 Meet Johanna Wright, illustrator of THIS POEM IS A NEST Welcome to Poetry Friday, late edition. I just returned from traveling yesterday plus got up at 3:30 AM to take oldest grand to swim practice, and Buster has needed attention (poor guy caught kennel cough) so I'm just getting to this. Some days are like this, right? Our Poetry Friday is hosted by Jama at Jama’s Alphabet Soup I can't remember when it was that I learned that local artist/illustrator/author, Johanna Wright, was illustrating Irene Latham's book, THIS POEM IS A NEST. I was thrilled as I love Wright's work.  How did you decide which nestling poems would get an illustration? It was tough to decide what poems to illustrate! There are so many in this book that called out to me. The editors gave me a lot of freedom to pick what I was inspired to work with. So I made a list of those that called out to me the most and we went from there. Some of the poems I had ideas for right away, and others I played with lots of ideas before settling. It was a really unique and fun book to illustrate! I love the illustration for “Black”, can you share a bit about that? “Black” was one of the illustration ideas that came to me right away. I love to put a bit of magic into my artwork, and it was fun to interpret that poem in that way. In general I tried to apply nature and magic themes throughout the book. It gave me a bit of a framework and helped me feel less overwhelmed with illustration options! I notice a lot of magic depicted and at work work in your illustrations. It seems that it’s a constant theme for you no matter where your art leads. Would you talk about that a little bit? Oh I love that you’ve noticed that and, yes! Magic is a big theme in my life and work. I love to include it as much as possible. Seeing life through a lens of magic makes everything a bit more bearable and fun and full of possibility.  Illustration for the poem, "Hidden Treasure Story"  Illustration for the poem, "Herd of Alpaca in the Rain" I know that often the author and illustrator don’t get to talk about the book. Were you and Irene able to chat about ideas and concepts? Irene and I didn’t chat directly during the making of the book, but our fabulous editor Rebecca Davis did a great job of communicating our thoughts to each other. When the book was done Irene and I did have some exchanges that were really fun! I love her work and felt so lucky to be a part of this book project. GIVE AWAY~ WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK Comment and I will select a winner and announce it next week.What are your current projects? What would you consider your signature style? Right now I’m working on illustrating and writing a deck of oracle cards and developing a new, illustrated, guided journal. I’ve really enjoyed combining my interests in healing energy and intuition with illustration these past few years. It’s taken me a long time to feel brave enough to share that work, but I feel like people are more receptive than ever to self healing and creative tools, so it feels like a good time for it! My signature style...I love to have my characters a bit sketchy and free. When I'm working in full color you'll usually find a layered painted background. I've been working with a darker palette the last few years, with brightly colored characters layered on top.
What would you like to share that I haven’t ask? I just really loved working on this special book and I’m excited for kiddos to dive in and make their own poems based on this concept! Johanna Wright has illustrated and written several books. My grands and friend's children have been gifted her books. I love her art work, the richness of the colors and the magical quality. Bunnies on Ice by Johanna Wright The Best Bike Ride Ever (by James Proimos) The Orchestra Pit by Johanna Wright Clover Twig and the Magical Cottage by Kaye Umansky Clover Twig and the Perilous Path by Kaye Umansky Celie Valentine Friendship Over by Julie Sternberg Celie Valentine Secret’s Out by Julie Sternberg Celie Valentine Everything’s Changed by Julie Sternberg Keep a Pocket in Your Poem The Magic of Mindset by Johanna Wright This Poem is a Nest by Irene Latham Thanks for stopping in, Johanna and sharing with us about THIS POEM IS A NEST. 10/23/2020 06:17:32 pm
Great interview, Jone. I haven't seen this book yet, but it looks amazing. Thank you for highlighting it here.
Elaine Spidal
10/26/2020 04:08:10 pm
I absolutely adore Johanna and her work. My son got to do some art with her about 11 years ago and the piece was auctioned off to benefit families affected by childhood cancer. She was so gracious and it was a wonderful experience! 10/23/2020 08:08:44 pm
Jone, I love Irene's book but you added another layer, the magical art of Johanna that makes me love the book more. The free-spirited manner of illustrating that Johanna has adds energy to the book as children play and animals get involved in the action as well. The video Johanna made is so exciting. Watching her technique in motion is amazing. Thank you for this lively interview.
Janet Clare F
10/24/2020 05:46:42 am
Oh This Poem is a Nest is a delight and inspiring. I love meeting the illustrator. It's a book to return to and enjoy. I want to work on a project using Nestlings and also helping teachers to use this book and form. I can see a class collection where every child writes a nestling or two and a class book can be then illustrated by those who want to.. lots of potential. I think the illustrations will be a hit with kids and I can't wait until the day I can return to the classroom especially with this fabulous book!!! Thanks, Jone. "Good Grandma Award" winner. 3:30 am to get to swim practice, oh my! 10/24/2020 09:34:40 am
Hearing thoughts of illustrators as well as authors add layers of meaning to books. I enjoyed seeing the process and the feelings and thoughts that went along with it. 10/24/2020 09:42:35 am
I so admire this book and I too wondered how she decided what to illustrate. I think the art and the poems were a great compliment. Thanks for this interview!
Mary Lee
10/25/2020 05:57:57 am
I already have (and ADORE) this book, so no need to enter me in the drawing.
Kimberly Hutmacher
10/25/2020 08:37:57 am
Thank you Jone and Johanna. It was so nice to get some background on the illustrator's perspective. 10/25/2020 09:30:12 am
I'm glad to read more about the illustrations in 'This Poem Is A Nest", Johanna & Jone. Don't put me in the drawing as I have this wonderful book, one I certainly wish I had when I was teaching! Thanks for all! 10/25/2020 01:05:20 pm
Johanna's work is stunning - I particularly love how she says that magic is a big theme for her life and work and that she tries to include it as much as possible - so should we all, Johanna! Your interviews give so much vibrant detail about process, Jone; here, with artistic choices and infusing healing. Amazing. Your post is a bright work of art in itself. I don't yet have my own copy of Nest and would have replied anyway -- but my fingers are crossed! :) 10/25/2020 04:39:47 pm
We don't get many illustrator interviews on Poetry Friday, but I sure do love them! This one was a treat, Jone. Thanks so much to you and Johanna. I also loved watching the video about Johanna's process. "Seeing life through a lens of magic makes everything a bit more bearable and fun and full of possibility." Yes yes yes! 10/26/2020 07:31:20 am
Sharing the illustrator's insights is always a delight and adds a whole new dimension to a book's enjoyment. Thank you for introducing us to Johanna, Jone. : ) 10/27/2020 10:50:58 pm
Loved this peak inside Irene and Johanna's book focusing on the illustrations and how they work with the poems! Thanks to both of you for a rich review. I especially liked the video. And I've acquired a copy of this magical book. Comments are closed.
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AuthorAll photos and poems in these blog posts are copyrighted to Jone Rush MacCulloch 2006- Present. Please do not copy, reprint or reproduce without written permission from me. 
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