THE LIST
I present to you my ever-growing treasure-trove of internet inspiration.
This precious list is a collection of conversations, interviews, tours, tutorials and stories from some of my favourite creative people from all over the world - writers, illustrators, picture book makers, sculpters, poets, philosophers, songwriters and more.
Whenever I feel I’ve lost my way in my creative life, I can dive in to this list and recalibrate with something on this list - remind myself what on earth it is I am doing on this planet making things.
I hope you find some gems that help you too.
Shaun Tan
Shaun Tan Interviewed by actor William McInnes in his home studio in Melbourne (2011)
Digital Artists Talk based on Q&A from students around Australia (2020)
An article by Shaun Tan about his book Rules of Summer - great samples and sketches
Interview on Talking Drawing (2020) in depth interview about Shaun’s career and influences
Short interview on his background (2013) and the influence of suburban Perth and Brunswick
Some of Shaun’s process and favourite books (2015) features writing/drawing, black/white ++
Jon Klassen
Storytelling workshop with Jon Klassen (2016) presented by Writers Victoria in Melbourne.
At 36 minutes Jon shows the powerful impact of simply moving a character’s eyes!
Detailed 3-part interview with Klassen (2017) hosted by comic artist Jason Brubaker:
Part 1: Learning your Strengths and Weaknesses
Part 2: Pushing through the struggle of writing
Part 3: The Business of Children’s Books
Draw a Turtle with Jon Klassen (2016) by Wall Street Journal
Matthew Forsythe
Watch Matthew Forsythe paint live in this interview with the New York Times (2016)
The Making of Robin Robin - Panel Discussion with the film makers (2022). Film creators Dan Ojari, Mikey Please and Matthew Forsythe discuss the making of Robin Robin - a gorgeous and funny short animated Christmas film made by the company behind Wallace and Gromit (Aardman Productions). Matthew shares original art, title typography, character development (even collage) and colour palette right through to set design.
And much more…
Quentin Blake: As Large as Life (2016) an interview coinciding with an exhibition of over 60 pieces commissioned for four UK hospitals - I love the levity he brings to these huge works made for the traditionally long, sterile, plain walls of hospital wards, especially those for the mental health ward.
Kurt Vonnegat Lecture (2016) this genius writer muses on the meaning of life and death, demonstrating his pure delight for the English language, and chuckling and wheezing wirily at his own jokes throughout - pure delight. Sad he’s gone.
John Cleese on Creativity (1991)
Neil Gaiman on How Stories Last (2020) and Interviewed by Tim Ferris (2019). Also here is Neil reading one of his best creepy short stories Click Clack the Rattle Bag (2014) while The October Tale (2015) is so perfectly crafted that it practically teaches you how to write The October Tale (2015)
Diana Wynne Jones on the Studio Ghibli interpretation of Howls Moving Castle (1986) DWJ is my hero and I wish there were more interviews with her. Her book, Reflections on the Magic of Writing is a great collection for superfans.
Terry Pratchett in conversation at the Wheeler Centre (2013)
10 Years with Miyazaki (2020) - detailed doco about the daily life and workings of the founder of Ghibli studio
Jim Kay talks about process and inspiration at Create Expo (2015) and A gorgeous tour of Jim Kay’s home studio (2015)
Michael Leunig interview (2013) and on One Plus One (2010) Michael discussed in his typically shy but insightful manner the role of cartoons, worry about bushfires and his surprise at controversy from his work.
Ken Done’s lockdown studio tour (2020) provides a great peek inside his working space, including his delicious messy palettes and big old brushes and Ken Done ‘Looks at some nice colours’ (2020) - a quick painting tour through the ‘journey, adventure and struggle’ of one of his works in progress. I love his approach to making art, and his Youtube Account is fabulous.
TOP PODCASTS AND EPISODES
Design Matters with Debbie Milman
Annie Atkins - Dublin-based designer/writer - learning through copying, the role of graphic design in film, working with Wes Anderson, her first childrens book
Carson Ellis - illustrator and book maker on farms and making up your own language
Jessica Hische 2011 and again in 2020 (post kids) - designer and type designer on valuing your work
Rick Rubin?
Oliver Jeffers?
Stefan Sagmeister?
Steven and Nicholas Heller?
Jad Abumrad of Radiolab Fame
Radiolab
Conversations
This American Life
Serial
Still to come:
Cressida Cowell
JK Rowling
Neil Gaiman
Dianna Wynne Jones
Ghibli/Miyazake - more on the creative process
John Marsden
Enya
Tony Ross
Chris Riddell
Katharina Rapp - https://studiorapp.com/
Sir Lesley Thornton - https://sirleslie.com.au/
Mitch Vane - https://www.mitchvane.com/
Elise Hurst -
Favourite Quotes
‘I’m into this world (he says mimicking the flick of a brush) and nothing else…those little dots unfolding, I don’t know how to put it into words really’ - Eric Carle
My colours are impressionistic, my work is expressionistic. Its like prayer for me. - Eric Carle
‘Use the biggest brush you’ve got’ - Ken Done