists, Alan Lynch about what has and hasn’t changed in illustration during his 30-year career as an agent; how conversations about AI-generated imagery sound very familiar (and why that might be good news for illustrators); how agents have a negative reputation, and why it’s unfair “for the most part”; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, author, and visual literacy advocate, Ed Vere about growing up with Jan Michał Pieńkowski—and the life-lessons Jan imparted upon him; why it is so important to teach visual literacy to teachers; why “supposed to” should not be part of any creative process; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Melissa Castrillón about how she went from being “pretty bad” at approaching publishers to becoming a full-time illustrator; what her approach is with character design, color, and negative space; how—through limitation—illustrators can find freedom with their creativity; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Mumtaz Mustafa—Senior Art Director for William Morrow, Harvest Books, and Mariner Books at HarperCollins—about how she oversees and art directs hundreds of books a year; what the four main steps are when designing a book cover (and why they’re judged, often harshly, within Publishing); how illustrators can get her attention; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, author, and educator, Shadra Strickland about what led her to becoming a picture book maker—despite the naysayers; why realism in illustration is not an out-of-fashion style; what artists need to remember about being artists; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Mike Lowery about how he managed to turn illustrating into a living; why drawing every day is a vital part of his life and work; what illustrators can learn from craft-makers; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to animation director, production designer, and illustrator, Chris Sasaki about how he found his way—in spite of multiple rejections—into the animation world; what he learned about character design from working at Pixar; why drawing in a sketchbook would be his ideal full-time job; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to best-selling illustrator and author, Eileen Christelow about her transition from being a photographer in the 1960’s, to becoming a best-selling children’s book maker; what illustrators (especially those in critique groups) can learn from Jim Giblin—Eileen’s long-time editor; what illustrators can do to improve (hint: it’s likely you’re already doing it); and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Felicita Sala about her early days as an illustrator; why illustrators need to find their “why”; what makes it so difficult to write good books for children; why being inconsistent with her picture book illustrations is fine by her; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to best-selling illustrator and author, Antoinette Portis, about how creative expression can help one navigate life’s hardest challenges; what Maurice Sendak meant when he told her that illustrators need to be “secret agents”; where we can find the ideas for our creative expression; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, designer, and educator, Eugenia Mello about what “draw what you know” means—and why it’s both good and frustrating advice; why she thinks the act of illustrating is like a dance; how illustrators are music makers, and why the music they make is as magical as anything; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Robyn Phillips-Pendleton—Professor of Visual Communications at the University of Delaware, and Interim Director for the MFA in Illustration Practice at Maryland Institute College of Art—about whether social media is bending the quality of today’s illustrations toward mediocrity; why introspection is a key component to being an illustrator; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Robyn Phillips-Pendleton— Professor of Visual Communications at the University of Delaware, and Interim Director for the MFA in Illustration Practice at Maryland Institute College of Art—about Illustration’s racist history; the power illustration has to heal… and to harm; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Heidi and Ryan Sanchez, Art Agents and Cofounders of Spinning Yarn, about how they formed and (with a little help from Captain Kangaroo) named their agency; how they find clients for the illustrators they represent; what is and isn’t professional when emailing an illustration agent (spoiler alert: don’t use emojis); and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Charlie Moyler, Fiction Art Director at Little Tiger, about how her path to becoming an art director; and how making a little noise helped her get there. She answers questions from Patrons of the podcast on connecting with children’s book art directors, the importance of blogs, the professionalism of “DMing” art directors; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and author, Keith Henry Brown about how music has a played a vital role in both his life and art; what it means to feel entitled to your mistakes—and how that applies to creativity; and why we must embrace our individuality in the age of Comparison Culture.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to picture book illustrator and author, Tom Lichtenheld about why and how he works in so many different styles; why not having enough time to draw or paint or write may not actually have anything to do with time; how illustrators can approach composition; what advice you should not follow from Mem Fox; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Jacqueline Lipton, founding agent at Raven Quill Literary Agency, and faculty member at The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law. Among other topics, she explains what copyright is and isn’t for creators; how artists can legitimately protect their work; why “fear of the law” shouldn’t stop one from being creative; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, author, and educator, Rivkah LaFille about the sequence of events that led her to becoming a graphic novel creator; why many illustrators find it difficult to believe in themselves and their work; three misconceptions people have about the creation of a graphic novel; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Emma D. Dryden—founder of drydenbks, a children’s editorial and publishing consultancy—about what it was like to work alongside one of the great children’s book editors of all time, Margaret K. McElderry; what led Emma to forming drydenbks, after an illustrious career as an editor and publisher; why we should separate our job title from our identity; why you CAN write children’s books in rhyme; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, animator, director, and educator, Richard Borge about choosing a freelance life over something more (ostensibly) stable; why illustrators should embrace their work’s evolution; how to conceptualize an editorial illustration; why some great pieces of advice for illustrators aren’t that great; and more.

This episode is sponsored by Wacom.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to New York Times Best-selling illustrator and author, and creator of Pinkalicious, Victoria Kann, about how Rolling Stone helped kickstart her illustration career; how a made-up disease led to her popular Pinkalicious franchise; why we shouldn’t have just one favorite color; what it means to fear success; and more.

This is our 150th Episode! To celebrate, Giuseppe Castellano has compiled short highlights from Episodes 101 to 149.

