Q&A with Illustrator Sonja Schweiger

1. What types of children’s books did you read as a child? Were any your favorites?

Most of my early books were German fairy tales. I think they were still more popular in my home country Austria at the time I grew up than they are now. Little Red Riding Hood, Hänsel and Gretel or Snowwhite, only to name a few. Also, I loved English classics such as Beatrix Potter.

• Take us a bit into your creative process; what illustration art medium and tools do you use?

Watercolor, gouache, ink and colored pencilsare my preferred choice at the moment. I like to play around with all of those,so I guess you would call my final products mixed media.

• Have you always used this style of art or do you plan to explore other mediums of art?

As a creative person, you have the drive to constantly evolve, so I am definitely open to other mediums as well. I would like to learn to draw digitally for example, even though I love the analog process.

• How long have you been an illustrator?

I have a graphic design background but havebeen trying to focus on drawing and illustration for approx. two years now.

• What do you enjoy most about illustrating, and, what is your dream for illustrating?

The creative process gets me in a state offlow, I am totally focused and lose track of time.

Being able to draw and paint all day andactually do this for a living, would be a dream come true.

• Have you authored or collaborated on any books, if so, what are they?

Not yet, but I am planning to do so in thefuture.

• In our digital age, how important are children’s books to you?

They are of major importance. I have aone-year-old son and I love watching him as he flips through his first books inwonder. Digital devices with regard to our children is something we need todiscuss a lot as it is a new situation we have to deal with. Still, I hope thatbooks as a medium will stay.

• If you could be ANY character in a book, what would it be and why?

Toughquestion. If it has to be a children’s book probably Maya, the Bee (I don’tknow if you know her in the US?) She’s a clever little bee who goes throughmany adventures to become a responsible adult member of bee society.

• Do you struggle to come up with your next project?

At the moment I am only doing self-initiatedprojects and I have more ideas than I have time to get them done. Client workwill be totally different in this regard.

1. How do you deal with artist’s block if so?

I try not to overthink it and do something else instead. Going for a walk is always a good idea. Or do some yoga. The best ideas come when your mind is distracted.