Airlie Anderson
[2000, Illustration]
Based in New Jersey
Airlie Anderson’s RISD Craft Gallery
Airlie Anderson is an award winning author-illustrator of over a dozen books for children. Her publishers include Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Child’s Play International, and Dover. She uses gouache on watercolor paper to create bright, painterly illustrations. Her gold medal winning picture book MOMO AND SNAP ARE NOT FRIENDS was selected by Hearthsong toys for a plush toy line. Her new picture book, NEITHER, was released this February to excellent reviews.
From NEITHER’s Publishers Weekly review: “Anderson’s candy-colored palette and adorable cast of creatures reflect a spectrum of states of being, creating a book that works as a resource for conversations about race, blended identities, gender norms, and more.”
What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?
I keep a sketchbook with me at all times, and draw just to exercise that muscle and to have fun. It doesn’t have to be a long drawing session, just anything that keeps my hand and eye connected. Book ideas come out this way, too. In the studio, I always start with a wash of color. Working off a glaringly white sheet of paper has never worked well for me. A wash of color is a very important ingredient. I also meditate when I can. It seems to wipe the slate clean and to allow me to think about what’s really important. Or not think about it.
How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?
Each year at RISD had a profound and distinct effect on my current creative practice. Foundation year gave me my drawing chops: hours upon hours of figure drawing, failing and failing until something clicked. I use those fundamentals every day — use ‘em or lose ‘em. During sophomore year we honed in on our major, and I chose the illustration department. To be a children’s book illustrator was always on my radar, so my lessons during this year directly influence what I do now. I still hear my teachers’ words in my ear, almost twenty years later. “Hear that voice saying ‘ehh, that’s good enough,’ ? said illustration teacher Oren Sherman. “That is the devil speaking.”
I was lucky to be part of EHP, and spent my Junior year in Rome. That’s when I learned how to live life. I can’t make good art if I’m locked in the studio, hiding from the world. Loosen up! Eat! Experience some culture and history! Then get back to work.
Senior year was all about refining my ideas for the future, experimenting with what would become my favorite processes, for crystalizing my vision. It still had a long way to go, of course. And Harry Potter was just coming onto the scene. It was a beautiful time for me, spent gazing out the studio window at Providence going about its business, at Waterfire with its wistful music. I miss that time in my life.
Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.
Books! Reading is essential. Walking into a book store and smelling the books usually gets me out of a creative rut. I read every type of book from children’s literature to adult non fiction. Books are a kind of magic for me.
I’m inspired by the colors and textures of nature. Drawing outside has a tonic effect, especially if I’m feeling cooped up.
Is there a work/body of work that you are particularly excited about sharing with us at RISD Craft this year?
My new book published by Little, Brown. It’s called NEITHER and I’m very excited to share it with the RISD community and beyond!
Any recent press, exhibitions, achievements or awards you’d like to share with us?
I was recently featured as a guest blogger on LGBTQ reads, talking about my book NEITHER and its gender-fluidity:
I was also a guest on podcast One Bad Mother, discussing NEITHER:
And NEITHER was featured as a Springtime Read as well as a Pride Month selection at Barnes & Noble.