If this is the first time you’ve listened to our podcast, you’ll hear from illustrators, agents, art directors, editors, publishers, and more.

Through these 49 episodes, we covered a wide range of topics, including: best practices in building a portfolio and submitting it to art directors; the many varied paths our colleages have taken to find their illustration career; the power of illustration; and beating imposter syndrome and creative blocks.

Our guests were (in order): Sari Levy-Schorr, Janna Morishima, Rashin Kheiriyeh, Ellen Kokontis, Darryl Cheng, Kay Fraser, David Macaulay, Ariel Schrag, Kirk Benshoff, Laura Roode, Giselle Potter, Liz Frances, Ben Zhu, Ren Renwick, Mela Bolinao, Vesper Stamper, Dave McMahon, Shaun Tan, John Hendrix, Richard Solomon, Traci Todd, Karen Katz, Guy Billout, Roy Freeman, Lauren Flower-Kim, Christopher A. Brown, Melissa Iwai, Lane Smith, Flavia Zorrilla Drago, Mary Azarian, Daniel Miyares, Tim Mendola, Mark Summers, Barry Moser, Richard Michelson, Emily Arnold McCully, Jane Dyer, Angela Navarra, Olivia Verdugo, Kellee Riley, Patrick Spaziante, Barbara McClintock, Judy Schachner, Maria Modugno, Nicole Tugeau, Greg Foley, Kat Irannejad, Arsh Raziuddin, and Roz Chast.

Here’s to forty-nine more!

This episode is sponsored by Wacom.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Roz Chast, long-time cartoonist for The New Yorker, about the early days of her fifty-year career; what tricks she uses to work through anxiety and artist’s block; what Helen Hokinson and other women cartoonists throughout history have meant to Roz; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Arsh Raziuddin, Creative Director at Bon Appétit and Epicurious, about her career in editorial design and art direction; what experiences she’s had as an art director at The Atlantic and The New York Times; what she looks for in an illustrator’s portfolio; why we’ll be seeing more illustrations in Bon Appétit; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Kat Irranejad—Co-Founder and Executive Agent at Snyder—about work ethic and entrepreneurship through the lens of being a First Generation American.; how illustrators can use Instagram in a healthy, productive way; why we need to be our first, best advocate; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Greg Foley—illustrator, writer, designer, and all-around creator—about how studying fashion design at the Rhode Island School of Design led him down many varied creative paths; how Greg’s picture book, Thank You Bear, inadvertently and perfectly describes the picture book submission process; how we can achieve simplicity and authenticity with the work we create; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Nicole Tugeau, Agent and Founder of Tugeau 2 (also known as T2) about the founding of her agency; what she looks for in an illustrator’s submission (hint, don’t stress about your submission letter); what mistakes to avoid when submitting your portfolio or picture book dummy to agents; how she parts ways with illustrators; what doing “spec work” really looks like; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Maria Modugno, Executive Editorial Director at Random House Studio, about how Tomie dePaola taught her to become an editor; what the acquisition process is like for a children’s book; why debut children’s book creators need to learn about marketing—STAT; what Maria looks for in illustrations; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to award-winning illustrator and writer, Judy Schachner, about how having an imagination saved her life—especially during a difficult childhood; why her first steps as an author included lying to editors; what the late, great Anna Dewdney meant to her; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to best-selling illustrator and author, Barbara McClintock, about how Maurice Sendak—literally—helped her begin her children’s book career (including portfolio advice every illustrator should follow); why starting any creative project is the hardest hurdle to jump; how illustrators can process rejections in a positive way; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator and comic book artist, Patrick Spaziante, about his career—from his early days at Archie Comics to becoming what Sonic the Hedgehog fans call “the legendary Spaz”; what lessons he’s learned from being a life-long copy artist; what illustrators can do if they don’t like any of the work they create; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to illustrator, Kellee Riley, about how she became a copy artist for Holly Hobby, Dora the Explorer, and other properties; what a copy artist is, and why it deserves more respect from the illustration community; how having just a little bit of confidence—no matter what kind of art you create—can go a long way; and more.

Giuseppe Castellano talks to Olivia Verdugo, Art Director at The Barnes Foundation about her role at the Barnes, and the circuitous route she took to get there; what illustrators can learn from Dr. Barnes’ idiosyncratic, holistic approach to art collection; why graphic designers are both poets and engineers; what five guiding principles helped Olivia find her creative path; and more.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ID, where you will get a free trial of Premium Membership. That’s one month free... at Skillshare.com/ID.

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.

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.

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.

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ID, where you will get a free trial of Premium Membership. That’s one month free... at Skillshare.com/ID.

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.

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.

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ID, where you will get a free trial of Premium Membership. That’s one month free... at Skillshare.com/ID.

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.

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ID, where you will get a free trial of Premium Membership. That’s one month free... at Skillshare.com/ID.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ID, where you will get a free trial of Premium Membership. That’s one month free... at Skillshare.com/ID.

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.

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ID, where you will get a free trial of Premium Membership. That’s one month free... at Skillshare.com/ID.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ID, where you will get a free trial of Premium Membership. That’s one month free... at Skillshare.com/ID.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ID, where you will get a free trial of Premium Membership. That’s one month free... at Skillshare.com/ID.

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.

