J.J. Huerta
Artist, Illustrator, Educator
What first drew you to illustration?
I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I loved making up funny stories about characters and adventures to share with my friends, and drawing became my way of bringing those ideas to life. I think that's where my love for illustration really began, combining storytelling, creativity, and art into one passion that has stayed with me.
Children's books often become cherished childhood memories. Do you feel a responsibility as an illustrator in shaping a young reader's imagination?
Some of the images we see as children stay with us forever, and I take that very seriously. My mother, who was also a teacher and an avid reader, once brought home a geography textbook, and I still remember being fascinated by it. The illustrations sparked my curiosity about science, nature, and the world around me, and of course, inspired me to draw my own volcanoes, dinosaurs, animals, and imaginary adventures.
As an educator, I want children to look closely, ask questions, and discover something new while enjoying the story. If a child spends an extra minute exploring an illustration and walks away feeling curious about the world around them, that's a win for me.
How has living and working in Houston influenced you?
Houston is a fascinating city that has influenced me greatly. After nearly 30 years of living here, teaching visual arts, photographing families, and creating artwork, I've had the opportunity to learn from people from all over the world. jjhuerta.com
Amira Ramadan
Artist and Illustrator
Was there a particular book, artist, teacher, or childhood experience that inspired your career path?
I can't point to one specific book, artist, or teacher that inspired me. Instead, I was inspired by the illustrations all around me. As a child, I loved copying pictures from books and studying every detail: the patterns, textures, backgrounds, and character designs. I found inspiration in storybooks, magazines, advertisements, and even my own toys. Looking back, those images created a visual library in my mind that helped me develop my artistic skills and creativity.
What's the most rewarding part of your job?
I love taking complex ideas and transforming them into illustrations that young children can understand and enjoy. It's especially rewarding when I share my work with children and watch them notice the details, follow the story's sequence, and connect with the illustrations before they even read the text. Such moments remind me of the power of visual storytelling.
What's one thing people are often surprised to learn about the work of an illustrator?
Most people are surprised by how much work goes into creating an illustration. The process has many steps, from brainstorming and sketching to storyboards, character designs, color palette selection, and final edits. Illustration is much more than drawing a beautiful picture; it involves storytelling, problem-solving, and many creative decisions along the way. miroartz.com
Wallace West
Award-winning author and New York Times-bestselling Illustrator
What's the most rewarding part of your job?
Visiting elementary schools. I get to show the drawing of an elephant I did at age four. I get to answer incredible questions. And—my favorite—I get to draw dogs and birds and snakes on a giant flip pad for a cheering audience. It’s like a party every time.
What's one thing people are often surprised to learn about the work of an illustrator? People are stunned when I say I’ve usually never met, seen, or spoken to an author when I’m hired to illustrate their work. They’re also pretty surprised when they hear that my favorite studio background noise is scary slasher horror films.
Have you ever hidden a personal detail or inside joke in one of your illustrations?
I’m constantly referencing movies. In one of my books, a character’s mother looks like Shelley Duvall in The Shining. I made three dogs look like three different versions of Madonna in another book. And I squeeze in iconic quotes wherever I can.
What's something today's children respond to in illustrations that might surprise adults? Kids don’t flinch at dark humor, scary situations, or monsters under the bed. In fact, in my experience, they run right toward them. I have to constantly remind myself, as an adult, not to project adult sentiment, expectations, standards, or insecurities onto my artwork. Kids are curious and cool. Adults can be so jaded that they’re stagnant. wallacewest.com