Ramon Olivera
Ramon Olivera earned his BS in illustration from San Jose State University. He has illustrated more than twenty books for children and is author/illustrator of ABCs on Wings and ABCs on Wheels. Publishing clients include Little Simon, Hachette UK, Abrams Appleseed, and Little, Brown and Company. He was part of a team that received an Annie Award nomination for their production design work on ‘Hoops & YoYo’s Haunted Halloween’. His work has been exhibited in the New York Society of Illustrators and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Ramon lives in the Kansas City area with his wife and two kids.
Interview
What was your favorite book when you were a child?
Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel
What’s your favorite line from a book?
“George was curious.”—Curious George by H.A. Rey
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?
Mary Blair, Miroslav Sasek, Paul Rand
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?
By the time I was 8, I knew I wanted to be an artist. Inspiration came, not so much from fine art, but rather from the commercial art and design I saw around me. Lunch boxes, album covers, and the vintage signs from the old motels around town were among my sources of inspiration. The integration of images and lettering intrigued me. At that early age I realized that it was somebody’s job to create these things, and that I wanted do the same someday.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?
My biggest advice for young illustrators is to be professional. Answer emails in a timely manner. Always make your due dates. Check for spelling in your communications. Don’t give your art director anything to be nervous about. A decent illustrator who is reliable will get steadier work than an amazing illustrator that is unprofessional.