Sponsored by Skillshare.com/ID. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cartoonist and Writer, Ariel Schrag, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her first steps—starting in high school—as a comics creator; how the current discourse surrounding what illustrators and writers can and can’t do with their work has its pros and cons; how illustrators and writers can get going on the thing they want to create; and more.

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ID, where you will get a free trial of Premium Membership. That’s two weeks free... at Skillshare.com/ID.

Caldecott-winning illustrator and author, David Macaulay, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his first steps in publishing—from rejections to Caldecott wins. He also shares this thoughts on: “breaking into publishing”, developing curiosity, quitting illustration, and more.

Kay Fraser, Senior Art Director at Capstone, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her path to becoming an art director—from Buenos Aires to Minnesota; how she and her team look for—and work with—illustrators; what the best practices are when emailing art directors; and more.

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ID, where you will get a free trial of Premium Membership. That’s two weeks free... at Skillshare.com/ID.

Darryl Cheng—author of The New Plant Parent and creator of House Plant Journal—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about being a plant parent; how he approaches house plant care, technically and philosophically; why illustrators should avoid “plant blindness” when it comes to growing or illustrating plants; and more.

Ellen Kokontis—Art Director at Cottage Door Press—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the circuitous route she took to becoming a children’s book art director; what she looks for in illustrations (beyond “I know it when I see it”); what three big mistakes she sees illustrators make; and more.

Illustrator and Author, Rashin Kheiriyeh, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she became an illustrator—with help from her mother and the Iranian Government; what cultural differences she’s noticed while working with Publishers around the world; why your life’s experiences are worth sharing through illustration; and more.

Janna Morishima, Illustration and Literary Agent & Founder of Kids Comics Unite, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she co-founded Graphix—Scholastic’s Graphic Novel imprint; why she thinks the current graphic novel boom is only the beginning; what she looks for in illustrators’ portfolios; what rules to break when querying agents; and more.

Sari Levy-Schorr, President and Owner of Levy Creative Management, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she transitioned from being an illustration student who didn’t think she was “good enough” to being an agent who represents illustrators; and what defines a good agent/illustrator relationship.

Sari also answers questions from Patrons of the Podcast about signing with an agent; the viability of traditional art; portfolio mistakes; and more.

This is our 100th Episode! To celebrate, Giuseppe Castellano has compiled short highlights from episodes 51 to 99.

If this is the first time you’ve listened to our podcast, you’ll hear from illustrators, agents, art directors, editors, publishers, museum curators and more… 

Through 49 episodes, we covered a wide range of topics, including: restarting a creative career, living and working through the COVID19 pandemic; starting a publishing company; winning the Caldecott; hanging out with Jimi Hendrix; facing failure; defining illustration; and more.

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ID, where you will get a free trial of Premium Membership. That’s two weeks free... at Skillshare.com/ID.

Caldecott-winning Artist & Writer, Uri Shulevitz, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he went from fleeing the Nazi’s in 1939, to publishing his first picture book with Harper & Row in 1963; why he thought his career in picture books was over before it really began; why he wrote Writing with Pictures (and how the beloved book almost didn’t happen); why he thinks illustrators should “give up” on the idea of the “perfect picture”; and so much more.

D.B. Dowd—Professor of Art and American Culture Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, and faculty director of the D.B. Dowd Modern Graphic History Library—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the definition of illustration; whether illustration is or is not art; what advice he has for any illustrator looking to find their “style”; and so much more.

Visual Artist, Henrik Drescher, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the early days of Henrik’s career in New York City; how artists can stoke the fire of interest and creativity; what publishing professionals mean when they say that illustration needs to be “unique”; what the word “commercial” really means; and more.

Victor Juhasz—award-winning illustrator, satirist, and visual reporter—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about working “in the old school” as an illustrator in the 1970’s; the relationship between the U.S. Military and Illustration throughout history; being an artist embedded with U.S. troops; knowing when an illustration is “finished”; and more.

This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ID, where you will get a free trial of Premium Membership. That’s two weeks free... at Skillshare.com/ID.

Barbara Nessim—Illustrator, Fine Artist, and Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame inductee—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the early days of her illustrious career—starting at Pratt Institute in the 1950’s; working as one of the very few women in illustration in the 1960’s; hanging out with Milton Glaser, Tomi Ungerer, and Gloria Steinem; being one of the first artists to “go digital”; avoiding the need to “fit in”; and more.

Illustrator and Author, Dinalie Dabarera, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she went from querying agents, to getting an agent, to receiving a two-book deal from Macmillan—in the span of a year; what valuable lesson she learned from illustrating her first picture book; why some illustrators feel they need permission to make the art they want to make; and more.

Chris Sickels, also known as Red Nose Studio, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he built his illustration career, from farm to drawing table; why he illustrates in three dimensions—and why he’s preparing for a day when editors no longer want “puppets” in their magazines. Also, Chris shares the secret to working alone, or as he put it, “running your own race”.

Andrew Fairclough—illustrator, designer, and founder of True Grit Texture Supply—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the early days of his career and the founding of True Grit; why he prefers limited color palettes; what illustrators can do to stay on their feet from a “knock-back”; and more.

Illustrator and Printmaker, Frances Jetter, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she wandered from photographing inmates at Rykers Island to starting an illustration career in the mid-1970’s. They discuss what it was like working with art directors in the 1980’s; why she hits political and social issues—hard; what illustrators can do to find authenticity; and more.

