Ten writers for children. All with something to say.

3/25/09




















I am in the middle of illustrating a book. The finished illustrations are gathering on my wall like a huge storyboard, informing me of what comes next. Mine is a process of one step forward, two steps back. I have pink post-its on all of the "finished" paintings telling me of changes to make. The book itself feels like a huge sculpture slowly clarifying its true shape as I chip away at each detail, hoping it will work as a whole. This is the part of the process that both exhilarates and torments. A looming deadline plays dictator while the paint itself flirts and entices me to play and experiment. 

It takes me a year to two years to complete a book. During this time all of my books uncannily begin to mirror my life in some way, which brings a deeper emotional connection to the story for me. In the book I am currently working on the main characters are two sisters. They are wrapped up in their imagined world of a being Princess and her Panther on a summer night. When growing up my older sister was always the princess and I always a role akin to the panther. I have photos from my childhood, but not many; mostly I pull from my memories. Since beginning this book, every book I read has two sisters as main characters. (This is completely accidental!) When I met the author at PLA last spring, we agreed that we must have been sisters in a past life by the end of our dinner together. And then tragically, three months ago, my sister was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease that is crippling her. Our lives are interweaving closer and closer again as I take on the duties of caregiver. When I look at the photos of my sister and me playing pretend all those years ago I want to cry for all that has been lost over those many years. And I am compelled to capture in the studio that young, yearning relationship of two sisters pretending in the night. 

5 comments:

Christy said...

Lauren,
You describe this process so perfectly. I completely understand where you are as far as this phase of the work, but not the place of watching your sister's health deteriorate. How heartbreaking! This book is then like a gift of love to her. As usual, wish I could visit your studio.

john said...

I'm so sorry, Lauren, to hear the news of your sister's illness. I send all best wishes as you undergo this new chapter in your relationship with her.
And, as usual, I'm excited to see what you create in your next book.

Stephanie said...

I am so sorry to hear about your sister. What love must be going into that book. I'm sure the end result will be nothing less than amazing.

Edie Hemingway said...

Oh, Lauren, how amazing that your books begin to mirror your life in some way. So sorry to hear about your sister and this new phase of your lives. Sending you positive thoughts and prayers...

David LaRochelle said...

Dear Lauren,

I am very sorry to hear of the news of your sister's illness. What a sad and difficult journey. I send good wishes to both you and her. I wish I good send more than that.

David