Anne Timmons

Anne was born in Portland, Oregon, and received her BFA from Oregon State University. In addition to her collaboration with Trina Robbins on the Lulu Award-winning GoGirl!, Anne’s work includes the Eisner-nominated Dignifying Science and Pigling: A Cinderella Story for Lerner’s Graphic Myths and Legends series. She has illustrated and painted covers for children’s books and provided interior and cover art for regional and national magazines, including Wired, Portland Review, and Comic Book Artist. Anne’s art also appears in the anthology 9-11: Artists Respond and is now in the Library of Congress.

Interview

What was your favorite book when you were a child?

The Blue Book of Fairy Tales illustrated by  Gordon Laite

What’s your favorite line from a book?

It seems she hands upon the cheek of night as a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear—Beauty too rich for use, for earth to dear!
—William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?

Authors: William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Bram StokerIllustrators: Kay Neilsen , Arthur Rackham, Gordon Laite, Greg & Tim Hildebrandt, Eyvind Earl

Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?

My parents were very supportive and encouraged me to  keep drawing. My mother was an artist and I spent a lot of time watching her and trying to draw like she did.

Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?

Many times I heard people say, “Don’t give up, keep at it…” I think that is easier said than done. My advice to people who are tired of hearing that would be: Join a group of artists and go sketch for a day. Talk to them about their work and find out what they do to keep their work fresh. Just knowing someone shares your interest can help you look at your own work in a very positive way. You can join one of the many international sketch crawls by visiting http://www.sketchcrawl.com.