Illustrator, Author, and Educator, David Soman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how David got his first picture book job—despite not having a single illustration in his portfolio. They discuss the past and future of the beloved, Ladybug Girl books; the bad art advice coming from publishing professionals; painting with watercolor; teaching at the School of Visual Arts; and much more.

Matthew Carlson—Design Director at Adobe Creative Cloud—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his role at Adobe, and how they responded to COVID-19; why Adobe, Facebook, Twitter, and the rest of Big Tech are so reliant on illustration; what the similarities and differences are between digital and traditional methods of creating art; and more.

Renowned Painter and Author, Greg Manchess, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the turbulent beginning of his artistic journey; why his 2017 groundbreaking graphic novel, Above the Timberline, is about searching for his father; how he processes failure; why oil painting and the perfection of imperfection have sustained his 40-year career; and more.

Christine von der Linn—Director of Illustration Art at Swann Auction Galleries—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she values traditional and digital illustration; whether important illustrations belong in a museum or in your dining room; why collectors are turning their attention to artists most of us never learned about in art school; and more.

Daniel Abraham—Attorney at Law—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his career protecting the rights of artists.

He shares how he and his small team reversed a 1986 tax law that destroyed an artists’s ability to deduct expenses; how gatekeepers attempt to separate artists from their art; why illustrators need to know the difference between “specs and terms”; how illustrators can protect—and make money from—their “authorship”; and so much more.

David Borgenicht—Owner and CEO of Quirk Books—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the founding, management, and future of Quirk Books; how his team looks for illustrators, and what they look for in illustration; whether Publishing saw its worst-case scenario in 2020; why a book is a much-needed companion as we try to survive whatever life throws at us; and more.

Sponsored by Skillshare. Visit Skillshare.com/ID to get a free trial of Premium Membership.

Luke Flowers—illustrator, author, and self-described “creative cave-dweller”—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about why Jim Henson is a big part of Luke’s kindness and creativity; how he’s managed to illustrate more than 50 children’s books in less than a decade; how he lives with self-doubt and depression; and much more.

Lindsay Nohl, illustrator, educator, and founder of Light Grey Art Lab, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the founding of her gallery; how she curates exhibitions; why submitting artwork to competitions, exhibitions, and potential clients, involves paradoxical truths; what artists need to do if they want to be product designers; and more.

Julia Rosenfeld, Senior Designer at Penguin Young Readers Group, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the inner-workings of the children‘s book design department; working with Giuseppe as his former Design Assistant; what #mailersandcoffee was, and why it was important; how Julia looks for illustrators during the COVID19 pandemic; and much more.

Jane O’Connor, children’s book author, and editor-at-large at Penguin Young Readers Group, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her 50-year career.

She shares her thoughts on mergers in Publishing; writing Fancy Nancy; creating the trend-setting, non-fiction series, Who Was?; working with Giuseppe as her art director; working with Gyo Fujikawa, Tomie dePaola and Peggy Rathmann; and so much more.

Author and Illustrator, Kazu Kibuishi, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the personal hardships and challenges he faced in becoming a graphic novelist; where comics and graphic novels stand, and where they should go; why doctors gave Kazu a 99% chance of dying in 2012, and how his near-death experience effects him now; what advice he has for comic book and graphic novel creators; and more.

Award-winning cartoonist, John Cuneo, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about John’s career before and after his “artistic crisis”. They discuss how insecurity and anxiety drive wedges between an artist and their work; why John “goes there” with his “NSFW” illustrations; what role depression plays in John’s, and Giuseppe’s, lives; and much more.

David Wiesner, illustrator, author, and 3-time Caldecott Medal-winner, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the path that led him to wordless picture books; how Maurice Sendak, James Marshall, Trina Schart Hyman, and other legends helped David feel like he “belonged”; how an “unplanned moment” led to his Caldecott-winning, Tuesday; what it was like to get the “Caldecott Call”; why the pictures in picture books matter; and so much more.

Debbie Bibo, the founder of Debbie Bibo Agency, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how and why she became a “picture book agent”; what she looks for in illustrators; and how “bad agents” are burning through illustrators’ good-will equity.

She also answers questions from Patrons of the podcast about what illustrators should say in their queries; how to conduct oneself during an interview with an agent; how COVID19 is affecting—and will affect—her agency and the children’s book industry; and so much more.

Illustrator, Author, and Illustration Teacher, James McMullan, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his globe-trotting, but tragic, childhood; what his early days as an illustrator were like; why his philosophy on drawing—and the teaching of drawing—stems from intuition and humanization; why he thinks illustrators should embrace risk; and so much more.

Illustrator and Author, Sergio Ruzzier, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he “broke into” children’s publishing; how Hieronymus Bosch, the Italian Renaissance, and Popeye influence his work; why watercolor is his medium of choice; what it was like living with Maurice Sendak; and so much more.

Martin Salisbury, Author and Professor of Illustration at Cambridge School of Art in Anglia Ruskin University, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what led him to illustration; what illustrators should be thinking about when they think about children’s books; what makes a picture book “great” or “bad”; why Martin thinks illustrators should draw, and draw, and draw; and much more.

Founder of Purple Rain Illustrators, Ella Lupo, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she became an agent; what it was like being an illustration agent in the late 1990’s; when illustrators should and shouldn’t chase “style” trends; how “bad agents” give “good agents” a bad name; how COVID19 is affecting the illustration community; and much more.

