Illustrator Spotlight: Julie Rowan-Zoch
 |
| © 2013 Julie Rowan-Zoch |
Today we welcome illustrator and graphic designer Julie Rowan-Zoch. She posts her fun and whimsical sketches at her blog, julierowanzoch.wordpress.com.
Q. Tell us a bit about
yourself and your background.
I am originally from Long Island, NY, and am now
living in Colorado, by way of Germany. I studied advertising/graphic design (in
NY/FIT and Germany/HBK-Braunschweig), and in 2011 turned my attentions to
writing and illustrating picture books. I wish I had a studio - maybe when my high school senior moves on!
I like to use pencil and colored pencil; I sketch on an
Android tablet, but I'm also trying to teach myself digital painting (just
bought a Wacom - haven't even unwrapped it!) and some watercolor. I've used my
garden as a creative outlet for many years, now I just keep up when I can.
 |
| © 2013 Julie Rowan-Zoch |
Q. What are you working on now?
I am always writing and
revising my own picture book manuscripts, making character and scene sketches
for those I consider most promising - or vice versa!
I just finished
illustrations for three board books for a local indie press, due on shelves in
October 2014. Just recently, an epiphany hit during ReViMo (Revise More Picture Books Week with Meg Miller): I have been melding a number of picture book manuscripts into an early graphic novel.
 |
| © 2013 Julie Rowan-Zoch |
Q. What or who inspires
you?
Nature definitely inspires
me most! I read a lot of picture books, listen to poetry audio clips, stare at
clouds. I view other artists' works in books, on the web, but prefer to visit
museums when I get the chance. I even started a list of illustrators I admire on
the blog. I really like to look at children's art - there is a powerful untamed
energy in their work that I don't often feel in adult work.
 |
| © 2013 Julie Rowan-Zoch |
Q. Tell us one thing most
people don't know about you.
There are plenty of things I'd rather people
didn't know (Ha!), but here is something a little…odd: though my 'attentions'
in keeping house are, ahem, lacking, I have a few pocket-sized sanctums,
leftovers from a slightly OCD life on my own. One of these is my sock drawer:
neat identically folded rows, color and material coordinated. If I've already
shared that tidbit somewhere, I will at least let you know I have never ironed
my underwear!
Q. Where can we find you on the internet?
My Blog: julierowanzoch.wordpress.com
My Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ArtistJulieRowanZoch
Twitter: @JulieRowanZoch
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/julierowanzoch/
 |
| © 2013 Julie Rowan-Zoch |
Q. Where can we find you on the internet?
My Blog: julierowanzoch.wordpress.com
My Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ArtistJulieRowanZoch
Twitter: @JulieRowanZoch
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/julierowanzoch/
 |
| © 2013 Julie Rowan-Zoch |
Congratulations again, Julie, on your books coming out with the indie press! I've got my eye on that fox toy. Do I have to go to CO to buy one?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to mention also that you are the queen of illustration presents. You brighten everyone's day with your online art gifts. :)
Thanks, Teresa! It's easy to spread what you feel every day, especially from our wonderfully creative and generous kid-lit community, n'est pas?
ReplyDeleteI second what Teresa said - your illustration greetings on FB for birthdays, celebrations, etc. are completely endearing and reflective of your generous and upbeat nature!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cathy. It helps improve my skills too, so there's visible karma boomerang action too!
DeleteI love all of your work. Thank you for being so generous to the kid lit and kidlitart community with your links and illustrations.
ReplyDeleteYou've identified a chronic weekness, Sylvia, sharing a good tidbit!
ReplyDeleteJulie, I really think you are so talented in so many ways! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your art!! Thank you so much for sharing with the Kidlit411 community, we are delighted to feature you! :)
ReplyDeleteHonored to be here, Elaine. This is a great new site!
DeleteCongrats on your upcoming books Julie. It's been so wonderful to get to know you over the past year. Happy creating to you and many hugs. Tschuess. T.
ReplyDeleteGleichfalls, Tanja!
DeleteYou are da bomb, Julie. And I want you to come organize my socks.
ReplyDeleteIt's very relaxing, Wendy!
DeleteJulie, your glamorous sheep, ornery squirrels and adorable chickadees are something to behold! Your own warmth shows through in your style. Thank you for sharing your gifts (and by this I mean talents, as well as presents) with us!
ReplyDeleteThe glam sheep is pushing for her own spotlight, Gayle. Isn't it funny how characters really LIVE in our heads!
DeleteCongrats on your books coming out, Julie. And fab that you melded a few stories to make a graphic novel! Love, love, love your style and you :0)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Catherine. It feels exciting when the ole gears click, innit?
DeleteI'm fan of your art. Love it.
ReplyDeleteSocks, huh? Who'd a thunk it?
Julie, Julie you’re so coolie,
keeping your socks in rows.
Lined up neatly, waiting sweetly
to cover up Julie toes!
Exactly! Thanks, Penny - I might just need to draw something for your ditty!
ReplyDeleteBoard books! Illustrated by Ms RZ!! Awesome!! I'll be looking for those!
ReplyDeleteWOOF!
DeleteI enjoyed getting to see some more of your art in this post, Julie. Good to know you don't iron your undies - ha! Congratulations on your upcoming books.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alayne!
DeleteLove learning more about you! I don't match my socks. It saves time. I've even written about how I don't. Now, maybe that's a little weird?
ReplyDeleteWeird is the newer black!
DeleteI love your work, Julie! You are ultra-talented!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie! It's great to have cheerleaders!
DeleteI HEART YOU WOMAN!!!!!!! Ya hear?? MWAH! I am your A #1 fan. Got that? I loved learning more about you. :-)
ReplyDeleteAw, Robyn, you are ALL heart! Jst wait til you get a load of my fashion sense too (If it's wool, wear it!)! Ha!
DeleteHahahaha, I just read Stacy's comment. Bahahahahahaha!
ReplyDeleteCongrats again on the books, Julie...that is awesome. And it was fun learning about your sock drawer.:) You are such a talented artist...these few illustrations are amazing! So glad I got to meet you while I was still in Colorado.:)
ReplyDeleteMe you too, Vivian!
DeleteLove your art Julie!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nata!
DeleteLoved this article, and I love your art. I'd like to see a drawing of your organized socks! Maybe one day they'll rebel, and a picture book hop out of that drawer!
ReplyDeleteCould happen, Deborah! It's a tight squeeze in there, somethings bound to bounce!
DeleteSo cool you are working on a graphic novel for younger kids! Mmm could those socks creep into a PB?
ReplyDeleteThey just might!
DeleteYour artwork always brings a smile to not only my face, but to my heart! You are amazing on so many levels, Julie!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the upcoming books this fall!!
Thank you, Lori! That makes it all worth it for me!
ReplyDeleteJulie, you are one of my favorite "characters" ever! You are your own book - so funny and weird and wonderful. I can only send you GIANT SMOOCHES for the smiles your art brings me every single day. Viva La Rowan-Zoch!
ReplyDeleteYou've knocked the puns right out of me, Renee! Just gonna have to smile and bask!
DeleteJulie, your artwork is always so full of life and your characters really 'speak' to me. I'll keep following you on your blog and would love to hear more about your board books when they come out, but I am really interested in your graphic novel idea!
ReplyDeleteOh, Yvonne you need to have a look at some Toon Books too, see what might inspire you! There are lots more publisjing these, but it looks like another window for us!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview and FABULOUS art! I just love it! (But then, you already knew that :))
ReplyDeleteI agree that your work is fabulous! I can't wait to see more from you; looking forward to your growing success in children's books!
ReplyDelete