Chief Curator and Curator of American Art at the Delaware Art Museum, Heather Campbell Coyle, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about examining and preserving the lives and work of illustrators; how the struggles of past illustrators continue to echo throughout time; what happens when the general public is asked to curate a museum; and much more.

Curator of the Brandywine River Museum of Art, Amanda Burdan, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the Brandywine’s history, mission, and collection; how her team finds and curates art; how the Brandywine literally creates space for women in illustration; what it’s like living in “Wyeth Country”; and much more.

Illustrator/author, and native “Michigander”, Rebecca Green, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her first steps as an illustrator; why you sometimes have to unlearn what you learned in art school; what she thinks about when she thinks about color; and how illustrators can navigate blocks and burnouts and breakdowns by following their own “creative compass”.

Illustrator, Cory Godbey, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he balances illustration and parenthood; how personal projects—from sketchbook collections to a tribute website for Where the Wild Things Are—led Cory to landing prestigious client work (including The Dark Crystal for the Hensons); what it’s like to be bitten by the “Comparison Bug”—and how to be cured from it; and much more.

Illustrator and portraitist extraordinaire, Joe Ciardiello, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his first steps as an illustrator—with the help of Murray Tinkelman; who Jim Spanfeller was, and what he taught Joe about drawing; what Joe thinks about when he thinks about drawing; how he manages the ebb and flow career of an illustrator; how procrastination affects Joe; and much more.

Illustrator, graphic novelist, and filmmaker, R.O. Blechman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about why he became an artist despite not loving to draw, and having no interest in art; how he went from having a “rigid” style with “no quality whatsoever” to one of the most recognizable styles in all of illustration; what happened when Maurice Sendak asked Blechman for advice; what would be his best piece of advice for today’s illustrators; and much more.

Illustrator and Artist, Anita Kunz, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how art saved her life; how she achieved an illustrious career in spite of “hundreds” of rejections; why she calls illustrating her first New Yorker cover—called “Mohawk Manhattan”—“one of my worst experiences”; why there continues to be great power in art; what advice Anita has for today’s illustrators; and more.

Deborah Feingold talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her 40-year career as a photographer; what it was like taking photographs of major figures in music, politics, and popular culture—from Chet Baker to Madonna to President Obama; how she feels about the age of built-in cameras in smart phones; and why she likes to photograph illustrators.

Founder & Managing Director of The Jacky Winter Group, Jeremy Wortsman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he founded an illustration agency in 2007 out of his back bedroom; what he looks for when looking through a thousand portfolios a week; what illustrators can do to make sure that an art director’s “dart” lands on them; how illustration can help us find the good in troubled times; and more.

Vice President, and Managing Agent, for the Bright Agency, James Burns, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the role of an artist rep; how COVID-19 has affected publishing; what the facts are regarding the graphic novel boom (including fees); what an illustrator can do to improve their portfolio; and so much more. James also answers questions from Patrons of The Illustration Department Podcast.

Senior Deputy Art Director at AARP, Dian Holton, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she went from Army kid to Design Leader; what she thinks are the benefits and struggles of being a mentor and mentee; and what conversations need to be had with respect to diversity and inclusion in the applied arts.

Throughout this conversation, Dian and Giuseppe touch on the racial inequities they see in conventional teachings of art history.

Illustrator, David Edward Byrd, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his 50-year career in illustration. David takes us on a journey that begins in Cleveland, Tennessee; detours through Miami Beach, Florida; stops in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—where he studied at Carnegie Mellon University; and settles in Port Jervis, New York—where he created posters for The Woodstock Festival.

His story then moves through New York City in the 1970’s—where he hung out with Jimi Hendrix; and where he created posters for Broadway shows, including: Follies, Godspell, and Little Shop of Horrors.

The journey concludes in Los Angeles in the 1980’s —where David illustrated for Van Halen, Warner Brothers, and Disney; he met his partner; he art directed for The Advocate; and much more.

Illustrator, and forerunner of the digital illustration age, Nancy Stahl, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she started her illustration career in 1971 with two hundred dollars and two years of art school.

They also discuss the pleasure and pain of working in gouache; what it was like to be one of the first illustrators to “go digital” in the 1980’s; and why a company called Adobe invited her to try out a new program called, Photoshop.

Art Director at Pixar, Noah Klocek, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how a childhood without a television led to simultaneous careers in feature film animation and children’s book illustration; what differentiates Pixar from Dreamworks (aside from kicks in the groin); and why it’s so important to learn about color theory.

Author and illustrator, Shawna J.C. Tenney, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about getting into illustration thanks to a scheduling snafu in high school; why illustrators sometimes need to break up with their agent (or agents); why her illustration and animation podcast, Stories Unbound, was short-lived—and what she regrets about it; and why—as Mercer Meyer would agree—rejection should be viewed as a normal part of an illustrator’s career.

Since June 18, 2019, Giuseppe Castellano has talked to leaders, legends, and luminaries in illustration, graphic design, publishing, animation, and other creative fields, about their beginnings, their successes, and the bumps and bruises they’ve experienced along the way.

To celebrate the podcast’s 1-year Anniversary, Giuseppe asked listeners of the podcast to answer three questions:

1. What is the best thing about being an illustrator?
2. What is the worst thing about being an illustrator?
3. What advice would you offer to illustrators?

Lastly, each of the 23 contributing illustrators share an important message.

Educator, and multi-award-winning artist, Rudy Gutierrez, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he’s “lived many dreams” over a 40-year career in Illustration; why the famous musician, Carlos Santana, chose Rudy’s art for his 2002 album, Shaman; why he thinks the role of an educator is to help students “find their validity”; what it was like getting the “Caldecott Call”; and how illustrators can find their path.

Publisher of Akashic Books, Johnny Temple, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he went from touring with Rage Against The Machine to launching a socially conscious publishing company; why it took a “constellation of fortunate events” to form Akashic; why Johnny doesn’t like the idea of “mandatory gatekeepers” between artists and companies; and, how Go The F*ck To Sleep went from an almost-rejected proposal to a game-changing phenomenon.

Co-founder, Publisher, Art Director, and Editor of Enchanted Lion Books, Claudia Z. Bedrick, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she—and her family—started the leading independent publishing company; why Enchanted Lion has yet to be swallowed by a Big Fish—despite several attempts; what it takes for an independent to survive—and in many cases, thrive—in the marketplace; and what the publisher of beautifully illustrated books looks for in illustrators.

Lastly, Claudia and I explain why we both hope that the publishing industry does NOT go back to normal post-pandemic.

Founder of Kowal Stannus Agency, Angharad Kowal Stannus, chats with Giuseppe Castellano about how the publishing industry will look post-COVID-19; why being an American in the UK gives her an advantage as an agent; what subsidiary rights are, and how they work; why her agency doesn’t use “nameless and faceless” submission forms; and what advice she would give to you, if she were your agent…

Illustrator and writer, Hilary Knight, chats with Giuseppe Castellano about his life and work as an illustrator; his service for the U.S. Navy during World War II; his up-and-down relationship with Kay Thompson; the creation of “Eloise”; the mysterious theft of his “Eloise” painting from The Plaza hotel in 1960; and much, much more.

Author and Illustrator, Kelly Light, returns to the podcast! She chats with Giuseppe Castellano about how life has changed for Kelly since our first chat with her way back in June of 2018.

She shares how she (probably) contracted COVID-19; how one—by choice or necessity—RE-starts a creative a career; and what Tove Jansson, Ashley Bryan, Judith Kerr, and others can teach us about staying creative through hardship.

This is our 50th Episode! To celebrate, Giuseppe Castellano compiled short highlights from each guest. Through 49 episodes, illustrators, agents, art directors, and others talked about starting an illustration career, launching an art agency, understanding the history of children‘s publishing, living with depression, finding one’s artistic style, fighting in World War II, and… starting a podcast.

Illustrator, Entrepreneur, and Podcast Producer-extraordinaire, Ânia Marcos, chats with Giuseppe Castellano about living and working in Portugal; how and why she’s helped produced countless creative podcasts; and why she thinks “failure” is a good thing.

They also trade “war stories” from the front lines of podcasting.

Renowned children’s book author and illustrator, Ashley Bryan, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how—over almost 100 years—art has helped Ashley persevere through adversity. They also discuss Ashley’s experiences during World War II; Ashely’s 50-year career in children’s publishing; and why art is at the heart of what it means to be human.

Dave McKean talks to Giuseppe Castellano about being a writer, illustrator, filmmaker, and all around “creativo”; what his first impression was of Neil Gaiman; why he dislikes being called “artist” and “genius”; and how he managed to talk to artist Paul Nash—an early-20th-century British Modernist who passed in 1946.

Illustrator and Graphic Designer, Steve Simpson, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he transitioned from animation and comics to illustration—and how he found his “style” in the process. They discuss the similarities between graphic design and illustration; the differences between influence and appropriation; and the relationships between colors.

President & Founder of Anna Goodson Illustration Agency, Anna Goodson, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the founding and management of her world-renowned agency; the top 5 mistakes she’s seen illustrators make; how COVID-19 has affected—and may affect—the illustration community; and what illustrators can do to stay responsibly productive during a time of isolation.

Betsy Bird (otherwise known as “Fuse8”), the Collection Development Manager of Evanston Public Library, and former Youth Materials Specialist of the New York Public Library, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her path to becoming a librarian; the origin of “Fuse8”; a librarian’s responsibility—particularly with “problematic” books; the mischievousness of favorite children’s book creators; the Berenstain’s and Alternate Timelines, the six-foot long mustache she once received from Giuseppe’s team at Penguin, and more.

Two-time Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator, Pamela Zagarenski, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about why personal hardship—which led to professional abandonment—almost torpedoed her career. They discuss how she picked up the pieces; how her company’s name, Sacred Bee, came from a near-death experience; and what poets, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and John Anster, teach us about achieving our creative goals.

We don’t give our podcast titles themes. But if we did, this would be, The One about Perseverance.

Illustrator and Cartoonist, Gabriel Alborozo, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the anxiety-inducing choice to be a children’s book author and illustrator; why he sometimes sees the agent-illustrator relationship as “owner-pet”, how he handled rejections from agents for being “just a cartoonist”; what your big social media following says about you and your art (hint: not much); and how Gabriel dreamt of being a matte painter after watching Star Wars in 1977—and why it never happened.

Illustrator, Charles Santoso, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the circuitous path through graphic design and animation that led him to children’s book illustration; why he chooses to work in multiple styles; how he lives with imposter syndrome; and what three words uttered ten years ago by concept artist, Ian McCaig, still give Charles goosebumps.

Seymour Chwast—“one of the most influential graphic designers and illustrators of the 20th Century”—talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how and why he, Ed Sorel, and Milton Glaser formed Push Pin Studios in 1954; why he once considered Norman Rockwell to be “the enemy”; what it was like hanging out in the studio of Ezra Jack Keats; what his thoughts are on Comic Sans and Papyrus; and much more.

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett, the Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Norman Rockwell Museum, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how she came to work at the museum; what lessons we can learn from Rockwell’s life and work, and why she and the museum are trying to change how the public views and appreciates the yet-to-be-fully-appreciated field of illustration.

Senior book designer at Scholastic and graphic novelist, Betsy Peterschmidt, and host, Giuseppe Castellano, talk about what it was like working together for four years at Penguin Young Readers Group (Giuseppe was her former art director); how they both live with depression; how she finds illustrators to hire; and what Clifford the Big Red Dog creator, Norman Bridwell, teaches us about rejection, imposter syndrome, and perseverance.

Co-owners and publishers of Penny Candy Books, Alexis Orgera and Chad Reynolds, talk to Giuseppe Castellano about how they started a publishing company; what 5 steps are needed to publish a book; why they accept unsolicited manuscripts; and why diversity is integral to their mission.

Lastly, they discuss if Penny Candy Books—with employees living in Oklahoma, North Carolina, Georgia, and New Jersey—is the future of children’s book publishing.

Vice President of Learning Experience Design at McGraw-Hill Education, Kelly Delaney, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her role within an educational publisher; why she doesn’t love the word, “textbook”; and why McGraw-Hill—who published Paul Galdone, Robert Barry, and a teenage Maurice Sendak—isn’t part of “The Big 6”. . . yet.

Illustrator, Zina Saunders, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about growing up with her father—the legendary pulp artist, Norman Saunders; how she overcame “screwing off” with alcohol and drugs to start an illustration career; what you can and can’t expect from art directors; and so much more.

Executive Creative Director at Serino Coyne, Jay Cooper, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his path to becoming an “Ad Man”; what it’s like to be in the room where Jay and his team created visual ad campaigns for Frozen, Hamilton, and Boys in the Band; how he manages to double as a prolific author and illustrator; and all that jazz.

Writer, artist, publisher, and co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kevin Eastman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how a “dumb” drawing sparked a global phenomenon; how he and Peter Laird self-published the first TMNT comics; what he sees in the current Turtles renaissance; and what his one big regret has been since the first comic published in 1984.

The founder of Books of Wonder, Peter Glassman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about opening his first book store in 1980; coming out to his parents in the late 1970’s; the genius and heart of Maurice Sendak; and the connections Peter made with Arnold Lobel, Madeleine L’Engle, and many of the brightest stars in children’s publishing.

Caldecott Honor-winning author and illustrator, Betsy Lewin, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about attending Pratt Institute in the 1950’s; how she met Ted Lewin; how a poem she wrote for Parents Magazine led her to children’s publishing; and why she didn’t know she won a Caldecott Honor after getting a phone call from the Caldecott committee.

Illustrator and Educator, Kelly Murphy, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about their shared experiences at the Rhode Island School of Design; Kelly’s first phone call with an editor; what it’s like teaching at RISD; why she doesn’t have an agent; and how author/illustrators can sneak around a publisher’s “no unsolicited manuscript” policy.

Author and illustrator, Meghan McCarthy, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about creating non-fiction picture books; her “depressing” experiences while working at Barnes & Noble; childhood and adulthood bullies; how Twitter criticism leads to “outrage telephone”; and what the morality clause from publishers could mean for creators.

The President of Delaware College of Art and Design, Jean Dahlgren, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what sparked her lifelong interest in art education; why she’s tired of the “myth” of the “starving artist”; and how the Delaware College of Art and Design prepares future artists.

They also praise the Delaware, and the city of Wilmington—the rightful birthplace of the Golden Age of Illustration.

Illustrator and animator, Francesca Gambatesa talks to Giuseppe Castellano about Italy’s best kept secret (spoiler: it’s Puglia); how she found a literary agent; what she thinks about when she thinks about character design; and why a career in children’s publishing isn’t for the faint of heart.

Illustrator and Cartoonist, Barry Blitt, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about why showing his drawings to Major League baseball players helped start Barry’s career; how he and art editor, Françoise Mouly, of The New Yorker have worked together for decades to create more than 100 covers; and why illustrators can be overly self-critical.

Illustrator and educator, Will Terry, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how he lied his way into a meeting with art director, Carol Porter, of The Washington Post; how the Society of Visual Storytelling got its start; and why the debate between online vs. brick & mortar art programs continues.

Illustrator, Designer, and Art Director, Kayla Wasil, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how Giuseppe met (and hired) Kayla; what it’s like to work on licensed properties in book form; and why the publishing design process can be frustrating.

Kayla answers questions provided to Giuseppe by The Illustration Dept. Newsletter subscribers. They cover postcards, process, trends, and more.

Illustrator, Olimpia Zagnoli talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the ups and downs of speaking a second language; why she calls herself an illustrator; how her father’s advice to “make your portfolio big” might have helped land her first New Yorker job; and what illustrators should think about when staring at a blank page.

They also discuss how the legendary Bruno Munari has been “following” Olimpia her whole life.

Artist Representative/Personal Manager/Producer and Founder of David Goldman Agency, David Goldman, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his role as an agent; why he would rather starve than give up an artist’s rights; what fees illustrators get from magazines and children’s book publishers; and how the illustration world has changed since 1980.

David also shares what he thinks is the “key most important thing” anyone in a creative field should be attempting to do.

Author and illustrator, Javaka Steptoe, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about growing up with his father, John Steptoe; why collage is “a means of survival”; getting the 3:00 AM phone call from the Caldecott committee; and the life and work of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Illustrator and Designer, Leo Espinosa talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how the passing of his father led a 13-year old Leo to drawing.

They discuss Leo’s upbringing in Bogotá, Colombia; the relationship between illustration and graphic design; Milton Glaser’s life-changing influence (professionally and personally); the beauty of a pencil; and how immigrants (and their hyphen American children) have shaped children’s literature.

Copyright Law expert and former Professor of Law, Peter Jaszi, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about his step-grandfather—and Little Golden Books legend—Tibor Gergely.

They then discuss the legality of fan art; copyright vs. trademark; the real deal behind the “poor man’s copyright”; and why and how illustrators should legally protect their work.

Agent, Emily Keyes, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the esoteric world of foreign rights and sub-rights; and the 3 things you should know before submitting to an agent.

They then discuss mental health; and why Wormtongue from The Lord of the Rings is wrong about you.

Leonard S. Marcus and Giuseppe Castellano cover 150 years of children’s book history. They discuss Caldecott, Potter, Little Golden Books, Maurice Sendak, Ezra Jack Keats, John Steptoe, and much, much more.

Jon Cockley, co-founder of Handsome Frank, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how fatherhood was a catalyst for starting his illustration agency; how they find illustrators to represent; and why—despite the problems he sees—illustration continues to be a viable career choice.

Author and illustrator, Floyd Cooper, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how a weatherman in Tulsa, Oklahoma—and his character “gusty”—stoked Floyd’s love of drawing. He also talks about his bumpy experiences with Hallmark; how Mark English became a friend and mentor; and why an author’s insistence—in 1989—that her publisher hire a black illustrator launched Floyd’s publishing career.

Publisher and author, Jess Brallier, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about how an industrial engineer major at the University of Pittsburgh became a children’s book publisher; how he and Jeff Kinney launched The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and what a “P&L” is (and why you should care).

Editor and author, Leila Sales, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about her editing days at Viking; the role of an editor; how her writing process is “probably not great”; what inspired her book, If You Don’t Have Anything Nice to Say; and why cancel culture needs to be canceled.

Children’s book art director, Jim Hoover, answers questions from illustrators.

Among other topics, he covers: postcards, portfolios, websites, getting work, digital vs. traditional methods, social media, and style.

Multi-award-winning children’s book art director, Jim Hoover, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about what it’s like to talk to Maurice Sendak and Hilary Knight; how he finds illustrators; and why he never wants to hear, “Are we married to this illustrator”.

Mark Mills, founder of Plum Pudding—one of the world’s leading children’s illustration agencies, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the origin of his agency; how art schools (and other agencies) are taking advantage of artists; and why every illustrator who submits to Plum Pudding for representation gets a reply. “Every one.”

Art director and illustrator, Krystal Lauk, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the ups and downs of the art boom in the Tech industry; why “UX/UI” is simpler than you think; and how illustration can inspire empathy.

Author/illustrator, Stephen Kroninger, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the art of collage; how a kid from “the sticks” got his own show at the MOMA; and why he thinks artists should always say they can—even if they can’t.

Ben Zhu, the founder of Gallery Nucleus, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about being a child of immigrants; using a fortune cooking to get a job in video games; owning an art gallery; and why he thinks illustrators “deserve to be seen”.

Author/Illustrator and educator, Lisa Brown, talks with Giuseppe Castellano about myriad illustrators from Edward Gorey and Ed Emberley to Kaylani Juanita and Joohee Yoon; how one tweet led to a dream job with the New York Times Book Review (although Twitter is mostly a “nest of vipers”); and why she thinks contemporary children’s book illustration is going through a revolution.

Illustrator, Erin Hunting, talks with Giuseppe Castellano about living in Melbourne, Australia; 1980’s video games and cartoons; how Grumpy Cat changed her life; what you can and can’t do with art piracy; what it means to be a Copic Ambassador; and why fan art is art.

Mohamed Danawi—the founder and creative director of IlloZoo—talks with Giuseppe Castellano about the renaissance in illustration, running an art agency, the pros and cons of social media, and the necessary steps illustrators need to take to be successful—from the perspective of an agent.

Illustrator and Educator, Yuko Shimizu, talks to Giuseppe Castellano about the fear of failure, negotiating with clients, finding your true self, Hokusai and the zen of brush and ink, and the necessary steps illustrators need to take to be successful.

Author and Illustrator, Kelly Light, and Giuseppe Castellano talk about what it means to be a good character designer; they discuss the importance of believability; they get real about social media; and they explain why publishing is one big gamble.

Lastly, Kelly pinpoints the two things everyone needs to live a life as an illustrator.

Author and Illustrator, Kelly Light, and Giuseppe Castellano, talk about how Chuck Jones and P. D. Eastman influence Kelly’s work; they discuss the beauty of a line; and they talk about the art director who—in 2010—told Kelly that she had no business getting into children’s publishing.